TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 879, 3 October 1868, Page 8

TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS

(TBOM OtJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, September 25th. ] Mr Fox resumed the debate on the " alarm" resolution, reading a letter from Dr Featherston containing his views on the question. Dr. Featherston himself is too ill to attend. Mr M'Lean replied. A .division on Mr Cracroft Wilson's, amendment took place, and resulted in a tie of 32. The Speaker gave his vote in favor of the Government. The Ayes were : — Messrs. Atkinson, Baigent, Bell, Borlase, Brand6n, Brown, Burns, CargUl, Collins, Dignan, Fox, Graham,Heaphy,Main,OrmoTid, O'Rorke, Parker, John Patterson, Potts, Rolleston, Stevens, Studholme, Tancred, Tareha, Taylor, Travers, Vbgel, WilliamBon, H. S. Harrison. Tellera— -Messrs. M'Lean and Ormond. The Noes were : — Messrs. Ball, Barff, Bunny, Campbell, Carleton, Clarke, Curtis, Eyes, Gallagher, Hall, Harrison,. W. H. Haughton, Hepburn, Jollie, Kenny, Kerr, Ludlam, Mervyn, Mitchell, O'Neill, C. O'Neill, J. Patterson, James, Reid, Richmond, Russell, Stafford, Swan, Wells, Wood. Tellers — Messrs. C. Wilson and Cox. The amendment of Mr Cracroft Wilson now became a Substantive Resolution. The Speaker was about to put the question when Major Brown stepped forward and said, Rather than see the real question thus disposed of by a "Red Herring" being thrown across his path, he would propose an amendment : viz. — That there be added to Mr Cracroft Wilson's Resolution to the effect, "That the condition of the Northern Island required that an efficient force of constabulary, organised after the Irish model, should be embodied for a definite period," the following words — " That regard to the welfare of the Colony requires that the organisation and disposal of that force, and the administration of Native Affairs, should not be entrusted to the present Ministry." The division resulted as follows :—: — Ayes, 31. Noes, 32. The majority for the Government was only 1 J Mr Harrison, one of the Ayes, having meanwhile gone home. [There is some error in the Division List ; but the correction as telegraphed is not intelligible.] September 28th. The intentions of the Ministry were expressed in an article in the Advertiser this morning, as follows :—: — "In the extremity of Job's trials, his wife counselled him to curse God and die — a piece of desperate advice which the sufferer was too much a man to adopt. Probably every one in his inner bosom has felt promptings analogous to these, in despair of some private or public cause which he has taken in hand, and has felt a momentary impulse to cast away the best principles that have hitherto actuated him, and seek his own ease and comfort at the sacrifice of his former aspirations and aims." Applying this to the Government party, it advises them to adopt a "waiting policy," to " sit down patiently like the patriarch, and wait for that relief which their best efforts have done little to bring." It is therefore conjectured by the public that the Ministry have no intention of resigning, and will withdraw all the legislation they have no hope of carrying easily. # The same article, in reference to Mr O'Neill's resolution, says : "It may be better for the South to surrender a portion of their special revenue rather than incur new debts and abandon all hope of reducing the Customs tariff. The Maori troubles are in their nature more transitory than the Land Fund, and a temporary diversion of that Fund might not bo distasteful to the people of Otago and 'Canterbury, if accompanied by a visible diminution of the taxes, although of course it would be utterly abominable to the local Governments." I quote this article because ifc is evidently Ministerially written. At a Constitutional caucus to-day, the feeling was strongly in favour of granting a short appropriation, with a view to an immediate dissolution. Nothing definite «ottld be arrived at until after the hearing of the expected Ministerial explanations to-morrow. . Colonel Whitmore, who has arrived from the front with Colonel Haultain, haß published a letter defending Colonel M'Donnell. i He concludes by saying "we want the man who will inspire his followers with that courage which overcomes danger and accomplishes victory, and such men are generally called imprudent and indiscreet by timid mine's, especially when not quite successful. Boldness in savage warfare 4# often tIW truest prudence, and the pre-

cautions necessary at one time may be disregarded at another. We must leave such things to the discretion and experience of the commanding officer, and few can found who unite these with more personal bravery than Colonel M'Donnell." Yon Tempsky's Company have mutinied, desiring to return to the Waikato. Some have been sentenced to, six months' imprisonment, some have been discharged, and the remainder will probably be sent back. By discharges, expirations of service, &c, the force at the front has been reduced by about 300 men. Colonel M'Donnell is on leave of absence, owing to the illness of his wife. Major Frazer is in chief command, and Captain St. George returns to the East Coast, there being no present prospects of active service at Patea, the rebels having, it is " officially" said, retired to their cultivations to plant potatoes. From fifteen to twenty recruits for the Napier Constabulary left here to-day. Increasing uneasiness is felt in reference to the Panama Mail. There being plenty of coal, there has probably been only a i temporary break down, either in going or i returning. j September 291h. ! All the houses and whares north of Manawapu (t.e. in the whole district just abandoned) have been burned. The Patea correspondent of the Wangcmui Times writes :—: — "When His Maori Majesty hoard of Tito Kowaru'B recent success in the Patea district, he dreamed and saw visions. On i arising from his slumbers, he announced to those around that he had received a I message from the Maori god, highly approving of the conduct of Tito Kowaru, and ordering the King to call upon all the Hauhaus throughout New Zealand to rise in October next, and exterminate the Pakehas. The king has accordingly addressed a kind of edict to every Hauhau chief throughout the Island to rice in October and make war upon the Europeans. We are told thab the Government are in possession of one of these circulars." Whether or not this is only a new version of the story we heard months ago is not known. After business had commenced, Mr Fox asked what course the Ministry intended pursuing after beingunmistakeably defeated, according to recognised Parliamentary practice. He thought only two courses were open — viz. , either to tender their resignation, which, under the circumstances, was the more becoming one, or to advise a dissolution. Mr Stafford replied that, after Friday's division, the Government had gravely considered its position, and had come to a conclusion. They then called their supporters together, and acquainted them with that conclusion, on which a resolution was passedunanimously, urgently requesting the Ministry to continue the Government of the country. . This request the Ministry had the more readily acceded to, because, the Opposition not being in a majority, they would otherwise be handing over the Government to a party less strong than themselves. It was a common thing for Ministers at home to go in with a minority, and to keep in with a minority. Thia had happened in the first Pitt's time, and more recently in the cases of Lord Derby and of Mr Disraeli, who was now refusing to say whether he would or would not dissolve Parliament before the legal period under the new Reform Act arrived. The Stafford Ministry, with a slight majority, were prepared to remain in office, and meet abuse for so doing ; in fact, the abuse they had previously re- | ceived had partially induced the Government to remain in office, for he (Mr Stafford) was apt, when dared not to do a thing, to do it. Mr Fox again rose, saying that Mr Stafford had merely said that the Ministry were going to remain in office, but' not what they intended doing in it ; whether ifc was intended, for instance, to continue the financial measures, or to re-model them. The Constitutionalists were not prepared for factious opposition ; but could not decide how to act until they knew the intentions of the Government.

Mr Stafford saidthe Ministry would not be justified in continuing the Session much longer, and did not propose fighting any more battles as to their policy. They intended to let the principles of their policy drift into the public mind, and would confine the attention of the House to practical measures not open to great dispute like those relating to organic changes. The Amendment of the Law and Supply would include almost all. The Roads Board Bill having been reported on by a Select Committee, would be gone on with. Of course what he had stated about organic changes referred also to final oial measures. The House then went on with the order of the day, without obtaining any

defi^tt uifonnalibn asiotKel^iiii&terivi intention to dissolve at the close of the Session. September 30th. The Westland County Bill and Road Boards Bill both made great progress through Committee last night. To-day, Mr Williamson gave notice of I motion, that an Address should be sent to the Queen, praying for the retention of one regiment in the Colony. The debate on Mr O'Neill's motion re the compact of 1856, was resumed by Mr Potts moving the previous question. Mr Bunny supported the resolution,, and Messrs Reid, Vogel, Ludlam, Jollie, ! Borlase, Paterson, Richmond, Curtis, Williamson,, and Hall opposed it more or less vigorously. Mr Richmond said the compact could only be abrogated by the common consent of the South, or in the event of a disruption of the Colony. When mem- | bers arose in earnest to support the disruption of the Colony, then, and not till then, would he be prepared to assent to Mr O'Neill's resolution. Mr Hall hoped it would go forth to the South that the Superintendent of Aucklend had entirely repudiated the attempt i to tamper with the compact. The Government knew nothing about the parentage of the resolution, and he was more disposed to kick it out of the House than any resolution yet brought before it. It was fortunate that, having been brought forward, it would be distinctly known, both in the North and in the South, how entirely the House repudiated it. The debate is still going on. The Provincial Governments Simplification and Restriction of Legislation Bills, and the Disqualification BUI, were withdrawn by Mr Stafford from the Order paper amid loud cheers from the Opposition. 1 It is publicly stated that the determination arrived at by the Ministry and submitted to the caucus on Saturday, as alluded to by Mr Stafford yesterday, was to resign. Bluff, September 27th. The Gothenburg arrived at 7.30 last evening* She left Melbourne at 4 p.m. on the 19fch, and experienced heavy easterly gales all the passage. Passengers : Cabin — Mrs Monteith, Messrs Hanslow, Morton, Lyall ; and 16 in the steerage, including 8 Chinese. She brings 100 tons of cargo, and 20 passen- ' gers for other ports. Sydney, Sept. 14th. Dr Carr, the electro-biologist, has been arrested for criminally assaulting a woman whilst under mesmeric influence. September 15th. The settling on the Randwick Races has been satisfactory. Mr Tait received LI2BO in stakes, Mr Thompson L 720, Mr Lee L 587, and Mr Fisher L 335. Glencoe is first favourite for the Melbourne Cup. Mr John Robertson, M.L.A., and late Minister for Lands, has returned from Carpentaria. He gives a good account of the new settlement, and states that a large quantity of wool is there awaiting a ship for England. The coal companies at Newcastle have not yet effected any arrangement. Some of them are selling at 7s 9d a ton. The Hon. J. O'Shannassy, Messrs R. Gibson, and Thomas Stubbs, have been appointed territorial magistrates of New I South Wales. I Mr John Stuart Mill writes to a Sydney J resident condemning the unfair use of his writings made by the colonial protectionists. Mr Parkes has resigned the office of Colonial Secretary, and it iB rumoured that Mr Byrnes will follow his example. The Countess of Belmore lighted the fuse of the monster blast on the Western t Railway works. It is calculated that upwards of 40,000 cubic yards of rock were displaced. The damaged portion of the Speedwell's flour was sold at from Ll3 to Llo 12s 6d. Californian wheat is quoted at 7s 3d. The markets are quiet. It is intended to erect a Protestant Hall in the city, and a large portion of the funds has been subscribed. Offers have been received for L 240,000 worth of Debentures, but only L 62,000 worth have been accepted at one-fifth premium. Adelaide, September 14th. I The case against the Bishop of AdeI laide, arising out of the recent appointment of the incumbent of Christchurch, was withdrawn this morning. The diggings at Jupiter Creek are creating great excitement, owing to the finding of a nugget of over 4 ozs. and reports of other heavy finds. The late crushings from the Alraanda siber mine have averaged 27 ozs. to the ton, | Undf r the advice, of Mr Darlington, a

.civil engineer who has lately arrived from England, the Burra mine is to be worked by a system of trenching. Everything betokens a dry season in the far north. The Assembly have refused to pass a vote for LI, 300 for expenses incurred by the Agricultural Society during the Duke of Edinburgh's visit. The corn market is dull. Victoria. i The 7th Battery of the 2nd Brigade of Artillery, under orders for Ceylon, sailed in the Geelong. Major-General Chute and Staff took leave of the, officers and troops on board. The new telescope for Victoria has been shipped by the Empress of the Seas , and is expected to arrive towards the middle of next month. MrMichiehas delivered to a crowded audience a lecture on the Westminster Review's version of Victorian politics. The master of the barque Day/spring, from China, has been committed for trial for manslaughter. The Coroner's jury ■were of opinion that the - captain was guilty of gross neglect in not having called at some port after the dea'hs became frequent. The ship was badly found, and scurvy broke out. The True Briton, from London, arrived on the 19th September, all well.