LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 66, 30 May 1846, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Mo-t of ihe wives and families of the Karori settlers came into town on Wednesday, for protection. Twenty-five of the Calliope's men started for that district the came day. A body of five and twenty of the sealers have been embodied as a Mi itia; and every possible precaution has heen to prevent a Successful attack on the part of the hostile Natives.

The entire' body of the; settlers seem to havo changed their hitherto peaceful pursuits, and preparations for war suiround us on every side. The farmer has laid aside his axe for tiie musket dud bayonet, and our settlement is fast assuming the appearance of a vast camp. We trust this state of things will be of short duration, and that the settlers will be enabled speedily to resume, with safety, those ptaeeful avocations more congenial to their feelings.

We are requested to caution parties when approaching the various military, militia, and volunteer pickets, before daylight. If an answer is not made, the party or parties will run a great risk of being shot.

The Natives in the Town should be warned not to stir from their warres before daylight. If they proul about after due notice being given, tbey must take the consequences.

Three Natives were apprehended early on Thursday morning, by one of the militia pickets, and taken before Mr. St. Hill. It was proved th it they belonged to the Chatham Islands, and were about w proceed there, therefore tbey were dismissed.

, We were not aware till yesterdaj 1 that the natives had destroyed two dwelling houses in the Hutt Valley, belonging to Messrs. Mabey and Sutherland. They likewise slaughtered a fine cow, the Property of the first named person. The rebels are plundering and destroying the crops of the settlers in every direction. The whole of the up-settlers have come down below the Bridge. As we have frequently said* if this state of things continues much longer, no land will be cropped with grain this year in the Hutt.

Early yesterday morning, a shot was "red ,„ the direction of Wade's Town, by "horn has not been discovered. The sentry posied near the large guns was a, out giving the signal of alarm, when he was prevented by Lieut, Ross, and thus a ileal of confusion and fear was spared the Mhalutante, We trust all parties will be cautious of firing their pieces at unseasonable hours.

oix shots were heard yesierdav morning 7 Hie Karori Militia, tired in ihe direction of Ohar.u.

A TCeviow of the Militia will t».k<' pi .re on Monday next, on Thomdoii Flat. The mori will practice with bull car ridge, t-o that the settlers need not b<> alarmed on hearing the report of fire-arm's.

The te Aro Volunteer Corps has been divided into two companion, who turn out alternate mornings. The first company id under the command of Lieut. Beihuno, and these.ond company under ihe command of Ensign Murneith Each Company consists of" about 75 men. Each Company has b-eri divided into six pic kets, and the officers rind men soem to vie with each other in keeping a strict watch. Capt; Daniell commands the whole.

The natives belonging to Te A ro proceed to tho Hutt on Monday. The whole of our native allies intend collecting in the yalley by that day, in anticipation of an inroad being made by the rebtd natives;

During the late attack on the Hutt post some of the assailant*, armed with tomahawks, Ontered the hut of Sergeant Norton, occupied by his wife and five little children. The natives ordered Mrs Norton off with threat?, but with trite motherly devotion, she refused to go, not b.'ing able to carry her poor infants with her. She also threw what little money she had on her ground before .them, and stood over the children. Even these savaged were so charmed with her gpirir, that they left the hut without injuring any of the family. We have heard the conduct of Sergeant Norton spoken of in tbe highest terms. He appears to have conducted himself during the attack, with the greatest coolness and self possession.

Birth.—On Tuesday, May 26, the wife of Mr. George Buck, storekeeper, of Thorndon Flat, Wellington, of a son.

A sperm whale has been captured at Mr. Jones'station, at Waikawaite, which yielded ten tuns of oil.

Yesterday, 20 rounds of hall cartridge* and cartouche boxes, were served out to the members of the Volunteer Corps.

The Government brig Victoria, had left Wanganui lor Nelson, for tl«e purpose of having her copper overhauled and undergoing repairs.

We would recommend to the consideration of Capt. Grey,'the propriety of eniploying three Schooners o/ about 40 tons each, Si lieu of the Vict ria, to be employed as packe 8 between tho various settlements. At the present time, when communication to be as rapid as possible, inter-communication is very uncertain.