Wanganui Chronicle. and TURAKINA & RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. TUESDAY, 11th MAY, 1869.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1025, 11 May 1869, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle. and TURAKINA & RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. TUESDAY, 11th MAY, 1869.

Social affairs, since the date of our last Summary, have been principally noteworthy as continuing to exhibit a confirmed state of dulness. Local trade and commerce have languished to a degree which one would fain hope has reached the stage at which they may be expected to mend. The advices by last English mail were not of that agreeable character, with regard to our principal export, wool, that were confidently expected from the tone with which the season’s sales opened, and were thus more than necessarily depressing. The native industries, flaxdressing, tallow-boiling, &c., however,which are springing up around iif,are a hopeful sign, and we believe will have the merit of gradually supplementing the present loss upon agricultural and pastoral stock, besides giving us the strength and independence which spring from having more than one or two strings to our bow. In the engrossing subject of the War, there is little more than a series of military movements, without any practical result, so far, accruing from them, to record. The West Coast has again been reduced to a state of mere defence ; only enough troops being left between this and New Plymouth as are sufficient to garrison a few posts of observation and occasionally to make roving excursions into the adjoining country. If we have enjoyed,during the past month,an immunity from the attacks of the enemy it has been owing less to our power to resist him than to the inability of Titokowaru to inflict them. The present strength of the enemy is a question on which little more than vague speculation can be indulged. One thing is certain ; either that, through internal dissension among his followers or the necessity for recruiting liis strength, most likely numerically as well as otherwise, he has chosen for some time to remain secure in the fastnesses lying to the rear of Mount Egmont, and has not sought to disturb the settlers. It may be that he or, what amounts to the same thing, the most of his followers are tired of fighting for a while ; there is a lack of that dogged perseverance and continuity of effort among savages which more or less distinguish civilised races. There is, however, an absence of any security, and not only the lands which are the subject of dispute but even the formerly settled country within a dozen miles of Wanganui remain waste and uninhabited. A little activity begins to be manifested in military operations. Just as the month closed a party of rebels who had returned to their former haunts on the "Patea river were surprised and a few killed. On the other coast where the expensive machinery of our war is at present concentrated,measures of the most elaborate character (on a small scale) are being made to crush the remnant of that small band of ex-prisoners who have been the perpetrators of so many murders and the fruitful cause of so much misery.

The General Assembly is to meet on the Ist of Jane next, and its near approach leads our politicians to preserve a more discreet reticence than is their wont when the prospect of being brought to book lies at a greater distance. It is however but the torrent’s smoothness ere it dash below. Much and angry recrimination will mark the early stages of the coming session. Mr Stafford is generally condemned, and about as much for what he has done as for what he has left undone. The war has not only been mismanaged, but the utmost carelessness and insensibility have been exhibited as to the result of that mismanage-

ment. We should not -wonder if a vote of want of confidence in the Government give us new occupants for the Treasury benches at an early date — a change which we should hail with unbounded satisfaction, if we had any assurance that the in-comers would be an improvement on the out-goer 3, but we can hardly lay any such flattering unction to our souls. Unfortunately for this country the Government seems to have fallen into the hands of a few men, who make a trade of it, and from whom therefore there is little to be expected. The settlers generally have paid too little attention to political matters, and hence much of our suffering at the present time.

Early Closing.—We are glad to learn that one commercial house in Wanganui has commenced early closing, and hope that others will soon follow so good an example. Thursday Evening Lectures. The Rev Mr Elmslie will deliver a lecture on “ Astronomical Facts,” illustrated by astronomical views, in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, on Thursday evening. The Incoming Mail. —The mail from England which left London on the 20th and 26th March by Southampton and Marseilles, is due at Melbourne on the 13th May, and at Wellington on the 21st. New Arrivals. Our readers may remember, with some pleasurable feelings, the visit this district, in common with others, had, some months ago, of little birds variously known as “blight birds” and “ white eyes.” Observant settlers now report the return of these strangers, and in considerable numbers, so that we may again expect to hear the country made vocal with their song. The East Coast. —On the day the Sturt left Matata Colonel Whitmore was about to proceed into the interior. The greater portion of his troops had started the day previous. Great uncertainty prevails as to the movements and locality of the rebels. It is stated that by some means they are kept constantly informed of our arrangements, while provisions and other necessaries are plentiful, and a good supply of arms and ammunition is now provided. The troops are in good health. Fire Engine —By the s.s. Storm Bird, which arrived within a few hours of the subsidence of the last fire, the Wanganui Fire Brigade received the first of their long talked-of engines. It is the Californian one, —not by any means a powerful engine, but still better than none at all ; and it will, no doubt, do some service, if called upon, until the arrival of others. A couple of trials have given the members of the Brigade a favourable opinion of its capabilities .

Resident Magistrate’s Court.--Before this Court yesterday, Timothy Coakley, one of the police-force, was charged with drunkenness. As the offence, under the circumstances, was considered a grave one, the Resident Magistrate suspended the prisoner pending the decision of the Inspector.—A case in which Mete Kingi charged John King with assault on his wife, was adjourned. —Charles Budge was fined 5s and costs for setting fire (inadvertently, we believe) to a hedge within the bounds of the town. Patrick Hurley, charged with alleged larceny of a saddle, the property of Mr Southcombe, was discharged. The Manawatu Imbroglio.—We have been shown some correspondence on this subject, but instead of going into the matter at its present early stage, we may briefly state that several of the more influential Manawatu chiefs, dissatisfied with the unsettled state of the question of ownership, and still more with the system which has been hitherto conveniently pursued by the Superintendent of Wellington of impounding the rents of the sheep runs, —have addressed a mild protest to the squatters and intimated their intention of again occupying at least a portion of the land. We shall take occasion to again refer to this subject. A Popular Society.—A meeting of one of our philanthropic societies, —a society which evidently does good by stealth, although we daresay its promoter would not blush to find it fame,— was held the other day, when the attendance was made up of the said promoter himself, his wife, and two demure little maidens of tender years. People all along have been saying the thing was a farce, and they will now be confirmed in their opinion. What important resolutions were passed, what financial business was transacted, at this select meeting, we have not heard, and cherish no special desire to learn. No doubt it pleased the parties present, and as they are the only parties interested, it is all right enough. The Latest Fashion.—A Paris journal of fashion announces that the great ladies of the French capital have determined to abolish chignons. The character of a headdress, is to undergo an important reform ; the command has gone forth that false hair and wigs must be repudiated. And not only so, but ladies are always to appear as if they dressed their own hair, for, “ when the work of a professional is manifest on their heads, prestige ceases.” In the day time the hair is to be simply plaited, and confined in a net —in other words, instead of assuming a pyramidical form, it is to have a tendency to fall like that of Niobe. In the evening, it will only be necessary to put on the head a crown, or a wreath of roses, of ivy, or of some creeping plant. The Sport adds —“All is over with false hair, decked with gilded or metal articles. Henceforth false hair at best can only be tolerated as a detail, as a modest auxiliary —it can no longer be the principal or the only ornament of the head.” The Rebels. —We are informed of a significant piece of news in connection with the affaire between the Ngatiporous and the Hauhans at Patea last week. On being taken by surprise the party of rebels would seem to have decided on making the best of a bad bargain and submitting to their countrymen with the prospect of being allowed to quietly make their escape after a few explanations. They therefore turned the butts of their rifles to the attacking party, and asked for Kemp and the Wanganui natives —trusting to their well-known sympathy and consanguinity to befriend them. The Ngatiporous, however, were actuated with no scruples of conscience. In a few remarks more correct than complimentary they condemned their prisoners and the Wanganuis to the same fate ; commanded their captives to strip, being fastidiously careful that their clothes might be saved from needless pollution by blood, and methodically proceeded to resolve the difficulty in the least expensive way. Two men and one old woman fearing the tender mercies of the cruel tried to find safety in flight, but they were fired on and the lither of the fugitives only escaped.

Town Board. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held last night ; present : Messrs G. Beaven (chairman), J. Hurley, E. T. Woon, P. Bell, T. B. Taylor, and H. Williamson.—The only business of any importance before the Board was the consideration of the contract for coarse gravel. The lowest tenderer —by name Emely—was, it appears, non e.sf, or as a member stated had no locus standi , and in consequence it was proposed and carried that O’Hara’s—the next lowest —tender should be accepted.