WANGANUI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 17, 1 February 1845, Page 2

WANGANUI.

We have received the following letter from oar Wanganui correspondent. Our Nelson contemporary was misinformed when he stated " that upon thie white females the greatest horrors were inflicted by the natives." Enough, however, has been done and suffered to reflect indelible disgrace on Captain Fitzroy, whose conduct to the natives has produced this outbreak. — Ed. N.Z S.

lo the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Straits Guardian. Sir, — In my letter ol the 6th instant, addressed to you for publication, you were made acquainted with the principal occurrences which had taken place here up to that time, and as it will no doubt interest your readers I now resume the subject. In the letter referred to, I stated that insults to women and children had been common, and thefts numerous. The natives, emboldened by success, afterwards became more troublesome. The settlers for want of a protecting force to fall back upon, were inj clined to submit to depredation, rathsr than hazard a general massacre by serious resistance, yet they were unanimous in a determination to punibh, at all risks, outrages on females. On the departure of the Katherine Johnstone for Wellington, on the sth instant, the conduct of the natives had become 4 so intolerable, that a pressing request wa* male to the Police Magistrate to send to that place for assistance. This step was considered the more imperative, from the fact that, the principal chiefs of the Taua were encouraging their men in depredation. The request was acceded to, and a dispatch immediately for--warded to Wellington. Soon after, this, the Bishop arrived in Wanganui ; he and the Rev. Mr. Taylor made several attempts to induce the chiefs to withdraw their men, but were both rudely insulted./ The chiefs uniformly treated them and the rest of the Europeans as slaves, and on the least excitement denounced them as such. '-*■-- The Hazard arrived off the heads' on, the eveuing of the 15th, but it being late before notice of her arrival was received in the'town, no communication was effected that night. On the following day, Major RiuhraoiiL and Captain Robertson arrived in Petre, arid immediately proceeded to the residence <)f the Pc-Hce Magistrate. After some consultation with' the authorities; they proceeded to the

quarters of the Taua, accompanied by the local magistrates and some settlers, where a circle having been formed, the attention of the chiefs was requested. They were asked why they came to the European's settlement, and allowed their people to act in the manner they had done. It is not necessary for me to relate all that passed. I shall therefore merely observe that the superintendent endeavoured to induce them to retire peaceably. On his part every argument was used which the circumstances required, and his dignity made consistent. He was answered by menace and abuse, and the usual insulting epithets were applied to our Queen, some of which were of too grossly obscene a nature to meet the public eye. The principal chief Heu Heu, was the most reasonable of the party. He did not indeed fail to avow himself superior to every European in the country. The Governor, and every other white man, he said, were slaves ; but he excused the indecencies to females, and the robberies, by saying that advantage had been taken of the apparently defenceless condition of the white people, and threw the blame on men whom he said did not belong to his tribe, and over whom he had, therefore, no controul. The conference glided by Major Richmond's informing them that if they did not immediately retire peaceably, force would be made to compel them without further parley. The Europeans then retired amidst the derision of the natives, who declared they would drive them all out of the town and take possession of their houses. It was now determined to land as many seamen as could be spared from the vessel, and the marines, but the state of the weather prevented this being done that evening. During the night, it blew a stiff breeze from the N.W., which obliged the vessel to stand off, and as her orders were to run for Kapid, should she not be able to retain her situation near the river, nothing could now be done till her return. On Saturday morning, Captain Robertson proceeded to Kapiti to bring her up. When the determination of the Superintendent became known thioughout the town, it created the liveliest satisfaction. The settlers congratulated themselves that they had for the first time obtained the protection of Government, and all became loud in praise of the decision with which the Major had acted, and forty inhabitants cheerfully enrolled themselves as special constables, to aid the men, if necessary, that were expected from the vessel. What then was their disgust and indignation when, on Saturday after Captain Robei tson had left to bring his vessel up, they saw Heu Heu and other chiefs passing through the town Jaden with blankets, shirts, trowsers, &c. &c, stated to be a present, made by Mr. Taylor, on behalf of the Bishop J Need I say more ? The next thing heard was, that the chiefs would withdraw their men on Monday morning. Thus, after having been receved with kindness and hospitality by the Europeans, the natives proceed to insult, in the grossest and most offensive manner, men, women, and children They plundered the inhabitants for the space of 17 days, during which time the latter are harrassed night and day, watching the town and endeavouring to protect property. The natives continued these depredations until checked by the arrival of a man-of-war. Then setting the Queen's Representative at defiance, and threatening to drive all the white population out of the town, they are bought over by a wholesale delivery, and free gift, of tho c European commodities, to obtain which by plunder it is very clear was their principal inducement to visit the town. How far this present, bribe, or by whatsoever name it may called, can be justified, remains to be seen. The effect in the natives will be bad. Pakero's son, a resident chief here, was asked whether he had received any thing, his answer was, " No," for added he, " I never; stole any thing from the white man. lam not a thief, but shall become one" bye" and" bye, and then shall get paid as these men have been." In fact, the natives say generally, that the goods received by the Taua have been given from fear — the white nun finding themselves not sufficiently strong to prevent depredations. I must now observe, in justice to his Honor the Superintendent, that lie was no party to the above disgraceful compromise. I believe, indeed, from what I have been able to learn, that the goods were given against his expressed wish; andjiis conduct from the time he landed, has been such as to win the respect of every settler here. I have intimated above that the robberies were encouraged tty the chiefs of the Taua party ; this is a fact, for I myself saw Taunui keeping watch, whilst four of his men broke into and robbed a house, he himself carrying away a blanket, part of the stolen property. He it was, too, who declared his determination not to leave this place until he received payment; either from Natives or Europeans for former losses here 1 . Heu Hei) was passing a garden, wherein

was a party of natives robbing it', one of them holding a tomahawk over the owners head, the white man appealed to the chief lor his interference, his reply was, "I don't care/ and he passed on. Iwi Kau demanded five pounds as payment for a book, stolen from the Police Magistrate's OffiVe, because it was the Queen's l»ook, and decLired, when his demand was refused, that no more stolen property should be given vp — this has been adhered to. I could give further instances of the encouragement which these chiefs have given to their men in their bad conduct, but must draw my letter to a close ; be ore I do this, however, I must make honourable mention of .one man, and the only one among the Taua deserving it, viz., Herekiekie, a young chief of the Taupo's, who kept himself aloof from, and discountenanced all the proceedings. This day (Monday) the whole party went off to Waitotara, but will leturn here in a day or two, on their way home. At their final departure there is no doubt but that plunder will be resorted to to a greater extent than before. * * * The Taua, apparently well satisfied with their booty, and the opportunity of getting away unmolested, were on their way to Waitotara,.not to fight, (for, as I have already said, their numbeis were too small to give them confidence even against Putiki,) but to threaten and frighten the natives of that j)lace. They were accompanied by Major Richmond, the Bishop, Rev. Mr. Taylor, and Messrs. Forsaith and M'Clean, native protectors. It had been previously arranged by the Missionary party there that on their arriving near to Waitotara, presents of kumeras, potatoes, fish, corn, and tobacco, should be made to the Taua, by the people of that place. Accordingly at Kai Heve, a quantity of these articles were delivered to Heu Heu, who immediately tabooed and burnt them. They then pushed forward, until they came Vithin five miles of Wattotara, when they halted, and the Bishop proceeded onward to the Pali to visit the opposite party. He found them greatly enraged at the indignity they had su ffered by tha burning of their presents ; they declared their intention to fight, and challenged the Taua to come forward. The Bishop soon retreated, and mournfully told Heu Heu of their numbers and determination, and no sooner was it generally known than the whole party recreated back to Kai Heve, and on Wednesday morning arrived again in the town. In the afternoon the Hazard hove in sight, and Major Richmond, the Bishop, and "Mr. I'orsaith, the native protector took their departure for Wellington, leaving the Taua^till in the Town. After the departure of the Hazard, one or two robberies were committed, and an attempt made to break into a house. Parties of natives likewise perambulated the town, and endeavoured to pick quarrels with any European they met. They were, however, generally well behaved, and on Friday morning, all quietly departed for Kapiti, with the exception of about fifty, who went up the river. Their object in going to Kapiti is stated to be, to see Rauperaha, an old friend. The natives here, however, friendly and otherwise to Heu Heu, have their misgivings, and have made preparations to fortify their Pahs. I remain, your's &c, Verax. Wanganui, January 29, 1845.