WELLINGTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1027, 25 September 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Sept. 16th. Messrs Bichmond, 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 loop-holed. Instead of the force .dispersing and taking cover, they could not be prevented from huddling together in small groups, affording good targets. The officers endeavoured to prevent this, but in 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 woundred, proves, in his opinion, that for bush-fighting men must be long, and carefully : trained. The newspapers state that Patea is abandoned to Bacchus. Booth has closed all the grog stores. Some hitherto neutrals have joined Tito Kewaru. Colonel M'Donnell is both blamed and praised. r ; The number of the enemy killed is variously reported to be from five to twenty-eight. The various accounts only agree in two particulars: — our own loss and the excellent behaviour of the Priendties, but for whom our loss would have been fearful. Some of the wounded were brought to Wanganui. Mr Eichmond 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. Nelson, September 17th. The Pooebe has arrived from Auckland with news up to the 15th instant. The Thames Advertiser says alluvial diggings have been discovered at Mercury Bay. The prospects are good. Three children were discovered lying dead drunk on the beach at Auckland. They had clubbed together and bought a bottle of brandy, the whole of which they drank. One of them is dangerously ill in consequence. People are fast leaving Taranaki, and the Province is being gradually deserted. Gold bearing quartz has been discovered there. The fire at Sharland's store at Taranaki on the 6th instant was occasioned by some oil on the premises. . • The store was totally destroyed, and the-lbss is said to be heavy. It was in-, sured in the Liverpool and London In-; surance Co. for £2200, in the New Zealand Insurance Co. for £1000, and in the Victorian Insurance Co. for £600. Welmngtoit, September 17th, Mr Stafford, by command, laid on the table last night a letter from Colonel M'Donnell, which, on being read, was found to allude to certain expressions of Messrs Fox and Travers. On the Speaker's attention being called to it, he ruled that it could not be further read, and must be withdrawn from the table. Mr M'Lean, in introducing his "alarm" resolution, declared that Mr Stafford's estimate of the rebel strength might be multiplied by five, that a crisis was impending, and that the East Coast, who had never prepared for it before were doing so now. Mr Stafford denied the extent of the crisis, but declared that the mischievous effect of Colonel M'DonnelTs speech would be greater than all Tito Kowaru'a victories. That he was growing tired of official life, and cared not how soon he relinquished it. Affcsr Mr Brown had supported the resolution, an effort was made, to continue the discussion instead of going on with the orders of the day. The Government insisted on their being proceeded with, and carried the adjournment of the debate by 38 to 31. ■"' "Messrs Macandrew and Cargill supported the "no confidence " motion, and Mr Eeid opposed it. 'I To-day, Messrs Swan and Wells spoke against it, and Mr Main for it. The " alarm " discussion is net to come on until the " no confidence" debate is finished. . ; Several new Bills were introduced today, one being to -permit newspaper exchanges to go post free. The other

Bills chiefly refer to Native matters. Mr Macandrew goes South : having p.aired with Mr I?armer;- \■ ' ■■£■*■ "■ Mr Cooper haa gdne to Wairarapa to investigate < the reports I relative to the : s rebel emissaries* Mr Seed has Been appointed ActingAuditor General during the absence of I Dr Knight/ '■ ' :iiU ? A meeting will be held to-morrow to consider what meariß shall be taken for assisting the widows add orphans of thosti killed in battle. . '".""" A report that Major Edwards, whd lately commanded the Defence Force's, i< to proceed to the front, gives unmixed satisfaction, but wants confirmation. Mr Bell gave a large picnic at Lowiy Bay yesterday. . \" - ' It is doubtful whether the debate on the " no confidence "motion will close tonight. The Government are now sure of a good majority. ■ < .::X- r ... "WELLnrarcwr, Sept, 18. Cobb's coach reports the arrival of tk« Sturt at Wanganui, and her departure for Patea. Captain Bichardson of the Napier Con* stabulary slipped on the defck and two ribs. He has been sent to hospital: Colonel Haultain, Major Booth, and Colonel M'Donneil have all gone to the front. ■ -■ - .' ._ .„ Colonel M'Donneil almost despairs of doing anything with his present undisciplined force. Sixty rifles fell into the hands of the rebels. Tito Kbwaru is becoming emboldened, and all families around Patea have. been, ordered in. ■,-.-•■- ' "•- ' Several of the wounded have addressed' a letter to Colonel M'Ddnnell, _ repOsiri^ entire trust and confidence in his leadership. ' Last night Mr Ormond made an able speech. Messrs Baigent and M'Farlane spoke on the side of the Opposition, and Mete Kingi, and Messrs Ball and C. O'Neill on that of the Government, as also'did Mr Barff to-day. A Bill, enabling the authorities to close the public-houses in disturbed districts, went through/ all .the necessary stages, and was passed. ''..;.. # Some angry discussion occurred over it relative to some alleged disparaging expressions regarding the West "Coast forces made on former occasions, Mr Bell defending them by Parliamentary and Press criticisms during the mismanaged period of the Crimean war. ' ' The "West Coast Frontier Belief Association" has been formed, Major Bichardson and Mr Graham heading the list with ten guineas each. A telegram received yesterday regarding the Native disaffection at Wairarapa has to-day been declared to be without foundation. ■ ; /> \;:::^ WEtLnrGTON, Sept. 19th. A division was unexpectedly brought on last night in the following manner :— After Mr Gallagher had spoken to the House, at about ten o'clock the usual adjournment for twenty minutes was proposed by the chairman. Some mem* bers objected, on which Mr Carleton put the main question. Mr Barff asked for an explanation, when the main question was again put in parliamentary phraseology, and a few votes given. , , ; When it was found that it was the " no confidence " motion which had been disposed of; Mr Fox and Mr Stafford, the leaders of the different parties, having meanwhile returned to the House, there Was an uproar. :; A long, excited, and acrimonious discusßion ensued, Mr Bell and others declaring they had intended speaking, reproaching the Government for not replying to the charges implied by the Lobby rumors. Mr Fox challenged the Government to. go to a division on the "no confidence " issue. _ ;j . The Government replied that what had been done could not be undone. v i ,= A division was taken on the question, "That the report of the Committee be agreed to," with the following result :— Axes. 37— Messrs Ball, Carleton, Wilson, Atkinson, Paterson, Barff, Potts, Hall, Wood, Gallagher, Bunny, Kenny, Hull, Mervynn, W. H; Harrison, Bradshaw, Hepbury, J, O'Neill, C. O'Neill, Bussell (Maori), Swan, Beid, Mitchell, Wells, Clark, Patterson (Maori), Byes, Jollie, Brown, Kerr, Cox, Hankinson, Haughton, Bichmond, and Stafford. Tellers : Messrs Ludlam and Campbell. Noes, 30 — Messrs Armstrong, G. M'Farlane, T. M'Farlane, Bignan, Graham, Baigent, Burns, Cargill, Heaphy, O'Borke, Parker, Beynolds, Bolleston, Studholme, Colluis, Stevens,- Taylor, Curtis, Travera, Ormond, Borlaso, Williamson Tancred, Yogel, M'Lean, Tareha (Maori), Brandon, and Main. Tellers: Messrs BeU and Fox. Pates — Ayes, Colonel Haultain and Mr Farmer. Noes : .Dr . Featherstbn an^l M!r Afacandrew. Absent: Mete Kingi and Mr H. S. Harrison. • ; n< ::.:./■■ The Brisk has just sailed for England. (From the 'Otago Daily. MaiL) Wellington, Sept. 20th. A meeting of the country party was held this afternoon. : Eighteen members were present. They are not likely to agree upon the financial proposals. ' * ' The Government held a ■' meeting of their supporters this afternoon. Thirty-four members were present, including three ministers. !:: x - Mr M'Lean's motion, expressive of alarm at the position in which the Cojony is being pkced by the action" of the present Government, in relation to defence, and the conduct of Native affairs, will have to be definitely settled before the Government will proceed with the general business of the country. Sept. 21. . : The Sturt has sailed for Patea to-day, vwith two Armstrong guns. ?, .= * There is no reliable news from any quarter.