New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, April 11, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 79, 11 April 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, Apri l 11 , 1846.

His Excellency has adopted the most prompt measures to arrest the perpetrators of the foul murder which it was our painful duty to record last week, and to protect the settlers from further violence and outrage. On Saturday last a communication was received by the Rev. O. Hadfield from Rauparaha, stating that if .constables were sent over he thought the murderers might be apprehended. In consequence of this information Messrs. Cervantes and Symonds, M'Donogh, and Fitzgerald and four constables set out for Porirua, at which place they apprehended two deserters of the 99th Regt., but were unsuccessful in the principal object of their journey, as the murderers had taken refuge with the rebels at a pa which they have recently erected at Pawatanganui, about four miles distant fromßangihaeata's pa atTaupoIn consequence of information received on Sunday, the Driver departed for Porirua early on Monday morning having on board his Excellency and suite and a strong detachment of military. Immediately on their arrival at Porirua, Rauparaha went on board and renewed to 'the Governor his friendly professions and offers of assistance. On "Tuesday the Castor sailed for Porirua and subsequently returned on the following morning. The Driver also returned with his Excellency on Tuesday night. On Wednesday another expedition was prepared for Porirua. Two hundred and fifty men of the 58th and 99th Regt., under the command of Major Last, were embarked on board 11. M. Steamer Driver and H.M.S. Calliope, ,and the Slams Castle and the three vessels sailed early on Thursday morning for Pori--,rua. We believe'it is intended to form an .encampment of the troops near Thorns' station, and eventually to build a stockade at Porirua ; and a good cart road will be made by the .Government! from K^ai-wara-wara to Porirua, another from Porirua to the valley of the Hutt in the direction of the present Maori path, and a third from Porirua to Ohariu. When these plans are carried out, the settlement will be placed in a permanent position of safety. The military station at Porirua will serve as a key to the whole coast,

keeping the .communication open to Wellington, and repi easing any disturbances among the natives, while, should any combined movement be rendered necessary, the Toads will establish effectual means of communication between the troops stationed at , Wellington and those at Porirua. To com- ■ plete the measures of pi'ecaution and defence, iiisExcellencyintends to establish a policef orce * .under the command of Major Dune, which we have elsewhere noticed. This appoint- j ment has given, very general satisfaction, and ' Major Durie's name is a sufficient guarantee to the settlers of the efficiency of the corps to Ihe raised, while the sphere of their usefulness will become more extended the more the country is opened by the formation of good roads. j To revert to >fhe Immediate cause of these measures ; it is established by the confession of the natives themselves that the late murders -were committed by two of the rebels ' who were -driven from the Hutt. Their names are Epau and Ouenuku. " It will be remembered that in the trial of Wiremu and Kumete, Epau was sworn to by several of the witnesses as having been actively engaged an the robberies and outrages on .the Hutt, he has now filled the measure of his crimes by the perpetration of this cruel murder. Hangihaeata has also joined the rebels, and we hope such measures will be adopted as will effectually rid the district of this horde of .robbers and murderers, and bring -them to justice. It is said that Rauparaha has assured the Governor that until they are .exterminated, the settlers will be exposed to a recurrence of similar outrages. These murders have had the effect of separating the friendly from the disaffected natives, and exposing the weakness of the latter in point of numbers. And the feeling in favor of Hie settlers has been greatly increased among the well disposed .natives since Rauparaha ? s visit to the Lh'iver. They could not but argue according to their own notions of right and justice, and could not fail to be impressed, on Rauparaha's safe return from the midst of an armed British force, with our superiority. We hojae it,, may be shortly in our power to announce the capture of Rangihaeata and the murderers, aud the defeat and total dispersion of the rebels as the result of these movements ; for we repeat while this miscreant remains at. large, the settlers will always be exposed to a repetition of such acts of outrage and violence as those which they have lately occurred in the valley of the Hutt.

Murders on the Hutt — Coroner's Inquests. — On Friday the 3rdinst., an inquest was held on the body of Andrew Gillespie the younger, and on Monday the sth an in--quest was held on the body of his father A. -Gillespie before Dr. Fitzgerald the-coroner. The evidence referred chiefly to the number and nature of the wounds and the finding of the bodies. The bodies were dreadfully mangled, there were seven wounds on the body .of the father and eleven wounds en -that of his son, chiefly on their heads. The Jury in both cases returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder against some person or persons unknown." The principal facts at present known in connection with this horrid tragedy will be found in the evidence given 'before the Police Magistrate, contained in our police report. On Tuesday last these much lamented victims of Maori violence were buried in the public cemetery. The bodies were followed from the church to the grave by a great number of settlers. The Rev. B,. Cole performed the funeral service.

We aie informed that the friends of .the late Mr. Gillespie have commenced a subscription for his widow and orphan, and we axe sure we have only to mention the fact to secure on their behalf the active assistance and liberal contributions of our fellow settlers, whose, sympathies have been so painfully excited by the tragical and melancholy fate of the deceased. •

His Excellency has been pleased to appoint ' Major Durie Inspector of the New Police 1 Force which is to be organized in this district. The force is to consist of an Inspector with a salary of two hundred a year, a Sub-Inspector at seven shillings a day, and fifty men at twenty-five shillings a week. Both the Inspector and Sub-Inspector are to be allowed, forage for their horses. This appointment, which is .the first made by the -Governor in. .this district, has given universal satisfaction, ; and there can be no doubt that under Major Durie's managemeat the new force will become a most effective one.

We regret to bear^that the flood caused by the heavy rain which fell last week has carried away the dam of Mr. Schullze's mill at Kai-wara-wara. The dam was almost complete, and it was expected that the mill would have been at work in the course of a fortnight. It is estimated that about two hundred pounds will be required to repair the damage.

The barque Janet arrived from Sydney on Tuesday evening after a passage of twentytwo days with a cargo of 110 head of cattle and 1 mare. Fifty head of cattle were lost on the passage. She endeavoured to make Manukau harbour, but the swell was so great that she could not get in. Three vessels have been chartered at Sydney by the Government for the purpose of conveying coals to New Zealand, for the use of her Majesty's War Steamers.

The Comet arrived on Thursday mght from Twofold Bay after a favourable ruif of twelve days. She has brought 42 head of cattle, including 4 bulls, and 140 sheep. Owing to the excellent arrangements and good management of the captain only one Lead of cattle was lost during the passage.

On Thursday evening a public meeting was held at the Britannia Saloon to receive the report .of the Deputation appointed at a former public meeting to wait upon his Excellency. The room was completely crowded, and there never was a more numerous or respectable public meeting held in Wellington, or one which displayed such a per-

feet unanimity in its proceedings. Mr. Brandon, who was called to the chair, stated that the present meeting had been convened by the Deputation, who were desirous of informing their fellow settlers of the manner in which they had discharged their trust, and he .believed they were ready to give to the meeting a full and fair report of their proceedings :—: — Dr. Featherston then, on behalf of the Deputation came forward and said, that this meeting had been called by the Deputation, for the purpose of* giving an account .of the manner in which they had discharged the duties confided to them ; but that this was not the only object for which they had been convened ; for after having undertaken a most irksome, disagreeable, and.unsatisfactory office — after having honestly endeavoured to the utmost of their ability to promote the best interests of the settlement — after having spared neither time nor trouble to carry out the views of the settlers, they ha 1 been informed, that -certain parties had been attempting, by misrepresenting their motives — by propagating statements utterly at variance with -the truth, to create such a prejudice against the Deputation in the public mind, as might enable them to obtain from that meeting a vote of censure for the manner in which they had executed their trust — and this they had done, before the settlers -had had an opportunity of receiving their report. Now, although he was well aware that those who took any prominent part in public matters, must make up their minds to incur some degree of obloquy — must expect to receive many a rub — to have imputations of every description heaped upon them — although he felt that the Deputation could very well afford to pass by unnoticed any imputations, coming from men disappointed in tbeir applications for office (cheers) — -from men, who had solicited a place from every Governor (cheers) — yet knowing, as he did, that the object of these parties on the present occasion was to create amongst the settlers such a degree of discord and disunion, as would throw discredit upon all the statements which they (the Deputation) had laid before his Excellency, and thereby justify him in utterly disregarding all the views they had advanced ; knowing this, he felt bound not merely to call upon the parties alluded to, to come forward and openly state their charges (hear, hear) — but he should also feel compelled, after he had given his report, to -call upon this meeting in the most formal and explicit manner, either to disavow or to sanction all their proceedings (cheers). Dr. F. after explaining the delay in calling the meeting, proceeded to give an account of the first interview, when the subject brought before his Excellency was the squatting ■question. Although they were fully impressed with the importance of the vast tracts of country fit only for pastoral purposes, being made available to the colonists as speedily as possible — although they felt, that if the present irregular practice of taking leases from the natives were much longer continued, not only great and serious obstacles would be placed in the way of the systematic colonization of these Islands (hear) but that disputes would be perpetually arising between the two races, and the interference of the Government would be constantly required ,(hear) — although they .knew that it was every day becoming more necessary that some limitation should be placed upon the size of the runs, still the Deputation found, after repeatedly discussing the question, that they could find no solution -of the difficulties which at present stood in the way of legislating upon the subject — the dif-

ficulties were — in the first place, by the Land Claims Ordinance, all leases and agreements made with natives were null and void — in the second place — before the Local Government could grant leases, they must first have obtained possession of the land — that according to the absurd construction put upon the Treaty of Waitangi such a thing as waste land could not be said to exist in New Zealand. Until,, therefore, the Government had extinguished the native title, they could not deal with it — and even then, by Lord Stanley's Act, they had only power to grant leases for a year. His Excellency in reply had admitted the great importance of this subject — had expressed his earnest desi re to place the squatters in a more secure position; had expressed his opinion strongly that squatting should not in any case be allowed to interfere with colouization(cheers) — that in squatting licences, all agricultural land should be excluded — and that even laud so held should not be used for cultivation, except for raising what was absolutely necessary for the station. (Hear.) His Excellency admitted the force of the objections, and feared he could not do any thing until he had referred the subject to the Home Government. The subject of ferries was then introduced, — the imposition practised by the natives, and the bad accomodation afforded, were detailed — and his Excellency stated his readiness to pass an Ordinance for establishing any ferry the settlers wished established, and that he was prepared to assert the principle, that land owned by the natives and required for ferries or other public objects, should be valued by a jury — and the natives compelled to accept the valuation. (Cheers.) Dr. F. then, after explaining that his sketch of their second interview must necessarily be very imperfect, as it had lasted five hours, observed that, the Deputation suspecting that some sinister influence had been at work, opened the conference by declaring that they came there not to intrude their opinions as individuals, but as representatives of their fellow settlers — that they came not as the advocates of the Company, and that the Agents of the Company were not to be considered as representing the settlers. (Cheers.) The first subject treated upon was that of military protection — and they felt bound, in consequence of the foul murder .(by which they had lost one of the most worthy, honest, and industrious of their settlers) (Cheers) committed the previous evening, to stale in the plainest but at the same time not uncourteous terms,that until the guilty parties were brought to justice {cheers} until the Hutt question was finally settled — until the chief instigators of all these crimes were brought under subjection to the Government, any considerable diminution of the military force would leave the settlement in a far more precarious position than it had ever been, (cheers) in a far worse position than if the natives had never been driven from the Hutt — (cheers) -they expressed their opinion also that nothing would tend more to the protection of the settlement or be more calculated -to inspire confidence in the minds of the settlers, and at the same time overawe the turbulent natives, as the establishment of a military station at Poxkua (loud cheers,.) His Excellency had expressed his intention to leave all the force he could possibly spare — ■ coincided in the propriety of having a fort at Porirua — but feared that the force at present at his disposal would not permit it. Representative institutions having then been referred to, his Excellency said he could not discuss them with the Deputation as they would be more properly embodied in a memorial to the Home Government; the Deputation submitted that they were not broaching a new subject, that they had prayed for a Representative Government in every .petition they had sent home, that in the recent debates in Parliament, all the speakers had denounced the present form of Government as utterly bad and vicious, nay that some had even expressed doubts as to its legality — that Sir Robert Peel had expressed his earnest desire to grant New Zealand Representative Institutions, and had said that instructions on the subject would be sent to the Governor, and that it therefore was important to the settlers to know whether his Excellency was opposed or favourable to their views (cheers) his Excellency then stated some objections to their being applied to New Zealand — for instance — that the natives were not fit for them, that if they were excluded, many of the chiefs (and he mentioned Noble) instead of being friendly would become bitter enemies of the Government, and that if they were excluded, measures might be passed prejudicial to their interests. In reply the Deputation urged, that if the settlers were denied these privileges until the natives were sufficiently civilized to appreciate and enjoy them, they feared they would have to wait until the total extinction of the native race (hear, hear), thatif there were any weight in the argument it would apply with equal force to the Legislative Council as at present constituted — to Municipal Institutions, totrial by jury and to every other institution, — and that the veto possessed by the Gover—

nor was a sufficient guarantee against laws being made unjust to the natives (cheers). Another objection stated was the difficulty of the electors voting owing to their being so widely dispersed — this was answered by proposing the plan adopted in the counties when the Reform Bill was passed, namely that of multiplying the polling places. Dr. F. after stating other objections urged, and explaining the views of the Deputation upon the qualification of the electors, the manner in which members should be apportioned, and their recommendation of the government of New South Wales as a model, his Excellency's approval of a second chamber and their objections, observed that his Excellency stated he had been informed by some gentlemen that the majority of the settlers were not in favour of a Representative Government; that he (Dr. F.) knowing that two Deputations at Nelson had recently urged upon his Excellency the absolute necessity of this boon being conferred, expressed his fears that the traiors to the cause were some of those who had been urging the settlers to disavow the proceedings of the Deputation, and that therefore it was incumbent upon that meeting to say whether they still adhered to their opinions so repeatedly expressed, or whether they would profess themselves satisfied with the present system of perfect despotism, (loud cheers). "With respect to Municipal Institutions, they had expressed a decided opinion against them (hear, hear), inasmuch as, after giving away all their revenues for the general purposes of the Government, they compelled the settlers to tax themselves to a large amount to defray the expenses of several establishments (such as police, gaols, &c), which at present were charges upon the general revenue of the colony — that even if the municipalities were empowered to elect members to the Legislative Council, they (the settlers) would still refuse them, especially if, as Lord Stanley said, there was to be an official majority in the council (hear, hear). His Excellency stated that he expected such municipalities would be conferred, and recommended the settlers to accept them, and make the best of them (no, no). The change of capital was the next subject — but the Governor again declined to express any opinion, except that he thought the seat of Government would for some time to come have to he on board a steamer — that he did not know what effect the formation of settlements at Otakou and the Wairarapa might have upon the seat of the capital — but that even it it was changed, he was not prepared to say that Wellington was the proper place for it, — he stated also that in consequence of rumours on this subject, several works were stopped at Auckland. The Deputation urged the different arguments which have been so repeatedly stated, and never answered — and that, if a change was inevitable, justice to all parties demanded that it should be made as speedily as possible (cheers). With respect to the Local Executive — the Deputation had said that such a thing had never existed in Cook's Strait — that the office of Superintendent had been utterly useless (tear, hear), as the most trifling things were always referred to Auckland and that the money could be far more usefully applied (hear, hear). Dr. F. then said that the Deputation were proceeding to state, that from the want of pnergy and decision displayed by Major Richmond (cheers) — from the utter want of judgment he had exhibited on eveiy occasion, the settlers never could have the slightest confidence in the Local Executive as long as he remained at the head of it (loud cheers), when they were stopped by his Excellency declaring that any charges against his Honor must be made in writing — but that he had already withdrawn Nelson from his jurisdiction (cheers) — and that he had prepared a fresh body of instructions, — and that some excuse must be made for the Local Executive, as they had never received proper instructions from the Central Government. The Deputation then complained that a considerable surplus of their revenue over the expenditure had been carried off every year to Auckland. His Excellency replied that in future, the accounts of each settlement would be published iv the papers every quarter, — that he would apply the local revenues to local purposes (hear), unless the Government was at any time hard- up, when of course he must lay his hands on the surplus wherever he could find it. With snch a condition annexed to the promise, he (Dr. F.) did not think it necessary to ask the meeting in what way they would like the surplus expended (hear, hear, -and laughter.) The next topic was the Land Claims — and after explaining the nature of Mr. Spain's reports, the exceptions (made by Mr. Spain in his award of this district) of " all lands used by the natives for vegetable productions," from the time of the first formation of the settlement up to July 1844, Dr. F. animadverted strongly upon the injurious effects of Mr. Spain's proceedings, — the only consolation was, that if Mr. Spain's reports, where

they were adverse to the settlers, were to be strictly carried out, it would be the duty of the Government to carry out his award of the Taranaki district, and upset Capt. Fitzroy's iniquitous proceedings (hear, hear.) Dr. F. then alluded to the different objections the Deputation had urged against many of the local ordinances. He mentioned particularly his Excellency's intention to abolish the Native Exemption Ordinance (hear, hear), and said that when he coupled his abolition of that ordinance with the abolition of the protectorate department, he thought they were justified in auguring most favourably of Capt, Grey's career as Governor of this colony (loud cheers), and concluded by stating, that the Deputation were prepared to answer any questions — to meet any charges, — but that they insisted that that meeing (the most numerous and respectable probably ever held in Wellington) should in the most unequivocal manner, either disavow or sanction all their proceedings. (Loud and continued applause.) ' Mr. Fitzherbert rose to address the meeting by observing that, after the explicit detail of the interview between his Excellency and the Deputation given to the meeting by Dr. Featherston he scarcely considered it necessary to say much. He would briefly advert to an omission made by Dr. Featherston relative to a subject which he believed would exemplify to the meeting in a stronger light than : any other/the utility of the Deputation. According to Mr. Spain's report the maories would have awarded to them (in addition to their 10,000 acres regularly reserved to them by the humanity of the New Zealand Company in the first and principal settlement) all their pahs, and all the clearings which they might any where have ma.de from the date of the arrival of the settlers till June 1844. The amount of these clearings (a portion of which he Mr. F. was ready to prove had been made in the interval between the opening of Mr. Spain's Court and June 1844; during which time it had become notorious that such clearings would, if Mr. Spain's repoits should be recognized, be awarded to the natives) his Excellency stated to be about 700 acres in the Port Nicholson district. His Excellency sympathised with the settlers in this difficulty — said that he had no alternative but to follow out Mr. Spain's report ; that the maories must necessarily occupy the patches of land scattered about amongst the settlers' sections, unless some means could be devised of locating them on land elsewhere ; that the town belt appeared to afford a ready solution of this difficulty, and he thought they might be there placed to the satisfaction of all parties and the relief of ! the settlers' lands. Many objections to this , plan were urged by the Deputation principally ! that it would be an act of interference with private property ; the purchasers of town sections having purchased them together vAth the common right of the town belt attached. He (Mr. F.) believed that some wisexcre had propounded this ingenious device to his Excellency without knowledge or care of the consequences ; and that perhaps it might have been adopted but for the timely explanation of the deputation. Mr. F. had heard it ruthat the Deputation were not unanimous ; he (Mr. F.) on behalf of himself and the other members of that Deputation begged to state that after three nights' attentive consideration of the subjects which had been touched upon by Dr. Featherston, the members of the Deputation had unanimously agreed to all the main subjects and arguments which were laid at the interview before his Fxcellency.(cheers.) Mr. F. further begged to state most emphatically, that they instructed their spokesman, Mr. Clifford, to tell his Excellency, with all due submission yet with firmness, " that they did not come before him to ask for any favor whatever for themselves, but simply to offer to his notice the result of some five years' experience which'they had had of local and general matters and independently to state opinions which might perhaps differ materially from those of persons witb whom his Excellency was habitually surrounded, but, therefore, the more likely to be instructive." That his Excellency did afford them a long and patient hearing, that they (the Deputation) believed their mission had done good, and that they come forward now to the public to ask either for a vote of censure or approval. That the gentlemen of the Deputation had the strongest grounds for believing that certain persons, whom he, Mr. F., could not more characteristically describe than by the well known whaling term of crawlers* (laughter) had endeavoured to poison the mind of his Excellency, the official body, and the public, against the members of the Deputation, but that it rested with this meeting (perhaps the most respectatable and numerous that had ever assembled in Port Nicholson) either to give strength and

* A Crawler is a pulling hand who, at the shore whaling station is in the habit of creeping up to the master and telling tales of the others, and is generally rewarded with a glass of grog for his pains. Another species of " Crawler" is a pulling hand who takes his place in the boat but leaves the other men to do the W oik. —Printer's Devil.

body to the secret insinuations of these selfseeking individuals, or else with unanimity and openly to show by their vote this evening the utter contempt in which they hold those who had impugned the Deputation, (cheers). Mr. Revans addressed the meeting at some length on the course pursued by the Deputation, and concluded by observing that he believed Dr. Featherston in his able speech had noticed all the principal topics advocated by the Deputation,, but should the meeting require further information the Deputation were ready to answer any questions they might wish to put ; whether their Mission had been favourable or not, they had discharged their duty honestly and to the best of their ability, and the meeting would show by the unanimity of their vote that they were satisfied the Deputation had exerted themselves not for any private purpose but for the public good. (Cheers.) Mr. M'Donald safid, that at the last meeting a deputation had been appointed to present an address to his Excellency, after which they were to bring before him matters of importance deeply affecting the interests of the community, and it was now for this meeting to decide whether they had faithfully discharged the trust reposed in them, and to express their approbation or censure accordingly ; he for one was sati: fied that they had done their duty fearlessly, and had conveyed to his Excellency the real sentiments of the settlers, and he trusted that this meeting would confirm it by their unanimous approval. He would wish them to bear in mind that the people were not made for governments but that governments were constituted to watch over and protect the interests of the people, they | were not asking any favors, but simple justice the birthright of every Englishman ; they had ! now got a Governor who was willing and able to serve them, but as Mr. Fitzherbert had justly observed he was surrounded by a set of Crawlers, but this remnant of the late miserable Government must soon disappear, if the proceedings of the Deputation, so ably laid before them by Dr. Featherston, were duly supported (cheers.) He then concluded by moving the following resolution :—: — That the sentiments expressed to his Excellency the Governor, as now stated by the members of the deputation, coincide with those of the settlers at large ; and that the thanks of this meeting are justly due to these gentlemen for the independent manner in which they have fulfilled the trust reposed in them. Dr. Dorset and Mr. Hort both rose to second the resolution, but Dr . Dorset having given way —

Mr. Horn said he felt great pleasure in seconding the resolution, because although he had heard several rumours out of doors, he came determined to hear every thing before he expressed an opinion. At the last meeting some difference of opinion existed as to the persons to be appointed, but he was sure all who had heard the explanations of the Deputation would agree that it was not a light task which those gentlemen had undertaken. If they had not affected any positive good they had averted a great deal of mischief, and his Excellency was already endeavouring to repair the evils caused by bis predecessors. He applauded all that the deputation had done, and hoped the meeting would by their unanimous vote approve of the course they had pursued, (cheers). In reply to a question by Mr. Roots, whether their interviews were satisfactory, Dr. F. stated that although the Deputation felt that Captain Grey had not been sufficiently explicit on very many subjects, especially that of the future form of this Government, and that therefore the interviews so far were unsatisfactory, still they believed that his intentions to the settlers were good — and that he was sincerely desirous to place the prosperity of the colony on a firm basis.

Mr. Roots then attempted to address the meeting, but could not obtain a hearing. The resolution was then passed unanimously. The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Chairman : and after three hearty cheers for the Deputation ; three hearty cheers for Governor Grey ; and three groans for the Crawlers, — the meeting separated.