INTER-PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 691, 30 July 1870, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

There are more alarming rumors from Tauranga. A letter written just before the departure of the steamer for Auckland,- states that Te Kooti has joined Tito Kowaru at Wanganui, and that they have a force under them numbering 700 men. This, however, is given as a mere rumor, and we do not think it is entitled to much credence. We also learn that the Militia have been struck off pay, and that the road work has been discontinued. The operations on the roads are said to be in a satisfactory state, and the works on the line of telegraph are proceeding rapidly. A suspected murder has taken place at Hawke Bay. Mr Lamplough, who had lately contracted to convey the mail between Napier and Wairoa, left the former place on Tuesday, the 12th July, with the mail bags. He was seen at Petane on the same evening by a Mr Thomas Richardson, to whom he expressed his intention of riding on as it was moonlight. The body was afterwards discovered on the 14th, on the beach between Petane and Tongoio. There was a gash on the forehead, and it was supposed that the horse becoming restive, had carried his rider against a jagged rock, rendering him insensible, in which state he was drowned. The saddle was found at a gate a mile further on. Our own correspondent at Napier, says the Southern Cross, writing just before the departure of the steamer, savs a coroner's inquest was held on the 15th, at which a verdict was returned to the effect that there was no evidence to show how deceased came by his death; that from the fact that there were marks of violence on the head and face, that the coat, trousers, and shirt had been removed, and that the pockets had been turned inside out, the jury were suspicious that the death was occasioned by the violent act of some persons unknown.

A circular has been issued by the Commissioner of Police in Otago giving notice of a reduction of pay throughout the department, to commence on the Ist September next. First and second-class sergeants and first and second-class constables will each be mulcted of Is per day from that date. The country press complain that the reductions are arbitrary, and su<wests that the higher officers shoufd be treated in like manner. The Canterbury Government have reduced their charges for bringing out immigrants from England. The cost of an assisted passage from England, for males, is now £6, if paid in advance, and £9 if paid on the arrival of the immigrant. The Wellington police are collecting samples of various articles of food and drink retailed in that city for the purpose of having them analysed, and handing the analyses to the Adulteration Committee recently appointed by the House of Representatives. The Whangarei correspondent of the Southern Cross gives the following particulars of a murderous assault by a native :—" On the evening of the 9th July, two natives, who were drinking at' tho Settlers' Hotel, had some disagreement, when one of them with a butcher's knife stabbed the other severely in three places. The wounded man lies in a very dangerous state, and fears are entertained that he may die of his wounds. Taurau, the Jfative

Assessor, has applied to the Magistrate to take action against the offender. He says that according to native custom this case might lead to war between the two tribes to which the men, belong, but that they prefer that the matter should be settled by English law; and the chief of the tribe to which the offender belongs concurs in this resolution, having no sympathy with the perpetrator of this crime."