BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 138, 3 October 1868, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

“EXPRESS ’’JTELEGRAMS. (From our Own Correspondent.) Ministerial Statement- “ Stafford tie Dictator ” will not resign. Extraordinary Proceedings. Defeat of Mr. Fox and the Opposition. Vote by Ballot Bill passed. Expected Dissolution of Parliament. News from the Front. Patea in a state of siege. Attack upon an escort. Manawapou abandoned. : Arrival of Panama Mail Tremendous earthquake, destroying whole cities. Wellington, Friday evening, October 2nd, 1868. On Tuesday, Mr. Stafford made the Ministerial statement to the effect that he did not mean to resign, but would not give any definite information as to their intentions with regard to a dissolution.. • On Wednesday, Mr. Fox moved That it was inexpedient to vote supplies until the Government had declared their intentions as to Financial affairs, and as to a dissolution. The motion was lost, the numbers being 33 to 24. The first item was then proposed, and met by speaking against time till nearly ten o’clock on Thursday morning, when it was allowed to be carried on the voices.

On Thursday there was a short sitting ■ of four hours only, when the Yote by Ballot Bill was reported by 24 against 12. The Government have withdrawn ail Political bills, except the Road Boards Bill, the policy of which is admitted by both sides. It is expected that Parliament will be prorogued, and likely dissolved in about a. week. 1 The Sturt arrived this morning from Wanganui, with later news, from the Front." Manawapou has now been abandoned ! All the other outposts were vacated a week since ! Patea is almost in a state of siege ! An escort has been attacked by an ambuscade, and a trooper named Smith was shot. The Panama Mail arrived on Thursday afternoon. The detention was on the English side. A most destructive Earthquake has taken place at Peru. Whole cities and villages were destroyed, aiid accompanied with immense loss of human life ! This commotion produced the Tidal wave experienced in New Zealand and Australia. The following telegram was received and distributed as' an Extra on Saturday morning last,: — Wellington, Saturday, 9. 50 a.m. A division toqk place on Mr. Cracroft Wilson’s amendment at one o’clock’ this morning, which resulted in giving 32 to the Ministry, including the Speaker, who gave the casting vote. Rather than Mr. McLean’s: motion on Native Affairs should be thus burked, a further amendment was proposed, entrust-J ing the embodiment to other than present? ministers. Ayes 31, noes 32, McFarlane| of Auckland'having gone home. A - News from the-Front arrived this mbrti| , ing. On Sunday last ; \ Te Whowharu’s entrenched position, which' . was found to be deserted. I

All our outposts are now abandoned, except Manawapou and Patea. "Wellington, Saturday, 10 *l7 a.m. This morning Government had a majority of one, by casting vote. 'On Monday morning last McDonnell proceeded to attack Titokowaru, near Turoturo Mokai: the enemy evacuated their entrenched position at the approach of our force, and retired into the bush.

Every available dray is said to have been sent from Patea to Waihi, for the purpose of removing stores, die. The latter place is to be given up, and the only posts to be retained are Patea and Manawapou.