TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, September 11th.

Otago Witness, Issue 877, 19 September 1868, Page 11

TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, September 11th.

Wbliutoton, September Sparland's store at Taranaki has been burned. It was insured for L 3700,! which will only partially cover the loss. On the sth instant, there waa a shock of earthquake—the smartest ever felt in Taranaki Last night Messrs Campbell and Jollie spoke on the Government side, and Messrs. Borlase, Travers, and Heaphy on that of the Opposition. To-day, Messrs. Kenr and Bunny spoke for the Government; and Messrs. Collier and Rolleston for the Opposition. . It is reported that the Government have offered compensation to several Provinces with regard to the new financial arrangement, as follows :—Nelson, L 150,000; Otago, L3o,000; Westland, L 15,000. Other Provinces also are to ] receive compensation to large amounts, but as the amounts stated vary from day to day, the reports must be received with caution. The Wanganui Clwonide gives the following particulars concerning the attack on the rebel position at Ruaruru, about a quarter of a mile in the rear of Te Ngutu o te Manu :—: — A force, consisting of about 200 Europeans and 100 of the Wanganui Natives, left Waihi at 7 a.m. on the morning of I the 7th inst. in two divisions. —No. 1, \ commanded by Major Yon Tempsky and j the following officers : —Sub-Inspectors Brown, Roberts, and Cumming; Captain Palmer, Lieutenants Hasting*, Hunter, and Hertzel. —No. 2, commanded by Major Hunter: Captain Buck, Captain O'Halloran, Sub-Inspectors Newland and Young, and Lieutenant Rowan. Dr. Walker accompanied No. 1 Division, and Surgeon Best No. 2. _ The force made a long detour to the right of Te Ngutu o te Manu, and at 2 p.m. found themselves in the rear of Ruaruru. Here they came across an outlying picket, who were fired into by the Wanganui natives. The force then advanced and took up a position in a small gully about 200 yards distant from the rebel position, under a very heavy fire from all side?. They remained here about ten minutes without any casualty, when trooper Hogan was hit in the thigh, and soon after Lieutenant Rowan was dangerously wounded in the face. The men then began to fall rapidly. Major Yon Tempsky was shot dead, then Captain Buck, Captain Palmer, and Lieutenant Hunter. Colonel M'Donnell then ordered the force to retire. The Wanganui Natives led the retreat, supported by about 70 Europeans; then came the wounded, followed by the rear-guard under the command of Lieutenant Hastings and Ensign Hertzel. Lieutenant Hastings was killed during the retreat. Both men and officers behaved well, the Wanganui Natives especially so. I But for them our casualties must have been much heavier. I subjoin a list of the killed and wounded, which may not, however, be strictly correct. All the dead were left on the field, as well as the wounded who could not walk. The first men returned to Waihi about i eight p.m. _ The rest returned in small parties until 10 a.m. next moraing. The position of the Natives who have hitherto remained neutral has, since this disaster, become very unsatisfactory. The Wanganui Times says all the wounded were brought into the camp. Colonel M'DonnelTs clothes were shot through in several places. The killed, baaides the officers already mentioned, are Corporal Burrell, Privates Hallen, Finnistry, Kilgrew, Davis, Tinan, Hughes, George, Lumsden, Grant, and Drake. Two —Darlington and Downs —are reported missing. The wounded (many of whom must now be dead) are Lieutenant Rowan and Surgeon Best, Privates Houston, O'Brien, Hogan, Waldron, O'Connor, Burke, Ser- j geant Tovey, Privates Slanigan, Harris, Caldwell, M'Minnis, Waldron, Griffiths, Quincey, Melvin, Loder, J. Wills, J. Hambrin, Holloway, Hoyland, and Flynn. Frazer's company of Armed Constabulary has been sent for from the East Coast to Patea. I Mr M'Lean, and a deputation of settlers interested in Hawke's Bay, j waited on the Government, and protested against that measure. Colonel Whitmore has volunteered to go to Patea, and his oiler has been accepted. Col. Haultain proceeds thither also. September 12. Mr Rolleßton for Mr Fox's amendment, and Mr Ludlara against it, were the only speakers last night, but there was a smart interlude arising out of the Lobby rumours as to the large sums promised to several of the Provinces. In replying to Mr Bell, Mr Stafford was understood to say that he would

answer if Mr Bell would question. Mr Bell did question, and Mr Stafford declined to answer, declaring he had been misunderstood. The debate is scarcely expected to close till Wednesday. Telegrams from Napier express great indignation at the withdrawal of the constabulary! The Government continue firm, and the constabulary left Napier this afternoon. September 14th. ( The Sturt, with the East Coast Constabulary, left here for Patea this afternoon. A deputation of Hawke's Bay settlers waited on Sir George Bowen this morning, to induce him to send the Constabulary back. Mr Stafford and Dr Pollen were in attendance. The Governor said he could not interfere, but only act on the advice of his Ministers. Colonel Whitmore sailed in the Sturt as second in command to Colonel M'Donnell. Colonel Haultain went to the front on Saturday night. The debate is expected to close on Wednesday. On that evening it is anticipated that Mr Hall will disclose the propositions made by the Government to their supporters for amending the details of their , financial scheme. I Mr M'NeUl, Southland, who was telegraphed for by the Government, is expected to-morrow. He is the only mem- | ber absent unpaired. It is expected that the Government will have a majority of six, and possibly of ten. At a meeting of the N.Z.S.N. Company, held to-day, Messrs Turnbull, Woodward, Stuart, Johnson, and Nathan were appointed to inspect the condition of the Company and report as early as practicable. Rebel emissaries are said to be travelling through this Province. Sept. 15. I Mr M'Lean gave notice that he wdll move to-morrow, " That this House views with alarm the conduct of the Ministry in reference to Native and Defence affairs. " ! This motion is reported to be mainly the result of removing the East Coast Constabulary, and the fear lest the incompatibility of temper which is said to have long existed between Colonels M'Donnell and Whitmore may lead to disorganisation on the West Coast. Messrs Vogel and Hepburn spoke this afternoon for and against Mr Fox's resolution, respectively. There is no news from Patea by tonight's coach. Much excitement prevails in reference to the position of the Ministry on Mr M 'Lean's motion. Sept. 16th. Messrs Richmond, Wilson, and Haughton spoke for the Government last night, and Messrs Stevens and Taylor against it. A Bill for amending the Westland County Act was introduced. The Advertiser publishes Colonel M'Donnell's despatch, received last night. His force got into the bush with the enemy round them on all sides, as well as in hollow trees, 'which were loopI holed. Instead of the force dispersing and taking to cover, they could not be prevented from huddling together in small groups, affording good targets. The I officers endeavoured to prevent this, but lin vain. The men were anxious to obey, | but their short training was not sufficient to teach them how to do so. The fact that the Native Contingent killed fifteen of the enemy, without one of themselves being wounded, proves, in his opinion, that for bush-fighting men must be long and carefully (rained. The newspapers state that Patea is abandoned to Bacchus. ] Booth has closed all the grog stores. Some hitherto neutrals have joined Tito Kowaru. Colonel M'Donnell is both blamed and praised. The number of the enemy killed is variously reported to be frpm five to twenty-eight. The various accounts only agree in two particulars — our own loss and the excellent behaviour of the Friendlies, but for whom our loss would have been fearful. Some of the wounded were brought to Wanganui. Mr Richmond stated that he had good reason to fear that some had been left on the field and had been tortured. The camp at Waihi had two volleys fired into it on the night .of the 10th instant. H.M.S. Brisk has arrived from Sydney. She sails for England to-morrow. The Governor's Private Secretary proceeds in her as a passenger.

Neison, September 16th. A great public meeting was held in Nelson last night. Upwards of 600 persons were present, and crowds were turned away from the doors. The* policy of the Government was strongly condemned, Mr Stafford being severely censured. Mr Edwards was in the chair, and the following resolutions were passed by acclamation :—: — Moved by Dr Irvine and seconded by Mr Gilbert — That, in the opinion of this meeting, the Ministerial proposals for regulating the financial relations between the Governments of the Colony and the Provinces are unsound, and calculated to act most injuriously on the Colony at large. Moved by Mr R. Burn, seconded by Mr Luckie, and supported by Mr Shepherd — That the scheme of imposing the annual charge of the Provincial debts on all the Provinces indiscriminately, is flagrantly unjust to Nelson, which, considering the frugal administration of its affairs, is entitled to exemption from the heavy burdens it is proposed to lay upon the inhabitants. Moved by Mr Webb, and seconded by Mr Hornby— That while the Nelson electors have never sought to obtain ' anyspecial advantage for their locality from their connection with the Premier, they i desire in this meeting to declare their opinion that it is the duty of every representative to withstand any measure calculated to injure his constituency ; and considering the manner in which the Hon. E. W. Stafford has sacrificed their interests, it is their opinion that the connection between him and the electors of Nelson should cease — (loud and continued applause, frequently repeated), and that he be accordingly requested to resign his seat as their representative in the General Assembly. — (Renewed cheers). On this resolution, Mr Elliot moved the following amendment, which was listened to with great impatience. That J Mr Stafford's position is a difficult one, and if their representative were to be changed, in six months the electors would be as dissatisfied as they are now. That it is not for a Minister to trace out the policy of the Government ; he must meet the circumstances in which he finds the Colony placed. Mr Luckie — "Who made the circumstances ?" Mr Elliot—" I do not think it was Mr : Stafford." A Voice : " Who, then ?" Mr H. Curtis : "Mr Fox."—(Laughter.) Mr Elliot believed that those who had now spoken sought to supplant Mr Stafford. — (Great .dissent.) He then proposed as an amendment, " That Mr Stafford be invited to meet his constituents, and explain his conduct relative to the financial scheme of his Government."—(Cries of "Too late," hisses, and disturbance. ) Mr Johnston, journeyman cabinetmaker, seconded the amendment, for the ; sake of fair play. He said Mr Fox was no better than Mr Stafford, who proposed an income-tax, but that Mr Staflord would do very well if he were among better people. He had a bad lot about him, including Superintendents, needy placehunters, and unprincipled lawyers. He censured Mr Curtis for throwing himself into the arms of Mr Fox, and wound up, amid great hisses, by saying that Mr Stafford had a lot of scoundrels about him. On a show of hands being taken, there were only nine for the amendment, and a forest for the motion, which was accordingly carried amidst great applause. Mr Pitt moved, and Mr Wastney seconded, the following resolution : That it is highly objectionable that the measures alluded to, which involve important changes in the Colony, should be decided |by the present General Assembly ; and that it be accordingly urged that the. opinion of the electors should be taken by summoning a new Parliament. Mr Pitt agreed with Mr Vogel that the policy of the Government was one of gambling. The meeting lasted nearly three hours, and great interest was displayed throughout. Port Chalmers, Sept. 15. Information gleaned from Tare Keteri Tekaohu, Matiu Tehu, and other Maoris, state 3 that the rock on which the Hydra struck off Cape Saunders is well known to them, but was not made known to the Pakehas in the absence of an equivalent for the information. They say that the sea always breaks over it in a south-east gale.

A remarkable chicken is now in the possession of Mr Piiillip Killt-y, of Douglas, Isle of Man It has four legs, two beaks, and three eyes, but only the ÜBual number of winga.