TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 406, 13 September 1861, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The latest papers from this province contain no news whatever, if we may except the address to Governor Browne, on his leaving New Zealand. It says that 'although great suffering and loss to our community have resulted from the hostilities which afterwards ensued in this province, we cannot hesitate to express our conviction that the measures referred to were proper and necessary, and consistent with the rights and interests of both races. Compelled, as we had been, for years to be passive spectators of the lawlessness of the natives towards ourselves, and latterly of their own internecine feuds, we hailed with unqualified satisfaction the announcement of your Excellency's determination to put an end to so disastrous a state of -affairs. That your Excellency's intentions were not more ably seconded we have had ample cause to deplore, but we look forward with confidence to the eventual success of the policy with which your Excellency's name will always be associated, believing that it is founded in strict justice, and that it will confer on both races a degree of prosperity and happiness that could not otherwise be attained.' The address has been signed by over four hundred individuals.

Provincial Council.—The time of the Provincial Council has been chiefly devoted to taking evidence on the practicability of improving our roadstead by means of a boat harbor or jetty, and to the consideration of a Cattle Regulation Bill which did not pass the third reading in time for publication this week. Some such measure was nnperitively called for for the protection of the stockowner. The estimates of probable Revenue and Expenditure of the province for the nine months ending December, 1861, have been laid before the Council. The former is given at J9013 75., but of this only £7618 7s. 6d. remains for appropriation. The estimated expenditure amounts to £7648 10s., upwards of a third of which is required for the maintenance of the Harbor Department, reduced as the establishment has been since the cessation of hostilities. The cost to the province of maintaining the department on an efficient footing for the rapid cflnveyance of military and commissariat stores was enormous, yet we understand that the Senior Commissariat Officer now declines to refund any portion from the Commissariat chest. The objection is purely arbitrary. If boats and boats crews are to be provided gratis, the principle would apply equally to the sea and land transport service employed during the war, and might be extended indefinitely to meet the caprice of Mr. H. S. Jones.

At a meeting held to establish a bank in connection with the New Zealand Bank, more than 400 shares were subscribed in the room, and the number now amounts to above 1000, and is Bhortly expected to reach 1500.

An overland mail from the north arrived on Tuesday 20th August. Ten days on the road it brings no news from Auckland; and the intelligence from tiie interior is by no means of a favorable character. The Waikatos are determined not to give up their flag; not to return the plunder. Such ,is the condition in which Sir, G. Grey'B advent is likely to find1 New Zealand. The ecclesiastical party are said to be straining every nerve to bring their disciples to more moderate views, but the monster they have fostered into existance no longer obeys them and seems more likely to turn and. rend them than to submit.