TARANAKI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 10 November 1855, Page 3

TARANAKI.

[PEOM OTTB OWN COBEESPONDENT.]

New Plymouth, October 19, 1855.

Since the arrival of the soldiers there has : been no fighting among the natives. A good deal of time has been spent in letter-writing and korero, and committees, but we are no nearer the termination of the dispute than we were twelve months ago. The natives, on both sides the question, are clever at diplomacy. They are thoroughly wide awake. I think however that Government is at length satisfied that the blame of the present quarrel does not rest with Arama Karaka and the Ninia party. I am told that Colonel Wynyard was pleased with the noble spirit evinced by Karaka, and the relatives generally of the murdered chiefs, at a conference held with them lately in town. Proofs are accumulating of the duplicity and treachery of the land-leaguers. Adroit as they are at the game of deception, and well- [ supported as they have been by some high in i office from Auckland, who of course knew more about these amiable people than we who are living among them — yet their game is nearly played out ; their manoeuvres are being discovered ; and perhaps it is quite as well that they have, to use a well-known simile, had rope enough. If they abuse the leniency shown them by Government, there will be no further excuse for them. No plausible professions of their own, nor unnatural sympathy from others, will screen them from their well-deserved punishment. The interference of the highest Church authority in New Zealand in the quarrel has not simplified it, nor will it hasten the peaceable solution of it. After every endeavour to divide the settlers on this question, his lordship returned to Auckland, and sent down, per steamer, a political pamphlet, in the shape of a pastoral letter, to the members of his own communion. Great care was taken to confine the circulation of it, for there were statements contained in it, that nine-tenths of the inhabitants would protest against as untrue and unjust. The best friends of the Church here, Trustees of Church Funds, &c, greatly regret this step of the Bishop's, and speak of the pamphlet in unmeasured terms of indignation. The only apologists of it say it is an ill-advised, hastily got up, indiscreet publication. The purpose of it is evident. It is for Downingstreet and Exeter Hall. And for this purpose a whole community are libelled. We are reminded of the 10th commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." (The capitals are his own). Our grumbling at the Maori nightmare which has- weighed down the province for the last eleven years is represented by our charitable Bishop as "grudging an industrious j people the possession of lands which they have shewn themselves able and willing to cultivate." Arama Karaka is spoken of as a thorough-paced villain. Wiremu Kingi and Katatore are to be pitied, and we are warned not to drive them into rebellion ! Mr. Turton, Wesleyan Missionary, whose active efforts have been publicly acknowledged, by the authorities here, to have saved • the settlement from destruction, and who nobly risked his life in our defence, is written down as a person unworthy of public credit. Surely the pamphlet is a hasty, illadvised affair. Referring to the charge of the sin of coveteousness, with which the whole settlement is visited, it was noted with pain by many who attended Church; that the Bishop in reading the commandments from the altar laid particular stress upon the tenth. But we are impertinent enough to remind his lordship that the ninth command is of equal authority with the tenth. Several answers to the pamphlet have already appeared, copies of two of which I forward with this. Mr. Turton also called a public meeting of the province to judge between Dr. Selwyn and himself. A bold step certainly, and one the advisability of which might be q lestioned. However, the meeting was most numerous, respectable, influential. The Provincial Attorney was in the chair, and a resolution fully justifying Mr. T's proceedings, and highly flattering to him, was proposed by the Provincial Treasurer, a most consistent church member and trustee, and seconded by Mr. Sharland, another church member, and carried unanimously, amidst the acclamations of all. I have not a copy of the resolution, as it has not yet appeared in print. I, hear however that Mr. T. intends printing his version of the case, and he will doubtless publish the exonerating and laudatory verdict of the public in his pamphlet. We are very quiet in our Election proceedings. The nomination of the three candidates for the General Assembly takes place in a fortnight, and no requisition to or address from any candidate has has yet appeared. It is however generally understood that the same members will stand again, except perhaps Mr. T. King, whose health is not good. If he do not come forward again, his Honor the Superintendent will most likely be returned in his room. The electors of the district would hardly secure a better man. They would not find one who takes a deeper interest in the prosperity of the province,- or who will labour more earnestly to secure it. Since writing as above I hear Mr. Brown declines coming forward. The Provincial Solicitor will, and deserves to succeed. There are few who can spare the time from their business, even to wear legislative honours, and with executive honours in prospective. Many here think that our Constitution wants simplifying. Too much Legislation and Execution is felt to be burdensome to our small community. But we are growing bigger, and our clothes will some day fit us, so we must not throw them away.

EPFECTB OP FEEE-TBADE AND SeLF-GOVEBNMENT. —"When I went to Canada, its revenues amounted to something like £400,000 a year; when I left it, the revenue of the year was something like £4,000,000. When I went to Canada, we had something like 22 miles of railway in the country ; when I left it, we had 100 miles of railway completed, and 200 more begun ; and among the works in progress is a most magnificent tubular bridge over the St. Lawrence, two miles long, which will, when finished, be the finest work in the world ; and, as all the people in the United States are great travellers, I believe we shall have 25,000,000 of persons coming annually for the sake of seeing it."— The Earl of Elgin.