WELLINGTON.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 128, 1 August 1868, Page 4

WELLINGTON.

(From our Own Correspondent.) Thursday, July 23. The last batch of representatives made their appearance a couple of days ago, and the work of the session may be said to have begun in earnest. The skirmishing between the divided politicians whom .Sir George Bowen describes in his despatches to the Duke of Buckingham, as “Centralists and Provincialists,” has brought out already some very significant speeches from those who have already made patent their determination to prevent the insidious attacks of the Government to undermine the present system of government. Several Bills were placed before the House as soon as the opening of the session took place, all of which contained clauses taking from the control of provinces powers they hitherto considered their own. The “ Pawnbrokers,” “Perries and Bridges,” and “Various Offences Punishment Bill,” provides for details, the cognizance of which should only be taken by corporate bodies or county legislators. As a matter of course numerous tights, resulting in divisions generally in favour of the Government, took place on most of the important clauses of these Bills. As Messrs. Dillon Bell and Travers put it when appealing to the House, the Bills in question dealing with unimportant matters which should not come within the jurisdiction of the Imperial Legislature, were so many infinitesimal attacks upon the present state of things, and the House would much prefer to see ihe broad question of Provincialism v. Centralism discussed fairly on its merits. Some very sharp sparring ensued, and although the divisions, swelled as they were by lawyers of the Government, and the four aboriginal members, who on all occasions naturally record their vote on the ministerial side ; the weight and quality of argument certainly carried the audience, who crowded to hear the debate, completely with the opponents of the Bill. The farce of having Maori representatives in the Assembly is day after day more felt, as painfully affecting the independence of Parliament. Fancy Mr. Mete Kingi, who can neither speak, understand, or write a single word of English, recording his vote the other day on the question as to whether, in the “ Various Offences Bill,” certain clauses should be dealt with by Provincial or Central legislation ! As a matter of course, Mr. McLean and one or two other staunchest friends of the Government, pull the leading strings to order, and thus an addition of four votes is at all times at the command of Ministers.

Mr. Fox took his seat two days ago, and Capt. Kenny yesterday. The “Auckland phalanx,’’ as it was called last session, have not yet made any move in any direction. The most notable feature of the session has been that of Mr. Travers, the member for Christchurch city, taking a lead in almost every subject brought before the House, and that with considerable talent, and at times with marked effect. He has already thrown the gauntlet down to the Government, and although getting now and then very severe hits from the Premier, he has paid the latter copiously in his own coin. The time of the House is mainly taken up by debates upon questions of trifling import, and two of the subjects best discussed and ventilated yet, have been those affecting hon. members’ stomach and their pocket. The first division took place after a lengthened debate on the question as to whether Osgood or the Club manager should “feed”hon.

members during the session. The latter carried the day, it being decided that his wines and “good things” were superior to those of the late proprietor of the Empire Hotel. On Tuesday last the annual question of honarium, one of the pe' subjects of Mr. Oracroft Wilson, occupied the time of the House during the best portion of the day’s sitting, and after due airing of painfully extorted speeches by a number of somewhat needy members, who, placing their hand upon their hearts, protest that if it was not for this, or if it was not for that, they would consider it their duty to decrease the expenditure by wiping off the £B,OOO or £IO,OOO paid annually for the expense, &c., of members ; a division affirmed the usual expenditure of £1 a day, and travelling expenses for our legislators. The question of the hour, which will probably bring parties together, the introduction of “A Bill to secure the freedom and independence of Parliament,” was brought in last night by Mr. Stafford. The Bill debars any person holding office under the General Government, and Provincial officers from being qualified to take a seat in the Assembly. An exception is made in favor of Superintendents and members of the Colonial Executive. If the consolidated fund ceases to be shared by provinces, their Provincial officers will require qualifications to rentier them eligible. Mr. Fox is expected to fire his first gun on the occasion of the second reading. Captain Kenny initiated his political career in the Assembly by presenting the petition of the Pieton electors, requesting Self-Local-Government (?), one of a large number of petitions, whose fate will soon be sealed, when duly used to answer the purpose of those in power.

The Panama mail brought two items of news well worthy of attention. Mr. Stafford reati in the House yesterday evening, a despatch received from tlie Duke of Buckingham, stating that the terms under which the Colony proposed retaining a regiment in the Colony, could not he entertained, and that the Himalaya would be hero in September next to takeaway the Idth Koval Irish to Australia, where it would relieve the 14th Regiment, ordered home An intimation from London had also been received, that the success ol Mr. Fitzherbert’s uegocials had been greater than ever contemplated. The Crown agents reported that £910,161 had been consolidated as follows :—£92 000 of the General Government 5 per cents ; £297.000 of the General Government 6 per cents ; and £521 ,151 of the Provincial 6 per cents. £1,114,000 of the new loan had been taken up, tenders to £2.260,000 being actually nc-ived in two days, ot e firm contracting for the whole. This news cannot fail to afford univetsal satisfaction.

An effort made by Mr. J. O’Neill, an Auckland member, to do away with retiring provisions contained in the last Civil twice set, was shelved without much. Mr. T. Muclurlaue carried a motion that this Government memorialise her Majesty, in order to cause New Zealand to constitute the sanitarium ot the British army. The motion was well received, except by Mr. Mafford, who questioned its wisdom

All Wellington was kept in a state of temporary excitement yesterday afternoon, when the schooner iiiflenian made her appearance in the harbor. Site anclioied at no great distance off the wharf, ami on being at m.cc boarded by a few eager newspaper repot ters, the astounding news Hew with rapidity along the Beach that she was the supposed French barque, telegraphic despatches from Napier had reported as having landed the ISO Chatham escaped prisoners at Poverty Bay. 1 presume that you have already heard the few details of the lauding ot those natives upon the East Coast of the Middle Island From what we heard yesterday, the threemasted schooner Rifleman, chartered by the Goverumsnt so ne time ago to convey stores, ,vc., to the Chathams, while the St Hilda was engaged upon other service on the Weft Coast, dropped anchoi at the usual anchorage ground, tind . roeeeded to land her stores vvilh the assistance of the native prisoners, who manned the boat- 1 . 1 be following day the Seigeant of the guard, when coming on board, was suddenly seized by the native- 1 , who bad just returned lor another load. The captain was ashore, and snortly afterwards a boatload of Maoris armed to the teeth hoarded the schooner, and ultimately the whole of the prisoners forced themselves on hoard ; anchor was weighed by the mate and crew under threats of death and violence, but the wind being unfavourable, the schooner remained at anchor for a couple of days, when the wind veering to the i astwurd, she stood in lor the coast, and lauded belli vi ng cargo somewhere near Poverty Bay. They are all armed with Enfield rifles, revolvers, and swords, and having for a tune entrenched themselves in a strong position, they have since left it for the interior, and joined the liau-hans The natives told the crew of the Rifleman that they bad bound the guards, but lett the women free Air. Travers urged upon tlie Government last night to take immediate steps in the mutter, as everything as yet appeared tube enveloped m doubt, and great anxiety was naturally felt for tlie inhabitants of the Chathams 'fbe Rosario had been sunt to pursue the French barque Winslow supposed at the time to have conveyed the prisoner to tlie main land, in answer, Mr. Stafford declined inlorming tlie House what steps the <.ovei niiieiit iiileudoa to take, and tlie matter ended. It is supposed that a steamer will shortly lie despatched to the Chathams to inquire into tilings there. The last unfortunate oce irrences at I’atea have created a profound sensation in everybody’s mind here, and many well-informed people are prophecy - ing another native war of unusual magnitude, i need not toucli upon the particulars of tlie storming of the Turu-Turu-Mokai Redoubt, as your subscribers have doubtless received them some time ago. The latest items received concerning this lamentable piece of negligence on the part of our Mounted Constabulary located in that district, have confirmed the heroic conduct of a few, the cowardice of many, and Hie culpable want of precautions on the part of those in authority, who, however, paid for their carelessness with tneir lives. Capt. Ross and several of his men slept outside the redoubt, and notwithstanding the fact that a sentry walked his usual rounds near the entrance of the redoubt, the natives appeared to have had ample time to cut steps through the parapet, and even employing considerable time in so doing before they were discovered. The vvhare where Captain Russ, the officer in command slept, was fired, and under I he cover of the smoke tlie Maoris attacked the post. The 6-w men who only halt armed and just out of bed, kept the assailants at bay for some hours, were relieved by a party of Von Tempsky’s Constabulary quartered three miles away. They heard the firing, and saw the flames at the same time as

the men quartered at Waihi, under the command of a Major Hunter, who it appears behaved in a most disgraceful manner, perceived it. On being informed of the attick taking place such short distance away, he is reported to have at first declined to turn out of bed, then ordered oats for the horses and coffee to be made for Ibe men before proceeding to the relief, where a few of his constables, under the leadership of a sergeant, rushed off notwithstanding. and arrived on the scene of the fight almost as soon as Von Tempsky. It is rumoured that until M jor Hunter’s conduct is investigated by a Court .Martial, no offensive movements will be made at the front. Captain Buck (late of the 6-jth and 14th Regiments) has been authorised by the Government to raise 200 men, and proceed with them to the front. Another large item will ihus bo added to our already heavy expenditure, and J am very much inclined to think that the Government will come down to the House asking for fr sh powers to raise a surplus amount in order to meet the expected contingencies. Our capital city is very dull—in reality duller than it was before the session—trade is in no flourishing condition, and in consequence politics engross people’s mind whom otherwise would care less for it.

J forgot to tell you that when the Chatham prisoners seized (lie Rifleman, I hey seized a schooner laving there at anchor, named the Florence, and alter landing its crew, set her adrift with all sails set. The Government will have a heavy bill to meet on account of this last escapade of their pet Hau-haus, and it is thought that no more philoMaori feelings such as have rendered our wars notorious for many years, wil’ henceforth be allowed to interfere in the execution of duties which the Government owe to themselves, and to both races alike.

Your Superintendent has hitherto taken little or no part in the business of the House, uml it is whispered that owing to causes “ over which ho has no control. ’’ his views in most matters affecting the tenme of office of the Ministry, have greatly altered from what they were during the last session. He is expected to join the Ministerial side on all questions ot any importance, but the wily Premier doubtless remembers the old adage, Timed Danaos ct dona /creates, and will act accordingly.