WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 467, 18 February 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(fhom oub own cobbespondent.) February 13. We had a shock of earthquake here on Thursday morning at a quarter past ten o'clock, which lasted 15 or 20 seconds. It was a gentle wavy motion, without any sharp shock, from east to west. It was not felt far. In Napier it was just perceptible, but it does not seem to have been much felt in the Middle Island. News from Hawkes Bay informs us of heavy floods existing there, the heaviest that have been known for sixteen years, which are supposed to have done much damage in the upcountry districts. Telegraphic communication was interrupted by them yesterday. It is unfortunately beyond a doubt that one patient is ill with smallpox in Wanganui. Melbourne papers also inform us that this fearful disease has broken out in that city, six or eight persons being known to be at present laid up with it, and yet no precautions are taken to prevent its spread among us. Steamers arrive at various parts of the colony from Victoria, and if they do not bring us more infection, it is certainly not because any precautions are used by the authorities. With Wanganui, we here, and you, are in close communication, and yet nothing is done. Surely this negli- ■ gence is most culpable. There is a > saying that Providence helps those who help themselves, but if this were • all, New Zealand would stand a poor 1 chance in this matter. At length it has been decided that ■ an " Order of Valour " shall be insti- ' tuted, so that those of our Colonial • forces who distinguish themselves by - their acts of intrepid valour, may re- ■ ceive a national recognition of their > merit. The design is to be a cross, I either in gold or silver, with the ree cipient's name engraved thereon, and a e ribbon. The numher of brave achieve- - ments which occur in our little wars is wonderfully large for the number of Q men engaged. Indeed the peculiar nature of the warfare perhaps gives a 7 man with any " go" in him more scope for distinguishing himself than the regular movements of Imperial forces i permit. It has almost become a prot verb that neither glory nor loot are to » this order, once established, is distritj buted without partiality, such a rett proach will be removed. The little e bit of ribbon and the tiny cross, won by some daring act of modest bravery, j_ will bo a decoration for the soldier to n be proud of, and for our colonists to „ respect. Tenders are invited for the erection e of the new Government House in Wellington. The plans show a builde ing which will be an ornament to the City. In my next I will endeavour 0 to give you a description of them. II The tenders are to be in by the 15th j. March.

The Independent this morning contains another letter from Mr Henry Anderson, the Editor, who is at present amusing himself up at the Front. Every letter that has hitherto heen received has been praising Whitmore and the conduct of the campaign in the highest possible terms; but this last one suddenly turns round and abuses everything. It does not discant quite so eloquently on the ample sufficiency of ration rum, and the beauty of P. 8., as the former ones do, but the writer has just discovered that we took an empty pa at Nukumaru and that the Natives are in the bush just behind it. Some people wonder if ration rum had anything to do with the first letters ; and whether, while he was writing the last, the commissariat ran short ?

There is to be a body of Native Armed Constabulary established, to consist of two hundred men, drawn from those friendly tribes who have proved their fidelity to us. Such a body, well drilled, and under such a man as Kemp, would prove a most efficient force.