NELSON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 37, 21 June 1845, Page 4

NELSON.

[From -Che Nelsoat Examiner, June 14.] " The shameful neglect with which he (the Governor) has treated and is treating the Nelson settlement with respect to protection by troops is more striking and unjust. We have a police magistrate and three constables here, though there is open war t in the, North between the races, and in the South the greatest danger of it.- ' This is our standing army. It may be doubted if these three, though as brave as the Horatii and Curiatii of old, are au adequate defence for a settlement of above three thousand souls. True, a Militia Bill has lately been passed, and officers appointed. But the thing goes on but slowly. We are sorry, too, to learn -tibat Mr. *Fox has declined the offer of a commission. As the importance of securing the services -of some in whom the settlers have confidence in -such a matter must be self-evident, we do hope that Major Richmond whom we .are indebted for the offer) will' do all in his -power to -remove Mr. Pox's objections, whatever the nature of them may be. ■" Perhaps it would not be amiss to send a memorial -to -Sir -George -Gjjjps, stating ouc need of troops, and the apparent improbability that of our gettirjg any fcqHuCaptain Fiteroy. We do not think there is, any immediate danger to our settlement, But then it is impossj&le to say how soon it may arise. Old B.aupa*aha's game is-as clear as 'day- JKrom all his t previous history and well-known character we venture to prophesy it. .He will himself openly join neither party, but wait the ureeult, at the Jast possible moment securing himself with the -victors. He will leave the actual fighting to Rangluaiata, or E Kuri, or any bolder and blinder savage. Meanwhile he will keep within reach and watch. He will most probably assist, as much as he secretly «an his own countrymen — possU4y even incite to a trial, of strength with the Eu-

1 ropeans. If he be near enough, which is very doubtful, should an actual conflict begin, to render such assistance as may give the victory to his own countrymen, of course he mil do it. But even this is perhaps a more decided step than he will take at first. If, however, the Europeans beat the Maories, or if he see their success inevitable, he will probably even affect to render them assistance when no longer needed ; and would care little to see even ' his general/ Ranghiaiata, knocked on the head — perhaps would encourage his people to help to do it, to purchase thereby security for himself from the Europeans. There is nothing more certain than that he will keep aloof and undecided till after a conflict. " Read by the light of events now passing, there is an amusing instance of Captain Fitzroy's particular clearness of foresight in his evidence before the Select Committee of the House of- Lords. He says there that 'he considers the whites would be too strong' for the natives in the northern part of the island in five or six years ; but over the whole of the islands it might be perhaps more than fifty years (before such an event), because little or nothing had yet beemdone in the southern island.' As if the ' doings' which civilized the natives would not, of coarse, render them stronger instead of weaker 1 He has had his five or six; years, and ' the doings' have led to the destruction of one British settlement, and a great increase of the strength and confidence of the natives. *' Bat if the natives to the south are «o much more difficult to manage, why does he keep all his troops up in the north, and leave cc to the protection of three constable, though -ever co Horatian and Curiatian V We learn from the Rev. Mr. Aldred, that the missionaries at Hokianga And Kaipara have written to Mr. Lawrie, superintendent of the Wesleyan mission in New Zealand, requesting him to charter a vessel to remove them and their families, as the natives with whom they are living cannot guarantee their safety during the present excited state of their countrymen. Exports. — Messrs. Hooper & Co., of the Nelson Brewery,, have chartered the cutter Lively to convey to Auckland a cargo of their very excellent aleu The superior quality of this beverage will be sane to command a ready sale. The Bandicoot will >be loaded iy Messrs. Fell & Co. with timber for Hobart Town.