INTER-PROVINCIAL. THE WAR IN THE NORTH.

West Coast Times, Issue 31, 15 August 1865, Page 3

INTER-PROVINCIAL. THE WAR IN THE NORTH.

The last news from the North has brought down no very exciting intelligence, but in the present state of affairs no news is emphatically good news. Nothing more appears to have been heard from Wanganui since tho capture of the Wereroa pa, but as far as we can gather the majority of the Naiives seem to be getting tired of the war, especially since they have had reason to fear that the colonists mean to carry it on in earnest, and are willing to come in and sue for peace. The force that marched . to relieve the garrison at Pipiriki have got within a short distance of that post without meeting any opposition, and it was hoped that they would be able to place the besiegers between two fires, and inflict on them a signal defeat. Such a stroke coming so quickly after the affair at Wereroa, would be most fortunate, as it would probably put an end to the fighting in that part of the island, and leave tho colonial forces to act on the East Coast, where their services seem likely to be wanted. Most of the prisoners taken at Wereroa, about sixty in all, have been brought down to Wellington, but we have not heard what is to be done with them. Mr Levy, who was with the Rev. Mr Volkner when the latter was murdered by the fanatics of Opotiki, has recognised two of the prisoners as having at least been present on that occasion, and is of opinion that several others come from the same district. On the East Coast matters are assuming a much more favorable aspect. Mr M'Lean, the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, has been to Waiapu and other settlements on the East Coast, in the Eclipse, taking with him a party of military settlers from Napier who have formed a junction with the Natives led on by Morgan and given him a complete advantage over the Hau-haus. The Eclipse managed to shell one of the rebel pas, inflicting some loss, and several skirmishes have taken place, which though unattended with any important results, luive been favorable to Morgan's party, and have done much to dispirit the fanatics and keep up the confidence and loyal feelings of the friendly Natives. Patara, the great Hauliau chief lias left the district, as it is given out, to collect reinforcements. Meanwhile Mr M'Lean has distributed arms and ammunition among the loyal Natives to an extent which will leave them, for the present, able to protect themselves against aggression, but he is very urgent in his appeals to Government for further assistance, especially by the occupation of Opotiki, or some other post in a district to servo as a rallying point for our Native allies, and prevent the chance of their being cut off in detail. — Canterbury " Press," Aug. 7. The General Assembly seems not to be very hasty to enter upon the heavy work that lies before them, and their debates hitherto, so far as can be judged from the reports in the Wellington newspapers, have not been very animated or important. The work of legislation has scarcely begun. The usual Ministerial statements have not yet been made, and no inkling appears to have got abroad as to what measures Government intend to propose with respect to Native affairs. The bill for a Native Commission has been withdrawn, as the forms of the House will not allow it to bo proceeded with till after the House has been in committee. The only matter particularly interesting to this province that has yet come under the notice of the Assembly is a bill introduced by Mr FitzGerald, and supported by the other Canterbury members, for granting to the West Coast district representatives in the Provincial Council. The reason for bringing a bill for this purpose into the Assembly is, we suppose, to allow tho representation of the West Coast to come into effect at once, instead of leaving that side of tbo province unrepresented for nearly a twelvemonth, as would be the case if theseinatters were left in the hands of the Provincial Council.—lbid.

The Ofitiki Murder. — Captain Levy, who was a horrified spectator at tho massacre of the Rev. Mr Volkner, by the hands of the Pai Marires, is in Wellington. The object of Captain Levy's visit, we nro informed by the " Wellington Independent," is to lay a statement of his case before tho General Assembly, and to endeavour to got repaid tho amount of his losses which ho incurred as a ransom for" tho lives of the Rev. Mr Grace and others.

Protection v. Fubu Tra.dk in Victoria. — Tho greatest political crisis ever known her/3 has occurred. Tho Assembly passed the Tariff some time ago, but understanding that thcCouncil opposed it, they deter mined to send it up with the Appropriation Ordinance. On tho second reading of the Appropriation Bill, tho Speaker declined to put tho question as the Bill was then separated, and in Committee a resolution was passed by an enormous majority that the bills bo tacked before being sent to Coun* oil. The third reading of the tacked Bill was then passed by a majority of two to one. Tho Council read it tho first time, but on the second reading, Mr Fellows moved dn amendment, that tho Bill contained three distinct incongruous matters, [and tho house declined" to deal with 1 it

until separated. This was carried by twenty votes to five. The Assembly then carried a resolution that the House declared it was determined not to proceed with the Appropriation Bill any further until the Council acknowledged that the Assembly had the sole right of dealing with taxation. The next day a supplement appeared in a " Gazette " that as the Appropriation Bill was not passed, no salaries, wages, or other disbursements could be made by Government. It is rumored that a Conference of both Houses will be held to release the Bill from the deed. Meantime meetings aro being held by tho Protectionists, with a view of supporting the Ministerial action. Harvey has resigned his scat in tho Council, as also his position in the Ministry. Haines contests the election. The Adam's Bay settlers arrived, via Batavia ; they report general 'dissatisfaction amongst the party. Chilian, Ll9 10s to £20 ; little wheat is ooering. The Carioca has arrived from Valparaiso with breadstuffs, Avhich have since been sold at good prices.