NELSON.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 30, 29 February 1844, Page 3

NELSON.

(F»om the Nelson Examiner.) The Gazette of January 31, furnishes the following particulars of the interview between the Governor and the settlers at Wellington : The first subject discussed, 'and that which is most painful and embarrassing, was the VVairau massacre. The views of bis Excellenoy will be found in <he reply. To these he adhered, but stated, he purposed seeking further information at Nelson, and that then lit* would be enabled to decide whether a judicial inquiry ought or ought not to take place. \Ve hope and trust his Excellency will be convinced of the necessity of a judicial inquiry, ns we deem it aiike essential to the best interests of the native population aid to the satisfaction of the feelings of the friends of the clact ased. “The next gubjeot was that upon which the progress of New Zealaud rest*. It, we need hardly observe, was the Land Question. His Excellency stated that he had arranged the settlement of this vital question with the Company's Agent. It had been determined that the pa’s and cultivated grounds should be excepted, and that compensation should be made to the natives in cases where such was evlc dently due ; and that, should the amount of compensation required exceed the sum which the Com* patty’s Agent might feel authotised to draw, his Exocllency would render all the assistance necessary to complete the arrangement; but as a consequence, lie would feel bound to abstain from grants iug tUe Company any title to any lands until the matter had been satisfactorily arranged between her M-jelly's Government aud the New Zealand Company. He, however, anticipated no difficulty, for be was sure the settlement of the question would be pursued in a proper spirit. We may add ilia’, should titles not be. granted, which we do not anticipate, as the Mao ies would lie satisfied, this would not interfere with the settler* occupying their lands. In telation to the satisfaction of the natives, the question was put distinctly to hi* Excellency whether, such having taken place, and should they then mo'est the settlers, would he protect them against molestation? And it was received in rep'y that his Excellency felt confident that peaceable occupation won dbe allowed; but, if it were not, which ha could not believe, be would feel bownd to protect the irttier in the occupation of land to which the Crown title w’oultl then or periecl. " The foregoing are indi'p.ifibly the two great questions. The deputation also submitted all the other questions which they cons d -red of importance to the colomsi*, and received moil satisfactory answers. Not only did h:s Exo lleucy cot avoid discussion, but lie iiivut'd it in every possible manner. The deputation took every pains to tbsprl unfavorable impressions winch his Excellency had ie«pt-et-ing the Settlers, and we believe witb success. Altogether, we consider the interview to have been most saiisfaclOr*. " Of his Excellency we would slato we consider lie entertains several incorrect opinions levpecting the relationship of ihtr native and European population, but that such is the respect he b&- raised in obr minds for bis honest, manly, straightforward conduct, that when lie is convinced lie holds an erroneous opinion, he will ha.ten to abandon it, and evince by his act* the change which lut taken place. “The colonists rued not fear that His Kxeel* lency will allow any private statements to be mode to their disadvantage* Who* ver makes a s alt* ment to His Excellency will find it necessary lo maintain the assertion. This ia a great guarantee against the mischievous influences which are so oltcn used saeo<-sis folly in small colonies. Further we may real assured that we shall never find in his Excellency’s despatches to the Colonial Office stronger expressions ihan he ha* uttered in public. Oo the contrary, we are couviuced bis Excellency will avow to u» liia disp easuie in atrouger terms than he will address to the Hume Government. From what we have seen of bis Excellency, we are satisfied that hi* honourable feelings will ever pra* vent him from taking advantage, in any contest, of 'he superiority which hi* position affords him over the coloui»ti of New Zealand. ** In conclusion, we would stale we art conf» dent Ilia Excellency will make due allowance for the intensely painful feeling* which exist at Nelson respecting tbe Waiiau Catastiophr. The Settlers there mourn, a* with a lover a fenlmg, the l<>a* of tlielr most admired and admirable hadeis. No good man can Dave been acquainted wiib many who tell on that fatal day without expetivneing a tense of bereavementr and, ouuld hi* Excellency have witnessed the prostratioo whirb uus exhibited upon the melancholy eveut being announced, he would alike iexpect 'he community that could so duly appreciate such worth and, sympathising with them, admit it will take years before Hie saddening feeling can b• sufficiently so teiied down tomible them tu hear a word of censure without a sense of wrong to the memory of the d«ad. The fetliogs cherished at Nelson all must led ate alike a credit to the departed aorl to the living." A biief conversation en«ued between bis ExcelLucy an.l the lion. C. A. Dillon, when his Excellency retired for the purpose of giving the magistraiesa p ivste interview, wiiicb wasof considerable duiation. We are unable to repoit what pH-Sed, a* the meeting was piivate, but we Uiideistand that bis Excellency informed the four gentlemen who sigoetl the warrant lor tile appieheusion of Raupural a and Hanghiaiiatt, that he would omit their names fiom tbe utxt list, aud tLa> ltarew of them immediately tendered their resignation. In the evening hi* Exocllency went on board, huj wax again on shore on Thursday morning, and gave in erviews to several piivate individuals. Mr. M’Donald, ,f. P. who had returned from a country excursion t>ut tbe previous evening, on becoming acquainted with what had transpired, likewise tendered his resignation. Although lie hud not s-gueil the warianl alluded to, yet, h*viug seted throughout widi the other magwtiates, he felt Idiust-lf 11*'plicated in the censure. In the course ot the day his Kxuelleiicy received a deputation Irom ibe working classes, slid, after a path nt heatmg, promt ed to enquire into Ihrir complaints and see theui the day.

On Friday bis Excellency, alter transacting private business, again saw the deputation from the working classes. He assured them that he would endeavonr to promote their interests in every possible way, so long as they conducted themselves with propriety, hut cautioned them against any acts of turbulance or misconduct. The deputation thanked his Excellenoy, and promised to o»e their best efforts witli their fellow workmen.

His Excellency afterwards met the natives at ptescui in Nelson, consisting chiefly of visitors from Wuukapuaka and a few from Massacre Bny. After shaking bands with the oliiets Eroano, Ereno, and Paramatta, his Excellency said it was the desire of his sovereign to benefit their Condition by promotiug their spiritual and temporal welfare. He was prepared to support them in thejust occupation of Iheir land, and to see they were not deprived of th* ir pahs and cultivated lands, nor oi any land which had not been legally gold. His Excellency hlso told them that he should take equal care that his own countrymen suffered no molestation from them—it was his wish to do justice to both races; and endeavoured to impress them with an idea of tbe mighty and inesistible power which England, if ntotssary, would aend to his a-aisu ance. The chiefs were then invited to confer with his Excellency. After a slimt pause, Par amatta rose, and in » brief conversation wuh his Excellency, expressed his desire to sell land, and claimed payment for YVsika'u (Nelson) and the Wairoea ! Tbe Rev. C. L. Reay, who sat with bis f xcellency, immediately assured him lb it this was the hrst time fie bad ever heard the validity ol the sale of those places denied ; that, on the coo* irary, they (pointing to the natty s of Waukapuaka, ot whom Paramatta is a chief,) had often ads milted, when in conversation with bun, that it had bien lairly sold. His Excellency told them that the present was not the time to inve-tigate those matters, but that, as soon as Mr. Spain and Mr. CUike had completed their labours at Wellington, they woiildsmiiiedUicly visit Nelson nod investigate and fettle the claims in this district. The following gentlemen had an interview with the Governor—'Jes«rs. Fox, Jollie, Msc-liane, Heaphy, Otters..n, Greenwood, White, Elliott] Tnokett, Stephens, F«aron, and Budge. The ii.» ttrview had bieu soluite.l, to learn the view, ol his Excellency on sevenl important matters affecting the welfare rtf the co*ony, and we slate with pleasure that on .hU occasion the fullest in' lormatiWn was tmdih gi»eu. On tbe subject ol tbe W aiiao msssacr*-, und of bringing ti c mars derers to jostice, bis Excellency siated a< some length thedifft.-uli e* which beset the questioo, and •'•at. in his own estimation, our couufrymen bail brought the calamity ou themselves by their illegal conduct. W e regret to say that l.iv Exctllency gave but little reason to Lope that any judicial inquiry into the mailer would take place. It was Ins attention to visit NVaikauae oil bis way to Wellington, and, with the assistance of the Rev. Mr. llaifield, make tuiiher inquiries among the x«t 1 ves engaged in the unhappy affair. It was his intention I•• assemble the chiefs, make them acquainted with the power be pnisessed of calling to In* aid an iiresisible f.uce m a just causa, and warn them ut the consequences to themselves of committing funliei outrages on Europeans. His Ex. cellenry gave the strongest assurances that Hie land claims sbonld be speedily settled, and that settlers also is let then rrr<ive qvrry protection tbe law could afford to in-tire liiein peaceablo oooupa* lion. He admitted ilia* it was desiafile tbat small military force should be permanently ata noned here, and would atrooyly urge the subject ou the Home Government * bat lie was strictly forbidden to subdivide that which was at present in the colony. His Excellency had evidently entertained the idea that the people of Nelson were unfavouiably, if not uncharitably, disposed towards tbe natives. This impression, we have reason to think, has beeu removed. The unilorin forbearance aud very general kiudtiess with which they have been treated by tbe inhabitants of Nelson, even ainoe the event which might bave been expected to generate levs charitable feelings, would indeed be ill requited by such a misapprehension of ibo sentiments and conduct of the settlers. At tbe olose of a long interview, the impir-sion left ou the minds of all present was, that, although hit Excellency differed with many on some qnr*. lions, he would carry out honestly aud learlesaly whatever measures he deemed necessaiy for the public good, and that the prosperity of the colony was his chief aim.