The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 366, 2 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1868.

The telegraphic news to baud yesterday is of no slight importance, whether in regard to the political situation of the present Government of the colony, or the progress of the hitherto victorious rebels. With reference to the Stafford Ministry, we learn that Mr Stafford has set the Opposition at defiance, in spite of their actual success in connection with Mr M'Lean's motion on native affairs. The Premier, it seems, not only positively declines on the part of his Executive to advise his Excellency to dissolve the present parliament, and appeal to the country on the important questions at present dividing the Assembly, but furthermore refuses to resign or to give any information whatever, as to Ministerial intentions in the present crisis. In this course, strangely enough, judging by recent divisions, Mr Stafford has been supported by the House, Mr Pox's attack in connection therewith, havinobeen defeated by 33 to 23. Such a decided majority after the recent verv close divisions would imply that MrStafford submitted some very good reasons for his reticence, or that some sudden conversions must have taken

place within the last few days, on grounds that we imagine would scarcely bear investigation. The bald outline

contained in a telegram will only allow us to guess at the surrounding circumstances, so for the present we must be content to know that th > threatened dissolution is postponed sine die, and that to all intents and purposes, Mr Stafford is master of the situation. That the Fox party will be wild at this fruitless termination to their late labors can easily be conceived, and on what grounds such tenacious retentionof office can be justified, we confess ourselves at a loss to imagine. Dissolution, resignation, or compliance with the declared wishes of the House, were apparently the only three reasonable courses, but neither of them were taken, if the result is as the telegram states, that the Ministry defy their apponents. But from Wanganui, other and graver news come. The colony in general and that portion in particular, are reaping the first fruits of the bitter

harvest that the Government negligence and delay have sown. As the West Coast inhabitants, know that

Wanganui has been, to a great extent, the meat producing depot for these goldfields, and agriculture of all kinds, thanks to the ready market thus offered has flourished amazingly. As a natural consequence, settlement there has been forced, and there are few districts in the whole colony, where greater advancement has been shown, or where more substantial prosperity could be found. We now find that the

dark-skinned rebel scoundrels, encouraged by their victories over the raw colonial forces hitherto sent against them, have taken the initiative, and now commence the King operation of driving the Pakelia into the sea. The settlers, as a matter of course are the chief sufferers. Their lands are destroyed, their stock killed, or driven away, their lives only saved by flight, and all this occurs because the Government under which we live is too sapine or indifferent to take active measures

for the protection of their own people, and the punishment of offenders against the law, provided the latter are of the native race. The only consolation in the midst of disaster is, that at length even the long suffering of the New Zealand colonists must come to an end, and that by taking the action they are doing, the rebels are hastening the | doom that should have befallen them [longago. The notorious Totikowaru, the cannibal, who set the latest example of devouring human flesh on ihe murder of poor trooper Smith, is at the head of the insurgents, and it is to be hoped that at last hia temerity may

bring hitn within the reach of Pakeha retribution. He it was who gloried in the horrible torture and sufferings of our wounded left behind at the last repulse, he it is who is the prime mover of all the atrocities committed since the disturbances began in thePatea district. He must now have ventured where troops can attack him, and it is to be hoped that no matter what the cost, he will never again be allowed to escape into the bush. Hanging is too good for him, should it be possible to make him prisoner, and should such good fortune occur, surely the authorities will measure out justice to him as he has meted out cruelty to others. The friendly natives are reputed to have behaved well; it is only to be hoped that this character will be maintained, and that by genuine good service, they will ahame the doubts of their good faith that have been freely and not without reason expressed. Altogether the situation is a sei'ious one, and the Stafford Ministry will find themselves, 3ven if against their inclination, farced into active measures. The next lews will be looked for with no small mxiety.