The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1879.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 442, 9 July 1879, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published We dnesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1879.

The arrests that have taken place among •Maori ploughmen have had the effect of giving the district a few days rest. The air is not so full of unpleasant rumors as it was a week ago. There have been no indignation meetings, or settlers’ meet

iugs, for at least three days. We believe that no more settlers have left their homes since Saturday. We have reason to suspect also that a telegram could now reach Wanganui, from either Hawera or Carlyle, in less time than a messenger could do the distance on horseback. Certainly the operators’ eyes are not as red as they were last week. It is said on some show of authority that they have really had a night’s sleep. In fact the only excitement that is left to us, who but a week ago had a fresh sensation every few hours, is the suspense respecting the fate of the prisoners. When they came to Carlyle, they were the centre or interest, and probably never felt so important in their lives. As there appeared to be plenty of men with nothing particular to do, one could find, at almost every corner, a group talking of the sayings and doings of our guests in the Immigration Barracks, and speculating as to the outcome of the trial. “ If I were the Government ” “ If I were on the jury ” “ If I were Judge , ’ and the like exordiums, could be heard as one passed, and it was evident that if some of the speakers had their way the prisoners would not plough any more for at least three days. As it is, the interest in them has begun to flag, and few will grieve when the hour arrives for the remainder to plough at sea, where they would gladly allow the pakeha a monopoly. We hope Britania will rule the waves considerately in Cook Straits, when the lords of the soil arc committed to her care. We hope that the noble savage who said it was his humble mission to plough the Government in the region of of the abdomen, will not feel that he is being turned over himself in that neighbourhood. When they are all gone, we shall have a moment’s peace, safety, and fresh air. We can have no very long lease of these blessings, it is true. The present pause may be only the lull between the breaking of one wave and the gathering of another. | Yet the hope is becoming prevalent that the Maoris have achieved their end, or that, whatever they intended before a bold front was shown, they will now be satisfied with having brought their claim before the Supreme Court, and having, as they think, convinced the Government that, whatever may be the decision respecting this side of the Waingongoro, reserves on the other side must be made on a far more liberal scale than was at first contemplated. When, however, they find, as it is to be hoped they will find, that the Court makes it its business to dispose of them, and not of the land, and that the trouble, loss, and expense they have caused, have not improved their prospects in the matter of reserves, it is by no means clear what they will do. This much is certain, however, that a number of men are now in safe keeping, who, when at large, were able to alarm the whole colony, and who, in case of war, would have made many a poor fellow bite the dust. They are committed to take their trial, some on two, and some on three charges. We believe that conviction under any of these charges will enable the Government to keep them in durance vile until * grim visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front.’ 11 Malicious injury to property, riot, and forcible entry, are all high crimes. That they have been committed by the natives in the most uncompromising manner, no one can doubt. They themselves deny nothing, and set up no plea but that of justification. They declare that they intended to dispossess and drive out not one pakeha, but all. To charge them With intending to injure

only one man, or to damage only a sixacre paddock, or a lawn, they regard as a gross libel. It would not be worth while lor Tohu, their god and ours, to send them on such a simple mission. The eagle does not catch mice, and nothing less than the subjugation and destruction of the white men, will the prisoners acknowledge as the object they bad in view. As far then as the evidence is concerned, the result of the trial in Wellington is a foregone conclusion. What legal quibbles will be raised, not even Te Whiti could foresee. It will be very calamitous indeed, if anything in law prevents justice from taking its course. Not a few would regret very deeply if the natives should benefit by any accidental defect in a law that they have systematically defied. What we should most deprecate in this matter is u the law’s delay.” The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court are now being held, but we have been given to understand, that the ploughmen will not be tried this session. If they are, they will not come on until the .very long ordinary calendar has been gone through. This is very unfortunate, as procrastination will, wc fear, prove to be the thief of something besides time in this case. We are clearly of opinion that not a day should be lost in finally disposing of this momentous case. The promptness with which the Resident Magistrate set about his part of the business, and the patience with which lie stuck to the tedious enquiry until it was ended, deserves to be imitated in higher Courts. Surely there are law officers enough in the colony to admit of a special arrangement being made to try the Maoris at once. Better some interference with ordinary work, and some departure from plans laid down, than the suspense and impoverishment of this groat and wealthy district. Or failing a special arrangement, could not the Maori cases take precedence of all others in the session that will begin to-morrow ? If peace is to follow the decision of the Court, that decision cannot come too soon ; if war, it can scarcely be more ruinous than suspense. The welfare of the district demands that the shortest way to the end of the present troubles should be taken. There are certain things destined to be done before peace is restored, and the shortest way to do them, is to do them as quickly one after the other, as possible, without long breathing spaces. Nothing can be lost by following tbo matter up quickly. One good blow has been planted, and the closer the second follows, the more effective it will be. If the settlers are wishful to petition the Government for something practical, something that will cost little to the givers, and be of vast benefit to the receivers, we suggest that they petition at once that the trial of the native prisoners be not delayed an hour longer than is absolutely necessary.