Telegraphic Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 971, 22 August 1868, Page 2

Telegraphic Intelligence.

LOSS OF THi STEAMER TARANAKI. LATE PARLIAMENTARY NEWS. ENEMY ATPATEA NOT TO BE FOUND,-L-_>o_t OUB OWK COEBESPONnEK 1 J Wellington, Thursday, Aug. 20, a.m. Late last night a telegram was received by submarine cable, stating that, at 5.30 last evening, the steamer Taranaki, on her voyage from Wellington (which she left same day at 1.30 p.m.) , to Picton, Nelson, and Manukau, struck on a rock known as the ' Boat Harbour rock^ Tory Channel, 20 miles from Picton. The vessel lost her propeller and must have had a hole knocked in her bottom, as, by late accounts, she was being towed by boats to Bowdeh's Bay, to be ' stranded there, she having then seven feet y water in her engine room, and five feet aft. All the passengers were landed in safety. The Airedale was despatched from here early this morning, to . vender what assistance she could ; also, to take on the passengers, who were very numerous, including several for the North who had just arrived by the Panama, steamer. The N.Z.S.N. Company being their own insurers, they will sustain a heavy loss, by this unfortunate occurrence. . ' Friday (yesterday) 3*32 p.m; The Taranaki has sunk ih ten fathoms water. It is feared that a portion of the mail and much passenger's luggage has been lost. Yesterday, the Lady Bird, with diver and diving apparatus on board, steamed hence for the wreck. The catastrophe is accounted for through a sudden slue having set her on the rock amidships. She dragged over, breaking her propeller. Her cargo was very valuable. It included cargo just arrived from Panama, as well as several large ventures made to the Auckland gold diggings by Wellington firms. The Bishop of Litchfield was a passenger on board, and displayed characteristic energy and coolness under the trying circumstances. The postage on newspapers is still to be retained. Upon a division/ the numbers for and against the continuance of this impost were 33 and 22. ; The Defence department is to be wholly abolished at the earliest possible date. The Budget is promised, .if possible, next week. An angry debate took place yesterday about the accounts between the General and Provincial Governments not being forthcoming till long after the time fixed by law foi; adjustment. Mr. Curtis stated that the Treasury had made up the accounts with his province upon what they afterwards discovered to be a false basis, and overpaid the Provincial Treasurer equal to £14,000 for the current year. r ln consequence of having to refund this amount upon the discovery having been made of over-payment, taken in connection with other causes, Nelson had appropriated nearly £35,000 too much, and had been obliged to stop contracts, etc. Mr. Fitzherbert returns in December. ' He reports financial operations as foilows: — Con- Outverted, standing. General Government 5 per cent 5...£409,300 £590 700 Ditto ditto 8 per cents. 916,300 733,700 Auckland 6 per cents _6_,6U0 37,500 Canterbury (1862) 6 per cents. ... 492400 7 600 Ditto 11860) 6 per cents. 144,400 155 coo Otago 6 per cents 334,100 165,900 Hawke's Bay 6 per cents 60,000 Nil. £2.819.000 £1,691,000 The terms for converting provincial sevens, eights, and tens, were under consideration. The Rev. P. H. Maxwell died here on Wednesday. He will be buried to-mor-row. There is no news from Patea except that Colonel Macdonnell has been out twice without having fallen in with any natives.'