MAORI GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 75, 12 August 1843, Page 300

MAORI GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY.

The following is a translation of the Maori Gazette Extraordinary, a copy of which appeared in our advertising. columns last week :■-*-<

' "The brig Victoria has arrived 'from Port Nicholson. The horizon is dark, the day exceedingly dark. News from above has reached, stating that a conflict has 1 taken place between the natives and Europeans, Some have fallen on both sides. With us botH parties ore wrong,' according to the laws both- of God arid man. The particulars of the conflict, in which both Europeans' and 'natives have fallen, we are not in full possession of; but we are seeking information as to the origin of the affair; for this purpose the Governor has- "sent soma officers to the natives, in order that he may hear what they have to say, and thereby be fully acquainted with the circumstances. Let, us wait to hear the correctness and truth of tliis matter ; until which do not let-us prejudge. To us they appear both wrong : blood has been spilled on both sides. ' It is- cause of great regret that the blood of put fellow creatures should be shed. " THe natives and the Europeans both agree that the origin of this quarrel (in -which twenty lives have been lost) was about tottd. ■' Is land more Valuable than the life of man ? The Europeans of Port Nicholson say that Rauparaha and Ranghiaita proposed that . Mr. Spain and Mr. CJafke should the. case concerning thelaitd; after 1 , which, they tort up the 'flags, threw down the poles, that had been set up for marks, burnt the surveyor's houses', and sent him and his men off the land. This led the surveyor to the residence of .tKe Europeans'— «to the Police Magistrate; informing Mm that the natives had not kept their word in learing the matter to the Commissioner ; at which the Police Magistrate and the constables trent to take Rauparaha and Ranghiaita to the residence of. the Europeans, to investigate the case. But Rauparaha and Ranghiaita did not yield to the summons j they would not go. Then the Police Magistrate called the armed men to come forward and arrest them. Just at this time a gun was fired from the Europeans, and a conflict ensued, in which several fell on both sides.

" Captain Wakefield, observing this, called out, ' Cease shedding blood.' The Europeans laid down their arms, stood still ; some of the natives did likewise, supposing that the conflict Was over. At this time Ranghiaita, as the Europeans say, came up from the pursuit, enraged at the loss of his wife, and thereupon slew with his own hand several European gentlemen. " The natives' tale .is as follows :—• That they had never sold the lands, it is their own land ; and that when they saw the jags and marks erected, they supposed that their landwas taken from them ; they, therefore, pulled them down, in order that the Europeans might understand thereby, they had not sold their lands, or promised to do so. In their estimation, it was presumption on the part of the surveyors to erect houses, to cut lines on lands that did not belong to them, and they considered they had a perfect right to do as they pleased with what was growing or standing on their own lands. The surveyors would not listen to their remonstrances, and therefore they burnt the hut. They had no intention to fight, nor had they a thought that way » — it was the sight of the guns, the firing of the Europeans, and the falling of their friends that roused them, and they call everybody to witness that it was the Europeans who commenced, by killing three natives, and they returned the fire, and the struggle began.' " But there is one feature in this affair peculiarly bad in the estimation of Europeans — the conduct ef Ranghiaita towards the gentlemen, who, it is said, had surrendered, supposing the fight to be over ; at his killing them thus, the Europeans are horrified. Now, the Europeans and natives have for four years lived together very quietly, and, in order to continue peace and maintain that good feeling, the Governor has sent down some troops to prevent the necessity of either Europeans or natives carrying arms : they are alike for the protection of natives as well as Europeans. That promise that was made to you by the late Governor respecting your lands, will be strictly adhered to. The Governor says, the lands you have not sold shall not be taken from you. Quietly leave your lands to be settled by the Commissioner, who will decide equitably. - I am commanded by the Governor, to write you this assurance, and call your special attention to his Proclamation in another part of this paper. — George Clarke, Chief Protector of Aborigines."