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New Zealand Mail, Issue 32, 2 September 1871, Page 13

a Native Intelligence.-—We are autko-1 rised to state that intelligence has been received from Captain Preece to the following effect:—On the 18th instant fires were seen on the Waipaua river, a branch of theEuakituri. The tracks of Te Kooti's party were found, and shortly afterwards a woman was taken prisoner, who gave information that Te Kooti was camped close by. Arrangements were made to surprise the camp, which was accordingly rushed. Pour men were killed and eighteen stand of arms with everything else in the camp fell into our hands. and most of the men escaped by swimming a river which bounded the camp. The force under Captains Preece and Mair were at the time the attack on Te Kooti's camp was made, destitute of supplies, and had after his escape to return for provisions. They were ready when the messenger left camp to start again in pursuit. Major Eopata had not been communicated with since his force went into the bush.

The Smallpox at Buenos Aykes.— Now that full particulars of the plague at Buenos Ayres have been received, the opinion that it was the most extraordinary visitation of the kind within the memory of the present generally is fully maintained. It raged for five months, and never extended its ravages to any other part of the country.. There was a perfect stampede of the citizens, and the railways were fully employed in carrying away the sick and the healthy, and yet as the population diminished the death-rate increased, until on one day, the sth of April, there were no fewer than 720 deaths, out of a remaining population of less than 40,000. It was noticed as a remarkable fact, and it is one that would give satisfaction to the author of " The Philosophy of Stinks," that in the suburb where the abattoirs, the boiling-down establishments, the depots of hides, and the jerked beef drying establishments were located, the disease did not make its appearanc. Towards the end of April the pestilence was dying but, but whether it was the approach of winter or the depopulation of the city that is to be credited with the amelioration is a matter of opinion. Another curious circumstance connected with the epidemic is the fact that it was introduced from the provinces, and yet did not afterwards spread to them. It would appear as if the stamina of the country residents enabled them to bear up against it, while it fastened on the wretched townspeople of vitiated constitutions.

Otago Dock Trust.—At a meeting of this trust last week a letter from the Superintendent of the province was read, in which he stated that Mr Blaekett was not likely to visit the province for some time, and that the Government would prefer the board to take the matter into its own hands, and consult an engineer of standing who had not committed himself to any opinion. He hoped the board would concur in the opinion that nothing short of the most dire necessity will warrant a recourse to the law's delay, uncertainty, and expense. At the same meeting a committee was appointed to consider the question of "dock charges, upon which the Colonial Secretary wanted information.

Westport Sea Encroachments.—An appeal case, Askew v. Stitt Brothers, arising out of a judgment obtained by the plaintiff in the E. M. Court, Westport, for the rent of a section in Gladstone street, has been settled without going to a jury, in consideration of the defendant paying £lO. The defendants denied liability on the ground that the section was untenable owing to sea encroachments ; and since the matter has been under litigation the ground has been completely submerged, being visible at low water only. The Hon. Mr Domett.—ln chronicling the departure of the Hon. Mr and Mrs Domett, the Nelson " Mail" says :—Mr Domett was one of our oldest Nelson settlers, his first appearance in public life being as editor of the "Nelson Examiner," after which he took office under Sir Geo. Grey as Civil Secretary. He then succeeded the Hon. Major Richmond, as Commissioner of Crown Lands in Nelson, in connection with which office he also held that of Provincial Secretary. Having been elected to represent the town of Nelson in the General Assembly, he shortly after became Colonial Secretary, and, on the defeat of his Ministry, he was appointed Secretary for Crown Lands, which appointment he has held ever since, together with a seat in the Legislative Council. He was always known as a thoroughly honest and fearless politician, and his absence will be severely felt, both in the Legislature and in the office over which he has presided for so many years. He carries with him the best "wishes of all those with whom he has been brought into contact, either socially or politically. Fiji.—Fiji papers up to the 27th July nave been received inSydney. The ketch Maria Louisa, from Hobarfc Town, was totally wrecked off Levuka, and the wreck was afterwards sold for £sl. The first election held at Ovalau resulted in the return of Messrs Manton, Levy, and Biley, anti-Ministerialists. The chief Maafu visited Cacobau, and having taken j