LATEST NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 16, 14 December 1863, Page 3

LATEST NORTHERN NEWS.

(from our own correspondekt.) Picton, 3rd December. The Prince Alfred, s.s., arrived here rather unexpectedly this morning, from Sydney . left November 25th, and Nelson, at about 1 p.m. She sails for the South, at 2 a.m. tomorrow—a rather longer stay than usual with steamers at this pbrt. I am thus enabled to give you the above. You will by this time have received intelligence of the Maories having received a defeat at Rangiriri, though with great loss to our forces. Captain Mundle, of the Rangatira.^ which arrived here from Auckland via Wellington, on the Ist December, reports Captain Mercer as having died from the effects of liis wounds. By this vessel there is one day's Inter news (to the 25th ult.) than that brought by the Phoebe, consisting chiefly in accounts of the fight, treatment of our prisoners, and how the wounded officers, &c , are getting on. A grand military funeral had taken place at the same time that the Rangatira was detained, conveying visitors to the Himalaya. All the chief naval and military representatives, the members of the General Assembly, the Governor, and some of the Executive, &c, joined in the procession to the last earthly resting place of Lieutenant Lewis, Goth Regiment, and Midshipman Watkins, of the Curacoa, who died from wounds received in the recent engagement. The Himalaya sailed for England via Sydney, with invalids and condemned stores, on the 24th ult. Fortnightly communication with England, via Panama, is reported to have been determined on, Wellington to be the port of call. Ward is said to have effected this. On the subject, the Sydney Heraldhvw the following : "No definite arrangement had been come to, or indeed, could be come to, without the sanction of the Colonial Government, and hopes appear entertained that some contribution in aid of this scheme would be obtainable in this colony. A moderate bonus might, perhaps, be given for every steamer that arrived in Sydney, from Panama, via New Zealand." Mr Hamilton (Sydney agent in London), had recently sent a despatch, bating an offer on the part of the old Gene-ral-Screw Company, to run vessels for the colonial portion of the subsidy. He declined the offer as the vessels were not first class in respect of speed. Mr Wa.d was more disposed to accept said offer. Tbe Postmaster-General has issued a notice to tlie effect that throughout the colony post officts are to open at U a.m., and close at 5 p.m. Nelson.— The Nelson Examiner oi the Ist December, received per Prince Alfred, has f.w itetrs of inteiest. Champion Belt (for rifle she oting7 had been presented to N. G. Morse, Esq., of No. 4 Nelson Company of Volunteers. General Cameron, at the conclusion of tlie presentation, wliich took place when that company were on. parade, received , three times three. Meeting at Nelson to memorialise Government to proclaim Puller District a gold field ; adjourned to 2nd inst. Magna Bona ai rived from London. Mr Mackay, Assistant Native Secretary, informs the Examiner that the .presentation of the mere by Thompson to the Governor is, according to native custom, an admission of defea', and that they want no more lighting. Mari.boi;ouch. — Cricket match is to come off on Boxing Day, between Cricketeis and Volunteers of Picton. The next regatta here, is, if possible, to be something woithy the name. Although not to be held until next | November, a meeting was held to-night on the subject, and a committee appointed to make arrangements. A (Jovemment Gazette, just issued, gives, amongst other things, the ] year's expenditure for the Province; and j several notices for "General Information."!