CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 848, 9 September 1864, Page 6

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The brigantine Pfiel, which arrived at Auckland on the 19th ult., brought Cape Town papers to the Ist June. It sseras that the previous reports of hostilities with the Caffres were much exaggerated, and that in all probability there would be no disturbance at all. The South African Advertiser, of June 1, says :— Two or three days ago it seemed only too probable that we should have to transmit by this opportunity the unwelcome intelligence of a fresh Kaffir y/ar. Coming immediately on the heels of the Maori struggle in New Zealand, it wou"'d uncomfortably disturb the delicately-adjusted balances of Mr Gladstone's'budget, and would evoke a growl both long and deep fro-n that most patient class, the British taxpayers. On Friday afternoon last, telegrams reached Cape Town from the frontier, announcing that the paramount Kaffir chief Kreli had crossed the Bashee in force, had attacked and driven before him the Mounted Police who held the Transkeian Territory, and had expressed his determination to re-possess himself of that country whence he was driven five years ago. Such was the te^or of the private telegrams received; and they appeared to be fully confirmed by the official telegrams trans roit'ted by the Governor to the Commander of the Forces, requiring him to proceed to the front at once, and bring with him every available man in garrison. By next morning . accordingly, HM S Valorous was round from Simon s Bay; the second, batallion of the 11th Regiment, with a detachment of Artillery and a battery of light Armsrron' guns, were within, a few hours erabarked onboard of her; and before evening, the vessel, with Commaader-in-Chief and all, was eteaining on her way to East London. On that same day the services of. the Cape Town Volunteers were tendered by Col. Hill to his Excellency for any garrison duty that might be required of them; .and his Excellency, in acknowledging the message, expressed his willingness to accept the proffered services with pleasure, should occasion arise for them, though he was gratified to add that at present there was no immediate necessity. On tb-3 same afternoon a numerously attended meeting of officers and men was htld at the Colonel-in-Chiefs office, at which all present cordially approved of the offer made in their name: and it was resolved that a general paradshouul be held of all the corps on Friday next, to show bow many men in each are ready for any effective service that may he required of them, But on the next dfty, Sun-lay, Sir Pb.ihn_ torwarded another telegram to the senior military officer in Cape Town, Colonel Connell, R.A., asking him to make known that the latest expresses from the front made it almost certain that there would be no disturbances on the border. Since then the telegraph, line has unfortunately broken down, so thai neither on Monday nor yesterday were any telegrams received at all. Colonel 'i'ravers, however-who had intended proceeding home on leave by the Hydaspes to day, but who, with his usual spirit, has postponed his departure until it may be more certainly seen whether his services may be required on tbe frontier—informs us that in the public telegrams received last week there, must have been much exaggeration, and that int the message forwarded to the Commander-in-Chzet the Governor makes no mention of Kreli having crossed the Bashee, or come into collision with the Mounted Police at all. The probability is, that tbe Galeka chief, irritated by the reported intention of Sir Philip Wodehoiue to removable Tamhookies from their Queenstown locations into the Transkei, had been mustering his forces and making ominous demonstrations of a hostile intention, but had not yet ventured on actual conflict. At an interview held between tie Govornor and a deputation from Brifish Kaffraria a week ago, his Excellency stated that through he had been thinking of removing the Tambookies, he had not made up his mind about it. These events we presume, will settle tbe matter definitely and to a negative conclusion. Remembering that this very territory had been the cause of war from time immemorial between Kreli and Tamhookies, and seeing moreover, that their ancient jealousies are not in the least extinguished, it is unlikely in the extreme that the Governor will venture upon a policy which the most experienced settlers on the frontier pronounce to be so supremely hazardous for the public peace. . The long-pending quarrel between tne Orange Free State and the Ba^utoi respecting their mutual boundary line is likely to be settled amicably within a few months at furthest. The Fres State Volksraad, at an extraordinary meetiag held a fortnight ago, have unanimously requested Governor Wodehouse to arbitrate on the question, and have given him the fullest powers to arrange the matter as to him may seem best. Moshesh has all along been willing to acquiesce in a similar arrangement. And our Sir Philip has expressed his willingness to enter on the responsible task, and hopes to be on the spot before the end of October at the furthest. In the Free state newspaper received yesterday, a very interesting and able letter apnears from Sekelu, the son of Moshesh, deprecating war, and indicating a cordial wish for a peaceful settlement. Parliament is still sitting in Graham's Town. His Excellency the Governor, in acknowledging a reply to the opening speersh, assured the Speaker and members of the satisfaction with which he had regarded the patience, care, f.nd public spirit evinced during the present session in their treatment of the important matters which have been under deliberation. He will persevere in his efforts to prevent undue expenditure, leaving it for the determination of the Assembly whether, and in what form the colony may ,be able to defray the charges which it may be their pleasure to sanction. • On the subject of railway construction, his Bccellency reminded the House that the Acts passed last year prohibited the Government from proceeding under the Acts of the previous session of Parliament. • He inferred that it was the desire of the Parliament that an opportunity should be afforded them of reconsidering the whole question, after the execution of the preliminary surveys, and invites the attention of the House to the report of the Colonial Railway Engineer -thus leaving to Parliament any further action in the matter.

Fmm Natal, there is news of the opening of Parliament and the delivery ot Governor Scott's speech. Among the most important, announcements contained in it is that the Home Government have assented to the annexation of No-man's land., extending frcm the countryoccupied by the Griquas down to the sea coast; and that the Natal Government are about to iiitroduce a rfries of measures for the better government of the Natives within the colony. It is also stated that private bills are to be introduced during the session for encouraging the construction of railways between the port and extending the line to the coal deposits in the extreme north of the colony. H M S. Princess Royal, bearing the fla» or Admiral St. Vincent King, C.8., arrived in Simon's Bay on the night nt the 20fch, to relieve Admiral sir Baldwin Walker. Admiral King will remain at this station for about a month, and then proceed to Trincomahe. Captain Ockburn, E.N., is appointed Commodore of the Caps Station. , . H M.S. Narcissus, with Admiral Sir Baldwin Walker, left Simoa's Bay on Wednesday last, the 25th, for St.. Helena, Ascension, and England.