New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 30, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 47, 30 August 1845, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 30, 1845.

We regret exceedingly to state, that rumours of a very painful nature are current in the settlement, of another disaster which has befallen the troops stationed at Waimate, — and that there is too much reason to fear these rumours are substantially correct. It is said that the natives have attacked the troops left at Waimate under the command of Major Bridge, and that a very determined and sanguinary engagement took place, in which a great many natives were killed, including Kowaite, and the greater part of the soldiers, together with their commander Major Bridge ; and that Mr. Archdeacon Williams and Mr. Clarke had both been shot. It is also reported that the friendly native Neni had made peace with Heki, and had united his force with this rebel. The ! news was brought overland by a Waikato native, and the story is told with a consis- i tent circumstantiality of detail which adds very much to its probability. It will be in ' the recollection of our readers, that ten days ' previous to our hearing from Auckland, the ( ne-vs of Colonel Despard's defeat, a report of it reached this settlement through the natives, which afterwards proved to be cor- '

rect. Another report is in circulation, which we sincerely hope may prove the correct version, which states that the Maoris have been defeated with very considerable loss, and that the loss on the part of the British forces was very trifling. It is also said that Captain Fitzroy, utterly bewildered and paralyzed with fear, having lost all faith in the security of the Barracks, goes on board the Hazard every night to sleep. We have always been careful in abstaining from giving circulation to reports of this nature, unless there appeared to be some foundation for them ; we shall therefore content ourselves for the present by stating that the former reports are generally believed; we earnestly hope, however, by the next arrivals from Auckland we may learn either that they are without foundation, or that they are greatly exaggerated. It would be useless to speculate on them, but we may once for all recal to Captain Fitzroy's recollection his own observation in his despatch to the Colonial Minister, written previous to his assuming the Government of this unfortunate colony. " Would it not be a matter of the deepest regret, that so truly great and patriotic an experiment as is now going on in New Zealand should be checked and stained by the shedding of one drop of blood, which ordinary prudence and precaution might have prevented ?" — and to remind him of the fearful responsibility, of the frightful waste of human life (without looking to ulterior consequences) for which he is already morally accountable, owing to the utter want of prudence and precaution which he has exhibited. Looking to the present state of New Zealand, and to the certainty of Captain Fitzroy increasing the dangers which beset us every hour he is permitted to remain in his preseut situation, we would earnestly implore Sir George Gipps to supersede him without further delay ; and to take military occupation of the colony. — Such a step might perhaps be considered as a stretch of authority on his part ; but the critical position of the colony requires the adoption of decided measureS^ttie" &oaor of Great Britain and the lives of her subjects are at stake : he is bound to render effectual assistance — and this is the most effectual assistance he can give us. But laying aside the consideration of affairs at the north ; on the bare report of such disasters it is quite time we should look at home, and we would desire to know if there is a single man who places the slightest confidence in the prudence, discretion, or energy of the local authorities ? Months have elapsed sincethe fortifications vrerecommenced, but what state are they in now ? If a sudden alarm were given, of what use would they be as places of refuge ? It is true that when public animadversion has been made on the state in which the defences have been left, his Honor has shown some feeble signs of animation, but has immediately afterwards relapsed into his accustomed lethargy. What is to hinder the gaol, where the gunpowder is deposited, from being taken by a sudden rush of the natives ? — The militia sentinel on duty there ? What is the state of the Hutt question, the great sore, the canker of this community ? Has Major Richmond advanced its settlement one iota by his solemn trifling, or by his new trade of selling potatoes ? A few of the former intruders may have departed, but their place is immediately occupied by another hungry set, who allow the settler no peace. So far from approaching a settlement, the Hutt question is in a worse state than ever, as we shall be in a condition next ! week to shew. The very chief who came i from Wanganui ostensibly for the purpose I of removing some of these natives is still , here, and will, in all probability, remain. I Within the last few weeks thirteen new houses have been built by intruding natives, on land cleared by the settlers and in their occupation. Lastly, what arrangements has , Major Richmond adopted to obtain correct information as to the movements of the natives along'the coast? What precaution to 1 prevent surprize ; or, in the event of sur-

prize, what steps has he taken to ward off danger ? We have no desire to excite any groundless alarm, but it is important that these questions should be asked, it is still more important such information should be furnished, as would tend to allay the apprehensions that exist, and establish confidence, by the knowledge that in the event of anysudden alarm, the authorities will be on their guard and equal to the emergency.

We are informed that the settlers of Taranaki, some time since, made a representation to Major Richmond, the Superintendent of the southern district, of their defenceless condition, and asked to be furnished with arms and the means of protecting themselves in the event of any attack by the natives. His Honor, in reply, stated he was unable to comply with their request, but he would write to the Governor on the subject. In due time an answer is received from Auckland promising a supply of arms and ammunition. But while this correspondence is being carried on, and before the promised assistance is sent, what is tHe situation of the settlers at Taranaki in the event of a sudden attack? We always thought that the appointment of a Superintendent for the southern district arose out of thesnecessity of having a representative of th^ local government in the neighbourhoodfof Cook's Straits, " invested with sufficienfcexecutive power to enable him to act u|)on.an emergency without the delay of a reference' to the seat of Government." Does jfes Honor lack this power, or the inclinatioivto use it ?

The Carbon arrived on Thursday night from Taranaki, with a full cargo of flour, pork, and barley, the produce of that settlement. It would appear that lhe reports current here of a conflict with the Maoris had not reached that district ; the last advices received there from Auckland, dated 12th August, state that Heki had sent to Captain Fitzroy to know upon what terms he would grant peace, but Kowaiti had determined to fight it out to the last, and was busily engaged in fortifying another pa. The ( arbon had a very favourable passage from Taranaki : when she left the natives were peaceably dispoSedrand had Refrained from offering any further ,* molestation to the settlers. In a private letter received at Taranaki, from London, it was stated, on very gond authority, that Lord Stanley's resignation would be officially announced immediately after the debate upon his treatment of the New Zealand Company, which had been adjourned to the 20th of March. Mr. Gladstone, it is confidently stated, ife to be his successor.

A subscription list has been handed round the town lately to collect money for the purpose of building a maori chapel in the pa Tearo, and it it is headed by Major Richmond's name for three pounds. We should be the last to quarrel with his Honor for contributing to a good work, but we must be allowed to question the propriety of this subscription. It looks very much like an effort on the part of the natives to establish themselves permanently on this debatable land ; and we fear this act of his Honor's will be considered as a sanction and approval of their efforts, and an encouragement to them to persevere in their opposition to the settlers.

The old serpent Te Rauparaha is said to be dangerously ill at his pa at Otaki. The maoris, our informant states, do not expect him to recover. Rangihaieta is in close attendance upon him. The two chiefs were to have had a meeting with Tyroa and the other maoris from the southern island, at Porirua, but owing to the illness of Te SSEuparaha it did not take place. Tyroa left this port ou Wednesday last.

In the Hobart Town Advertiser, July 22d, it it stated that "on Saturday morning a number of placards were seen about the city, calling on the inhabitants to resist the proposed taxation by every constitution means in their power, and pointing to the efforts of Heki, in New Zealand, and Dr. Lang in New South Wales." We should imagine the learned doctor will not be greatly flattered by this association of names. In the same paper it is stated that from taxation and other causes the free population is rapidly leaving Van Dieman's Land ; 1600 have gone away in six months, and that an universal depression pervades all classes. Prom the papers it would appeal* that Sir Eardly Wilmot is very unpopular with the colonists of Van Diemen's Land.

Wellington Markets, 30th August,^ 1845.— First flour, £15 tc £17 per ton;

Bread, per 2 lb. loaf, 5d. ; Beef, 6d. to BJ. per lb. Mutton, 7d. to lOd. per lb. Pork, 3d. to 4d. per lb. ; Fowls, per pair, 35. ; Ducks, per pair, 3s. 6d. ; Geese, Bs. each; Turkeys, Bs. each ; Fresh butter, Is. lOd. per lb. ; Salt butter, Is. Bd. per lb. ; Potatoes, £3 per ton ; Eggs, Is. per dozen ; Cheese, New Zealand, Is. per lb. ; Bathurst, Bd. per lb. ; Maize, 4s. per bushel ; Ale, Is. Bd. per gallon.

List of criminal cases for trial at the sittings of the Supreme Court, on Monday, Ist September, 1845. The Queen on the prosecution of R. Jenkins, v. James Norton, Joseph Burnett, William Fletcher — larceny The Queen on the prosecution of Joseph Bishop v. William McKemy and John Dynan — larceny. The Queen on the prosecution of George While Bennett v. William McClatchie and George Hempleman — for assault. The Queen on the prosecution of H. John Cridland v. Arthur Todd Holroyd — for libel. Misdemeanours set down for trial on the 4th. >

The Katherine Johnstone arrived on Tuesday from Wanganui, loaded with the produce of the settlement ; she brings nearly 100 bushels of wheat, besides a large quantity of haras, bacon, and pork.