LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1727, 17 September 1868, Page 3

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[By Interprovincial Telegraph.] Wellington, Sept. 15, 7.45 p.m. Mr M'Lean has given notice to move, to-morrow, in the House of Hepresentatives—" That this House views with alarm the conduct of Ministers in reference to Native and Defence ■ affairs." This motion is reported to be mainly the result of denuding the East Coast of the constabulary, and the fear lest the incompatibility of temper said to exist between Colonels M'Donald and "Whitmore, might lead to disorganisation on the "West Coast.

Messrs Vogel and Hepburn spoke this afternoon for and against Mr Fox's resolutions. Much excitement prevails with reference to the position of the Ministry on Mr M'Lean's motion. There is no news from Patea by tonight's coach. Wellington, Sept. 16, 12.50 p.m. Messrs Richmond, "Wilson, and Haughton spoke for the Government last night; Messrs Stevens and Taylor against it. A Bill amending the Westland County Act was introduced. The " Advertiser " publishes McDonnell's despatch received last night. His force got into the bush, with the enemy on all Bides, and hid in hollow trees loop-holed. Instead of the force dispersing and taking cover they could not be prevented fi*_m huddling together in. small lots, thus affording a goad target to the enemy. The officers' efforts to prevent this were in vain. The men were anxious to do their duty, but their short training had not been sufficient to teach them, The fact that the native contingent killed fifteen of the enemy without one of themselves being wounded, he says proves that for bush fighting men must be long and carefully trained.

The newspapers state that Patea is abandoned to Bacchus. Mr Booth, R.M., has closed all the grog stores. Some hitherto neutral natives have joined Tifcokowharu. McDonnell is both blamed and praised. The enemy's dead are reported from twenty-ftve to twenty-eight. Accounts only agree in two particulars, viz., our own lose and the excellent behaviour of the friendlies, but for whom our loss would have been fearful. Some wounded have been brought to Wanganui. Mr Bichmond stated there was good reason to fear that some of the wounded were left upon the field, and had been tortured. The Waihi camp had two vollies fired into it on the night of the 10th. The Brisk has arrived from Sydney, and sails home to-morrow, with the Governor's private secretary a pas« eenger.