WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 459, 30 January 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 26. Wellington is busying itself now with thoroughly domestic matters. Politics, rebellion, wars, and party strifes have been laid aside for a little : and distribution of prizes to Grammar Schools, Annual Meetings of Benevolent Societies, Regattas, with a sprinkling of Sunday School treats, and race meetings under the auspices of Jockey Clubs, are engaging the attention of all. The anniversary of the Province was celebrated on the 22nd instant by the usual regatta. The day fortunately was very fine, with just breeze enough for the light sailing yachts that were entered, and not too much for the racing gigs which came to the starting point to contest for the rowing matches. Everything went off pleasantly and well. Among the arrivals in our port during the past iew days is H.M. steam ram Blanche. She left here some time ago for Wanganui, and after lying there some time she proceeded to Patea and thence to Taranaki, where she arrived on Sunday morning. She started again on the same evening, ran into Wanganui, but had no communication with the shore, and arrived here early this morning. She bria: s no news from the front, but as far as is known everything is quiet. Another arrival here, of a slightly different character, however, the Presbyterian Mission Society's brigantine, the Dayspring, anchored in the harbor yesterday en route for the New Hebrides. It appears to be an object of interest to many people here, so much so that there is an announcement in to-day's paper to the effect that she is open to visitors till 2 p.m. on Saturday next. She is rather a nicelooking vessel, painted white, with her name emblazoned conspicuously on her sides. I should think from her breadth of beam that she would make a good trader. Among the passengers are tho wife and children of the captain, a New Hebrides servant woman, and a Mr and Mrs Watt. Most of my news this time seems fated to be connected some how with shipping. The s.s. Tararua, lately the property of the Panama Company, en tared nnr hachnup t'a Any for the first time under her new flag, namely that of the house of Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., Melbourne. She has been painted afresh since her last appearance, and is now spoilt by the painted ports which this firm seems to have determined shall disfigure their steamers. She brings the intelligence that her owners intend starting a steamer for New Zealand every five davs, to run alternately to Hokitika ;nd the Bluff. • Before this you will have heard that the Panama Company is most completely done up, and is now absolutely without even one steamer. The last of their fleet, the Phoebe, the Lord Ashley, and the Airedale, have been purchased for £21,000, by Messrs Henderson & Macfarlane of Auckland, and Mr Martin of Wellington. These gentlemen intend, I believe, carrying on an inter-provincial trade with those boats. There js a rumour afloat that the 18th regiment is about to be re-called from the Australasian colonies, and that the 72nd Highlanders are to be sent out, many of them to New Zealand. I give it you for what it is worth ; f r my part I can scarcely believe it. The 18th have been out here but a short time, and have not nearly completed the usual term of colonial service. They came here, I believe, direct from Ireland. That more troops are to be left in New Zealand in future I can readily believe. In the first place, Sir George Bowen likes all the pomp and state he cau invest himself with ; then he has a lively fear of the Maoris ; and lastly an order has been received from the Home Government to put the barracks in this Island in a state of repair, which order is now being executed. A late issue of tho Rawhe's Bay Herald says that there is a report current that the Uriweras or some other tribe, hostile to us and allies to Te Kooti, have re-occupied Ngatapo, the stronghold over the taking of which we did not a little crowing a few days ago. This, which is mentioned guardedly by the Herald, is unknown in the Defence Office here, so probably it is untrue. The militia drills still continue, but some of the men are getting annoyed because report says they are to form a guard of honor to the Prince when he comes. They don't mind doing a little soldiering and putting up with a little inconvenience if the safety of the country requires it, but they do not seo any amusement in being forced to drill and neglect business in order to makii fools of themselves on his Royal Highness's visit.