THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. “ Verite sans peur." Wanganui, November 8, 1860.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 216, 8 November 1860, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. “ Verite sans peur." Wanganui, November 8, 1860.

The Wonga Wonga, which called in our roadstead this morning, oh her way to Wellington from Taranaki, which she left yesterday at 2 p.m., brings us the following gratifying intelligence. Nothing important had occurred till this week. On Tuesday morning at 4 a.m., 700 men of the 65th, 40th, and 12th Regts., with 100 Volunteer Rifles, under Major General Pratt, went out north along the Devon Road, and {jt 7 a.m. came on a strong position occupied by the rebel Waikatos on the left of the Devon line, near the Mahoetahi pa, 3 miles from Waitara and 9 miles from town. The men of the 65th were in front, followed closely by the volunteer rifles. The 65th first opened fire, which was promptly replied to by the Waikatos, and one 65th man was killed almost 'immediately, and another wounded. The' rifles, led by Major Herbert, j took ground to the left in a gallant manner in; skirmishing order, through high fern. A de-j sultory fire was, kept up for a little as they j advanced ; then'the order was given to fix I bayonets and charge, which the 65th and! rifles did simultaneously, with three loud ringing cheers, and the position of the was immediately in their hands. 2-he. enemy retreated to the back of the hill, and as tjiey.j could not well get further, a hard sharp fight: took place. Our men stuck to their . position, and the fire being too hot for the Maories, they made the best of their way to a swamp to the north-east of the Mahoetahi pa, several being shot down in their retreat. At this juncture

Major A 7 elson came up from Waitara, and attacking them. from the flank, completed their discomfiture. The number of maories is not stated, but they belonged chiefly to the Ngatimaniapotos; 34 dead bodies had been brought into the Mahoetabi pa, among whom were three chiefs, namely—Wetini/l’aiporutu, a Ngatihaua, said to be next in rank to the King, Wharangi, a iVgatiopaku, and Hukopa, a Ngatikora. Gen. Pratt went out towards Huirangi and saw five dead lying on the road, and it is supposed that from 50 to 70 have been killed and as many wounded. Three prisoners have been brought into to\foi, -two of them' wounded, the other unhurt, having beeu captured by Sergt. Christie, R.A. On our side are killed two privates of the 65th, and two volunteers, namely—Messrs. H. 2?dgecumbe and F. Brown, son of the Rev. G. Brown. There are 13 wounded slightly, and one of the 40th Regt. seriously ; his thigh bone being broken. Wounded are Colonel Sillery,—Colonel Leslie in the side, and Capt. Turner in the face, the bullet having lodged in his jaw bone.

A force of 250 men was left at Mahoetabi, and the remainder arrived in town at 5 p.m. The weather fine and the roads good. All engaged behaved very gallantly. The volunteers are much praised, and have received the name of the “Taranaki Devils.” General Pratt showed a good example, having dismounted, and placed himself on foot at the head of the men. Though old, he is very active, and perhaps exposes himself even too much.

At Taranaki this is thought to be a turning point in the war. Their severe loss, and their abandonment of the dead, especially of their great chiefs, will either cow the rebels’and lead them to sue for peace, or will bring down large numbers of the WaikatosanJ their allies for revenge.

The Hawlte s Bay Herald, of 27th lilt., contains intelligence from Auckland up to the 20th ult. j?'he General Assembly was expected t.Q be dissolved about the beginning of tin’s week, and Ministers have' pledged themselves to have the new Assembly called together in March next—that is, as early' as possible after the elections. The Estimates have only been passed for twelve months. A long debate, extending over three days' bad taken place on tin* New Provinces act, which ended in an amendment, rhut Mr. Gillies’inn!’© i to repeal the Vet i e read that day- six months, being carried by a majority of 17 to 16. The bill for settling the apportionment of debt between Wellington and Hawke's Bay by arbitration was thrown out on its second reading by it-majority of 5, and a motion to ref r ti.e bill to a. select .committee was also-lost. 'The settlement of any of the matters relative to this debt is. postponed till next session. Tb q Herald also mentions V that a bill to amend the Land Revenue- Appropriation act bad been carried. The first bill introduced by Dr. Featherston for this purpose, was carried, in the lower, but tin-own out in the upper house, where the ministry is all-power-ful. According to. this, act, passed in ISSB in the absence of che /'Wellington members, one-sixth of 1 the- Land revenue of the North island provinces, frora the Ist January 1858, was to be invested'at the Governor’s-pleasure as a fund for future Land purchase operations. And Wellington province- has been, obliged to lose this part of its land revenue; so chat if Dr. Featherston’s second attempt has been successful, a considerable repayment will have to be made to the provincial chest. Not less, probably, than 23,0Q0£ will be received from this source, from the surplus revenue fund, and from the reimbursement of the interest (hitherto charged against this province)-on the money spent in the purchase of land at Hawke’s Bay.

Our readers would observe from Dr. Featherston’s speech, given nearly in full in our columns last week, that he makes three distinct charges against the ministry, any one of which is enough to create doubt, in the minds of all sensible men, as to their being competent for the office which they hold. The first is, that a sum of .£45,000 to .£60,000 was lost in the negotiation of the half-million loan by Mr. Sewell. The glaring error committed, in having negotiated a loan guaranteed by the Imperial government on terms 10 per cent, less advantageous than those on which the Superintendent of Wellington obtained a loan merely on the credit of the province, says-little for the financial knowledge of the ministry, and all Mr. Sewell’s explanations do not remove the impression that his bargain was a very bad one for the colony. 'The next charge made against the ministry is that of being far too lavish in their expenditure. A clever writer of the last century advises the servants of a large household to attend each to his own department, and to conduct it as if the whole means of his master were at his disposal. Thus the head groom of a gentleman with 20,0002 a year Would regulate the stables so that they should swallow up 20,0002; and so with the other branches of the j hcnage. , The credit of the establishment would not be long-lived, hut the managers would have a glorious time of it while it continued ( to exist. It appears as if the ministry had acted somewhat on this principl e. The Land Purchase department, for instance, absorbs as much as might almost cover the whole expences of the Gentral government; and the various offices in the Auckland Downing street are. gradually drawing more and 'still more of the public money into their prejcincts, to he divided among the constantly (increasing number of officials, that work or •idle in them as the case may be. And then !the first instalment of 40,0002 for. the war I expences Completes a picture of growing ex-

penditure which bionics more' disagreeable the longer we look at it. Tlie last charge brought against the ministry is that of attempting to provide for their excessive expenditure by short-sighted, unscrupulous and illegal taeans. Instead of turning to the -ordinary revenue of the country, and endeavouring to increase its amount, they resort to the easy expedient of a loan. Dr. Feathorsfon declares that there is enough of elast.iciiy in the ordinary revenue to bear all the additional burden that needs to be imposed on it; and that ministers ought to have formed a plan for getting their exchequer filled from this source. He disapproves of the present mode of levying the customs revenue, because it makes this tax fall chiefly on the poor man, arid because it does not distribute its imposition on goods according to their value. He advocates ad valorem duties, as a means of remedying both these evils. The ad valorem system is no doubt good in principle, but it is difficult to carry out iii practice. The value placed on articles of equally good qualities belonging to two importers,' if left' to be named by themselves, will vary much, for various reasons that are obvious ; and if a valuation is to be made by the custom-house officials, it may be still further from the truth, as they cannot be expected to be good judges of every article of import. To this subject we may revert soon, but have no doubt that by a judicious revision, of the Tariff, 12,0001, to 15,000? might be added

to the revenue, without much additional burden to the payers ; and tiie blindness of the ministry to the obvious a Ivantages to be derived from such a revision is not at, all ,to their credit.

But this is not the worst. In oi;der to meet the alarming increase of expenditure they have unscrupulously.and illegally appropriated funds wliich do not belong to them. .That the ministry should break a law made two years ago during their own term of office is monstrous. Biit that they have done so admits of no doubt. According to, tiie 66th clause of the Constitution act, the surplus of revenue above the expenditure authorized by the Assembly, was to be paid over to the provinces in proportion to their gross confribu tion to the revenue. The Surplus Revenue act, 1858, repeals this clause of the Constitution act, but . reaffirms the principle, and defines more particularly its application. So that after deduction of each year’s authorized expenditure, the balance of revenue, if any, is to be paid to the various provinces in proportion to the gross revenue,contributed by them. Bnt the ministry, instead of paying over these balances to the Provincial. governments, as they are legally bound to do, have retained them to the amount .38,000?, for the purpose of paying their unauthorized expenditure. The defence set ,up by the ministry, that the money was needed, is no defence whatever; as, apart from the question as to the propriety of their incurring a great part, of the unauthorized expenditure, the committee, on whose report the act was based, recommended that, the temporary wants of the General government should be met by the issue of Exchequer bills. It is very evident, that had the principle on which the ministry have acted been admitted, the control of the cun’ent expenditure would have been in a great measure lost by the' house, and. the provinces would not only have suffered the evils arising from violent, and unforeseen fluctuations of revenue, but would have lost the right of demanding what is legally their own. But although the ministry mustered all its strength, the resolutions proposed by Dr. Featherston were carried, and thus the ministry declared either unable to understand, or unwilling to obey, a law passed by themselves.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. .Resident Magistrate’s Court. —-Oct. 29, John Jackson v. Samuel Steer, damages J(B, for plaintiff. Oct. 31, Thos. Henson, £l7 ss; Chas. Evans, ,£l4 5s ; John Shaw, <£l4 ss; and ,Thos. Wayth Gudgeon, ,£ls 8s 7d, v. Joseph Jones ; judgment confessed. Nov. 5, Hi B. Roberts v. W. Henwood, debt, 10Z Is, judgment by default, /as. Thurston y. Joseph Jones, 16Z 18s, judgment confessed. Rangitilcei. —Oct. 12, Duncan Fraser v ' Mohi Mtthi and Rihem.ona, £25 damages for sheep worried by dogs; judgment for plaintiff. Fraser v. Waipouri, ,£2 for ploughing land ; judgment for defendant.

Messrs. Taylor, Watt, and Co. had a cattle sale yesterday, ar which milk cows sold from 21 12s 6d to 3/ 7s 6d, young heifers 11 4s to SI 15s, and steers 1Z 11s to 4Z 15s. 2'he lot was rather inferior.

Holloway's Pills and Ointment.—Consumption prevented—-Influenza, colds, and fevers are now prevailing with unusual severity. Though easily cured at first, when neglected, they frequently induce serious diseases, of which the chief and most fatal is consumption. If Holloway’s Pills be resorted to on the first appearance of any of these diseases, and if the symptoms be very urgent, his Ointment should he well rubbed twice a day on the back and cliest,' they"\ylll cease to cause alarm, and all consumptive tendency will certainly be banished and the body free from all impurities,will be lpft in a healthier state than it was before the illness; the natural strength and. vigour likewise will soon be restored to their natural standard. CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM Addressed - to of *Militia and Volunteers., ■ Wanganui, 31st Oct. 1860. The “ attention of Officers , commanding Companies of Militia and Volunteers in this

'command is called to the following points, viz:— ]st—The necessity of frequently exercising the individual intelligence and judgment of the men when acting as light infantry. 2nd—-Skirmishers must be taught to take advantage of ground and cover, so as to inflict the greatest amount of injury on an enemy—at the least-personal risk; also to save their ammunition in action. As frequent firing without result, like talking, brings confusion in the ranks ; also gives confidence to the enemy. : 3rd—Skirmishers should be taught to judge distance ; wherefore at distance drill a ber of files of a company should be placed at different distances, from 100 to 1000. yards in front of, and facing the company—one man of each file kneeling, the other standing, and the remainder of the .company .should be instructed to adjust the back sights of their rifles' aim at, and observe the appearance of the advanced files.

4th—/Skirmishers are to regard cover of the first importance, accurate dressing of a line, or the same number of paces being preserved between files are matters of no importance, so long as the ,men on their right and left are kept, in sight, aud so long as they do not get in front of each other.

sth—Both men of a file of men must never be unloaded together—one man should fire while the other is in the act of capping. When, ordered to fire advancing, skirmishers halt; front rank men fire (kneeling if preferred) take a side pace to, the left ;-rear‘rank men pass to the front; front rank men load on the march; and this jwill be done alternately by front and rear rank men. When ordered to fire retiring ; both ranks halt,and front; front rank men fire, face ,about, and retire, passing by the left of their rear rank men, load while retiring; when loaded both ranks halt and front, and rear rank men fire. This will be done alternately by front and rear rank men.

When ordered to cease firing skirmishers complete their loading, and rear rank'mien if in front, resume their places in rear.

6tli —Supports and reserves when halted, not under cover, should lie down; as a general rule on a plain supports should be 200 yards in rear of the skirmishers. Reserves 300 yards in rear of supports; and the mainbody 500 yards in rear of the reserves. 7th —Skirmishers and supports. move with trailed arms; except in close columns of sections or in files, when they moveyvith ad vanced arms. Reserves move with sloped arms.

On the order to extend men advance their arms, face to the right-'or. left, and move off at once; order arms, stand at ease, or kneel when extended—they close with trailed arms.

Bth—When ordered to change front, the two-named files are placed by an officer of the company , in the new direction, and the remainder make a half face or a three-quarter face towards, the named files, and move on the word march or double, to the new line, when they halt, or haltfront and kneel. Care should be taken to place the named files a few yards backwards oi forwards, if cover for the new line be gained in so doing. 9th—When firing, inclining, or taking ground to a flank in files, the front rank men halt to fire, the rear rank men move on, so as to preserve the distance, having fired the front rank men double up to’the rear of their rear rank men; when the front rank men are loaded, the rear rank halt and fire, and so on alternately. 10th —To relieve skirmishers halted, supports are extended in rear, if possible under cover ; when extended they double up to the old line skirmishers being, relieved, double to the rear and close, when out of fire on the centre and form supports. But if an immediate advance be intended the old skirmishers lie down till protected by the new skirmishers, when they close. To relieve skirmishers on the march —the supports extend in rear and double up to the skirmishers, when the old skirmishers lie down and wait till protected—then close on centre. To relieve skirmishers retiring —Supports halt, front, and extend ; when the old skirmishers double to the rear and form supports. Bugle sounds should be avoided as much as possible—-word of command passed from man to man—or signals are to be preferred. I. B. COOPED, Major commanding Militia and Volunteers.

TWENTY YEARS’ BETROSPECT. [concluded.] The Land Purchase Department still continued to exist, but it purchased no lands ex - cept a little in out of the way corners. Its principal business about this time consisted in “ pooh poohing” the King movement. It “ was a plaything of which the Maories would soon get tired.” It “ was a piece of foolery which if left unnoticed would fall to pieces of its own accord.” Accordingly no notice was taken of it, and accordingly it grew and flourished amazingly. Land purchasing ceased. Only the “Department” moved about the country negotiating for land, but unable to buv any. ■ It presented the appearance and performed the acts of a man really afraid, but striving hard to look indifferent, and unconscious of the presence of an enemy. . But the King movement not only did not fall to pieces; it grew more and more coherent. At last Governor Brown tried a new plan. From “ taking no notice,” he rushed into the opposite extreme. But here it should be remarked; that soon.after the formation of the “Land league,” a mongrel species of alliance took place between the Crown and the Settlers.

(The Governor take the advice of [the re-qrtuiSi hirst ers of the cfilonists ij he liked it, and in return they were fools or rogues enough to share with him the respon-sibility*-of the Land purchasing operations. Under this arrangement, a Minister of Native /Affairs, responsible to the colonists, was appointed ; and since it appears that. Governor Browne has pretty generally to take the advice of this minister and his colleagues, it is to be presumed bis Excellency holds the settlers responsible, at least in some degree, for what has happened uii let • the existing administration. 7’he proposal made the other day by the ministry to raise £150.000 by loan to meet war expences, &c.-,looks, as if they felt and acknowledged; a responsibility in the matter. To resume, however. Governor Browne changed his plan. He substituted “ bounce ” for an affected and ridiculous indifference, and the immediate" result was war —that in which we are now engaged. 2’hus we have tra c ed the war to its primary cause. Collaterally, it appears that, tiie question as to the “justice or injustice” of the war is* totally irrelevant, so far as Governor - Browne and his advisers are concerned. They did not cause .the war. On the contrary, the war would have come whether they liked it or not, unless;' indeed, a complete change took place in the Imperial policy, which was not likely. Biit Governor Browne, acting by the advice of the ministry, precipitated the war unnecessary, without preparing the countrjr—without being himself prepared —to meet the shock. Consequently, in the words of a recent writer in the columns v of the Chronicle, “a, sister, province has fiehn desolated and her children murdered,” and that “. without redress.”- For this we hold Governor Browne and his'advisers" responsible; and'notwithstanding the dust-and glamour which have been inadvertently or designedly thrown around the subject, common ? sense proclaims them culpable, or inapable. to a degree almost- in-credible.—-Communicated. ~

[Z'lie land preemption right secured by the Treaty of Waitangi-to 'the Government, does not appear to us, as to our correspondent, contrary to our ideas of justice and equity as respects the natives. It went beyond the sphere of justice into that of generosity. It was at the time a protection ,to the natives, who would, under an open system of land purchase, have disposed of all their lands long ago at a much lower price than has' been paid for. them. The arrangement at the present juncture seems imprudent, and there may now be good reasons for departing from it, although, no doubt, it has averted innumerable disputes between the settlers and natives* that might have caused a worse state of things than the present. But its injustice and inequity bore on the colonists, and it. was quite in keeping with the character of the Government as Native Protector.]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOE. Wanganui, 20th October, iB6O. Sir,— The Governor is wrong, there can" be no doubt of it; he has not succeeded in what he undertook, and so, like every>other unsuccessful man, he must be wrong. Yet some of us have occasionally a faint recollection of the admiration and applause his conduct elicited when lie led the troops to Waitara, and when apparently there was every probability that the Maories would be taught a useful lesson,. ,and that the war . would -be speedily and triumphantly terminated: And although some are ready to exclaim, with the lady whose husband’s cow-ate the,grindstone, “ I always-told you how it would be,” yet a retrospective view of the speeches, letters, and articles, which have been made or written on the subject in Wanganui—to say nothing-of the famous memorial will show clearly enough, that most of us were of opinion that the Maories required to- be* taught that they, too are subject to British rule, and that we were willing to support tlie Governor in the operation; certainly none of us foresaw the disgrace and disasters which were to befal our arms, for the want of that which the Governor had no power to provide—a person competent to direct them. In conversation, shortly after the Wairoka affair, with a person iu this place who is intimate with the subject, I was expressing my admiration of the negation of self displayed by the Taranaki settlers, .when lie remarked, that I had no Idea what they had had to bear from the Maories, or how their feelings had been exasperated by them ; and I believe that this common sense remark not only explaius the devotion / of the Taranaki settlers, but also the origin of the war ; for it is notorious that the Maories, especially about Taranaki; w r ere daily becoming less amenable to law and authority, and more impude'ht and unbearable; and that their union under the Icing movement was increasing their confidence in no small degree, is known to all. Still, sir, after the experience of the last six months, I do not- think it .was expedient to begin the war ; but I do think it expedient to continue it now that it exists, not only “ because it is virtually a war of self-defence,” but because I think that justice and v ßritish : authoi*ity ought to be vindicated. Taranaki settlement has been destroyed—the farms have" been spoiled—the stock driven off-r— and orphans of the murdered settlers call aloud for justice on the murderers—and the dignity of ihe Queen requires -their punishment as rebels. But laying aside the pleas of self-defence, justice, and the dignity of the Crowh", who can insure future peace unless the Maories feel themselves beaten in the present struggle—■ unless the w r ar is carried on to its legitimate end ? And when the white population has increased (and consequently property), instead of being able to “ bid defiance ” to the Maories, will we not have more cause than we have

now to dread.'a war 1, with a marauding foo ? As for active legislation in native affairs in time of peace, you, sir, have proposed (if I am not in error), to form main roads through the country, and to tax the Maori land to pay for them ; both excellent ideas, but are they practicable if the rebels are not first made to feel themselves defeated ? How far could you carry a road without a disturbance ?• and if you attempted to enforce the tax by selling their land, would not the owners resist to the death? Active legislation, in native affairs, unless the natives are well.thrashed, previously, would turn a time of peace into a time of war. I wish I could think that'our Representative and Superintendent were aiding the Governor iii the war (for all my sympathies are in their favour), but I cannot force myself to believe, that proving the Maori now in rebellion to be injured, and proving (?) our cause “ unjust and unholy,” is supporting the “ prosecution of the war to the utmost,” or is likely to induce the Home government to support it at all; and having promised the Governor my support when matters looked comparatively bright, I am ashamed to withdraw it now that they look so gloomy. And I therefore repudiate such of the proceedings of our member as tend to strengthen the hands of the rebels, by assuring them of the justice of their cause. I am, sir, your obdt. servant, An Elector.

[Our corresqondent shows true British doggedness in standing by the Governor, even when he doubts the expediency of beginning the war. He is ashamed of deserting him now that lie is in a bad position, because lie formerly gave him support when he was supposed to be in a good position. Our correspondent seems, to forget, that want 'of success in a Governor is his condemnation.' It argues a want of foresight and administrative ability —which are the very qualities that ought to place a Governor in his position. His position requires him to.know the times and the circumstances of the times, and what himself and his subjects ought to do. But in this knowledge Governor Browne has shown himself deplorably deficient. When the Memorial our correspondent refers to was signed, it was the general impression that his Excellency had made sure of the support of the Home government before selecting the very momentous course of action he had entered on. Indeed, it would have been an undervaluing of the common sense of himself and ,his ministry to have thought otherwise. But this was not the case, "it was believed that he had thoroughly investigated the matter in dispute—but this was not the case. It was thought that he intended a vigorous prosecution of the war—but this was not the case. We admire our correspondent’s spirit, but doubt his powers of discrimination.]

WELLINGTON. [from our own correspondent.] Monday, October 29, 1860. In undertaking to drop you a letter weekly from tins city (if possible) for your newspaper, you must, in the absence of other news, be prepared for a considerable amount of gossip. The s.s. Prince Alfred arrived here on Friday at 6 p.m. with the English mails, and sailed for the southern ports the following afternoon. There was not much cargo for this place; there were on board for Otago 40 fine horses, shipped by Mr. McClymont in Sydney. As regards English intelligence, I must refer you to the Home News. The New Zealand deputation who waited upon Lord Palmerston did good service. Ecu will observe two Wellington notables, Messrs. James Kelham and John Johnston, were present; by the bye, the former gentleman’s lady presented her lord and master in the month of August last with a daughter. Abbott $ Co., the eminent brewers, are in the Gazette, through Indian speculations; they used to ship extensively to Mr. Kelham and Messrs. Bethune and Co.; latterly to Messrs. Bowler and Co. The “ Wild Duck '’ is the only vessel laid on from London for our port by .Vliaw and Co. A mercantile firm has informed me, that trade with Wellington was very dull, /Fillis and Co. tried the;4‘ Strathallan,” but has withdrawn her ; and that they find the New Zealand trade so bad that they have sold some of their ships and discharged several of their clerks; it will never pay a fine vessel like the “ Zealandia,” taking wool home at to |ml. per lb. The “ Thames City ” calls at Auckland to land horses before coming on to Wellington, greatly to the annoyance of some of our merchants. The “ Margaretta Posner” sailed yesterday for Newcastle, being chartered by the Coleman Steam Co. for coals; the Company have moved their offices from Plimmer’s Wharf to a new building opposite the Custom House. r lhe “ Tyne ” sails to-day for Porirua for timber, and the “ Sea Gull” is loading here for Wanganui ; there is cargo enough to fill her. The “ Hound,” from London has nearly discharged her inward cargo. The petition to the Governor was forwarded by the White Swan; there were a great many sailors, boys, and non-electors signed it; the parties most active in procuring signal ures were John Yule, Keane, draper, and Toomath. It is worthy of iremark, that the best speech of the evening at the meeting was delivered by Mr. Egbert Stokes.

' There, have been great changes in the public houses here lately. Lugong, Queen’s i/otel, bolted to Sydney; the creditors have sold the place to Mr. John Minifie, painter, for .=£lsoo, and under his management it will be the most comfortable private family hotel in Wellingtan. Zeslie; late harbour master, has purchased for' £I2OO the Crown and Anchor, John Bannister, and is now mine host; the Freemasons meet there. Mr. Valentine has left the Coach and Horses, and is now the

landlord of Wliitewood’s Hotel, 7/utt (late Jillott, deceased) The Freemason’s tavern, Benge, has changed hands. Mclntosh, New Zealander, lato Ferrers, is building a spacious billiard room, nearly complete, and has received, ex “ Hound,” one of Thurston’s best tables.

Potatoes, £8; wheat, 8s 3d to 8s 9d; flour, £22 to £24:. Many kinds of goods are getting scarce; still there has been a fair trade doing lately—very little by auction. Mr. J. 11. Wallace sold a large lot of cattle and horses at Porirua, at low prices ; an attempt is being made to start a market there similar to the Ilutt. At Mr. Wallace’s Land sale, the whole of the lots were withdrawn. Smith and Co. held a miscellaneous sale last week ; not much done, only some damaged' goods; there was nothing very attractive offered. . It is hinted that Sir William Martin'will be : onr new Governor; you will recollect that the Doctor was only lately knighted ;)■ this looks ominous. Sir William has great influence with the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Lyttelton, Mr. Adderly, sc. 1 hear that when he wris at home he was a great favourite at head quarters. Your representative, Mr. Fox, has a high opinion of him. Poor St. llill is still very unwell; he caught cold going home, which he has not got over. A number of letters arrived last mail, via Marseilles, and are at the Post Office and Commissariat, addressed to the officers of the 60th Rifles ; they were last accounts in India and China, and are supposed to be telegraphed to proceed to A 7 ew .Zealand forthwith. The Provincial Council met again, and adjourned as usual for two months; they now go by the name of the Adjourned Council. We don’t expect our members back, per White Awan. much before the 10th or 12th November, as it is likely some important despatches would be received last mail, which would have to be brought before the house. I almost omitted to state, that it is currently stated on the beach (and I believe the statement), that Sir Charles Clifford proceeds from Auckland direct overland, immediately the. session closes ; also that the next sittings of the Assembly will positively be held in the> month of March at Wellington.

November sth, 1860.. The first batch of this season’s wool arrived' here by the “ /Shepherdess” on the 27th ult., from Messrs Clifford’s station, Flaxbonrne. Since then some 300 bales have been received. We expect the wool much earlier into market in consequence of the native disturbances. The “ Hound ” is laid on Mr London at Id per lb.—loo per cent, advance on last year’s rates. It looks funny to see such an anialgamation of firms, no less than four loading a small barque—namely. Levin and Co.,.Bowhr and Co., Johnston and Co., and Betliune and Co.; the five per cent. commission brokerage, split up into fourths, will be something handsome for each. Mr. Joseph Rhodes has sold his sheep and cattle starion, with 2000 acres freehold, at A apier, for £10,500 cash, to Mr. Gordon, an old indigo planter. Mr. Clarke, the Australian manager of the Coleman steamers, is to leave Sydney by the November boat for Otago, for the purpose of establishing a direct monthly line between 0 1 ago, Canterbury, arid Melbourne—Otago to ,be the first and last port of call ; loth the provinces are to subscribe liberally. News from Auckland, via Napier, announces that the New Provinces bill was lost by a majority of one. Had Macandrew, Otago, been at his post, as promised, all would have been right Toni Fitzgerald had returned to Napier, and intends retiring from the Superintendency ; lie has made a sad mess, and is getting into hot water; his best friends are very wroth with him. The “ William Alfred,” Tinley, is out 38 days from Sydney. /Serious doubts are entertained as to her safety, as it was known that she was in that terrific hurricane the “ /S'naresbrook ” encountered going to Newcastle, when she nearly foundered; two seamen wero washed overboard and drowned. The “William Alfred” was not at Taranaki or Nelsoip five days ago; the vessel is uninsured, cu-. riously enough, for the first time. Mr. Dudley Ward leaves immediately for England, and is not likely to return to the colony. The three F.’s appear to gain ground daily. The war is by no means so popular here as it was; it seems to be better understood. The Advertiser, Bowler’s newspaper, as a matter of course, must abuse the. Feather--ston party, whether right or wrong ; it has, however, little influence. The editor (who formerly was connected with tli e Independent); is taken at the same valuation as all renegades are. I cannot help admiring the Spectator,; in not condescending to notice even the existence of such a journal. I think the Independent is silly in alluding to its gross statements, as it only gives the paper an importance it does not deserve. Our arrivals have been the brigs “ Shamrock,” from' Taranaki; no news—all quiet; “Lalla /fooklr,” and “ Fanny a Garrigues,” from Lyttelton. 1 hope your wool will be better put up this . year, as the London brokers . complain of the slovenly dirty state it was sent lioriie. /Saturday’s long leader in the Spectator is supposed to be written by Archdeacon Hadfield. I observe that .subscriptions are being obtained for your Wanganui races ;you will miss the officers of the 65th, to beat up. The English mail closes to-morrow at 1 o’clock, and sails in the afternoon;, the steamer calling at Taranaki for despatches compels the port earlier than contract time. .The “ Isabella Hamilton ” sailed on the. 16th October for Auckland with fat cattle, and I hear that the owner of the “ Fanny a Garrigues” is purchasing for the same market similar cargo,