POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
We have been favoured with important official despatches from New Zealand, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Gilfillan of Auckland. They consist of a despatch from General Pratt to Governor Gore Browne, and an extract from a letter forwarded by Mr. Parris to the Native Se- cretary, with enclosures; and they relate to the action at Mahoetaki on the 6th of November.
General Pratt states that he received information on the 5th, of the march of a body of Waikatos, under the orders of Wetini Taiporutu, " the leading chief of the Maori King movement," to join William King. The Commander-in-Chief at once determined to intercept them, and he therefore marched 600 men on the morning of the 6th to the Mahoetahi pah, directing at the same time the advance of a force from the Waiters under Colonel Mould. Arriving first at Mahoetahi, the General with the 65th, part of the 40th, and some Volunteers, stormed the sea face of the line of entrenchments, and drove the Natives upon their main body, posted in a swamp inland. Then Colonel Mould and Major Nel- son came up ; the Waikatos were assailed in front and flank, attacked hand to hand in the swamp and driven out in complete disorder. They fled along the road to Huirangi, leaving three chiefs and 28 men dead on the field, and five prisoners. Among the dead chiefs was Wetini Taipo- rutu. William King's force, though but five miles distant, took no part in the fight. Our loss was four killed—two soldiers and two young Volunteers, sons of the Reverend H. Brown and Mr. Edgecombe, and sixteen wounded, including Captain Turner and Colonel Sillery. The flying Marines flung away their arms and even their clothing. Their totalloss is estimated at from 80 to 100 killed and wounded.
Mr. Parris gives a general account of the action to the same effect. Among the papers is a letter to Mr. Parris from Wetini Taiporutu, in- viting the British to " come inland and fight," and to " make haste " about it
The .Moniteur of yesterday announced that the negotiations for an armistice at Gaeta have remained without any result. Sardinia declares herself ready to suspend hostilities and the siege works until the 19th instant. The French Admiral informed King Francis II. of this, and invited him to suspend hostilities likewise. The Admiral also declared that should the hostilities cease in consequence of this invitation, the French squadron would immediately quit the waters of Gaeta, leaving only one vessel, which would remain until the expiration of the armistice.
Further advices were received yesterday afternoon from China.
" Foreign Office, Jan. 11.—The following telegram has been received from her Majesty's Consul at Marseilles, dated January 10, 4.50 p. m.— "News from Hong Kong to November 29.
" The treaty has, with the Emperor's consent, been posted over the walls of Pekin, and read by crowds of natives, astonished at the Imperial con- descension.
" The whole army had left Pekin, and excepting 1500 men waiting at Hosewoo, reached Tien-tsin by the 17th. " Ceremonial visits have been exchanged at Imperial Palace between Prince Kung and English and French Ambassadors. " Mr. Bruce introduced to Prince Kung by Lord Elgin on the 8th. " On the 9th, Lord Elgin and Mr. Bruce left Pekin (accompanied ?) by staff, for Tien-tsin.
" Mr. Adkins is the sole remaining British official at Pekin, and will make preparations for Mr. Bruce's residence there.
Mr. Bruce will winter at Tien-tain.
" Count Ignatief is established at Pekin for the winter. " Many of the; troops which left Taku Forts on the 19th had already reached Hong Kong. General Napier arrived on the 27th. The Chesapeake, with Admiral Hope, daily expected. " Admiral Jones, it is said, proceeds to Japan.
"No mention inade of any hurricane or naval disaster in Chinese waters.
(Signed) "EDwAan MARE, British Consul."
The Alaniletsr announces that a plot of ground in the interior of the city of Canton has been granted by the Chinese Government as a site for a Catholic Church.
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