WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 751, 17 December 1870, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(fhom our own cobbespondent.) Dec. 12.

We have heard to-day that the line of telegraph From here to Tauranga, via Napier and Taupo, has been completed, and that a message was sent through from Mr Walter Blake, the Inspector of the works, announcing the fact. News also was received that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was expected to arrive at Tauranga in the Government steamer "Luna. This is a great step iu the work of the erection of the line through to Auckland, but the distance remaining—loo miles or so —will be a tough job. The route that the line is to run along is as yet undecided, and native difficulties stand in the way. These, however, will not last Idng, it is to be hoped, and then there will be telegraphic communication from one end to the other of the colony. Poor Taranaki is now the only Province left out in the cold.

On Friday there was a great turnout here on the occasion of the burial of an old Maori Chief Honiana Te Puni—better known as Epuni. He was one of the first to welcome the earliest settlers on their landing here in 1840, and has been a true and consistent friend to us. In the early days he several times saved the lives of the pioneers of the settlement by warning them of the threatened attacks, and by using his influence with other Natives to keep them peaceable. On one occasion when the settlers were attacked by Te Raupara and his men, Te Puni turned out gallantly with his men and fought with the whites. Since the very first day he has been an active friend, and was known and trusted by all who knew him. He died on Monday last at his house at the Hutt, having reached a good old age of, at least, 80 years. You know, I suppose, that it is impossible to find out an old Maori's age. The Government, in recognition of the eminent services which this old Chief has rendered our race, awarded his remains the honor of a military funeral. The Government Offices, Banks, and merchants' places were closed on Friday ; the shipping in the harbor had their flags hoisted half-m;ist high, and, in spite of a drizzling rain which fell all day, at least, a thousand people assembled at the old Chief's house to follow his remains to the grave. These included the Ministers, now in Wellington,—the hons. D M'Lean and Sewell, —a large crowd of officials ; a considerable number of the settlers of Wellington and the surrounding districts; and about 250 voluneeers. Such a funeral I have not seen before in Wellington. The pall-bearers were the hons. D. M'Lean and Fitzlierbert, Mr J. C. Crawford, E.M., Major Ludlam, Messrs Lyon, G. Crawford, and two Maori Chiefs. From the house to thegravetbeprocession marched slowly, three volunteer bands playing alternately, and it was a solemn sight. The funeral service was read by the Bishop "of Wellington, and the hon. D. M'Lean delivered a kind of funeral oration. The volunteers were entertained by the Government, who 'gave them at Valentine's a capital luncheon of roast and boiled joints, hams tongues, vegetables, and beer. A kind of ministerial luncheon was also given at Osgood's hotel, at which all the " heavy swells " sat down. The hon. W. Fitzherbert made a speech, alluding to the early days of the settlement, when Te Puni had been strong and we were weak, and said that in the history of the Colony no more glorious page will appear than that showing that as Te Puni was merciful in his strength, so we, when our turn came to be strong, had remembered to him and his race the day of our weakness. In my last, I mentioned that the hon. Mr Fitzherbert "and Mr Ludlam were contesting for the seat for the Hutt. A day or two ago the latter withdrew, stating that it was his intention to retire from public life. The reform association is still working quietly. I understand that there is some'■talk of its bringing forward Mr Travers and Mr Gillon for Wellington at the coming elections. It is impossible to say how matters would go. Mr Travers is not a popular man, though he has tried hard to make himself so. His speeches on the San Francisco Mail Service, or rather against it are still remembered. The " Evening Star," of Dunedin, gives an explanation of the " Telegram row " which has been going on here. It says that it was applied to for telegrams, and, to save writing, sent the "Daily Times" Extra. This is scarcely a sufficient explanation in the face of the fact that the proprietor of the " Independent," here states that his telegram is signed by Hutton, of Melbourne. • The weather has been horrible here for :some time past —wet, windy, and dusty, with no fine days. On dit that Mr Vogel is going to England about January next, and will return about August, the object being to Bet the loan afloat.