AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 800, 23 May 1865, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

THE WAIKATO BETTUBMESTS. ! Rom tte -SbitfAer» Cbwf, ofthe lSthinst., we learn that an arrangement has been come to between the General and Provincial emments respecting the Waikato settlers, which ie satisfactory to both. Thatjounial says: — The agreement covers those who axe already in the colony, and those who are to arrive* in connection, with the {Waikato settlement. So the question about removing tJrip population from the province may be considered as definitely settled. They are to be located in the districts which they were brought Here to occupy, the eeneral Government stipulating that, although the Provincial Government may employ item in any part of the province, this is not to interfere in any way witib the original in-

tention of forming permanent settlements. In this stipulation, we think we recognise the effect produced on the minds of Ministers by Mr. Cardwell's despatch, in which the necessity of military settlements is explicitely urged. The province is to provide for the location of the immigrants, and secure employment for them for such a period as the Provincial Executive may deem fit, but at least not less than two months after the land has been allotted to them for settlement. The General Government is to defray the cost of surveys. But inasmuch as there are no provincial funds directly available for this object, it is agreed that the General Government shall issue 8 per cent, debentures at par, to carry out the scheme, in sums not exceeding in any month £15,000; and the Tuakau block is to be conveyed to the province for the sum of £18,000, which sum, together with the advances by debenture, is to be a charge against the province, the time and manner of repayment being left to the decision of the Assembly. Thus, it will be seen, that by proper management on the part of the Provincial Government, the Waikato special settlement scheme made be made a success. The General Government has likewise made an excellent bargain, and by accepting the proposal of the Superintendent they have unquestionably placed themselves on a firmer footing with the Assembly. They will appear to have kept faith with their immigrants ; and by the same operation they escape from their financial embarrassment, by securing the sale of their debentures to the province of Auckland. In short, the success of the whole scheme depends upon the sound financial position of this province. WITHDRAWAL OP THE TEOOPS. The Southern Cross, of the 11th instant, says:— "We have ascertained that orders have been received from the Horse Guards relative to the removal of the troops, and that five regiments are to bo sent home if they can be spared, or as many less than that number as advisable. The question of their removal will remain for the decision of the Governor, but it is reported that his Excellency is greatly adverse to sending away so large a number as five regiments, especially as the affairs of the colony have so materially altered since the date of the despatch sent home in December last. It is very probable that the 65th Eegiment, which has seen the longest service in the colonies, will be immediately sent home, but no orders have been issued as yet to the transport officer for their removal, or that of any other regi ment. That the "Weld Ministry will be anxious to have the troops removed as quickly as possible is beyond doubt, but as his Excellency is the sole arbitrer, it is very probable that the embarkation of even the regiments mentioned, excepting the 65th, will be delayed for some considerable time to come, when the rebellion shall have assumed a more satisfactory aspect. The following is an extract from a private letter we have received, dated London, February 27:—"1 have just heard from a private source 'that air order"goeß?out *by this matt to send home forthwith the 65th, 68th, 43rd, 40th and 70th regiments. I am alarmed at the -effect that may be produced by the withdrawal of these troops on the Maoris. With one thing and another, 1 cannot but think that the Government have altogether changed their Eolicy. At first I thought that the recall ad been all due to the action of the new Ministry, but it evidently dates further back, as I notice from Mr. Cardwell's despatch to. Sir George Grey of 26th January last, that that he stated that a portion of the troops were to be recalled, but the instructions were subject to be modified, according to the news which may be received by the next mail with respect to the prisoners escaped from the Kawau, and the state of affairs in the Northern portion of the colony. Sir George Grey and the new Ministry have evidently now determined this mostj important step. I believe the Government here is most anxious to have the troops. It is thought that Canada has something to do with it. Matters look very uneasy with America. I have heard that there is great grumbling with the New Zealand troops that they are being employed in laborer's work instead of fighting, I daresay that the General is disgusted with Sir George Grey and his policy." THE THAMES DISTRICT. The special correspondent of the Southern Cross gives a very favorable report of the disposition of the Natives in this district. In a letter written on the 9th instant, he eaysir— Since my last letter, dated the 2nd inst., the meeting of Natives therein referred to, which was to have taken place at Manaia, has been held at Waiau. The Civil Commissioner was. unavoidably prevented from attending, having been detained on service in the upper districts ; in hie absence the Government waa represented by Bawiri Te Ua, the Native assessor. He opened the meeting by proposing that no Pai Marire fanatics should on any pretext whatever be permitted to come into the Hauraki district, and after dwelling at some length on the evils that were sure to accompany therinj troductibn of Pai Marirism into any district professing the Christian religion and allegiance to the Gtrvearnmentv he hoped that the chiefs then assembled would urge their people to Tiold no communication with those who are sowing the seeds of dissension wherever they go. Taraia expressed his intention of remaining quiet, and also his determination, to put down Pai Marirism. He said he could not help, nor could he prevent, Te Hira opposing the Government, but that he himself would take no part against the authority of the Queen. Kawiri Te Ua suggested that if Te Hira continued obstinate, Taraia had better leave his place on the river Thames, and live among the friendly Natives on the western side of the

Hauraki Gulf. The would then perceive that his intentions were good, otherwise if he continued to live with Te Hira, he could not expect to have the confidence of the Government. All the influential chiefs of the Thames were at the meeting, and all agreed to remain loyal From expressions gathered from all quarters the meeting must have been very satisfactory. The Natives on returning to their several settlements have been known to repeat the words spoken by the chiefs, which will tend to keep up a loyal sentiment among the tribes. Mr. Mackay, the Civil Commissioner, has been up the Thames visiting Moses of Pukekohe, and the Pai Marire fanatics. He has now returned with Te Eetimana and Enoka, two chiefs belonging to Moses's party, and will proceed with them to Auckland, to have an interview with the Governor. Moses refused to go to Auckland unless accompanied by "William Thompson, who was at Ohinemuri on the 30th of last month. I believe there has been some communication between him and the Civil Commissioner. By all accounts the King-maker is inclined to be peaceable, and it is very likely that when the Commissioner again visits this place he will return with him to Auckland. I believe it will depend on the result of the interview which the chiefs Eetimana and Enoka will have with the Governor, whether you will have a visit from Thompson or not. The fanatics, who were compelled to leave Kennedy Bay, are disseminating a spirit of rebellion wherever they go. The Natives here are well disposed, and as a proof I may mention that when the chief Taihuri and others returned from the Waiau meeting, they expected that Mr. Mackay would be back here to meet them ; not seeing him, and learning that he had been up the river for some days, and knowing that his intention was, when he left, to return in two days at the furthest, they were very anxious, and seemed to think that something had happened to him, more especially as it was known that the feeling among the fanatics, since the Kennedy Bay affair, has been anything but friendly, on account of the part he had in it. Taipau armed a party of his people, and was on the point of starting in search of him, when a half caste arrived, jwho stated that he saw Mr. Mackay all right, and on his way down the river. The prospecting party are out on the ranges, and will not return until they have thoroughly tested the creek on which they are at work. In my next I will report progress. THE CBIISE OP THE ESK OS THE EAST COAST. H.M. s. Esk has been sent down the East Coast in search of the missing vessel Kate "Williams, in which Mr. T. A. "White was a passenger,but has returned without any news, and it is feared that the vessel is lost. The deserter Brown, whose name has often been mentioned as having given active assistance to the Natives in the late war, was taken at Poverty Bay and brought back a prisoner. The Cross, of the 12th, gives the following details i— .

It. M.s. Eek,Cap^im"T^e7 r whicTT*T^d l been sent to the East Coast mainly for the purpose of obtaining intelligence of Mr. T. A. White, arrived in harbour yesterday; and we are sorry to have to state that she brings no news of that gentleman. Intelligence reached Auckland some days ago that the natives of Te Kaha had informed Captain Luce that Mr. "White had left there in the Kate "Williams, and though the Esk has since then called at various places, there is nothing to add to this ; so that even those who who have been hoping against hope must now be forced to the conviction that the Kate "Williams and all on board must have perished. And we are sure that every one of our fellow-citizens, from his Excellency downwards, will sympathise with Mr. White's relatives in their affliction, and feel that we have lost an honest and able public servant.

The Esk left the harbor on the 25th ult., and next day arrived at White Island, where some of the officers went on shore, if such it may be called where there is a danger of sinking through the crust at every step. The same evening the vessel reached Te Kaha, where Captain Luce and Mr. Palloon landed and communicated with the Natives. Next morning the Esk steamed to Hick's Bay, where she lay till Monday evening; From that place Captain Luce, Mr. Falloonj and Mr. Parker, aide-de-camp, went overland to Waiapu, where the vessel also arrived on Tuesday morning. Captain Luce, on coming on board, brought with him two chiefej named Morgan and. Wickliffe, who went down to Poverty Bay, where the Esk anchored on Wednesday morning. Next 'morning a great meeting was held by the Natives, at which Captain Luce and Mr. I Walloon werepresent. On Triday the Eak left Poverty Bay for^Auckland, and about midnight, when off the East Cape, a strong north-westerly gale came on, which blew the vessel away to the eastward, so that at noon on Monday she was only fifteen milesi to the westward of west longitude, in latitude 36 degrees 32 minutes south. On Tuesday, the wind abated, and the sea having gone down, she was able to proceed under steam. She experienced- light westerly winds the remainder of the voyage. During the stay of the veseel at Poverty Bay, the deserter Brown, regarding whom so many stories have been afloat, was captured by a party from the ship. This man has been sometimes represented as aiding and abetting.the rebels, and sometimes as being compelled by them to carry the heads of Europeans. Brown was taken before General Cameronyesterday forenoon, and was charged with having deserted from the 57th Eegiment at TaranaM, between two and three years ago, having, it is said, broken, oat of the Stockade, where he had been confined for some offence. We understand that yesterday Brown did not allege that he had been detained amongst the rebels. He denied ever having been in the army at all, and said

Ihe came to New Zealand in a whaler called ! the Mary Ann, and after living some time with the Ngapuhi, went down to the East Coast, where he says he has been acting as a " stock-jobber," whatever he may mean by that term. Five men of the 57th, who are at present in the Albert Barracks, it is said, are ready to swear to him being a deserter. Brown will, of course, be tried by a Court Martial, but it is doubtful if anything more serious than simple desertion from his regiment will be charged against him. Respecting the Kate Williams, the Southern Cross of the next day has the following paragraph:— Owing to the almost certain intelligence received by H.M.S. Esk of the loss of this vessel, the owner, Captain G. E. Bead, of Poverty Bay, has claimed the amount of insurance, £750, from the Auckland Insurance Company, in which office she was insured, and the Directors immediately paid over the money. As a new company and a candidate for public favor, we nave much pleasure in noticing the promptitude with which it has settled this claim.