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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1508, 14 December 1872, Page 2

THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

(From the correspondent of the Southern Cross.) The Court of Inquiry held at Waitangi by Lieut.-Colonel St. John, terminated, singular to say, rather in favor of the Maoris than otherwise, notwithstanding the testimony of respectable witnesses, who most clearly and positively gave evidence which directly implicated the accused parties in the plot charged against them, and more than ever confirmed the suspicions previously entertained by the Europeans; but we are now better piepared for the emergencies which may arise, and trust that the prompt action of the Government—for which we are truly grateiul—and watchful vigilance on our part, will effectually put an end k» further plotting. But we still view the contemplated return of Maoris from Taranaki with great anxiety. The principal personage, Toenga, is evidently imbued with a firm conviction of To Whiti's prophetic infallibility, and we believe through him a spirit of fanaticism has worked among the Chatham Island Maoris which has had a baneful influence on their habits and manners, and that this combination among themselves for the purpose of working evil amongst Europeans may bo tiaced to that source. The correspondence of our Maoris with Toenga also points to some hidden plot We trust, however, that, with what has now come to light, the cause for immediate apprehension has subsided. Our worthy R.M, at earnest solicitations, kindly undertook to proceed to New Zealand, and some anxiety is felt lest the step thus taken should result to his disadvantage, a circumstance we should deeply deplore.