WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 793, 16 June 1860, Page 4

WELLINGTON.

By the Mary Thompson we have Wellington papers of the Bth and 9th inst. The 'Independent' of the Bth contains the following observations :-—

MEETING OF THE GENEBAL ASSEMBLY AT

AUCKLAND,

During the last session of the Assembly (1858) two deliberate pledges were given—one by His Excellency, that the next.meeting of the Assembly should be Wellington; the other by Mr. Stafford, that it should take place sufficiently early to allow ample time for a full working session before its effluxion. Mr. Tancred's circular of the 25th April prepared us for the announcement, just received, that the .Government pledge would not be acted on; while it rendered self evident that Mr. Stafford's must be also broken. The cause assigned why the Government cannot be spared from Auckland at the present moment, is the continued warlike feeling of the Waikatos. If if; really be the case that theie is no alternative, but to choose between keeping the Governor's pledge and indefinitely postponing the Assembly, or breaking it and calling an immediate meeting, at Auckland—better that the latter be selected than the former. Better that Wellington's claim be held in reserve until the following session, than that the country should be kept in ignorance of the policy which the Governor intends pursuing, and have no opportunity of advising him thereon. What the course of events may necessitate cannot beforseen; but under present circumstances, so far as the representation of Wellington is concerned, the change to Auckland will not, we believe, make any numerical difference. It was, positively reported, yesterday, that Mr: Brandon's engagements would preclude his attending, but we arehappy to say that the gentleman has no intention whatever j of remaining in Wellington. The business to be transacted at the forthcoming session mnst necessarily be of a most important character, and from all the Wellington Members being for the first time of j the same politics, we may be sure that this Province will receive a larger amount of consideration then it has hitherto done, ' ...'■ ... '.". ■ '..- taeanaki. : ■ . . It is with very great pleasure that we publish the following correspondence between the Superintendents of Wellington and Taranaki. The assurance conveyed in the letter of the latter, that at present there is no distress requiring pecuniary aid, must be a great relief to us all—increased by the fact (mentioned in the 'Herald'), that the. Provincial Treasurer had gone to Auckland, to induce the Governor to grant an increase of pay to the Militia. While we hope that they may obtain it and that their necessities may continue well supplied, we cannot help expressing the fear that long before the termination of the war, their claims on the practical sympathy, of this and other Provinces will be such as to absorb all the assistance at present rendered. The tone of Mr. Cutfield's letter is a sufficient guarantee that whatever aid may reach him-will be wisely expended, should the necessity for doing so arise earlier than he at present contemplates. : " : Superintendent's Office, : Wellington, May 19, 1860. " Sir,—l have much pleasure m informing you that the Provincial Council at their sitting on Wednesday last, unanimously voted the sum of one thousand pounds for the relief of their fellow-colonists at Taranaki. I lose no time in enclosing you a draft on the Union Bank at Nelson, for the sum of five hundred pounds, and shall be prepared to remit a similar amount very shortly, or whenever you may advise me that further funds are required. " ■■"■■■

I beg on behalf of the inhabitants of this province that you will have the goodness to convey to our fellow-colonistii of Taranaki the assurance of our deepest sympathy with them, and of our warm admiration of their gallant conduct in the field. I have, &c. (Signed) I. E. Featherstok, „ ■ ■ Superintendent. His Honor G. Outfield, Esq., Superintendent, Taranaki. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, May 28, 1860. Sir,—l have the honor to return you my grateful acknowledgments, on" behalf of the inhabitants of Taranaki, for the sympathy and liberal feeling manifested by the Provincial Council of Wellington as communicated by your letter of the 19th instant' Our men being employe 3 in the militia, and rations being furnished to all those whose necessities require them, no distress at present exists. The time of difficulty and privation will be at the termination of the war, when both pay and rations will cease. I propose, therefore, to retain .the liberal gift presented to the province till then; when some assistance in cash, administered with judgment, to those who have lost all, and have to commence the world anew may prove of great and lasting advantage, and will be fully appreciated. I will make known to our people your kind recognition "of their exertions and losses, and shall feel obliged by your communicating my thanks to the Provincial Council of Wellington, and to the inhabitants in general. I have, &c, (Signed) G. Cutfield, Superintendent. . Wesleyan Native Institution, Wanganui. —We regret to learn, from a private source, that no less than 17 lads from this institute have run away, taking with them blankets and other goods, the property of the institute. Instead of there' being not the slightest cause to dread a native outbreak in this province, unless provoked by the Europeans, the present, state of Wangauui demands immediate additional military protection.—Advertiser, June; 9. _ The Taranaki Correspondent of the * Advertiser,' in a letter dated New Plymouth, May 29, gives the following information '— The steamer Ttismanian Maid arrived from Waitara on Sunday, during the afternoon, and by her we heard confirmation of the sad tidings. It an- • pears that Mr. Brown (a merchant in this place of many years standing) was quietly riding along the road, when three natives, one of whom is a native formerly in Mr. Brown's employ, jumped out from a toe-toe bush, and all fired at him. The first shot struck his powder flask, and glanced off; the second went through his thigh; and the third ball entered his body just below the. ribs, taking an upward direction. Sixty natives were in ambush a little further on, and had Mr. Brown's horse carried him on' instead of turning back with him, he would have fallen into their hands, and been savagely tomahawked. Instead of this, most fortunately, Mr. Brown's horse turned and galloped back, and Mr. Brown managed to keep his seat until he arrived at the camp, when he dropped. He now lies in a very dangerous state, and no hopes are entertained of his recoveiy. This painful event has thrown the entire community into mourning, for Mr. Brown was universally respected, and his loss will be deeply felt by all. The party of natives were lying in ambush to shoot any white they could see. Kingi has now committed himself, and is a murderer, and I hope the Government will no longer, act merely upon the defensive, but attack him, and capture him. '

Mr. Fox is misinformed, and has published a mis-statement, when he says that Teira's father "is fighting in King's ranks, and is opposed to the sale of land. Teira's father is Tamati Taeepa, and is with Teira at the camp atWaitara, Knowing the natives so well, I can positively assert this, and you can contradict Fox's statement. Tamati Tarepa has all along been with his son ; and concurred in the sale of the land; I see Fox is influenced by the missionary, clique. His sudden opposition is a political move, I suppose. It is quite a native custom that the son should be seller in place of the father in. land affairs.

2 p.m.—We hear to-day from the South that the Taranakis are moving, and intend to repeat their late marauding conduct. Some say they are going to Kingi through the bush in our rear; but Ido not think that for some time they will do so. They will endeavour to take possession of the Tataraimaka block, and after burning all the settlers' houses, will advance nearer to town, and probably destroy every bouse in our suburbs. This will be their move, and we cannot help ourselves. Tataraimaka must be left to its fate. The troops will be brought away hefore long; they will be wanted elsewhere. It is impossible to save many of our out-settlers' houses; I believe the owners have made up their minds to see them in flames. The Ngatiruanui tribe are coming up to William King by way of the old war path through the bush. A portion of the tribe—the younger part, fit for any savage work—may join the Taranakis in marauding and murdering. We shall want two or three regiments from England or India before this rebellion will be quelled. 4 p.m.—The Tasmanian Maid up from Waitara. lam glad to say that by her we hear that Mr. Brown is much better; Dr. White who went down yesterday to see him says he will be surprised if he does not get over it. The only fear is that the ball »ay be lodged in the cavity of the- chest, and may ultimately bring on pleurisy. I hear that Mr. B. was fired at by more than three natives—that the horse is wounded in one or two places, and the saddle perforated. It is. a miracle he escaped the tomahawk. The murdering villains are still prowling about where Mr. Brown was shot, evidently looking out for whites. The steamer saw them as she passed. . :