WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2219, 15 June 1865, Page 5

WANGANUI.

RESUMPTION OF THE CAMPAIGN. (FKOir OUR OWN COIUtESrONDENT). June 9, 18G5. Se many parade states of forces marching out doing nothing and then inarching back again, have, during the la-st few months, been presented to your readers, that I fear that a repetition of the dose would be attended with nausea. However, as the public expect to be informed of everything that occurs, I suppose I must let you know that between seven and eight hundred men of all ranks, under the command of Brigadier-General Waddy, inarched, on Tuesday last, from town to !Nukumaru. They halted at Alexander's farm, BLai-whi, the same afternoon, intending to resume their march at 1 o'clock in the morning when the tide would be out, and they would be able to get along the beach. It rained so heavily that evening as to stop them for marching any farther that night, tut they have since reached their destination safely. Various rumors are current as to the cause and effects of Campaign No. 2 ; some say that a redoubt is to be erected near the old camping ground at Nukuniavu, others, who, I think, arc nearer the mark, say that the forces have marched out to form a post of observation to see Major Von Tempsky's men, assisted by the Native Contingent, take Wereroa Pa. There certainly is a probability of such a movement, but still I hope that none of your readers will imagine that such is certain. Speculating upon military movements is nothing less than gambling, and, therefore, although I have ventured at the probability of anything being done, still the fall of that " impregnable fortress" would be an agreeable surprise. Major Von Tempsky and men are now (or will be) down at Waitotara directly. I have heard to-day that tho Yeomanry Cavalry are for the future to be under the gallant Major's command, for which I can assure you the men will not be sorry, indeed they are not the only ones who would gladly be relieved from any connection with the Wanganui Militia Office. By this time the consummation of the " grand coast inarch" must be accomplished by the opening of couirnunicationg between Colonel Warre, C.8., who was at Te Namu. and Colonel Weare, who was marching from Waingoro to meet him. All this might have been done months' ago easily with a small body of men ; but how could it be expected to be done quickly when such a large body had to be moved from place to place, and two or three hundred hoi'ses were insufficient to carry their food, &c. I onl} r hope that the Weld Ministry will stick to their present scheme, and then a brighter era may, perhaps, dawn upon the land. I have a serious complaint to make against you or the Wellington postal authorities. Manv weeks lately we have received no Wellington papers by the overland mail, and have sometimes been a fortnight without any at all. The excuse given was, that the contractor would not take more than the prescribed weight, and, therefore, they were only sent per steamer. Now, however, they don't 1 seem, to send them by steamer, for, on the arrival of the Wanganui, on Thursday last, your subscribers here were much disgusted at not getting your Tuesday's issue. I asked the Captain of the Wanganui why he had not brought them as he left on Wednesday afternoon. He told me that he went to the Wei lington Post-Office for the mails, and told them that he should be in Wanganui before the Storm Bird, which was also to start for here the same afternoon. But it was no use, they put the mail on board the Storm Bird, and up to this time (Friday evening) she has not arrived. The letters of the consignees of goods by the Wanganui are on board the Storm Bird, so you can judge what inconvenience it occasions ; with respect to your journal you cannot expect your subscribers to continue if they are not to get their papers regularly. The new Provincial Secretary (Mr Halcombe) is up here just now. Ido not anticipate any opposition to his re-election, but it is very hard to tell what might turn up at the last moment. Turakina village is getting up a petition to the Superintendent to be made a township, and I have no doubt that their prayer will be granted for although at present small perhaps, it is the centre of a flourishing population. The brig Lady Denison, laden with commissariat flour, bound for Manakau, and one of the finest vessels that has entered the river, was being towed out over the bar by the s.s. Hoa, when the tow-rope broke and the vessel was carried down on the south breakers. Fatigue parties of soldiers have been sent down to unload her at low water, and nearly if not quite all of her flour has been saved, but the vessel, I am afraid, will bo a total wreck. She is very near the place where the Prince Alfred lay.