WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 509, 27 May 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from: our owx correspondent.) Mat 20. Undoubtedly the most important event that has occurred hero for some time is the native meeting at Waikanae, about half-way betwen this and "Wauganui, to consider the question of permitting the line of telegraph to be carried across some Maori land which lies about that locality. Several preliminary meetings on this question have been held, but on the I2th a grand final ranunga was held, and at it T)r Fcatherston attended. He pointed out in plain and unmistakeable terms that the question raised by the opposing Maoris really resolved itself into one as to the authority of the General Government in that district; and that opposition meant a declaration that this authority was to be set at nought. He told the meeting that if this was what they meant, the Government would know how to act; that the telegraph would be erected in spite of them, and that on their heads would rest the responsibility of any bloodshed that might occur. This plain and straightforward speaking by a man like Dr Peatherston, who is known by the natives to adhere to what he says, had the desired effect; and after two days' talking, all the natives but one signified their assent to the construction of the telegraph. Dr Peatherston only speke the truth when he said the Govern-,

ment were determined that the work should be done. If possible it was considered advisable to obtain the native consent, but such a work as the construction of a telegraph anywhere through the Province of "Wellington certainly could be stopped for any time by a few discontented Maoris. The erection of the line from here to about six miles beyond Paikakariki, and from Wanganui down to Bangitikei, was in tho meantime being rapidly carried on. The poles and material are quickly being laid on the line, which has already been properly surveyed and marked out, and I believe that three months' time will see us in telegraphic communication with Wanganui, the western port of the Province.

While on the subject of the Telegraph, I may mention that the line northward from Napier is rapidly being constructed. Already it has been carried to a point forty miles north of Napier, whence, I believe, it will be carried to Taupo, and thence to the southernmost point of the line now existing in Auckland. The energy displayed in this difficult and, perhaps, dangerous work is certainly creditable to those engaged, among whom stands foremost the Government telegraph surveyor, Mr Bold. Unless some difficulty at present unforeseen should arise, I hope in eighteen months or two years to hear that Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin have practically altered their geographical position, that distance has become annihilated, and that a lasting bond of union has been established between these hitherto rival cities. The importance of this work of the extension of the telegraph cannot be too highly estimated. Before it petty local jealouses will disappear, Native difficulties will die out, and the necessity for separate feeble Provincial Governments will be entirely removed.

I sent you by telegraph the heads of a speech addressed by the Hon. W. Fitzherbert to his constituents at the Lower Hutt, on the 12th instant. Cnless I were to run into a report which would fill a couple of columns, I can give you no more than I sent you then. The speech, which is looked upon as an enunciation of the policy of the present Ministry, has given general satisfaction. The great majority of the thinking men in the Colony will, I believe, agree cordially with the course which Mr Fitzherbert stated should be followed by the Grovernment. Maori disturbances must be put down, and if it is useless applying for Imperial aid in the matter, we must resolutely set about it ourselves. The necessity for a loan for this purpose was alluded to by the Colonial Treasurer, and he expressed his opinion—the result of an anxious attention to the subject in England—that for this purpose an Imperial guarantee to a loan could be obtained. Of the justice of a loan to bo devoted to the settlement of Maori disturbances there can, I think, be little question. Those who come after us will derive the principal benefit from the work, and it is but right they should bear their share of the expense. Another event which has been chronicled during the past few days, is the election of Dr Featherston once more to the Supcrintcndency of the Province. I do not agree with him in politics, either provincial or general. I have, as you already know, expressed plainly my opinion that whether he possesses the ability ascribed to him or not, he has failed to carry this Province unscathed through difficulties of an ordinary nature, and that a change after fifteen years' experience of his rule is necessary ; still as no one else in the province had public spirit, patriotism, or pluck enough to come forward, nothing else was to be done but to elect him. After all, perhaps, it is not a matter of very great importance who wo have for Superintendent just now. Matters as regards the Province cannot casily.be made worse than they are, and a change is looked for by most people during the coming session of the General Assembly.

Mr Pox, the political opponent of our present Ministry, the traveller with pleasant recollections of Jericho (did Mr Weld send him there?) and Galilee ; the caustic wit of the House; has come out in a new character, namely, the champion of total abstinence. He has been lecturing at Wanganui on the subject, and has collected a fearful array of figures which prove us all to be such frightful drunkards that it is positively refreshing to remember that some celebrated man has told us that figures can be made to prove anything but the truth. The Independent here wrote a highly colored article questioning his facts, figures, and logic, and stigmatising him for having made an attack on those useful ornaments to bars, barmaids ; to which Mr Pox replied by referring the Independent regarding the figures to statistics published by the General Government and the Otago Provincial Government, and congratulating that organ on its new chai-acter of the advocate of drunkenness and vice. And so the question stands at present. Should it go further I would be fully prepared to bet on the Pox turning out the winning horse.

Col. M'Donnell has come out in a new character. Ho haa actually published a book. Who is it who said " O that mine enemy would write a book !" This, however, though what most people could say with reason of those for whom they felt no love, can hardly be the thought of those who were in power when M'Donnell first took command at Patea. His book

will be most damaging to them and in a great measure exonerates him from all blame in the matter of his conduct of the campaign. I can recommend it to those of your readers who are anxious to have a peep behind the scenes.

A distressing accident, which resulted in the loss of two lives, took place on Sundaymorninglast. The Rev. Mr Backland, who had been staying for the benefit of his health for some time with a Mr Feist at Carterton, a village about 60 miles from here, felt on that morning so far recovered* as to be desirous of resuming his ministrations that morning. His host harnessed his trap, intending to drive him to the place where service was to be held, and they started, Mrs Feist accompanying them. On the way they had to cross a swollen river, in which, somehow, the trap got upset, and the clergyman and Mrs Fiest were drowned.

I mentioned in my last letter that the Circular Saw Steam Company had! made overtures to the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, for the purchase of its plant, which had been refused. There is to be an extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the latter Company on the second of next month, when another proposition made by the Circular Saw Company will be laid before them. Eventually, I fully believe, the N. Z. Company will sell, as their affairs have not been prospering for some time. The Artillery company here have been changing their captains ; Mr Buckley, who lately held the commission having resigned, and Mr E. Pearce, the "Wanganui partner of Matheson's Wellington firm, having accepted the post.