AT LAST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5523, 9 December 1878, Page 2

AT LAST.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE KEW ZEALAND TUXES.

Sir, —In my short letter, in your paper of Saturday last, there is a misprint of Hiroki's “arrest” for “arrival.” We knew of course that he has not been arrested. What we want to know is why he has not? Mr. Sheehan seems to be returning from Taranaki overland. If he does so he must pass within five or six miles of Te Whiti’s pa, where Hiroki is said to be, under Te Whiti's protection. Colonel Whitmore said in the Legislative Council that the Government could have Hiroki delivered at the nearest police station whenever it might ask for him. Why does it not ask for him ! If a white man was to murder a Maori in cold blood, and take refuge with a respectable friend, how long would the Government allow him to remain unasked for! Now that peace has been “at last” made by Sir George Grey and Mr. John Sheehan, are they afraid to mention to their Maori friends so unpleasant a subject as a murder of a European by one of their race ? Are they afraid of wounding their sensibilities by snggesting_ that it is contrary to the usage of civilisation to protect murderers ? \Vhat a satire it is on the boast of the Government, that it has restored peaceful relations with the Maoris, when they apparently dare not ask even their confidential bedfellows for a red-handed murderer.— I am, &c.,

An Old Colonist.