WELLINGTON.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 279, 22 June 1860, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

{From the Spectator.)

The White Swan arrived June 15, bringing Auckland papers to the 9th instant. The only news of any importance was contained in the extracts from the New Zealander in our last number, giving the result of the Waikato meeting. Mr. McLean is a passenger by the White Swan, and we understand the vessel is placed under his orders to collect the Chiefs of the Districts of Wanganui, Otaki, Wairorapa, and other parts on both sides Cook's Straits, who accept the Governor's invitation to attend the meeting at Auckland in July. We are glad to learn that it is intended and expected by the Governor that Chiefs from all tribes, those who are favorable to the King movement as well as those who are opposed to it, will attend the meeting, as we ventured to suggest a short time back, so that the Natives may have a fair opportunity of openly expressing their sentiments, of stating their grievances if they have any, and of making known their wants, and of discussing among themselves those questions'which affect their interests and to which they desire to invite the consideration of the Government. We have little doubt that the meeting will be attended with a beneficial result, and that the majority of the Chiefs will be found to be on the side of the Government, and in favor of peace. In fact, the result of the late meeting of the King movement party, so far as we can judge fronvthe reports in the Auckland papers, appears to be of a favorable character; for the most violent among them had no real grievance to bring forward; they were provided among themselves, and withjthe^exceptipn of putting the flagstaff, they came to a conclusion in which nothing was concluded. Bishop op Wellington.—-Our attention has been directed to a very gross and unfounded statement recently made by Wi Tako reflecting on the Bishop of Wellington. In a very proper article last Friday, with the general tenor of which we cordially agree, the Independent gives Wi Tako's statement as follows, and applies to it the, most unqualified contradiction:—" Only on Wed-. nesday last,'Wi : Tako was asked at the Hutt why he had a couple of Maories always guarding him while he walked out; to which he replied that it was because he was afraid of being attacked. On being told how groundless this fear was, he declared that he had been warned by the Bishop not to come into Wellington,' because his life was in danger. This statement was made publicly in the presence of several settlers, and though it was: totally, untrue it will undoubtedly circulate to the Bishop's discredit. Our duty to the community dared not allow us to conceal such an assertion made in public; our duty to his Lordship also demanded that we should make enquiry before we gave it publicity, and we found it to be, what we were sure it would prove to be, ftfalsehoodof the grossest «b.a-;

racter—one to which we should not have alluded if it had not beenabsolutely necsssary to correct the impression made by the apparent earnestness with which Wi Tako uttered it."

The Militia in the town fired with ball cartridge for the first time.; They were divided into two divisions, but in consequence of the heavy rain only one division fired. The firing was extremely good. Out of about 250 rounds 51 hit the target at 120 yards, including three bull's eye hits, and a fair number in the inner ring. During the greater part of the time of firing, it rained heavily, and the &t biosphere was very thick, otherwise still better results would probably have been attained. Prizes were given to the first and second best shots.

The Victorian Government's Steam Sloop, Victoria, Captain Norman, arrived here on Saturday afternoon last from Manukau and Taranaki, bring ing news from Auckland to the 6th, and Taranaki to the Bth instant. The publisher of the Taranaki Herald has kindly forwarded us a slip of their Journal of Events up to 4 p.m. of Friday last, from which we learn that things remain there much the same as they were on the receipt of the last news. The natives seem to be growing bolder, and have plundered and destr6yed several of the settlers' houses in the Bell district, and that before the eyes of a considerable body of troops, who are not allowed to interfere, having received orders not to invite a collision. The fferizld say 3 that Kingi has got a quantity of timber ready, and intended erecting a pa on the.disputed land last Friday or Saturday. We are happy tolearn that Mr. Brown is proceeding favorably, and that there is great hope of his recovering^ From Auckland we learn that the great native meeting at '$aikat,o. had taken place. There were about 3000 natives, present, and the Southern Grdsi'mja there is a great deal of sickness among them. The meeting commenced on the 24th and ended on theSlst May, on which day the flagstaff was erected and the Maori King flag hoisted, amidst the firing of salutes and the war dance. The Bishop of New Zealand, as soon as he tew that the flagstaff was to be erected, ordered his tent to be taken down and publicly declared to the natives that he would not remain any longer with them to witness its erection. The Niger was to. leave Maaukau on the 7th for Sydney, for the purpose of getting repaired, having knocked off about three-and-twenty feet of her false keel, while lying at anchor in that harbor. Colonel Smith had arrived at Auckland on his way to the Fiji Islands, which are forthwith to be taken possession of in the name of the Queen. The Victoria, which is a smart yachV looking vessel, after coaling,, left yesterday after-, noon for Taranaki and Manukaut

At the Californiaa State Fair, held at Sacramento, two fleeces of wool were exhibited, which we believe are the heaviest that ever were shorn. One fleece weighed'43| lbs.,, the other 32| lbs., and the wool was fine and of a -superior quality.

1 Husband, I must have soiae eliaage fo day. —' Well, stay at home, and take car^ of. tjfc^ children—that witt fa etamgp «a«oj|V