ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, Feb 10, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 265, 12 February 1848, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, Feb 10, 1848.

Sir,— l shall feel obliged by your insertion of a few remarks respecting the settlement of Wanganui, so frequently ot late hrought before public attention. ' . . This ill-fated and languishing district gained the early consideration of His Excellency Governor Grey, who took prompt and vigorous measures for the speedy and happy adjustment of that vexata quastio, the land-question, which, but for ,the missionary portion of the natives wanting both the land and the payment for it, might have been arranged. This attention on the part of His Excellency drew forth the grateful feelings of the settlers, and inspired us with the hope that brighter days were in store. The course since pursued by His Excellency with reference to this settlement, as well as the chances and changes which have befallen it, during the past year, have been so recently the subject of discussion, that I need not at this time lefer to them, but shall pass on to matters in which the settlers may be presumed capable of forming a correct judgment; and therefore, without indulging in a single conjecture with regard to the inscrutable sagacity which suggested to His Excellency the policy of parading a noble force of ' Brave men in presence of the enemy, and retiring to his dinner amidst the exulting yells of an arrogant foe : without, I say, wishing to dwell onthis or any other notable scheme for the dispersion of a well-organized, well-armed, and powerful enemy, I hasten to that portion of this sad eventful history, in which we settlers are most interested. On or about August last, those settlers who were not engaged in supplying the troops, discovering that almost all that they originally possessed was either destroyed or more or less in the hands of the enemy ; and perceiving that, as representing the agricultural interests of this fair portion of the Province of New Ulster or Munster, they being limited in their farming operations to the beach cf the town of Petre, were exhibiting but a sorry figure, considered the propriety of taking up their carpet-hags, and going elsewhere : opportunely a communication was forwarded by His Excellency, beaming with that kindness of manner peculiar to Governor Giey, wishing to know the views of the Wanganui settlers,, and offering "to remove those who were desirous of going, and begging to assure those who preferred remaining, that he would do his utmost to ensure to them peace and prosperity." This generous and cheering offer was immediately responded to, and the written answers of each settler forwarded by her Majesty's war steamer the Inflexible; some, vyith due gratitude, availing themselves of this never-(o-be-safriciently-extolled piece of spontaneous bounty, chronicled their thanks and their wishes to depart hence ; while others preferred the peace and prosperity ensurance. After waiting until it was supposed that his Excellency had forgotten his promise, (a failing that I begin to think even Governors not exactly free from,) all who intended to go departed; after which, in the beginning of last month r ' his Excellency again honoured Wanganui with his presence, and repeated ■ his promise ; at the same time not forgetting the peace and prosperity-story, endeavoured to cement — I mean, patch-up — a treaty of what is here facetiously styled a peace . His Excellency ready to hold out the hand of forgiveness to an enemy supposing itself victorious and laden with plunder. Such, up to tke latest date, is the situation of affairs at Wanganui — such the result of this profoundly sagacious policy, namely, &n inglorious treaty of what only amounts to a suspension of hostilities between Her Majesty's troops and a ' mob of savages, who, finding that no more mischief is to be done, and their fishing season arrived, &c, have no objection' fed- such an arrangement; to effect which, the interests of the bona fide settler are contemptuously overlooked, and he is left either to assume the pliability of His Excellency, and throw himself once iriore on Maori sufferance, or" submit lo even a greater degradations—that of having to listen to the shallow plausibilities, the ever-ready hoHow pro • mises of Governor Grey, without having the freedom of reply. 1 remain,,' Sir; Your very t obedient, humble servant, - Henry Shafto Harrison.