TARANAKI.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1741, 12 November 1862, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The Provincial Council has been prorogued. The question of roadmaking as discussed between Colonel Warre and the Superintendent, is the chief topic of interest which the journals present; from which it would seem that the Taranaki people are willing that such portion of Colonel Warrc’s scheme as is of permanent value to the .Province, anti within its means to pay for, should he proceeded with, leaving the Governor and the military to settle the question of what else is necessary for 'purely military purposes. The statement of Colonel Warre “ that die people of New Plymouth were not willing to help themselves,” is alluded to as doubly severe coming from one who from the nature of his local services was well qualified to form an opinion on the subject. NELSON. The Examiner of the 29th nit. gives an account of the state of affairs at the Bailer, from which it is to he feared that the digging population of the West Coast, including women and children among its members, is at this moment suffering extreme hardships, if not, indeed, absolute starvation. The stores of food were reduced to a few days’ supply ; the country affords nothing; there arc no .Maori cultivations; and, in ease of extremity, the only subsistence for the population would bo such fish as thev could catch.

Two little vessels, the Gipsy and the Jane, had left Nelson, laden with stores for the Bullet - , at the time that Mr. Gordon and his companions started from that river in a whale boat; they have not been seen since; and it is probable that the south-west wind has kept them either on this side of Cape Farewell, or at West Wanganui, or else driven them into Cook Straits.

\Vc perceive from the Colonist that the loss to them of the Tasmanian Maid, which is now r established on the Auckland waters, is likely to be made up by the purchase of a suitable boat. “The Nelson and Marlborough Coast Steam Company have had the oiler made them of a very suitable boat for our coastal trade, and it only requires a little activity on the part of our citizens to absorb the few remaining shares that will make the issue up to 1000, the number at which the company will be able to commence operations.”