New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, February 28, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 73, 28 February 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, February 28, 1846 .

When we stated last week that the intruding natives had either left or were preparing to leave the district of the Hutt, we could not at the same time refrain from expressing our conviction that they had so long been tacitly encouraged in their agressions by the conduct of the local Government, that they had been so accustomed to indecision, to a dread of responsibility on the part of the local authorities, that they would hardly imagine a total change was contemplated in the policy hitherto pursued. And so it has proved ; for when the settlers attempted to take possession of the disputed land, they were interfered with and prevented by those natives who were still on the ground, and their numbers were afterwards increased by the accession of Taringa Kuri and others who returned evidently for the 1 purpose of trying whether the Governor was really in earnest, or whether the present proceedings were merely a make believe, a piece of solemn trifling of which they had previously experienced so many instances. On Monday, Mr. St Hill, the Police Magistrate, went over to the Hutt district in obedience to the instructions of his Excellency, to put the settlers in possession of the land, but they were immediately driven back by the natives, and it was evident that an armed demonstration, and perhaps the employment of force would be absolutely necessary to compel these natives to submission. Accordingly a body of troops amounting to three hundred and forty men, under the command of Lieut. Col. Hulme, left Wellington at 5 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and arrived at the Hutt Bridge at eight o'clock, where they remained while a message was sent to Kaparetehau, the chief who has been acting under the directions of Rangihaeata, intimating the Governor's desire to see him. His Excellency finding any attempt to procure an interview with this chief fruitless, the troops wer-e ordered to advance to the disputed ground, and they crossed the Hutt by the ford near Mr. Boulcott's barn, and encamped in a large Maori potatoe field, a short distance above Mr. Boulcott's section. The Maories immediately retired before the troops, and their numbers were rapidly thinned by the desertion of Taringa Kuri, and others who had no intention of offering any serious opposition, but who desired to try if the Government were in earnest. Towards the evening the natives retired to the hills and left the troops in possession of the valley of the Hutt, so that it was considered unnecessary to keep so large a force there, and on Thursday morning a part of the troops returned to Wellington, leaving about two hundred men in possession of the disputed land. The natives expelled from the valley of the Hutt were a small branch of the Ngatiawa tribe, called the Ngatitama, headed by Taringa Kuri, one of the parties to the deed of sale to the New Zealand Company, a large parly of vagrants from Wanganui, under E Maka, who had left that place in consequence of adultery with another chief's wife ; and the Ngatirangatahi. These last came originally from the upper part of the Wanganui river to Porerua. The head men amongst them were Kaparetehau, commonly called E Pare, E Horo. Te Kohera, Te Arihi, Papa Ahuapa, Kore, Te Atuta, and Kakaherea. They were all present i

at and took part in the sale of this district to the New Zealand Company in 1839. They were also at the Wairau massacre, where the two first were amongst the most active and ferocious, and where Atuta was killed. Kakaherea died at Porirua in 1 844, and the rest immediately after the Wairau massacre usurped land on the banks of the Hutt under Rangihaeata's sanction, and have continued ever since to molest and despoil the settlers with impunity up to the time of their expulsion by the troops on Wednesday last. That they had no title to the land is confessed by Taringa Kuri, who. in his evidence before Mr. Spain's court, which we republish, expressly admits that these chiefs were all present at the original sale of the land to Col. Wakefield, that this was part of the land, and that they sold it for fear of Rauparaha and Watanui. The land has since been bought again by Capt. Fitzroy, with the Company's money, but it remained for our present Governor to do justice to the settlers by putting them in possession of the land, and by driving away the horde of robbers and murderers to whose exactions they have been so long exposed. It was left for Capt. Grey to assure to the " distressed settlers in Cook's Straits " protection to life and property. In this account of the expulsion of these natives from the Hutt, we have confined our narrative to a detail of the principal facts connected with the question, but we must express our surprise at the negligent way (to use the mildest phrase) in which the local authorities have discharged their duty on this occasion. Last week it was believed that this question was finally set at rest, and preparations vere made for his Excellency's visit to the other settlements in Cook's Straits ; when suddenly it is found necessary to employ a large armed force, and possibly to commence a destructive warfare. If the local authorities had shewn the most ordinary diligence in obtaining correct information as to the movements and intentions of the natives, this could not have happened, and it is only an additional illustration of what we have often before had occasion to observe, that as far as they are concerned, it is more by good luck than good management that this settlement has been hitherto preserved from all the evils attending a war between the two races. We do not pretend to decide where the blame rests, perhaps his Honor and the Protectors will share it between them. Since the above was written, we are informed that some of the maories still remain in the bush at a short distance in advance of the soldiers, and at night are guilty of various acts of depredation, stealing from the settlers whatever they can lay their hands on. A strong block-house will be erected on Mr. Mason's section; in which a company of soldiers will be stationed, which will have the effect of keeping the natives in check, and preventing them from annoying the settlers. There can be little doubt that these natives are still acting at the secret instigation of Rangihaeata, who is artfully directing their operations, and while he keeps at a distance from the scene of action, is the prime mover and promoter of these disturbances.

Extract from the Evidence of TASINGA Rum before the court of claims, relative to the Compant's Title to the Land at Port Nicholson. Do you remember, at the time of signing the deed on board the ship, hearing Warepore describe the boundaries of any land to Colonel Wakefield? Yes. Can you recollect the names of the principal chiefs that attended that meeting at Pit one, and the number of natives who were present? The natives of all the pahs, namely,-— Te Aro, Knrau Toto, Pi pi tea, Raunmu, Pakiao, Kaiwarawara, Ngauranga, Pitone, and Waiwetu. Were any of the natives from p oreru» present? Yes, the Ngatirangatahi tribe. : Who are the principal chiefs of that tribe, sad were they present at that meeting ? Te Kohera, Te Arihi, Papa .A.huapa, Kore, Te Atuta, Kakaherea: they wece^all there; I mviied them. *^e>, A>-e those the natives who lately toy^pasVeision of some land on the Hutt. ? jr* \ Yes. • J % v \ Was the land they so took possession of, iiu eluded in the land sold to Coltyiel Wakefield ?" Yes. On what ground did they cede that land tq Colonel Wakefield?

test Rauper.h* and Watamri. .liould colrtte * n w£t h re«o h n had you for fearing they would Rmiperaha wa* offended because the land was taken up by the Ngßtiawa trihe.

Movements of the Military. — The foJL'wing troops marched to the-Hutt on Tuesday morning: — The Staff, Lieut.-Col. Hulme, 96th; commanding the troops in New Zealand, Major Last, 99th; Lieut, and Adjutant M'Lerie, 58th, Acting Brigade Major ; Asslstaut-Sur-geon M 'Andrew, 96th. Captains Armstrong, 99th ; Hardy, 58th; Snodgrass, 96th ; Eyton, 96th : Lieuts Elliott, 99th ; Leigh, 99th ; Herbert, 58th ; Page, 58th : Ensigns Pedder, 58th ; Master, 58th ; Mundell, 96th ; Servantes, 96th ; with 140 of the 58th, 60 of the 96th, and 100 of the 99th ; the whole force amounting to 340 men. On Thursday morning 35 men of the 96th, under Capt. Eyton, and 76 men of the 58th, under Capt. Haidy, returned to Wellington; this morning tt c following troops proceeded to the Hutt district :— 42 of the 9(ith, 73 of the 99th, and 94 of the 58th. Two hundred men will be stationed at the encampment until the new block-house is completed.

Yesterday afternoon the troops on board the Slams Castle were disembarked, and quartered in the barracks at Te-aro. As a considerable portion of the troops'are now stationed up the Hutt, sufficient accommodation will bs found in the town for the remainder of the men.

We believe the Calliope will accompany the Driver in her visit to the different settlements in Cook's Straits.

Hs Excellency has given the very liberal donation of ten guineas to the Wellington Horticultural Society, and has also been pleased to guarantee to the Society the land granted to them by his predecessor, Capt. Fitzroy.

Though the next Exhibition of the Horticultural Socety is nominally fixed for the 14th of March, we believe it is the intention of the Committee, in the event of his Excellency's return to Wellington being delayed beyond that period, to postpone the Exhibition for a few days. Due notice will be given by advertisement of the day on which the Exhibition will take place, when it is hoped that the members will exert themselves in adding to its attraction by contributing the choicest productions of their gardens.

On Thursday evening a board was observed in the bush by some of the military about thirty yards in advance of their position, having a notice written in the native language, warning any pakehas, and the native in the protector's service, that if found beyond the notice they would be shot. The board was immediately pulled down. The natives committed several robberies during the night, stealing the pigs belonging to the settlers, and whatever else came in their way. In consequence of these continued disturbances we beJieve the Governor will not proceed to Wanganui until Monday next. It is reported that Mr. Kemp, the native protector, has valued the potato crops belonging to the natives in the valley of the Hutt at the moderate estimate of Fifteen Hundred Pounds ! ! Mr. St. Hill, the Police Magistrate, has been directed to take proper steps to obtain their actual value, and we shall be curious to see the difference between the two reports. It will be remembered that Major Richmond purchased the last potato crops from these Maories, when they were expressly given to understand that they were to leave on the Ist of last March, we therefore do not see ■what claim or pretext they can have to any further compensation.

We are informed from very good authority that Ranghihaeata is still at Porirua, and is in communication with the intruders at the Hutt. He says he is not desirous of fighting, and wants to have peace, but he considers that a division should be made of the land, and the boundaries distinctly marked, and if the maories should trespass in future, that they should be punished. He threatens that if hostilities should commence in the Hutt, he will immediately join the intruding natives. Rauparaha is at Otaki, and disavows any part in these proceedings, and has sent to Rangihaeata informing him that if he joins these natives in their opposition to the Governor's authority, he does so at his own peril, but Rangihaeata has treated the message with contempt,

Fire. — Last night, about ten o'clock, a fire broke, eufftia- a small house on Clay Hill point, '%3fln]bton Quay. The house being built of wood, the flames spread rapidly, and in half an hour the house was burnt to the ground. A number of persons speedily collected on the spot, and by their exertions the fir» was prevented from spreading further.

Owing to the darkness of the night the flames were visible at a great distance. It is not known how the fire originated.

Spirits and tobacco under bend this 28th day of February, 1846: Brandy 1140 gallons Hum 978 do. Gin 82 do. Tobacco 9922 ft Cigars 476 1b Snuff. 801b

M. Bellini formerly the Agent of the French Company is expected at Akaroa by the next vessel from France.

I The Monster Petition. — The Auckland Times of the 20th December, describes in the following laudatory terms, the petition of the settlers in Cook's Straits to Parliament :—: — It is not possible to speak too highly of the judgment and ability displayed in this production. It consists of no less than thirty-four closely printed folio pages : but such is the admirable skill by which all its propositions are made consecutively clear, and naturally leading to, leaning upon, and supporting the other, that the reader never wearies, although of necessity great part of its materiel must be to us stale as proverbs. In fact the writer has achieved ' the extraordinary merit of being diffuse, yet j never for one moment wearisome ; concise, yet ample and most conclusive. The petition has also the very important merit and advantage that it is dictated and written in language of praiseworthy and persuasive moderation. Our contemporary excepts from this praise a passage referring personally to Captain Fitzroy, and also that part of the petition which exposes the unfitness of Auckland as the seat of Government, but that was only to be expected.

" Who shall decide, when Doctors disagree. — In consequence of the opinion delivered by Mr. Burge, (published in our 62 No.) that the Legislative Council of New Zealand possessed no authority under the act 3 and 4 Victoria, c. 62 to pass acts imposing taxes, Lord Stanley has taken the opinions of the Attorney and Solicitor-General, and of Sir Thomas Wilde the Attorney-General under the last administration who, "are of opinion that the Legislative Council of New Zealand, created by her Majesty's charter of the 16th Nov. 1840, has competent authority to pass acts imposing duties, and (axes upon the Queen's subjects inhabiting that colony."

We extract from the Auckland Times the following letter, written by Mr. Forsaitb, formerly Protector of Aborigines in this settlement :—: — Maungatautari, October 20, 1845. My dear Smith, — I intended to have written a line to you by the return of Arch Brown, but we met on the road, he on one side of the river and I on the other, so that I could not; however, I leave this hasty nole with Wereme Maihi for you. You must excuse the paper, as the natives have begged all I had lamon a tour to visit the natives about these parts to disabuse their minds of the extravagant reports in circulation, respecting the Governor's return ; and I think it would be well for you to drop a hint to the natives in your part of the country that they should write a puha puha poroporahi to the Kawanapai; — assure them that he will not cease to care for their welfare and that he will be able to do many things for them when in England, — even better than he could if he staid here. I trust you are well and comfortable. I hope to be home aga hence. I sai the day before inst., quite well. Farewell, may every blessing attend ; excuse my scrawl, and me yours very truly, Thomas Forsaith. To T. H. Smith, Esq. [The copy is torn where the blanks are left, —Printer* Devil.} We have frequently had occasion to anil madvert on this person's conduct, and this letter supplies us with additional proof, if any were necessary, of the mischievous intermeddling of these native Protectors. For the most part persons of low origin and limited education, they feel that their vocation would be gone if the natives were quiet, and they are therefore generally found to be the promoters of differences between the two races in the districts to which they are appointed. We need only refer to Mr. Kemp's conduct with regard to the Waiwetu ferry, of which we gave an account in our 58th No., as another example of the conduct we complain of. The Auckland Times makes the following remarks on Mr. Forsaith's letter: — See how the created pests of Exeter Hall, salaried however in the colony, gratuitously go about teaching to the hitherto quiet and contented raaories, the doctrine of European debt to them, and promising, most monslrout / that the "good Governor" shall be more useful to them in England than here. It is difficult to say whether the falsehood, the presumption, or the treachery of this is most admirable ; we say treachery, because it is done to cheat and bribe the maories into a solicited nasty farewell address. Capt. Fitzroy, upon New Zealand affairs, must needs, when he gets home, have little influence, and upon protectarate diplomacy, with maorie •?reed and violence still less. But what chance lias he of influence or respect at all, if he carry ■■uch damning documents of faint praise as these solicited maorie testimonials. We sincerely hope, this protectorate depart-

ment will be abolished as a public nuisance. Interpreters not Protectors are wanted, men who will confine themselves to the discharge oi their duty, and who will not fall into the dangerous error of supposing they have a right by virtue of their office to assume the character of political agitators.

We have extracted the following account of the different kinds of flax and dye woods, from the New Zealand Church Almanack for the present year; there is also an interescing table of the names, uses and properties of New Zealand trees, which we intend to publish in our next number: —

FLAX. Species arranged in order of fineness. I. Flax. Scraped with the nail only; (Tihore.) 1. Paritanewha, found chiefly at Maungatautari. 2. Ratawa Hauraki. 3. Kohunga Maungatautari. 4. Rerehape .. .. .. do. 5. One do. I. Flax. Scraped with the shell. (Haro.) 1. Rauraoa, found chiefly at Taranaki. 2. Ate .. .. •• Hauraki. 3. Common swamp flax found in all parts. 111. Coarser kinds, used only for rough garments and floor mats. 1. Aoanga. Variegated flax. 2. Whararipi. I. All the varieties of flax of the first class must be planted. They require rich moist and flat land, but not swampy, and should be planted in rows six feet apart, with spaces of six feet between the plants. The ground must be kept clear of weeds. The best season for planting is April or May. The plants will be fit to cut in two years, and will yield a crop every year afterwards. The Flax requires only to be rent with the hand and nails, without scraping, and is prepared with the greatest ease. 11. The more common species of flax require to be scraped with a shell, then steeped in water for four days; afterwards taken out and beaten to clear it of the refuse: and then dried again and scraped a second time. 111. The third class is of no ralue for European manufacture. DYE WOODS. 1. Tanekaha,yields a black or brown dye from the wood and baik. 2. Hinau yields a black dye from wood and bark. 3. Tupakihi, do. do. do. 4. Tuhuhi, a black dye from do. do. 5. Mako, do. do. do. 6. Whakou, a blue dye from do. do. The two best dyes for domestic purposes are Mako and Whakou.