WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 69, 26 September 1846, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

We are not in possession of any recent intelligence from Cook's Straits, but the annexed portion of a letter from the correspondent of one of our friends, may be read with interest, though the news it contains is somewhat old. The writer, however, does not mention the fact, that the barracks in course of erection at Wellington are to be paid for out of the Colonial revenue. The contemplated expenditure for Public Works' for the ensiling year, at Wellington, is, we believe, somewhere about £400. Dear — — , 1 thought a few lines might interest you, so I will treat you to a few in the way ot news. The Governmeut Brig has no sinecure down here, I can tell you ; the Superintendent sends her out into the Straits in any weather, fair or foul. She has just returned from Nelson, and is to proceed along 1 the coast again to-monow, to wait on the soldiers and militia, I suppose. By the bye, these soldiers are of very little use in this place, they stop in their stockades and act on the defensive, while the militia and armed police are sent into the bush, in conjunction with the friendly natives, to hunt tUe rebels about; however, Rangihaeata has give them all the slip, and got away ; to Wanganui it is supposed. There are seventeen prisoners on board the Calliope, and among; them old Rauparaha himself, who ha* been playing up his old game of the traitor, after all the honors Captain Grey was heaping on him while he thought him an ally. The manner of his capture, 1 had irom an eye-witness. Atter his treason was made apparent, his pah at Ponrua was surrounded by troops and miliiia before daybreak, while an armed party from the Calliope and Dnotr, marched up to his whare, and ordered him to get up and go ■with them. He refused, ami became very indignant; whereupon four sailors fisted him, naked as he was, and lifted him on their shoulders, he shrieking and smuggling all the time ; he bit one of the tars in the hand, who turned upon him and told him with an oath, he would knock his brains out with his cutlass if he did not mind. The old fellow roared out to his people to rescue him, butMcKellup, a master's mate, cocked his pistol, and swore he would shoot him if he did not hold his tongue ; this made him silent. He, and some of his mob, who would not disaim, are all close prisoners now — amongst them are those fellows who murdered the settlers on the Hult, and also played a part in the Wairau massacre; they are going to be tried, and it is said they will be shot or hanged, as early as possible. ! There is a Government expenditure here now of £2000 per week, which is the only thing that is keeping the Welimgtoniuns from starving; and yet 'they aie jealous of Auckland, and still flatter themselves the Governor iikes them s>o much, lhat he is going to remove the seat of Government. He has been drawing largely on England, for the purpose of making roads round Wellington. Surely he might do something of ihe son for Auckland, where they only want repairing, nature having made them there. The militia here are all paid, as well as the police, (and much they want it, being mostly destitute) ; there are seveial companies embodied. The Town guards are all militia men. The barracks, and other buildings putting up here, are on a very handsome scalp. 1 have seen the plans in the Survey Office, done by Cridland, who is employed as clerk and draughtsman, at ss. per diem, (the pay of a pohcemau). If peace is restoied in this district, it will be the parting knell of the Southern settlements, as it is s only the military expenditure lhat is now keeping them in existence. Truly, yours,