ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 31, 10 May 1845, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

(Copy.) Wellington, April 30th, 1845. " . Sm — In my communication of the 26th inst. J informed your Honor that I entertained sanguine hopes of sucpeeding' in my negotiations with the natives relative to the quiet evacuation of the Hutt, having been authorized to make such proposals as I deemed amply sufficient to remove their objections ; but my recent inter-

•views with them have tended very considerably to weaken the confidence I felt of being able to -effect this object, and I am constrained to say that I have now very little hope of inducing them to leave speedily. The great obstacle to -their immediate acquiesence in the terms I have offered, is the advantage they are daily deriving from traffic with the settlers ; so long as their every wish can be gratified, and every necessary procured by the sale of their commodities, my arguments and offers make but little impression. This has led me to consider, whether some practical means could not be devised for depriving them of these inducements, and, by laying an interdict upon their traffic, convince them, that no further advantages can be gained by persisting in the occupation of the Hutt. lam fully sensible of the difficulties which present themselves in contemplating such a measure, and every person who has the least acquaintance with the principles of political economy, will see at once, that any scheme aiming at a total suppression of trade and commerce with the natives as a body, and for an indefinite period, would not only be injurious to the best interests of the colony, but absolutely impracticable; in fact, the attempt would be absurd : but when it is contemplated to confine the restriction to a small body of the natives only, and for a limited period, I imagine the plan, not only practicable, but perfectly feasible, if supported by the voluntary efforts of the public ; at least the difficulties attending the experiment are not insurmountable, and even less numerous, in my estimation, than those which would attend the employment of physical force. Independently of the danger to which many of the settlers would be exposed, by the adoption of compulsory measures, the nature of the^ <!ounrry is so favourable to the covert resistance* of the natives, that it would be almost impossible to ensure their entire expulsion, or to prevent their return if expelled ; at all events, it would be very long before the settlers could enjoy a complete sense of security ; whereas, if the public can be made to feel that they have it in their power most effectually to sever the ties which bind these natives to the Hutt, and an appeal be made to them, to co-operate in a measure so safe, so humane, and involving so few sacrifices, the result is morally certain ; we should soon have the natives as desirous to abandon their present position, and thereby recover the forfeited advantages of commercial intercourse with us, as they are now obstinate in maintaining possession. I would propose, therefore, subject of course to your Honor's approval, that the experiment be tried, and if there is reasonable prospect of unanimous and cordial co-operation of the public, for without this it would be useless to make the attempt, and the probability of such co-operation might easyly be obtained through the medium of the public prints, then, tokens, signed by yourself, or some duly authorized person, should be issued to the resident natives of the various " pa's" in the district, to be presented by them whenever they had purchases to make, or articles to sell to the Europeans, those natives only being admitted to the advantages of traffic who were in possession of these authorized tokens, proving them to be unconnected with the residents on the Hutt. The natives of the district would soon understand the object of such a regulation, and from my frequent opportunities of ascertaining their sentiments respecting the conduct of the intruders on the Hutt, I am satisfied that they would not endeavour to nullify such an attempt by lending their tokens, or any other act of collusion with the proscribed. In the case of strangers coming into town from the outsettlements, for the purposes of trade, a nearly similar plan could be ■adopted, only instead of issuing tokens to be permanently retained, certificates of their eligibility for traffic should be given them, to be returned when they departed to their homes. If your Honor approves of these suggestions, and if you are of opinion that by the publication of such a proposal the settlers may be induced to combine for the purpose of carrying it into effect, I think there can be no doubt of the result ; and even though it should be found impossible to induce a combination so perfect as wholly to suppress the trade with those natives, yet such a majority, I am convinced, might be .gained as would make it apparent to them, that their opposition to the requirements of the' Government had placed them on -a very embarrassing position, and thus incline them more readily to embi-ace any offer which afforded the chance pf an honorable retreat. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) Tjhomas S. Forsaith. To his Honor the Superintendent, &c. &c. &c.

(Copt.) Wellington, Ist J^ay, 1845. Sir — In reply to your letter of yesterday's date, I have to apprise you of my concurrence in the plan proposed by you, as likely to be the means of causing the peaceable evacuation of the Hutt district by the intruding natives, and in granting permission for jts insertion in the local newspapers, I have to express an earnest , hope that the public will lend their cordial cooperation and assistance to a spheine which

appears calculated to effect the object we are a so desirous of obtaining. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) M. Richmond, Superintenden T. S. Forsaith, Esq., Prot. Aborigines, Wellington.