LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1516, 3 October 1868, Page 5

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. (From our Special Reporter, via STupier.) Wellington 3.30 p.m. September 29th. Ministers have made a statement to the House to-day, in which they declare that they will still retain office, recent divisions having given a majority, though only of one in their favour. They arc, however, prepared to abandon all their political measures, except the " Roads Bill," the policy is therefore " as you were."

[We take the following telegrams from Napier and Wellington papers.]

Sunday, September 27.

On the 20th inst. M'Donnell and the friendly natives attempted to surprise Tito Kowaru in his fortified pah at Tiaporehenui. Every effort had been made to keep the intention secret, but on reaching the pah it was found to be deserted, the plans of M'Donnell having been betrayed. The pah and fortifications were destroyed. On returning, Colonel Haultain ordered the abandonment of all posts beyond Tangahoi river. Manawapou and Patea are the only posts to be defended.

Tho Patea settlers contemplate retreating to Wanganui. Great indignation is expressed at the adoption of this frontier policy. Colonels Whitmore and Haultain returned in the Sturt yesterday ; also forty men whose time was up, and who refused to serve any longer. Colonel M'Donnell has obtained leave of absence for private reasons, and Major Fraser is in command at the front,

The Wanganui friendly natives declare they will fight no more. Tho best informed people regard the retreat on Patea as a strategical movement, not as a real abandonment of outposts. The Canterbury members of Synod, and about 100 diggers are passengers by the Phoebe for Auckland. She waits till to-morrow for the Panama mail. Monday, September 20. Is is understood that the Government have no intention of resigning; but it is generally supposed they will abandon for this session such measures as are strongly opposed ; more especially since they find it difficult to appease their own supporters. A caucus of the constitutional party was held to-day. It resulted in favor of granting a short appropriation with the view to a dissolution ; but nothing definite could be arrived at until after hearing ministerial explanations, expected to be made to-morrow.

A few Constabulary recruits for Napier sailed in the Phoebe to-day. Napier, September 24,1868.

Reliable reached Napier to-day that the ex-prisoners are very industrious in clearing bush for cultivations, and that they appear inclined to take up their permanent abode at Puketapu, where the action with Colonel Whitmore recently took place. The Driwera are supplying and carrying them provisions. They say they have no desire to fight —no wish to interfere with the settlers—if they are let alone, but they ate prepared to resist any attempt which may be made to capture them, Letter from Heu-heu at Taupo reports all quiet.

PTBLIC MEETING IN" BLENHEIM. The following telegrams have been placed at our disposal for publication : — Blenheim, Sept. 24,5 p.m. The following, resolutions were carried unanimously at a public meeting :

Ist. That the proposals of Mr. Fox, making population tho basis of the distribution of the revenue available for Provincial purposes, and making each Province pay annually the interest and sinking fund of its own debt only, are equitabletowards the whole Colony, and more advantageous to this Province than the present system, or that proposed by the Ministry. 2nd. In the event of the Ministerial scheme being adopted, by which the General Government not only pay the interest and sinking fund of all Provincial "loans, but of the consolidated fund, the sum to which this Province is entitled is £45,790 ; the amount of the Marlborough debt being £3 7s 6d, while that of the Colony as a whole is £14. 3rd. That unless the Government agree to pay the sum of £45,000 to this Province as an equivalent for being made liable in the sum of £14 a head for Provincial loans, this meeting requests the members for this Province to support a dissolution. . 4th. That this meeting, having no confidence in the Stafford Ministry, therefore requests our members to support any measure that will cause them to resign, or that will lead to a dissolution.