WANGANUI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 23, 15 March 1845, Page 3

WANGANUI.

A daring robbery was committed in Wanganui, on Wednesday, 26th February, by Turoa and Pakero, the two chiefs resident in the town, the circumstances of which are as follows :—: — Ulrich Prophet, one of the constables, had just landed from the Katherine Johnstone, a large aud valuable piece of greenstone, and was removing it to his house, which is situate in the most populous part of the town, when Pakero, who, with some of his men was present, expressed a wish to see it. As it was understood that he would become a purchaser, the greenstone was placed on the ground, inside the yard fence for his inspection, and while this was going on he occasionally turned it over, in the direction of the yard gate ; the hint was accordingly given to Prophet that, in all probability it was Pakero's intention to carry it off, as, on a former occasion, he, VTuroa, and another chief, had attempted a similar feat. Soon after this, Prophet carried it into the house and closed the door. *' A few minutes afterwards, Turoa arrived with about forty natives, armed with spears, tomahawks, and a few guns. The greenstone was demanded, and Turoa, flourishing

his Patoo Poonam, threatened to cleave Prophet's skull, and to cut down the house, if it was hot immediately given to them. As no payment had been offered, and the natives were unprepared with any, this was refused. Turoa and Pakero then commenced an attack on the house, burst open two doors, entered and carried off the stone. There were not more than half a dozen white men present, some of whom offered resistance, upon which Pakero ordered more muskets to be brought from the Pah, and in a few minutes a party of natives armed with them arrived, and the greenstone was carried off in triumph. Soon afterwards, the Police Magistrate ; Capt. Campbell, J.P. ; and the Rev. Mr. Taylor, saw Pakero, on the subject ; the following is the substance of what passed. — He was reproached with having broken into the white man's house, and stealing his property, the restoration of which was requested. Pakero said that, he did not consider it a crime to break into the house, nor the taking away the property a theft, for that he would pay for it, bye and bye ; and peremptorily refused to give it up, He was then told that if he gave it up immediately, the Police Magistrate would keep it in his possession, and take care that no other native should have it, but would reserve it fur him until he could make the necessaty payment. This was also declined. He was then threatened that, the Governor would be informed of the affair, and the consequence would be that, he would not receive payment for hhi hnd, to which he answered " very good, send to the Governor, I don't care." This threat was afterwards repeated, upon which Makatu, a relative of Pakero's, and the principal spokesman, saiJ, "you are always talking about sending to the Governor ; you have sent many times, but no answer ever comes back, send now,: immediately ; tve, at the same time, will send to our friends, and then see who will get the first answer, (who will be first attended to.) Thus ended the conference. The greenstone had been removed out of reach, escorted by a party of natives. About a month since, a dwelling house in the town was broken into and robbed at night, and it is strongly suspected that some of the natives concerned in the robbery of the greenstone, were in that transaction. Pakero is an exceedingly bad man ; his disposition is truly savage, he and Turoa are constantly professing the greatest friendship to the settlers, but the former has been, from the first formation of the settlement, the scourge of many.