THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wanganui, August 16, 1860.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 204, 16 August 1860, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wanganui, August 16, 1860.

By the Airedale, which arrived in Nelson on the 6th inst., bringing IGO more women and children, we have one day’s later intelligence from • Taranaki. It appears that John Hurford and the artilleryman mentioned in oiir last as shot while out looking for pigs on the 2nd August, were from the Omata stockade. The artilleryman’s body, much mutilated by tomahawks, found; next day. It is said by friendly natives, that Hurford’s corpse was thrown into the Tapuae river. He has left a widow and nine children, who are now in Nelson.

. On the morning of the 30th July a skirmish took place in the neighbourhood of the Hua stockade, between about 100 soldiers and 50 friendly natives and 150 of theenemy. The latter , drove off six pairs of bullocks and a horse. On Tuesday they drove off six horses and about 300 sheep, which on Thursday were seen grazing, at, Mahoetahi. On the morning of Saturday the 4th, an.alarm was raised that the Maories were inside the town. Women and children were fleeing to.the barracks, and the men falling in under arms ; but it turned out that the natives were merely plundering some houses in the outskirts of the town.

Major-General. Pratt went out to inspect the camp at Waitara on the 4th inst. It is said that he exonerated Colonel Gold front blame* as hd was. fetU’red' by his instructions; and intended going to Auckland to obtain full power from the Governor to act as he pleases, so that no.tlubg will be done for a week or two. But this decision and self-reliance—not different from what might have been expected, but from what has yet been exhibited—give assurance that something will now be done to crush the rebels.

A dispatch from his Excellency the Governor to tlie Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated New Plymouth, 22nd March, is published in tire Auckland papers, and will be given at length next week in this sheet. His Excellency describes the Maori pa as very formidable, declares that shot and shell make little impression, and that “ nothing hut an approach by earthworks will be found efficient ” in taking them. He adds, “ I submit respectfully, that the peace of the colony can only be insured by the. presence of a considerable military force. “ Failing this protection, the colony may be engaged in war at any moment; immigration to the Northern island will then cease; many will abandon their homes, and their places will be supplied by.’ bands of lawless meu, reproducing that state of anarchy which existed prior to 1840, and to put an end to which New Zealand was declared a British colony. It is needless to say that such a contest would terminate only in the extinction of the Native race.

“ I have some diffidence in expressiug any opinion as to the number of troops required ; hitherto.l have considered that 2000 men, with a strong v company of artillery, would have enabled me to bring such a force into the field suddenly "as would extinguish the first sparks of .rebellion ;. now I am reluctantly compelledj'tb t ~that.. I believe 3000 men, a steal? gua*^)oat V !and a steamer of war will be necessary for some time to come to insure the maintenance; of peace”.

We have Auckland news to the 3rd August. The General; Assembly met on-the 30th ult.; all the Representatives were present except Messrs. McAndrew and Taylor. The Governor’s Speech will be found else-

where;- On Thursday, August 2nd, the replyi to his Excellency's Speech was adopted by the Legislative Council after Three amendments had been made and withdrawn.’

In the - House of Representatives, oirthe 30th, the new members were introduced, and took the oaths. Various notices of motion were given, and amumber of papers were laid on the table by Mr. Stafford and Mr. Richmond. Mr. Stafford announced the accession of Mr. Weld to the ministry. The House of Representatives resumed on Wednesday, Ist August; . present, the Speaker and 38. members. Various notices of motion were giv.en. Mr. Fitzgerald moved and Mr Heale. seconded, the adoption of the Reply to his Excellency’s address, which was immediately agreed to without a debate, several leading members having- been absent; When the Speaker put the question there .was no objection, and he at once said the have. it. When.the absent members returned great dissatisfaction was expressed even by some of the wannest supporters of the ministry, and a warm discussion followed, in which it was attempted to elicit from the ministry a statement of their policy, which they declined givt mg. This refusal has damaged them more than anything they have yet done, as at present, when so much depends on decision and energy, the house expected that they would be ready with some well-digested programme. During the discussion, had there been any motion before the house-on which it could have divided, the ministry would, in all probability, have been left alone, the house being decidedly angry at their reticence.

On the 2nd August, Mr. Carleton moved for “a committee of inquiry into the circumstances which led to the Taranaki war ” The members of committee named include a nia jority favourable to the Government, so that possibly their report inay not be so impartial as might be wished. There are no further details of the proceedings at the iVative meeting. .

Local Intelligence,

Resident Magistrate’s Court. —Before D. S. I)mie, Esq., B.M.—<-July 13. Jas. Southcomb v. Thos. Higgie, debt, <£s 16s. Judgment given for £o Is—-July 14. E. Graske v. Tamate Waka, 261 ißs for damage done to his land by pigs ; jndgment given for 10s, and costs 10s,. 6d,. $. C?aske v. Eruera Tureuai, £2 for similar damage; judgmeni given for 255, and costs 10s 6d. Anthony Nathan was fined 262, and TOs costs, for riding furiously in Harrison street on 11th August. Henry Kennedy, John. Williams, and James Burge were each fined fis for; being drunk. . Justice of Peace Court.-*— Before B. S. Durie, 2?sq., j.P.—July 11. W. Kells v. IV. Graham, debt, 224 9s, and Henry Kennedy, debt, £3 19s; judgment in favour of plaintiff. A Memorial to the Governor, which will no donbt be numerously signed, has been drawn out, urging the necessity of running a steamer between this and Taranaki, and sug gesting that the Wonga Wonga be placed on the station. Want of space prevents us from giving a copy of this Memorial, as well as from inserting some notices of local matters, which must be left for next issue.

Messrs. Powell and Co. sold by public auction yesterday, 30 tons of Newcastle, N.S. W., coals, at 425. to 48s. per ton.