WANGANUI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 54, 18 October 1845, Page 3

WANGANUI.

The Kaiherine Johnson has brought, as a passenger from Wanganui, the chief John Williams who, our correspondent informs us, has been deputed by the natives of the pa Potiki to visit Port Nicholson for the purpose of inducing his Honor the Superintendent to supply them with arms and ammunition, in order that they may be able to defend themselves when attacked, which it is very probable they will be this summer. This request our correspondent thinks will be productive of much harm. " They will make their claim as British subjects, and if it be refused, they will become disaffected. On the other hand, if Major Richmond comply, their enemies the Patu toko toko tribe, also residing here, will either make the same demand, or take the first opportunity of revenging themselves on the settlers. Upwards of six months since the missionary natives applied to the Governor for a military force to be stationed at Wanganui; they stated, that fighting was contrary to their tenets, that they wished to live peaceably, and claimed the Governor's protection as British subjects, but no answer was ever returned to their memorial. From all the information that can be gathered among the natives, some important movement is likely to take place, so soon as their crops are ripe, and my own opinion is, if it is wished to preserve peace in the South, a military force ought quickly to be stationed at Wanganui." By the same opportunity we have also received copies of the Wanganui correspondence which we submit to our readers with a few words by way of explanation. As Captain Fitzroy is now politically defunct, we will not waste our readers time or our own by further remarks on one who is reduced to his original insignificance, but we put these public docu-

ments on record as a sufficient answer to his friends, who prate of his moral feeling and high sense of honour, and as a justification of the charge we have so often been compelled to make of his total disregard of truth, and the neglect or violation of the pledges given to the settlers in Cook's Straits by this dishonoured gentleman. No 1 is a letter from Captain Fitzroy to j Major Richmond, promising without loss of time to make arrangements for completing the purchase of the Wanganui block' ofvland, so as to enable the residents there to feel settled, and to extend their operations. No 2 is Captain Fitzroy's answer to an offer of some of the settlers in that district, who, to obviate any difficulty that might arise from the nonpayment of the £1,000, and at the same time to show their own confidence in the result, offered to advance the greater part of the sum themselves. In answer to this communication the settlers again wrote to Capt. Fitzroy stating their perfect willingness to to their offer of advancing a portion of the.money, and again expressing their hopes of a satisfactory result. About the same time the natives addressed the memorial we quoted in our 51st No. stating their conviction, that it was for the Governor only to settle the land claims, and entreating that he would not be long in seeing his children at Wanganui, This was accompanied by a letter from the Revd. R. Taylor (No 3.) to which we have before alluded, and to which the following extraordinary reply wsa sent by Capt. Fitzroy (No 4.) . His answer to the memorial of the Chiefs at Wanganui we have already published. To the settlers he shortly replied, that no assistance whatever could be rendered to them, nor could any hope be held out to them that they should receive any, and recommended them, if they were determined at all risks to remain there, to purchase what land they required from the | Maories, as he was informed Mr. Bell had done. 1 No 5. is an application to the Revd. R. Taylor by Mr. Nixon on behalf of himself and his fellow settlers, for a copy of Captain Fitzroy's communication to him, with Mr. Taylor's answer (No 6.). These letters explain the publication of Nos 3 and 4. It would weaken the effect of this correspondence to add one word by way of comment; we leave our readers to form their own opinions upon it. (Copy.) No. 1. From Ms Excellency Captain Fitzroy to ?i!s Honor the SUPERIM'ENDBNT. Government H<mse, Auckland, Jan. 25, 1845. Sir, — I have to request that you will acquaint the residents at Wanganui, through Mr. King, the police magistrate, that I have received and duly considered the clear and satisfactoiy report of Mr. Jermyn Symonds, and that I will without loss of time make such arrangements for completing the purchase of much, if not all, of the Wanganui block of land reported upon by the Commissioner, as will enable the residents at Petre to feel settled, and to extend their operations. I will write to Mr. King by way of New Plymouth in a few days. — I have, &c. (Signed) R. Fitzroy.

(Copy.) No. 2. From his Excellency Captain Fitzro 1 * tc (he Settlers at Wanganui. Auckland, Feb. 17, His Excellency legrets exceedingly that your settlement has lately been so disturbed by the Taupo natives, that he cannot but doubt whether the residents at Wanganui (Petre) will think it advisable to adhere to their offer of advancing £700 towards settling their land claims. His Excellency wishes to hear from you im» mediately, and will do his utmost to forward your views, whether they incline towards removing or remaining.

(Copy.) No. 3. From the Rev. R. Tavlor to his Excellency Captain Fitzroy. Wanganui, April 14, 1843. Sir, — I have the honor of forwarding to yoiir Excellency a tetter from the principal chiefs cf Wanganui relative to the land question, which I trust will meet with your Excellency's early attention. It is now nearly two years since the Commissioner made his award ; and although the natives have waited most patiently your Excellency's convenience, I verj' muchjfear, should there be any further delay, whether they may not be led to doubt our faith, and recede from their promise of selling the land. The settlers likewise are kept in a state of uncertainty, and are hindered from actively engaging in the cultivation of the soil, until they know whether or not their title to it is likely to be confirmed. Your Excellency yrill see the importance of the Chiefs' communication: and, in conclusion, I have much pleasure in being able to report the peaceable state of this district, and general good disposition of the Natives, at this critical period, towards the Europeans. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, (Signed) Richd. Taylor. Captain Fitzroy, Governor of New Zealand, Auckland.

(Copy.) No. 4. From Mr. Hamilton to the Rev. R. Taylor. Government House, Auckland, June 9, 1845. Sir, — I am desired by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 14th of April last, forwarding one from tke principal Chiefs at Wanganui, the answer to which is herein enclosed. Tarn to inform you that you

are greatly mistaken in supposing that His Excellency's " convenience" has had anything to do ■with the land question at Wanganui. His sense of duty directs his Excellency's movements, — not his wish to consult his own " convenience." The Governor does not think proper to quit his principal station, Auckland, during the existing state of the colony ; nor does he think it at all advisable to hold out encouragement to settlers to remain at Wanganui, where they cannot be protected. His Excellency directs fne to say, his advice to those settlers is, to move to Wellington or Nelson } but not to remain in a place which is not likely to receive efficient pro tection from Government during the next twenty years. In conclusion, lam desired to request that you will address any future communication you may have to make to the Government, to the Colonial Secretary. I hare the honor to be, Sir, Your very obedient servant, (Signed) J. W. Hamilton, P. Sec. The Rev. Richard Taylor, Wanganui.

(Copy.) No. 5. From J. Nixon, Esq., to the Rev. R. Taylor. Wanganui, 26th June, 1845. Mr Dear Sir, — I have this day seen the native chief, John Williams, who mentions his having through you received a letter from his Excellency the Governor, respecting the payment so long promised to the Chiefs, for the Wanganui district. I have also heard, that you have personally received a letter from his Excellency on the same subject, and shall feel obliged by your furnishing me with copies of the same, as it is essential at this critical time, that the settlers should be instantly put in possession of any information bearing on a subject so important to their interests. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, (Signed) John Nixon. To the Rev. Richard Taylor.

(Copy.) No. 6. From the Rev. R. Taylor to J. Nixon, Esq. Wanganui, June 31, 1845. My Dear Sir,— -In reply to your letter requesting me to furnish you with a copy of the Governor's letters to the Natives and myself, I have only to say, that knowing how deeply interested you are in common with the Wanganui settlers in every thing relating to the settlement of the land question here. I cannot refuse your request; but at the same time, lest an erroneous impression should be made on your mind by the tone in which his Excellency writes to me, I feel it due to myself to furnish you likewise with a copy of my letter to the Governor, which called forth his present animadversion. I remain, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours, (Signed) Richard Taylor. John Nixon, Esq., &c. &c.