POLITICAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 1329, 25 December 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

POLITICAL.

present time, however, beyond arranging for the Tararua to convey this mail to catch the' homeward mail from bourne, nothing has been done. Indeed it is doubtful whether the Government, in the face of a deliberate vote of the Assembly, have the power to enter into any arrangement to remedy the evil, but it is hoped that some means of meeting it may be found. In local politics, we have had a little excitement, though of a very small-beer description. Mr Rees, late member of the Westland County Council for the Kanieri district, has gone to Auckland, and sent in his resignation. As is generally admitted, the conduct of members of this body, in paying themselves so handsomely for their per-, vice?, has given very general dissatisfaction, and a great deal has been said' and written on the subject. Mr Mark Sprot, one of our most deservedly respected citizens, on several occasions expressed himself strongly on the subiect, and on it being known that , the above seat was vacant, a requisition, very numerously and respectably signed, was got up requesting him to offer himself as a candidate. He consented to do so, his acceptance being 1 couched in terms more candid than complimentary to the members generally. Unfortunately, however, he has' been attacked with such serious illness in the mean,time, as to render it impossible tor him to proceed with his candidature, and he has formally resigned it. There are now thi'i.'e candidates, Messrs Robinson and Dale, to both of whom requisitions largely signed have been presented, and Mr William M'Lean, who is materiall}' interested in mining matters in the district, and comes fori ward at the request of friends. The nomination was yesterday, and the .poll will take place on Thursday next. There is little excitment felt in the result, excepting what is purely local^ all the candidates residing in tho district.

With this may be said to terminate all matters of political interest duiing the past month.

The announcement by the last mail, thai the British Government refused to allow even a single regiment of Imperial "troops to be retained in the Colony, in spite of the appeals that had been made from this Colony, by no means surprised the general public of New Zealand ; but, at the same time, the tone of the despatch ordering their immediate embarkation has materially added to the irritation already felt an connection with the conduct of "Great Britain during oiu" Maori difficulties. As to the 18th Regiment, so peremptorily ordered home, it is quite as well out of the Colony as in it ; for though,, no doubt, it is comprised of as gallant men as ever carried rifle, they bave not been permitted to •show their prowess or prove their pluck, "but have been kept as show soldiers to be seen and admired but not used. .This inaction has been distasteful to both officers and men, we feel assured, and though, under the circumstances, we are actually glad to be rid of them, they have earned hearty good- will wherever they have been statioued. Meanwhile, whilst the disgraceful supplications of the New Zealand Government for Imperial aid have been contemptuously disregarded, the colonial troops, without any other than friendly native asMStance, have all but extinguished the rebellion, and the chief leaders are driven to the last extremity, and there is every prospect of the speedy capture of Te Kooti. We are glad to say that the performance of the Fox Ministry has greatly exceeded their promise, and ■ that so far from adhering to the defensive policy they laid down on laking office, they have been vigorously pursuing the chief insurgents, and indeed deserve the very highest credit for the successes they have achieved. We still hold that the Stafford administration laid the foundation of these, but Mr Fox and Mr M'Lean* have ably proceeded with the superstructure, and it is probable before the Commissioners sem, home on iheir foolish mission reach the shores of old Englaud, the rebellion will be all but utterly put an end to. Mr Fox in a conference with the Upper Wanganui natives completely won their confidence, and Topia, one of the most celebrated chiefs, together with Major Kemp (native), and a body of natives, have already set out on an expedition to catch Te Kooti, dead or alive. Mr M'Lean has had a conference with the Maori King, and that has turned out most satisfactory. Altogether, the native relations are most rapidly improving, and there is every chance of peace being thoroughly established within a few months. In other places the natives not only do not object to roads being constructed through their lands, but, on the contrary pi'ofess themselves willing to make them themselves if the Government will pay for them. Indeod, one contract of this kind has aheady been entered into by Mr Fox. So far then the prospects of the Colony are far more cheering than has been the case of late, and there is still every reason to believe that in a few years New Zealand will emerege from all her difficulties, and prove, though now one of the most despised, one of the most valuable jewels in the British Colonial Crown. With the exception of the Maori w&\, there is no general political news to note. There have been no chauges, neither has any particular action, excepting as above, been taken by the Executive. During the last session of the General Assembly Mr Macandrew, one of the Otago members, and Superintendent of that province, succeeded in carrying a motion abolishing all subsidies to moil steamers on th-j termination of existing contracts. In *lieu of these a paltry grant of some £3000 was apportioned for the purpose of being appropriated in the shape of gratuities for extra services to captains and owners. The first fruits of this wretched and unwise economy New Zealand experienced when the last English mail arrived, the Bangitoto having sailed about twenty-four hours before the P. and O. Company's vessel reached Hobson's Bay. The consequence was that the mails were necessarily kept till the next mail sailed, and agood fortnight's delay took place before we got our home letters. As may be supposed, the complete disorganisation that has taken place, and the rupture of regular correspondence created no little confusion, when it was actually experienced, and great agitarion has taken place in commercial circles in order to induce the Government to enter into fresh arrangements fer a regular Australian service. Up to the