THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 96, 12 September 1846, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT

We call'the attention of our readers to the Official Despatches relative to the military operations against the rebels, under Rangihaeata, since they evacuated their position, in the Horokiwi valley. It appears that the line of- country through whioli the rebels retreated, was so difficult, as to be impracticable for soldiery. Thus, in a great measure everything depended upon the native allies, who not over anxious in the matter, were not so eager to come to blows with the enemy as what the military would have been provided the retreat bad been conducted through a -less difficult country. Bur, however, we cannot hide the fact, thai Rangihaeata is still unconquered, and ii behoves that the strictest caution should be observed by ail the outsettlers. It seems to us that a body of men at Wanganui, might prove useful in barra.isinsr the. rebels, and certainly the unprotected slate of the residents ought to influence the authorities on that head. We are convinced ihat our readers will coincide with us when we state V that let her Majesty's Foices have an opportunity, and the disaffected natives will not -boast of the result "

Wheat and Flour Bags.—ln the Levant, from Sydney, wheat and flour bags, manufactured from New Zealand flax, were imported, and have been sold at a lower price than the articles manufactured in this place. It thus appears that notwithstanding the increased expense of shipping and reshipping, the Sydney manufacturers can out sell us, who export the raw material, on the spot. We trust some attention will be paid to this matter. Many of"our readers are probably not aware of the lucrative trade which might be carried on, in this branch of traffic, with New South Wales alone, provided we can compete with the Sydney manufacturer. And with proper ma<;hiniry, who can fear the result. New South Wales grows and consumes annually 30,000 tons of flour. The expense of the bags for one ton of flour in Sydney averages £i, or £30,000 per annum. In 1843, 64,000 bales of wool were exported from Sydney. Allow 6s f»r each woolpack, and we have a further sum of more than £19,000, expended in this branch of trade. And our readers will Temember that each year adds to the amount. We trust the above figu-es will be productive of some good.

On Wednesday last, the remains of tbe unfortunate boy Thomas Jones, who lost his life by falling off the fore-top--ail yard <>f H. M. ship Calliope, were brought on shore and carried to the public cemetry. The body was landed at Barrett's wharf, and was,followed to the grave by two officers, ten boys as chief mourners, and about fifty of-the seamen.

Extensive preparations are in progress for the erectionof the barracks at Porirua. The foundation is dug out, and labourers are busily al work preparing lime and bricks.

A le:ter from England via Sydney, was received per Coaxer, by which we learn that totara is the only timber from New Zealand likely to realize remunerative prices in the English' markets.