WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1030, 13 March 1869, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. fjBOM OUB OWK OOBBESPOKDBaT.] . Friday, March 12. The Wanganui Times says that, on Wednesday afternoon, an attack was made by about a hundred rebels on an escort^ composed of fifty constabulary under Lieut. Hunter, in charge of provisiona from Patea to Wairoa. The attack occurred close to Whenakaua river. The rebels had got behind the escort, and also had possession of the river, so that the colonial troops could neither get one way nor the other. Fighting was going on when a messenger from the neighbourhood left. Colonel Whitmore had his head quarters at Wairoa, only seven or eight miles distant, and would probably send speedy succour. The appointment of Major Brown (M.H.R.) over Major Stapp as Commandant of militia and volunteers at Taranaki, had caused a great deal of dissatisfaction there, so much confidence being reposed in Major Stapp, whose ability has long been recognised. The firing for the Southern sbare of tbe Colonial prizes is fixed to take place at Dunedin on the 2nd of April. > H.M.S. Challenger, which left on Wednesday for Sydney to meet the Prince, returned from stress of weather the same evening. She will now remain here. A good deal of excitement was caused yesterday by a report that the Government bad received an unfavorable letter from the King. It has since been published. It is very enigmatical, but Mete Kingi, who sent it, says it means peace. The following is a translation:— "A stretching forth of the hands during the year to the friends in the Island which I love. 1. Oh people, sleep; do not turn round upon me ; the Island sleeps. Oh ! people, within the pale of kingistn, sleep. I will conduct you to the home of your ancestors of Israel. 2. The wave of the rapid will hereafter return to its state of calm. — Tawhiao." The Savings' Bank rate of discount is reduced to four per cent. The English Mail via Suez closes tomorrow.