New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 8, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 272, 8 March 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 8, 1848.

We understand that William King and several of the chiefs and other leading men of the Ngatiawas of Waikanae hare come to Wellington for the purpose of having an interview with his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor previous to their meditated return to Taranaki. The Ngatiraukawas are busily employed in building a church at Otaki on a much larger and more magnificent scale than the celebrated one at Waikanae, which, when completed, will be capable of holding one thousand persons. But though thus intent on works of peace, the two tribes are reported to be distrustful of each other; the remembrance of old feuds are too deeply seated to be eradicated, to these are to be added Rauparaha's recent wrongs, — " and curst with hearts unknowing how to yield," they fear in this migration the consequences of weakness by dividing their numbers and affording their ancient foes an easy and tempting opportunity for triumph. It is believed that the few Ngatiawas who intended to remain at Waikanae will eventually join the main body at Taranaki, and that the district will be entirely abandoned by its former inhabitants. If this should prove to be the case, it will offer too favourable an

opportunity to the Government not to be turned to account. Lord Grey, in sending the pensioners to Auckland, stated it to be an experiment which, if successful, would be repeated in the Southern Province. The experiment could not be repeated under more favourable conditions than at Waikanae; a fertile district, within a day's communication with Wellington, connected by an excellent road ; easily accessible by sea, and opposite the safe anchorage of Kapiti ; completing the chain of military posts between Wellington and Wanganui, and by its proximity to Otaki and Manawatu, having an immediate and powerful influence over those districts. Not that there is any immediate danger to be apprehended of fresh disturbances, but the most effectual prevention will be found in being prepared effectually to repress them. All these reasons point to the immediate occupation of Waikanae, which, from the advantages of its position^ would speedily become a flourishing settlement, and when once established, as a natural consequence the intervening country districts would speedily become continuously settled. Such a plan would have the additional recommendation of rectifying the mistakes of the New Zealand Company, by connecting the scattered population of the different districts along the coast, and by forming them into one strong concentrated settlement would supply the links wanting in the chain, which alone can render it serviceable and enduring.

The barque Stains Castle, W. Dawson commander, homewardbound from Port Phillip, a full ship, with cabins all engaged, put in here on Monday, out of contrary winds, and to repair jib-boom. She had a long passage of twenty-two days from Port Phillip, having met with a great deal of light and variable weather since approaching New Zealand. Captain Dawson has taken the opportunity of filling up his quantum of water, and refreshing; and is ready for sea the first slant of wind. We wish our old acquaintance a pleasant voyage. It will be remembered this good ship was conspicuously employed in the transport- service here, during the disturbances in the North in 1846, under her present respected commander.

The Maid of the Mill arrived yesterday from Manukau and Kawhia, having looked in on her way at Taranaki. She left Manukau on the 22nd, and Taranaki on the 28th inst. She brings intelligence of the total wreck of the barque Orwell, with cattle from Twofold Bay on the spit at the entrance of Manukau harbour about three weeks ago. All hands were saved in the long-boat of the vessel, but the cattle and cargo were lost, and the vessel went to pieces, so that on the following morning hardly a vestige of her could be seen. The wreck was sold for £6 : 10s. There had been no recent arrivals from England at Auckland previous to the Maid of the Mills sailing. Considerable dissatisfaction appears to have been caused at Auckland by the order for closing the Court of Requests, and transferring its functions to the Resident Magistrate's Court ; and a writ -of mandamus had been applied for in the Supreme Court, to compel the Clerk of the Court of Requests to continue his duties. The case occupied the Court two days, and His Honor the Chief Justice deferred giving judgment to the following week. The Inflexible arrived at Taranaki on Sunday, the 27th inst. His Excellency the Go-vernor-in- Chief had received several deputations of settlers on subjects connected with local interests, and was expected to leave on the following Tuesday.

Quantity of rain fallen during the month of February, 1848 — 2 inches, 6 tenths.