NATIVE PETITION.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 414, 21 July 1849, Page 2

NATIVE PETITION.

We have extracted from the Sydney Morning Herald the following translation of a Petition from the natives of the Northern Province of New Zealand to the Queen against the introduction of convicts into these islands ; the Petition was numerously signed. A Petition to the same effect has been prepared by the natives of Otaki and the adjoining districts, which has also been numerously signed, and which, we believe, will shortly be published :—: — Madam, — Saluting you. This is our memorial ; the memorial of the native chiefs of New Zealand to you, that you may know our thoughts. We have heard of a letter that has been received by Governor Grey, trombone of your Elder men, that is, from Earl Grey, written on the 3rd August, 1848, concerning convicts be ng sent to this island. Now what we say is, don't send them here. Don't g-> away from our former understanding. When ii.st. it was .arranged that your people should colonize this country,- the principles on which it should be done were then laid down, and it was understood that such men, that is, convicts, should never be brought here. Let this stand fast : and all our other arrangements, let them be confirmed. Madam, if ronvicts are &ent here we shall be all involved in trouble. The property of the white man will not be safe ; those thieves will steal it, and the Maories will be blamed. This will make us dark, (grieve us), and evil will arise out of such things both to you and us. Then again ; it is not probable those men will remain at the European settlements, they will come to our native villages and trouble us. Our women they will lead astray ; our men will be taught their duplicity, and rebellion, and evil ways ; and we are not pleased that such should be the case at our villages. Further : respectable Europeans will be afraid, and will not come to our country if those convicts are sent here. This is distressing to us, because we greatly desire that respectable Europeans may come amongst us, and be friends for us. *> / <

We therefore beg, that on no account whatever such an arrangement may- be consented to by you. We are bold to write our thoughts to you, because our former letters have been^ graciously received by- yon. Let- this also^ meet with a favourable reception,, and let, the thought be abandoned. Rather send us:gentlemen and well behaved settlers. We are well disposed to this. Let' us have a great number of such, here is plenty of land for them. This is all we have to say.

The General Palmer, from Port Phillip bound for England, put into this Port on . Wednesday last. On Friday the 13th inst., about three o'clock in the morning, the vessel being in lat. 51° south, long. L7l east, and the wind blowing a gale, she was struck by a very heavy sea, which » stove in the ship's long-boat, and part of her port bulwarks, and caused her to spring a leak. The captain tried to ; lighten the vessel by emptying some of the water casks, by throwing the guns overboard, and some of the cargo^onsisting of tallow and wool; butimd--ing all his efforts to keep the leak under ineffectual, he was at last obliged to bear- up for this port. A survey is to be held oil the vessel. • I