TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 890, 19 December 1868, Page 10

TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

(FROil OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, December nth. The Superintendent, who has for several days past been urging Sir George Bo wen and the Ministers to apply to the Governors of the Australian Colonies for troops, made a final effort before the Tararua sailed. He had an interview with the Governor and the Ministers, when the latter took time to consider the matter. They now state that they have decided not to advise Sir George Bowen to make the application referred to. In advertisements asking for subscriptions for the digging of the trenches at Wanganui, the Committee state that they feel convinced of the authenticity of the notice sent by the enemy of his intention to attack the town. This they think he will most certainly do if measures are not taken to prevent it. Letters from Rangitikei assure us that if Wanganui is . attacked, hostilities will commence in that district also. Affairs there, however, are quiet for the present. Major Herrick's despatch states that his removal of his head-quarters to Westmere was in accordance with Colonel Whitmore's orders ; but that on the arrival of the recruits from the South, ex Lord Ashley, he sent them, with a few of the Constabulary, to re-garrison Woodall's redoubt. He expects an attack to take place at any moment. 29 women and children from Wanganni have arrived here. The brigantine Emulous, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 53 passengers on board, has been detained at the Heads for three days with heavy N.W. gales. She sailed for Otago yesterday. A memorial against the erection of stockades at Wairarapa, signed by all the influential settlers of the district, has been presented to Mr Stafford. It urges that a tendency to disaffection among the natives would thereby be created. A telegram has also been forwarded to the Government, asking that the order for their erection may be rescinded. Maori notices have been placarded throughout Wanganui, warning the Friendly natives to absent themselves from the town, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. lest the patrols mistake them for rebels. General Chute is expected to arrive here when the Commodore comes. 23 more recruits have been forwarded to Wanganui. The Panama Company's contract, it appears, was never executed. It was signed by Captain Ben°on, and sent home through Mr Morrison, in July last, for the Company to attach their seal, but, for obvious reasons, it has never been returned executed. Mr Marshall, the agent of the Royal Mail Company, having completed his business at Sydney, was a passenger to England by the Rakaia. Just before starting from Sydney, he was induced to land again with his baggage in the hope of making some arrangement. The Tararua and Otago are considered fully able to perform the service. Next advices are anxiously looked for, as they will most probably bring the news either of the re -construction or the discontinuance of the service. The Directors of the N.Z.S.N. Co. havintr cailed a meeting for the sth of January kTreduce the LlO shares to L 4, a Committee was formed to induce them to wind up the Company. The latter proposal was received with much favour before the news of the probable suspension of the Panama Company arrived. Now, a. strong feeliug is setting in that the N.Z.S.N. Co ought to continue. Yesterday's Wanganui Times complains of the systematic deception practised by the Government organ in Wellington with reference to defence affairs th^rc. It condemns the seizure of the men with the flag of truce, saying, "Upon what principle they were seized and imprisoned, we know not. They came \indcr a flag of truce to deliver a defiant and threatening letter from their commander to the officer commanding our forces, and in accordance with the usages of modern warfare, they cannotbe put down as spies. It .vas cleariy Major Herrick's duty to return a defiant reply, to hold his ground, and make a demonstration of power. Instead o this, the two men were sent to prison tc be released again. Meantime, Tito Kowaru would reasonably suppose that they had been hanged or shot, and would determine to avenge their supposed death by the slaughter of innocent families. Thus one blunder has led to another during the whole miserably-conducted retreat from Waihi to Wanganui." When Woodall's redoubt was abandoned, Tito Kowaru's followers derisively cried, "Hook it ! Hook it !" Fourteen of the Constabulary were left in a block-house adjoining. A portion of the Constabulary force

returned to the redoubt on Sunday, and are occupying it at present. The steamer Wanganui has arrived here full of passengers. L4OO are required to complete the ditch for the defence of the town, and subscriptions are being collected. The Charybdis has sailed for Wanganui, and on an emergency will land 100 blue-jackets, 30 marines, and an Armstrong gun. By letters and papers received from Napier, the 55 of the enemy killed in the last engagement dwindle down to about 10. The late Government telegrams are not very reliable. The utmost indignation is expressed from one end of the East Coast to the other, at Colonel Whitmore's command. The most insulting announcements are chalked up on the walls, while the newspapers are full of deprecatory statements; and a memorial to the Governor, which has already been signed by hundreds, has been got up, pointing out the probable consequences of this step. Colonel Haultain and MajorLudlam are inspecting the Hutt for the purpose of selecting suitable sites for the purpose of stockades in case of necessity. December 12. The first-class Militia assembled today. Each Company will parade twice a week in future. There are not sufficient arms at present to supply them all, even were it desirable to issue them before the Companies get into a little better order Tito Kowaru's earthwork, fronting Woodall'sredoubt, has been destroyed, the cavalry having found it abandoned. Private letters from Napier reluctantly lead one to the conclusion that the collapse of the late campaign on the East Coast did result from the previous unpopularity of Colonel Whitmore with the natives. However great his military skill may be, his unpopularity is unfortunately still greater, and must continue to paralyse his operations. Having been sent thither against the earnest protests, conveyed by telegraph, of Mr M'Lean, the whole responsibility of the operations on the East Coast rests on the Government. December 14th. Colonel Whitmore telegraphs that the expedition is completely broken up, and that the Natives are returning home for the present. He says that the " immediate followers" of Mr M'Lean among the Ngatikahanguna are sulky, but that the Ngatiporou are in good spirits, and willing to do all that is required of them, either now or hereafter. They would pursue the enemy, who has disappeared in the direction of Mainga Powatu, if they could be supplied with food, which is impossible under existing arrangements. Mr Richmond sends the following, which, though putting the best face on matters, is not very encouraging, and is a proof of the grave mistake made in withdrawing the force from Wanganui : — "Turanga, December 11th— I am quite clear that we must concentrate and strike on the West Coast first. After making observations here, I see that converging operations to be successful require long preparation. I will leave this district in a condition of defence, and let Colonel Whitmore take off all but 40 men. Dr Pollen should send every man he can spare to Wanganui without delay. It will be time enough m four or five months to strike at these eastern Hauhaus, if we meet with success against Tito Kowaru. I am trying to get the land question settled, and to reassemble the old defence force to hold a post. I propose to establish also a Ngatikahanguna and a Ngatiporou post on each side of that occupied by the Europeans. The HawVe's Bay men (Tareha's lot) are obstructive, but they leave to-day, when I hope the land difficulties will end. The local natives are very tractable \ y themselves. I hope to come south with Colonel Whitmore's men, at all events I shall not linger" to , go north. — J. C. Richmond. — To Colonel riaultain." A rumour was circulated on Saturday of a dissolution of the Assembly being imminent. This has to-day swelled into the report that a difference has taken place between the Governor and the Ministry, ending in the resignation of the , latter. The Governor is certainly desirous of sending for troops from Australia, and Mr Stafford had a long interview with him yesterday. The xurr.ours, however, are generally regarded as canards. They have excited considerable interest, from the fact of Mr Haughton having publicly stated something about a dissolution,. ' which was at first thought to be confirmatory. December 15th. A telegram received from Mr Richmond reports that 100 Hauhaus were at Big River, a few miles from Turanganui. They were pursued by Colonel Whitmore, and in the skirmish which took place, Sergeant Reed was killed. The enemy also lost one or two. This shows the danger tc be greater than -was anticipated

in Mr Richmond's telegram of yesterday. • He does not mention any more murders having been committed. The Charybdis has arrived here from Wanganui. Captain Lyons states that there is no news from the Front, Tito Kowaru having made no sign lately. Captain Lyons says that he visited the Front, and considers the alarm with reference to "Wanganui to be somewhat exaggerated. At all events, the danger to the town is not immediate. [The following private telegram from Wellington has been handed to us for publication : — ] A letter (panui) from King Tawhia himself has been received by the Hanhau natives at Rangitikei, Otaki, and other places. It is to the same eftect as the one received in January last, viz., that the sword is to be sheathed, &c. A messenger has also brought a verbal message to them, telling them to remain quiet. The Princess Sophia sent a letter "by the same messenger, saying, "This is the year for all the Maoris to sleep." * Mr M'Lean reports that the total number of the enemy killed up to date on the East Coast, exceeds 100. Captain Tanner reports that 60 rifles and large quantities of ammunition were taken from Te Kooti. He adds that the enemy is badly off for food, and in great distress. December 16th. Colonel Lyons has arrived at Wanganui from Auckland, and has assumed the command. As recruits are continually arriving, it is hoped that a forward movement will be made in a few days. The Challenger i 3 not expected to arrive before Christmas. There is nothing stirring here at present. Napier, December 11th. By the Sturfc, which has arrived from Poverty Bay, we learn that the Ngatiporou and the Wairoa natives have all gone home, and that the Ahuriri natives will do the sams by the next steamer. Colonel Whitmore could not induce them to remain, and he is left alone with his European force at Turanganui. Meanwhile the enemy has time to concentrate his scattered forces and entrench himself. The result of the late fighting is absolutely nil. Colonel Whitmore is now waiting for instructions how to act. The body of Karauria is expected to arrive here to-morrow, and the military have been warned to attend the proceedings in the morning. Colonel Whitmore has thus exposed j Wanganni, at the same time putting a stop to active operations in the Poverty Bay district. The country here is much in want of rain, the weather being hot, with hard westerly gales. The Ahuriri has arrived with the body of Karauria and 312 Friendly natives. The coffin was escorted to the Maori Club by the Militia band, playing a funeral march, and the proceedings were wound up with a grand war-dance. Colonel Whitmore and Mr Richmond are at Turanga, inactive, but trying to settle the land question, which they are totally incompetent to do. This inertion is inexplicable, as the enemy ought to be followed up, or the force should return to Wanganui. The number of the enemy killed is be lieved to be understated, and Te Waru is said to be among them. December loth. Verbal news was received yesterday that a fresh raid had been made by Te Kooti, but it is scarcely believed. The Sturt has arrived here from Turanganui with Mrs Wilson on board. A number of the Constabulary had been put on board the Sturt for conveyance to Wanganui, when firing was heard. It turned out that a raid had been made by 100 mounted Hauhaus, who had exchanged shots with the natives under Thaka. Te Kooti had previously threatened to attack the redoubt, but was treated with ridicule. Colonel Whitmore followed, but did not succeed in overtaking the enemy, who was met by a small mounted party of our troops. Shots were exchanged, and a sergeant of Constabulary and two or three of the enemy killed. The men were again landed from the Sturt, which came here for ammunition. !She left again this morning with 50 kegs. It is feared that the war is yet far from being ended. Several of the settlers who have been missing, prove to have been out sheaiing. Latest dates from Auckland are to the 12th. All was still quiet in the Waikato. 1 Mrs Wilson is very ill, and not ex- ' pected to live many hours. Fresh news from Poverty Bay is hourly expected,

Hokitika, December 16th. Mr Evan Prosser was unanimously reelected Mayor to-day. There is no news regarding the Panama Mail. The s.s. Alhambra arrived here last night from Melbourne. Her latest dates are — Melbourne, 9th ; and Sydney and Adelaide, Bth inst. 98 men for the Armed Constabulary have arrived in the Alhambra, and 29 more were embarked here this morning. Melbourne, December 9th. The Arrjus of this morning states that Captain Stack will be successful in obtaining 200 volunteers for the Maori war, 10f haying been already enrolled. The import market is sluggish. Flour is at Ll3 to Ll3 10s a ton. No actual j sales have taken place in wheat. Oats are inactive ; New Zealand have been sold at 3s 9d. There is a brisk enquiry for sugar, Bourbon sugars have been quitted at L2B 15s ; rations at L 33 10s, and yellow counters at L 34 10s. Currants are wanted. Trade parcels have been got rid of at 4d, and a trifle under. Sydney. Parliament reassembled on the Bth instant, after the Ministerial elections. In the Assembly, Mr Robertson, the Colonial Secretary, made a Ministerial Statement. He said that the Treasurer would bring on the Estimates on the following day, as the Government had come to the determination to limit the proceedings of the Session to voting them and passing the Appropriation Bill. He denied positively that the Government were in possession of any documents substantiating the statements made by MrParkes, the late Colonial Secretary, to the effect that the Government were in possession of evidence proving the existence of a Fenian conspiracy. Mr Parkes rose soon after, and gave notice of a motion of a vote of want of i confidence in the Ministry. Adelaide. Dr Shields, the Roman Catholic bishop, who returned in the Orient, was warmly welcomed, and accompanied to his residence by a number of priests and nuns. Wheat is offering freely at 4s Gd. The first number of the Adelaide Punch has been published.

Dr. Carr, the well-known mesmerist, has been giving seances lately at Hokitika. Large audiences have nightly assembled to witness his manifestations, which, judging by the following account of them from the W"est Coast Times, appear to be of a very startling character : — At one time the subjects to the strange mysterious power were absorbed in deep woe ; at another convulsed with laughter. Then, again, they rushed frantically about the platform, vainly | attempting to escape from a terrible apparition, or labouring under the hallucination that they were pursued by legions of snakes. Others, too, who at one moment ■were instinct with life, were the next, by means of a few mesmeric passes, changed to the semblance of rigid corpses ; and yet, on two or three reverse passes being made by the Doctor, they started into life and vigour, seemingly none the worse for their trance. One manifestation was, however, of so striking a character, tliat we cannot pass it by. Dr Carr was manipulating on some of the subjects on the platform, when he suddenly stopped, and, gazing intently at the crowd which were standing at the back of the room, ho extended his hand. Almost instantaneously there was a movement in the throng, and a robust youth, who seemed, for the nonce, endowed with almost preternatural strength, was to be seen forcing his way through, the mass, throwing persons aside as if they had been straws, and crashing over forms and chairs with, reckless hardihood, until he reached the foot of the platform, where he stood with glaring eyes, and literally pawed the ground with his feet. A wave of the mesmerlser's hand, and the youth ascended tie platform, and sank at the master's feet apparently lifeless. A few reverse passes, however, quickly restored him to consciousness and activity, and taking his seat at the foot of the platform, he laughed heartily at the strange vagaries which his iellow-sub-jecta were indu'ging in. A short time elapsed, and then came another manifestation of mesmeric force greater than we have ever before witnessed. Folding his arms across his breast, Dr Carr fixed his eyes upon the youth, who moved uneasily in his seat, and then slowly rose. Now came the straggle for mastery — it was a grand, but fearful seene — the tall figure of the mesmerist, as he stood calmly on the platform sternly gazing on his subject, formed a Btriking contrast to the youth, whose frame ahook with emotion, who pawed the ground, and seemed to concentrate all his energy in. order to resist the unseen power that; was drawing him on ; but all his efforts were in vain, a mighty spell was on him, and he slowly ascended the platform and laid himself down at the doctor's feet, to be again in in a moment restored to his wonted health and cheerfulness.