NEW PLYMOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 592, 10 July 1858, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From the 'Taranaki Herald,' June 12.)

Ihaia has abandoned the Waitara. The news is bad, bat might, have been worse, as if not for the aid rendered by Wanganui and Mokau, he and all his party, men, women, and children, would have been sacrificed to the vengeance of the murderous league formed against them. But in their greatest extremity, when hope of seeing them preserved was abandoned, the arrival and skilful maeeuvi'ing of a score of Wanganui natives delivered them for a cruel end, and baffled every subsequent effort of their per-; severing foes. Later, the Mokaus appeared in the scene, and the result of the united councils was a scheme for taking the enemy unawares, which, as regards cleverness and promising success, has no example amongst • themselves. The scheme was frustrated by an interference to which Ihaia was always liable, and therefore no subsequent plan of the kind was made. Ultimate dispositions were evidently made with a view to retreat. Ihaia had for some time ceased to reply to the fire directed against him; the women and children were removed to the Mokau encampment; here they were rejoined by the men of the Karaka pah ; ,and, finally, the Wan<*anui chief, his small band of followers, returned to their home, The abandoned pahs and defences have since been burnt down by the attacking natives. !;■ , ' , : Ihaia's retreat once, decided on, was delayed by him to give time for attempting some good, for the settlers, in the way of land. The wonder is, it was delayed. Ihaia has always had to contend with neglect und indifference from the government, and this latterly vexed him more than all his other troubles! Wo are told by himself that his recent letters to the Governor,

offering his land for sale remain unanswered. Apart from official discourtesy, this silence says little for the care of government for natives or settlers; The truth is, India's civilization stands nvthe' way • his, advancement has been far too rapid for his own good. Had he been content to be the reverse of what he is, he would have received very different treatment from the government, and he might now be a secure dweller in his Waitarahomej instead off a fugitive escaping with his bare life.

The temporary ;. cessation of hostilities is favourable .as . affording'- an opportunity to the General Assembly for calmly considering the memorial .of our. Provincial Council, with a view to the prevention of further in this troubled district. The position of the .natives as respects the main ground of dispute,is' unaltered.^ These differences commence at the main boundary of the Bell district, where Rawiri Waiaua was murdered fonr years ago, and are not lessened by the fortune of arms resting at the present time with Wiremu Kingi. These must be met by the appointment of a Commission, in the words of the Council's memorial, to enquire into the present condition of the natives, and into thacauses which have led to their difficulties, with a view to restore- order amongst them, and encourage and protect them in the dispesal of the knd they claim in common, and which is their only cause of serious and fatal dispute.