LATER FROM THE CAPE.

New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2613, 21 March 1866, Page 3

LATER FROM THE CAPE.

By the arrival of the barque ‘ Frederick Basscll ’ last evening, we obtain seven weeks later nows frgra the Cape. The ‘ Frederick Basscll ’ lias had a pleasant run of 60 days from Cape Town, and brings 87 passengers in good health to add to our population.

At the time the ‘ Frederick Basscll’ loft, the war between the Orange Free State and tiie Basutos had virtually ceased. The war, which was commenced with an eye to the appropriation of Moslicsh’s country, was entered upon, without consideration and continued without energy or pluck, seems fairly to have died out, and the aggressors are now completely at the mercy of one whom a few months since they despised as scarcely worthy of their notice.

The natives on the border states are perfectly quiet. British Kaffraria is no longer a separate colony, as the annexation ordinance took effect upon tiie 20th December.

Humours were rife that the slave trade was being pretty extensively carried on in the Transvaal Republic. The Cape country was suffering from the effects of a severe drought, and a day of prayer and humiliation had been appointed by his Excellency the Governor. The drought was telling with fearful effect upon the country generally.

A telegram from King William's Town says:—“ Splendid rains have fallen since Sunday night. Drought broken up. Sheep-stealing on the increase In British Kaffraria. Gaikaa have memorialised the Governor’s Deputy respecting Mr. Brownlee’s resignation. Horse-sickness continues. Influenza prevalent. Kaffrarian farms rising in the market. Field-cornets busy with census lists of voters. Humoured that Eastern Province merchants have an eye to business places at East London, in order to anticipate Cape merchants, but some of the latter are already in the field, and are likely to attract much trade.”— Cape Argus. Day of IF cmi m \tion, —Yesterday being the day appointed by his Excellency as one of fasting and humiliation, on account of the long-continued drought, no business was transacted in Cape Town. Full services were held in the various places of public worship, and the streets had the appearance usually presented upon Sundays. —Cnpe Argus.

Tiik Drought. —Everything continues dry and hopeless. A farmer tells us that where he lives eight persons arc obliged to <to with a bucket of muddy water a day, and that has to be fetched a great distance from a fountain which is rapidly drying up. Another tells us that where he lives there is plenty of water, but no pasturage near it, so that the sheep must die of either hunger or thirst. On Wednesday we saw some light flying showers over Witte Klip way, and a few spots of the coveted rain fell on our window-pane. We are informed that a splendid shower fell on Wednesday at Mr. li. Lloyd's at Bufhd's Fontein, and at Karagga Mamma. One person stales that the water in the road rose as high as the horses’ knees. Last night the sky looked more like rain than it has for months. The glass fell, and the wind seemed to whisper promise, but a wind rose and bore the treasure to some happier locality.— Uilenhage Time v.

MAIL FROM THE SOUTH. By the arrival on Monday evening of the s.s. ‘Ladybird,’ we have our files of Southern papers, from which we cull the following : DUNBDIN. A telegram dated Dunedin, March 10, which is published in the Lyttelton Times of the 12th instant, says : “ Parry and Co, engineers, failed ; liabilities, £4,000. The Otago Southern Trunk Railway Bill is to he brought before the General Assembly at the ensuing session.

The Representation of Dunedin. The Hon. James Paterson and Mr. W. 11. Reynolds—who were two of the representatives of Dunedin and its suburbs —have been elected to represent that city, which was created a district of itself by the Representation Amendment Act, 1805. The polling took place on the 9th instant, and the contest was spiritedly conducted. The following arc the numbers polled : The lion. James Paterson, 010 ; William Hunter Reynolds, 608 ; James Gordon Stuart Grant, 215; John Millar, 213; Thomas Birch, 119; John Graham, 4. There was a large crowd gathered to hear the result; and each of the six candidates made a speech. The number of names on the Dunedin electoral roll is 3,106. Lady Don. —This talented lady, so well known in the dramatic world, is being well supported in Dunedin, where she lias taken over the management of the Princess Theatre. We see by the late Southern papers that Lady Don has presented the Volunteer Fire Brigade at Duuediu with a handsome ban ner.

CANTERBURY, There are no items of news calling for uotice in our Lyttelton files. WELLINGTON. The Rangitikoi election lias resulted on the return of Mr. Watt by a large majority, Mr. Jordan being second, and Air. Pliarazyu third on the poll. The Wellington Independent says :—“ The

defeat of Air. Pharnzyn by so many votes is as unexpected as its explanation Is simple. Shortly before the election came off, the contest assumed a now phase. The separation party in Wanganui canvassed the Tnrakina and Rangitikoi electors in the interest of Air. Jordan, and used every effort to secure his return, as a colleague to Air. Bryce, the representative of Waummui. Tills roused the other party, who, looking upon Mr. Watt as the local champion of Anti-Separation, resolved to give him their exclusive support. Mr. Pharazyu’s claims were therefore almost entirely set aside, which accounts for the very small number of votes recorded in his favour. It is universally admitted that had the contest lain between him and Mr. Watt, it would have been a close one.”

Colosel Waiiue, C B.—This gallant officer. who has lately been commanding the forces in Taranaki, was a passenger to England yesterday in the ‘ Wild Duck.’ Colonel VYarre has gone home on urgent private affairs, and will not, it is supposed, re-visit this country

The N.Z.S.N. Company’s Mail Subsidy.—An olliclal communication has been received from the Government by K. J. Duncan, Esq , the manager of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, announcing that the existing inter-provincial services performed by the company, viz., two East and one West Coast, arc to be continued till the 17th of April. It is possible that the period may afterwards he extended to June. The decision of the Government on this point leaked out some days ago. Wo, however, gave Mr. Stafford credit for deciding to continue the service till June, which, as an act of justice, should still be done.— lndependent.

The Attorne y-G eneral—Tt is rumoured in the South that the Hon. James Pendergast had tendered ills resignation as Attorney-General of the colony, and that it has be accepted by Mr. Stafford.

The Nathan Troupe have been performing at Wellington, and have left for Wanganui. Nt-LSON. Silver Medals of the New Zealand Exhibition. Twenty-five of these silver medals have been given as rewards to exhibitors and others at the late New Zealand Exhidition in Otago. Only one gold medal was struck, and was presented to Mr. Alfred Eccles, as being “Author of the plan of the Exhibition, and the chief instrument of of its success.” The silver medals—one of which was given to each. Superintendent of the provinces, as vicepresidents—awarded to Nelson province have been obtained by the following gentlemen : Blackett, J—For bold designs and successful erection of several bridges. Gully, John —For water-colour drawings of New Zealand Alpine scenery, Monro, Dr.—For interesting “Essay on the Botany of New Zealand.” Richmond, J, C.— For oil painting of Lake Rotoroa, Robinson, J. P., late Superintendent. —Vice-President. Webley, J.—Successful manufacture of tweeds from New Zealand wool.

NAPIER. Wo have Napier news to the 18th, but nothing of importance. The first portion of the Maori prisoners have been despatched to Chatham Islands. The nomination took place on the Pith. \l r. Donald McLean (Superintendent) and Mr. William Colenso were nominated, the show of hands being in favour of the former.