The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1868. LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 225, 22 September 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1868. LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

It seems that very contradictory statements are current in Wanganui relative to the late disaster at the Front. Two very strong and distinct accounts are given of the affair one throwing the whole blame on the incapacity and cowardice of Colonel M'Douuell, and the other entirely exoneration; him from blame, and condemning the ruea; the truth probably lies between the two. Advices from Patea, dated the 14th instant, state that the rebels are down in the neighborhood of Waihi camp, and fired a heavy volley there on Saturday evening and danced the war dance. The rebels admit the loss of two chiefs, namely, Te Neweti, a head chief of Araukuku, and Te Kangiheheiho, the chief, of Mawhitiwhiti. Hane, one of the Hatepi men, was also killed. There was a serious mutiny in Major Yob Temptky's division yesterday morning »t Waihi, and but for the tact of Major Hunter they would by this time have been well on their road to Wanganui. Is is said that the force at Waihi is so utterly demoralised through the late defeat that it will be a long time, even if they ere ever fit for service in the bush again. The meaning of the telegram which we received on Saturday last, seems to be that when Colonel Haultain asked if any members of Captain Pace's Company were willing to volunteer again, only one man stepped out, and the Colonel censured the remainder in the strongest terms. Anumber of the Wellington Rangers had returned to Wanganui. They demanded a passage by the Sturt, which was refused, when they declared their intention of taking forcible possession, They did not, however, attempt it, and, if they had done so, preparation had been made by Captain Fair child to give them a warm reception. A serious difficulty appears to have •risen with the Kupapas, who seem to have rendered most essential service at Te Ruaruru. They engaged to go to the Front at 3s. 6d. a day, which the Colonel proposes reducing to 2s. 6d.j the consequence is that they are all coming back, and it is feared that the death of Hori Kingi will precipitate what would ba a most deplorable event. The New Zealand Advertiser of yesterday states that Captain Buckley, of the Wellington Volunteer Artillery, and a number of the members of that corps have set a chivalrous example by volunteering their services to convey the two Armstrong guns which have been ordered up to Patea from Wellington, and to take part at the Front in any engagement which may be undertaken for a couple of months. The Wellington correspondent of the Grey River Argus says that a report was current in. that city, and generally credited, that prior to his departure Sir George Grey made an offer to the Government to undertake the capture of the Maoris who are causing such trouble on the West Coast, saying that he would go with a few friendly Maoris and capture the lot. The offer, it is said, was declined. A Napier telegram, dated Saturday afternoon appears in the Advertiser of yesterday mud states that intelligence was to band that the Poverty Bay natives were joining the escaped prisoners. No Dumber* officially stated, only surmised. Another statement from Auckland is to the effect that the escaped prisoners are expected to arrive at the lung's place, Tokangamutu, bat for what purpose is not stated. It should be undent ood that this intelligence requires confirmation. There is no reason to apprehend hostilliim fa Hawkefs Bay, »t present at leapt.

The bridge at Wairaea West will, we understand, be opened on Thursday next. Mr Smith, of Stoke, announces his intention to deliver a lecture to-morrow-evening at the Wesleyan Church, Richmond, the subject being the life and career of Peter Cartwright, whose name is identified with the early dates of the Wesleyan movement. As some misunderstanding appears to exist with reference to the late division in the House of Representatives, it may he as well toj explain the proceedings which actually took place on the occasion. It appears that on Friday night Mr Stafford offered to withdraw the four financial resolutions brought forward by the Government, except the first, which virtually embodied the policy of Ministers, in order that the division might be taken that night. This was done accordingly, and the first resolution was reported to the House, on which Mr Fox moved that this House has no confidence in the Government, Mr Graham seconded the amendment. On the amendmeut being put, 'it was negatived on the voices, and a division was then taken, with the following resu lt : — Ayes 37, Noes 30. Messrs. Curtis, Parker, Collins, aud Baigent voMng with minority, and Messrs Wells and Gallagher with the majority. Messrs M'Lean and Ormond, the members for Hawke's Bay, with the Maori representative, Taheri, against the Government. A quaint story comes to us from over the water. It appears that about four years ago, a well-known settler in the Mdtueka district, in the course of a transaction with a leading mercantile firm in this city, received a cheque for £250, which he At once cashed at one of our local banks, taking the proceda, in notes, with him to Motueka. Having occasion soon afterwards to leave home again for a short time, and being reluctant to leave this amount of cash in the house during his absence, he concealed it carefully in the trunk of a tree in the bush near his residence. On his return he at once repaired to the spot where he had secreted his treasure, and his feelings may easily be imagined on satisfying himself after a long and minute search that it had disappeared, not the slightest apparent clue to the thief who had appropriated it being discoverable, and that there was plainly no resource left but patiently to bear with his misfortune. About 18 months ago, the gentleman referred to left the province for England, having long since resigned all hope of ever recovering his lost treasure. Strange to say, last week the money was by the merest accident discovered, perfectly safe and sound, in the trunk of another tree in the immediate vicinity of that in which its proprietor felt confident he had deposited it ! It is not difficult to picture the mingled feelings of surprise and gratification with which the plea3ant tidings of the unlooked for reappearance of his lost property will be received. An inquest was held at the Upper Moutere on the 17th inst., before Major Hornemann, J.P., acting for the Coroner, on the body of a child' named Johanna Emma Amelia Sixtus, aged ten yeara, who met her death through her clothes catching fire, whilst she was engaged in stirring the contents of an iron pot, during the absence of her mother. The jury having viewed the body, which was frightfully burned, and heard the evidence returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death/ Mr Foley's juvenile troupe gave their first performance since their return from the West Coast at the Oddfellows' Hall, yesterday evening, and the entertainment appeared to afford the highest gratification to the audience present. The two children, Johnny and Kate Foley, manifested all the precocious dramatic powers which have rendered them each favorites in Nelson, the fare© of ' The Limerick Boy' and the jburlesque of * Villikins and bya Dinah/ affording them ample scope for the display of their abilities. The dancing by Mr T. Peel, and the other entertainments vocal as well as Terpsichorean were also very good, and were much applauded. The Bame prograg&gLis announced for to-night, and win^ggpibtlesgi attract a numerous audience. The Dunedia Fire Brigade ceased to exist on the 7th inst., the plant, &c. being given over to the Corporation, for the public use. The Brigade have published a financial statement, disproving numerous assertions as to their expense, extrava. gance, and joon, made in the City Council. The city of Duoedio is therefore now literally at the mercy of the elements* in ease of an aeekleat.

The Southern Cross of the 12th: inst., id forms us that Mr W. A. Hunt, whose name has become so well known as the discoverer of the famous reef on the Thames goldfield, has entered the holy state of matrimony, having been married at Buckland on the 10th inst., to the daughter of an old and respected settler of that province. After the ceremony, the bride ami bridegroom left town for Remnera, where Mr Hunt has purchased the beautiful residence and grounds known, as Mouut Orchard. We learu from the Wellington papers that Mr Hack worth, formerly of H. M. Customs at this port, becomes Acting Collector of Customs at Wellington, in the place of Mr Seed, who has been appointed Acting Auditor General of the colony, dbriug Dr Knight's absence in England. In the debate in the House of Representatives, on the appointment of Mr Latter as Harbormaster at Akaroa, Mr Armstrong said that he was one of those persons generally known as provincial pets, and held five or six appointments. He was Provincial Sub-Treasurer, Provincial Returning officer, Wharfinger, and was made a Justice of the Peace, and soon afterwards paid ss. in the pound but had no scruple, in sitting on the Bench to compel others to pay 20s. When the Estimates came down he should certainly move that the item be struck out, for he looked upon the appointment as unnecessary, and he could not see why the £25 should be thrown away.