THE Evening Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1869.
It is very pleasant to read the Northern journals now-a-days, for they at length seem to have gob over their fright, and S] leak in hopeful terms of the prospect of peace with the Maoris. The Wellington Evening East, writing on this subject, introduces it thus : —“ After “ years of doubt and apprehension in “ regard to our relations with the Na- “ five race, it seems as if a better order “ of tilings were being established, and “ the strain on our energies kept up to “ meet impending danger might with “ safety be relaxed. The war is no “ longer the all-engrossing theme of “ thought or conversation, and we have “ leisure to look around and see how
“ we can best repair the losses we have “ sustained during its continuance. “ The insurgent Natives are evidently “ beaten ; the tribes who were vacil- « lating are cowed ; and the idea of u driving the Pakeha into the sea, once “ so warmly cherished, has exploded. “ No one can deny that the present “ Ministry have been most successful “ since they assumed office. Fortune “ seems to have favored them in every 11 way ; but it must be allowed that they “ have to a certain extent reaped a crop “ that was sown by their predecessors. It is not surprising that this turn in native affairs has taken place. If the present Ministry has been successful, the success has resulted not so much • from any change of policy, so far as the conduct of the war is concerned, but the evidence that has been given during their short term of office of sterner determination and energy than has ever been shown before. There has ever been a degree of pusillanimity and absence of the commonest prudence in dealing with the Native race, and worst of all there have always been too_ many men interested in the perpetuation of the war. It is somewhat singular that co incident with the determination to fix the cost of future operations upon the North Island, there had been an almost immediate change in Northern affidrs. It does not follow that that determination is the sole operative cause. The expression of it is, however, evidence of the temper of the Executive, and shows that they are not disposed to pander to those men who have hitherto, to some extent pulled the strings. If the Han bans are defea ted in consequence of the operations-begun by the Stafford Ministry, or prepara tions made, the coup-da- f/race has been given, by the change that has been made in the attitude of the Government towards the Maoris. Without expressing any opinion as to the justice of the sentences passed upon the Native prisoners, the prosecutions may perhaps be defensible on the score of expediency. The sugar and blanket policy has ever proved a failure in dealing with uncivilised or half civilised tribes. Themselves, devoid of all generosity, holding altogether a different code from that of feeding enemies, kindness is lost upon them. They are incapable of selfreproach, or self-condemnation at the ingratitude in murdering those who have presented them gifts. To return good for evil, is to them, a sign of cowardice in the donor, notwithstanding he may be the victor, and therefore, it may prove to be the better policy to punish them for the sin of treason, although the convictions may be founded upon a fiction. At any rate, just or unjust, it is a sign of consciousness of strength that is veiy likely to act beneficially on the minds of those who acknowledge no law but that of force. But if, as this result proves, the Colony is fully equal to its own defence, why on earth should even the proposal of raising regiments in England he entertained 1 It is abundantly evident that the simple adaptation of means to an end, is quite sufficient to meet any emergency that may in future arise. It cannot be too stcdfastly borne in mind that the reverses from which the Colony has been suffering were wholly the consequence of unpreparedness. The horde of maurauders that created such a panic have met with no sympathy from their Native brethren, most' of whom, like sensible fellows, seems much more inclined to cultivate their potato patches than to turn out and tight. The few hundreds of men raised in the Colony with their Native allies, have done their work. Not a soldier of the 18th Regiment has moved from his quarters to help, and there is no reason to think that tire mass of the Natives sympathise with the band of thieves and murderers who have so disgracefully frightened the North Island for so long a time. It may be replied, perhaps, that the knowledge that the Queen’s troops -were in the Colony, was quite sufficient to keep the Natives in check. Anyonemaybe excused for doubting it. The Natives usually have been pretty well informed as to the real state of affairs, and as the Imperial troops will cost the Colony forty pounds per man per annum, it becomes a matter of question whether the money would not bo better spent on an effective than a mere representative force. Ihe idle dream of importing Ghoorkas will, wc trust, now bo dismissed. It should ever be remembered that there is no reason to imagine for a moment that the Maoris are not equally effective soldiers as Ghoorkas, and there is every reason to know that a well-trained, highly disciplined force of picked Europeans, with the best anus, are more than equal to live times their number ol any savage tribe ever yet arrayed against them. If Europeans require a higher rate of pay, they are cheaper in the end, more reliable, more intelligent, more under control. Such a force
is now in course of organisation. Whether the Colony likes it or not, the self-reliant policy is forced upon it, and, for the first time since it was instituted, it is to be fairly tried. Mr Stafford’s
practical reading of it was to let the Colony drift into anarchy, and then organise a force. The Fox Ministry, though professedly abandoning sehreliance, are really showing its capability. We are not sanguine enough to imagine that there will be no moie Maori disturbances. So long as the race exists in numbers, so long will there be outbreaks. But the energy shewn by the present GrO\eminent forms so striking a contrast to the vacib lation and snpinenoss of the last, that it is not by any means likely the future Native disturbances will be other than partial and easily dealt with.
The Commissioner of Police. —Mr Weldon leaves for Dunedin by the Tararua to-morrow morning. The Colonial Treasurer. —We understand that Mr Vogel is a passenger by the Claud Hamilton, which is due here tomorrow. Ho is at void€ to Sydney to attend the inter-colonial conference to be bold there next mouth. A Freak op Nature.— Mr G. Maddison has shown us a chicken which was hatched two days ago, with four legs a:id three wings, the other paris of its hotly being perfect. A gentleman of the town says it is of the Dorking breed. Immigration. —ln the Canterbury Porvincial Council, a resolution was passed, that in the opinion of the Conned, the sum of money that might bo voted for immigration expenditure for the next twc.ve months should bo confined principally to the introduction of respectable single women. Symptoms of Peace—The northern Native.! seem to be turning over a new leaf. The II ■ r aii;/nnui Chronicle reports : —The Manawatu Haulians are erecting a flour miP on their laud on the Drama stream. Ihe valley of the Oraua is the very home of the native flax, and persons wishing to enter on the new iudiistry of dressing that material, may obtain the necessary land and water power on favorable terms. Cricket. —The match, Press v. Stage, played on Saturday, resulted in a victory for the latter of 13 runs. Cur report in Saturday’s issue gave it as an easy victory for the Press. When our reporter left the ground at four o’clock, the Press had it all their own W ay, and a defeat seemed all hut impossible. But the gl rious unccriainty of cricket was again displayed. The Stage contrived to get 10(5 runs in' their innings, and the Press, which only required 413 to win, only succeeded in making 39 runs in their second innings.
The Maori Prisoners. —ln the Canterbury Provincial Council on the 20th instant, on the motion of Mr Joliie, it w.as resolved, “That having regard to the cost which will be incurred in making provision for the safe keeping of the Maori prisoners, and the feeling of insecurity which would arise from their {.presence, unless {precautions were taken which would be beyond the means of the Province, tiiis Council is unable to advise bis Honor to comply with the request of the Colonial Secretary. ’’ New Industry. —lt must be gratifying to everyone interested in the prosperity of'ldic Colony to know that the preparation of native flax is now becoming an established industry in nearly every Province of New Zealand. In a short time it is anticipated that it will become a staple export to England ; and as there is practically no limit to the demand, wo may confidently hope that itt* prcpai'iition will emplo}’ thousands. We had a few days ago the pleasure of inspecting one of Price’s machines, which has been procured from Mr J. Manning, Dunedin, by Mr Lawson, of Milton, It is now in operation at the Helensbrook Mills, occupied by Messrs Sanderson and Co., and is found admirably adapted for the economical dressing of flax. It seems a very compact and strong machine, although it only admits of a single leaf, yet as it revolves about 1,000 times a minute, nearly 25 cwt. can bo done in a day. The leaf passes between a crimped and plan roller, and is stripped or cleaned by ribs or heaters, which are lixed diagonally upon a drum. ■—Bruce Standard. Court of Appeal. —Sittings of the Court of Appeal were held on Monday last, before the following Judges His Honor Sir G. A. Arney (Chief Justice), their Honors Mr Justice Johnston, Mr Justice Gresson, and Mr Justice Ward, fin addition to the Attorney-General and Mr Travers the bar ■was represented by Messrs Garrick from Christchurch, Smith and Macassey from Dunedin, and Wilson from Napier. 'The following motions were disposed of; —/n re Thomas Smith—Hole nm obtained last Tuesday by Mr Travers for leave to appeal against an order in bankruptcy made by Mr Justice Johnston at Napier. To-day the AttorneyGeneral showed cau-e against the rule, which was discharged with costs, the Court being unanimous that the necessary course for appeal had not been taken within the twentyone days prescribed by the statute. In re Rhodes and another, ex parte— Messrs '1 ravers and Garrick appeared in this case. This was an application by Mr 1 ravers to enlarge the rule nisi, on the ground that, in consequence of the stress of weather, he (Mr Travers) had not as yet received notice whether service of the rule had been effected or not. Buie enlarged. —Bcenhuj Post.
This evening Mrs "W oodrofie takes iicr benefit at the exhibition of the American Glasshlowors at the Masonic Hal!. We do not know any exhibition more pleasing and curious than that of the Gla=sblowcis. To see one of the most brittle of substances moulded into beautiful forms, by .simple processes, as if it were sealing wax, is at once curious and interesting ; and in addition to the attractiveness of tire work itself, there is machinery in glass simplified by its transparency, that the working of the separate parts can he witnessed. Valuable prizes will he distributed to-night—one worth ten guineas, and many o'hers'that will be much valued by those who obtain them. Mr Sykes will play selections from “JN r oi ma" during the evening. Those who have neglected to see the exhibition should attend to-night. We are glad to learn that to-morrow an opportunity wi 1 beatlorded to the people of Dunedin to give Mr Bartlett a benefit worthy of his merit. Mr Bartlett was most unfortunate on Friday. A combination of unforeseen circumstances prevented many who admire him as an actor being present to support him. We hope there will be nothing
to prevent it to-morrow, and trust that Mr Bartlett will have what he so well deserves a full house. The pieces announced are ‘ ‘ London Assurance ” and ‘ ‘ The Jealons Wife.” The latter is a most admirable comedy, and is admirably played.
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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2019, 25 October 1869, Page 2
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2,105THE Evening Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1869. Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2019, 25 October 1869, Page 2
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