NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 120, 1 June 1863, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[From the Daily Southern Cross, May IS.] Aftkii the soldiers had been murdered at Taranaki, a forcible-feeble letter, wnich we have published already and commented upon, was written at the dictation of the Governor, by the In alive Minister, and entrusted to Mr. Kogan to bo delivered to the so-called Maori King in person. The contents of the letter we need not repeat. Mr. Kogan started on ids journey, with considerable misgivings : and having gone on a fool's errand he received a fool’s answer. A mild narrative of this journey was published in our contemporary yesterday, and we will supply the naked truth. Mr. Kogan and his party were stopped at Kangiriri by the soldiers of the King and subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny. Their clothes and baggage were searched, and every document in their possession was carefully scanned. The natives then discussed the propriety of allowing them to proceed farther up the river, when it was ultimately decided that they might go. But these wore not the only indignities to which they were subjected. On arriving at Ngaruawhia they were not kindly received, as stated ; and Mr. Kogan entirely failed in the object of his visit, which was to hand the letter to the so-called King in person, and from his own lips receive a disclaimer in regard to the massacre. They were met, however, by an athletic court official—Grand Chamberlain we presume—who refused Mr. Kogan admittance to “ the presence,” and insisted on having the letter delivered to him. To this Mr. Kogan demurred ; when the Grand Chamberlain (who stood ever so many inches, we have been told, over six feet without his boots, if ho had any), intimated that he would bundle him and his letters out of the King’s dominions, if he insisted upon intruding on the King, contrary, wo suppose to court etiquette. The letter -was delivered up to the royal attendant and a very able answer was returned that they could not reply to this letter until their own mail arrived from Taranaki, giving the native version of the affair. They would not believe the “ word of the Governor,” backed by the signature of the Hon. Dillon Bell, unless it was corroborated by a Maori authority. Mr. Kogan returned to Auckland, and left by the Eclipse yesterday, for Taranaki, to report himself to his Excellency. We suppose the report will be considered “ highly satisfactory,” all being “quiet” at Ngaruawahia. Fortunately wc can again lift the veil from this Waikato district, which has often before been lifted by our own correspondents in that country. They were the chroniclers of truth, and for that reason they were denounced by the newspapers who charge the Taranaki settlers with hounding the Government on to a bloody war. The “ aspirations of the native race ” in Waikato, “after law and order,” arc becoming stronger than over. They are throwing up extensive earthworks at Kangiriri, commanding the road, and presenting a serio'ns obstacle to a force operating on the Waikato. This is a very harmless affair, some would have us believe, and is intended only for the protection of their cattle—the natives say. An attack on the Queen’s redoubt, by these natives, having their base of operations at the earthwork in question, is not at all an improbable occurence. It is threatened; but we arc glad to find that the military are alive to the danger, and have prepared to give them a warm reception,

should they come. It may chance, however, that as the Waitara has been given up, the Waikatos will recede from their threatening position ; but owing to the disturbed state of their minds, we can hardlv think so.

\V e look upon the captivity of the wives and children of Europeans by the Waikato natives, which has taken place without any expression of public opinion by our European population, as a crime of as black a hue as even the murders at Taranaki. The fate of the half-caste females who have fallen into the hands of their native captors, is such as to excite pity and indignation in the breast of every man of moral principles in the community ; and for these high-handed outrages we hope the Waikato natives will receive condign punishment. These outrages must not be condoned ; and we state them thus pointedly in this narrative, to warn those who are the natural guardians of Maori women and half-caste children, and who may in any way bo exposed to the lawless violence of the native race, to place them betimes in a proposition of security. The European population of Eaglan have provided for the safety of their women and children we learn, from thence the cutter Kate having sailed for the Manukau with from 20 to 23 souls on board, chiefly women and children. The men remain to defend their homes ; and from their district we learnt yesterday that Major Macgregor had applied to the Government for arms and ammunition, as he is resolved to hold the place against all comers. The Government will doubtless comply with this gallant officer’s request.' The arms and ammunition will bo placed at his command by the earliest possible conveyance bv water, we believe, and we confidently expect the Eaglan settlement, which was hitherto considered a weak point, will become a stronghold of the Europeans. We have no fears now for Eaglan, when the women and children are away. There are friendly natives at Eaglan, on whom Major Macgregor relies, in addition to the small force at his command, and the settlers. We also learn that about 200 natives in the Lower Waikato have preferred a request to the Government to be removed out of the district, as they will be compelled to join the King natives through fear, if they remain there any longer. We should hope their request will be granted, and that they will be placed out of harm’s way,, in the Kawau or Motatapu. Altogether wo should say that at no former period have our relations with the native race been worse than they are now. It becomes the duties of the settlers to bo courageous and unanimous in the discharge of their duty, when the storm which has so long threatened bursts over this laud.