WANGANUI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 178, 14 April 1847, Page 2

WANGANUI.

We have received the following particulars from a correspondent, dated Bth inst. :—: — " H.M.S. Calliope arrived off Wanganui on Monday the 29th ult., and the following morning his Honor the Superintendent accompanied by Mr. Kemp landed in one of the Calliope's boats ; in the afternoon the boat returned to the Calliope with a whaleboat, taking with them two privates and a corporal, and five seamen who had been attached to the gun-boat stationed in the Wanganui river, who were exchanged for five other hands from the vessel. On leaving the vessel, the whaleboat was unfortunately upset near the Kaitoki stream about three miles south of the Wanganui, where it was attempted to beach her, as it was feared that there was too much sea on the bar, and the whaleboat was deeply loaded having fourteen persons in it besides baggage, &c. Two men, Corporal Nevill and a seaman were unfortunately drowned, and the others were saved with great difficulty. Lieutenant Holmes the officer in command exerted himself to the utmost and did all that an officer could do on so lamentable an occasion. The Superintendent had an interview with Maketu (who is married to Mamoku's sister) and accepted his submission. He also wrote to Mamoku who for some time past has been waiting for an opportunity of making his personal submission to the Governor and suing for peace. After the steamer passed Wanganui thinking the opportunity was lost, he started up the river to his cultivations, and when the Calliope arrived (on the 29th) he left'Pukahika about. 45 miles up the river for Kerikeriroa which is a week's journey further inland. He is expected down shortly, when it is supposed he will make his submission to Capt. Laye. The Calliope returned to Wanganui on the 7th, and on the following day the Superintendent went on board. The soldiers were about to occupy the New Stockade which had just been completed. The water mill was in the course of erection on a creek about three miles above the Town and on the same side of the river, and the machinery was expected to be forwarded shortly from Wellington. Mr. Bell's crops had considerably exceeded his expectations, particularly as owing to last year's disturbances he had been prevented

from sowing his wheat until late in the season. All appears to be going on well at Wanganui, and the settlers are in high spirits ; several new buildings are talked of, but there is not a sufficient supply of sawn timber."

Our readers will perceive, by the following extract from the Examiner, that the settlers of Nelson view with satisfaction the late settlement of the Land Claims at Wairau, and are taking immediate steps to avail themselves of the advantages it offers to them. The extracts referred to by our contemporary are the observations made in our 171 st number, which occasioned the recent controversy :—: — Our readers will perceive, on referring to our Wellington extracts, that the Governor has purchased the whole of the claims of the Ngatitoa, or Rauparaha's tribe, to their land in this island, with the exception of the Kaituna valley, which is reserved for them instead of making other reserves in the Wairau district. This step of his Excellency has placed the Wairau at the disposal of the Company, who are at liberty to select wherever they please from the purchase. Arrangements will therefore be made as early as possible to commence the surveys, and meanwhile steps will be taken to connect that district with this by a road. We believe Mr. Fox will start in a few days to examine the route just discovered by Messrs. Ward and Goulter. The VV aitoi pass, and Queen Charlotte's Sound, are not included in this purchase, as those places belong to another tribe, the Ngatiawas, but we hear they are also willing to dispose of their claims, so that we may soon hope to see the Sound also added to the Nelson district. — Nelson Examiner.