The Nelson Evening Mail.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 246, 18 October 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1870.

During the late session of the Taranaki Provincial Council Mr. H. Richmond obtained leave to move without notice, " That, in the opinion of this Council, it is urgently necessary, in order to prevent! the renewal of hostilities on the West Coast, that the Government should at ooce decide as to the terms to be offered to Titoko Waru, and that the continuance of the present condition of affairs, under which, although a proclaimed rebel, he is allowed to march through settlements of Europeans and disarmed natives with an armed body of supporters, is fraught with danger to this part of New Zealand." This resolution was, after some discussion, carried, the mover, on the suggestion of one of the members, obtaining leave to substitute the words " the terms to be allowed" for the original words " the terms to be offered." Living at this disiance from the lair of Titoko Waru we are not perhaps in a position to form so correct an opinion of the course that should be pursued towards the outlawed rebel as those on the spot, and from the fact of our being out of his reach we may lay ourselves open to the charge of selfishness if we attempt to fiud fault with the resolution arrived at by the Taranaki Council, the members of which are the representatives of those who are at any moment exposed to the attack of the ferocious savage, but we cannot refrain from expressing our intense surprise that a member of one of the Provincial legislatures should rise in his place in the Council and seriously bring forward a proposition to th.6 effect that the Government of the colony should be urged to offer terms to " a proclaimed rebel;" to one wbo had so outraged all the laws of humanity, that two short years ago a large reward had been set on his head by the Government of the day. We thoroughly sympathise with the settlers in the province of Taranaki, who, so long as this map is at large, must be in a constant state of uneasiness, and alarm, but we really cannot bring ourselves to believe that their position would in the slightest degree be changed for the better, were Mr. Richmond's idea carried into execution. What terms could possibly be afforded to Titoko Waru that he would be at all likely to accept ? Or, supposing that he did agree to come to terms, what guarantee can we have that he would not change bis mind a few weeks afterwards, and, returning to his evil ways, break out again in his old character of murderer and cannibal with a ferocity that would be all the greater for been pent up so long, and all the more dangerous that he would take by surprise the settlers who had been deluded into the belief that he would respect au agreement made with the Government, and consequently would be unprepared for an attack. But even setting on one side this view of the question, would it be a wise policy on the part of the Government to display their weakness in so marked and unmistakable a manner ? Here is a rebel with a reward on his head at this moment, a man who of all our enemies has proved the most dangerous and blood-thirsty, and we cvn easily imagine the effect that would be produced on the native mind if the Government were to stoop so low as to enter into negotiations with him. At present his armed party is described by one of their own number as being " like an egg without a nest to be hatched in," and it was argued in the Taranaki Council that it was desirable to put a stop to so unsettled a state of things, and to prevent the natives roaming recklessly about by coming to a peaceable settlement with their chief. But surely it would be far better that they should be forced to remain in the position of having no resting place for the sole of their foot than that a comfortable nest which would in all probabibility made use of for the hatching of fresh treasons, should be provided for them by a Government whose laws they have outraged. Their being at large without any settled place of abode — scouted and shunned by the neighboring tribes — may, and no doubt does, cause some inconvenience to the settlers, but it must be even more unpleasant for the natives themselves, and ib calculated to induce them eventually to deliver themselves up to the authorities unconditionally — a course, which it is scarcely necessary to say, would be far

more satisfactory, more in accordance with our national honor, and better calculated to lead to a lasting peace.

Exhibition of Wool. —We have received from the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, a list of prizes to be offered by them at the international exhibition of wool to be held in Sydney, on 24th January, 1871. The schedule of prizes, and the regulations may be seen on application at our office. Collingwood. — A large number of j Nelson gentlemen started for Collingwood in the Lady Barkly at noon to-day. A meeting is to be held there to-morrow for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of extending the Coal Company, to the success of which a larger amount of capital appears to be essential. The Bishop of Nelson preached at St. Peter's Church on Sunday night. A large congregation were present, who were gratified by hearing one of the most eloquent and suggestive sermons ever heard in Wellington. A general wish has been expressed that his Lordship will preach again before he returns to Nelson. —Post. Bankrupts. — The Gazette of the 14th and 18th inst., have contained intimations that John M'lntosh, of the City of Nelson, merchant, has executed a deed of assignment ; and that James Fowler, jun., of Motueka, farmer, and James Bentley, of Nelson, merchant, have filed declara- | tions of insolvency. Gas Supply. — We learn that at a meeting of the Executive, held yesterday afternoon, it was decided that the Government would further the views of the promoters of the proposed Gas Company, if their proposals were such as could be accepted with due regard to the interests of the ratepayers. Acting upon this decision the promoters have already issued a prospectus of a Company with a capital of £10,000 in 1000 shares of £10 each, so that there is every likelihood of the town being lighted by gas within the next eighteen months. The Karamea. — A party of three men left Motueka for Salisbury's Open, on Friday lasr, taking with them a bullock for the purpose of supplying the diggers with fresh meat. They arrived within a mile and a half of the spot on the following morning, and the men who were working in the neighborhood hearing of the treat that was in store for them came down at once, and the bullock was soon killed, cut up, and sold. Two of the party started back at 10 a.m. on Sunday, and arrived at Motueka at a little before seven in the evening. They brought with them a beautiful sample of nuggetty gold in pieces weighing from half an ounce downwards. Amateur Minstrels. — Under the persevering and energetic "coaching" of Mr. W. H. Bent, late a member of the Rainford Company, the Nelson Amateur Ethiopian Minstrels have attained such a degree of proficiency that they propose to appear before the public for the first time to-morrow evening, when they will give an entertainment for the benefit of their trainer, who, from his unceasing efforts to bring on his pupils, has well deserved such a compliment at their hand 3. The programme is a most liberal one, and comprises many of the most popular Christy's songs, in addition to which Mr. Bent promises a number of conjuring tricks in the Heller style, with explanations of the same. From what we can learn there is likely to be a crowded house to patronise the first essay of local talent of this description. The Canterbury Race Meeting is expected to prove a great success. About forty horses are now in training. The estimated Reveuue of the Province of Canterbury for the current year is £203,191, out of which it is proposed to expeud upwards of £100,000 on public works. The profits to be derived from the Lyttelton and Christchurch, and Southern Railways are set down at £J 3,000, which is considered a very moderate estimate. The West Coast Times of Tuesday last says thire is a fatality attending the small fleet of coasting steamers. The John Perm, on account of pecuniary considerations, is laid up at the Manukau ; the Charles Edward lies in the Westport Lagoon, disabled j and the Murray, after a day on the Hokitika bar, reaches Greymouth minus, what she is in the habit of losing — her rudder. Water is a bad thing upon the brain, but a very good one upon the stomach.