OTAGO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1189, 28 January 1864, Page 5

OTAGO.

[FROM OUll OWN COIiKKSL'ONDUN'J.'.] Di;.nkt)in, January 25, T regret to say that pleuro-pneumonia continues to spread among our cattle, and it is difficult to foresee where the calamity will end. The Government have adopted the most prompt measures by proclaiming the infected districts, and sending a coinpent inspector into each of these armed with power to examine and destroy all infected herds.

Proclamations .have also been issued forbidding the importation of cattie from Victoria, excepting only the Gipps Land and Mornington districts. There are many who urge the Government to shut out Victoria from our markets, but our executive fear that by doing this meat would riso very much in price, which would be severely i'elt by the poorer and middle classes. I sincerely trust yourprovincemity escape the scourge, and I presume you will adopt the most stringent measures to ward it oil'.

I mentioned ia my hist that our Town Board had summarily dismissed Mr. Millar, the city engineer, I do not recollect whether the delay of the post allowed ine to supplement my intelligence by informing you that Mr. Millar the next day served the members of the Town Board with notice of action for wrongful dismissal, laying his damage at £3350. This appears to have taken some of the members quite aback, for there was a vague impression on the minds of these worthies that by some extraordinary twist in the law, or some process which they cotild not foresee or explain, they personally and out of their own pockets might be let in for the expenses incurred in defending the action. A special meeting of the Board was called; there was a great deal of discussion, and the whole resulted in a majority of the Board reinstating the City Engineer in office, and the minority resigning their seats. Mr. Millar at first was disinclined to accept his re-appointment,,

but was eventually coaxed into it. So the city is once more handed over to the engineer who asserts his right not to be interfered with either in the expenditure of money, the manner in which the levels shall be made, or the street improvements carried out. However, in two months the Board will be superseded by a full fledged Corporation with Aldermen, Mayor, and Councillors, who will be invested with much larger powers than the present body (most fortunately) possess.

I am inclined to think that cricket is infectious like pleuro-pneumonia, whooping cough, measles, cholera, and the like. A cricket fever is at present raging with great violence in Otago, which, so I am informed, has extended itself to other provinces. It showed itself about the same time as pleuro-pneu-monia at Tokomairiro, and the complaint was only relieved when the eleven came to Dunedin and had it thrashed out of them in one innings. Then it broke out at Invercargill, and the Southerners must also come to Dunedin, where they were treated after the manner of the Tokomairiroians. Otago, from the city to its suburbs, and from the suburbs to the sea-board and through the interior, is very much affected indeed. Cricket matches are breaking out everywhere. Clubs are being formed having Superintendents at their head and Government promises of grants of land in aid. Nothing scarcely is talked of by the youth and middle aged of our day but matches which have gone and those to come. How we shall contain ourselves when the great " Old England Eleven " come amongst us, I do not know, I atn sure. Where we are to get a sufficiency of grey horses from, which are to draw the carriages j in teams of fours, sixes, and eights, is puzzling everybody. The number of places, and occasions at and on which the immortal cricketers are to stop and partake of champagne, certainly presupposes that All England Eleven and champagne are closely rllied in indissoluble bonds, although it may be difficult to explain upon what grounds. Barring accidents, the English team will land at Port Chalmers on Saturday next, when the programme cut out to inaugurate the occasion is to be as follows :— The All Englanders on being deposited on the Port Chalmers Jetty in good order aud sound condition, will be received by the various Provincial Clubs. On leaving the jetty, the whole are to be chanipagned at the leading hotel at the public expense, raised by general subscription. Then grey horses attached to carriages will take all to Dunedin, where they are to champagne at Shadrack Jones' Provincial. Then once more into conveyances, and on to the cricket ground, where there is to be more champagne. The All Englanders will then have some practice with bat aud ball and wicket among themselves. Afterwards follows a spread attended with more champagne. Then the whole return to mine host of the Provincial, and being Saturday night, it is arranged that the preliminaries, so far proceeded with, shall be washed up in champagne. Now it is just possible that you may think I am exaggerating this programme, but I assure you I do nothing of the kind. These things and many more are all on the card. The cricketers will dine with his Honor the Superintendent, a la fourchette, with the elite of Otago, and be made free of everything.

As our escort does not come in until Tuesday evening, there is very little intelligence to forward touching our gold-fields. There are no new rushes, no discoveries, and the news to hand is that everything is quiet, and the gold yields showing a disposition to decrease. These will probably pick up again. Such is the general hope if not the general expectation.

We had a very successful Horticultural Exhibition here on Wednesday last. I had not the least idea that we could produce such fruit, vegetables, and flowers as was displayed on the occasion. Nothing but the finest soil, a genial climate, and great attention, could have produced what was exhibited on this occasion; and I have no hesitation in saying that this province will vie with any port of the world in the quality of its fruit and vegetable produce. The various prizes offered by the society were very liberal, and Iho competition among the exhibitors very spirited.

There is, I am pleased to observe, a decline in the rates of rents ruling for cottages and small dwellings, as also for business premises, in Dunedin. It is thought that a commercial crisis is at hand, but I. do not think such is the case; should it be so, this far from doing harm, it will result in great good. The disease working below the surface will break out and c-ifect its own cure. The large population now centred in our city will have in part to disperse, when the natural resources of the province will stand a better chance of becoming developed. So think those who have had a past experience to guide them in forming an opinion. Of the future greatness and prosperity of Otago no one can doubt, and those who stand by it will not have to repent of their exercise of patience. The weather with us is very unsettled, business languid, and the markets generally overstocked; but overstocked markets give this advantage: poor people get. the benefit of cheap supplies. No further political action has taken place with respect to the seat of Government question, but a settled feeling exists that Wellington will not be our political capital; Auckland will not have it, and Otago will bring all its influence to bear in resisting the measure. Your Canterbury team arrived here on Saturday afternoon by the City of Dunedin, and received a hearty welcome from the Dunedin

cricketers,

The match will commence on Wednesday, and we shall, we think give you a sound thrashing : but if we do not we shall the less regret it, on the score that you have sent us eleven gentlemanly representatives of the noble game-, and it is something to say, if we are beaten, that it took gentlemen to do it. Your members will of course want to witness the match between the All-England Eleven and the Provincial Twenty-two.

No English mail to hand. Gothenburg came in last night without, it. The mail bad not been telegraphed at Adelaide when the Gothenburg left the Melbourne Heads.

THE \YAII IN AUCKLAND.

RAGLAN. (i'ROM Till! KPECIAI. COItKKSI'ONDENT OK TIIE SOirTIIKUN CKOXS. January 14. As the cutter Marwell is to leave this port tomorrow early, for Onehunga, I avail myself ot the opportunity for anticipating the regular mail, which does not leave until Monday.

Fortunately 1 have no exciting news to communicate. I rode overland from Waikato Heads, taking two days on the journey, but observed nothing calculated to excite suspicion or create alarm. The natives at the various settlements were the aged and infirm, and a few women ana children. I met at Whakatiwa, the chief Paul, ofAVaiuku, on his way to bring back to his settlement the women and children belonging to such of the'tribe as have either been killed in the king's service, pr are m the Marion hulk, awaiting the quiet operation of the law, and the pleasure of the Governor. I pointed out to him a steamer, which I saw a long way oft, steaming south, and he was very anxious to know where she was bound for. • I suggested Waikato, and then Taranaki; but with one consent the assembled Maoris shouted " Whangaroa : too much of the steamer I " I believe Ahapenny, the Wainku chief, had just written that there wore 800 or a 1000 soldiers on their way to Whangaroa ; and as I had brought the letter, the natives thought I was humbugging them. No doubt the effect of Rangiriri has been most salutary on the natives. They appear to have made up their? minds that it is all at an end with the king's cause, and would be glad if the

Government would consent to patch up something like a peace which would leave them, as formerly", independent of the law. My Maori guide assured me, 011 approaching each little settlement, that the residents were " Queen's lot ; " he is a corporal of police, and wears the " Grey " uniform. lli.< superior officer, wearing uniform and bavin;.; sergeant's stripes on his arm, well mounted, anil attended by a retinue of three mounted men, was passed by us about ten miles from Whangnroa, ; and the head swell of all, Tamehana, of Putataka, rejoicing in a sergeant-major's uniform, greeted us at the settlement on the north head of Whangaroa harbour.

There is no news from the Front, except the total failure of the transport service, «*iiong the line of the Waikato. It was reported here to-day that 650 men were to be sent down from head-quarters and distributed along the line of the Waitetuna, owing to the impossibility of provisioning them just now. I give tins for what- it is worth. 111 a day or two I will ascertain the facts; but if, as I suspect, the failure is between Meremere and Rangiriri, it will be some time before the breach can be made up. The service is too cumbrous to be effective; and I think it would be better far if the troops at headquarters were in future supplied by way<of Raglan. It; would save a vast deal of expense, much valuable time, and economise labor.

The head-quarter companies of the 50th Kegt., under the command of Colonel Waddy, are stationed in the second camp on the line from Raglan; the head-quarter companies of the 2nd Waikato Regt., commanded by Colonel Haultain, are stationed at the camp at Waitetuna Heads; and Captain Picken, of the same regiment, commands a detachment in charge of Raglan and the Government stores. The duty this officer and Lieut. Rye and the detachment have to discharge is not light. The ammunition is stored in the new court-house, over which there is a sentry posted; but workmen are still engaged at the building. The detachment is camped on the elevated ground above Raglan, about a quarter of a mile distant; and it appears to me to be somewhat awkward to have the charge of stores and ammunition (which are placed within a few j ards of where a considerable number of " friendly Maoris reside) cast upon officers, the main body of whose troops are at such a distance from the property to be guarded. The new court-house is surrounded by a ditch, and has been loop-holed for defence. It is a spacious building, and consists of court-house, resident magistrate's private office, apartments for jailer, and three cells for prisoners. But Major Macgreggor, the resident magistrate, is in the position of having a prison without having any policemen to preserve the peace and execute the orders of the Court. This must not continue to be the case, as from the large accession to the military population which has lately taken place, and the quantity of spirits and beer consumed, policemen are absolutely required. The old mode of procedure is now entirely out of place, and Maori policemen would soon come to grief if they interfered—either with the regulars or the Waikato Militia.

Mr. William Buckland arrived here to-day from Kawhia. Everything is quiet there. I have heard a report that 60 stands of arms have been handed over to the Maori policemen appointed by Major Macgreggor for that purpose. This man is a Ngatimaniopoto. Two natives came in yesterday at Raglan, and -gave up their arms to the Resident Magistrate. They acknowledged having been at Mercmere for four days. While under examination they were in a quaking condition, and evidently made up their minds that at least immediate sentence of transportation would be passed upon them. Their names were taken, and they were sent to their liapu with a caution. I dare say they will be well behaved in future —at least, as well behaved as they can.

The overland mail arrived to-day without letters or newspapers. Last week it was the same thing. Now, I would like to know what this overland mail is kept up for. The large number of troops posted here and at the Waikato Heads, and the necessity for speedy, and what is of equal importance, certain communication, ought to lead the authorities to give at least three mails a-week. There is a good deal of grumbling, and no wonder; at the same time it is next to impossible for the poor wretch who is supposed to carry the mail from here overland to travel with a weighty bag. I have just travelled the road; and it would be a large salary that would induce me to carry anything heavier than a mackintosh up and down the innumerable steep hills one must cross at the risk of neck and limb. If the overland mail is to be continued, something must be done to keep up relays of horses. The mailman ought to have at least two horses between the Waikato Meads and Whaugaroa; and I think an arrangement might be made to facilitate the carriage of the mail by an European, if this be thought desirable. Having roused tho present letter-carrier, early on Wednesday morning, at the pa at Putataka, from observation I can answer from it that whatever change may be made, a change of mailman coidd not fail to be an improvement. I hope the letters I entrusted to him arrived safely; but at the time, and even now. I had and have mv doubts.

The schooners Albatross and Emma Eliza are here; also the cutters Maxwell and Excelsior. The Emma Eliza has been trying to get out for a •week. The Albatross and Maxwell sail to-morrow if the wind answers.

Writing of shipping reminds me of another point. Ballast is most easily got—indeed, can only be got on the north side of the harbour. Captain Clarke, of the Albatross, reports that the natives residing there (some of whom are paid by the Government as ferrymen and in other official capacities) refused to permit him to break up the rocks outside low water mark for ballast, unless he paid them 8s per ton. lie was to do the work; they were to receive the money. Now this is simply an imposition, and if Whangaroa harbour is to become a place of resort for shipping, such practices must be put an end to. The natives ought to be told by the Government that they must cease to make those exorbitant demands. The stones are of no earthly use to them. They can make nothing of them; but the lazy beings who claim them, by what charter 1 know not, attempt to make the necessities of the industrious mariner the occasion of their gain. A contiouence of such imposit ions is intolerable. Another point occurs to me, namely, the advantages which Whangaroa hol.h out for commerce. This is an important point, and 1 have made every inquiry I could to satisfy myself. It is a bar harbour, but it is one of the safest that can be named. The entrance is easy; but the navigation, without leading marks, is difficult to a stranger. With leading marks, such as have been erected at the Waikato Heads, no bar harbour could be more accessible or safer. The landmark for the entrance is well defined, Busby Head, on the southern point being a bold, and at all times an easily distinguish.- i able object. Captain Clarke reports crossing the South Spit, when entering on the 7th, after a run of four hours in the Albatross from Manukau Heads. Soundings on the spit gave 2 fathoms at low water, lie then put about and took the bar; soundings at quarter flood gave 2£ to .1 fathoms. At average high water there would be 23 feet on the bar. The deepest water is on the north side, where the banks are rocky and precipitous. Soundings at dead low water, within a fathom of the rocks at the south side, gave two fathoms. This side of the harbour is owned by the natives, of whom mention has been already made. From what I have seen of this harbour, and from its position, I believe it is destined to occupy a leading position as a port on the west coast of New Zealand. It will be the port for a great portion of the Waipa and Waitetuna districts, and the sooner that fact is recognised by every one —the Government included—the better. The natives must not. bo allowed to stand in the way of opcuing up the country, or retarding commerce, more especially as the persons who are now doing so here are every one Kingites at heart, and have their nearest relatives bearing arms against her Majesty. A rifle match was fired on Tuesday last, at Raglan, between six men of Cuptain Peacock's company of Waikato Volunteers, find six ol the settlers. Ihe match resulted in favor of the militia, by nine points. Three shots a-side were fired at 100 yards, and three shots.'U 200 yards' range. " The health of the troops is report#! to bo good; and their conduct is not at all amiss. I hope the allusion to the mail service will not be without effect. Major Maegreggor likewise requires assistance, which will necessitate an increase in the police force of the province. At least three men and a jailer are required. , • WAIKATO HEADS. (FKOM THE CO RB ES PON I>K N T OP TUB SOI'TIIEKN CItOSS.) ..... ... Putataka, January 15. The Beautiful Star, our precursor vessel for intercolonial traffic, leftliere last Thursday, and is tp bring in the second steamer, in pieces,, for Waikato River navigation. No. iis ill speedy the intention being to launch hei* this-, flay. Owing to the Honorable the Minister f<.r tlie Forces being now here, the men worked With l wiU iJay and night to have her ready for launching ere he should leave. \ A We have had a rather eventful < Lieutenant Eraser, from up the river, u a boat's crew to bring up a diagoual-biriffc-bolt,;. ex*• pected round from Manukau. In coming river, they came upon the dead body ot» wbse ijpan •

floating iibout near Cameron. 'l'liey towed it to this place, where it was decently interred liy the direction of Captain Antrolms, In the breeches ! pocket was a leather purse, containing five j arid two shillings and nine pence in silver. On On Tuesday, the Lady Uarkly, steamer, hove in sight outside. She appeared to have something in tow, ;>.!sd delayed much over the bar in the most dangerous part of the navigation, causing us much apprehension on her account. One or more heavy seas broke on board, und at one we, anxious spectators, thought she was disabled and the fires put out. She seemed enveloped for a moment in a cloud of steam, and then she broached to and was quite ' a ' r v ' a y* Lieutenant Coddington, of the jvclipse, was on the point of sending boats to the rescue; but the little Barkly recovered herself and came into port without sustaining damage. She had lost lhe boat, however, having been obliged to anchor it at the bar, after it had turned head over heels, thus rendering the steamer for the time unmanageable. Her passengers were Captain Brittin, the Archdeacon of this district, and family. These had to be battened down whilst crossing the bar, and 110 doubt were in a state of considerable anxiety, for the water had broken into the cabin, and they were all drenched. On Wednesday morning, the Lady Barkly went out to look for the lost boat, but saw 110 tidings of her. She must have gone towards Ilaglan, as the wind has been light from the N.E. On returning, she proceeded up the river, taking in Mr. Maunseii and family. Lieut. Frazer and Captain Brittin also went, bound for Maungatawhiri. On Thursday, the Alexandra, steamer, was in sight ever since daybreak, in fact, some people here averred that they saw her smoke the evening previous. She came gallantly in over a beautifully smooth bar, about eleven in the forenoon, and was moored by Captain Hunt (who was on board) in the berth recently vacated by the Star. She is a gallant looking vessel, and having been bought lately by the Colonial Government of New Zealand, will no doubt become a fond familiar friend all along our coast. lam told that the captain is a Scandinavian—most appropriate as ■commander of the Alexandra, the fair Scandinavian who is now the ruler of our destinies, and 110 doubt destined to give us a new race of kings. The Alexandra brings the lion. T. llussell, Major Speedy, Ensign Turner, Messrs. Burn, Haultain, Marshall, Stewart, and r l homas; also a large quantity of sawn timber on Government account, and sundry commissariat stores. She has brought in tow three flat-bottomed punts, each capable of carrying twenty-five tons. Two were water- logged, and the other slightly injured. They impeded her passage very much, as t'.iey steered so wide, and the ground swell along the coast is considerable owing to the shallowness of the water. One of the punts (the fourth) broke adrift soon after clearing ilie Manukau on the Wednesday afternoon. It was just as well that the stern-punt broke away, as the steamer seemed to have quite enough to do with the remainder. As it was, a new five-inch hawser snapped more than once during the passage. Now that the dockyard here is in full operation, it will not he necessary to bring these punts here ready-made in future. In the course of Thursday, Major Speedy proceeded to hold an inquest on the body that had been brought down by Lieutenant Fraser. A jury of white men were empannelled, and the body was disinterred. It had on military trousers, but the hair was quite removed, by soaking in the water, and the body bruised. JS'o wound, however, could be discovered, although the corpse was carefully examined by Dr. Armstrong Willis, of H.M.S. Eclipse. The jury agreed that "death had apparently resulted from drowning, although nothing could with certainty be affirmed, from lack of evidence."

THE REBEL POSITIONS IN WAIPA AND WHANG APE.

We learn that the information given by William Naylor, when that chief was in town last week, is pretty much as follows:—The rebels are 3000 strong, and are collected in Upper Waipa, from the east const, from near Taupo, and from Taranaki, besides the natives of the Upper Waipa (Ngatiinaniapoto, Ngatiapakura, and Ngatihinetu). They have made six pas along the road from Cowell's (Te liore) to past McFarlane's farm, at an old Maori stronghold called Orakau. The last or most inland from the Waipa is Orakau, and has the advantage of a means of retreat or escape by an extensive swamp, which, however, the rebels may find, in case of their retreat, to lead them into the arms of their enemies. From Orakau to Te I'ore is a distance of about six miles, an open undulating country, throughout which (let our rough riders beware) is dotted all over with old ntahs, i.e., potatoe pits, which were death and destruction to cattle and horses. It abounds in eminences, like Mereniere on a small scale; and on several of these in pretty near a straight line, the rebels have erected, with (heir usual judgment, strongholds on more or less formidable points. Their tactics, so far as Naylor describes them, are as follows:—They expect that the troops will attack one of the pas, and in'.hat case the Maoris will come out and take the troops in the rear. We hope they will try this game, as we are sure our gallant soldiers will rejoice in a chance of a real stern chase after a Maori. Possibly these pas are built simply as so many lures to draw on ouv troops into some trap laid for them. Piut the General is doubtless as knowing and wary of the Maori as Laocoon was of the Greeks, when he said:— •' Timeo Dannos et dona ferentes." Those who know the country in which these pas lie will not expect that the rebels will make a stand in it, as there is no cover in the near neighbourhood to which they can escape. Not many miles above the line of pas the country is broken and wooded, and there is a rapid or fall on the Waipa, which will prevent the transit by water upwards beyond that point of the general's supplies. Hither, then, it may be well understood, the rebels will desire 10 allure our troops. It is the Ngaiimaniapoto country, the cradle of that skill in marauding which lias gained so much celebrity for the tribe which inhabits its fastnesses, [t is, moreover, of great extent, reaching to ihe sea-coast between Mokau and Iviwhia. Or it, is suggested that it may be the design of tho rebels to induce, by such a show of force, the General to bring up all his available men ; and then our quick-moving foe may get round to our rear, to some point which he fancies is now unprotected. It is said that a good many rebels are in an almost inaccessible retreat at Wliangape, between Kangiriri or Ngarnawahia and the sea-coast-. Wliangape is a lake, environed on the side next Waikato by swamps, totally inaccessible by bodies of men, and to be approached only by a small stream. The country between Wliangape Lake and the sea coast is very uneven. It would he out of the question to tako artillery near Wliangape. or ils neighbour, Lake Wahi. It would be equally difficult to limit the fellows out of that region, in which it is understood that there are large plantations for this season, so that they must feel quite at home in their "Maori Reserve,"—Du'h/ Sou/hint Cros«. Jail. 11.

EXECUTION OF A MAORI SPY,

yisoM our (vN'.Z. Herald's') Mangatawhiri dm >pondent's letter, which has been crowded rut with others, we take the following interesting extract:—

" The General .seem* to have begun to show the friendly natives tliiU the playing tiio sj,/ am', carrying two faces will do no longer. The following are t!;o facts of the case as 1 heard them about a Maori spy. As your readers are very well aware from mv former letters, the mail was carried from the hea~ quarters of the army across the country to liaglaa 1 y friendly natives. The postman goes twice a day, and it appears that one of the natives has been in the habit of coming to the camp anions the soldiers, and passing himself o!£ as the postman. While lie was in camp, he had been in the habit of making enquiries of tlit? number oil troops at the different posts. Suspicion having been raised against him, a. party was set to watch him, and at last the gentleman was caught. A drum-head court-martial was held over him, and the result was that the natives of Te Wheoro's tribe were drawn up in line ; the prisoner was brought-up, the word 'fire' was given, and the spy fell a lifeless corpse."

Tuii Pal'auata Brsit Attack.—Our special correspondent informs us that lie met a gentleman at Raglan, who reports falling in with a party of natives who were attacked by Captain Jackson and the Forest Hangers. They were chiefly the Ngatipoas; and the old chief ah Tuukau was at their head. His informant knew several of them, and had a conversation with Marshall's slave, and the chief, who gave him an account: of the attack, it appears that they were completely taken by surprise in their camping ground, at the head of agiiily, by the cheer of the Forest Rangers and the heavy fire. Believing that at least 200 men were there, they rushed away, and made for their horses which were picketed at the rear, with a great quantity of plunder. The Maoris when seen on the road to join the rebels, numbered one huuclred fighting men; and acknowledged a loss of seven. Among the spoil was a. black mare belonging to a Waiiiku settler, known to the person i wlifr> fell in with the war party. They •of ifant of food, ami said they had been (j'nven ; ow. : of/Papa rata by " Jackson's tribe." _ So Mat the Paparata affair was not as mstgninyantas. -/some would have it to be.—■s. Cross, Jan. 19.

has been received (says the S£ki HcmUl' »f tlio 16"' "•»'»» ) reliable quarter, lliat ;i great many natnes, V\ an{,a and Njraraurus, are likely to be here shortly, if not already arrived, when their total number in 'the place will be probably about 1000 but possibly 1500. The main force will be at Ivaitake, but /ft ■portion of Njratiruanui (the Pakakohi and Tam&ta Keina's people) will go to Mataitawa. Ngatimaru and a few Ngatimaniapoto are already there, or in the neighbourhood.