WELLINGTON,

Southland Times, Issue 759, 4 December 1867, Page 2

WELLINGTON,

(From the correspondent of the Daily Time*.) Wellington, Not. 23rd. The publication of a second batch of Acti, containing the "Westland County Act, settle! the truth of the rumors relatire to the fatal flair to its being proclaimed in operation. Tho 14th clause limits the Council to seven, and makes provision for tho appointment or election of nine. The question arises as to whether the seven is a clerical mistake, or whether the four members for . the present Westland electoral district should not hare been two. -feeling among politicians here is that the mistake is in the word " four," and not in the word seven. The Act does not come into operation until the Governor proclaims it J and it is asserted that it will not now be proclaimed prior to the next meeting of Assembly. Mr Hall has gone to Canterbury with the intention of permanently- residing there. - Of -course he will make occasional visits to Wellington, to look after the office ; but, otherwise, the } business of the Postmaster- Generalship will be conducted from Canterbury. Even if this could be done effectually, I cannot help feeling that this arrangement is a bad one for the Colony, Mr Hall's services in his office being only half his value, his services outside of it being quite as valuable as those which relate to his particular department. Mr Richmond has returned, and so has Col. Haultain, the latter so much better that he carries with him a good deal of that pleasant jaunty air he used to have before h's severe illness. The arrival of the Mataura, from Panama, yesterday, took us all by surprise. When we got up, there she lay moored alongside the hulk, true to time. She got away early this morning, and we may hope therefore that the good people of Sydney will meet with as great a surprise as ourselves. The number of passengers is close on seventy, more than at any time previously, and amongst them an Operatic Company for Australia. I do not hear of any news by her of a special character, but the following postscript to Westgarth's Circular, dated Ist October, will be read with interest by all interested in money matters : — Mr FiGzherberfc is making his arrangements to sail on the Bth December, and meanwhile Major Richardson is in training to carry on his duties. It is not known whether Mr Fitzherbert will go Home as Treasurer, but it is generally believed that he will, as it will, of course, add to his prestige ; and New Zealand Acts are not usually so securely drawn ai to prevent the traditional coach and four being driven through any particular one, when there is a general desire to doit. You will bo sorry to learn that Mr J". C. Orawford has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council. I understand that he learnt by some side wind that the Government had no intention to let the matter lapse ; and as. it was a question of solid broad and butter and empty dignity, he chose the former, and has since replied to Mr Stafford's communication by intimating the resignation of his Senatorial honors. We look with interest to what Mr Domett and Mr Strode will do in consequenca. This afternoon sundry addresses are to be presented to the Governor. I sent you, some days ago, the one agreed to at the public meeting on Monday last. It is necessarily vague, but those from the public bodies are couched in more laudatory terms. As regards the Governor's movements, they are still uncertain The, presence of all the Ministers in Wellington has resulted in their offering to His Excellency their private opinion, that it would be perhaps the most advisable course that he should quit the Governorship before Sir George Bo wen arrives, and if convenient the Colony also. It is not expected that Sir George Boweri will delay quitting Brisbane, especially as hia instructions imply that he should reach New Zealand as early as ordinary circumstances allow. Sir George Grey's departure by thft next Panama steamer is still spoken of, and it is doubful whether he will visit Kawau at all, but he may leave for thence in the St. Kilda, any day. A visit to Taupo has been on the tapis. Colonel Whitmore arrived from Napier a few days ago specially to tell His Excellency that the king and other great chiefs were desirous of submitting, i.e. of shaking hands or rubbing noses, and letting bygones be bygones, and of welcoming the Prince in their midst. Sir George was very undecided as to whether he should not go up that way at once, and I believe is still. It would be a great feather in his cap if he were to do so successfully. Yesterday the mail from Auckland brought us news confirmatory of Colonel Whitmore'a statements ; but whether the Governor will, with his old energy and good fortune, attempt to weld the iron thus fortnately made hot, is not known. I cannot do better than clip from the Southern Cross of the 16th the following particulars : — _ " By a gentleman who arrived in town yesterday from Waikato, we have received news of the manner in which Governor Grey's letters were received by the King and his more immediate following. The tenor of the news, though indicating a desire for peace on the part of the King and Eewi, would not seem to show any intention to surrender, at least unconditionally. As we stated some months ago, the coming ol the Duke of Edinburgh and of a new Governor could not fail to stir deeply the minds of those who, for so long a time, have kept aloof from European intercourse, but we may be assured that they will not do anything precipitately. A week or two ago, several letters were sent up by the Governor to Mr Searancke, Resident Magistrate, Waikato, with instructions to get them delivered to Matutaera and his counsellors, and, if possible, to get an answer. These letters contained a most politely- worded request to come in and make peace with the Europeans, and also inviting the chiefs to come to see the Queen's son. Mr Searancke gave these letters to a man called Penetuaia, a Ngapuhi, who can go on either side of the boundary line, and who is called by the natives " the man of the key," because he has charge of the aukati. Penetuaia took up the letters to Tokongamutu, and gave them to Matutaera, who assembled thosa of his advisers who were at hand, and read them. Matutaera then said, " Tell Mr Searancke that we have not time to answer these letters just now. There are various matters pressing on our attention. There is that matter of the leases beyond the boundary, which is causing a good deal of dispute among certain sections of the people, some persons have been selling land which does not belong to them ; and we have complaints from the Thames that goldminers are going on to land without the permission of the owners. All these things we have to examine and consider about, and have not time to answer Governor' Grey, Besides, it is a curious thing that he should ask us to come and welcome the Prince, when he and we are still enemies. If we were reconciled to the Governor, then it would be correct for him to ask us to come in and ■welcome his friends. Going to Auckland would be like going to the Reinga £the Maori Hades}." The above may be depended upon as an almost verbatim interpretation of King Tawhiao's reply to Governor Grey's letters. Tho King further said, and it is important, as we imagine that any submission would be conditional upon some sort of recognition of his power, " Let the Queen acknowledge me, and Europeans may buy land anywhere, and go over the whole land.' '. Previously to the receipt of the above particulars in Auckland, the following telegram had been received there : — " oambkid3b— Prom W. Buokland to the Editor of the " Daily Southern Cross," Auckland, " Matutaera and hia principal men hava resolved to come in, . ! *' The country is at once to be opened." We await tho further information of which this telegram is the avant courier, and look to Sir Qeorge. Grey'a movements fa reference, thereto ifitfc