NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, April 26, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 29, 26 April 1845, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, April 26, 1845.

Considerable alarm and excitement prevailed in Wellington on Sunday evening, in consequence of a report, that the intruding natives in the Hutt district intended to pull down the stockade which had recently been erected, and to destroy the bridge, and thus cut off the means of communication between the banks of the river. At 9 p.m.. the brig Bee, which had arrived the day previous with a reinforcement of fifty soldiers of the 58th regiment, sailed for Petoni, and by three o'clock on Monday morning the troops were landed, and took possession

of the stockade, which was guarded by the settlers, who had assembled to defend their families and property, -tmd to prevent violence on j the j)art of the natives. The troops are now comfortably established in their new quarters : the block-houses, which are completed, serve as barracks for the men ; and a small house will be I built -within the stockade for the officers. We have prefaced the few observations for which we have room this week, by the above plain narrative of facts, because it is intimately connected with them. The intrusion into the Hutt district of these natives who -the Government now seek to expel, is a good example of their policy, and of the evils which have resulted to the settlers. The natives were allowed to establish themselves without opposition on the part of Captain Hobson's government, who doubtless thought their system of undermining and destroying this settlement would be greatly advanced by establishing this seton in our body politic, which attracts and draws together all the ill humors, and discontent among the natives, to so vital a part, while occasion could be taken to represent the evil consequences which were sure to follow, as caused by the conduct of the New Zealand Company, or the indiscretion of the settlers. The plan has signally failed, owing to the moderation displayed by the settlers in the trying situation in which they-have been placed : but the -necessity for settling this question bej comes more imperative than ever. The step taken on Sunday by the local authorities, is a step taken in the rightidirection : it was .promptly resolved on , and vigorously executed ; and we have little~doubt"that, with prudence and energy, this embarrassing question may be settled without a contest. But will they persevere? — will no compromise, which Captain Fitzroy may call a little management, be attempted ? We hope not, as it will only lay the foundation of other and greater evils. These natives, who have no claim on the land, and who receive no sympathy, in their encroachments and rapacity, from the other tribes, must be expelled, injustice to the settlers, and the native tribes who belong to this district, with whom we have always lived on friendly terms. But we have so often had our hopes raised, by the prospect of an immediate settlement of this question, only to be disappointed, that we cease to indulge in the pleasures of hope, and wait quietly watching the issue of passing events. In an able article in the Sydney Morning Herald, headed, " Who is responsible for the massacre at New Zealand ?" — the evils of which the colonists are suffering are rightly attributed to the criminal neglect of those whom the Crown has intrusted with the protection of its subjects — the writer says, " The New Zealand Government is blamable for having so long shuffled and temporized; the New South Wales Government, for its unjustifiable delays of military succour ; and the British Government, for having turned a deaf ear to the cries of the settlers for protection." The settlers of Port Nicholson entirely absolve Sir George Gipps from the slightest degree of blame arising out of these transactions ; for when he was assured by Captain Fitzroy, " that he was not constrained to urge such imme~ diate measures as were thought absolutely necessary /os*./w/y,"hewas bound to exercise due discretion in regulating the expenses attending the transport of the troops. The whole blame must be divided between Lord Stanley, Captain Fitzroy, and the missionaries, by whose influence he has been guided. The system has been fairly worked out, and we see its results; for in considering the recent outbreak at the Bay of Islands, we must always bear in mind that this was the head quarters of the missionaries, and where they were supposed to have the greatest influence. But let us hear Captain Fitzroy himself. In a despatch written to Lord Stanley before leaving England, in which he propounds certain questions " of much importance to New Zealand," accompanied by remarks expressing his sentiments on each question, published in the evidence taken before the Committee on New Zealand, which has just reached the colony; on the Fourth Question, "Do our settlements in New Zealand require additional military or naval protection ?" he says — " Were it not for the irregular conduct of our own countrymen, for the exceptions to the general character of the aborigines, and for their liability

to be at times excited by misapprehension or accidental offence, I would lather that there were no military in New Zealand : they are not required to maintain our own position, nor to acquire territory. For the first time in. the history of the world, the white man has put his foot on the soil inhabited by a savage race, taking steps tending to their extermination. Our position in New Zealand is the natural consequence of Christian conduct towards the aborigines, aided by their desire to possess our goods, and to acquire our knowledge. While we continue to act correctly, the aboriginal population may be easily controlled, and the use of physical force avoided. The white man's person is now held almost sacred ; the soldiers have not been defeated; long may such moral feelings be preserved ! they are of more consequence in New Zealand than an army." These were Captain Fitzroy's opinions before he assumed his Government, and we see that he was prepared to find the natives always in the right, and the settlers in the wrong, in any disputes that might occur. We fear his opinions are still the same ; that experience, the bitter experience of recent events, will fail to convince him of their fallacy. By the .next airival from Auckland, we may possibly learn whether he has resolved to change his temporizing, vacillating conduct for a more vigorous policy.

On Monday evening the volunteers assembled, as usual, at Thorndon, to the number of 160, all armed, the arms having been supplied by the New Zealand Company. After being inspected by Major Richmond, the following notice was read : — Police Office, Wellington, April 21, 1845.

Memorandum. — His Honor the Superintendent has desired it should be made knowu to the volunteers to whom muskets have been supplied, that about 4,000 rounds of ball cartridge are now in readiness for their use ; and as there are at present no cartouche boxes, it is proposed to furnish 2 rounds to each man, and to have the remainder at the three undermentioned places, so that each division of the volunteers may repair, on the alarm being given, to the nearest depot to receive a further supply, viz. — the New Zealand Company's offices on Thorndon flat — Messrs. Johnson and Moore's stores, Lambton-quay — and at the Barracks, Te-aro.

On Tuesday evening the company of the 96th and 58th Regiments, stationed in Wellington, were reviewed by Captain Russell, on Thorndon flat. A good deal of interest was excited, and a number of spectators attracted to the spot, as it was the first review witnessed by the settlers since they had left their native country. The men were formed in close and extended order, and parties were sent out as skirmishers. There were several natives on the ground who appeared to be attentive observers of the scene. We understand it is intended to exercise the men twice a week.

Sale of Property. — Messrs. Bethune & Hunter sold, by auction, at the Exchange, on Thursday last, the lease of the half-acre on Te Aro beach, upon which stands the Bank, and the buildings occupied as the barracks, now producing £180 per annum, subject to a groundrent of £60 : it was knocked down at £42. A freehold allotment on Lambton Quay, 48 feet frontage, with buildings at present in the occupation of A. Heese, was sold for £48. The schooner Hannah was put up at £200, and after a spirited competition, was knocked down at £350 ; the purchaser was Captain Salmon ; she is intended for the coast trade, between Captain S.s fisheries on the coast, and this port.

Sydney markets, April Bth. — Wheat, 3s. 3d. to 3s. 6d. per bushel ; flour is on the decline, £S per ton for fine flour ; maize, Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. per bushel; hay, £3 per ton ; English barley, 2s. Sd. to 3s. per bushel ; Cape barley, Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. per bushel, of 251b5. ; butter, 9£d. to 10£ d. per lb. Bacon and hams are greatly wanted : scarcely any in Sydney.

Hobart Town Markets, March 13. — Our markets remain as before. There is a little grain brought down at present. Wheat rules at 3s. 4d. Fine flour at the mills, £7, 10s. to £9, 10s. The wheat sent home by the Kinnear was readily bought up at 58s. per quarter, the price of the best in Mark-lane being 545. Tallow was dull ; bark, £8, 10s. to £9 ; wool, oil, and bone, were firm at former prices. This information was derived from a private letter from the firm of Buckles & Co., and the same letter stated that wheat from Van Diemen's Land at 3s. 6d. to 4s. per bushel would meet with a ready sale; and that arrangements had been made in England with the insurance oifices to take risks upon grain, above 10 per cent., at a piemium of 80s. per cent., thereby insuring the shipper against a greater loss than 10 per cent., instead as formerly, when there was only an insurance against total loss. — Colonial Times.