AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 214, 16 January 1865, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

THE SACKING OP MR. MEIKLEJOHN’S HOUSE .BY SENENTEEN ARMED MAORIES.

(From the New Zealand Herald , Dec. 29, 1861.) We are now in possession of fuller particulars respecting the outrage at Matakana, which we reported in yesterday’s Herald. It appears that the occurrence did not happen, as we naturally supposed it did, on Christmas Day, but actually on Thursday last, and was reported to his Excellency at the Kawau at once. He took no steps, it seems, in the matter until the Wonga Wonga happened to come to the island where he spends his time in looking after tlje safety and welfare of the Queen’s subjects amongst the beauties of the Kawau.

Seventeen natives armed to the teeth—not one of ‘hern. being escaped rebel prisoners from Kawau, but Northern Natives—came to Mr. Meiklcjohn’s house, in open daylight, and presenting their arms at the inmates, and threatening them with instant death if they resisted, commenced the work of plunder. : At this time Captain Meiklejohn came across to his son’s house, of course unarmed, not thinking that anything of this kind was going on, and remonstrated with the Natives, but in vain. They then proceeded with the work of plunder and father and son retired for assist ance, and having armed themselves and a few other Europeans, returned with the laudable purpose of retaking their property by force of arms. They returned, however, too late. How, wo ask the Government of New Zealand —How long in this state of things to continue ? Are the inhabitants of the North to live under the law of the tomahawk, or under the protection of the Queen ? The time has come when there must be no more shilly shallying in this mailer. Either troops must be at once despatched to protect the Northern settlers in the quiet possession of their homes, or the Northern settlers, must take the matter into their own hands, and without fear and hesitation defend their lives and property, from Maori insolence and Maori aggressions, with the rifle. The settlers of the North must at once organize for self-defence, and arm themselves to enforce respect to the law which the Government is too weak to uphold. When such an aggression as that committed by the Natives on Thursday last is attempted, it must be resisted with arms, and should the, natives succeed in attacking and plundering a settler’s house, where no resistance can bc.mado at the time, the plundering party must be fallowed up by a band of armed settlers, and. the plunder be recaptured. The settlers of , the North have stood by patiently long enough, looking to the Government of the country to protect them, their lives and their property. The Government, has shown itself unable or unwilling to do so, and the time has now arrived when the settlers must take the matter into their own hand , and, when attacked, act in their defence as did the early American settlers against the marauding Indians. .

How much the settlers of Pakiri, and Mahurangi, have had to - put up with Maori violence, has never yet been published —lid is, nevertheless , more shame to them for their present supineness , be it said, well known to the Government. These settlers have for months past lived under the perpetual dread of tile tomahawk. They have been continually subjected to petty plunderings, and when resistance has been : made the tomahawk or the pistol has been resorted to. It is well for the New Zealander to explain away the presentation of a pistol to Mrs. Sankey as merely that of a tobacco pipe pointed at her, but this was no solitary case, was one in. fact of many others which were purposely suppressed lest it should be thought that the settlers were desirous of fomenting strife. We are aware ourselves of several occurrences of this nature which we may now mention. In one case a Maori entered the house of a settler at Matakana, aud , not leaving it. when ordered, very coolly, where ho,then sat, drew out a pistol anil levelled it at the head of the owner of the house, threatening to shoot him ifheattemptedtoturnhim out before he felt inclined to go of his own accord. In another case a settler, having had his place plundered, went up to the Maori encampment to see the chief. . While there, and in conversation with the chief, an insolent Maori rushed Up, tomahawk in hand, and flourishing it about his head, inauded, “ WhaVthe devil do you want hero ?” Within a short time since a settler, wading through Little Omaha Eiver some papers in his hrnd, was stepped by an armed native, who came down from Tawhiti’s pah close by, and was actually not allowed to proceed • until the papers he carried had been examined!

This is but a: sample of the kind of life the settlers of these districts have been leading during the last four months, since the escape of the prisoners from the Kawau. Can -we wonder if they have now come to the resolution of asking Government assistance once more, and, that being refused —or, as on former occasions, shelved—of themselves taking their own defence into their own hands. , The settlers of Matakana and Mahurangi ,are able, if they once take it into hand, to drive Tawhiti, and llemara of Mahurangi, and their people into the sea. A large public meeting of the settlers has been held since,the outrage, and a final appeal has been made to tile Governor, the alternative resolved upon (and let the settlers allow no Government persuasion's tdinducethcm to forego this resolve) is to organize means , for defending themselves and .punisliing'figgcession. The-first step to be taken by the Government is the occupation of the TamaLunga phi), lately vacated. This pah re-occupied by the natives, and the whole country side may be kept by them in inquietude and insecurity, and an .immense sacrifice of life occasioned in driving them out of the position. It ought to he at once

occupied, and a man-of-war (the Sandfly, for instance, which has been ordered (o the South, could have fulfilled the duty admirably) bo kept cruising about these harbors. The determination of the settlers as evinced at the meeting of, we believe, Monday last, is unequivocal. “ Either the Government must afford adequate protection to themselves and their families, or they will take the matter into their own hands.” Let them keep to this resolve. Let them arm and organize. Let them provide places of refuge for the women and children, and let them defend themselves and property ‘ though war be the result. We must not see the inhabitants of a district sacrificed for a sentiment.

This action of the settlers is a pressure which the Governor cannot evade. The time for indecision is past, and if the war in the North assume the character of a settler’s war —a war of extermination, it will be governmental shortcomings and neglect of duty which will have caused it. The time for curing the sore with a poultice of sugar and flour lias passed away, and yet the latest action we hear of the present Wold Government having taken was the promise, sent through the Governor to Tawhiti, that two tons of flour and one of sugar should bo sent down to his and Hemara’s place, to “ make things pleasant.” Since writing the above, the Wonga Wonga lias arrived from Kawau. As our readers are aware, she left here on Tuesday afternoon, at 5 o’clock, having on board the Hon. Mr Mantell, Mr Eogan, and the Eev. Mr Thatcher, His Excellency’s Private Secretary, who had been sent for by Sir George to take action in the matter of the outrage at Matakana. She arrived at Kawau that night, and the next morning, these gentlemen, unaccompanied hy the Gorernoi', proceeded in the Wonga Wonga to Omaha Pay. The steamer itsolf could not go far. up, but they went ashore in the boats, and remained there a short time. What they did and what they saw is written probably in the archives of the Native Office, but it is not for vulgar eyes nor ears. Those who took them there say that they saw natives lurking in the bushes and engaged in watching the movements of the party. The Wonga Wonga arrived in town last night about 9 o’clock. She brings back the Governor Sir George Grey, in addition to Messrs, Mantell. Eogan, and Thatcher.