BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 65, 29 August 1846, Page 2

BAY OF ISLANDS.

John Hekb.

Most of our readers are aware that this "agitator" has been principally occupied, since the cessation of hostilities, in perambulating the Northern districts, and visiting his friends and allies at their respective "kaingat." We are not prepared to say that he has positively adopted this course from motives of a sinister kind, and for purposes adverse to permanenttranquillity; yet we think, that it would be as well for the Government to keep an eye upon him, and ascertain the meaning of his movements, as far as it can be done without resorting to the odious practice of suspicious espionage. But we fear that the Government has not yet been sufficiently instructed by past experience. The reverberating echoes of the last musket, discharged in hate and anger Dy the disaffected, had scarce died away upon the breeze, when the Authorities seemed to settle down upon the lees of former apathy, and prepare themselves for another nap in the easy chair of false security. The rebellion has been crushed, itis true; but has the disposition to revolt been destroyed; has the spirit of disaffection been exorcised—has any adequate attempt been made to solder the broken bands of peace and good will, an J reunite the shattered feelings of the beaten tribes ? We fear it must be .said, " There has not." Something, however, should be done to establish perfect confidence, and restore the happy unanimity that prevailed in bye-gone days. Heke is now at Hokianga, visiting Papahia and Wharepapa. As we have already observed, we will not say that this circumstance is a bad omen ; but it may be pregnant with important consequences. We shall keep our eyes and ears open, if the Government closa theirs: —we will watch while they doze.

We have ieceived further intelligence respecting the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Dobson, whose absence from home under circumstances which were calculated to excite some apprehension respecting his safety, we reported in a late number. We are now in possession of more accurate information; and as we are always glad to be advised of any errors that may creep into our columns, we take the present opportunity of saying that the rumours to which we alluded, affecting the Police Magistrate's character for prudence, are contradicted. It appears that Mr. Clendon found the house open, and that the only reason he had for believing the box which he found under the bed to contain money, was the assurance of a native named Humaka, Mr. Dobsons confidential man, who asserted the fact. Mr. Clendon, knowing the absentee's peculiar aversion to any thing like interference with his affairs, abstained from removing any of the effects—but took an inventory in the presence of one of his own natives, Humaka, and a European named Johnston and his father-in-law, and then sealed the inside doors, and locked and sealed the principal entrance. This was on the 3rd of August, and Humaka was left in charge, and directed to send some of his friends to make enquiries after the missing man. On the Saturday following, as Mr. Clendon was on his way to Manawara, he called to ask if Mr. Dobson had returned, Humaka replied in the negative, but affirmed that the house was allvight. Mr. Clendon observed the hurried and confused manner of Humaka, and determined, in consequence, to inspect the premises. The outer door was fast as he had left it, so was the next inside door, but the tape across the sitting room door had been cut. Humaka suggested a rat had done it ! The bed-room door was wide open. Humaka rushed forward and exclaimed " the box is gone," and added, ' Johnson must have taken it." Upon a subsequent investigation it turned out, that on the day the premises were sealed, Johnson asked Humaka where he should sleep— Humaka answered ; "at home, " Johnson replied, "that's all right." On further examination it was found, that an entrance had been effected through one of the back windows, which had been fastened again so that it could not be noticed from the outside. A warrant was issued to search Johnson's house, and the Chief Waka r with a party of his men deputed to search the adjacent native villages; they had not returned when our informant wrote. A reward of £50 and a filly has been offered for the discovery of Mr. Dobson, and an additional sum of £50 for the recovery of the box. Altogether, this is a most mysterious affair, and a rigid scrutiny into all the ciicumstances connected, with it, is absolutely necessary.