WELLINGTON EXTRACTS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 230, 1 August 1846, Page 87

WELLINGTON EXTRACTS.

We are exceedingly sorry to record the total loss of the Uncle Sam, about a fortnight since, the news of which has been brought by the Robert Burns, which arrived from Hawke's Bay yesterday morning. The Uncle Sam was caught in a very heavy south-easter off the East Coast, and in running to take shelter from the storm was wrecked off Long Point, in Hawke's Bay. All the lives, it is said, are saved, but the cargo and vessel were totally lost. The loss of the Uncle Sam will be a heavy blow to the stations in Hawke's Bay, as she was freighted with the stores, whaling gear, &c, necessary for their supply for the season. — Spectator, June 10.

By the Susannah Ann schooner, owned by Mr. Fitzherbert, we learn that three whales have been caught at Kaikoras, Fyfe's station, two at Amuri, Fitzherbert's station, two at the Island, Ames's station, one at Akaroa, Rhodes's station, and three at Jones's station. — Ibid., June 17.

The late Rains. — Considerable damage appears to have been done by the floods occasioned by the heavy rains which have fallen during the last week. Several of the bridges on the Karori road have been carried away, and the road has been more or less broken up by the rains. Several land slips have also taken place on the Petoni road between Ngahouranga and the former place, rendering the necessity for repairing the road still more urgent. In the present state of the colony this is a subject that admits of no delay ; it is absolutely requisite that the communication between the different districts be kept open and maintained, and any reasonable expense incurred in making the repairs necessary for effecting this object is in fact true economy, as it is the means of saving a much larger outlay which would otherwise eventually be required. We shall not lose sight of this subject, as we are persuaded of its vital importance.— Spectator, June 17.

Lamentable Accident. — A most unfortunate accident, attended with loss of life, occurred at the stockade at Taita, about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. One of the militia was wiping with a cloth the barrel of his musket, when the piece, which was loaded, from some sudden jar or slight concussion, went off, and the ball, passing through the floor of the room or loft over that in which he was standing, entered the left side of James Swan, a militiaman, who was above, and passing through his body struck a musket immediately over head, the stock of which it shattered. Poor Swan died within five minutes after receiving his wound. The body of the unfortunate man was brought down by his comrades on Sunday afternoon to the Hutt bridge, near to which a grave had been dug, where he was buried with military honours. The deceased, who was much liked in his company, was only

twenty-two years of age. He has left a sister to deplore his loss. This is the second accident, both of them fatal, which has occurred from the defective state of the muskets with which the militia and police are supplied. These muskets have been condemned as unfit for use before

they were sent to this colony, and a representation was made to his Excellency on the subject before his departure, when he promised that percussion muskets should be immediately sent from the Government stores at Auckland to replace them. In the late engagement with the natives, these pieces were so defective, that in many instances they would not go off, but merely flashed in the pan. Now, to place men who have shown how capable they are of doing their duty, in a post of danger, with arms on which they cannot place the slightest reliance when they are wanted for service, is little better than a piece of deliberate treachery towards them. — Ib., June 24.

The report which was in circulation some time back, that some of the natives who had been armed by the Government had subsequently joined the rebels, is not correct. We are informed on good authority that none of the natives who have received arms from the Government have ever gone over to Ranghiaiata. — Ib. Sale of Cattle. — At the sale of stock, ex Kestrel, by Messrs. Bethune and Hunter, the cows averaged £5 11s. each, and the calves £2 19a. each ; some of the cows realized £9 ; 125 ewes averaged 18s. a head. The bullocks were disposed of privately at £8 a head. Two superior draught mares sold for £30 each. The attendance at the sale was very numerous and respectable* and the prices in the present state of the colony were considered to be satisfactory. — Ib. Among the imports in the Ann and Sarah we notice 100 bushels of native grown wheat. We should be glad to see the importation of wheat grown by the natives encouraged, and hope they maybe induced to increase their cultivations of wheat along the coast this season, as there is every probability that the price of flour will be high, and there is but little prospect at present of the settlers in this district having the opportunity this year of growing much wheat. — Ib., June 27. Coal. — Coal at the new settlement of Otakou is so plentiful, that on the banks of the Molyneux river it may be procured on the surface without any difficulty. The quality is stated to be superior to that at Massacre Bay, which is of a sulphureous description, while the Otakou coal more nearly resembles the English pit coal. — Ibid. We call the attention of persons interested in dairy produce to the high price of butter in Sydney, arising from the great scarcity of feed for stock in New South Wales, a state of things which may exist for a long period, and is certain to do 60 for some time. We hear that

sprinkled butter is worth there about la. 9d. a pound ; and it is supposed the price will further advance. It is generally admitted that there is no butter better than that supplied by the dairies of New Zealand ; and from what we hear, there is reason to believe that New Zealand will be able this year to provide this article in excess of the local demands to the extent of several thousand pounds. It should be carefully packed in casks suitable for families — say about 60 Ib. each, and we doubt not the return would be most satisfactory all this year. Ihe expenses of packing and shipping would not exceed Id. per Ib. Fresh butter has been as high as ss. per Ib. within the last few years, and it was expected to advance this season in Sydney to 3s. per Ib. We have been told of a dairy in New South Wales, at which 150 cows are usually milked, which is not this season yielding enough butter for the use of the family, and we could furnish numerous similar cases. — Ib., July 1.

On Wednesday evening the uncertainty and expectation which have lately prevailed, were in some degree relieved by the arrival of his Excellency the Governor, in H. M. steamer the Driver. The news of the attack on the camp by the rebels, did not reach Auckland until June the 18th, by the Government brig Victoria, and the account which was taken up by the Cecilia some weeks previous appears to have been communicated about the same time. His Excellency left Auckland the week following, and owing to heavy weather experienced during the voyage, the Driver did not reach here until the seventh day after her departure from Auckland. We hope his Excellency has been duly informed of the incompetency and mismanagement from which has resulted the present critical state of the colony ; we sincerely hope that he is by this time aware that both the settlers and the natives look to him alone to relieve them from their present difficulties. It would be premature to inquire if any definitive plan has been decided upon, or to speculate at present on the intentions of his Excellency in his future operations against the rebels. We shall therefore briefly content ourselves by stating such arrangements as we have reason to believe are decided upon. The road to Porirua, and that up the Hutt towards Wairarapa, are to be carried on with all possible despatch, and for this purpose his Excellency proposes to avail himself of the assistance of such of the Ngatiawas as may be desirous of engaging in the work. It is intended also to offer employment on the roads to all the labourers who are out of work in the settlement. We believe his Excellency proposes to visit every outpost, and to inspect the arrangements that have been made, previous to his return to Auckland. There is a rumour current that there is some intention entertained of withdrawing the troops stationed at the camp on the Hutt, leaving the district to be protected by the settlers and the friendly natives. We hope this report is not correct, as it is impossible to say what would be the consequences of such a step. Ranghiaiata considers he has a quarrel at the Hutt, and if the troops were to be suddenly withdrawn, it would appear in the eyes of the natives a confession of inferiority, an acknowledgment of defeat. If his Excellency has ever entertained the proposition, we hope he may be induced to pause before he carries it into effect, as such a step would be fraught with ruin to the settlement. It is also reported that the present defensive system of operations is to be persevered in, and that all fresh reinforcements of troops that may arrive in the colony will be sent to Port Nicholson, until the present contest is terminated. — Ib., July 4. It is reported that his Excellency's stay at Wellington will not be of long duration, as he is obliged to return to Auckland for the purpose of holding the session of the Legislative Council. — Ib.

Official Appointment. —We are informed that J. J. Symonds, Esq., has received an appointment as Commissioner for inquiring into some disputed titles to land at Monganki, in the Northern District. — F. Thatcher, Esq., has been appointed Assistant Private Secretary to his Excellency. — Ib. When H.M. steamer Driver was leaving this harbour on her return to Auckland with his Excellency, one of the seamen, named T. Perkins, who was employed in loosening the foretopsail, unfortunately missed bis hold, and fell from the foretopsail yard on to the deck, where he was killed on the spot. — Ib. A very heavy loss has been recently sustained at the farms in the neighbourhood of Lyall's Bay, from two dogs that have worried the sheep, and in a few nights have killed forty-five, and injured twelve more so severely that they are not expected to live. Two boys were in charge of the flocks, and they succeeded in shooting one of the dogs, but after the boy who had fired re-loaded the gun, by some accident it was suddenly discharged, and its contents carried away one of his companion's fingers. — Ibid. We understand that considerable anxiety is entertained about the safety of Captains Wilmot and Nugent, who left Wellington to proceed overland to Auckland. They were at Taupo at the time the accident occurred by which Heu Heu and his people were overwhelmed, and at the time of the departure of the Driver from Auckland they had not since been heard of. The Bishop of New Zealand had set out from Auckland for the purpose of ascertaining if any accident had befallen them, and we trust his lordship will succeed in removing the apprehensions which exist on their account. — Ib. The Comet, which arrived last week from Twofold Bay, landed the whole of her cargo of stock in first-rate condition, not having lost a single sheep or head of cattle during the voyage. We have often had occasion to notice, in terms

of praise, the good management shown by Mr. Dun in his importations of stock, and the success which has generally attended his arrangements. — Ib. On Saturday his Excellency, accompanied by Major Richmond and Major Last, proceeded to the Hutt in one of the boats of the Driver, to visit the camp and to inspect the scene of the late engagements with the rebels. His Excellency walked from the Hutt bridge to the camp, and afterwards returned to Wellington by water. We believe his Excellency proceeds to Porirua to-day in the Driver, and will afterwards return to Wellington. His stay in the south will be short, as his Excellency is obliged to return immediately to Auckland to hold the session of the Legislative Council.— lb., July 8. We understand that several excellent arrangements will be made at the suggestion of his Excellency, by which the comfort of the militia stationed at the advanced post at Taita will be materially improved. A number of live sheep will be sent to that stockade, and a supply of salt provisions and flour sufficient for three weeks' consumption will be supplied, so as to provide against any interruption of the communication between Taita and the camp. The supplies of bread will be furnished once a week. Two hundered stand of percussion muskets and accoutrements have been brought in the Driver for the use of the armed police and the militia. We hope no time will be lost in substituting them for the wretched pieces at present in use, which have occasioned more mischief to the settlers than to the rebels. — Ib.

On Monday, Captain Campbell and Mr. Bell, from Wanganui, had an interview with his Excellency on the subject of the state of that district, in consequence of the interruption to the negotiations recently entered into for the settlement ot the land claims. We are informed that his Excellency stated it was his intention to direct Mr. M'Lean immediately to resume the negotiations with the natives, and that he hoped they would be speedily brought to a successful issue ; and that in the event of any serious disturbances occurring among the natives, so as to endanger the lives and property of the settlers there, he would provide for their removal to Wellington. His Excellency spoke of his intention to open a good road between Wellington and Wanganui, to establish ferries on the different rivers, and to adopt such measures as would improve the means of communication between the two places. Captain Campbell and Mr. Bell retired highly satisfied with

the result of their interview, which we hope will have the effect of dispelling the apprehensions recently entertained by the settlers of that district. Captain Campbell and Mr. Bell returned to Wanganui yesterday in the Katherine Johnstone. — Ib.

Yesterday E Puni, and several of the other chiefs of this district, had an interview with the Governor on subjects connected with the operations to be carr'ed on against the rebels. The result of their interview appeared to be very satisfactory to them. — Ib.

The London arrived on Thursday, from Sydney, with a cargo of sheep and cattle. She left Sydney on the 23d of June. She has been unfortunate with her cargo, having lost more than half the stock during the passage. After discharging her cargo, the London proceeds direct to India. — Ib., July 11. - In consequence of the intelligence of the attack on the camp at the Hutt, which was taken by the Scotia, the Government at Sydney had advertised for tenders for a vessel to convey 120 troops to Wellington. — Ib.

On Saturday morning his Excellency left Wellington in H.M. steamer Driver, for Porirua, and H.M.S Calliope sailed the following day for the same destination, having on board a

detachment of twenty men of the 58th, and

forly-two of the 99th, with Major Last, Lieutenants Page and De Winton, and Ensign Blackburn. On Saturday a quantity of ammunition was shipped on board the Calliope ; the longboat of the Tyne was taken on board, which had been purchased for the service of

the Government, and lengthened by the car-

penters of the Calliope, with the intention of its being used as a gun-boat in the event of offensive operations being adopted against Ranghiaiata'spa; and other preparations were made, which clearly indicated that some decisive movement was resolved. During the prevalence of the present south-easter it would be impossible to commence hostilities, but on a change of the weather, we may expect to hear news of importance from Porirua : we therefore for the present abstain from any speculations on the subject. We may remark, however, that this is the third visit his Excellency has made to Porirua; and after the events which have occurred in the interval of his visits to this settlement — after the attack on the camp, the murders of the settlers, the repulse of the troops, we can hardly suppose his present visit to be one of routine, or, after the preparations that have been made, that something decisive will not be attempted. At present the ordinary occupations of the settlers and the friendly natives are interrupted by the constant inroads of the rebels, and their defeat and dispersion would relieve the settlement from its present state of apprehension, and be attended with the happiest effects. For the last six years the settlers have been waiting for a termination to the anxieties and difficulties which have beset them. We may hope that the expedition to Porirua will at least be the means of removing one of the most serious difficulties they have had to contend with. — Spectator, July 15. The Fisherman, which arrived on Saturday from Waikanae, brought a cargo of 450 bushels of native grown wheat. This is worthy of notice, as the first cargo of wheat which the natives have attempted to dispose of a* Wellington, all previous importations having been

usually purchased by settlers on the coast. The Fisherman was aground on Monday night, having been left without any one on board, "but the wheat was landed yesterday without any damage. It will be sold by Mr. J. Wade by public aution to-morrow. — Ib. On Saturday the new muskets and accoutrements, received by the Ralph Bernal, were distributed to the militia in Wellington. The pieces are with flint locks, and are very superior to those previously in use. It is intended to supply the whole of the militia with the new muskets. — Ib.

On Wednesday the Driver returned with his Excellency from Porirua, and the Calliope returned on the day following. The long-boat of the Tyne was landed, as also some cannon and howitzers, and a quantity of ammunition for the use of the troops at the encampment. "Wo are informed that his Excellency landed at Porirua for a short time on Monday, and inspected the camp. It would seem that for the present no active measures are contemplated, but the former arrangements will be continued. Whether the arrival of the promised reinforcements from Sydney, which may be daily expected, or of the still greater numbers to be sent from England, will cause any alteration in the arrangements that have been made, or whether the troops are to remain inactive until the return of spring, it is impossible to say. It appears probable, however, that for the next two months nothing will be done, unless indeed the enemy, presuming on their past experience, or growing more desperate, may in the interval attempt another surprise. — Ib., July 18. There are rumours along the coast of hostile movements among the natives, which we trust may eventually be found to be only rumours; or if they should unfortunately prove true, we hope that a vigorous effort will be made to j counteract these movements. — Ib. For some time past the natives at Wairarapa have been apprehensive of a hostile visit from Hapuka, a chief of Auhuriri, owing to the following circumstance: — About two years ago Mr. Wade went to Wairarapa in a small schooner, with machinery for preparing flax, and took with him two natives belonging to this district. In proceeding up the river in a wbaleboat, the boat was upset, and the natives were drowned. The widow of one of the natives subsequently married again, and as this was repugnant to native customs, Hapuka, to whose tribe she belonged, demanded the woman, and on the refusal of the natives to give her up, he threatened to take her by force. About a month ago he suddenly visited the district, where he was well received by the settlers, and the natives contrived to pacify him by presents of blankets and other goods. — B.

[From the Independent, June 24.] Flour.— This article is becoming very scarce, and we believe it is up to £30 per ton, with a likelihood of a still further advance. We trust the missionaries and others who have influence with the natives, will urge them to sow as much wheat as possible this season, as the colony will otherwise suffer greatly from the extravagant price of flour. The settlers of New Plymouth and Nelson are vigorously at work, so that there is every probability of the deficiencies being made §bod by the increased crops in those places. In the meantime, however, we think, an importation from any of the sister colonies, though it would necessarily lower the price, would meet a profit. Last week the military, stationed at Porirua, broke out into a mutiny. It appears that the commanding officer, Major Arney, would not allow the men time for breakfast, and that they had been compelled to submit to many annoyances. The whole of the detachment was under arms for three hours, and to such an extent had discontent been exhibited, that the day previous, the officer commanding ordered the corporal of the guard to shoot the first man who spoke, and likewise ordered him to plant the muzzle of his gun against the breast of one of the men. After the men retired to their quarters, fifteen were picked out as ringleaders, and sent into town. The others returned to their duty. Zillwood, one of the armed police, sailed for Akaroa in the Mana, from whence he was to proceed to Otakou, for the purpose of apprehending a man named Martin, on a charge of being concerned in the robbery at Mr. Waitt's store, in January last. Zillwood is likewise instructed to look after the Spaniard, Emanuel, who robbed Tommy Rauparaha of eighty-three sovereigns some six months back. July 4. Our Wanganui intelligence is distressing. There seems every probability that the settlement of Petre will be abandoned, since the natives have evinced a disposition which has alarmed the settlers, not only for their property, but for their lives. The Government ought to take immediate steps to remove the settlers in safety, and cause the New Zealand Company to reimburse the deluded landpurchasers, not only for the original cost, but for the last five years of toil and incertitude. It would be no bad plan to remove the whole of the colonists from the North to the Middle Island, reimbursing the settlers in some way for their outlay. The grasping natives would thus be punished, and would easily be prevented from crossing the Straits; and the war against them coulc then be carried on without any danger to out settlers.

The schooner Carbon, Joyce, master, from Taranaki, arrived in port on Thursday evening. She reports that all was quiet when she left; the crops were looking exceedingly well, and the settlers were busily employed in their farming operations, but bad been much impeded by the unusually wet and tempestous weather. Mr. O. CarringtoD has come passenger by her.

July 8. Maori Progress in Civilization.— We hear that the natives of Waikanae are becoming more and more sensible of the comforts of civilization. They have written to the Rev. S. Ironside, requesting him to send them a vessel, as they have 600 or 700 bushels of wheat ready for the market. They are desirous of adopting the American notion of going a-head the whole figure. With horses and an English plough they go about tilling their lands in style; and when the state of their treasury will admit, they purpose getting up a water- mill, to grind thenwheat into flour, and get more utu for it than they do at present. It is our opinion that were that one plague spot, Pauatahanui, removed, the whole of the Maories of the Straits would be as useful to us as those of Waikanae. But through fear, distrust, and uncertainty, many of them are neglecting their cultivations. It is reported that the hostile natives have reappeared at the Hutt. Mr. Bryce, a Hutt settler, states that he was fired at seven times, in passing from the Taita to the camp. I The Mana had a very bad passage to Akaroa, and from the continuance of tempestuous weather was unable to reach Otakou. There were eight passengers for Otakou. In the gale on Sunday night she shipped a sea which swept her decks, carrying away her bulwarks, galley, and boat. It was with great difficulty she escaped a total wreck. The Mana was compelled to run for Mana, where she arrived on Monday afternoon. One of the passengers, who arrived in town, yesterday, from Porirua, kindly furnished us with the following intelligence :—: — "The schooner Sisters, belonging to the natives, and freighted with provisions and instruments for the survey at Otakou, had been windbound at Akaroa seven weeks, and had not left when the Mana came away. " The Cologne, French whaler, Captain Bourdenough, with 1,200 barrels of oil on board, was wrecked at Peraki about six weeks ago. Two men were unfortunately drowned in attempting to reach the shore ; and the doctor and one of the men who left the wreck, intending to walk overland to Akaroa, are supposed to have perished, no tidings of them having been received up to the time the Mana sailed. " Two whaling vessels, one French and one American, are also reported lost off Hobart Town. " Mr. Greenwood had been robbed at Port Cooper, on the 30th June, by a coloured man and two white men. One held a pistol to his head, while the others ransacked his house, and carried off cash, it is said, amounting to £100. " A murder had been committed at Otakou, by a white man who had resided on the coast twenty years. The victim was the native woman with whom he cohabited. The man is a prisoner in the hands of the natives, who had sent information of the facts to the magistrate at Akaroa." A small cutter, of about seven tons, was observed by the Fidele endeavouring to beat in between Sinclair's Head and the reef. She is supposed to be the vessel built by Mr. Sinclair, at Port Cooper, which has been so long missing. At Mana, the whalers had succeeded in capturing a sulphur bottom whale, seventy feet in length, which it was supposed wonld try out ten or twelve tuns of oil. From Porirua we learn that the nephew of Rauparaha, after being warned by the sentinel not to enter the encampment, persisted in endeavouring to do so, and was by him bayonetted in the rear. A short time afterwards, some of the soldiers went down to purchase potatoes at Rauparaha' 8 pa, when the natives seized their tomahawks, and bade them depart, saying — " They would have no further dealings with the white people." July 11. Savings Bank. — Members of the superintending committee have had an interview with the Governor, at which he gave £100 as a guarantee fund to secure the interest on the deposits. He could not arrange about funding the debentures. He was much pleased with the progress of the institution, and considered it a proof of the stability of the settlement. The proposed rules were to be delivered to him, to be compared with the rules of the Sydney savings bank ; and an ordinance is to be framed, the draft of which will be sent here for perusal before it is passed. Robbery. — We are sorry to inform our readers that the premises of Mr. Samuel Woodward, on the Porirua road, were entered and plundered, between Friday night last and Wednesday, of property to a considerable amount. Mr. Woodward, about six weeks since, in consequence of the disturbance, removed with his family to town, leaving a great quantity of goods on the premises. The robbers carried off every article of value, and those things which were not suitable to their purpose were wantonly destroyed. To show the animus which prompted the thieves, we may state that a large carpenter's square was split into minute pieces, and the pieces laid in a row as if in mockery. The robbers appear to have been natives, from the fact that the whole of the iron work was carried offj even the iron from the planes and bits, whilst the wood work was destroyed. The thieves remained on the premises during the whole ol one night, having made themselves comfortable by lighting a fire, and collecting straw for theii beds. On Friday evening last two natives were seen on the ground, and were driven off by i white man. Te Ringa Kuri threatened Mr Woodward, on Friday last, what he would dc to him provided he ever went back and re occupied his land. We trust the most strenu ous efforts will be made by the authorities t< obtain some clue so as to lead to the apprehen' sion of the offenders.