WANGANUI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 77, 28 March 1846, Page 3

WANGANUI.

Bt private letters from Wanganui v\re learn that the Castor arrived there on the evening of the 16th, and anchored off the mouth of the river. Mr. King the police magistrate put off in a whaleboat to pay his respects to his Excellency ; on his return from the vessel, the boat upset on the bar, and a man named George Smith was unfortunately drowned. The Police Magistrate and the other persons weie rescued from their perilous situation by the Castor's boats, which were following at a short distance. His Excellency very generously gave five pounds to be distributed among the men, and promised to give the person to whom the boat belonged a new whaleboat and set of oars, to repair the loss he had sustained. An address of congratulation was presented to his Excellency on the 17th inst. by the settlers of Wanganui, and in return he expressed his anxious desire to forward the prosperity of the settlement, and to confer with the settlers on subjects affecting their interests. Our correspondent says, " The urbanity of his Excellency, and the true British feeling which appears to actuate him, have left the most favorable impression on the European residents. The natives also appear equally to respect and fear him. Some uneasiness has been felt by its being understood that no military force is to be stationed here ; the Governor has however stated it to be his intention to visit the settlement frequently, and this together with a total alteration in the policy towards the natives will most probably relieve the settlers from further serious annoyance." The land question at Wanganui appears to be in a fair way of being finally settled. The Governor informed the natives that Major Richmond would proceed thitherto ascertain the boundaries of the land belonging to the respective tribes, and to arrange all disputes connected with them, after which the final payment will be made. The natives are as anxious as the settlers for the settlement of this question. During his stay at Wanganui his Excellency proceeded about ten miles up the river, as far as the pa Tunuihaere. The Castor sailed from Wanganui on the 19th for Nelson.