PORT NICHOLSON.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, 6 January 1844, Page 1

PORT NICHOLSON.

By the arrival of the William Stoveld, wo have Gazettes to the 16th of December. The late hour at which we received our papers, and want of space, compels us to be very brief in our notice of their contents. A boat, belonging to Mr. Wade's whaling station, in Palliser Bay, had been upset while entering the Wyderop river, and seven white men and two Maories drowned. The recent capture and committal of a native charged with theft, and suspected of murder, caused great excitement among his countrymen, who despatched messengers syith the intelligence in all directions. In a couple of days, oi» hundred Maories came into Wellington, all armed, but no further steps were taken. The Gazette of the 13th December contains a copy of the address which, our neighbours have prepared for presentation to* Captain Fitzroy. The brig Victoria sailed for Lorldon on the ] 3th of December. Mrs. Pilcher, with her three children, arrived from New Plymouth on Monday last, having walked the whole distance in twelve days. She describes the Maories as having been very kind to her and her children while on the journey. They carried their blankets, and supplied them with provisions, and carried them over the various streams and rivers. We are happy to be able to report such kind acts of the natives, and especially at this moment. — Gazette, Dec. 16. During the alarm consequent upon the Wairau massacre, large numbers of muskets were given out to the settlers. Inadvertently receipts for the same. were not taken, and we are sorry to hear very many of them have been sold to the natives. This act of dishonesty and rascality ought to be as severely punished as the law will sanction. It was unwise to distribute them so indiscriminately, but we hope some effort will now be made to call them in again. — Ibid. The native chiefs at Wanganui are getting impatient for Mr. Spain's decision. They watch for the mails, the uses of which they begin to appreciate, and eagerly inquire if the Governor has sent any message— when will Mr. Spain come ? — and failing satisfaction, turn away with a hitch of their blanket, derisively echoing " By and by — by and by — wait awhile — wait awhile !" — Ibid, Dec. 13.