LATEST INTER-PROVINCIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 909, 21 August 1868, Page 2

LATEST IN TER- PROVINCIAL.

[i)Y SUBJIAIUNE TELEaBAPU.] o (rnoir inn iirTXEi/roN times.) Wellington, Aug. 14, 1.10 p.m. Tho Napier correspondent of tho '• New Zealand Advertiser" telegraphs as follows :—: — Colonel Whitmore's forces marched on August Gth, without horses, to try and overtake the Chatham Island fugitives. They took rations for three days, and mustered 130 strong. On Atigtist Bth they overtook the fugitives, in fully equal force, and strongly posted in tho difficult gorges of the liua Iv Ture river. The men wero hungry and tired, but at si^ht of the enemy begged to bo allowed to proceed. At 3 p.m. they engaged the 'enemy. After fighting tor two hours they drove them i out of their first position. They were then obliged lo draw off before sunset, as they had several wounded. The enemy broke up in hasto after the action, and by daylight had retreated far up the gorges. The Colonial forces would have attacked again next day, but were unable to do so from want of food.

Two Volunteers (both, valued settlors of JNapier) \vei*e killed — Captain Carr and Mr Camming. The constabulary l)chavod splendidly. Our casualties ai\J nine [killed and wounded ?], but tlic enemy must have lost heavily, as many were shot in front, at very cioao quarters, v. r hea trying to (ihai'ge our advanced guard. The Napier [Friendly?] Natives behaved better than any other Maoris who have fought for the Government during the campaign If the Tauranga Volunteers hid been with our troops, we should have completely destroyed the enemy, Trho arc now marching inland Lo take part in a runanga to bo hold at the entrance of the Terewara gorge. C.-iptaiu Praaer is stationed at Wairoa, 3uilf-\vay between Napier and Tauranga to l>o available in case of necessity. Colonial Whitmore and the force under his command arc on their way back to Napier. 7.35 p.m. Mr Maeandrew has given notice of motion for Wednesday, of which the following is the text : — " That in the opinion of this House the attempt to capture the Maoris escaped from the Chathams was in tho fit^t instance impolitic, aud that it is iuex|3edient further to prosecute that attempt. That this House is also of opinion that experience has proved thai tho Native policy hitherto pursued lias been a mistaken policy, destructive to tho interests of both races, and ought now to be abandoned, with which view tho lions? recommends iirst: That th* Native and Colonial Defence Offices be abolished. Second : Thai the maintenance of poaco, order, and good jjovernmfent among- tho Natives and Jtiluropeans alike shall bo locally charged aud" devolve upon the respective local governments. Third: That in considuration of tho prejudicial ofl'ecfc upon tlio North Island which has resulted from tho Native policy of thu Imperial and Colonial Governments, and in consideration of tho Colony being relieved from further indefinite liability for Native affairs, tho interest and sinlcin^ f'i;iil ol'lhe thiw m!liii>:i lo =n shall !<i' l;orno iwivarfivoly by t'io Middle. Island, unSil su.'h iiino as liv! Customs lvventie or tin- Norlh Is'nnd .sliall exceed fiat ol'thi Mi'.l-ilo Jskn.l. wSiceupon tlio Slid int-.Test and Hn'dn.;- niu:l slml « % if:iin be charged on the oiisoiid.ihvJ oloui-il re von ue,' also t!u»l :v> annu.il sum, not exceeding iif'ty Ihojis.ind pounds for the next three ye.WH, shall bo chas-ged a,.tuust tlso conjol'su-ited c.lonial revouuo ami paid over to the Jocil iiidho.ilies m the Northern Isiam!, to ho expended m tho eniploMueut of the iiativo popuiti.ion on pubiittVork.':. s"f<» annual, payment to be distributed in Mieh proportion as the' Governor shail sree fit." / Mr Siafliird s.i:d thai tho amendments of the Bankrsjpley i3ill suggested by Judge Ward, worj before tho AttorneyGreneral for draft ing. Mr Travers renuirked that ho had seen them, and cousiiiered they would make the Act work sali.sfiK'lorily. *■ Aug. 15, 1.45 p.m. Tn the House of Hnpresentativcs the

Maori member (Itus^-U) brought ii^V *' mohon affirming tho d;<sirability°of aum^' mg the natives to elect European representatives if they chose to do so. Thero was a general request made to the mover by the Houso to withdraw it, but havin" the concurrence of all tho Maori members the motion was pressed to a division and lost by 12 to 23. August 17, 7.55 p.m. The Commissioners appointed last February to enquire into acts of cruelty and wanton outrage alleged to have been committed by Colonel M'JJonnell at Palcaiv.* kai in August, 1 866, report that no wanton"^."* outrage was committed by any enrolled member of the force. That medical aid was afforded to tlie one wounded prisoner, and tho other prisoners, comprising women and children, were Icindly treated. That the results of the attack on Pokaikai were tho almost immediate surrender of certain tribes, and the consesequent peace and good order which prevailed for two years, but which was broken immediately after the close of this enquiry ia March kit Messrs. "Wilson ' and Cargill signed tho report, whilst Mr Graham, tho third Commissioner, had added the words '• I protest agaiust this report. Tho "Hawke'a Bay Herald" gives a, full report of Colonel Whitmore 8 proceedings. It sayg the conduct of Colonel Whitmore's force cannot be too highly extolled ; they did all that men coiild do, carrying only three days' provisions, they had to sleep in snow a foot in depth without tents, and frequently had to melt snow to procure water. In passing through high scrub and fern, their clothes were exit to pieces and their persons scratched and torn. They had also to cut a track for pack-horses which followed them part of the distance. Colonel Whitmore was only deterred from following aud attacking a second tim-3 because ho was utterly out of supplies, and without means of getting any. The Opposition is arranging for a meeting to consider what shall be the next step. A second meeting of a few members representing country di.siricts has been held.