Wellington Independent TUESDAY, 13th MAY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3803, 13 May 1873, Page 2

Wellington Independent TUESDAY, 13th MAY.

The latest information received by the Government last night from the Waikato was that the alarm which had at first been created had almost entirely subsided, and was confined to the settlers on the extreme limits of the boundary of the Aukati line. On Sunday night the patrols arranged by the Government in the disturbed district made a thorough investigation of the neighborhood, and found no evidence of anything likely to cause uneasiness. The Government are taking every possible precautionary measure to prevent any outbreak. The chances are that within a few days the band of Hauhaus that originated the disturbance and the worst of the King natives will be so far isolated as to be harmless for any evil outside their district. Reinforcements have been gathered in the district, and there is reasonable ground for concluding that for the present at least no fear of hostilities need be apprehended. As showing the feeling of other tribes, we may state that Mr Commissioner Clark, who has arrived from the North, reports that the Ngapuhis, and in fact all the natives to the north of Auckland, express in strong terms their disgust at the recent outrages, and the Government receive each day assurances from leading chiefs in other parts of the colony to the same effect.

Dr Pollen, who recently consented to become a member of the Government, was sworn in yesterday. It is not as yet definitely settled what portfolio he will hold, but we have reason to believe that he will assume that of PostmasterGeneral.

Some time ago we announced that there was a probability of the Auckland Islands being occupied under a lease from the Government by Dr. Monckton, of InvercargUl. We are not aware whether the arrangements for his occupation of those islands have been finally settled. Should they not be, however, there is no doubt that the lease of the islands themselves will become a matter for considerable competition amongst persons desirous of carrying on either whale or seal fishing. In support of this statement we may say that an application is now before the Government asking for a lease of the barren islands south of Stewart's Island called the Snares, for the purpose of carrying on sealing operations. The applicant undertakes either to reside upon the spot i himself or to place a person there to re- | present his interests ; also to refrain from hunting the seals during the breeding season ; to establish a provision depot for shipwrecked crews ; and to afford every facility o the Government for the erection of any lighthouse they may think necessary to place there. Some idea of the value of these islands may be gathered from the fact that they are the resort, during certain seasons, of both American and Tasmanian whalers, who slaughter every season immense numbers of seals, which are of course taken away from the colony, and nothing in the shape of revenue derived therefrom. It is understood also that there is a considerable deposit of guano on one or other of the islands, as they are the resort of innumerable flocks of sea fowl, a circumstance which was noticed by Commander Stokes in his survey of the colony. While the Italian frigate Vettor Pisani was at Auckland recently, the agent for the General Government, acting upon a request of the Hon the Premier, sent on board as a present to the Captain, Count G. Lovera di Maria, a collection of photographs, and two coils of phormium rope, the Count having promised that during the return voyage of the frigate to Italy, the rope shouLt be tested and a report made to the Government upon its qualities. The photographs were principally of public buildings in the city of Auckland, and of noted scenes in the province. Dr Pollen, in the letter which accompanied them, stated that the portraits which were included were of "Maori chiefs whose names, in connection with the early European settlement of New Zealand, have an historical interest" in Auckland ; and he expressed the regret of the Government that the views did not include some of the beautiful scenery in the other provinces, and especially the provinces of the Middle Island. The latest volume of " Statistics of New Zealand" was also presented. Count Lovera, in acknowledging the presentation, said he trusted and believed the photographs would "please very much in Italy, and remind him of his pleasant meeting in Auckland with his Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Ministers" of the colony. He added that he cordially reciprocated "the cordial good feeling testified to himself and his staff by the Government and citizens of this great colony, for which he anticipates a great future." Count Lovera and some of his officers visited the Thames during the stay of the frigate in Auckland ; and meeting there several Maori chiefs, a "good time" was apparently passed, and several presents were made. Before sailing, the Count addressed a letter to Wi Tako Ngatata, Wi Katene, Paora Tuahere, Hore Hukatu, and Wi Parata, thank-.

ing them for "specimens of the products of your industry, made of flax, which you have sent, to be seen and examined by the people of my country." He added that he should long remember "the pleasant meeting had at Thames ;" and that he hopes to meet the chiefs in Italy, so that he may have the pleasure of showing them " the same kindness and courtesy" shown by them to himself and his officers.

It will be remembered that Mr Casey, the Minister of Lands for the Colony of Victoria,, recently made a tour through New Zealand, and on his return to Melbourne published a narrative of his travels, in which he gave rather an extravagant account of the dangers which he supposed he escaped in his journey through the hot springs district at i Taupo. The inaccurracy of his state- j ments was at once discovered in New Zealand, and elicited certain comments not very favorable to Mr Casey's powers of observation during his journeys in New Zealand. The Government have received from Mr Casey a letter expressing his regret that anything he should have written should have created an impression at all unfavorable to the colony. He excuses himself by saying that he had confounded the circumstances of the district before it was thrown open to Europeans with those of the present time ; that he thanks the Government for the extreme courtesy and attention paid to him during his visit ; and his colleagues join with him in those expressions. He further states that he has no doubt that New Zealand, and the lake country generally, will become a favorite resort for Victorian tourists who may pay the colony a visit.