HOW THE MAORIS GET GUNPOWDER.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 45, 19 February 1864, Page 3

HOW THE MAORIS GET GUNPOWDER.

(From the New Zealander.) It may be said, " Why call attention now to matters that are passed and gone." Our attention has been recently directed' to the subject by a correspondent at Wangaroa. The district of Mangonui is one in which the natives are professedly friendly, Those who know them best have great doubts of the reality of their loyalty ; and Aye are informed, by our correspondent that large quantities of powder and other contraband stores are still obtained from whalers 'off the coast in the following manner : — The whalers keep clear of the harbor, as under the walls of the Custom-house would not be the most eligible place for their operations. They obtain from the shore what stores they require in small cutters,and freight them in return with the various " notions " a "skipper" generally carries under the miscellaneous name of " trade." Among these " notions," powder and munitions of war, are not, we may be sure, omitted. There are along the coast innumerable small harbors in which these vessels can land such parts of their cargo as it would not be safe to bring into, port In this way the Maoris are supplied with powder, and iv this way a very safe and lucrative trade is carried on. That it is lucrative there can be no doubt ; that it is safe is proved by the tenacity with which the Maoris keep possession of every pound of po-sv<3er that comes into their hands. Formerly, our correspondent tells us, the settlers could frequently purchase powder from the Maoris ; now they never can get any. Formerly the Maoris themselves were likely to betray any illicit dealer ia powder ; now Ihey guard his secret with the utmost care. We mention the case of Mangonui in particular, because our correspondent has . called our attention to it. But it is Avell known, that all .along the East Coast, the same proceedings is going on ,* the Maoris are in like manner supplied with the munitions of war. Surely one of our men-of-war would be most usefully employed on the coast, in watching and putting an end to this nefarious traffic. It is only by 3strong arm, and energetic measures, that it can be put down. The trade is, as we have said, a most lucrative one, and as long as it is so, plenty of unprincipled men will be found to engage in it. Our correspondent says that the Maoris never go out pigeon-shooting now, though pigeons are most abundant.;-'* Of course they. do not; they ai'e keeping their powder for the chance of higher game. One cannpt expect that the ord inary run of Maoris should- take otherwise than a very narrow ..view A of the Pakeha. They see that" the possession ; of powper and guns is in itself ; ah element of strength. They it is the secret of the Pakeha's; superiority to themselves. Hence they are willing to part with every thing that' is saleable to enable them to purchase powder, wliich they are already well provided with. As long as they labor under this delusion, they will still cling to the belief of their ability to measure;: their Strength with ours. • .JJaaUaJJ :Jy