WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 716, 27 September 1870, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(fbom oubown cobeespondent.) Sept. 22. The session beiug over and parliamentary work, for some time at least, shelved, I am going to have a little genuine gossip with you, so take a chair, light your pipe, and listen. First, let us have a chat about Mr and Mrs Mete Kiugi, who have made themselves notorious. These worthies left here for Wanganui a few days ago and arrived at that place on the 19th, inst. Suspicions were attracted towards the lady, whose dress appeared very bulky, and the result was the finding of 17 palf-pound tins of powder, 1750 percussion caps, and 40lbs. of shot. This attempt to smuggle ashore these " munitions of war" was announced to us here by telegram, and the " Post " published a naturally strong article on the subject, and the " Independent" (the Government organ.) replies this morning, stating that Mr Mete Kingi received his permit to purchase the powder, &c, through the Custom House, and there was no necessity for the attempt, made by Mrs Kingi, at concealment. This explanation, however, is not satisfactory to all persons. Some people remember that, under the Arms Act, no person is allowed to obtain more than one pound of powder, ten pounds of shot, and 250 caps, at any one time ; or oftener than once a-month. Why, then, should Donald M'Llean give a permit to so notorious an individual as Mete Kingi for eight times a3 much ammunition as would be supplied to any European, be he as respectable and trustworthy as is possibly to be ? This irregularity gives the clue to the attempted concealment, and many people think that our Defence Minister has lowered himself in the eyes of the Maories by overriding the law and telling Mete Kingi to " keep it dark." Before dismissing this Maori gentleman I may mention that a kind of enquiry, sub rosa, is being held as to whether this worthy M.TI.E. has been amusing himself by furnishing information to the rebel Hau Haus. Mr 0. E. Hursthouse, who styles himself "An Old Colonist, and Observer of Colonies and Colonization in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand," is in Wellington. This gentleman has been very energetic, in the pamphletwriting line, and has also spared neither time, ink, nor paper, in addressing the members of the Government and the House, on the subject of colonization, of which he believes he knows a thing or two. He has, in fact, written himself into a kind of notice, though perhaps he has only done as many others do. Some men preach, some pray, some spout, some play: Mr Hursthouse writes, (I have not heard whether he lectures,) and hopes to be appointed immigration agent at home. The agent-general, or whatever the name of the appointment will be, he will not get, but one of the sub-agen-cies would suit him to perfection—(so he says). By-the-bye, Mr Gillies, of Auckland, who was so vehement an opposer of the present Ministry at the early part of the session, is to be the " boss " at home of the agency business. He opposed to some purpose. Salary, £2,000 a year. £1,500 was laughed at as not enough to keep a man in boots and cigars. Did not one of the Ministers say in the House that the Government had conceded more to their enemies than their friends ?

Ministers are flitting to the bosoms of their families, and wo are being left without the sunshine of their presence. Mr Vogel went north in the Government steamer Luna on Sunday. Mr Fox goes up the West Coast to-day or to-morrow, and Mr Gisborne is left to bear the Atlas of Government alone.

Mr Carrington, the Superintendent of Taranaki, who is now, or was yesterday, in Wellington, received a letter, dated the 15th instant, from one Antonio Eodriquez de Sardina, claiming the £IOOO reward for having discovered gold in the Province of Taranaki —on Bob Erangi's land, between Omata and the Tapuae rivers. It is a quartz field, and the settlers seem very sanguine.

[ We aro really becoming civilised We. A garrison baud, supported by |he various volunteer companies, and by private subscription, has been started, and is being improved. Jt will not only parade with our volunteers, but will play on certain week bvenings during the summer, for the benefit of the public generally. And at length there is a prospect of a considerable part of the city (we are a municipality now) being properly supplied with waterj the main pipes are now in course of being laid aloug [Willis Street, Lambton Quay, and the [streets branching off these two. Then 'our gas works are progressing favorm We have a capital theatrical comLny here now, formed by a coalition Between the burlesque company lately forived from Dunedin, and Mr and pHis Darrell. They are drawing good louses, and playing well. |En passant —A move is being made to get up a company to build a theatre by six hundred £l2 shares. The calls to be £1 a month. It will certainly be a boon, if successful, as we have tnly a most badly arranged hall mailable for performances.

There was almost a mutiny at the Chalons Camp, among the Garde Mobile. When Marshal Canrobert inspected them, and asked the usual [official questions, if there were any complaints, to which the regulation answer is " none, sir," some young loldiers made many complaints, and in a very sturdy way one section signified that they were sick of the service already, and cried out " Back to Paris." Marshal Canrobert, bursting with rage, told the mutineers that they were unworthy the name of Frenchmen, and forthwith proceeded to make them aware of the fact they hardly seemed to realise, that though not regular troops, they were subject to me utmost severity of martial law. He [Sad two ringleaders brought to drumlead Court-Martial, and shot directly, j The " Pall Mall Gazette " has learned ifrom private parties in Paris that the [Empire is on the verge of collapse. The Germans are expected in Paris. Even if they are arrested the Empire is dead ; the Parisians are receiving arms, and they are all republicans at heart. The establishment of a Provisional Government is already talked [of. The Orleanists, through Generals shangarnier and Trochu, are in the Usceiidant, and eminent Imperialists pire leaving Paris and France.