New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 29, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 25, 29 March 1845, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 29, 1845.

The Government brig Victoria has brought intelligence of the most afflicting and calamitous nature. An engagement has taken place between the Natives and the British Naval and Military forces at Kororarika, in the Bay of Islands, which, owing to the extraordinary conduct of the two officers in command of the detachment of soldiers there, ended in the defeat of the latter, and the total destruction of the town. We have given copious extracts from the Auckland papers, and submit to our readers the following account, compiled from respectable private sources, on which we can place perfect confidence ; by comparing these accounts, they will be able to form a correct opinion of the extent of this calamity — On Tuesday morning, the 11th inst., at day break, the Maories attacked the town of Kororarika in three separate divisions, amounting in all to about €00 in number, one division was led on by Heki, whase particular province it was to attack the Flag Staff. The other end of the town was attacked by Kawite, and the centre by the sons of this chief. J£awite's division, in approaching the town from Matavia Bay, was most gallantly attacked by Captain Robertson, of H.M.S. Hazard,*vrith about thirty men. This heroic little band kept the whole body of Natives at bay, and ultimately to a certain extent repulsed them. Captain Robertson, whose conduct was above all praise, was by this time severely wounded, having received four balls in his legs and arm, and was carried off the field. At this most inauspicious moment John Heki surprised the soldiers (twenty in number) on the hill at the Flag Staff, who were placed there to protect and maintain the Block-house. From an infatuation for which it is impossible to account, they came out of the Blockhouse, and Heki seized the favourable opportunity, killed three, and put the rest to flight, and thus easily obtained possession of this important post, which was the key to retaining possession of the town. Fifteen minutes afterwards the Flag Staff was cut down ; the inhabitants were panic struck at the success of Heki, and deemed it advisable to embark th« women and children, who, up to this time, were kept inside of a Stockade erected for their protection, and that of considerable property which had been deposited there by the inhabitaats. Not long after the women were embarked, the Stockade accidently blew up, (no care having been taken of the gunpowder,) and injured a great number of persons. This decided the fate of the day; the town was shortly afterwards abandoned by the Europeans, and was immediately plundered- by the Maories, who had thus signally defeated the Europeans, and driven them out of their settlement with the loss of all they had in the world. The work of plunder proceeded in a most deliberate and systematic manner. The Maoris, at their leisure, carefully removed to the Pah all the goods in the different houses and stores — every thing that they considered likely to be of any use to them ; stripped the lead from the roofs of the houses for the purpose of casting bullets, and then set fire to the town, about thirty hours after the termination of the engagement. All the Ecclesiastical buildings were spared, and to prevent any injury to Bishop Pompallier's house, the Natives pulled down the adjoining building, a store, belonging to Mr. Turner, and in doing so discovered and took possession of two thousand pounds in money, which he had secreted behind the panelling, in different parts of the building, before his departure for Sydney. "We have heard, on good authority, that the bodies of several persons were found, who had not been engaged in the fight, and who had been murdered in cold blood by the Natives long after any resistance had been attempt"

cd. We hope this is not true, but we state the circumstance, and pause for information. Before making any observations on these events, we think it right, in this critical emergency, to address a few words to our fellow colonists. So serious a calamity as the defeat by the Natives of those to whom the defence of the settlers is intrusted, is well calculated to excite apprehension and alarm, and to create great anxiety for the future. We have always distinctly warned Captain Fitzroy, that a timid vaccillating policy would inevitably lead to this result. The settlers of Port Nicholson have repeatedly, in various ways, urged both the Colonial and British Government for efficient protection, if not from any regard to their own countrymen, at least for the sake of the Natives, and, by shewing them that resistance to the Queen's anthority would be hopeless, prevent a collision, which would be productive of the worst consequences, and multiply to an inconceivable extent the difficulties attending the colonization of New Zealand, and the civilization of the Natives. We have been left with cold indifference to our fate, and a most disastrous collision has taken place. Nevertheless, we are sure our fellow colonists do not require to be reminded that it is their first duty as Englishmen and loyal subjects to yield a cheerful and ready co-operation in the maintenance and support of constituted authority, particularly when, as in the present case, the honor of their country is at stake, and their own lives and the lives and fortunes of those most dear to them depend on the issue of the event. We would only entreat them to continue in the exercise of that forbearance and self restraint which has ever marked their intercourse with the Natives, and to avoid all occasion of irritation and dispute which, now that they are intoxicated with recent success, is more than ever necessary , so, that while they prepare for their own defence and the maintenance of the Queen's authority, if offences must needs come, they carefully avoid giving occasion for offence themselves. In the strictures which we have been compelled to make, in considering the general policy of the "Government, We have often (erapered the strong expressions of our own opinions, from a consciousness of the responsibility under which we labour, the responsibility of expressing the sentiments of our constituents, of making known their wants, and of recording the evils and injustice to which they are subject. In the discharge of our duty, we have always used the Freedom of the Press, one of the most valuable privileges of an Englishman, to make known the public opinion on all questions of a public nature, and to expose the evil tendency of the measures adopted by the Government. We hav.e entreated, we have warned, but our entreaties have been despised, our warnings have been disregarded, we have seemed to those who should have profited by them, as one that mocked. With an infatuation peculiar to a man "fitted to destruction," our Governor has placed the colony in a situation of unexampled difficulty and distress, has precipitated a fearful crisis. We look on with wonder aud astonishment — a solemn feeling subdues and oppresses our minds — we cannot refuse the conviction — Quern deus vult perdere, prius dementat ! The consideration of Captain Fitzroy's speech at the opening of the Legislative Council, in connection with the present state of New Zealand, has led us to indulsre in these general reflections. Regarded by itself, this is an extraordinary production, so much so as to have raised in the minds of our subscribers on first hearing it, a feeling of incredulity, a doubt of its authenticity. But if we read it by the light of subsequent events, side by side with the terrible commentary supplied by the natives at the Bay of Islands, it is still more extraordinary. The omissions in his Excellency's speech are most instructive and significant. The southern settlements are not even referred to. No one could gathei from this speech that these settlements were in existence, much less that a Member from Wellington has been present at the deliberations of two former sessions, that these settlements are this year unrepresented in the

Council, that a body of settlers in every respect so important from their numbers, their intelligence, their energy and capital, had so long been appealing — in vain — for justice and protection, had so long been forced by the conduct of the Government into a state of unnatural inactivity, which has been followed by great distress. As far as we can learn the intentions of the Governor from his opening speech, no hope, — no promise of redress is held out to us. Instead of this he sees a mirage of commercial prosperity, and rapt with admiration at the prospect which, as he gazes, becomes brighter and more distinct to his excited imagination, he discovers that nothing is wanting to give reality to the baseless fabric of this vision than such unconsidered trifles as {

PEACE, CONFIDENCE, AND CAPITAL. To parody his Excellency's words in making a personal application of them, it is as if one should say, " common sense, prudence, and energy, are alone necessary to make Capt. Fitzroy a respectable Governor : his vanity is inordinate, and his infatuation is extraordinary." His Excellency says — " we are , exporting cargoes worth thousands of pounds each, and the number and value of such cargoes will increase yearly." Does he refer to the first, the only cargo exported from Auckland to England in the Bolina, or does he by this significant monysyllable identify himself with the much injured and oppressed settlers of Port Nicholson, who have yearly exported cargoes of considerable value to the Mother-country, and whose energies are unceasingly employed in creating new articles of export, and in opening a market for the different indigenous productions of their adopted country. With New Zealand and its natural capabilities we are perfectly satisfied, in spite of accumulated difficulties of no ordinary kind we have made considerable progress in developing its resources, and under a firm and vigorous Government capable of affording protection to its subjects, and of establishing peace and confi. dence, our prospects would become brighter and more distinct, our exertions would embrace a more extended sphere, and the measure of our prosperity would be the degre c of encouragement given to the introduction of additional capital. Our success would operate as a powerful stimulus to those who are desirous of joining us, but who are deterred by our present adverse circumstances. It is no consolation then to us to know, that the present state of things is solely attributable to Capt. Fitzroy, and the Colonial Secretary under whose instructions he is acting. It aggravates our misfortunes, and renders them more poignant to he almost within reach of prosperity, and yet not to be permitted to put forth our hands to obtain it. O, who can hold a fire in his hand, By thinking on the frosty Caucasus ? Or cloy the hungry edge of appetite, By bare imagination of a feast ? Or wallow naked in December snow, By thinking on fantastick summer's heat ? O, no ! the apprehension of the good Gives but the greater feeling to the worse. But if we are lost in surprize at the statements relating to the settlers, and the omission of matters of such vital importance to their interest, what shall we say of the extraordinary statements, of the still more extaordinary omissions made in reference to the natives. We 'look in vain for the most remote allusion to the disturbances at Nelson the outrages and robberies at Wanganui, the resolute defiance of the Government by the natives in the valley of the Hutt, or the repeated indignities and insults offered by Heki to the honor of the British flag. No mention is made of the application to Sir George Gipps for assistance ; but, instead of this, we are told, that " among the Aborginal population, crime is wonderfully rare, their forbearance, self restraint, and general tranquility are quite wonderful, that there is every reason to feel confident that they intertain the most kindly and confident feelings towards her Majesty, towards the Local Government, and towards the settlers generally " ; and within one short week after Captain Fitzroy has made this statement, the pealing vollies of the natives engaged in a most sanguinary contest with the 'British Naval and Military forces, in which thirteen of our countrymen are killed, and thirty wounded,

the entire destruction of one of the oldest settlements in New Zealand, and the removal to Auckland of the inhabitants to the number of five hundred persons^ entirely ruined / — all these facts confirm its veracity and establish Captain Fitzroy's character. If further testimony were wanted, it is supplied by Captain Fitzroy himself, who, in the same Council room in which the previous statement was made, and within fourteen days of making it says, that "he considered the whole European population had been placed, as it were, on a powder magazine, or on a volcano." Shame, grief, and indignation prevent us from expressing what we think and feel on the occasion, we therefore leave our readers to fcrm their own conclusions from these facts. In the mean time Heki has cut down the flag staff again,/or thejtfth time, and flushed with a victory which has left him undisputed master of the field, it is said, meditates an attack upon Auckland. Will his Excellency, while trembling for the fate of his capital, be tempted again to taunt the settlers of this district with the superior civilization^qf the natives of the north, and their improvement from the self denying labours of such devoted Missionaries as the Rev. H. Williams ? or has experience taught him the odiousness of instituting such comparisons ? We again solemnly warn him of the grave responsibility of his situation. He has earned an unenviable reputation, which will indissolubly connect his name with the history of New Zealand. Like Eratostratus who fired the Ephesian Temple, he will be chiefly remembered for the ruin of which he has been the author. We cannot trust. ourselves to describe the conduct of the Rev. H. Williams, the Cory-, phoeus of Missionary Land sharks, or to comment on the behaviour of the two officers in command of the military. Doubtless a competent tribunal will shortly pronounce its decision on their conduct. We turn for relief to a brighter subject, and engage in a more pleasing duly. In the of name our fellow colonists, we beg to express our admiration of the gallantry and devotion displayed by the officers and crew of H.M.S. Hazard in the difficult and trying situation in which they were placed, and the anxiety tbey have shewn to protect the lives and property of their fellow co intrymen. We beg to offer the expressions of cur deepest sympathy and concern for the fate of their brave commander, who, we fervently hope may speedily recover from the severe wounds he has received, and be shortly in a co jdition to accept our personal congratulations. The settlers of Port Nicholson from their previous intercourse with these gallant men, knew how to estimate their worth ; they have by the late events at the Bay of Islands acquired fresh claims on our respect and gratitude.

Yesterday morning, a meeting was held at the house of C. Clifford, Esq., J.P., which in consequence of the numbers who attended, was afterwards adjourned to Barrett's Hotel, to hear the arrangement made by the Magistrates for the defence of the town and settlement. A Committee was formed of the Magistrates and military men in the settlement, to co-operate with Major Richmond and the Government -authorities, in the measures necessary to be adopted, A report of the proceedings will be gisen. in our next,and also of a meeting held in the evening for the purpose of making known the arrangements of the Committee, and of expressing the sympathy of the settlers with the unfortunate sufferers at the Bay of Islands, and their admiration of the gallantry and heroic conduct of Captain Robertson and the officers and crew, of H.M.S. Hazard.

Pursuant to the notice published in our last number, a meeting of the subscribers to this paper, was held at Barrett's Hotel on Tuesday evening last, which was numerously and respectably attended. On the motion of E. Chetham, Esq., seconded by Dr. Dorset, the Hon. H. W. Petre,*J.P., took the chair. The treasurer C. Clifford, Esq., J.P., then made a brief statement of the affairs of the paper, from which it appeared that the-sub-scriptions and money received for advertisements had been sufficient to defray the current, expences for the last half year, and to leave a small balance in the hands of the treasurer. It was expected that there would be a falling off in advertisements during the winter quar-

ter, which made it very desirable that the number of subscribers should be increased to 150, to provide for contingencies, and to cover all expences. The present number of subscribers is 130. The following resolutions were then carried unanimously. Proposed by Capt. Daniel, J. P. and seconded by Dr. Dorset : — That the warmest thanks of the subscribers to the New Zealand Spectator, are due to the committee for the able and faithful manner in which they have represented the opinions of the settlers on all public matters during the last six months, and that the subscribers earnestly recommend that the same principles be maintained. Proposed by E. Chetham, Esq., J.P., and seconded by Geo. Hunter, Esq : — That Mr. Clifford, J.P., Mr. Petre, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Lyon, be requested to act as a committee to conduct the paper for the next six months, and that they have power to add 1 to their number. Proposed by G. Moore, Esq., seconded by N. Levin, Esq. — That in the event of the Committee being unable to collect the requisite number of subscribers to the paper, viz. 150, the present subscribers are willing to increase their subscriptions two shillings. Carried unanimously. In the course of the evening Mr. Clifford read to the meeting the Governor's speech at the opening of the Legislative Council, which had that day been received. The first impression ou the minds of the hearers, was, that there was some mistake, and that the whole affair was a dull joke of the Auckland press, but when the conviction was unwillingly forced on the meeting that there was no mistake, but that this extraordinary composition really was what it purported to be, the ipsissima verba of his Excellency, it created a strong impression. On Mr. Petre's leaving the chair, it was taken by Mr. Clifford, when it was proposed by Mr. Hickson, seconded by Mr. Boulcott, and carried unanimously — That the thanks of the meeting be given to the Hon. H. W. Petre, for his able conduct in the chair.