THE WARNING TO POVERTY BAY SETTLERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 160, 20 February 1869, Page 4

THE WARNING TO POVERTY BAY SETTLERS.

We reprint the following article from the Hawkes Bay Herald, in consequenc of the invidious attempt made by Mr. Eyes at the recent meeting, to cast the blame of the' Poverty Bay Massacre on Mr. McLean and Major Biggs in defending the Ministry. How far he was justified in the attempt, our readers can judge tor themselves “ In another part of our columns will be found an extract from the Southern Cross headed ‘The warning to Poverty Bay settlers,’ and purporting to be a letter written by Archdeacon Hadfield in reply’ to a note from the Hon. E, W. Stafford. The intention of this letter and of its publication is obvious—to shift upon Mr. McLean shoulders the odium—we might say the general execration—-which the late massacre at Poverty Bay has most justly entailed on the present Ministry. This is sought to be effected—we are sorry to have to say it —by statements that are utterly false. It is true that the Rev. S. Williams did tell Mr. McLean that from information he had received, he believed an attack upon Poverty Bay to be imminent; • but that Mr. McLean doubted and declined to act, is simply untrue. Mr. McLean did not doubt; he never doubted; he proclaimed the existence of this very danger from his seat in the Assembly ; and, after his return never ceased to urge it upon the attention of the General Government.

The letter in question makes no mention of the fact that, when the communication referred to was made, the Hon. J. 0. Richmond was present —a fact which, were anything of the kind really required, complely exonerates Mr. McLean from the charge implied in this very dastardly communication.

The following is the letter alluded to:— ‘Otaki, Dec. 3, 1868. ‘ Dear Sir, —I regret that my absence at Manawatu prevented my replying to your note by the return of the mail. *On Sunday evening, November 1, the Rev. S. Williams was informed by a native who had been at Te Kooti’s pa, that it was determined to send a party to cut off the settlers at Tauranga, Kooti promising to follow in three days. Mr. Williams con veyedihisintelligence to Mr. M’Lean within the same evening, or the following morning, urging him not to disregard this, as from his careful examination of his informant, he had no doubt of the truth of his statement. Much to Mr. Williams’s surprise and annoyance, Mr. McLean doubted and declined to act. ‘ Archdeacon Williams, who was residing at Turanganui, also obtained this information, and communicated it personally to Major Biggs and others on Sunday, the Bth. Major Biggs said he would send out scouts, but thought it improbable. This was communicated by Archdeacon W. to his family at Napier, where I heard his letter read. ‘ Yours faithfully, ‘ (Signed) Octavius Hadfield. ‘The Hon. E. W. Stafford.’”