WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 780, 5 October 1853, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

His Excellency the Governor returned to Wellington late on Wednesday evening last, from his visit, to the Wairarapa Valley. The object of His Excellency’s journey, as we stated at the time of his departure, was to effect, if possible, the purchase of either the whole, or a portion of the Wairarapa Valley from the native tribes to whom it belonged. We now hear that Mr, M’Lean, the Native Commissioner, who accompanied Sir Geo. Grey in the journey, has succeeded in purchasing the whole west side of the valley, extending from Binding’s station at the foot of the Remutaka Range, to the sea coast, comprising an area of about 300,000 acres, and being about 15 miles in length, by two in width. The portion of the valley which has been secured to the colonists by the exertions of his Excellency, and the instrumentality of Mr. M’Lean, belonged, previous to the purchase, to the Ngatakahunu tribe, about 800 of whom, including several chiefs, were present when the purchase was effected. The purchase was completed on Tuesday last (August 30), the natives having assembled on that day to meet Mr. M’Lean, at the pall near Mr. Kelly’s station, at Tauranganui. While the negociations for the sale and purchase were going on between Mr. M’Lean and the principal chiefs, His Excellency was staying at Mr. Russell’s station, at Whanga-moana; The Independent has the following, copied from a Sydney paper “ Opening of Steam Communication with Nel son, Wellington, and other parts of New Zealand. —The A 1 screw steamer Ann, Gibbs, commander, will be despatched for the above ports punctually on the 12th instant. For freight or passage apply to J, S. Sparkes, Moore’s Wharf. From the well-known speed of the Atm , it is confidently expected that she will make the passage to the above port in five or six days.” The Ann was to make Nelson her first port of call on her way here, and if she sailed according to the date she was advertised, she is doubtless at Nelson before this, and may consequently be very shortly expected here.

WII AN GAN UI. The election of two members to represent tlxe Whanganui district in the Council of the Province of Wellington, terminated in the return of Messrs. 11. S. Harrison and W. Watt. We have not at present received any account of the polling, the only particulars that have reached us regarding it being that Mr. Richards, the third candidate, resigned the contest before the middle of the day.— IVcllington Independent. LYTTELTON. The election of a member to serve in the General Assembly of New Zealand took place on Monday. Hustings were prepared facing the immigration barracks, t nd at twelve o’clock a considerable number of electors were present. The proceedings commenced by the Returning Officer reading the writ. He hoped the proceedings would be carried on with the same propriety and good feeling as at Christchurch for the nomination of Superintendent. (Hear, hear). Tire polling took place on Wednesday, and at four o’clock the poll stood thus t Filz Gerald . . . 55 Dampier .... 45 The official state of the poll was given at halfpast four, and Mr. 'Fitzgerald declared to be duly elected. Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Dampier thanked the electors for the support they had received, and the proceedings terminated. The town was enlivened throughout the day by a baud which paraded the streets with banners and horsemen. The utmost good feeling prevailed, though, at the close of the poll, there was a slight ebullition of feeling which subsided as rapidly as it arose. Altogether the entire proceedings reflected the greatest credit on all parties, proving their fitness and capacity for the privileges they were for the first time exercising.