AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 33, 24 May 1845, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

We insert the following correspondence between the Governor and Sir E. Home, relative to the movements of the North Star. The Southern Cross accuses Sir E. Home of being desirous of taking his departure before the arrival of Capt. M'Quahe? of the Dcedalus, who is his senior officer, and might have controlled his movements, and of being more influenced by the prospect of a freight of specie from China, than a warfare with the natives. The Auckland Times contradicts these statements, which it says are evidently furnished by authority, and lays the whole blame of the North Star's departure to the Governor's wavering policiy, and asserts that this correspondence would never have seen the light, or such imputations have been thrown out in Sir E. Home's presence.

(Copy) Government House, Auckland, April 22d, 1845. , Sib, — I have the honor of requesting that you will enable me to carry into execution immediate measures against the rebellious natives at the Bay of Islands (while there is a large party of friendly natives in arms desirous of supporting British authority ; and while the season is favourable for military operations) by embarking detachments of H. Ms. 58th and 96th regiments, in number about 120 men, who cannot be conveyed in the Slams Castle with the main body of the forces ; and by assisting me to quell insurrection, and restore tranquility by your presence and support. The safety of this, and every other settlement in New Zealand, depends on prompt and efficient measures being taken, in executing which, I deem your assistance to be of the utmost consequence. I have the honor to be, &.c, &c, &c, (Signed) Robert Fitzroy, Governor. To Captain Sir Everard Home, Bart., &c, &c, &c, H. M. S. North Star.

(Copy.) H. M. Ship North Star, At Auckland, 22d April, 1845. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of this day's date, in which you request me to enable you to carry into execution immediate measures against certain rebellious natives at the Bay of Islands, by embarking detachments of H. Ms. 58th and 96th regiments, in all abont 120 men, who cannot be conveyed by the vessel carrying the main body of the forces, and that I will assist you in quelling the insurrection and restoring tranqtrilifcy by my_ presence and support.^ t ,

In reply to which, I have the honor to state to your Excellency, that on the 12th of January last, I received an order from my Commander-in-chief to proceed to Hong Kong as soon as I had seen the Hazard ; this order was dated on the 24th August, 1844. In direct opposition to this order, I proceeded to New Zealand, at 1 the urgent request of his Exrellency the Governor of New South Wales, carrying troops for the protection of the colony, and hearing that Auckland was threatened with an attack by the rebellious natives, I continued to remafn here until the garrison was re-inforced, and able to defend the city without further assistance, which reinforcement arrived from Sydney this morning, and" the presence of the North Star, for the protection of this town and inhabitants, is consequentlyno longer necessary. I shall, howevtfj, not hesitate to comply with your Excellency's request, by conveying to the Bay of Islands the troops which you desire to send to that place, and I shall be ready to render every assistance in my power in landing them ; but from the nature of the orders which I have received, I should not be justified were I to contilonger to disobey them by remaining at New Zealand to assist in carrying on hostilities againtt the enemy. 1 have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) J. Everard Home, Captain. To' his Excellency Governor Fitzroy, &c. &c. &c. — Auckland.

(Copy.) Government House, Auckland, April 23, 1845. Sir, — I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letter dated yesterday, in reply to mine of the same date, requesting you to assist me in carrying into execution immediate'measures against the rebellious natives at the Bay of Islands. As you state, from the nature of the orders which you have received, you would not be justified were you to continue longer to disobey them, by remaining at New Zealand to assist in carrying on hostilities against the enemy ; and as I do not consider the troops at my disposal sufficient for the measures necessaiy at the Bay of Islands, without the continued presence, and active cooperation of more naval force than H. M. Ship Hazard, it is not my intention to undertake active operations until further re-inforced. By the presence of the trSops now at Auckland and Wellington, the safety of the principal settlements is, in my opinion, secured for the present. I have the honor, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) Robt. Fitzrot. To Captain Sir Everard Home, Bart., &c. &c. &c— H. M. S. North Star. The following proclamations were issued by the Governor previous to the sailing of the expedition to the Bay of Islands :—: —

PROCLAMATIONS. All natives of the Bay of Islands, or its neighbourhood, who are desirous of peace, commerce, and friendship with Europeans, and the maintenance of the Queen's just authority, while benefitting by her protection, — are hereby called on and required to separate themselves in a few day from the ill disposed natives — and to gather round their own chiefs, under the British flag, either at their own places, or round the mission stations, which will be secure places of refuge. During the continuance of wai, no natives may approach the ships, or soldiers, or encampment at the Bay of Islands, wherever placed, without having a missionary, or a protector, with a white flag with them, lest the soldiers should mistake friends' for enemies, and fire upon, them in error. r . All boats, and other property, taken away from Kororarika by plunderers, must be forthwith given up to persons duly authorised to receive the same. Dated Auckland, 26th of April, 1845. Whereas certain disaffected natives in the northern district of the colony have taken up arms, and are now in rebellion against the Queen's Sovereign authority, and foi the suppression of such rebellion active military operations are about to be immediately undertaken by her Majesty's forces: Now, I, the Governor, do hereby proclaim and declare, that Martial law will be exercised throughout that part of the said district which lies around the Bay of Islands, (including the said Bay,) and within a circle of sixty miles in any direction from Russeil, in the Bay of Islands, from this twenty-sixth day of April, 1845, until the said district shall be relieved from the jurisdiction of Martial law by public Proclamation. Dated Auckland, 26th of April, 1845. I, the Governor, do hereby proclaim and declare, that as soon as the authority of the Queen is re established at Russell, in the Bay of Islands, all rights of property, and claims to land will be fully recognised and respected as heretofore — excepting those of persons who have acted hostilely against her Majesty's Government, or any British subject. Dated Aucldand, April 20, 1845. The Governor's speech at the close of the Session. Council Room, April 22d, 1845.

Gentlemen, — I am now enabled to adjourn this fifth session of the Legislative Council, and to relieve you for some time from such tedious and irksome duties as those which you have so cheerfully and regularly executed. I am fully sensible of the sacrifices that the non-official members have made in giving up their time to public affairs, and exposing themselves to public obloquy — the certain consequence of political exertion in whatever manner. " It must be satisfactory to the Council to reflect, that by their zealous endeavours very great reductions have been effected in the current expenditure — and that the estimate, for 1845-6 is ten thousand pounds (or onefourth) less than for 1844-5 ; — although the estimate for that year was twenty thousand pounds less than for 1843. The estimated expenditure for this year is only twenty six thousand pounds — notwithstanding that the several distinct settlements so distant from each other cause so much expense on account of their separate establishments. In proposing that we should revert to the system of raising a revenue by means of duties of Customs, I felt extreme reluctance ; but there was no choice. Six months' trial has shown that a revenue nearly sufficient for the most economical expenditure on the public account could not — under the peculiar circumstances of this colony — be raised by direct taxation. To have continued the trial longer, would have made the difficulties under which we are labouring still greater. Having failed to prevent insurrection by removing the restrictions of Customs' regulations — the chief motive for their abolition ceased ; and as the less of two evils, their re-establishment became imperative. At the commencement of this season I had no anticipation of such a disaster as that which befell Kororarika. I considered that place sufficiently defended, and looked cheerfully elsewhere. But the fall of Kororarika has taught all a lesson ; and I trust that improvement will be the consequence, after a season of bitterness and inevitable warfare. British authority must be vindicated — but withjustice and mercy. - * Robert Fitzrov,

Our iciulcis will lecollccl tliat one To Male was accused upon oath of robbery at Matnkana, and advertised in the Government Gazette, with a reward for his apprehension, and who afterwards got two horses as a bribe for fresh provocation. This fellow has naturally (so it is creditably affirmed) joined John Heki, with Tirarau of Kiapara, whose assistance may be considered formidable. The Hazard has gone to the Bay to blockade - the port, and an almost incredible rumour is in every mouth, which we therefore ch^lenge the Governor, for his own sake, toe cfisprove, that he has, in her tender, the Albert, sent supplies of ammunition and provision to Nene and his party, to support them against Heki, thus overthrowing all Exeter Hall principles, and encouraging instead of suppressing native warfare, besides putting into the hands of the savages means which they will most assuredly treacherously divide among themselves to complete their array against us. — Times, April 22.