New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 7, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 74, 7 March 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 7, 1846.

If the officials, who aided and abetted Capt. Fitzroy in all his measures — who espoused and advocated the policy which ultimately left to his recall, felt any dismay at the en--ergy and decision which marked Captain Grey's first proceedings in this settlement — if they experienced any twinges of conscience — any sense of humiliation at being so suddenly obliged to retrace their steps, and to pass the severest censure upon their own conduct by carrying out a totally different line of policy — if they were in any degree mortified by the success which attended Captain Grey's first movement up the Hutt — they, verily, have had most ample revenge — for, the most disastrous events which have ever befallen this settlement are those which have occurred during the past week, and which we suspect may be easily traced to their secret hostility to Captain Grey's government. More than thirty families settled in the valley of the Hutt have been driven from their houses by armed natives — who have seriously injured their crops — plundered their property, destroying whatever they found inconvenient to carry off — and in some cases committed acts of personal violence. From the Hutt district alone, more than one hundred souls, men women and children, have been driven, robbed of everything they possessed. Nor is this all ; seeing the impunity with which these outrages have been committed in the midst of a large military force, the settlers have nearly all left the Wainui-o-mate — while those resident on the Porirua road, after sending in their wives and children, have armed themselves for the purpose of resisting the anticipated attack of these native mauraders. To what cause then, are such disasters attributable? How is it that, after what was by all considered a most successful movement, we are now suffering all the horrors and calamities of a signal defeat, while the natives are enjoying all the fruits of a victory? A brief history of the last few days will suffice to explain how these reverses have been occasioned. When Captain Grey, after the time allotted to the natives to remove their property and evacuate the usurped district had expired, ordered the troops to advance, the settlers one and all felt that the Rubicon was at length fairly passed — that to retreat was impossible — and to hesitate was to court defeat: but they at the same time believed, that so decided a measure would not have been adopted, unless a fixed and definite line of action had been resolved upon, and every possible precaution taken to ensure its being efficiently carried out. The most complete success at first attended this bold and decided step, for the natives at once retreated from their clearings to the bush, where the path leading from the valley to Porirua commences: but the troops unfortunately halted as soon as they were in possession of the disputed clearings, and the natives attributing this hesitation to fear, began their usual system of bullying, and expressed their determination not to retire, further, until compensation was given them for their crops ; — this claim the Governor refused to entertain, until they had quitted the district — the next day, after several hours lost in negociating or parleying, the Governor was on the point of ordering the troops again to advance, but he was officially informed that the natives had agreed to depart for Porirua immediately — and most undoubtedly they did retire out of sight, though to the settlers who saw the last of them disappear, and who heard the threats they uttered in case a single white man advanced a step along the path in the bush, it was evident, that not only no departure was ever contemplated, but that a gross deception was being practised. The Governor however being-positively assured, that they had departed, instead of avail-

ing himself of the fear which his decision had evidently excited amongst the natives and driving them at once to Porirua, contented himself by ordering the troops to remain encamped in the clearings— the effect of this wavering was soon manifest, for the very next day the natives were seen hovering about in every direction — and it was evident that they had established regular picquets: the settlers in their immediate vicinity soon became subjected to their aggressions — pigs were speared and stolen — attempts were made to burn stacks — and the settlers threatened with personal violence — Still no steps were taken against these rebels — the military remained perfectly stationary — and his Excellency was repeatedly informed, that these were merely a few stragglers, who would soon disappear. The settlers in the meantime, possessed of more correct information, better acquainted with the character of the natives became alarmed — and an offer was made by Mr. Watt on behalf of the Hutt settlers to enrol themselves as militia men — but the offer was rejected. Official information was still relied upon. Moreover a correspondence had been opened with Rangihaeta — who sent the most friendly epistles to the Governor — and his Excellency, strange as it may appear, seems to have been induced to believe the murderer's professions of friendship sincere — though the settlers (if they had been consulted) could have told him — that Rangihaeta had recently sent emissaries to different parts of the island to stir up rebellion — had declared his intention to join the Hutt natives — had driven back Dr. Best's cattle — and expressed his determination to murder all the out settlers. Such was the state of affairs, when on Sunday last, the natives boldly passing round the camp, made their appearance on the Waiwetu, and there in bands of seven to twelve commenced a systematic plundering of all the setflers. Upon intelligence of their outrages reaching Wellington, the settlers felt, that although information from them was studiously eschewed — although their opinion was apparently deemed of no value, yet the state of the settlement had become too critical, to justify them any longer in refraining from expressing their opinion, more especially as his Excellency was expected to depart for the other settlements on the following morning (Monday.) Three or four settlers accordingly waited upon the Governor late in the evening — detailed the outrages that day committed — requested him not to leave, inasmuch as no confidence could be placed in the officials — urged him to proclaim martial law — to call out the militia, or at all events to swear in special constables for the Waiwetu district. On Monday several of the Grand Jury waited upon the Governor, and urged similar measures — and it then became known that his Excellency had been on the point of signing the proclamation of martial law, when the legal adviser of the Crown expressed his opinion that he had all along been acting illegally; — that as the grants issued by Captain Fitzroy had excepted all native cultivations, his Excellency had no right to drive the natives from the Hutt — that they were justified in resisting him with arms, and that consequently it was illegal to proclaim martial law. Besides this, it was more than rumoured, that the Governor had then for the first time, been informed by his Honor the Superintendent that Captain Fitzroy had promised compensation for his crops to Kaparetehau, the very chief whose claims Captain Grey had refused to entertain. The proclamation was therefore not issued; and the Governor found himself by these manoeuvres of his officials placed in the most embarrassing position. News, however, arrived the following morning that firing had commenced between the troops under Captain Eyton and the rebels; — relieved, therefore, from the dilemma in which he had been so unjustifiably placed, Captain Grey at once proclaimed martial law — called out the Hutt militia — armed the settlers on the Porirua road, and in short took all those measures, which he would have adopted a week before, had he not been grossly deceived by the officials around him; to them, we repeat, are fairly attributable all the disasters which have befallen the settlers from

Captain Grey's plan not having been fully carried out. For, if when the troops were first moved, the advance had been continued, until the natives had been driven to Porirua — if martial law had then been proclaimed —if the settlers had then been armed, we are satisfied that such dismay would have been created amongst the rebels, that their immediate submission would have been obtained, and all their outrages prevented ; and we are equally convinced, that this course was not adopted — that Captain Grey was induced to pause and hesitate, simply because he was assured that the natives had left the valley. Some persons will assert that the troops could not have followed the natives to Porirua; — but without stopping to repel the imputation this' assertion casts upon the gallantry of our soldiers, it is sufficient to observe that had the Governor been of this opinion, he would not have contemplated ordering them to advance. We know also that Colonel Despard himself declared that even in the bush the troops were infinitely superior to the natives. Again, if Captain Grey had been made fully aware, that Rangihaeata had always been the instigator of every aggression made by the natives upon the settlers — that when Rauparaha came to remove the Hutt intruders, he failed solely because the former chief insisted upon their remaining and promised his assistance, — if the information derived from the Rev. Mr. Ironside and Dr. Best had been laid before him — if he had been told that Rangihaeata was expecting a reinforcement of Roturoa natives, and that his object was to gain time, — if, we say, these facts had been laid before his Excellency by the officials — is it likely that the settlers would have been left unarmed — and that no precautions would have been taken for their safety ? Is it credible that with such facts before him his Excellency would have placed any faith in the friendly letters of this foul murderer ? But we fear that some of the officers of the Government have laid themselves open to a far more grave and serious charge than that of merely misrepresenting the real state of affairs. When, for instance, we consider that no opinion of the illegality of his Excellency's proceedings was pronounced, until several days after he had driven the natives from their cultivations — that it was brought forward for the purpose of preventing martial law being proclaimed, at the very moment that Captain Grey felt the measure to be absolutely essential to his success — when we find his Excellency kept in ignorance of his predecessor's promise to compensate Kaparetehau for his crops, although Major Richmond was on the ground, when the Gover* nor refused to accede to this claim — and when we remember that the officers, who placed those difficulties in his way, were the most strenuous supporters of Captain Fitzroy's policy — can we come to any other conclusion than that an act of the grossest treachery has been practised towards Captain Grey — a deliberate and premeditated attempt made by causing him to fail in his present proceedings, to ruin his reputation, and thereby afford some justification of the conduct of those implicated in the transactions of Captain Fitzroy's government ? Be this as it may — the settlers at least are thoroughly convinced that Captain. Grey's, mea*. sures will ever be thwarted — that his policy will never be fairly carried out, as long as heretains in his service the servants and advisers of the late government. We speak openly and plainly, because rumours have just reached us, that he has been advised to patch matters up, and that the Protectors are again to negociate with the rebels. What ? Is Captain Grey not aware that Major Richmond and the Protectors have settled the Hutt question at least a dozen times ? Has he so soon forgotten his public declaration, — a declaration that won him at once the entire confidence of all the settlers, "that he would exact the most implicit obedience from the native race?" We hoped and still hope better things of Captain Grey. We cannot, and . will not believe that he will so easily fall into the trap laid for him as to adopt any half measures, or to listen to any compromise. Let him only continue to act as he

commenced. Let him vigorously prosecute the war, until the rebels have entirely submitted—until the chief instigator of the rebellion has been compelled to acknowledge his authority, and his success will be certain. But if on the contrary, there be now any temporising, it would have ieen far better, that the military movements up the Hutt had never taken place — for the natives will at once attribute the Governor's indecision, especially when he has such a large force at bis command, to fear, and will be more than ever disposed to treat with contempt the power and authority of his Government.

On Friday, the 27th inst., the two pahs on the banks of the Hutt, which were the head quarters of the rebels were burnt down by the troops. By this judicious measure it may be hoped the ultimate expulsion of these natives from the valley may be more speedily effected.

In our leading article we have already alluded to many of the following occurrences, but as the disturbances on the Hutt have assumed so serious a character, we have collected the following details relating to them, in the form of a connected narrative. On Sunday last the intruding natives commenced, and successfully carried out a most daring and systematic plan of plundering the settlers on the Waiwetu and the Hutt. They visited each house in small bands and completely stripped the inmates of everything they possessed, leaving them nothing but the clothes they had on at the time of their visit. What they were not able to carry away they wantonly destroyed on the spot, breaking the furniture, demolishing the windows of the houses, and concimilting all sorts of outrages, and threatening the settlers with instant death, if they made any noise or attempted to give the alarm. In one instance where resistance was offered, on a signal made by one of the natives, their numbers were immediately reinforced so as to render opposition fruitless. They did not burn the houses or the crops of the settlers for fear of attracting attention to their proceedings. The following is a correct list of those who were robbed by the natives : On the Waiwetu. Francis Whiteman, wife and three children John Russe], wife and one child James Swan and brother William Leckey William p arker, wife and five children John Downie, wife and four children WilKam Ebdeu, mother, and brother John Jackson and wife James Holmes, wife and five children William Thomas, wife and five children Jamet M'Ewen', wife and three children David Galloway, wife and three children David M'Ewen, wife and three children William Tannahill, wife and three children On the Hutt. Charles Collis, wife and two children R. Fairweather, wife and five children Thomas Hughes, wife and four children S. Barnet, wife, brother, and five children John Sutherland, wife and three children Thomas Reid, wife and one child Some of these unfortunate settlers thus suddenly deprived of their property, came in on Sunday evening to lay their case before the Governor, and to ask for redress and protection. They were sent to Major Richmond to make depositions of what had occurred, but his Honor declined to take them and sent the settlers to Mr. St. Hill the Police Magistrate, who immediately forwarded a report of the facts to his Honor, stating that he had requested the parties to call early the following day, being under the impression that a deposition taken on Sunday was illegal. The settlers then returned to the Governor who immediately received their statements, and was engaged until a late hour at night with settlers arriving from the Hutt. On Monday in consequence of the excitement caused,, by these robberies, and the arrival into the town of outsettlers from different districts, the Grand Jury of Wellington had an interview with his Excellency to represent the state of the district ; an account of which will be found in this days paper. On Tuesday intelligence arrived that the natives had commenced firing on Capt. Eyton's company of the 96th, who were stationed at some distance in advance of the camp. The fire was sharply returned and the natives were compelled to retreat. The natives also fired several vollies into the camp which were returned by the military, The bodies of three natives are said to have since been found near the encampment, but no official report has yet been made public. Immediately on the receipt of this news, his Excellency crdersd H. M. Steamer Driver to proceed to Fetoni. Capt. Russell's company of the 58th, and 20 of the 99th, and 30 of the 96th under the command of Lieutenant Bat clay, were embarked on board the steamer which weighed anchor about 2 o'clock. A party of the 99th, 58th, and 96th under Capt. Reed, was also despatched to the Hutt. The following Proclamation was also issued, placing the whole district south of a line drawn

from Wainui on the West Coast, to Castle Point on the East Coast, under Martial Law : By his Excellency George Grey, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in Chief, in and over the colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and ViceAdmiral of the same, &c. &c. Whereas certain disaffected nativesintheSouthern District of the colony have taken up arms, and are now in rebellion against the Queien^s sovereign authority, and for the suppression of such rebellion, active military operations are about to be immediately undertaken by her Majesty's forces : Now I, the Lieutenant Governor, do hereby proclaim and declare, that Martial Law will be excercised throughout that part of the said district, in the island of New Ulster, which lies to the south of a line drawn from Wainui, in Cook's Strait, to Castle Point on the East Coast, this 3rd day of March, 1846, until the said district shall be relieved from the jurisdiction of Martial Law by public Proclamation. Given under my hand, at Wellington, this 3rd day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six. (Signed) George Grey, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

GOO SAVE THE QUEEN. In the coarse of the day another band of natives again pillaged the Waiwetu district, completing the work of spoliation which had been commenced on Sunday. Col. Wakefield had rode over to the Hutt in the morning to ask for arms to arm the volunteers, but some delay occurred in delivering them in consequence of an order that no arms were to be given out except on the written order of the Governor or Major Richmond. On the Governor's arrival arms were immediately distributed, and fifty volunteers under the command of Mr. Watt guarded the upper passes of the Hutt to intercept these marauders, while apicquet of soldiers were stationed at Mr. Boulcott's to cut off their retreat in that direction. They escaped however with their booty, and crossed the river near Mr. Swainson's When on the other side of the river they were seen by some soldiers and a brisk fire was opened on them, but without effect, as they contrived to make good their retreat. The following is a correct list of those who were robbed on this occasion :—: — On the Third River. Hart Udy, wife and six children, his wife recently confined with twins Thomas Freathy Charles Cundy, wife and two children On the Waiwetu. Henry Jackson William Saxby, wife and family James Bryant, wife and three children John Cole, and wife George Copeland, wife and thee children Mr. A. W. Shand, wife and three children Richard Williams, wife, father, and two brothers William Knight, wife and nine children Thomas Brightwell, wife and one child — Reynolds, wife and several chi'dren Arthur Hayward, wife and two children Rations have been supplied by order of the Governor to the persons who have been plundered by the natives, and the number to whom these were issued on Thursday were, Adults 79 Children 140 Infants 17 Total 206 In the evening the most effectual measures were taken by Major Last, who was left in [ command of Wellington for the protection and safety of the town. Strong picquets were posted in different parts of the town, and a communication kept up between the different quarters of the military. A large body of sailors and marines were under arms all night on board H. M. Ships the Castor and Calliope, to be landed at five minutes notice in the event of any sudden alarm. A guard was stationed at the Governor's residence, and a guard was also placed at the powder magazine. Strict orders were given to the picquets to allow no natives to pass their lines after dark. On Wednesday and Thursday the soldiers and militia scoured the bush on the Waiwetu side of the valley, but did not succeed in falling in with any natives. Towards evening on Thursday some shots were fired by the natives, but it is supposed they discharged their pieces for the purpose of cleaning them. Yesterday 25 men of Capt. Russell's company were landed from the steamer, and proceeded to the encampment. Co). Hulme is expected to retnrn to Wellington this morning. On Thursday his Excellency attended by a guard of thirty men under the command of Major Last, proceeded on the Porirua road to examine the stockade erecting under the direction of C. Clifford, Esq., and returned to town again in the evening.

Ok Monday as Mr. Kemp tbe native protector was proceeding from Wellington to the Hutt, he was joined on the road by two maories : on their arrival at the Hutt bridge they were slopped in consequence of an order forbidding any natives to pass. Mr. Kemp is stated to hare represented them as friendly natives belonging to Epuni's tribe, who had come from Wellington with him and were desirous of proceeding up the valley. Some of the settlers however who had been driven in from Waiwetu, identified these men ts having been

actively engaged in robbing their houses, and on searching one of them, a gun and twenty ball cartridges were found concealed about his person. Both maories were immediately given into custody. It was only last week that Mr Kemp represented Kaparetahau one of the Wairau murderers, and one of the most troublesome natives in the district as being a very well disposed native, and as having a claim to land in the Hutt. We last week briefly but we think conclusively shewed these claims to be without any foundation, and we believe even Mr. Kemp is now disposed to admit this is an inadvertency on his part.

On Monday afternoon, after the business of the Court was over, the Grand Jury of Wellington waited upon his Excellency the Governor, and by their foreman, Col. Wakefield, represented to him the robberies and outrages which had been committed by the natives in the Hutt district, and stated that for the purpose of allaying the excitement that existed, they wished respectfully to inquire what measures would be adopted for the preservation of the public peace. His Excellency received them very courteously, and said he could only generally assure them of his disposition to afford the settlers all the protection in his power, and that he would not leave the settlement until the present disturbances were suppressed. He was hourly expecting further information from the Hutt, which would probably determine him as to the measures it would be adviseable for him to adopt. He stated that a Proclamation to establish Martial Law in the district had been drawn out that morning, but that he was prevented from signing it by a legal objection. A proposal was made to billet the soldiers on the settlers so as to prevent a recurrence of these robberies by the natives, but some doubt seemed to exist as to their being conveniently supplied with rations. A long discussion ensued in which some of the Jurors informed his Excellency of Mr. Best's cattle having been stopped at Porerua by Rangihaeata, and prevented from proceeding, and also some pigs belonging to settlers at Manawatu. A representation of these facts had been forwarded to Major Richmond, but it appeared that he had submitted them to his Excellency, so as to convey the impression of their being mere passing reports, and had not taken any depositions or furnished his Excellency with any written statement which would enable him to act. The Grand Jury after having thanked his Excellency for his promises of protection then retired.

On Tuesday morning Mr. Boddington a settler in the Porirua district applied to Major Richmond, and represented to him the defenceless state of the out settlers and the probability of their being attacked by the natives, and requested that they might be furnished with arms to protect their families find property. This reasonable request was positively refused by his Honor, who hinted that io the event of any native being killed by a settler in an attempt to defend his property, he (the settler) would probably be hanged for it! Mr. Boddington subsequently waited on his Excellency the Governor and made a similar statement, when bis Excellency immediately furnished him with an order for arms, and thanked him for the spirit he had shewn in coming forward. In the course of the day arms and ammunition v/ere distributed to the settlers of that district, who were placed under the command of C. Clifford, Esq., J. P. During the day they sent their wives and children and part of their property into the town, while they themselves remained on the spot to defend their houses and crops, and to guard against any sudden attack or surprise on the part of the natives. We have since learned that under Mr. Clifford's direction, a stockade has been commenced on Mr. Johnson's section on the Porirua road, for the defence of the settlers and for the purpose of preventing any predatory incursions of the natives, and a company of upwards of sixty men has been formed for the protection of the district. An additional supply of arms and ammunition was sent to them early on Thursday morning.

On Thursday morning Burgess Sayer, with the assistance of Martin the Carter, attempted to capture two Maories near Kaiwarra, who were suspected of being concerned in the robberies in the Hutt district. The Maories slipped out of their blankets, and ran away into the bush, leaving behind with their blankets, several tomahawks and cartouche boxes filled witb ball cartridges which they had concealed about their persons.

On Thursday, the 26th inst,, as Dr. Best was proceeding from Wellington to Mantwatu he had an interview with Rangihaeta, who told him that as soon as any fighting commenced on the Hutt he- would immediately revenge himself on the outsettlers. Dr. Best's cattle were stopped by Rangihaeta on Friday, and his men were obliged to leave them at Mr. Couper's- at Porirua. Dr. Best immediately wrote to Capt. Sharp of Wellington explaining what had occurred, who gtve

the letter to Major Richmond, supplying him at the same time with further information, and sending Mr. Allsop, who had charge of the cattle, to be examined by him. This case was brought before his Excellency by the Grand Jury. Two men named Pawson and Simpson, who were driving some pigs to Wellington belonging to Mr. Cook of Manawatu, and some which were their own property, were also stopped by Rangihaeta, the pigs sent back, and the men allowed to proceed on their journey.

The stockade and barracks to be erected in the Hutt district will be ninety feet square, and will be composed of trees twelve inches in diameter placed closely together and loopholed all round, the stockade is to be splinter proof. When complete it will be capable of accommodating 80 men and two officers. The site fixed for the stockade is near Mr. Mason's house, rather beyond the present encampment, [t is intended to have it completed in a months time.

We have been requested by several settlers to point out the danger to which his Excel" lency is exposed from the natives, by riding about in the country, unaccompanied, save by his Aide-de-camp Mr, Symonds. The settlers rely entirely on the Governor's energy and decision, and, if any accident should unfortunately befal him, tremble to think of the consequences, knowing the incompetent hands into which his power would devolve.

It is said that the Governor has ordered the Three Brothers, belonging to Charlie, Rangihaeata's henchman, to be refitted with new sails, &c, as a recompense to the said Charlie for having been the medium of communication between his Excellency and Rangihaeata, Surely his Excellency cannot have been informed that this man was notoriously one of the most active at the Wairau Massacre, and as is believed, was the murderer of the lamented Captain Wakefield.