RANGIHAEATA.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 101, 8 May 1847, Page 3

RANGIHAEATA.

Our readers must have observed in an extract given last week, from the Wellington Independent, that the tocsin of alarm has again been sounded in the South, in consequence of Rangihaeata's robbery, lately committed on a Mr Brown at Kapiti. Our contemporary proceeds in this strain : "Rangihaeata has again thrown down the gauntlet ; has again defied the power of the British Government ; and has again evinced a disposition not to relax in his efforts to destroy the power of the white man in this district. — The Government must now take possession of Manawatu," and so on. Now, however disagreeable it may be to have such a thievish neighbour, and especially one so fond of gunpowder, we really cannot attach quite so much importance to the affair, as does the writer of the above quotation* It is evident that Rangihaeata had set his heart on Mr Brown's combustibles: for"the natives seized a half cask of powder, and, disbelieving Brown's assertion tliat he had no more, commenced ransacking the house in every direction. A few minutes afterwards, one of the vagabonds found four flasks of fine powder. Expecting to find more ammunition, the natives set to work systematically," &c. We should certainly like to know what Mr. Brown did with so much powder, "three double-barrel guns, six muskets, four bags of shot, and a quantity of lead?" Surely, things of this sort must have been very tempting to a man of such desperate circumstances as Rangihaeata. Robberies of whaling stations were not uncommon before the systematic colonization of New Zealand. A southern chief, who enjoyed the sobriquet of "Bloody" or "Black Jack," and whose head quarters were at Otago, paid almost periodical visits of a similar character, to the stations of Mr. Guard and others in Cloudy Bay. Indeed, the whalers at last got quite used to it, like the philosophical eels, and viewed their lost goods as a sort of £ent paid for occupancy. Yet we would not' be misunderstood by our readers. We have no apology for such doing— Heaven forbid. We wish to place things in their true light, and them the importance they merit, and no more* Jt is essential, then, to the peace of the settlers at Manawatu, that the evil practices ol this savage chief and his few prowling followers be put a stop to. But it is highly desirable that this be effected without entering on another winter campaign. Let Rangihaeata! person be secured by some less showy ant expensive process than that of an army taking the field ; and we doubt not but that som< shrewd plan for the purpose will suggest itsel to the active mind of Captain Grey. Tab R*nfih*«att«the centre of attraction is gone—

the satellites disperse* One word more. There is apparently a wish implied, though not expressed, that the Governor should again visit the South. This would be making too much of the matter. There is no reason why the Queen's Representative, able as he is, should be called on to play the part of " Figaro here— Figaro there— Figaro every where." He lias quite enough to do wiihout taking 1 upon himself the cliief-con-stableship. However, in whatever way His Excellency may think it desirable to act, he will doubtless see not only the importance of carrying out his plan with the usual caution and energy, but also the policy of making Rangihaeata and hi<J gang insignificant in the eyes of the natives, by using as little of the "pump and circumstance of glorious war," as may be effectual to attain the end desired.

Our Sydney papers, received by the Maukin and John Bull, to the 23dult., furnish us with the War-office order respecting the settlement oi six companies of pensioners in New Zealand, a copy of which we shall publish in our next ; and we also learn that the gallant 58th are about to return to this country. Our neighbours are exceedingly wrath at our drawing away their troops, as well as attracting so much attention at home, and have found a vent tor taeir displeasure in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, headed " New South Wales sacrificed to New Zealand," which we shall say something about in our next. Colonel Barney and his officials had arrived at Port Curtis on the 24th January, after a tedious voyage of eighteen days. At the entrance to the port their ship ran aground on Facing Island, where they were obliged to remain during five long weeks, exposed to great hardship and privation. Several grave charges are brought against the Colonel, by the Sydney Herald, for his inactivity and indifference to the sufferings of his dependants, on the occasion.

Rfsident Magistrate's Court. On Saturday last, a person named Johnson was charged with making and supplying several natives with cartouch boxes, which was a breach of the " Aims Importation Ordinance," and the "Arms Ordinance" in making and selling warlike stores. The case was very fully proved, and the Resident Magistrate, after pointing out the enormity of the offence, sentenced .Johnson to pay a fine of SESO for breach of tlie former, and j£?2s for breach of the latter ordinance. Joseph Robinson was charged with a breach of the Native Land Purchase Ordinance, in cutting and carrying away timber off native land without a license. The bench concluded that the case was fully proved, and sentenced defendant to pay the sum of JESO. Friday, May 7. Benjamin Davis, a licensed publican at Epsom, was charged, upon the information of Mr. William Hart, with selling liquors, on Sunday night last, after the hours allowed by the ordinance, to a young man named Angus Nicoll. The ' rase was proved ; and as it was the first offence, the bench did not go to the full extent of the fine ordered by the Licensing Act, but ordered Davis to pay the sum of £3 and costs. Importation or Cattle.— We find that in the year 1846 nine hundred and thirty-six head of Cattle were imported into this settlement, and that during the first four months of the present one, about four hundred more have been introduced. The above large quantities have become the property of settlers, and are being grazed in the districts immediately surrounding the town. We are pleased to observe the introduction of so much solid wealth, (and there is something solid in beef,) for the capital embarked is sure to return in a shape highly advantageous to the Colony generally. Breeders, however, need not be under any present apprehensions that their produce will become deteriorated ■ in value in consequence of large importations from New South Wales: no; the risk and expenses attending importations of stock are considerable, and the consumption is so much greater than the present increase, that some time must elapse before we shall cease to require supplies from the sister colonies. Total Ajjstinence Sow ty. — A meeting of this society was held in the Mechanics' In&titnte on Monday evening last, which was very numerously attended. The principal speaker wai the Rf v. George Daniell ; and we feel bound to say that the subject of Abstinence from Intoxicating Liquors was never before so ably discussed in Auckland, as it was by the reverend gentleman, on that occasion ; and could the Tee-totallers on all cccasions bring before the public such able and talented advocacy, we are convinced that the community would soon become impressed with, and feel the influence of, the principles that the society endeavours to inculcate. ' Kawau.— The mining operations on this Island are still progressing, the company's energies being actively engaged to develope its latent resources. The institutions which we noticed in our former numbers as having been set on foot, meet with the cordial encouragement of the thinking portion of the inhabitants, more particularly the Library and Total Abstinence Society. The great efforts which have from time to time been made to diffuse the principles of Total Abstinence, have been crowned with the most complete success, drunkenness being now scarcely known on the Island, and as a natural consequence, the religious, moral, and social condition of the inhabitants are most wonderfully improved. On the 4th ultimo, a Tea Party in connexion with the Library was held in the School House, when between 90 and 100 of the inhabitants partook of the good things provided for the occasion ; and in the evening after Tea a public discussion took place on the benefits arising from "knowledge." After several addresses had been delivered on the subject, a good collection was made to assist in paying off the debt on the Library. The Day and Sabbath Schools continue to be well attended, and the progress apparent in the rising generation is soulstirring and cheering to every lover of education. Indeed, comparing the state of the Island now and a year since, much gratitude to God is due for the amazing changes wrought on the inhabitants generally, and sobriety, peace and harmony now prevail to a gratifying extent. A surgeon, salaried by the Company, has lately gone from Auckland to reside on the Island ; and although there is not yet a resident minister of religion, the Island is occasionally visited by the Wesleyan Ministers of Auckland, who have a thriving Society there, and an earnest and zealous Local Preacher, to whose active instrumentality the Islanders are much indebted for their present moral and social condition. We hope to be able from time to time to continue to r«port fatorably of the progress of Kauwau, as well as of many other happy communities that may be founded ' in New Zealand, mid bccojpe similarly prosperous.