Local Intelligence.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 196, 21 June 1860, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The following CQndeus.qdirep.oft, of/• the prp* ceedings of the Vigilance. .Committee is offered to the puh|ic, to. afford; as / far as .possible, information upon the subject of. the present position of the nativesj upon . ; the coast {preference to ..Wanganui;^

On Friday last, the 15th inst., a letter came to the hands of the authorities, which was felt to contaiu.very important matter, and from which, the following is an extract: “ This is another word. At the meeting of Waikato, at Waitara, Tarnati Raukawa got up and said, * Listen, Waikato! I shall divide Ngatiruanui for the town of Wanganui, and divide to make war on New Plymouth.’

- “ Waikato consented to this word of Tamati Aaukawa’s. Two of our people were present at William King’s, Waitara, when said words were uttered.

“ With regard to this word of Tamaiti Raukawa’s, you must turn back the Ngatiruanuis towards New Plymouth, to fight there, lest the authority of the Wanganui chiefs should be weakened thereby. Let New Plymouth be the-only place,of disturbance.” The committee having been • requested to meet,, did so at noon,that day;; but the information. .then brought forward - not being so full as desirable,' and the committee deeming it a duty to collect IheTiest Opinions as tu the nature of the communication so received, an adjournment until 8 o’clock in the evening took place, to enable Mr. Deighton to see-the letter and obtain a copy; but before separating the fob lowing resolution was. passed : ; Proposed: by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Tuke, “ That until we can arrive at certain information, we think it necessary that the outaettlers at the north be made aware of the news received, with the least possible delay, and request that Major Durie will take steps to communicate "with them.”

This resolution was forwarded to Major Durie, who, in the course of the evening, enclosed to the committee the following Circular for distribution : (Copy.)- “Circular. “ Wanganui, June 15, 1860. “..Information\hasbeen in the cburse of this morning, that a move may be expected on the part of the natives towards Wanganui. I have thought it right to apprize you of the fact, that you may use your discretion as to. coming into town: /Steps will be taken; to- ascertain. more particularly How matters stand, and notice will then be given without delay.

“(Signed,) “ D. S. Dubie.”

The committee having assembled in the evening, and being satisfied that amply sufficient reasons existed for precautions to be taken, the following resolution was passed Moved' by Mr. G. Roberts and seconded by Dr. Tuke:

“ That this committee most..; respectfully, but earnestly suggests the propriety of at once calling out the militia, and the establishment of a horse andjfo'ot patrol. And that the 'autlioritfco t>c re <jnoo Cisttri cr'-t <xl«3 — tion the means to be adopted for warning the public in case of alarm, and the appointment of such places of resort and rendezvous as may be deemed proper should any occasion arise, so that the confusion that might otherwise follow may, if possible, be prevented. And the committee would most earnestly impress upon the authorities the absolute necessity of procuring arms, and the most strenuous exertions being used to obtain the same from Auck-. land or elsewhere!”

The committee having again met on'the following day (Saturday) at 2 o’clock, it was proposed by Captain Taylor, seconded by Mr. Treweek, and agreed:

“ That this meeting desires to urge upon the 'authorities the necessity of erecting stock-, ades on the northern portion of the Wanganui block and at the Pilot station with the least possible delay ; and that any such intention may be at once. made known, as a means of inspiring confidence in the country settlers and the public generally”. . . It is highly satisfactory to the committee, that the several resolutions so passed have been received by the authorities with thanks for the suggestions they contained. . To the communication enclosing the last resolution, Major Durie replied as follows : “.I beg to inform, you that the. suggestion of the committee has already been entertained by Major Cooper and myself, and I beg to assure you, that we will use our best endeavours to carry the same into effect without delay.” . -W

In conclusion, it may. be stated, it is believed the government, in concert with, the military authorities, are .now engaged in fixing the sites for the required, defences. i- . ; H, Ross, 1 Chairman. June. 19. 1860.

Militia and Voluntef.es.— The following appointments are notified in the Ne w Zealand Gazette of the 9th June. Wanganui Militia -TT- Captains, D. S. Durie, Edward Daniell; Lieutenants, W.- S. Russell, Alfred Ross; Surgeon, B. Tuke. Wanganui Volunteer Rifles —Captain, Samjiel Deighton; Lieutenant, Walter; Jqwett; Ensign, Samuel Austin; Wanganui Volunteer Cavalry—Captain, John Cameron; Lieutenant, J. F. Kells net, P. JFilson.