Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 616, 2 October 1858, Page 4

Colonial.

WELLINGTON. [from our own correspondent.] Since I last wrote there has been a temporary cessation of hostilities between the two political parties that agitate andfdivide this province, but judging from the tone of the ' Independent' and ' Spectator' the respective organs of the " Constitutional " and " Reform " bodies, the animus is as sincerely bitter as ever. A sort of gloomy concession seems to have been made on each side ; the Constitutional party allowing Messrs. Hunter and Wakefield to be reelected for the city without opposition, their own candidates, Messrs. Brandon and Johnston, being in turn unopposed for the Country districts. There has been however a contest for the Wairarapa; Mr. Borlase the Reform candidate and Ex-provincial Solicitor having been successfully opposed by Captain W. M. Smith, an old settler, and an earnest supporter of the Featherston Regime. It is understood that the Superintendent, finding it impossible to carry on the Government beneficially with the present adverse majority in the Council, has requested the Governor to dissolve, and pending his reply has prorogued that body. This last measure of Dr. Featherston's, seeing that the expenditure of all public money (with two or three trifling exceotions) is unauthorized since the 30th June last, is I think unwise, and has caused great dissatisfaction. The Reform party think it a gross insult to the people at large to prorogue their Representatives without notice; and yet one would almost think that they had provoked the insult by the unceasingly hostile and menacing attitude they have maintained towards the Superintendent since they have been in Council assembled. " Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown;" and what is thus symbolled of kings is true of Superintendents, as Dr. Featherston cantestify. Independently of two cases that have been already disposed of in the Supreme Court (and adversely to him) there are at the present moment no less than three if not four actions pending against him: two for libel at the suits of Messrs. King and Allen, and one at the suit of Captain Kreeft of the Marchioness, to recover the snm of £900, said to be due for services in conveying the mail from Melbourne. Mr. Fox is also the defendant in another action for libel, (at the suit of Varnham and others I believe), and damages are also sought to be recovered against the ' Independent' for repeating and publishing the libels. And to crown all, Mr. Wakefield will to-morrow, through his Solicitor, move for an injunction to restrain the Superintendent from 'a further expenditure of public money. "Greek meets Greek," but how the tug of war will end, this deponent knowetli not.

So much for politics. Public attention lias been painfully excited of late by certain pro-

ceedings in the Resident Magistrate's P nilT f here, in which the Rev. Arthu? Bake? wasne lendant. ■: Although the Bench adjuS the rev gentleman guilty of the assaultSplained of, the decision has been by no means com placently received by the public. OpiifoTfo very much divided. No jury would,- \ think have convicted on the evidence. The char*? 5 certainly a startling one to be brought Sfnst any person, but especially a clergyman Before we receive allegations- for facts, or condemn on S tf y T denT\T c oX\ sht t0 S^ce at antecedents; all must allow that ever since his arrival here, Mr Baker has kindly and faithfully discharged his ministerial responsibilities, and no one action of his could confirm the supposition of his guilt. His friends are using every effort to clear away all doubt, and I heartily wS them God speed. In the meantime the Bishop on MTSSb'ehaif: 611 t0 *

Rumours have just reached town that gold has been discovered at Masterton, one of the small farm settlements of the.Wairarapa. but the discoverers (Messrs. Bentley and another) old Melbourmtes, have refused to disclose the precise locale until assured that Government will reward. In answer thereto, an advertisement is just issued offering on behalf of the Provincial Government a reward of £500 to the discoverers, within the next two months, of an available fmlrl field; that is, one that will Word remuneraS employment to not less than 200 individuals, bo tins looks promising and businesslike. Dr. Evans, the Post-Master-General of Victoria, is at present on a visit to Wellington- he has been very courteously received, and is 'entertained to-day at a public dinner; Mr. Clifford taking the chair, and Mr. St. Hill the vice. 'On dit that Dr. Featherston returns with Dr. Evans to Melbourne to accelerate and complete the Inter-Provincial Steam Postal Communication between Wellington and Victoria. Mr. Clifford is to act as Superintendent pro tern. The Oliver Lang arrived on Saturday, after a passage of 92 days, and lands her passengers in first-rate order. One death and one birth occurred during the passage. Captain Mundle still continues to deserve the good wishes of his passengers, and you will be pleased to learn that this noble ship will, in connection with others of the Black Ball Fleet, become a regular trader to New Zealand. I trust we shall be enabled to make it worth their while.

I have to announce the departure of the 65th Regiment, so long stationed in this province; they leave us in the course of this week for Auckland, one hundred men alone remaining here under the command of Captain Turner and Ensigns Pennefather and Herries.

The new judge is shortly expected, nor will it be long before the newly elected Bishop of Wellington will arrive to enter on his episcopal duties. But while we rejoice at the prospect of having a resident puisne judge, Mr. Gresson will I am sure be much missed, as his high ability and courtesy have won the esteem and respect of all. The notorious John Woods has been sentenced to eight years penal servitude, but there is reason to beiieve that the rumour of his being an 'escaped' convict and concerned in the murder of Mr. Dunne, of Franklin River, is without foundation,' though there is no doubt of his being an old hand.

The Queen steamer arrived last night from Otago, and sails-on Wednesday for Melbourne. Business has been better of late, and the markets though moderate are firm. Public amusements are at a low ebb at present, with the exception of concerts; weather being rainy, and for the time of year cold. '

Ships in harbour:—Harkaway, Oliver Lang, Moa, City of Melbourne, Sarah, Wbnga Wonga (s), Queen (s), and several small craft. The City of Melbourne sails on Monday with the first detachment of the 65th.

It becomes our melancholy duty to record the death of the Maori chief Itawiri Puaha,. who expired on the 6th instant, in his own village on Porirua harbour. His health had been somewhat precarious for some time previous, but no serious symptom presented itself till within an hour of his decease. A medical gentleman was in attendance, but was baffled in his efforts to recover the expiring flame. Thus calmly closed the career of an exemplary Maori, who has for very many years maintained a consistent Christian profession, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Possessing most extensive influence, and commanding unlimited respect amongst his own people, he had at the same time, by his uniform integrity of character and honesty of purpose, gained for himself the unbounded confidence of the settlers. His name is pleasingly associated with the earliest recollections of not a few of the oldest of them. His uninterruptedly friendly behaviour and protective influence at a period when disturbances between the two races were common, will ever be remembered by those who have experienced it. It is long since he abandoned his Maori customs for the comforts of civilised life, and quitted his thatched whare for a neat weather-boarded and well furnished dwelling which he had erected within the precincts of his pa. Notwithstanding a distance of nearly twenty miles from town, a considerable number of Europeans assembled last Tuesday week, at Takapuahia to pay the last tribute of respect to the remains of their old and tried friend. A large body of natives from the various neighbouring settlements were likewise in attendance, forming altogether we understand, a concourse of about five hundred. The service was conducted in the Maori language by the Rev. Jtiwai .Te Aim, and was followed by a discharge of musketry loiul and long—" a farewell shot o'er the grave whpi'o their hero ■they buried." The funeral rites being ended, the company repaired to tlicpa t<> partake of' a sumptuous 'fynst which had been prepared in honor of' the occasion.