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Wellington Independent, 9 August 1860, Page 1

We stilted in our Extra yesterday, that the Airedale was* to return immediately to Taranaki, to convey, hither more of the women and children, whose presence in a military camp (for such tlie town of New Plymouth has become)

the authorities will no longer permit. Such were the instructions given, both by Major-General Pratt and Colonel Gold, to the master of the Airedale on his leaving for Nelson on Sunday last ; but Captain Johns, we understand, intends making a trip to the South, which he will render as short as possible, before returning to Taranaki, and then he will run his vessel two trips, to Nelson with passengers.

We are apprehensive that the number of refugees which Nelson is to receive will be much larger than has been contemplated, and that a provision for housing them will have to be made. If the whole body of women and children at Taranaki are to be compelled to leave that province, and the Major-General, we are told, has declared most peremptorily that they must do so, then instead of 300, the number spoken of as likely to be sent here, we shall have to receive three or four times that numbor. *It is- .neeessaryy to_ .consider^ therefpue, w what means of shelter we possess^ibrsb" large a number of persons ; because, if brought here, shelter must be found them ; and to see that steps are promptly taken to provide for any deficiency. A meeting of the Taranaki Aid Committee is to be held this evening, and if it is clearly shewn that any such number of people as we have mentioned are likely to be sent to Nelson, it would be better at once to run up temporary buildings to receive them, which would obviate the over-crowding of dwellings, and possesses, besides, economical advantages. Many of our carpenters expressed a willingness to give a few days of their time, if the Government would furnish timber, to put up buildings for the refugees when the war first broke out ; and we cannot think, now that the urgent moment has really come, they will be backward in rendering assistance. The circumstances of the times demand sacrifices from us all ; let us then try, each in his own sphere, to acquit himself worthily of his share of duty.

We learn that Major-General Pratt had left the town of New Plymouth in the Tasmanian Maid, to inspect the camp at Waitara, and that the Victoria was to be in readiness to receive the General to convey him to Auckland, where he goes to have an interview with the Governor.