TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 904, 27 March 1869, Page 10

TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

(from otjr own cokkespondent.) Wellington, March 19th. A requisition, bearing 200 signatures, ■was presented to-day to the Superintendent, asking him to call a pu lie meeting to arrange measures for the reception of the Prince. A meeting will accordingly be called as soon as the Council disposes of the L2OO voted for the purpose. The Governor's assent is gazetted to the proclamations of the Superintendents of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, under the Diseased Cattle Acts dated as follows : — Canterbury, 3rd and 20th Feb. ; Otago, 17th February ; Southland, 24th December. March 21st. j The Wanganui Times states that the j scout Fleurs has died of his wounds, mak- ] ing the total killed in the engagement at Otoia five — viz., Constables Bath, Stevenson, Smith, Gundry, and Fleurs. Nothing has yet been heard of the resulr of Kemp's pursuit of the fugitives. One of the women captured states that Tito Kowaru was not present at the j engagement, having left with 60 men for I Taranaki a few days before it took place. ! She also says that the Waitotara natives \ only joined the rebels under compulsion, while they occupied their territory, that j they declined to follow Tito Kowaru across the river, and that they were glad when he left. Major Noake has issued the following notice :—": — " Tito Kowaru's force having j been broken up by Colonel Whitmore, a portion thereof has returned to Waitotara. That district, therefore, is considered un- 1 safe, and I am instructed by Colonel Whitmore to warn settlers of the danger attending journeys in the district in small unarmed parties. " Telegrams received by the Government confirm the report that Wylliehas shot the murderers of his son. Just before the notice of the withdrawal of his powers as Government agent was telegraphed to Mr M'Lean, lir had sailed with Ropata in a schoonejr for some unknown destination without communicating with the Government. The Governor has conferred the colonial order of valour upon. Constable Herrare Kepa te Ahuriri for gallant conduct in the attack upon the enemy's position at Moturoa on the 7th November last. The following are the circumstances under which his bravery was shown : — The storming party failing to find an entrance to the pah, passed round to the re,ar of the work. Conceiving that the effecting an entrance into the pah was what was desired, Kepa climbed the palisades of the fortification alone. In doing this he was shot through the lung 3, but nevertheless he managed to walk out of the action and brought his arms into the camp. The order has also been conferred on Constables Solomon Black and Benjamin Biddle for gallant conduct at the siege of Ngatapa, on the Bth January last, under the following circumstances : — The extreme right of our lines was on a scarped stony ridge, commanded by the enemy's rifle'pits and works, and a lodgment was only effected by cutting out standing room with picks. The enemy made several determined sorties against this point. a,ud it became extremely difficult to hold the position, which was essential to the success of our operations. A party of 12 volunteers were at length placed there, and succeeded with some loss in holding the position till the end of the siege, having to repel several resolute attacks. Black and Biddle were most conspicuous for bravery on the occasion. March 22nd. Messrs Kennard's agent has served a writ on the Provincial Government for LSOO damages, for a breach of contract relative to the patent slip. Mr M'Neill, the contractor for the Wanganui bridge, is also about to sue the Provincial Government for a breach of contract. The members of the Wellington Club intend to invite the Prince to a dinner during his visit here. The Governor has promised to use his influence to induce the Prince to accept the invitation. On Saturday, the Club give a farewell dinner to Captain Benson ; and to-night the members of the Waterloo Masonic Lodge are co present him with an illuminated address and jewels. No tender for the new Government House has yet been decided on, but it is reported that the tender of Mr Benjamin Smith, architect, Wellington, for the sum of L 15,000, is likely to be accepted. The Cambodia, from London, is signalled at the Heads. March 24-th. Tho Warganui coach arrived to-night, but does not bring any news further than the fact that tho head-quarters of the Constabulary are now established at Manutahi, beyond the boundary of the Province of Wellington.

In the TaranaVi papers of the 19fch, mention is made of a rumour that fighting had taken place atManawapou. This rumour, however, is said to require confirmation, and none had been received up to the morning of Monday last. The Independent of this morning says that. Mr M'Lean, as Superintendent of Ilawke's Baj*, acted rightly in the matter of Ropata's detention, but that when he felt it his duty so to act, he should have resigned the position of Government agent. It admits that the Government could not retain his services as their agent after what he did, but strongly condemns the manner in which he was dismissed, and expresses the hope that the differences may yet be accommodated, and that the Colony will not lose Mr M 'Lean's assistance. Major Cooper, of Auckland, has been instructed to enlist as many men as possible in the Thames district, on. the principle of the Royal Naval Reserve, the men to receive a small retaining pay when not required, but to be liable to be called out for actual service on full pay at any time. Colonel Reader is again enlisting suitable recruits for the Constabulary. 100 are wanted. Tenders have been called for the removal of the "shedifice." The Government Buildings are being prepared and decorated for the ball to be given on the arrival of the Prince. The public meeting regarding his reception takes place to-night. Telegrams received to-day from Wairarapa state that two decisions of the Native Lands Court regarding the lands near Masterton, have given great dissatisfaction to the Hauhau claimants. Judge Monro has ordered a settler named Wilkinson to survey the block immediately, while the Maoris threaten that they will not allow him to do so. Fears are entertained that a disturbance may ensue. Whaka Mau, the Maori murderer, was executed, in the gaol this morning. He met his fate bravely, and died without a struggle. Napier, March 19th. Messrs Bold and! Grindell, who have returned from Taupo, state that the Hauhaus are constantly holding meetings there, and that the Friendlies are very apprehensive. In coming down here ■they crossed the track left by a war party, which had passed two hours before. Te Kooti is said to have gone to see Rewi. Ropata and his men left for their homes to-day by the Muriwai. At Turiroa and "Wairoa the settlers have been warned of their dangerous position by the officer commanding the district. March 21st. j A telegram in Saturday's Herald was the only intimation received by Mr M'Lean of the Gazette notice cancelling his appointment. The feeling of indignation is very general, and the public confidence is greatly on the decrease. Last evening Auckland dates to the 18fch were received by the Star of the South. The steamer Tauranga has arrived at Auckland from Tanranga, with 76 women and children. Te Papa is said to be surrounded by a large force of Hauhaus under Kereopa. Te Kooti has retreated from Whakatane, and is supposed to have gone to join Kereopa. March 2ord. 3V.fr; M'Donald, Mr Cox's overseer, has arrived from Taupo. He reports that he planted the sheep in a remote corner of, the run, and left them there in the middle of the shearing, as he had heard that Te Kooti was in the vicinity. Mr Hellyer, another runholder, is about to follow his example. They say that they have heard of large gatherings of the natives, but they really know very little. They were warned of their danger by the Friendlies. The removal of Mr M'Lean has caused great dissatisfaction throughout the province. Public meetings on the subject are to be called at Waipukurau and Havelock. The prize rifle-shooting ia going on. in the midst of a heavy gale. Nelson, March 23rd. The Auckland News of Saturday contains a letter from Mr Buckland, sheep and cattle owner, stating that the King's aukati is rumoured to extend virtually from the Waikato, and that neither the cattle, sheep, nor settlers are to be molested. The King disapproves of Kereopa's practices. The . latter demands blood, and threatens to kill both Europeans and Friendlies. Mr Buckland says that a feast is to be held at Pukepuke, to j which the King's natives, the 1\ upapas, and the Europeans have been invited. The Ngatiporou and other Friendlies in the Opotiki district are pretty numerous, but are in need of arms and ammunition. ! A preliminary meeting of the natives | has been held at Tctagamutu, No

'■■ extreme parties were present. It is thought that the great meeting to be held soon will do good, especially if Te Kooti gets beaten, and the Uriweras are pushed by the confiscation of their land. Mr R. J. Creighton has been elected member for Newton by a large majority. The Taranaki Herald, in an Extra published yesterday, says that Father Roland arrived overland from Patea on Saturday with dates to the 18th. in3t. His news, j however, is generally anticipated. The rebels were short of provisions, and the ! Patea settlers were,inclined to be hopeful. One of them wrote to Taranaki, saying, " You may see Colonel Whitmore and the greater part of Mb force in New Plymouth in a fortnight or three weeks." A letter from New Plymouth, dated yesterday, says: — "The native meeting at the Stoneyhurst river has terminated. Te Wito spoke for three days. Mr Parriß did not attend. The natives who were present say that the result will be peace ; but no confidence can be placed in the result of this meeting." Chblstchurch, March 19th. The trade in wheat and oats during the week has been but trifling, holders askprices which buyers are not prepared to give. The farmers are still busy threshing. The crop, both as to quantity and quality, is turning out equal to the expectations entertained regarding it. Medium to good wheat is at 3s 8d to 3s 9d ; and superior at 3s lOd. Oats are in good request, and large parcels continue to be exported, the top price obtained being 2s 6d. New barley is coming forwaxd, and is quoted at 4s 3d to 4s 6d. March 24th. The case of Beswick v. The Kaiapoi Borough Council was heard in. the NidPrius Court last Friday, and a verdict given for the plaintiff for the sum of L 175, as compensation for damage occasioned by the defendants by the obstruction of the River Waimakariri. To-day, in Banco, Mr Travers obtained a rule setting aside the verdict, and cause is to be shown on the 4th of May.