LATEST INTERPROVINCIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 915, 28 August 1868, Page 3

LATEST INTERPROVINCIAL.

[By Sub-mabine Telegraph.] (fbom the chbistchtjech papers.) Wellington, Aug. 22, 4 p.m. Two parties— lso men under Colonel M'Donnell, and 130 men under Captain Page — have been out. They burned the old native settlements in the neighborhood of Kctemerai, but did not encovnter the rebels. The rebels are stationed at a strong pa called Ngatiotemanu, which it is intended to attack shortly. 7.55. The Lady Bird has brought over the crew of the Taranaki. All accounts agree that, the wreck was the result of pure accident. The steamer was caught in an eddy, the bow being in ten and the stern in fourteen fathoms. The Rev. P. H. Maxwell was buried tlrs afternoon, the Bishop, Archdeacon Hadfield, and all the neighboring clergy officiating. The debate on Ihe Disqualification Bill was continued until eleven o'clock. The second reading was carried on the voices^ but dissatisfaction with the details of the Bill became more evident. The House goes into committee on the Bill on Tuesday week. The Libel Bill is to be committed on Wednesday. Mr Haughton moved as an amendment that the Bill be committed that day six months, but subsequently he withdrew it. Messrs Bunney and Haugh,ton announced the intention of the country party to submit resolutions at an early date, amidst much cheering and countercheering. The party privately profess their willingness to form a Government, but are regraded as mere skirmishers to the present Ministry. The character of the resolutions, even if any have yet been agreed on, is not known. Many rumours are afloat as to the tendency of the resolutions — increased loans on. the consolidated revenue, to be handed over to the General Government, which is to take charge of gaols, police, interest on loans, &c. The Constitutional party have called a meeting for Tuesday. August 24, 11.53 a.m. A* special messenger arrived in town last nighfc with the following news, condensed from the '' Wanganui Herald:" — The strongly fortified pa of Te Ngutu O Te Manu was captured on Friday morning, and burned to the ground. Two hundred find seventy men under Colonel M'Donnell started at seven a.m., in two divisions. Yon Tempsky led the Armed Constabulary and the Taranaki volunteers. The companies commanded by Captains Buck and Page formed the attacking force. The pa was reached at ten o'clock, the men thus taking three hours to thread their way through, the bush, a distance of twelve miles from Waihi, the base of operations. The Maori scouts were on the alert, and preparations had been made to give our forces a warm reception. Orders had been given to reserve fire until within pistol-shot of the enemy, who kept up a smart fire when our men appeared in sight. When within twenty paces of the parapet, our troops opened a galling fire, and rushed helter-skelter on, esi-alading the breastwork and gaining a footing inside. The first man to enter was Wallace, who was shot through the head, and fell dead on the spot. The men rushed boldly forward, and in a few moments one half of our force had fairly ' established themselves within the defences. The Maoris fought bravely, but could not stand against our men, who, armed with tomahawks, revolvers, and long knives, made short work of them. The whole attack lasted twenty minutes, and at the end of an hour from the time when we opened fire not a vestige of the pa was to be seen. The Maoris effected a good retreat, after nine of their number had fallen. They were able to carry off their wounded. Three of our men were killed and eight wounded, one of whom — H. Geary — is since dead. The names of the killed are R. Wallace, Kerr, and Mackay. The wounded were attended to by Dr Walker on the field. Colonel M'Donnell began the march back at half-past eleven o'clock. He soon found that the enemy had concentrated upon his rear, and were keeping up a desultory fire upon the rear guard. Their fire was returned, and ultimately tho Maoris retired, leaving the troops to effect their retreat without further molestation. Colonel M'Donnell arrived at Pa tea at midnight. The behaviour of both officers and men was excellent. 6.55 p.m. The country party are said to have submitted their proposed resolutions to the Government, who are prepared to adopt them almost in their entirety. Mr Fox having called a meeting of his supporters to-morrow morning, in the whis,t room of % club, Mr Stafford tyis

summoned tlic committee to-night, to censure the steward for permitting il. The enquiry into the wreck ol (ho ldranaki commences to-morrow. Maj t Hunter, of Waim, has been acColonel Haultain returned from Wanganui last Saturday 1 .