BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2125, 26 November 1868, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(FROM GOTI OWN COKUKSI'ONDENTS. ) "Wjjllinhtow, November 25tli. The reported crossing of tho Wanganui river by Tito Kowaru is not confirmed, but the opinion of the natives is that a portion of his followers have done so. His whereabouts is a matter of conjecture, but no one seems to know positively. It is reported at Patea that ho is erecting a pah there, and that he is looting at Nukumaru. Meanwhile his reported connection with Itangitikei led Colonel Haul tain to order 100 men from the Front to proceed thither on Sunday, and send warning to Major Marshall, ihe officer commanding the district. That officer, on receipt of the news, immediately called the settlers together. Tho Maoris on the other side of the Raniutikei river wore also visited, and professed themselves to bo peaceably disposed. It is proposed to have a chain of five block-hoiißes erected at Kai IwL Each block-house will co3t LBB, and the cost will be contributed in equal proportions by the Government and the settlers. Thus, if the settlers raiso L 220, they will have all tho security it is possible to give them when the forces are withdrawn. The Government will pay men to garrison the block-house 3. After stringing together the Northern news telegraphed yesterday, this morning's Advertiser sums up by saying :—

" It is well for the people of New Zealand to face the worst contingencies

which may arise ; but it is wise, also, to rem< mber that we arc not bo well aware of our enemy's weakness as of our "own. Wo get accounts of his numbers often magnified through tho mists of uncertainty, and we see his remorselessness to the helpless victims who fall into "his hands. We do not always duly weigh his disunion, tho difficulties of his commissariat, and his lovo of life and human fear. On the whole it is yet quite possible that the catastrophe of a general rising may not come to pass. And if it should come to pass, we are not spj helpless that when our first losses and alarm, aro over, it should be an easy matter for our savage foes to overrun any large part of the island."

Mr Carlyon has been appointed Major commanding the Napier district.

A Government circular to the officers commanding the Militia, dated 23rd November, says :—" The present disturbed state of the outlying portions of the Northern Island, and the apprehension which has thereby been exeitedinaome of the more settled districts, have called for the adoption of measures which are taxing to tho utmost the funds at tho disposal of the Government, and are involving the colony in serious

expense. It becomes necessary, therefore, that tho most rigid economy should be practised, and only such expenditure be sanctioned aa ia imperatively required. The Government havo not tho means at their disposal for the defence of any district which may be threatened or actually invaded, without tho earnest support of i the inhabitants, who must not expect to be as fully remunerated and equipped as thoso persons who aro raised at a distance for tho purpose of assisting tho inhabitants in repelling an invasion, protecting their property, and keeping murder and pillage from their doors. Every effort haa been made to keep the war from approaching tho settled districts ; but when these fail, and more extensive preparations to meet a successful enomy havo been made, tho Government confidently 1 look for tho hearty co-operation of tho people themselves. Without it, disaster to lifo and property cannot be provented. ".Regulations.—l. Tho pay of privates on actual duty, within their own districts, will be 2s Gd per day and rations, or 4s if required to find their own provisions. Under no circumstances will rations of rum bo issued. 2. Clothing and blankets will not be allowed, and in lieu thereof Gs per month will bo allowed. 3. If rationa aro supplied to the families of men, tho cost will bo charged against treir pay." Mr Fitzherbert advises the conversion of L 3200 of Otago Bonds since the previous datca. Last night 12 Volunteers were told ofl for duty—six at each end of tho town. At the Imperial Barracks tho Sergeant in charge refused to admit them, as they were not Imperial troops. All the 12, therefore, remained at tho Colonial Barracks at the Thorndon end of tho town. Tho yelling which created a panic at Wanganui lately, has been discovered to have proceeded from Mr Gotty's shepherds, who were carousing on tho conclußion of tho shearing.

The other evening a German Jew pedlar waa attacked by a Maori at Oh an, according to hia own account, Trilliont provocation, but tho assault is believed to have arisen from an attempt at cheating on his part. On his reaching the place where Dr Featherston was staying, his wounds were dressed.

The Government aro likely to avail themselves of Colonel M'Donnoll'a services again, by placing him in command of tho Native Contingent to bo formed.

A public meeting has been held at Wanganui, to consider the best means for the defence of the town.

A general desires was expressed to ignoro the Government and elect a Vigilance Committee, the Government having stated that it could do nothing for tho town, and that the inhabitants must dofend them selves. A Committee was accordingly elected, consisting of Messrs Jones, Kells, Portor, Nathan, Bel], West, Duthio, Robinson, Ballance, Beaven, Colerman, and Hutchinson. Tho Times asks the following questions, ivhich are supposed to contain the pith of the recent interviews between tho Government and Dr Featherston at Wangann.i :—lst. " Is it true that DrFeatherston, as Superintendent of tho Province, and with an earnest, anxious desire to arrest tho ruin brought upon tho town aud the surrounding districts, offered to arrest Tito Kowaru's further progiC-38, ar.d compel him to retrace his steps by carrying the war back into hia own villages, but that Mr Stafford and Colonel Haultain refused to arm him with authority to do so ?" 2nd. "Is it true that Dr Feathcrston offered to tiso hia influence in raising a purely native force of 400 or 500 men, and with them, under tho command of Colonel M'Donnell, to re-occupy Waihi, and send out 250 or 300 of them daily to attack the now unprotected villages of Tito Kowaru and his people, and thus compel them to hasten back from these districts ?"

3rd. " "Would it not be better to thus employ those natives who havo lately been disbanded with our arms and am-

munition in their possession, than to havo them scattered throughout the districts as they now are V

4th. "What object has the Govern-

ment in view in refusing or neglecting to avail itself of Dr. Fcatherston's great in fluence over those natives, especially as that influence would speedily rid this town and the surrounding' districts of the ruin which now hangs over them, and which may continue to do so until the splendid country between this town and Now Plymouth becomes desolate ? "

Tliat Dr. Featheraton'3 representations

were not altogether unsuccessful, may be gathered^ from the following statement published in the same journal :— "Xothing of. the slightest consequence has taken place at the Front since our last publication, but a movement which is likely to have an important bearing upon future operations, we understand in in process of being carried out. The Government Contingent (i.e. the fresh levy of natives) in now proposed to bo put under the charge of Colonel M'Donnell. The original number of 100 is to bo quadrupled if possible, and he is to take.

tho field in a different direction fronior in a direction -which will not interim with, the force under Colonel Wl^ moro. In the present circumstance and under such a system, wo presun> that few will interpose those scruple* which aro npt to ariso on the employment of a nativo force, and many will rejoice if tho thing can bo carried out, and tho new continjent fairly take tho fiold."

At Patea only a few non-military persons are kept in tho township, who keep nightly guard. Major Frazer's force, considering of 170 men, ia encamped amilo or so outaidu.

Captain Smith's company bocamo iiisubordinnto, their term of oflico having expired ; but the Government, availing themselves of the clause, "or until legally discharged," disarmed tho men, and summoned them beforo a Courtmar tial. They were paraded, and asked, ono by ono, if they would return to their duty. All consented except one, who was sentenced to receivo twenty-fivo lashes. Tho sentence wa3 confirmed by Major Frazer, and carried out. The next day tho men wore inspected by tho doctor, their arms were returned, and they resumed duty as usual. Tho last of tho houses on tho Waitotara has been burned. Tho formation of guerilla parties haa been proposed. Speculation exists hero as to the meaning of tho word " otherwise" in tho premium clause. Tho query i3—so much a head, dead or alive ? To-night's Post says :—" From tho appended suggestions for organising guerilla Volunteer*!, it will bo seen that tho Wanga.nui people are thoroughly in earnest in their determination to put down tho liauliaus. The premium of L 5 per head proposed to bo offered, may at tlie first glanco appear to bo a harsh and cruel measure, but when.the circumstances are carefully considered, candid men must allow that it ia perfectly justifiable. Premiums, aro given unquestioned for tho destruction of savage animals, and Tito Kowani, To Kooti and their followers, having placed themaelveß beyond tho pale of humanity by their acts, can only expect to be treated as wild beasts.

The Herald says : —" Tho following suggestions for organising companies of rangers fit for guerilla warfare have received the express sanction cf tho Defence- Minister. That the Volunteers Bhould to allowed to elect officers, who 'should act under orders direct from Colonel Whitmoro. Their duties would bo to harrass the enemy, cutting off stragglers, and destroyingprovisions and crops. Each man would bo armed with a bi etch-loading rifle and a revolver. Parties would bo expected to volunteer for a definite period —Hay for a week, or a fortnight. Each, man would bo entitled to receive the ordinary MiHtiapayand rations. A premium of L 5 per head is offered for every Maori man or boy in ado prisoner, wounded, or otherwise ; and larger premiums will be giwmv for tho arrest or destruction of certain, chiefs, to be named by the Government. In case of Volunteers being wounded, they would receive the usual pension, and if killed, their widows and children would obtain the usual allowances. The forco to consist of say 100 men, who should be formed into parties of say 2(J

each, each party to chooao its own. leader and other officers, and every man to pledge* himself in writing to atrictly ot ey all orders. The parties would bo independent of each, other, but would occasionally act together according an their officers might desire. The men would each carry three or four days* provisions ready cooked, as iires would, in. many cases, be dangerous. Each man should carry one blanket, a pannikin, a largo knife, and a haversack. Theirclothes ami blankets should be of a grey or other dull colour." H.M.S. Blanche is expected shortly with large supplies of arms and ammunition. Nai-iek, November 25th. Instructions having been telegraphed, to Major Lambert to obey Mr M'Lean, thia morning a native force of 300 men, accompanied by a European named. Preece, was to leave Wairoa for the interior, and it ia hoped that they will not be too late, as Captain Westrupr/s forco would march depending on their support. There ia nothing later from Poverty Bay, but sinister rumours have reached us from Taupo. Last night the cutter Emma, on Government service, landed Mr IlusaelF, tho second lieutenant of tiny Rosario, for the purpose of telegraphing to Wellington. Tho Emma had a fearful passage, everytlung being swept away. Tho generous offer of tho Otago Government to receive refugees from this Province, ia much thought of hero. The ATiuriri left at 1 a.in. to-day for Poverty Bay, and will return to-morrow. She nray bring important news. Timaiiu, November 25tlu Tho electors of Timaru to-day again refusedto return a member to the Provincial Council, declaring the representation, to bo valueless.

The nomination closed without a caot. didate being proposed.