New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAID GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 1, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 105, 1 August 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAID GUARDIAN. Saturday , August 1, 1846.

In this day's Spectator will be found a full report of the proceedings at the meeting of Owners of Land Orders in this settlement, which took place at Barrett's Hotel on Wednesday evening. The resolutions passed on that occasion set forth the principal points at issue between the New Zealand Company and the settlers, and a Committee was appointed to draw up a memorial to the New Zealand Company on the subject. The question was so ably explained by Dr. Featherston in moving the first resolution, that his observations render any lengthened commeats on our part superfluous. It is sufficient to state that no new claim is now set up on the part of the settlers, they merely desire to revert to their original .contract, that the spirit of the original agreement

should be carried out. The land claims appear now to be on the eve of adjustment, and all the different harrassing questions arising out of them will, we hope, be speedily and finally disposed of. The first thing to be done is to crush the present rebellion, and to establish British supremacy on a firm basis, so that the out settlers may pursue their vocations without further apprehension of disturbance, and this happily accomplished, his Excellency no doubt will devote all his energies to those important questions connected with the prosperity of the colony which remain for his consideration and decision. Among these the questions relating to land occupy the first place. The present therefore seems a favourable opportunity for agitating the question brought forward on Wednesday, which has on several previous occasions been discussed in these columns — the question namely of compensation from the New Zealand . Company to the settlers in the First and Principal Settlement. The question is entirely distinct from any land question in the other settlements that have been subsequently formed. According to the original prospectus of the Company it was provided that " of the £99,990 to be paid to the Company by purchasers, 25' per cent, only, or £24,997 : 10 will be reserved to meet the expenses of the Company. The remainder being 75 per cent, or £74,992 : 10, will be laid out by the Company for the exclusive benefit of the Purchasers, by giving value to the land sold by defraying the cost of emigration to this First and Principal Settlement." By Lord John Russell's agreement the New Zealand Company received a bonus of 400,000 acres (paitof the 1,200,000 acres) in consideration of the sum so paid and so expended. If then seventy-five per cent, of this sum was to be devoted to the exclusive benefit of the Purchasers, in giving value to the land sold, the settlers are entitled to every benefit, direct or contingent, to be derived from this appropriation. If the settlers obtain the objects now sought for, they would not be placed in so favourable a position as the land claimants at the North, who purchased at the same period. Under the Land Claims Ordinance they received land at the rate of five shillings an acre for the amount expended. But if the settlers were to receive the compensation they now seek, it would only be at the rate of three acres for every pound paid nearly seven years ago. But suppose the proceeds of this land devoted to purposes of public improvement. How much remains to be done in this settle* ment to give it all the characteristics of an old society, which were to be its distinguishing features ! &oads require to be formed, places of worship built in the country districts, education to be provided for the rising generation, — and for these objects no provision was made in the original plan of this settlement. In proportion as these essential points are advanced, will the prosperity of the settlement be forwarded, and on the prosperity of this settlement mainly depends the value to be attached to the Company's acquisitions. We are ready to admit the ability displayed, the perseverance shewn by the Company in their arduous struggle with the Government. It was a struggle for existence, and the result has been victory and the attainment of their objects. But if they had not received the steady unhesitating support of the settlers during this contest ; if during its continuance the settlers had yielded to the hostile influence arrayed against them, the result of the struggle would have been very different, or their victory would have been unproductive to them of any beneficial results.

On the morning of Rauparaha's arrest a party of six of the armed police under Major Durie made a visit to a large pa belonging to Rauparaha's people about two miles nearer the coast than Taupo to search for arms and ammunition. The police found twenty natives in the pa, and seized a small 4-pounder, four kegs of gunpowder, twelve muskets, and a quantity of ball cartridge ready for immediate use in their cartouche boxes. The police made ike natives carry down to the boat the arms and ammunition which they had seized ; one of the natives attempted to make his escape, and fled to the bush with his musket, but was pursued by Barry, brought back and disarmed. We have very great pleasure in relating this incident, which reflects great credit on Major Durie - and the /force under his command.

Information was brought to Wellington on Wednesday afternoon that Fuaha and his party on arriving at Rangihaeata's pa had found it completely deserted, and they returned without doing anything. Rangihaeata is supposed to be in the immediate neighbourhood of his pa, having taken to the bush with his adherents. We hope that directions will be given for the breaking up of his stronghold.

On Thursday morning the Calliope sailed for Porirua with his Excellency the Governor and the detachment of the 65th regiment recently arrived under Captain O'Connell in the Levant. Rauparaha and the other prisoners were still on board the Calliope when she sailed.

Yesterday morning a detachment of fifty of the Hutt Militia, under the command-of Messrs. M'Donogh and White, a party of thirteen of the Police under Mr. A. Strode, and 150 natives, left the Hutt District, to proceed to Porirua hy the track which the rebels generally travelled over in their incursions in that District. The detachment were accompanied by Ensign Middleton of the 58th regiment, and Messrs. Ludlam and Stilling as volunteers.

Since the publication of our last number ■we have been informed that only the powder and ammunition belonging to Rauparaha's people were destroyed. The muskets that were taken at the pa are still on board the Driver.

A very fine bullock, weighing about 9001b., was slaughtered yesterday at Mr. Rhodes' establishment for the supply of the troops. It was one of a herd belonging to J. Nixon, Esq., which had been driven overlandjfrom Wanganui. Some difficulties were experienced at Ohau from Ngapara and Maketu, and the natives acting under them, who attempted to prevent the cattle from proceeding, but they were eventually driven over in safety to Wellington, and arrived in excellent condition.

In publishing the following communication, we may observe that our correspondent is in error in the opinions he attributes to us. The article to which he refers, was intended to be simply a narrative of the circumstances connected with Te Rauparaha's capture, without indulging in any dreams of our own. The opinion we have uniformly expressed has been that there could be no peace or security for the settlement while Rangihaeata remains at large, an opinion reiterated in last Saturday's Spectator, when we expressed our conviction that the capture of Te Rauparaha was "an earnest that all that is necessary for the ends of justice and the safety of the settlement, will be done effectually." After the repeated expression of such decided opinions, we cannot be justly chargeable with indulging in any dreams of Te Rauparaha's release, or of the escape of Rangihaeata and his adherents from punishment. Every ona who is acquainted with the New Zealander's thirst for revenge, and with Rauparaha's previous career must be convinced that such a step as the release of Te Rauparaha would be the most fatal calamity that could happen to this settlement.