New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, May 1, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 183, 1 May 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, May 1, 1847.

In referring to the late horrible tragedy at Wanganui, the friends of good order and civilization must rejoice that punishment has so quickly followed on the heels of crime. In former instances, in the murder of the Gillespies, of Rush, and of Hobman, the murderers have hitherto contrived to elude the vigilance of the authorities, and to escape from the punishment to which they were obnoxious, and which they so justly deserved. But in this, perhaps the most appalling example of savage cruelty in the history of this country, owing to the energy and promptitude displayed by Capt. Laye, the commanding officer at Wanganui, a speedy retribution has overtaken the criminals, and we may hope that it will operate in producing the effect intended by all punishment, by preventing the commission of crime and extending the authority of law and order. The authorities at Wanganui by their zeal and energy have secured the gratitude and confidence of the settlers. But the efforts of the executive must be steadily directed to crush any resistance offered by the natives to the authority of Government, above all they must put down Rangihaeata and his adherents. As long as he remains at large, this settlement must always be exposed to the apprehension of danger, for however weak and powerless he may at times appear, he will always be ready to take advantage of circumstances and use his influence with the natives for the furtherance of his objects. No doubt his Excellency on his arrival (now daily expected) will adopt such measures as the emergency seems to require, and the reinforcements from Sydney will enable him to act with additional vigour. But the great end to be gained is to establish the supremacy of the Government so thoroughly that the outsettler may occupy his land in security, and we fear this can never be accomplished while Rangihaeata remains at large. He has been the centre of disaffection, the prime mover of all the disturbances in this district, and will always be the rallying point for the discontented and turbulent. Effectual measures must therefore be taken to rid the settlers of this miscreant, as these disturbances must operate very prejudicially in checking immigration, and by preventing the occupation of the country districts, materially retard the prosperity of the colony.

A detachment of 100 soldiers of the 58th regiment under Captain Hardy, Lieut. Hay, and Ensign Middleton, sailed for Wanganui yesterday in the Scotia and Edward Stanley which were chartered to take them. — Part of the detachment marched into town the previous evening from the stockade on the Porirua road. Mr. J. Jones, to whom the Scotia belongs, in the most liberal manner offered the use of that vessel gratuitously for two trips for the purpose of taking troops to Manawatu, and of rendering such other assistance as the exigencies of the case might require. We believe Mr Jones has also directed the master of the Scotia to offer a free passage to Wellington, to such of the Wanganui settlers as, may be desirous of leaving that district in its present unsettled state. Such liberality is worthy the highest commendation, and the community will duly appreciate Mr. Jones's public spirit and generous desire to afford assistance to his fellow settlers. The Ann and Sarah was also chartered by the Local Authorities, and sailed on Thursday for Manawatu to bring away such settlers as were desirous of leaving that district. The authorities appear to have adopted every measure in their power, in the Governor's absence, that prudence or precaution could suggest for the assistance of the settlers in those districts.

Furious Riding. — On Thursday morning as a native belonging to Te Aro pa, named Te Iwi, was riding at a furious rate along Manners-street his horse, which did not ap. pear to be under the control, of the rider, dashed among a group of children who

were waiting in front of the Wesleyan Chapel, until the school should be opened, and knocked down a little boy, about four years old, the son of Mr. Cattel, a carpenter, living in the neighbourhood. The little boy, who was very much injured on the head and otherwise much bruised, was picked up insensible, and remained some time in a precarious state. He was placed under the care of Dr. Hansard, and is now we believe in a fair way of recovery. The attention of the Police should be directed to this subject, and some regulations should be adopted which may have the effect of preventing accidents arising from persons riding furiously, or from cattle being driven through the streets, which are becoming of frequent occurrence.

Wanganui. — In addition to the particulars furnished in our last number, we are informed that a considerable body of natives had assembled at Parikino about twenty miles from the town, and that they threatened to take revenge for the execution of the murderers whose lives were so justly forfeited. Every precaution has been adopted by the officer in command ; and sixty of the settlers had been armed and formed into four companies and placed under the command of Mr. Nixon and three other Magistrates : each company keeping watch alternately every fourth night. The settlers speak in the highest terms of Captain Laye the officer in command, for the promptitude and decision he has evinced, and for the sympathy and kindness he has shown towards the settlers, particularly to Mr. Gilfillan and the surviving members of his family. Mr. Gilfillan who has been visited with so terrible a calamity, is a gentleman of extensive information and acquirements. He was an artist of considerable celebrity at Glasgow, where he was professor of drawing at Andersons University. He had travelled on the continent, and when in Portugal had the honour of a sitting from Donna Maria for her portrait. He and his family arrived in the colony in the Mar.darin towards the latter end of the year 1841, and having purchased land from the New Zealand Company in that district, proceeded to Wanganui, where they have since lived respected by all who knew them. The prisoner who has been sentenced to transportation for life is a lad about fourteen years old. As one of the murderers is still at large, Major Richmond has, at Captain Laye's request, decided that the Wanganui district shall be further subject to the jurisdiction of Martial Law until the Ist of August.

WkllingtonSavingsßank — Mr.R. Stokes, Mr. Suisted, Mr. T. W. Tankersley. and Dr. Featherston, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Messrs. Johnson & Moore's store, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the Ist May, 1847, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 3rd May. The Superintending Committee will meet at Barrett's Hotel, on Monday evening, 3rd May, at eight o'clock.