COOL COURAGE OF DR. FEATHERSTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XL, Issue 186, 28 July 1876, Page 4

COOL COURAGE OF DR. FEATHERSTON.

A correspondent of the Southern Cross narrates the following incident in the late Dr. Featherston's career. He writes:— Few men, not only in New Zsaland, but in any other country, possessed tbat rare quality " moral and personal courage combined;" but such was decidedly the case with Dr. Featherston. WelliDgton has every reasoa to remember this, if they will call to mind the memorable August in 1863, when Te Ngairo, a leading chief among tbe Kingites in Wairarape, wrote a Jotter to Wi Tako (now a member of tbe Upper House and a most loyal chief, then looked upon with doubt by tbe Europeans, nod somewhat with fear from the power he possessed) threatening tbe peace of the Wairarapa and Hutt districts, creating a panic, and causing many families in the Wairarapa to leave their homes en route for WelliDgton. Dr. Featherston immediately started for Greytown, in Wairarapa, the scene of the excitement, and within a mile of the whare where Te Ngairo and his men were living, accompanied by the officer commanding the Wellington distriot, then Major Gotlon. En route he was met by scores who had deserted their homes, and do what he could, he was unable at tbat moment to persuade tbem to return, which, from information in his possession, be was justified in doing. Dr. Featherston at tbat time was looked upou as what is termed "a Maori man," and every one was against him in the action he was taking. On arriving at Greytown he arranged to attend a meeting tbat night, at tbe whare where Te Ngairo aud his men were living, and at eight o'clock proceeded there, accompanied by tbe officer commanding the district, Interpreter, Resident Magistrate, and one or two Europeans. About 60 or 70 natives were present, among them several leading chiefs of the Kingites, and the whare glistened witb the arms of the men. The korero commenced at once, and chief after chief got up, and ia Che most insulting manner laid down the law to Dr. Featherston. After Te Ngairo had finished a loDg harangue, ending his speech by stating that if tbe soldiers or Defence Force were sent up, or militia culled out, evil would arise. Dr Featherston, who had been quietly smoking a cheroot the whole time. Apparently indifferent to the threats which had beeu made, rose, and informed the natives that the Governor was not going to consult ihem whether lie should seed up the troops or call out ihe militia; and, as they hid threatened the peace of the district, immediate steps would be taken to protect the Europeans and friendly natives, and that, if necessary, he would call out the militia. Te Ngairo then jumped up in •a state of the greatest excitement, witb gun in hand, dancing up Had down the whare like a madman, and after threatening him tbat evil would arise, called out in a defiant tone, (i When are you going to call out the militia ? " Dr Featherßtou then rose, exactly at 12 o'clock, and simply said " at once," and left the whare. Considering that not a rifle was in the district, nor a man trained, militia or rolgoteers never having been enrolled there, and that •every one residing io the district was opposed io the action of Dr Featherston, warning him constantly tbat the blood of all would be upon his shoulders, and tbat under all tbe excitement he was as cool as if ordinarily sitting in bis office, it will be admitted such was moral courage. The following day (a Friday) at about 1 o'clock, Dr Featherston received a letter from Te Nguiro, by tbe bands of Wi Waka, a young chief, warning him after what he had said on the prevjous evening, evil wpuld arise oa the following Tuesday, iv other words we might expect fighting. With Dr Featherston's usual coolnes?, he asked Wi Waka to dine, chaffing him so unmercifully about the coming fight that be left and went away, leaving the ibrave Dr Featherston a more unpopular «jaa than ever for asking such a iusn to tit at table with him. Dr Featherston at the same time saw danger was at hand, and took immediate steps to get up aims by night over the Rhnutaj>a Range, in the meantime forming the Masterton, Carterton, and Greytown Volunteer Corps, which now exist, and equipped sufficient of thera on Monday to show Te Ngairo and his natives thut he was better prepared than tbey ever thought, which so completely astonished Te Ngairo, that it prepenled him carrying out the threat on Tuesr day, aud thereby saved the Wellington province from a disatrous war.