New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 27, 1850.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 485, 27 March 1850, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 27, 1850.

It will scarcely be expected that we should make any lengthened comments on the remarks in Saturday's Independent on our article of the previous Wednesday, since the writer to whom we refer has done little else than misrepresent our arguments and declaim in unmeaning invectives against cant, mock philanthropy, &c. We do not feel disposed to notice our opponent's abuse or indulge in recrimination, while assuredly we are not so unreasonable as to suppose he could give a fair statement of our arguments. In referring to the massacres which have recently taken place at the sandal- wood

islands we carefully reserved the expression of our opinion until further details should be known. We might, however, have pointed out that Mr. Fitzgerald's attempt to establish himself in New Caledonia by introducing savages from another island, who have the reputation of being even more barbarous than those whose country he invaded, could hardly be expected to lead to a successful or peaceful result, and that, if his objects were legitimate it was strange he did not, before leaving the Feejee Islands, communicate with the Hav^nnah which was lying in harbour within fifty miles of the port from which he sailed, (a fact of which he could scarcely be ignorant) and obtain the concurrence of Captain Erskine the senior naval officer on the station. The facts we adduced went to show that, from the way in which the sandal wood trade, has hitherto been generally conducted, it might be inferred the atrocities committed were probably the consequences of some previous outrage ; that where the natives have been treated with consideration and fair dealing, the best results have ensued, and that to break down a monopoly which has been created by the dangers attendant on the trade, — dangers for the most part caused by the lawless and unprincipled conduct of those who were engaged in it, — instead of wreaking an indiscriminate revenge on the natives, instead of invoking a spirit of extermination involving the innocent and guilty in one common fate, it was necessary to repress these excesses by judicious regulations, and that by these means the trade might be greatly extended, and be rendered not only profitable but honorable, and the blessings of civilization be diffused among the islands of the Pacific. We have set up no " defence for the massacres by the sandal wood island natives," but when we find a writer " living in the midst of a settled community," who prides himself on his superior civilization, thirsting for blood and yelling for vengeance, is it to be wondered at that these savages, who do not enjoy the advantages he has received, — unaccusmed to restraint and agreeing with our opponent in considering revenge a virtue, — should instinctively adopt the course he so strenuously advocates ? But we hope shortly to see an end put to these excesses; we are satisfied that Captain Erskine, whose attention has already been directed to the present state of the sandal wood trade, and who has done more than any other naval officer by visting these islands, and carefully investigating their condition, will not allow it to remain on its present unsatisfactory footing, and from his good sense, no less than from his humanity, we entertain a just confidence that such judicious regulations will be enforced as will establish it on a proper and legitimate basis, and effectually prevent the recurrence of such scenes as those which have recently been enacted.

Fatal Accident. — On Saturday last .a settler of the name of Parker living on the Porirua Road unfortunately lost his life by the falling of a tree. He was employed in cutting the tree down, and mistaking the direction in which it would fall, the tree came upon him and killed him on the spot.

The Perseverance arrived on Saturday from Otago, after a passage of forty three hours. On the passage one of the men was washed overboard and, the wind being too high to allow those on board to render him any assistance, was unfortnnately drowned.

Programme of the performance of the Band of the 65th. Regt., at Thorndon Flat, on Wednesday, March 27th :—: — 1. Overture — Les Diamans de la "I . „ Couronne \Auber. 2. Selection—La Figlia del Reggimento.DonfeeWi. 3. The Royal Irish Quadrille Juttien. 4. Song — "Away, away to the Moun-\ w ___ tain brow S m 5. The Elfin Waltz Labitzky. 6. The original Polonaise Juttien. 7. Geschwind March Walch. 8. German Polka Strauss.