CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 186, 12 May 1847, Page 2

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The following extracts of news, to the 9th January, being ten days later than that previously received in Sydney, are taken, from the Melbourne Gazette, of the sth instant : — " The drop scene has again fallen," says the Cape Frontier Times, " upon another act in the drama of the Kaffir war, and the stage is being swept for another exhibition." These remarks were occasioned by the receipt of the news from England, of the appointment of Sir Henry Pottinger — the departure of his Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland fr-m the

frontier — the disbandonment of the Western burgher levies, and the repeal of Martial Law throughout the colony. From the adoption of these measures we might anticipate that the war was at an end — that the spirit of the Kaffirs had been subdued, and that ample means and large forces placed at the disposal of the Commander-in-Chief by the Home Government, had fulfilled the primary purpose for which they were sent ; but that chiefs of Kafir-aria, west of the Kei River, have been reduced to subjection, and that the "safety of the colony" has been " secured," as stated in the General Orders issued by Sir Peregrine Maitland, remains to be proved; and are questions on which Sir Henry Pottinger will have to bestow his serious attention. The hostile chief Pato had been driven beyond the Kei, and Colonel Somerset was in command. No official knowledge of the settlement of things in British Kaffraria had reached the public, and apprehensions were reasonably entertained that the native communities located there would prove troublesome neighbours, if order was not maintained by the exercise of an almost absolute power. An extract of a letter from Sir Andreas Stokenstrom says :—: — " That, as matters actually stand, it is clear it is not consistent with the protection of our lives and property that Kaffir or Tambookie be allowed to retain the least power for evil west of the Kei," and also emphatically his opinion " that the sword alone can rule for some time to come"; and out of despotic justice or just despotism, will ultimately arise civilization, and materials for systems as liberal as you please." Whether we agree with Sir Andrew in his views or not, with respect to the necessity of an extraordinary exercise of despotic power is immaterial to our present purpose ; but thinking with Sir Andreas, that the " great difficulty will be to find the man to wield such a sword," we are inclined to surmise that Sir Henry Pottinger will find abundant opportunities for his diplomatic, if not for his warlike abilities.