NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1155, 27 October 1869, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

"We take tbe following telegraphic summary from our Northern exchanges: — Napieb, September 27th. On Saturday last Te Kooti with 250 men attacked Takano pah, which was held by 249 friendlics. A severe engagement ensued, and resulted in Te Kooti being driven off. He is being followed up. The enemy left seven dead bodies on the field, and carried several others off. Their los 3is reported to amount to 30 killed. The friendlies' loss was 7 wounded, but none killed. i Between 40 and 50 rounds of Enfold ammunition were found on each of tbe bodies of the dead rebels. A general attack on Te Kooti is to take place to-day, The friendlies will be supported by Col. Herrick with No. 2. Division of the Constabulary, and Col. M'Donuell at the head of the "Wanganui Friendlies. October Ist. Dr Pollen addressed 1,500 of the Thames miners, but was badly received, and the meeting ended in a grand melee. Mr "Williamson is the favorite candidate. His re-election is regarded as certain. An alleged Fenian is reported to have presented two green silk flags, on which deaths' heads and cross bones were depicted, to Maaubiri. A crushing of 120 ions of quartz from the City of Glasgow claim, yielded 1920 ounces of gold. Several of the Auckland merchants are removing their goods from the lower streets in anticipation of the predicted tidal wave. The Governor arrived at Taranaki on Tuesday last, and was well received. October 6th. Good accounts continue to be received from Coromandel. Another crushing from the Long Drive claim has yielded at the rate of 3oz. 15dwt. to the pound of stone. The Governor and Mr M'Lean arrived at Auckland on the 4th. Colonel M'Donnell is still snowed up. October 7th. On Monday morning, Col. M'Donnell,

at the head of the European and Native forces, attacked Te Kooti's position at Iwituroa, a wooded hill to the north of Lake fiotoaira. He stormed and captured the pa, killing 35 of the. enemy and wounding several more- Our loss was Captain St. George and two Wanganui natives killed, besides two wounded. When his despatch left, Col. M'Donnell was following up Te Kooti, who is supposed to have fled towards the source of the Wanganui River. October 12th. Mr Williamson addressed 2000 of the Thames miners at Grabarastown the other day, and a vcte of confidence in him was passed. A similar compliment was paid him at Onehunga. His Excellency the Governor has released the Maori prisoners convicted under the Anns- Act Mr Hall, brother of Mr Hall of the firm of Winks and Hall, has been drowned in the river Thames.. Colonel Herrick has withdrawn from active service. Colonel M'Donnell left on Friday with five days' rations in search of Te Kooti. It is reported from Auckland that 270 Waikatos have left for Taupo, for the pupose of pursuing Te Kooti. October 14th. Te Heu Heu and his people have unconditionally surrendered to Colonel M'Donnell. Te Heu Heu states that in the engagement on the 4th instant, a shot took off Te Kooti's right thumb, smashing his hand and then passing through his side. He was, in consequence, barely able to make his escape. The Chatham Island prisoners suffered severely in this engagement. Hakaraia's people are said to be on their way to join Te Kooti. Wellington, September 24. News from Auckland is to the 20th. Flour is £16. 4000 ounces of gold were brought from the Thames by the Prince Alfred. O'Connor reports favourably on the Upper Thames. At Coromandel the Virginia claim yields nuggets and specimens surpassing anything found at the Thames. No important Thames news. . A mining journal waß published on the 18th. The election for the superintendency causes excitement. At Poverty Bay supposed Hauhau signal fires have been seen on the ranges. A spy was captured by Westrupp's party. Government telegrams from Napier yesterday state that Locke had arrived at Te Haroto wilh news from Taupo. He reports our forceß as preparing to attack Te Kooti. The arrival of the Wanganui natives has done this. The natives handed over the whole of the Kaimanawa country by deed to the Government. The block includes the country from Bua Tehu to this side of the Buahine, and from Taupo to the Napier and Patea track. It is of enormous extent, and includes all the reputed auriferous country. September 26th. Dr Featherston has returned from Manawatu, having settled matters satisfactorily with the non-sellers' there. 5000 acres have been set apart for them as a reserve, and the Native Land Court yesterday ratified the arrangement. A Gazette notice states that Mr G«orge H. Harris, clerk in the Post Office, Duriedin, and Mr • Frederick Basire, Postmaßtei, Fort Chalmers, have been dismissed from the public service. The' Governor has gone overland from Wanganui to Patea. The wreck of the Taranaki is now aflut. '

September 27th. The first sitting of the Court of Special Commission under the Disturbed Districts ! Act, took place to-day. One of Te Kooti's followers was tried for the murder of a friendly native in the Poverty Bay massacre. The widow of the man whom he, with others, shot, gave evidence against him. He was found guilty, and sentenced to death. September 28th. Another of the East Coast prisoners has been found guilty of high treason. Sentence is deferred. September 29th. "Wi Tamararo, who was on Monday last convicted of murder, committed suicide in gaol to4ay by hanging himself with a saddle-strap which he wore as a belt. He managed to make it fast about three feet from the floor, and then threw himself forward until he was dead. His koeea were absolutely touching the ground. Tauroa, the chief of the West Coast prisoners, is not among those committed for trial, he having been admitted to give evidence against his followers. The Taranaki has been pumped dry, and is expected to arrive here tomorrow. September 30th. The Ngatiraukawa dissentients are greatly dissatisfied with the award in the Manawatu case. They declare it to be their intention to return to Tokaugamutu, whence they originally came. Eight of the prisoners on hoard the hulk were brought up for trial today. The trial is still (7.30 p.m.) going on. October Ist. At two o'clock this morning the jury returned a verdict of guilty against the first batch of "West Coast prisoners, to the number of eight. Sentence was deferred until the remaining 71 are tried, and the Court then adjourned till Tuesday. The Taranaki arrived here this evening in tow of the Ladybird. A large crowd assembled to witness her arrival alongside the wharf, and all the ships displayed their bunting in honor of the event. She looks much better than was expected. The news to hand from Auckland, via "V\Tanganui, is unimportant. The (3-olden Crown crushings have yielded at the rate of 30 ounces to the ton. October sfch.

Nearly all the remaining Maori prisoners pleaded guilty of high treason, to-day. Thfc judge deferred sentence, but said their lives would be spared. The few who pleaded not guilty will be tried to-morrow. October 7th. Mr Ormond telegraphed to the Government today, recommending that, as Te Kooti had been defeated, the Kaimanawa district should be opened to prospectors. The Home Commissioners will not leave for England tiil December. Dr Featherston has made up his mind to S°' A portion of the cargo of the Taranaki was sold by auction today. The packages were all opened before being sold, and fair prices were realised. October 11th. Seventy-two, of the Maori prisoners were brought up for sentence to-day. Tauroa, who pleaded guilty, after giving evidence for the Crown in one case, made a speech of nearly four hours' duration, to show why sentence of death should not be pronounced. The Judge, without assuming the black cap, sentenced the prisoners to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, explaining that he had no power to award any other sentence for the crime of which they had been found guilty, but that the sentence would be commuted by the Governor to imprisonment for a few years, after which they would be restored to liberty if they behaved well. One East Coast prisoner received the same sentence without any promise of commutation. October 15th The half-yearly balance sheet of the N.Z.S.N. Co. has just been issued. It shows a net profit balance of £622, including a profit of £673, made on the sale of the coal agency of M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co.'s steamers. The sum of £30,409 still stands to the debit of the profit and loss and depreciation account. A movement in favor of winding up the Company has again been commenced. October 18. The Airedale arrived at Nelson last night, having encountered a severe 8.8. gale on the passage from Auckland. The John Perm and Keera have had to put back to Taranaki for shelter. Mr Yogel was a passenger by the Airedale. The Superintendency election is engrossing considerable attention in Auckland. Large numbers of passengers continue to arrive at Auckland from Sydney and "West Coast. Mining matters at the Thames all quiet. The share quotations are low, and few shares are changing hands. The miners are, therefore, setting in again to work their claims. , The Natives are quiet in the "Waikato | and throughout the North. I The Governor and the Hou. Donald M'Lean went to Kaipara on Friday. The Court of Appeal met to-day, but the proceedings were unimportant. Tne Government have received 2000 Snider rifles by the Electra, and 500 are coming in the Melita. A Gazette issued to-day notifies the extinguishment of the native title over the Manawatu Block, the area of which ia estimated at 220,000 acres. October 19. The case of Surflen and Another v. Smith, Sheriff of Otago, occupied the whole of the time of the Court of Appeal to-day. The decision of the Court below in favour of ths defendant was confirmed.

The following is the latest news from Taranaki : — The Natives ara putting in their crops, which is a good sign. Mr M'Lean's visit has done good, and the natives have more confidence in the Europeans now than they had six months ago. The Pioneer Steel Works commence operations in ten days. Flax machines will shortly be working at Opunaki, and Mr Parris and other gentlemen have gone to arrange with the natives for a supply of flax. The Waitara mills now turn out over three tons of fibre weekly. Gold is reported to have been found at Patea, the prospect being specks in the black sand. Nelson, September 28tb. The Colonist announces that the Home Government have offered the companionship of the order of St. Michael and St. George to Mr Stafford and Colonels Haultain and Whitmore. Mr Stafford and Colonel Haultain have declined the honor, but Colonel Whitmore has accepted it, regarding it as an acknowledgment by the Queen and country of his services. The eflorts for the promotion of the manufacture of flax are progressing in this province. October 4th. The goldfields news from Auckland continues good. Another rich leader has been struck in the Long Drive claim. Coromandel shares are rising. The Governor's visit to Taranaki was a great success. He declared himself delighted with the place. A ball was given in honor of His Excellency's visit, at which over 200 persons were present. He was to leave for Waitara on Sunday. Mr F. A. Carrington has been elected Superintendent of Taranaki, by a majority of 92 over Messrs Kelly and Kichmond. October 14th.

A quartz reef, rich in gold, has been discovered at the Wangapeka river, about fifty miles from here. Splendid specimens have been brought to Nelson. The Land Office was besieged this morning, and 130 acres were bought up. The land is now withdrawn from sale. Great expectations are formed regarding the value of this discovery. October 18. Auckland news is to hand by the Airelale. The goldfields generally are in a prosperous condition, and it is estimated shat the yield of gold will increase during ;he summer, as a number of the miaes md claims are not yet properly working. Sreat gambling in shares is going on, and is the companies are now making calls, the share market is glutted. Another acjount, however, says that the share market s healthier. Chbistchtjech, September 26th. Messrs Jacobs and Isaacs' store was aurned down this morning. The stock svas insured lor £250 in the Globe, and £750 in the New Zealand Insurance Company. The building, which belonged ;o Mr W. "Wilson, was also Insured for 61000. September 27th. An inquest into the cause of the fire at Messrs Jacobs and Isaacs' store will take place to-morrow. Mr Sherlock Graham was to-day appointed trustee in the estate of Henry Moss. September 30th. The inquest into the cause of the fire at Messrs Jacobs and Isaacs' store took place today. The jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence to show bow the fire originated. The following is taken from Auckland papers : — Major Heaphy is to be appointed Warden, at Coromandel. The Defence Minister will shortly risit bhe Waikato and Ohinemuri. 52 dead bodies have been actually got in the three engagements with Te Kooti ; bis whole force not being more than 250 at first. There must have been many wounded, and he must be now where food a,nd ammunition will both be scarce. Great inconvenience is felt by the trading portion of the community at Coromandel owing to the scarcity of specie. Though the boats often bring down some £30 to £40 worth of silver and gold at a time, it is no sooner there than it ia gone. Cheques are at a discount, and till a branch bank is established there will always be this difficulty. Several hundred pounds' worth of wages are paid at Coromandel weekly, and as cheques are of no value there, the money haa to be obtained from Auckland at considerable risk and difficulty. In the absence of the ordinary mode of administering the law at Coromandel, the summary code of Judge Lynch has been brought into requisition. A few days ago two men were caught in the act of stealing grog from a store, and, to show their disapproval of the larceny, the miners tied the thieves to a tree, and meted out punishment in the form of a dozen lashes each. The only news from Tokangamutu is that five hundred natives, consisting of Ngatimaniapotos and Ngatimakutus, have left to take revenge upon Te Kooti for his murders in the Taupo country. Five hundred natives have left the Waikato within four days for Taupo, or Te Kooti's whereabouts. Tawhiao and his people are very much annoyed at his conduct, and no doubt they will overhaul him within the next month, and make him pay for all his misdeeds. By a significant and suggestive pantomime of the hanging process, it seems that Captain Fairchild, when Tauroa and his party were embarked at Patea, intimated to the old chief what • his fate might be. In 'Tauroa's minute account of events in the Court, the incident, with all the accompanying gestures faithfully repeated, was given by the old chief to the amusement of the Court. It cvi dently left a very unpleasant impression on Tauroa's mind.

A meetiug was held at the Theatre Eoyal, Shortland, oa the Bth inst., to take into consideration the advisability of bringing the townships of G-rahamatown and Shortland within the operation of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867. The meeting was numerously attended, and Mr James Boyd was voted to the chair. A resolution was carried to memorialise the Governor to declare the district a municipality under the Act of 1867, with a mayor and corporation. The dividends paid from the Golden Crown claim (about three acre 3) from the 6th August, 1868, to the 6th August, 1869, have been £55,000. Paid for machinery, £5,000 ; expenses of wages, &c, about £8,000. The average yield par ton of quartz was upwards of lloz. of gold. It is now proposed to take out 100 fcous per diem, and to employ sufficient machinery to crush it. The yield of quartz would be about 30,000 tons per annum, and is expected to yield three-quarters of a million sterling. To show that even the mania for scrip has reached to uttermost parts of the land, and to exhibit the many useful ways in which it is turned to account, the Thames Timea mentions that, from a private letter received in Shortland, from one of the bush settlements, we find that some enterprising storekeeper has initiated the system of giving scrip in lieu of bullocks aud all sorts of farm produce. This is aharebroking with a yen-

gance. Mr Alexander Kennedy, formerly Manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland, has passed his final examination in the Bankruptcy Court, aud received his discharge. Colonel Thompson, a creditor for £ 16,000, withdrew all opposition.