THE CHIEF JUSTICE ON THE WHITE CLIFFS MASSACRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 174, 7 August 1869, Page 2

THE CHIEF JUSTICE ON THE WHITE CLIFFS MASSACRE.

In his charge to the Grand Jury of Taranaki in openiDg the Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court, at that place, the Chief Justice is reported to have said : It only remained -for him to speak of the cruel crimes that had been committed in this province siuce he last addressed them — he alluded to the murders at the White Cliffs. He had heard of the murder . of their settlers, and had seen in the evidence afc'the inquest how one gentleman had become victim who had earned the confidence, as he thought, of the natives ; a the evidence also showed that others had been massacred — for he could call it by no other name, — and amongst whom was a harmless lady, whose body had been maugled and tomahawked, not from any cause else but revenge on our race. Amongst those that were murdered were helpless children ; one of whom was near that interesting age that becomes most endearing, and another a little infant in iis mother's arms ; these they might have thought were guaranteed by their infancy from any harm. He might have used strong words in thus speaking of this desperate perpetration of the deed that had been committed, and the awfulness of the crime might justify him in doing so. He had, however, a special reason for alluding to this atrocity with additional severity, for an estimable man, who had devoted his life for the benefit of the native race, had also been murdered — he referred to the late Rev. J. Whiteley. His Honor recollected many years since presiding at the trial of a aative for the murder of Lieut. Tragett. He at that time made some remarks on a subject that ' was then agitating the minds of the settlers in this place, which produced afterwards some satirical remarks from those who little knew that the Court was justified in doing what it afterwards did. While the trial was going on, one man was in and out of the gate of the Court, listening to every word he (his Honor) utterded, cherishing in his mind a hope to save the life of that native — that man was the Rev. John Whiteley. He did not know him at that time, but he (Mr. Whiteley) addressed him a private letter, which afterwards led to an interview. That reverend geu tie man at this meeting brought forward arguments which afterwards made him (his Honor) consent to forward the case to the Governor, whose knowledge of, the usages of the native race was great. The result was that the native was never punished for that murder, but after being imprisoned for another offence, was ultimately allowed to go again at liberty. Considering the state of the native mind at the present time, he rejoiced to see that that native was at large again and mixing amongst the settlers. He alluded to the subject in this particular manner, thinking by thus making it publicly known it might effect some good. He could not but feel that the native whose life had been spared - must have this circumstance effectually engraved on his heart, and his tribe would also be aware that it was solely through the exertion of Mr. Whiteley that the native's 'life was spared. Remembering the impression such things generally make on minds like the natives possess, he thought this fact might, on being made known to them, be instrumental perhaps in their bringing those criminals to justice. .