NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday May 10, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 31, 10 May 1845, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday May 10, 1845.

*Wb publish to-day a correspondence between Mr. Forsaith, Protector of the Aborigines, and iiis Honor the Superintendent, in -which a plan •is, proposed for removing the natives from the Hutt, and upon this plan we are invited to express our opinion. Knowing that it was at the instigation of Mr. Forsaith that Captain Fitzroy reversed Mr. ""Spain's decision at Taranaki, knowing al^o that - Mr. Forsaith attempted, not long ago, to induce his Excellency to break up the settlement at Wanganui, by falsely representing that there was no available land in that district, we confess we approach the consideration of any plan proposed by him With feelings of considerable suspicion — feelings -which a perusal of his letter has certainly not tended to allay. His scheme appears to us to be impracticable and impolitic. -It is impracticable, because at the best it would only be partial in its operation. It would be •impossible to prevent poor settlers with large families from purchasing provisions of these • natives, if they obtained them at a lower price, -and if the settlers were unanimous, it would be impossible to pi event the natives furnished with these " tokens" from acting as agents for the proscribed. It is^ impolitic, because if "the token system" were rigidly carried out, it would harrass and annoy the friendly natives from the coast. And we may add, if it is intended to amuse the settlers, by putting forward this scheme, and thereby withdraw their atten--tion from the deliberate pledge given by the Government, that these intruders shall be removed with the least possible delay, it is dishonest. We do not, however, think this abortive scheme worthy of further comment : it is what might _ have been expected from such a quarter. Since writing the above, we have been informed that "these very natives, the proposed subjects of the experiment, say they are assured by the local authorities that they need not be under the least apprehension that such a course would be adopted. We are also further informed that a misapprehension exists among them with regard -to the " token" which they understand to mean a brand or mark similar to those used An marking cattle. The principal difficulty — Where are these natives to go when they are removed from the 'Hutt? — the local Government has not yet attempted to .provide for. — They are the outcasts of broken tribes who know that if they return to their native districts a certain fate awaits •them ; and they remain here chiefly for the protection afforded them by the Government. Captain Fitzroy is- bound to protect them as "British subjects from the violence of hostile tribes, and as he has extensive districts of Crown land at .his disposal at the north, and is just now a great advocate for concentration, we would suggest their removal to the neighbourhood of Auckland, where they would be under his immediate care and that of the Chief Dragoman, and by the exertions of two such philanthropists they would doubtless be speedily advanced to the .superior and boasted standard of civilization attained by the natives at the north, We can assure his Excellency Jie is heartily welcome to them.

Ws are informed by Mr. Syraonds, who bas just returned from Manawatu, that Rauparaha at Porir.ua on Wednesday last to have a korero with Rangihaieta about the settlement of the Hutt question, and intends to visit Port Nicholson on Monday next with a view of assisting the local authorities in expelling the intruders. Rauparaha is anxious, it is said, that the intruding natives should -go away, but Rangihaieta insists they shall remain. This is a sequel worthy of the management shewn by the Government throughout the whole affair. First, Captain Fitzroy pays away the Company's money, for which the settlers do not get value received. Then the land is tabooed, and we are led to believe that great consequences would follow from this step. Then we are amused With the to.ken system, and lastly, as a dernier

resort, Rauparaha is to be the Mediator of the This, policy of sacrificing principle to expediency has uniformly failed when-^ ever" it has been adopted by them, and we are deeply concerned that the local authoritieshave so little self respect, or so little regardforthe honour of the British name, as to attempt the settlement of this question by means of such an instrument! It is said that the Bishop of New Zealand will accompany Rauparaha.

The Governor and his Legislative Council, in a fit of economy, have ordered a reduction in the boat's crews of the harbour establishments, which, instead of being, as heretofore permanent, are to be hired as occasion may require, with the exception of a coxswain and one seaman at each settlement.

We have been requested to insert the following resolutions of the land agents, which appear to be based on equitable principles. The arrangement must be regarded as prospective, as in the present state of the colony and the land question, it is next to impossible to collect rents, and jiot very incouraging to invest money ra improvements : — , l -< Wellington, N*w Zealand, Fbb. 17, 1844. - At a general meeting of Land Agents held this day, at the Wellington Tavern, C. Alsdorf, Esq., in the -chair, it \rni unanimously resolred" — That in consideration of the trouble and expense to which the Agents of Absentee Proprietors are subjected, not only from haying frequently to attend and point out on the spot, the boundaries of Town allotments and! country sections, the latter being at a considerable dis-l tance from Wellington, and difficult of access, but having in many instances to do so repeatedly before a tenant is procured, and the country sections being generally let at a peppercorn for some years. That the following rate of charges be adopted as a reasonable andjust remuneration for the arerage duties and trouble of superintending estates and property in the colony :— TOR GENERAL ST7PEKINTENDBNCB. £1 annually for each country section untill let, and £2 after letting, until the expiration of the peppercorn rent. ;£IO cent, on all receipts from rent or other profits arising from the land.

FOR LETTING. Where the rent received is under j£lo, £l. Where the rent is progressive, j£lO per cent, on the amount of one year's average rent of the term for which the property is let.

FOR SELLING. j£lo per cent, on amount of the purchase money The above rate of charges to include the general correspondence between Principal and Agent, and a yearly statement shewing the condition and progress of the property. That in consequence of. the difficulty of access to several districts, it be recommended to the Absentee Proprietors to authorise their Agents to draw, not exceeding £& per section, towards any subscription that may be proposed, on equal terms with the proprietors, or tenants of adjoining lands, for the formation wad maintaining of roads in such districts, until relieved by ; a legislative enactment Resolved — That the foregoirig resolutions be printed as a circular to send to Principals in England.