WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 539, 5 August 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

PROCEEDINGS nr the GENERAL ASSEMBLY. (from our owx correspondent.) July 25. In my last letter to you I mentioned •i regular flood of resolutions and policies with which the table of the House has been loaded suddenly, after a period of comparative political quiet which succeeded the defeat and resignation of the Stafford Ministry. Policies, financial and native, of various and opposite characters, were offered to the House in resolutions to be moved by Messrs Fox, Cracroft Wilson, M'Lean, llollcston, Tancred, and Stevens, and much sharp debating was expected. But, as yet, on the score of these we are still expecting, though in other ways we have more than ve looked for. Mr M'Lean's resolutions were postponed by the consent of the House till after the presentation to the House of the Financial Statement. Mr Fox's were divided, and, while the House agreed to pass the one affirming that the present expenditure on the Native difficulty is beyond the resources of the Colony, the second one, containing the real gist of them both, and alluding to the proposed limitation of expenditure, shared the fate of Mr M'Lean's motions, and was likewise postponed till the same convenient season. Mr Bolleston's resolutions in favor of a commission of inquiry as to the relative feelings of the two races in this Colouy have occupied the House for one or two evenings, but, I think, have little chance of success. It seems to be thought generally that with the Native difficulty in its present stage, with a ten years' war still on our hands, with now two rebel leaders, each with his band of armed followers, roaming over the Island, and dealing death and destruction on every chance on their foes, Native and European, it is somewhat late to hold a commission of inquiry into the matter. Mr Stevens's resolutions are not advanced much further than they were when I last wrote, and will now wait the financial debate. In like manner everything of any importance before the House has been put off; all debate has been postponed till Mr Vogel has made his statement, and I really believe that the House generally is prepared to give the Ministry a cordial support, if their propositions are at all feasible, and to discard any mere factious opposition. Tuesday evening

the Financial Statement is promised, and on that evening Mr Vogel will make or mar his reputation for ever. M"ch as many have hitherto disagreed V„ .A that gentlemen in polities, all must now wish him a grand success. If he can establish his claim to be reckoned among the great financiers of the Colony it musb result in benefit to New Zealand generally, and in the present grave aspect of affairs former differences of opinion should not, and will not, be allowed to interfere with a general endeavor to legislate beneficially for the Colony. Measures, not men, is the cry now, and if any can give us good ones, be they political friends or foes, to them support will be given.

But the excitement respecting resolutions and fimmcial statements past, present, and future, was as nothing compared to what was felt on Thursday evening when Mr Fox announced that he must ask for leave for suspension of the standing orders, in order that he might move a resolution. He explained that Ministers had received some serious news from the "Waikato—news of such a character that instant and most decided action was necessary. "What it was he hoped the House would not ask him to state, but he could assure the House that the new aspect of affairs was of such a grave character that he felt justified in asking of the House confidence and support without Ministers divulging the cause of their anxiety. He then moved the resolution " which you have already received by telegraph, and which, having been 'seconded bv Mr Stafford, was carried through all its stages. "What the news is that the Ministry have received is not known certainly. Numerous reports are, of course, current as to its precise nature, but it is generally believed to be that Te Kooti has visited the Maori King, by whom he has been received with open arms and has been made chief priest, and promised every support. For the truth of this I cannot vouch, but I give it as the most reliable I can obtain. Mr Tancred's resolutions were the subject of a few unimportant speeches on Thursday evening, after the passing of the above important one. It seemed strange to hear them being discussed immediately after the selfreliant policy had been so decidedly abandoned.

On Friday all was quiet. Nothing but some unimportant Bills were discussed. A lull was permitted between the exciting news of Thursday and the proposed statement on Tuesday. Already action has been taken on the resolution respecting the troops, and Dr Feathcrston, the gentleman chosen to act as Commissioner, has left here by the Omeo for Melbourne. Dr Feathcrston, our Superintendent, having thus 301.10 away, Mr \V\ W. Taylor lias been appointed his deputy during his absence. The cultivation of flax as an article of commerce is attracting considerable attention here now, and machines are being put up in several places with considerable hopes of success. There seems some probability that at least the question as to whether the cultivation and preparation of flax can at present be carried on as to be remunerative, will be settled.

The Catholics of Wellington and many of their friends belonging to other denominations are busily employed in getting ready for a bazaar to be held on the 2nd., and two following days, of next month, in aid of the funds of the Convent here. It is expected to be, as nearly everything they take in baud is, a great success. I hope it may be, for —a Protestant myself-—I must bear testimony to the charity, energy, and patient endurance in well-doing of the Catholic Clergy of Wellington.

A conversazione of the members and friends of the New Zealand Institute was bold on Saturday evening last in the Maori Bouse of the Museum. His Excellency the Governor, as President, delivered the annual address, and Dr Hector read a paper giving some most interesting information with regard to the geology of the goldfields of the North Island. The preparations for raising the s.s. Taranaki are progressing favourably. The two pontoons to be used are completed, the divers report that they find no great difficulty in working, and the company here formed for the purpose of raising the steamer are now waiting anxiously for the news as to the success or failure of the first attempt. Wellington is now suffering under a violent attack of gold fever. Of our own " diggings " I have little good news to send. There is little doubt felt that eventually the country round us will be found gold producing, but at present the " finds " have been too small to calculate upon, although prospectors are out in every direction. At Karori, about two miles out of the city, where good prospects where obtained a week ago, nothing has been done, altheugh nearly a hundred claims have been marked out, and are being worked. I have visited the field Beveral times and have found, in the stream running through it, likelylooking quartz specimens, which, being much water-worn, lead me to suppose that a reef exists in that direction. Prom the appearance of the country, and the results already arrived at, I do not believe that a payable alluvial field exists there, but that quartz diggings do. In the meantime companies are being formed here for investing in mining property. I am in two, got up during the past week, with capitals of £20,000 each.