New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 15, 1846.

On Wednesday evening the Castor returned with his Excellency from Porirua, and the Driver followed the next morning-. The troops stationed at the camp at Parramatta have returned to their old quarters, and the detachment of the 65th with the militia and police, occupy Rangihaeata's former position at Pawatahanui. Active operations for the present appear to be suspended, the seige is converted into a blockade which is to be maintained by the friendly natives under Mr. Scott and Mr. Cervantes, and Puaha and his tribe. This sudden change is attributed to Capt. Graham's disinclination to allow the sailors from the different vessels of war to act on shore in concert with the troops, and he is reported on his arrival to have withdrawn them from the attacking force and to have anchored the vessels under Mana, where the Calliope still remains. Whether the friendly natives will succeed in keeping Rangihaeata and his adherents in check appears to be a matter of doubt. From the peculiar nature of the ground it is thought he will be able to effect his escape in the rear ; if he should succeed in breaking out, from the savage ferocity of his disposition and the desperate energy with which he has maintained the contest against superior numbers, we must be prepared to hear of fresh excesses and outrages committed by this monster and his followers whenever they obtain a favourable opportunity. The present sudden suspension of hostilities appears to be the subject of general regret and disappointment We have collected a few interesting particulars of the late expedition from authentic sources which we have thrown into the form of a narrative, in continuation of our account in last Saturday's paper. On the arrival of the militia and friendly natives at the huts mentioned in the account above referred to, Paaha expressed his desire to proceed with his natives, but without the militia, and promised to send back information to them. The militia under Lieut. M'Donogh, and the Port Nicholson natives, accordingly encamped on this spot, where they found the bugle which had been taken in the attack on the camp, suspended from the roof of one of the huts, and three bayonets, which Lieut. M'Donogh returned to Lieut. Page. Not having received any information during the day from Puaha, the Militia and friendly natives started at daybreak on Wednesday morning, having pre-

viously received a message from Major Last that he would follow with reinforcements and provisions. About ten o'clock they fell j in with Puaha's natives, who had just thrown up a few huts, and formed a small encampment at the foot of the hill, on the top of which Rangihaeata and the rebels were posted. Lieut. M'Donogh then began to ascend the hill with three of the Port Nicholson chiefs ; after having proceeded about three hundred yards, they met eight of Puaha's natives returning, one of whom had ; been wounded in the neck by the rebels. Immediately after the shot was fired, Rangihaeata rushed down alone among Puaha's natives, exclaiming, "My children ! my children ! why do you" persist in fighting with me? I shall kill you all." Puaha and Rangihaeata then had a tangi, after which they both proceeded up the hill together, and Puaha was with Rangihaeata when the militia arrived. He returned shortly afterwards and said that on going among Rangihaeata' s people, three of them had presented their pieces at him but Rangihaeata had prevented them from firing. He also informed them that the rebels had apa on the top of the hill. About one o'clock the troops from Porirua under Majors Last and Arney arrived, and Major Last was desirous of commencing the attack immediately, but this was opposed by the natives as impracticable. They all then encamped on the ground. Early on Thursday morning Lieut Elliott with his party arrived from the Porirua-road with their axes and tools, a»d were employed as pioneers to the expedition in cutting a road on the side of the hill on the right of the position. The friendly natives then commenced the advance, supported and closely followed by the troops, sailors, militia and police, in two divisions, one under Major Arney the other under Capt. Armstrong, the whole being under the commaud of Major Last. The aJvance was rather slow and the natives appeared disinclined to commence the attack. At length about two o'clock when the attacking forces had advanced to within a hundred yards of the stockade behind which Rangihaeata and the rebels were posted, the first shot was fired by a European when the rebels immediately opened a brisk fire, which wounded several of Lieut Elliott's party who retired vith their tools ; a ball also passed through Major Last's cap. He immediately ordered the advance to be sounded, and waving his cap encouraged his men forward. A small party of about twenty, consisting of soldiers, militia, and blue jackets, under Lieut, Page and Ensign Blackburn, Lieut. M'Donogh and Mr. M'Killop, then advanced on the left to within fifty yards of the stockade, which the rebels perceiving, they opened a heavy fire on them by which Ensign Blackburn, a private of the 99th. regt. and one of the Calliope's men were killed. Ensign Blackburn was shot through the side and died immediately. About this time an alarm (which subsequently proved to be unfounded) was spread, that the rebels were endeavouring to out1 flank the troops on the right, and a heavy fire was immediately opened by the troops advancing in that direction. It was thought that too many lives would be lost in attempting to take the place by storm, and at i dusk the men returned to their quarters. During the whole of Thursday night the rebels were actively engaged in strengthening their position. On Saturday about eighty shells were thrown under the direction of Capt. Henderson, but owing to the very short distance and the number of large trees intervening, it is thought that very few fell into the pa. The artillery (as was reported) had not been conveyed from the camp. Owing to the rugged nature of the ground, great difficulty was experienced in getting provisions conveyed to the troops. On Monday the troops were withdrawn, as we have previously mentioned, and the natives, who had proposed to inclose Rangihaeata, were left to blockade him. The position of the rebels is described to have been on the top of a steep hill, covered with wood, where they had thrown up a strong stockade; it was approached by a narrow ridge or spur, the ground sloping

rapidly on either side. The stockade was of recent erection. Since writing the above, news has arrived that the rebels left their position on Thursday, and have gone in the direction of Manawatu. They are followed by the friendly natives who are in pursuit of them.

It is said that his Excellency intends proceeding to Auckland in H.M.S. Castor either to-morrow or the following day.

On his Excellency's late visit to Waikanae, a spy of Rangihaeta's was arrested and made prisoner at that pa. He has been since put on board the Calliope with the other prisoners.

We are informed it was intended (as mentioned in our last) to bury the body of Ensign Blackburn at the camp at Parramatta, but on the return of the Castor the opportunity was taken to send the body to Wellington, where it was interred with military honours.

The Victoria arrived on Thursday morning from Auckland, which she left on the 6th inst. She has brought for the service of the troops in this district one 32-pounder, two 12-pounders, two mortars, and a large supply of shot, shells, and ammunition, which are under the charge of Mr. Boyd, serjeant of the Artillery. The Bandicoot had arrived at Auckland before the Victoria sailed, but the Ralph Bernal had not arrived. It is said that the Victoria will proceed immediately to Nelson to take Mr. Domett, the new member of the Legislative Council to Auckland.

Wb have seen New Zealand Journals to Feb. 28, but they are chiefly filled with extracts of local news fromthe New Zealand Spectator; the latest dates received in London were to August 20, 1845: the Madras was advertised to sail punctually on the 15th March for Wellington, Nelson, New Plymouth, and Auckland, and the ship Clara with immediate despatch for Nelson, Wellington, and Auckland.

On Thursday morning, as a person of the name of Hill, in the employ of Mr. Mills, carpenter, Lambton-quay, was at work on the wharf in front of Mr. Mills' house, he suddenly fell into the water. It was high tide, and though the water was not very deep, yet from the suddenness of his immersion he was unable to recover himself, and was in danger of being drowned, when Lieut. Conolly of the Driver, who was passing at the time, immediately went into the water to Hill's assistance, and rescued him from his perilous situation.

Yesterday afternoon at two o'clock the funeral of Ensign Blackburn took place. The procession left the former residence of the deceased at Te Aro. A company of marines from H. M. S. Castor, under Lieut. Harrison with reversed arms, preceded the body, which was borne on the shoulders of six soldiers, the pall being supported by Lieuts. De Winton, and Herbert of the 58th Regt., and Lieut. Elliott and Surgeon Galbraith of the 99th Regt. On the coffin were placed the sword, cap, and sash of the deceased. The body was followed by his Excellency the Governor, his Honor the Superintendent, Major Last, Capt. Russell, and the other officers at present in town, Capt. Graham and the officers of the Castor, Capt. Hayes and the officers of the Driver, his Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, Col. Wakefield, and a great number of the settlers wh© were desirous of paying the last tribute of respect to the gallant deceased. The shutters of the houses and stores in Lambton Quay along which the mournful procession passed to the church were all closed. The Rev. R. Cole performed the funeral service. The body was interred in the public cemetry with military honours, the marines at the conclusion of the service, firing three volleys over the grave.

The often-quoted adage, which affirms that " Union is strength," seems about to receive a very striking confirmation in the United Kingdom. Meetings of all the leading Evangelical Clergy — Churchmen and Dissenters — have been held in Glasgow, Dublin, and finally in Liverpool, at which last meeting it was determined to hold a " World's Convention" of ministers and representatives of churches in Great Britain, Continental Europe, and America, for the purpose of forming a general association, to be called the " Evangelical Alliance." A code of doctrine has been agreed to, to be subscribed by all who thus join themselves together ; in which code nothing is admitted but those doctrines which, by the common consent of orthodox Protestant Christians are styled " Evangelical," leaving* all parties at liberty-, to retain their own views in other matters. With the view of promoting in thig place

the cordial feeling which has heen produced fey this means in England, a meeting will he held on Wednesday evening next, the 19th inst. (being the day on which the Convention meets in London) in the Wesleyan Chapel, Manners -street, when the history and objects of the proposed Alliance will be explained by those ministers here, who have already signified their adherence to it. — (Communicated.)

Wellington Savings Bank. — Messrs. S. Moeatta, Thos. Northwood, Rev. J. P. O'Reilly, and Mr. K. Bethune, the Managers in rotation, wij] attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 15th August, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the ,17th August.