ARRIVAL OF THE S.S.'WELLINGTON' FROM THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 663, 15 April 1865, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WELLINGTON FROM THE SOUTH.

TWELVE DAYS LATER NEWS FROM WANGANUI. GENERAL CAMERON AT WAIMATE. SWAMPING OF A SURF BOAT AT MANAWAPOtJ AND LOSS OF SIX LIVES. LATEST FROM THE OKITIKI DIGGINGS. BRUTAL MURDER AT DUNEDIN.

By the arrival of the s.s. ' Wellington' on Thursday, we have received several days' later intelligence from all the Southern Provinces, as also from the Australian Colonies. We subjoin the principal items of news, and in our next will give more copious extracts.

LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

The p.s. gun-boat ' Sandfly' arrived in harbor yesterday about noon, having left Wanganui on Wednesday. On Thursday afternoon, in consequence of her inability to round Terawiti with the strong S.E. wind blowing at the time, she bore up for Porirua Bay, where she landed the Hon. Major Atkinson, and Mr. Fulloon, of the Native -Department, and these gentlemen came into town overland.

From a private source we learn that General Camoron had arrived at Waimate, about 90 miles from Wanganui, and it was anticipated that if the onwai'd progress of the troops was not interfered with they would meet the military party from Taranaki in about a fortnight or three weeks.

The native contingent, comprising two companies, and commanded by native officers, were in occupation of Pipiriki, about 70 miles up the Wanganui River, and there is every reason to believe that their presence will have a salutary influence in bringing the war to a close. We hear that tbe command of the native contingent has been offered to Captain T. MoDonnell, late second in command of a similar body at Maketu, and a gentleman spoken of as being in everyway qualified, not only by his thorough knowledge of the Maori language, but his well-known courage to render him a most efficient and popular officer.— New Zealand Advertiser, April 8.

The Front. — Messrs. Lethbridge and Alexander returned yesterday evening from the front, overland. They report an accident which happened on Sunday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock at Manawapou. One of the surf-boats was pulling in from the ' Gundagai,' in which were the boatmen, an officer, and also four soldiers who had gone on board to bring some luggage ashore. On coming to the second breakers from the shore the boat capsized, and all were thrown into the sea. Six were drowned, natnoly, two men of the 57th Regiment, two belonging to the Commissariat department, and two of the boatmen. The names are not known in town yet, and although there is a report that one of the 57th men is named Crowson, that is not authenticated. Several of those saved are said to have been much bruised from being driven on the boulders on the beach.

The General has advanced to Waimate, where he has about 1700 men, having left about 300 at Manawapou and 600 at Patea. The advance of the troops was not opposed. A few Maori horsemeu appeared, and fired a shot or two. — CJvronicle, April 1.

Occupation of Pipiriki. — On Saturday last, shortly after tbe departure of his Excellency the Governor, the lion. Major Atkinson, accompanied '.by John White, Esq., Captain Noake, Mr. Kerr, Secretary to Major Atkinson, and Mr. Booth, pro-

Xrceaed* np the river to Parakino, and taking with them some of the men there, went on to Koriniti, to which the military settlers had gone a day or two before. They remained at Koriniti all night, and Btaited on the following morning for Hihuharama, taking with them about 400 Europeans and Maoriea in about eqnal together with provisions in 40 canoes. Major Nikon, W.M., who bad joined the' party late on Saturday eyenjng, went forward on Sunday morning in a caoOß^with four Maoris in order to deliver a letter from Major Atkinson to Pehi, asking him to come to Hihuharama. Major Nixon proceeded to PipJrild, where his men would neither themselves .'land, nor allow him to do so, until they had communicated with the natives, being afraid of a party of " hau hans" said to be there. Hori Patene at last came, and they landed. Major Nixon learned that Pehi, on hearing of their being ou the road, had departed up the river about two hours before. He immediately resolved to follow ; and after some hesitation Hori Patene offered to accompanying him to Ohinemutu, the nest pa, about a mile ami a half fnrther on. He wont so far, but did not land, passing it without any intimation of a change in his intentions. Major Nixon landed, and after the lapse of about half an hour Tahana appeared and welcomed the stranger, offering to send u|» for Fehi, who had proceeded further up. He accordingly sent; and next morning, after Major Nixon had resumed his journey, be met Pehi coming down. The old chief appeared very doubtful as to the intentions of the Pakeha taua, as he called it, bat nevertheless proceeded to Pipiriki where he had an interview of about an hour's duration with the lion. Major Atkinson. Hia objections were admirably answered by the bon. gentleman, and at length be became reconciled to the force remaining at Pipiriki. There are now about 300 men there — namely, 200 military settlers aud above 80 native militia, under the command of Capt. Brassey, »n old tnd experienced soldier. The importance of

this position may be gathered from the statement of Pehi, that it had never been taken before By any of the tribes, aud that it was the key to the island. It. commands not only tho river, but also roads, inland to Taupo, northward to Waitotara, and also southwards ; and in consequence of its occupation the men in the Wareroa pa are getting faint heartied, as no doubt will also be the effect along the coast between this and Taranaki. A transport service has been organised to be carried on by the Maoris in canoes. The hon. Major Atkinson, and the other gentlemen accompanying him, returned last evening. — Ibid. i

THE WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

. The s.s. ' Albion,' from Melbourne via Okitiki and Nolson, arrived in port yesterday evening. The acoount of the Okitiki gold-fields received by this opportunity are pretty nearly the same as by previous arrivals. The men who have old claims are doing well, whilst in. other instances the ground pays bpt poor wages. Two new rushes had taken place, one of which was turning out well. 10,343 .oze. of gold was shipped at- Nelson in the ' Tararua,' ohietiy, the produce of the West Coast, procured during the last mouth. The bars at the Okitiki and G.rey rivers appear to Have improved within the last woek or two, as the soundings at the lato spring tides, gaye twelve fbet of water on each bar. This enabled the brig c Craigievar,' drawing 10 feet of war, to- be towed into the Okitiki. — Wellington Independent, April 8.

REVOLTING MURDER OF A GERMAN IN'

DUNEDIN.

The Daily Times of the 31st ultimo, says :—: — " A crime was committed in .Dunedin during the night of Wednesday, A German, who is at present only known as Charley, was beaten to death with «, bludgeon which has the dimensions and solidity of a fence-rail; his skull being Apparently fractured in several placer, one of hispyes knocked out, hit nose almost obliterated, or smashed into one bloody mass with his lips, and other terrible injuries being inflicted. It is hard to be forced so to conclude, but at present no other conclusion seems open than that this man's life was taken simply for the sake of securing whatever money he possessed. At present .the affair is completely enveloped in mystery. Great excitement prevails : Government having offered a reward of £200, whilst the most active steps are being taken to s ecure the murderer."

AUCKLAND.

By the Eangatira and Airedale siuce our last issue we havo dates from Auckland to the 7th instant.

Tho Pai Marirea appear to bo gaining in numbers in almost every direction of the province, a party of the fanatics having even arrived at Kennedy's Bay, Coromandel.

Several columns of our latest date of tbe New Zealand Herald are filled with correspondence that has transpired between the General Government at Wellington and the Superintendent of Auckland with respect to tbe immigrants that have been introduced into that province on the faith of receiving five acres of land and being guaranteed employment on public works. Our space this week will not permit of our giving any of this correspondence, and we must content ourselves by simply stating that the SubTreasurer had received instructions to discontinue wages and rations to such immigrants as were located on their land after the 30th April.

A great demonstration meeting took place on the 6th instant, for the purpose of expressing public thanks to Captain Levy, the native Tiwai, and the crew of the schooner Eclipse for their gallant service in rescuing from danger and ignominious death the Rev. Mr. Grace. Mr. Wynn was in the chair. „„ We subjoin extracts from oar fifes* ,

[From the Daily Soutlierri^Wpssf April 7.] We are sorry to say that evlff dtiririg'the short period which has elapsed siu< c our/, last monthly summary was despatched affairs iH this province havo assumed a very serious aspect. By far the most important part of the news is that received yesterday from Poverty Bay — namely, that the fanatics have made converts of about two-thirds of the natives in that district, aud that the work of plunder, preparatory no doubt to that of bloodshed, had commenced. So alarming was the state of affairs there that a number of settlers have left and come up to Auckland, and about twenty other settlers were to leave on Monday last for Napier in the steamer ' St. Kilda.' It will be recollected that the accounts previously received from Poverty Bay were to the effect that the natives of that place had expressed their determination to resist the encroachment' of the fanatics, and had given them a certain time to leave the district. So overpowering, however, is the delusion inculcated by the Pai Marire religion that they have since bowed down to tho strange god, and even the chief of the Poverty Bay natives, Hareni, is said to have been made a convert. That affairs must have been in a very hopeless state is evident from the fact that Bishop Williams had determined to send his family and assistants away, and that the settlers were compelled to abandon their homes for places of greater security. The seeds of a rebellion on the East Coast, which will probably be of as great or greater magnitude than that on the West, have no w been sown . Kingi3m , which had its charms and its votaries, appears now under a new and irresistible form, and those who wavored before in their allegiance have no hesitation in throwing off the mask. It should be evident now, even to those who would not be convinced before, that the temporising policy under which the war has been conducted must be superseded. Pai Marireism means nothing less than the slaughter of every European in the island ; and we must deal with these wretches as we would with madmen whose own safety as well of that of their neighbours depends upon a vigorous restraint. It is really humiliating and painful to reflect how little has been done as yet to stay the tide of tbe rebellion in the new form in which it has appeared. Although a month has elapsed, no steps have been taken to avenge the murder of Mr. Volkner. Wo have men-of-war lying idle in our harbour, bnt there is an immense amount of circumlocution before they can be moved. We have no Goveri or, no Government : even the Commodore has deserted us, and is now in Sydney, probably planning defences for some of the Australian harbours. It wonld indeed appear as if this farce called Gove.nment would njver cease until Ministry and Governor are swept away, and the Imperial authorities tofces the whole manage* nient of native aflairs into -their own hands, with the determination to Vrgorously prosecute the war and bring it to axKfu'olnsion. The greater portion of our troops-Ire at this moment making an in* glorioos^ffarch from Wanganui to Taranaki ; building redoubts, making reconnaissances, destroying a few deserted native plantations and villages, in fact doing everything but what should be done to bring the rebels to submission. This is no fault of theirs, but the fault of tho system under which •they have the misfortune to act. However, the ruinous delay that has taken place has now so complicated matters, that the rebellion must, if ! European settlement in this island is continued, j be put down with a high hand.

Another rather exciting circumstance is the report that a number of Pai Marire3 had visited Kennedy's Bay, to the east of Coromandel, and that they, with the Ngatiporous, to whose tribe they belong, had threatened to make a descent upon that place. It was said that their scheme was first to kill Mr. McGregor, the owner of a saw-mill at Kennedy's Bay, and then proceed to Coromandel under the pretext of selling horses, when the onslaught was to commence. From later news received, these reports appear to be greatly exaggerated, and there is even reason to doubt whether any 'Pai Marires have actually reached Kennedy's Bay. There being no Government or representative of the Government here, the Weld Ministry having completely igaored Auckland as one of the provinces of New Zealand, the responsibility of acting in such an emergenoy haa devolved upon the Provincial Government. The steamer • Sir- John Burgoyne,' whioh was juat about to leave for Tauranga, was engaged to call at Coromaudel on her way, and laud arms and ammunition, if necessary, and H.M.S. ' Eclipse' sailed for the same destination early yesterday morning. A small coasting vessel has since arrived from Kennedy's Bay, and reports that all wiw "mat f,h*>re