The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 18, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 101, 18 July 1846, Page 2

The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 18, 1846.

'On Wednesday the Driver returned with -his Excellency from <Porirua, and the Calliope returned on the day foilowing. The long-boat of the Tyne was landed, as also some cannon and howitzers, and a* quantity of ammunition for the use of the troops at the encampment. We are informed that his Excellency landed at Porirua for a short time on Monday, and inspected the camp. It would seem that for the present no active measures are contemplated, but the former arrangements will be scontinued. Whether the arrival of the promised reinforcements from Sydney, which may be daily expected, •or of the still greater numbers to- be sent from England will cause any alteration in the arrangements that have been made, or whether the troops are to remain inactive until the j-eturn of Spring, it is impossible to -say. It appears probable, however, that for the next two months nothing will be done, unless indeed the enemy presuming on their past experience, or growing more desperate, may in the interval attempt another surprise. The present position of affairs cannot but be regarded as unsatisfactory and unfortunate. It is very unsatisfactory to think that a handful of desperate savages should be able to .defy the British authority for so long a period, and if their cause was onev which could enlist the sympathies of their fellow countrymen, if there was any community of feeling 01 interest between them to which the rebels could appeal, to unite them in one common cause against the Pakeha, the position of the settlement would be very critical. But it is still more unsatisfactory to think that with a force greatly out-numbering the enemy, we are constrained to act on the defensive, to allow him to choose his time and opportunity for attack, and to consider it a matter of congratulation if a week passes away and no hostile demonstration on the part of the rebels is attempted. In this respect we cannot but consider his Excellency unfortunate. With the best intentions, and with a sincere desire to put an end to the present disturbances, he is obliged to pause. — Does j this indecision arise from a desire to wait for the promised reinforcements, from want of confidence in the sufficiency of the force at present at his disposal, or from 1 want of confidence in those to whom the

execution of his plans must be intrusted ? But the effect of the present inactivity is unfortunate to the settlement both in its immediate and its remote consequences. The ensuing season promises to be the most remunerative, to those who are able to cultivate their sections, of any that has occurred since the establishment of the colony. Flour bears a high price in this and the neighbouring colonies, and from various causes there is every appearance that this price will be sustained. The increased amount of force, both naval and military, in New Zealand, and the formation of tie new settlement at Otakou, will create fresh demands for food, which the settlers would have had the opportunity of supplying ; and if this rebellion had been crushed, and the settlers had been established in the quiet possession of their lands, it is not too much to assert that the progress of the settlement during the next twelve months would have been much greater than in any previou s year ; an impetus would have been given to the settlement, of which the effects would have been speedily visible in improvements in every direction. The contrast to our present state would have been as complete as it would have been gratifying to those who have borne all the previous disappointments to which we have been subjected. But this pleasant vision, which still so near us, yet beyond us lies, remains to be fulfilled, and its accomplishment is indefinitely postponed. "What may be the remote consequences ot recent occurrences, and of the present state of affairs, we may in some degree conjecture from the exaggerated notion of danger and insecurity which distance and an imperfect {knowledge of all the facts of the case is calculated to produce on those living out of the colony. The leading idea, the principal impression conveyed will be a conviction of fresh disasters, fresh defeats — and no attempt made to retrieve them ! — and with this groundwork, with this outline, we can readily imagine how each man's fancy will supply the details — •mill colour the picture ! — We trust that among the other consequences of the present inactivity and indecision we may not have an additional illustration of the truth of €be old adage — There is danger in delay.

There are rumours along the coast of hostile movements among the natives, which we trust may eventually be found to be only rumours ; or if they should unfortunately prove true, we hope that a vigorous effort will be made to counteract these movements.

We are sorry to learn that, on Thursday morning, a party of friendly natives stole a quantity of potatoes belonging to Mr. Mabey, at his clearing about half-a-mile from the Militia station at Taita. The potatoes had been collected by Mr. Mabey in a heap, and were covered over with earth to protect them from the weather. On information being given at the Stockade, Mr. M'Donogh immediately proceeded to the spot with a party of the Militia, but the natives had gone away. About a hundred bushels of wheat have been thrashed out by Mr. Brice, with assistance from his comrades in the intervals of duty, and it is the intention of such of the Militia as have clearings near the Stockade to chip in as much wheat this season as their opportunities will permit. We shall be very glad to hear that their example is generally followed. Surely some arrangements might be made with the force stationed at the Hutt, by which the settlers would feel sufficient confidence ito return to their abandoned cultivations during the day time, so as to get in sufficient wheat for the consumption of their families.

From Mr. 'Deighton, who arrived in Wellington yesterday from Wanganui, we learn that the natives in that district are generally well disposed. v The determination of the Governor to make another attempt -to settle the Wanganui land claims will be productive of great satisfaction there, as the natives were very much disappointed at the abrupt termination of the last negociation. Mr. Deighton left Wanganui on the 10th inst., at which time the Katherine Johnstone had not arrived.

We are sorry to state that the Amelia, a small vessel of eight tons, parted from her anchor on Monday night, and went ashore in Worser's Bay. A part of the cargo was saved, but the vessel is a total wreck.

A kepokt was circulated on Thursday, that a roan had been tomahawked on the Porirua road ; some accounts stated that a policeman, others that a soldier had been murdered, but* it would appear from the inquiries that have been made in the circumstances that the re- . port is without foundation.

Man Overboard. — On the Calliope's' last visit to Porirua, on Sunday, after passing Cape Terawiti, from the wind freshening, it was found necessary to take in sail, and one of the hands employed on the topgallantsail yard in executing ' the order, by a sudden lurch of the vessel lost his hold, and was thrown into the sea. The vessel was going very fast through the water, but she was immediately put about, the boat was lowered, and the life-buoy set afloat; but the man being stunned from his fall from so great a height, was unable to avail himself of it. He was soon picked up, however, by the boat, and was on board again within ten. minutes from the time the accident occurred.

On Thursday afternoon the body of James Holmes, who was unfortunately drowned, was buried in the public cemetery. The funeral was attended by a party of the Militia and Police, and the body was buried with military honours. The Rev. R. Cole performed the funeral service. A subscription has been entered into by his comrades for the relief of his widow and orphan children.

For some time past the natives at Wairarapa have been apprehensive of a hostile visit from Hapuka, a chief of Auhuriri, owing to the following circumstance. About two years ago Mr. Wade went to Wairarapa in a small schooner with machinery for preparing flax, and took with him two natives belonging to this district. In proceeding up the river in a whaleboat, the boat was upset, and the natives were clrowned. The widow of one of the natives subsequently married again, and as this was repugnant to native customs, Hapuka, to whose tribe she belonged, demanded the woman, and on the refusal of the natives to give her up he threatened to take her by force. About a month ago he suddenly visited the district, where he was well received by the settlers, and the natives contrived to pacify him by presents of blankets and other goods.

Erratum. — In the Police Report, in las,t v Wednesday's Spectator, in Bailey's evidence* for "they were all taken from him by Smith" read " they were all taken from him by Yates, who exclaimed ' we have got it,' &c." — We understand the soldier Yates has since been tried by a Court Martial for the i obbery, and punished. The prisoner, George Smith, who was sentenced to thirty days' imprisoment for the assault, is a Parkhurst boy, and came from Auckland.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. G. D. Lardnc, Mr. A. Levin, Mr. W. S. Loxley, and Mr. 6. Moore, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from'seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 18th July, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 20th July.