The New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 5, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 115, 5 September 1846, Page 2

The New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 5, 1846.

There are two classes of readers for whose use the Spectator is designed. The first and by far the most numerous are our fellSw settlers, to whom it is the vehicle for conveying local information and the current news of the day, and affording the opportunity of discussing all topics which in any way affect their interests and the prosperity of the settlement. But there is another important class of readers for whom this journal is intended, whose interest is to a certain extent mixed up with that of the settlers, and whose conduct may materially influence "their prospects. We allude to the Absentee holders of land in the settlement, in which designation we of course include the New Zealand Company. It has been usual on the occasion of a communication with

England to bring forward such topics as would be useful in conveying to this class of our readers correct views of the state of the settlement, and of the wants and wishes of the settlers, and we shall take advantage of the present opportunity of treating on some of those subjects which possess a common interest to both classes of our readers. The late numbers of the Spectator will inform our friends in England of the war which has lately been raging almost at our very doors, and which some may suppose to be terminated ; but if the flames are extinguished, the embers are still glowing and may possibly again be kindled. The late events are instructive in many points of view. They have been the legitimate consequences of the conduct pursued by Capt. Fitzroy towards the natives, and shew the reasonableness of the opposition offered by the settlers of the Cook's Strait settlements to his mad career. They also clearly indicate the future policy of our present Governor, and its first-fruits are a sufficient encouragement for him to persevere Parcere subjectis sed debellare superbos — Though the war may be considered at an end for the present, yet as long as Rangihaeata and the ringleaders of the late rebellion are at large, apprehensions must always be entertained of future disturbances. But as the country becomes opened by the line of roads now in progress, as the means of communication between the different districts are improved, so this danger, as threatening this settlement, becomes more remote. We may also hope that either by means of the armed police or through the friendly natives these miscreants may be brought to justice. We appear then to commence from a fresh starting point, and may reasonably expect that every succeeding year under our present Governor will effect great and import ant changes. The present therefore appears a favourable opportunity for the discussion of those questions which are connected with and affect the mutual interests of the settlers and non resident owners of land, and which have been lost sight of for some time past through the pressing and absorbing nature of recent events. Before entering on these subjects however, it may be desirable to take a brief review of the present condition of the settlement. After an arduous and protracted struggle of seven years we are at length on the eve of the settlement of the Land Claims, a question which has been made the pretext for harassing the settlers and the means of seriously retarding the progress of the southern settlements, and yet, by the facility with which this question will be disposed of by our present Governor will be made manifest, if any further proof were wanted, the hostility towards the Southern settlements, which has actuated his predecessors and those in authority under the Local Government, since it was only necessary to the final and satisfactory adjustment of this question, that it should be approached in a good and honest purpose and with a fixed determination to do justice to all parties. The late operations, as we have had occasion previously to remark, have clearly demonstrated that with regard to the great majority of the natives in the neighbouring districts, the relations of the settlers are of a most satisfactory nature. They regard the rebellion of Rangihaeata with indifference and aversion ; the most numerous and influential tribe, theNgatiawas, have lent their active assistance in putting it down, while, at Manawatu and other places, if the natives have not engaged in active hostilities against the rebels, they have shown a resolute determination to protect the outsettlers from injury. But there is another point as affecting our present condition which must not be passed over, and which is of a very^satisfactory nature ; we allude to the activity shown by the natives along the coast in cultivating wheat. This is the best pledge they could give of their peaceable intentions, this is a most promising sign of their advancement in civilization. The greatest part of the grain grown this season by the natives will be disposed of to the settlers, and the proceeds spent in obtaining those articles of food and clothing which before our arrival were seldom to be

met with among them, but which are gradually becoming to them the necessaries of life. The foundation of a trade will be established, which the extension of roads and the improvement of the means of communication must greatly increase, and by judicious encouragement on the part of the GoTernment will become a most powerful auxiliary in promoting the civilization of the natives and insuring peace. For while they find their trade with the settlers profitable, they have something at stake, something to lose by its interruption, which will render them as anxious as ourselves to preserve the peace of the district. Sofar.tben, ourpositionis satisfactory; our immediate and most pressing wants are the improvement and extension of communication through the district by means of roada, the introduction of fresh labour and capital, and the satisfactory arrangement of those questions relating to land which have arisen between the settler and the non-resident landowner. The main lines of roads now in progress will confer a very great advantage on this settlement, and if this were the only advantage we had derived from the appointment of his Excellency, we should have reason to be grateful. But after the roads are completed, provision must be made for their being kept in effectual repair, and this provision must devolve on the settlers. Fresh capital must be introduced into the settlement for the cultivation of the lands thus rendered accessible, there must be a fresh influx of labour to meet the pressing demands which are daily arising, and which the progress of improvement must surely increase. But these are questions in which the absentees are as deeply interested as j ourselves, and which it is more especially their province to promote. With respect to the New Zealand Company, it is certain that any attempt longer to evade their engagements to the resident settlers would be an act of suicide on their part. After havingpatiently, for six years, remained silent upon the subject of their claims upon j the Company, the purchasers of laud, both here and at Nelson, are evidently determined to compel the Company to do them justice, and are not to be satisfied any longer by the Company's empty and hollqw professions of sympathy for their sufferings. These are questions we shall take an early opportunity of discussing, but while on the subject, we may express our hope that the Landowners will see the necessity of forming themselves into an Association, for the purpose of watching .over their interests.

An interview lately took place between Puaha and Rauparaha on board the Calliope, in which the latter is said to have urged Puaha most strongly to leave no means untried to take Rangihaeata prisoner, hoping that his capture would procure the liberation of himself and the brothers of Puaha. - A korero was held at Otaki (at which Captain Stanley, Mr. Scott, and others were present, Mr. Deighton acting as interpreter) between the chiefs of that place and Puaha, at which the latter strongly urged the former to engage in active measures to take Rangihaeata and put an end to the war ; but they are said to have determined to remain neutral. Even Topeora, Rangihaeata's sister joined her persuasions to Puaha's, observing that R&ngihaeata had by his rebellion embarked in a course which must inevitably end in his destruction.

On Monday the armed police and our allies chased some of the rebels from the native potato clearings at Waikanae. The rebels appear, from the latest accounts, to have encamped at an opening among the hills at a short distance from Waikanae in the direction of Otaki, and are supplying themselves with food from the potato grounds in the neighbourhood of the former place. It is not improbable that Rangihaeata may take advantage of his present position and endeavour to procure reinforcements.

Tire Rev. R. Taylor with Heu. Hen, the brother of the late Taupo chief and Mr. Nixon left Wellington last week, with the intention of proceeding OTerland to Wanganni. From the latter gentleman we have received the following communication, dated Waikanae, August 30 : — " We have just Been the rebel position, *« indicated by their fires, which are very numetout. These are titnated about two miki,

not more, back from the Waikanae pa, and at the foot of the Tararua range. I saw them to-day about ten, and again this afternoon. This clearly shews that they are bent upon some future and impoi tant movements. Perhaps these extensive fires, &c, may be merely lighted and continued, to operate as a feint, and deceive the Europeans regarding Rangihaeata's immediate movements. Some natives from the pa here saw the rebel natives bivouacked. He may be planning his escape past Otaki, or may be about to attack some of our positions in a different quarter. Old Heu Heu is with us, but will not, for some reason, come into this pa ; he stays down at Te Uruhi, about one mile lower down. At Parramatta he did the same, most contemptuously refusing to eat food in the stockade with Major Last : at Taupo pa he kept most rigidly to Rauparaha's part, though Wiremu i Tako and other friendly natives gave him a handsome entertainment of pigs, kuroeras, preserved Albatross, and other maori delicac ies. Wiremu Tako gave us a long discourse, and well sustained in his assertions by positive facts. He repeatedly urged on us, in Major Last's hearing, that tbe war here was now terminated ; but significantly alluded to old Rangi being still at large, with a number of desperate men. He said also, that ere very long a terrible war would begin at Waogauui, which would extend right up to the North : he described this last affair as a mere pannikin of water out of a bucket ; this was his own simile; and said that the war at Wanganui would be the bucket. Old Heu Heu is very reserved, and his countenance generally wears a look of dogged contempt to all the friendly natives."

H.M.S. Calliofc, Capt. Stanley arrived from Porirua on Thursday after an absence of five weeks during the whole of which time her gallant commander has been indefatigably engaged in using every effort to put down the rebellion. It may be satisfactory to Captain Stanley to know that the settlers are duly sensible of the great obligations they owe to him and the officers and crew of the Calliope, for the exertions made by them during the late operations to protect the settlement.

Thk Government Brig Victoria arrived on Thursday from Nelson with Messrs. Domett, Stafford, and Dillon Bell, passengers. She left Nelson on Saturday. Mr. Domett will proceed in the Driver to Auckland to attend the Sittings of the Legislative Council. It is reported that the Driver will leave in the course of the day.

Thb Comet arrived on Thursday evening from Hobart Town, which she left on the 19th inst. The latest English dates at Hobart Town were to the 27th April, which were received via Adelaide. She reports that at her departure the Java, a vessel of 1,400 tons was daily expected at Hobart Town with 750 of the 65th regiment, who would immediately proceed to this port. The remainder of the regiment would leave England as guards to the different convict ships. By the Comet six splendid raras of the purest Merino breed have been imported from Van Diemen's Land by W. Fitzherbert, Esq. They werelanded in first-rate condition.

The schooner Sisters arrived on Wednesday from Akaroa after a tedious passage of 14 days, with Messrs. Greenwoods as passengers, and the prisoners who committed the robhery on them, of which we gave an account a few numbers back. At the time the Sisters left Akaroa, the barque Fortitude, Capt. Bailey, from Hobart Town, was at anchor there, having arrived on the previous Saturday. She had been fourteen weeks out and had got 120 tuns black oil. For some days previous to the departure of the Sisters there had been some heavy southerly weather.

By the Madras and the Victoria we have received Nelson h xaminers to the 29th inst.. but they do not appear to contain any local intelligence. By the same opportunity we have received an interesting account of the Exploring Expedition on the western coast of the Middle Island by Messrs. Brunner & Heaphy, which will be inserted in our next No. The Nelson Examiner contains two interesting articles on New Zealand affairs from The Times, which we shall take an early opportunity of extracting.

Wblmngton Savings Bank. — Mr. S. Revans, Major Richmond, Mr. T. M. Partridge, and Mr. W. Fitzherbert, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the sth Sept., and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 7th September. We are also requested to give notice that the monthly meeting of the Superintending Committee will take place at Barrett's Hotel, on Monday evening, the 7th inst., at 8 o'clock.

Custom House, Wellington, 31st August, 1846. Spirits and tobacco under bond 31st August. Brandy 1603 gallons Rum 850 do. Gin 113 do. Liqueurs 5 J do. Cigars 161 ft Tobacco 22,13716