UNSETTLED STATE OF THE THAMES DISTRICT.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 16, 22 April 1867, Page 94

UNSETTLED STATE OF THE THAMES DISTRICT.

[From the New Zealand Ilerald, 13th April.J W 3 regret to state that the return of Mr Commissioner Hackay from the Thames is accompanied by anything but satisfactory intelligence from th at quarter. The native chiefs Te Hira and Taraia are, it seems, bent on establishing an au/cati at the Thames—that is of sending away tiie Europeans, and Ira wing an imaginary line across which no European will be allowed to go, on pain oi death.

• So long as this state of things is allowed to continue we shall never have peace and quietness in this island. By such acts ol the turbulent Han-lmus the setter disposed natives are cut off from contact with the European population until they become a.s debased as their oppressors amongst their own countrymen. The truth is for want of assistance from us, those natives, who would fain remain loyal and friendly dis posed towards the pakeha, are placed in the uncomfortable position 0 f either conforming to their rebel countrymen, or of being left unassisted by the Government to take the consequence of not doing so Who can wonder that the Hau-hau faith and disaffection is on the increase. When V iddle-Island politicians magnanimously undertook to govern without the aid of British troops it was supposed that they would find a colonial force to preserve the peac * of the country, and to take measures to prevent the spread of iusnri\ctiouary doctrines amongst tho natives as yet friendly disposed towards us. The Southern Government lias oeen weighed in the balance aud found wanting. Their policy of self-reliance has been found to be an empty sham. They were willing enough to get rid oi the troops, but they were not willing to assume the responsibility which such dismissal of the troops fairly imposed upu'u them. We are now reaping the consequence of their imbecility and disingenuousness. Native affairs are left to drift into what position they may.. One of not the least importan causes of discontent iu natira districts is, wo arc, informed, the.presence among the natives of degraded, whites.-who live as Maoris .with the .tribes,,taking to themselves native women.. These men;it is who inflame the native mind against, the Europeans, and put t hem up to.au immense .amount of mischief. T)w;;Tekaumarua, or twelve Hap-iiau apu.tj.es, are, we understand, influenced, .very ipuoh. ip. their rabid: fanaticism .by 'such men.’ '• It' would, be well.ooulcf'the. (3to\y rn» menfc ..jjlacje'uta hands op .alt' j&iieji; charticiters, ah4'-givVtbeihaloh^.rqpii and®khb ! l shrift. '•.-}=