BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 126, 18 July 1868, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

“ EXPRESS " TELEGRAMS. WELLINGTON. (From our Own Correspondent.) Escape of 186 Native Prisoners from the Chatham Islands to New Zealand. Fox’s election invalid. Tne new Road Boards Act, as proposed. Fitzherbert’s success with new Loan. Great demand for Volunteers. ;; - Friday, 5 p.m. : All the Native prisoners, 186 in number have escaped from the Chatham Islands in a whaler, and landed on the north of Po-

verty Bay. They are in possession of arms, but whether they fought their guards and seized the Whaler, compelling her to make for New Zealand, or whether conveyed surreptitiously, is not known. Colonel Whitmore is calling for Volunteers at Napier. A flaw has been discovered respecting Mr. Fox’s election, but it will not prevent him from taking his seat, and as any attempt to unseat him would only be considered vexatious, none will probably be made.

In the Assembly, the Road Boards Bill was introduced on Wednesday last. It gives 20 to 30 per cent of the Land Funds of district, and confers nearly all controlling powers on Superintendents. The ultra Centralists are greatly chagrined at this. About twenty members are still absent, and very little has been done yet, The first fight is expected next Wednesday on a bill disqualifying Provincial Officers from holding seats in the Assembly. No party organizations have been formed yet, awaiting Mr. Fox’s arrival, which is hourly expected. Nothing more from Wanganui, but the mail arrives to-night. Two hundred Volunteers are being called for here.

Fitzherbert has raised the £1,114,000 Loan. More than double that amount was tendered.

The War-steamer Rosario is just off to the Chatham Islands to learn the condition of the guards and other whites.