AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 257, 15 January 1848, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

His Excellency has instructed a feast to be provided for the natives who have been employed on Government works, and others also, this afternoon, in the space fronting Government House. We understand that seven hundred invitation tickets have been issued, and we have little doubt but that ample justice will be done to the viands in return for his Excellency's liberality. — New Zealander, Jan. 1. The Calliope has undergone a thorough refitting and cleansing, and is now nearly ready to receive her crew, who have been encamped on the north shore during the process. — Ibid. By the Dove, from the East Coast, we learn that a somewhat serious quarrel lately took place between a native and some Europeans at Hick's Bay. The native referred to, who, if our informant be correct, is a notorious character, struck one European (not the man who had offended him) a blow on the head with a claw hammer. The wound was so serious that the man's life was despaired of. The resident missionary, the Rev. C. Reay, attended him with care, and the means he employed were providentially successful in preserving life, but the unfortuuate n an has totally lost the use of one side. The majority of the natives were highly indignant at the conduct of their countryman, and were disposed to hand him over to the author. ties for punishment. Mr. Reay reported the case to the Government, but no notice has been taken of it, and now the ill-disposed abettors of the fellow who committed the assault, taunt Mr. Reay with the unsuccessful result of his communication, and are assuming an attitude towards him rather unfavourable to his future peace, if not to his safety. This matter should be enquired into. — Southern Cross, Nov. 27.

Important Discoveey. — \Ve have seen a very beautiful specimen of dark-grey granite vvhich has been discovered in the neighbourhood. We understand that steps are being taken for examining particularly into the quality of the stone, and the extent of the quarry. This will be indeed a valuable acquisition, if good building granite is procurable in our vicinity. The appearance of the specimen warrants us to entertain sanguine hopes. — Ibid. It has been rumoured during the week, that the murderers of Lieutenant Snow and his family have beeu discovered. The principal is said to be a native of the Ngatiruru tribe of Waikato, named Ngamuka, and two others, his accomplices, of the Ngatitematera tribe, of which Taraia is chief. We sincerely hope \ that this report is true ; if so, there will, in all probability, be no difficulty in taking Ngamuka, as the principal men of Waikato will exert themselves in order to his being given up. The capture of the other two, however, is a more doubtful question, as Taraia cannot be depended upon. In the present critical state of affairs, it requires no little discrimination and knowledge of the native character, to discern between those who are our friends and who are not. There are wheels in motion around about us that few have any idea of. and the authorities, who ought to be the most vigilant and the best informed, are perhaps the least watchful, and the least acquainted with what is going on. The Governor may perhaps possess a more ihan ordinary share of sagacity himself, but even his wisdom will not serve to fathom the secret workings of the native mind, and he has no one about him sufficiently acquainted with the natives, upon whom he can confidentially rely for information. We have this week received intelligence that can be depended upon, respecting the machinations of a certain chief, who has been for some time past a sort of state prisouer— -on parole. We have always expressed our opinion of the impolicy of taking him prisoner, but we have also admitted that, having been once captured bis liberation would be attended with more hazardous consequences than even his arrest. As a proof of his deep seated feeling of revenge for the indignity which has been put upon him, we give his own message to the chiefs of certain powerful tribes in our neighbourhood — whom for several reasons we do not think it ptoper to specify by name. The parties were earnestly invited to come and see the prisoner, and the invitation was enforced by these words ; — "Kahore aku kai, ko te kai ma ratou kei nga karito o Waipapa : he taru maru noa te pakeha, me te puwha nei ano te ngawsri." * We forbear to translate the foregoing highly figurative sentences, but their ominous import will be plain to the maori scholar. We know that many good meaning people would advise the suppression of any intelligence that might- create an unfavourable impression of the safety of ourpositison, in the minds of our friends abroad but we consider our real security to be of more importance than the mere maintenance of a favourable impression. What with the conflicting feelings occasioned by the late murder, the latent revenge of an indignant chief, and above all, the evil effect* of Earl Grey's instructions, oat Tulexs should combine at this juncture, the utmost prudence,

with the most sleepless vigilance. They may disregard oar warning voice, but we have discharged our duty, and though they may con* tinue secure and supine, we shall not relax in our watchful observation of every movement, and manifestation of. feeling amongst the natives. — Ibid, Dec. 11. In our last number., we mentioned the anxiety of the natives generally to bring the murderers of the late Lieutenant and Mrs. Snow to justice. Since then, the suspected Ngarauka, with Taraia, and a number of other natives, have appeared at Government House, and from his now being at liberty, we may conclude that he has sufficietly exculpated himself in the eyes of his Excellency. It would however prove much more to the satisfaction of the public, if all examinations' of this kind were made at what we couceive to be the proper place, — the Magistrate's Court. — New Zealander, Dec. 18.