SIR GEO. GREY AT AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4371, 24 March 1875, Page 2

SIR GEO. GREY AT AUCKLAND.

[Per Press Agency.] Auckland, Tuesday. About 1500 persons packed themselves into tbe Choral Hall last night, to hear Sir GeorgeGrey’s address to the electors. Sir George Grey; on- entering, was received by the whole audience rising, cheering and .waving their hats. In the opening of his address he referred in feeling terms to the death of Mr. Williamson,, and related an anecdote about once purchasing for a little boy two cannonsat which he was gazing wistfully, in the window of the shop kept by Mr. Williamson in his early days. The boy told him his father was a mechanic.’ Some years afterwards Sir George was stopped by a youth in Nelson, who produced the cannons, and informed him that his father —Mr. Robinson —had become Superintendent of Nelson; meanwhile Mr. "Williamson, the keeper of the shop, had become Superintendent of Auckland. He felt proud of institutions under which such openings for diatinguishment arose, and no man was a friend of the human race who would prevent them. He earnestly desired that every mother looking at a clever son, might be able to believe that the time would come when all his fellow-citizens would recognise his worth, and that he would become a blessing to the country. He said he would that night deal with large constitutional rather than provincial questions, and proceeded to review the position'of the Governor. He showed that it had been the practice when Britain paid the expenses of the colony and maintained military establishments, for the Governor to be nominated by the British Parliament, and appointments were subjected to keen discussion in the House of Commons. When he was first appointed to this colony the -debate lasted three days ; but when Britain ceased to pay the Governor hi* salary, it was the custom for those who defrayed the expenses to nominate the holders of office. Under the New Zealand Constitution Act the General Assembly could hnake what law it liked for the appointment of the Governor, and send it Home to the Queen. Under the present system the Governor was nominated by the Cabinet in power in England. The Governor had no interest in the country, and it became necessary for him to stand well with the Ministers of the day in the colony, and those at Home, He thus became a mere machine. Attempts to reduce his salary were resisted by the Home authorities, and the office was practically useless. The present system also placed in the hands of the English Cabinet a large sum of money, to be expended either in rewarding political support 5 or in keeping adverse votes in the House { of - Peers out of the way in. distant parts —wouiS'i-i in truth, have placed a large sum of secret service money at the disposal of the Government, which, in some instances, was actually expended for , electioneering purposes. He knew an instance where an Under-Secretary of State,who hadactedinsuchawaythatitwas impossible, in the state of public feeling, for him to hold’any office in England, was rewarded with a Governorship and a large salary. He did not think it right for us hi these colonies to contribute to rivet fetters more firmly upon our fellow-countrymen at Home. Further, while the colony was paying a large salary to the Governor, the Home Government, without our consent, might give him leave of absence for two years. This was another reason why- the state of things should be gravely inquired - into,.' and ; the salary of the Governor fixed’ upon such a reasonable basis as not to . give excuse for other exorbitant salaries in the colony. He next referred to the constitution of the Upper House, and said such a thing was never seen in the world before the present age, as that Ministers for the time being should have the power to call whom they liked to the Upper House, and that these members, representing nobody but the Ministers who appointed them, should have power to disallow measures passed by the representatives of the people. • "When the Constitution was framed, a Minister of England agreed with him in the desirability of an elective Upper House, but it was considered as tending to injure the position of the House, of Peers of England, and therefore disallowed. He dwelt at considerable length on the evils arising out of the constitution of the Legislative Council, and next proceeded to treat of the creation of the honorables, and denounced the attempt to create life Peerages by the title of Honorable, with the rank of sons of Baronets within the colony. It was a gross breach of the law. He showed how a similar attempt to create a new kind of Peerage in Great Britain had been disallowed as beyond the powers of the Sovereign, and the first title granted had been revoked. One reason why in early youth he tried to discover new countries, was to fix places to which the people might repair to avoid the evils of the old society he had seen in England, , and he was very unwilling to find it now declared that an aristocracy is to be set up in, this, country ; that some few are to be endowed with great wealth, and that probably hereafter millions are to be [eft in misery, with no rank at all. -He said ; Stop the system at once, and have no more of it. He next alluded to the new order of knighthood of St. Michael and St. George, and s-iiet it was calculated’to lead to great abuse. He maiutained that colonial services ought to be placed on the same platform as services in other parts of the British . Empire ; and if re- ■ wards were granted, they ought to bo under one of the great British orders of knighthood, y under which appointments were very carefully / scrutinised.- It was impossible to make such new orders without creating a great distinction between the people here, and in England, and making colonists an inferior people— almost a laughing-stock to those at-Home. Their object should be to open up to public men-honors of the greatest and most enduring kind. He referred to the land fund, and said this was one of the objects that mainly had brought**" him from his retirement. He showed how h® originally acquired the greater portion of the Middle Island, and land in Hawke’s "•ay, with £IO,OOO from an Imperial grant, and said ha was convinced that the stoppage of that system, conjointly with a systematic immigration, had brought incalculable evil on the community, which several generations would not retrieve. -He believed that had the question of the alienation of the land fund been submitted to the people, the Act empowering it never would have been passed. He referred to Mr. Vogel’s speech to the electors of CityEast, and gave, amidst laughter, a humorous sketch of the speech he considered Mr. Vo-rel ought to have made: That the excellent state of the institutions of Canterbury and Otago showed what perfection such iustitutions could be brought to under local supervision when the authorities had money - that Auckland had been badly used ; and ho; a* Premier of the colony, would get at Home funds, and would appoint the Judges of the colony a committee to i ivestigate their grievance in relation to the land fund. He (Sir learned that great difficulty was being experienced in procuring land with £70,000 granted for the purpose ; that much bad land was being purchased but little good ; and was of opinion that if—instead of employing amenta at a high commission, to buy laud—if money had been entrusted to the Superintendent to acquire blocks at available places for the provinces, and to use the interest meanwhile for naoessary purposes, purchases would h av ® been made much cheaper, and the wants of the provinces been provided for. He referred at some length to the abolition of the province* resolutions, and said that the second resolution fixing the seat of Government at Wellington was the most unconstitutional and illegal thineever heard of. Every country said there shad be no declared capital, and for the obvious reason that if the city so declared were seized by a mob or an enemy the country would be powerless to legislate The Constitution Act d dared that the Legislature shall sit at such places as the Governor may from time to time proclaim. They need have no fear regarding the second resolution. That clause, he considered, would not become law. This was so self-evident, that it looked like a bid for votes. He then sketched out a plan he proposed for adoption, aud spoke of the difficulties of netting colonial matters brought directly underthe notice of the Home authorities. The colonists were actually at the mercy of the clerks in the Colonial Office; who decided what.

, These were followed at' Intervals by other vessels, eitherchartered, sent out by, or under the New Zea land Company's sanction—in all, about eighty-two vessels—conveying upwards of 10,000' souls, up to April!, 1848. During this period the regular settlements of New Zealand were:—Wellington, 1840; Auckland, 1840; New Plymouth, 1840; Wanganui, 1811; Nelson, 1841: Otago, 1847. At this period the colonising operations of the New Zealand Company had nearly ceased, and in 1848 the Canterbury Association was formed, which resulted in the systematic colonisatlon of the Cantcrbnrysettlement. Toreturn totho first formation of the colony as a British settlement, and the circumstances which ought to Induce the Government to consider the Just claims of the early settlers or pioneers, it is necessary to relate briefly what the colonists have had to contend with, which was one series of drawbacks and disappointments up to 1846, more .particularly with regard to the settlements In the North Island and the Nelson settlement on the other Island. From the time of the proclamation of British sovereignty in the Islands by Captain Hobson, in May, 1840, up to the arrival of Governor Grey, In 184 S, endless discouraging circumstances had taken place: and an appeal was made by the colonlats to the House of Commbns, in 1844, owing to Captain Fitrroy’s misgovernment, for he did little else bnt excite the natives to rebellion against the struggling colonists—as witness his conduct at Nelson after the Walrau massacre. His (Governor Fltzroy’s) opposition to the New Zealand Company, sanctioned as It was by the Home and. Colonial Governments, was highly detrimental to' the Interests of the settlers—particularly the settlers In Cook Strait—sent ont by the company. “ Petitions from the company, and from some of the colonists sojourning in England, setting forth their respective grievances, were presented during the succeeding session of Parliament,(lß46)." '! Governor Fltzroy hod been recalled In consequence Of his financial absurdities, which transgressed against express Instructions from the Colonial office, and his land regulations, which infringed Acts of Parliament. In the meantime, however, his vacillating pusillanimity towards the natives bod provoked an aggressive warfare on their part, in the course of which the British troops sent from Now South Wales were disgracefully worsted, the earliest British settlement at the Bay of Islands was plundered and destroyed, and the oat-settlers near Wellington attacked and robbed, with some loss of life, by parties of marauders directed by Bauparaha and Bangihaeta. •• Captain

Grey, then Governor of South Australia, had been appointed successor to Captain Fitzroy.” Who can say, except those ‘ conversant with the times just alluded to, what hardships the _ early colonists had to undergo—martial law proclaimed, and every European capable of bearing arms was made a soldier. Have, I would ask, any of these early settlers—who paved the way for the present prosperity —been compensated ? No ; and one of the strongest reasons that can be urged in favor of grants of land being given is. that owing to native dilhculties, and the continued opposition of the Government, as before observed, the early settlers could not make that progress they otherwise would have done; their time was wasted, their energies damped, and they sustained serious losses. A came over the colony; not, however, before many of the early settlers .were hopelessly ruined. Several left the colony, and a great number contemplated leaving. The announcement, however, of Governor Greys arrival at Auckland, brought about this change. ; Governor (now Sir George) Grey “ began his career by energetic.measures for enforcing British law, and for conquering the rebellious natives throughout the colony. He also displayed unceasing activity in visiting the different settlements, ’and a great anxiety to remedy in some measure the evils which had accumulated under the mismanagement of his predecessors. In order more fnlly to detail the unsatisfactory state of the colony in 1845, when, with the exception of contractors for the troops, and traders who were fattening on the disturbed state of things, the botui jicic colonists (pioneers), especially in the country districts, were being ruined, and a vast number of them have not, up to this day, recovered from losses or time ana property then sustained, and for which they ana their families are fully entitled to bo compensated. In order, I say, more'fully to detail these events, 1 wlu quote the following noiabxllia for 1546, or an epitome of the occurrences of the previous year (1845); February lUh. H.M.S. Calliope, Captain Stanley, arrived at Wellington. . .. 12th. His Excellency Captain Grey, accompanied by Mrs. Grey, paid his.first visit to Wellington In H.M.o. Castor. , . 12th. H.M. steamer Driver arrived at Wellington, being the first steamer that ever entered Port NicholS °24th. His Excellency, with 340 troops, under Colonel Hulmo, proceeded to the Hutt district to expel tho Intruding natives. , , .. March Ist. The rebels plundered the settlers on the Hutt and Waiwetu rivers. . . 3rd. Martial Law proclaimed in the Southern district. , 9th. His Excellency proceeded to Porirua in the Driver, accompanied by the Castor with 160 troops, under Colonel Hulme.

9th. Militia called out to protect the town. 13th. His Excellency proceeded in the Castor to Wanganui and Nelson. Returned March 29th. __ April 2nd. Gillespie and his son murdered in the Hutt district by the rebels. 9th. His Excellency proceeded to Porirua in the Driver. Returned to Wellington the following day. 9th. The Qastor, Driver, and SlainsCastle(transport), proceeded to Porirua with troops. Military station established at Porirua. ' . 13th. Armed police force embodied ; Major Dune appointed inspector. ■ 14th. Porirua-road commenced by the soldiers. 20tb. Martial law proclaimed again in the Southern district. 22nd. Hia Excellency and Mrs. Grey returned to Auckland. , ’ x . . , May IGth. Attack by the rebels on a detachment of 58th regt., under Lieut. Page, at the camp at the Hutt; the rebels repulsed. Six soldiers killed and four wounded. T. Hoseman, a settler, and Sergt. Ingram subsequently died of their wounds. 18th. Friendly natives armed. „ , igtli; Corps of volunteers formed. Mihtia called June 16. Richard .Rush murdered in the Hutt district by the rebels. ICtli. Skirmish of a detachment of troops, under Captain Reid, with tho rebels, at the Hutt. Lieut. Herbert and four soldiers wounded, one subsequently died of his wounds. 16th. Engagement of the Militia from Taita, under Mr. White, with the rebels ; the rebels repulsed, and two of their number wounded. June 20th. Swan, a Militiaman, at Taita, accidentally shot. • -22nd. Te Rauparaha visited Wellington ; returned to Porirua 29th. ... July Ist. His Excellency arrived at Wellington in tho Driver. 18th. Martial law extended to Wanganui. 20th. His Excellency embarked on board the Driver, with a body of sailors from the Calliope, under Capt. Stanley, 100 troops und r Major Last, and a ,detachment of armed police under Major Durie, and proceeded to Porirua. A body of .Wanganui natives, under E. Muka-napara and Maketu, left Wanganui to join Rangihaeta, 23rd. Capture of Te Rauparaha, Kanae, Charley, and four other natives at Porirua. 29th. Public meeting of resident purchasers of lanl, to consider their present position with respect to the New Zealand Company. August Ist. Rangihaeta’s pa, Pahautanui, captured by the Militia, .under Mr. McDonough, and the friendly natives, under Mr. David Scott. Martin Luther and Rangiatea taken prisoners, 6th,‘Attack on Rangihaeta at Horokiwi; Ensign Blackburn, a private of the 99th regiment, and a seaman of the Calliope killed ; seven soldiers and one Militiaman wounded. August 13th. Rangihaeta retreated from Horokiwi. 14th. Ensign'Blackburn buried in the Cemetery at Wellington. 19th. His Excellency returned to Auckland—Figkiat Pouawha between the friendly natives and the rebels ; three of the friendly natives killed and three wounded—Te Pau, the murderer of Gillespie, and an-, Other’rebcl/'kiUed. *»• ~ >-2 24th. Grand feast and war dance of the friendly natives at Waikanae. September 14th. Rangihaeta tried by court-martial, and sentenced to be imprisoned.for life., . 15th. Martin Luther tried by court-martial, and sentenced to be hanged ; executed on the 17th at Porirua. • October 12th. Court-martial ;on the other rebel prisoners, who were sentenced to be transported for life. - 25th. Visit of Taua from Taupo to Wanganui—The settlers memorialized the Governor for effectual protection. November 4th. .Matthew Hobman murdered by a native. 20th. Rangihaeta sentenced by the court-martial to be imprisoned for life ; died, - < December 10th. —Calliope sailed for Wanganui with a detachment of troops for the protection of that district. 19th. His Excellency arrived in the Driver; returned to Auckland 20th. Will any impartial judge say that the pioneers and their families of the early days are not entitled to grants of land as a substantial recognition of their services as the practical founders of the colony ? I cannot do better than extract from "An Old Colonist," a letter which I addressed to the New Zealand Times, January 26, JB75 —"Contrast the settlement of the South Island with that of the North. Colonisation to the settlers of Canterbury, Otago, &c., was a bed of roses. Compare their early pic-nic, for it was nothing else, with the struggles of the first settlers, sent out by the New Zealand Company, beginning with the Aurora, which vessel arrived January 22, 1840, and was followed immediately by numerous other ships. First, the settlers landed on Petoni beach, and true to the nation they represented, they called It Britannia. They were armed when they left the shores of the old country, and had to do duty os soldiers immediately on their arrival. Some wentone way and some another, like faithful Abraham’s.followers, in ‘ search of a, country/ ’and these all, having obtained a good report tbrough faith, received not th«’promise.’ Will any one say, who is at oil conversant with the struggles and repeated .disappointments of the early settlers, that they are not entitled to have the suggestion made by Mr. Wallace, Already referred to, not only carried out In a liberal spirit by the North Island settlers, but by the settlers in the South, who are reaping a golden harvest from the fortunate circumstances in which they are placed? A free grant of land the early settlers and their families are entitled to, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the representatives of both islands will give,their support, and that the Government will also snpport so just a claim." Again, U may fairly be urged that the price of land in the early days, 20a, per acre, paid to the New Zealand Company by those who were the first systematic colonisers of the colony, gives them a claim to consideration now. Numerous families had to take land at not less, and in many instances at much higher, rates per acre, till the door was opened for a sew state of things by the alterations made by Sir George Grey, who reduced tho price of land to 6s. and 10s. per acre. The energies of the pioneers were at this period damped and their means exhausted. Tho door was opened for the foreign capitalist and speculator to purchase land at 6a. ,per acre and upwards,- land that had been virtually conquered by the early colonists,—that Is t 6 Say, the country was prepared for the occupation of sheep and other stock. Native difficulties were by the pioneers of the colony overcome, and the way paved for the occupation of those runs that have made tho fortunes of the few. Neither Otago nor Canterbury had to draw the sword, os Nelson and the northern settlements have had. The plough-share and pruninghook were their peaceful weapons of colonisation. Can they, then, withhold fnm their less fortunate fellow-settlers and their families, tho early pioneers of tho colon their just due, viz., a free grant of land? One point may be urged with regard to compensation or free grants : it may be said that the purchasers of land from the New Zealand Company were compensated through tho instrumentality of tho late Superintendent of the province of Wellington (Dr. Featherston). It is true that land-owners had what was termed compensation scrip granted to them. This compensation scrip, however, did not in any way benefit those bona fide settlers whose cause lam advocating. The greater portion of the purchasers of land from the New Zealand Company were wealthy absentees, and It was those purchasers, and not the hard-working men and ruined settlers, who benefited by this compensation. Who then are entitled, or up to what date should claims be considered ? I would suggest that grants of land be given to all bona fide settlers and their families, now in the colony, and whu arrived, or were In the colony on the 22nd January, 1846, giving five clear years from the date of the foundation of tho colony. This would bring the period op to the arrival of the Governor (now Sir George) Oreywhcn, as before observed, things began to mend. There are no doubt fortunate and wealthy pioneers who would not avail themselves of the reward. On the other hand, the great majority consider, with myself, that they are, for the reasons already advanced, honorably and fairly entitled to the consideration of the Legislature; and in order to bring the matter to a practical test, I shall be glad to receive communications from all parts of the colony, from those interested in this appeal, with a view to tho formation of ft committee to bo authorised to draw up a document to be laid before both Houses of the Legislature, asking for ft free grant of land for tho practical founders and pioneers of this flourishing colony,—-I am, Ac., J. Howard Wallace. Hunter-street, Wellington, March 23,.

Name. Pate of Sailing. (About) Date of Arrival (About) Tory (survey ship) Cuba (store ship).. Aurora • .i - .. Oriental .. Puke of Koxburgli Bengal Merchant.. Adelaide .. : Glenbervic Bolton .. ' Coromandel May 6,1839 July 31,1839 Sept. IS, 1839 Sept. 15,1839 October 6,1839 Oct. 31.1839 Sept. 18,1839 Oct. 20. 1839 Nor. 19, 1839 Dec. 13,1839 Ang. 17,1839; Jan. 3,1840 i Jan. 22.1840 Jan. 31,1840 Feb. 19.1840 March 2,1840 March 7,1840 March 7,1840 April 20,1841 Ang. 29, 1841