The New-Zealander. SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1846. NATIVES.

New Zealander, Volume I, Issue 51, 23 May 1846, Page 2

The New-Zealander. SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1846.

NATIVES.

Be just and fear not : Let all the ends thou aims't at, be thy Country's, Thy God's, and Truth's.

Although the Ralph Bernal is now long overdue, if she sailed from England at her appointed time, we have had no arrivals from the Southern settlements, since our last publication. The Government Brig may be hourly expected from Wellington, and will relieve the anxiety, respecting the proceedings of the Natives in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson. By our letters from the eastern coast, and the interior, we learn, that the great Native Feast that was to have taken place in the neighbourhood of Mata Mata, in the middle of April, had been postponed to about this period, in consequence of the great destruction of the kumera crops by one night's severe frost. It is anticipated, that at the immense gathering of the Native tribes, whenever this feast does take place, that the present state of affairs in Cook's Straits, will be most warmly discussed, and the real feeling and intentions of the chiefs and the tribes, inland and southward of Tauranga—all of whom are connected with, and related to, the Straits' natives — will be disclosed. We have, ourselves, great reliance on | the influence— to restrain any rash vindictive feelings that may be evinced — of the I great young chief, William Thompson,

by whom this huihuinga is summoned, and who finds the food for the entertainment. He is a most sensible, excellent man — quite conscious of all the advantages and comforts which the introduction of Christianity, and civilized habits and usages have already conferred on his native land, and he estimates and respects the Europeans accordingly. Within the pale of the power and influence of such a native chief, there is little to fear of blind lawless acts of rebellion and outrage.