THE SOUTH.

Daily Southern Cross, 7 November 1868, Page 5

THE SOUTH.

By the arrival of the ' Ahuriri,' we have later dates from all the Southern ports. The most important news, with reference to the state of affairs at Patea and the East Coast, will be found given elsewhere. The following items are chiefly from the Wellington papers :—: — Mr. Haughton, the member for Hamoden, will, we understand, fulfil temporarily the duties of Under Secretary in the Defence Department. The appointment is not in any way intended to be permtnent; but we believe the Government were very glad to avail themselves of Mr. Haugbtou's services for the, we hope, short period during which the exigencies of the native war are likely to throw very heavy work upon the office in Wellington. —New Zealand Advertiser, October 28. A meeting of the members of the West Coast Relief Fund was held at Wellington, on the 28th, ' when there wai a fair attendance of members pre- j sent. It was shown that, while about £100 bad been subscribed iv aid of the undertaking, only some £4t had aotually been collected. Mr. N. Marchant, City Sxirveyor, has been busily engaged in endearouring to obtain subscriptions for the purpose of having the principal thoroughfares in Wellington watered during the forthcoming dusty season. He has already ottained promised amounting to about £9 per week, and he ha* submitt-d his proposition to the Board of Commissioners, and asked them for » subsidy in aid. to the amount of £3 per week. 1 his offer they declined to entertain. Major Turner, who, it will be recollected, served with the 65th Regiment during the early part of ] this unfortunate New Zealand war, and was at the time dangerously wounded, was aßked by the Government to accept a commission for the front. After, however, considering the proposition for some days, Major Turner declined to accept the position unless he was treated a Lieutensnt-Colonel a demand which the Government, in justice to other officers, did not consider themselves justified ia acceding to. A Blight shook of earthquake was experienced in Wellington at a very early hour on the 31st. A fire broke out in Wellington about three o'clock on the morning of the 31st. by which a five-roomed house, in lugestre-street, the property of Mr. Mcllwain, was entirely destroyed. The house was insured in the Liverpool and London Insurance Company for £200. The Otago Daily Mail, which aots on the motto, "Measures, not men," appears to be the victim of certain official* of the Otago Prorincial Government. As the journal alluded to comments upon, their conduct, they retaliate by withholding Government advertisements. This is an old game. We hope the Otago Mail will continue its critic'sms ; ia due time the officials may learn better manners. The following promotions and appointment*! in the colonial forces stationed in Wellington and in Hawke's Bay hare been gazetted :— Captain A. G. Smith to be eub-impector ; date of commission, 15th October, 1868. Captain If. Spiller to be sub-inspector ; date of commission, 16fch October, 1868. Captain W. E. Gudgeon to be sub inspector ; date of commiss , 17th October, 1868. T. Withers to be acting subinspector (with rank of ensign) ; date of commission, I3fch October, 1868. Colonel McDonnell to be acting sub-inspector (with rank of ensign) ; date of commission, Hth October, 1868. In the New Zealand Militia: Lieut. -Col. G. S. Whitmore to be c-)lonM ; date of commission, 17th October, 1868. G. S. O'Halloran to be captain ; date of commission, 17th March, 1868. B. Kenrick t© be lieutenant ; date of commission, 17th March, 1868. In the Wbanganui Militia : Ensign W. Y. Russell to be lieutenant ; date of commission, 9th October, 1868. J. W. Marshall to be ensign ; date of commiisiou, 6th October, 1868. In the Eangitikd Militia ; F. M. Deighton to be lieutenant ; date of commisisnn, 6th October, 1868. In the Napier Militia : W. Russell to be captain ; date of "commission, 20th October, 1868. K. J. Hill to be lieutenant ; date of commission, 13th -October, 1868. [ The Bishop of Wellington has published hi« replies to the addresses presented to him. ' Constable Connors, of Featherston, who had been down the valley on duty, wa« returning home on horseback on the 28th October, when, on crossing the ford of the Ruamahunga, »t Waihenga, both rider and horse were drowned. The body was found on the 31st. His Honor the Superintendent left Wellington on the 31st for Otaki, Manawatu, Ran.itikei, and Wbanganui, In one of Mr. Somerville's buggies which has been engaged for the occasion, the state of his Honor's health not being such as to warrant him at present taking the journey on horseback. His visit to the district is made in connection with the Manawatn purchase. The Native Lands Court, which will decide upon the claims of the non-sellers, is to be held at Banaitiket on November 4. The Commissioners appointed to < determine the plant and site for a new Government House are Dr. Hector, and Messrs. Stafford, Richmond, Fitzgerald, and Domett. Tbe choice of the site will depend upon the amount received from the sale of the Lowry l ay estate. The Native Lands Court adjourned from Masterton to Greytown on Monday week, and hat during the whole week been investigating and deciding claims. It would hold its last sitting on Monday. The natives appear well satisfied with the decision*, and our only regret is that the whole of the list cannot be got through, in consequence of the Judge taring to pmid« »t the Court at Rangitfkei.