Telegraphic Despatches

Southland Times, Issue 1188, 5 July 1869, Page 2

Telegraphic Despatches

"We take the following telegraphic intelligence from the Otago 'Daily Times': — "Wellington, June 27th. A Maori express messenger, one of Wirihana's men, arrived at Wanganui from Taupo on Friday. He reports that Te Kooti with 300 men is atTaupanga on the edge of the Taupo Lake, within 12 miles of Wirihana's settlements, and urges the Wanganui Natives to send help to Wirihana. The latter has deemed it expedient to retreat 60 miles, leaving a few scouts to watch the enemy. The messenger adds that Te Kooti iutends to come down the Wanganui River and destroy the settlements. Kemp has sent 100 jnen to Taupo. The Waaganui Natives are much excited aad alarmed. Messengers from Te Kooti and Tito Kowaru have visited Topia, the chief yof the Wanganui Hauhaus, and havei asked him to join them. Topia professed a desire to keep the peace iv bis own district, but said that he would be free to fight the King's battles elsewhere. It is feared that Te Kooti and Tito Kowai v are acting on a concerted plan of operations. Majoi* Noakes and Hori Grey have captured 43 more rebels, making the total number of the Pakakohi hap a captured, 172. June 28th. Mr Fox has experienced some difficulty in getting any other members to jo n his Cabinet. Mr Tancred is reported to have refused to do so, and efforts are now being made by Mr Fox to induce Dr Featherston and Mr Dillon Bell to join him. This they will probably do, as Ministers without portfolios. Wellington, Jnne 29th. Mr Fox made a Ministerial Statement to-day. He expressed a confident hope of be>ng able soon to fill up the offices still vacant. The Grovernment, he said, had been dismayed on discovering the extensive nature of the military operations on wh'ch the colony had embarked, and their enormous cost. Ths war policy of the Government would be to reduce the present force considerably, and abandon all aggressive operations. They would not turn their backs on the enemy, but act on the defensive. No territory would be prematurely abandoned, although some out-settlements might be for a time. The cardinal point of their policy would be the obtaining of Imperial assistance in. men. They would retain the 18th Regiment by paying for them, and would ask for another specially enlisted and officered for service in the colony. They did not yet know how matters stood financially. If a War Loan proved to be necessary, it should be borne by the Colony as a whole, but if a Loan were necessary merely to open up the North Island, by making roads through it, it should be borne solely by the North Island. The colony, as a whole, would have to pledge its credit, but an Imperial Act would be sought to settle the liability between the Islands. The Government would discourage any organic constitutional change being made without an appeal to the country. Tney would cordially assist the provinces to fulfil their functions, but if any of them were unable to stand alone, the Government would have to ask the House to assist them in devising means to rescue such provinces trora their pos'.tiou. The rebel prisoners would be vigorously dealt with, and, if necessary an Act would be introduced to constitute simple and vigorous tribunals to deal with such cases. The Statement was rather coldly received. Mr Stafford asked if Mr M'Lean had resigned his Superintendency. Mr Fox replied that he had not yet done so, but that he was prepared to do so at the end of the session. Napier, June 26th. Heuheu is reported to have been taken and his pah to have been burned by Te Kooti. Captain St. George states thiit part of the IMwera tribe have left Te Kooti, who, he represents, is only 140 strong. It is said that he intends to proceed by the west shore of Lake Taupo to attack Haruru. June 28. The Sturt has arrived from the Coast. She reports that the Constabulary at Matata and Fort Galatea are dissatisfied with the conduct of their officers. They complain of being kept on short rations, and object to making roads in all weathers. The force is described as being entirely disorganised. The Native Lands Court is sitting at j i Poverty Bay. ' Captain Coventry, with 16 men, has marched for Haroto. 100 Arawas are on their way to support Captain St. George. June 20 th. Letters received from Mr. Birch's

station near Patea confirm Captain St. ' George's statement regarding Heuheu and all his people having been taken prisoners by Te Kooti. Rumor suggests that Heuheu joined Te Kooti voluntarily. Hori Grey is daily expecting assistance from the Wanganui natives. Nelson, June 26th. News received here from Taranaki states that the friendly chief Ihaia went into the rebel country and burned several whares. For this he was reprehended by the authorities, to whom he replied that he and his men were not paid for doing nothing. He was then told to act on the defensive only, on which he turned sulky, saying the Pakehas were a queer lot. Major Brown's return has caused dissatisfaction among the Taranaki electors, and it is said that he will be asked to resign, either his coaimision or his seat. Tito Kowaru is reported to be making for Paii.ika to join Te Witi. The friendlies say that fighting is likely to take place ere long. A landslip has taken place at the Moanotairi Creek, at the Thames, burying three people.

Christchurch, June 26th. A man named De Bom^bel has claimed the Government reward of L2OO for the discovery of a payable goldfield " in the Rakaia and Malvern districts." The precise locality he has not divulged, but he asserts that 40 ounces of gold have been obtained from two months' crushing with sledge hammers. Considerable excitement prevails here in consequence of his report.