WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1778, 14 October 1862, Page 3

WANGANUI.

We have received by the overland mail intelligence from Wanganui to tbe 9th instant. The Chronicle in commenting on the present aspect of the Native question says ;— " In casting a glance over what has occurred since the despatch of the last English mail, there is nothing to record politically wbich gives much hope of a speedy extrication from the difficulties which have come over tbis island from the ignorance .ann* I ' self-conceit of abont 20,000 of its inhabitants (fof tbis is about tbe number ofthe disaffected), who seem to consider themselves not only able to form a separate and independent kingdom, but also to uphold their independence, if need be, by force of arms, against any pretensions -to the sovereignty of of the island put forth by her Majesty Queen Victoria. It is a striking proof of the clemency of the British people tbat such an insignificant minoiity of even the- inhabitants of tbis sparsely peopled couutry should be allowed to continue in the anomalous position they occupy — stopping the progress of colonisation, and preventing the improvement of tbose parts of tht country which have been paid for and are occupied by the European inhabitants." A dispute has been in existence here for some time past relative to the question of the seniority of the two companies of volunteers at Wanganui, which has resulted in the decision of tbe Deputy Adjutant General of Militia and Volunteers, that the corps should be disbanded and reformed. The Volunteers will accordingly be disbanded on the 27th inst., but it is to be hoped that this step is only a prelude to a fresh formation, in greater numbers and with increased efficiency. A parade of the companies to the number of 70 was held last Monday. The following items of local intelligence are from the Chronicle. Wangahve Steam Navigation Co. — It ' will be seen tbat most of the shares of this Company are now taken up, and early application will be necessary by those- who wish to have a share in the undertaking.

The Wanganui Bridge will be completed < in a week or ten days. The contractors have latterly been proceeding rapidly with the work. The Riveb Natives. — The King natives now say, that had the Governor proceeded up the river he would hot ha\e been stopped. The letter interdicting his progress was not approved of by a large minority of the King Runanga, and some of the chiefs — Hori Patene, &c. — would have been glad to see his Excellency. Pehi was not allowed by the RuDanga to come further down than Kaiwike, at which he is in high dudgeon, and has retired into the interior, not again to come down the river. Dr. Featherston has arrived at Pipenki without interruption, except that at Kaiwike he was asked what object he had in going to Taupo, and on replying that he was merely on a pleasure trip, he was allowed to go on. Sudden Death. — It is with great pain tbat we record the sudden decease of Mr. James Blyth, of Marybank. Mr. Blyth was returning home last night, from Dr. Allison's, accompanied by his two eldest sons. He was riding on before, and they followed a short way behind. When they arrived at tbe gate leading up to the house, they found the horse standing at it without its rider. Returning in search of their father, tbey found him lying in j a ditch at tbe side of the road near Wiritoa mill, quite dead. The body was carried into Mr, Wm. Howie's house, and Dr. Gibson sent for, who found that death had been caused by tbe bursting of a blood vessel in the brain, and that it must therefore have been instantaneous. No person in the district had a wider and more attached circle of friends than Mr. Blytb, by all of whom his death will be deplored, as occasioning the loss of a most excellent membei of society, a most genial companion, a warmhearted friend, and a consistent Christian. To his amiable widow and family this sudden bereavement must be especially distressing, as from Mr. Blyth's constitution and habits, they might naturally have looked for a long continuance of their domestic felicity.