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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 3 October 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

Ihe events for the past month have neither been few nor unimportant. It is true we are not called upon to record vicissitudes of actual conflict in the battle field ; but then the history of a people is not traced in crimson characters alone, neither are thetriumphs of a nation confined to its military achievements. New Zealand is at present free from strife. The natives and settlers are content to look at each other in the face, in a friendly way ; and we hope this mutual good feeling may long subsist between the races. Still, although the shock of battle is not heard in our land, the political horizon is overcast. Dark clouds hang heavily around ; and we may not deceive ourselves into the pleasing belief that they will dissipate in the pure asthcr of tranquil repose and undoubted obedience to law and order, until they shall have discharged the lightnings of their wrath, and given utterance to the solemn voices of their echoing thunders. We are silently preparing for the struggle ; and if it should come we will not bo wanting in the completeness of our arrangements. Ihe soldiers who march through our streets, the war horses, and artillery and baggage waggons daily traversing our thoroughfares, and the activity observable in all the military departments, confirm the belief that the plans ol the General commanding her Majesty’s forces here are being rapidly matured. field batteries are being packed with grape shot and canister, and the commissariat and land transport corps are all but thoroughly organized. It is possible, even yet, that the Maoris may decline trying conclusions with us ; but that is hardly probable, judging from the whole tenor of their conduct, and the most recent intelligence. Ihe clerical “ procession” to the Waikato, to which reference was made in our last, was partially undertaken, and proved a signal failure. It is seldom gentlemen of “the cloth ” admit an absolute failure ; but we have good authority for staling that the two clergymen who left Auckland last month to reason the Waikatos into the belief that the white settlers are not their mortal enemies (which they never imagined in reality), and that the object of the government was to promote the joint good of both races, have returned with the settled conviction that the “King’s evil” can only be cured by a capital operation. The Maori regalia is not a poetical idea—it is more tham an aspiration after “ municipal institutions and local self-government,” which was stated to be the real object. The ample folds of the red-and-white Hag recently floated over a large native gathering at Poverty Hay, which the death of a chieftain was the cause of assembling ; and the expression used on that occasion, as reported to us, leave no doubt whatever regarding the intentions of the people in the matter of Maori nationality. In many places the same rebel flag floats : and while the natives do not declare war against us, they decline to accede to the terms of submission, prohibit 1* uropeans going on their lands, and declare (hat all intercourse, so far ns the Taranak s ami Ngatiruanuis are concerned, must cease.