The Auckland Chronicle. Wednesday, November 22, 1843.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 16, 22 November 1843, Page 2

The Auckland Chronicle. Wednesday, November 22, 1843.

jWe approach with reluctance the consideration of the aspect of affairs at Nelson, as set forth to us in the local papers which arrived by the last Southern mail. It is we regret to say of a most unpromising nature. But these papers contain details of proceedings appear to us so lamentably suici-

dal, so worthy of the poor inhabitants of BecHam, that they cannot be passed over in silence. On the return of the gentlemen deputed by the settlers of Nelson, to communicate the sentiments of their fellow Colonists to the Officer Administering the Government, a public meeting was held, and numerous one sided, and partial speeches were made, ad tending to one result. The placing the conduct of Government in the very worst, and that of the speakers in the very best light possible. We are aware that there are occasions on which the wisest men are mad, and the multitude, extending this proposition indefinitely, not unfrequenty take the persons who are guilty of the maddest actions and make the maddest assertions for the wisest men, and follow tlieir lead accordingly : and thus it would seem to have happened in the present case.

Their original intention we take it for granted, was to endeavour to bring to justice the offenders, whoever they might be. But with their feelings highly wrought, and their resentment wound up to the point at which peop’e generally become utterly blind to the consequences, our fellow Colonists have substituted the word “ maori,” for ‘ offender/’ and are taking the readiest way to convert New Zealand in one vast Battle Field.

Every allowance must be made for men who have lost valued and intimate friends, and those friends the leading spirits of the Settlement ; and at first we can easily imagine that a desire to revenue the death of their countrymen at any’risk, at any sacrifice, was paramount. It was with us, we confess. But in time reason resumes her sway, and the reflection of a cooler moment must convince all parties, that the present is not the time for allowing such feelings to overcome more prudential ones, unless we would see more valuable lives sacrificed, and va'uable blood shed in a country which it shon ! d he the boast of England to have co'onized by very different means.

But to return to the settlers at Nelson, whom we left busily spouting big words of wrath against the Go, ernment. In the height of then* frenzy they became subject to the haduemation that Raiipara’ia had associated with himseif several “ other spirits worse than himself,” and was about making a descent on their Sett ement. We wid not stop to explain, only this was not at all likely. Most of our readers are sufficiently conversant with native usages to know that the number of the killed being larger on the side of the" Europeans; the Nath chad no “ utii" to seek.

To Sir Eretard Home, and Major Richmond, however, the settlers of Nelson sent urgent entreaties for protection, and the North Star immediately repaired thither from Port Nicholson. Sir Everard ascertaining en route, by calling at the retreats of the various Chiefs, who were supposed to be about to attack the Settlement, that nothing was to be feared from that quarter. But not content with exposing themselves to their fellow Settlers and the constituted authorities, the Settlers of Nelson send off a Requisition to the > Governor of Van Dieman's Land ; who having most kindly and promptly, and at considerable expence, sent them the required succours, by instructing the Emerald Isle, with 100 Troops, to touch at that Port on her way to Sydney, will now find from the report of the Officer in Command, that the good Burghers have been crying “Wolf/ when there was no danger. Being then, as they very properly term themselves, and as our readers taking into consideration the Military Post at Wellington, the presence of the North Star, with Troops, the visit of the Emerald Isle, with Troops, &c., will no doubt agree in thinking them

totally unprotected, they now determine to call in Foreign Aid. But most unhappily M. Berard is on his way to Sydney. ‘'Well, but the Meeting/’ we think we hear our readers say, “You are exceedingly discussive, what of this notable meeting” P Simply good people the Sheriff, the multuude, and the Magistrates, in a pet, determine to pass a vote of censure on the Government. It is contained in the following sentence

“ Proposed by Mr. Stafford, and seconded by Mr. Graham,” &c.

“ 5. That this meeting hereby expresses its total want of confidence in the persons at present at the head of the Government, from a conviction that they are unfit to administer the same to the honour of the British Crown and the general benefit of the colony.” Very natural that people who have no confidence in themselves, should feel none in others, and that they should forget bow much cause their proceedings must have given the Government which they censure to use confidence in them. Mutato nomine de te fabuba narratur.

The subject scarcely deserves pursuing further. We only regret that the Settlers on the Waimea and Motuaka, can find nothing better to do than to ride or run over to Ndson, and disturb the minds of the lower classes, and the general peace of (he place with childish fears, and public meetings to hold up to ridicule, nay more, to injure most vitally in the opinions of intending Immigrants, their own beautiful Settlement.