ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume I, Issue 15, 10 November 1852, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

TO tilt EDItOll Of THE "TAItANAIH IIEBM.I)." 'Sin, — Should you think tho following Utter worthy of a place in your columns, you frill oblige me by Inserting it, 10 that the public may know how well disposed our officials arc towards the while people, I occupy a farm near the Waiwekaiho, one side of which is 15 chains long ; It is bounded by land, occupied by natives, who let their horned cnltle and horses iun at large. The consequence has been that I have frequently had 16 bullocks and 6 horses eating and otherwise destroying my cropi. After suffering a great deal in this and other ways, I agreed with tbe natives that they should fence one-third of the distanca and I was to fence the other two-thirds. The time having arrived fur corr-moncing tho work, I waited upon tho natives to ascertain the reason why they had not begun the fence ; when, to my astonishment, they Informed me they did not Intend to do It. 1 then mentioned the arrangement we had made, which they acknowledged, but still would not fulfil what they bad voluntarily agreed to do. On being pressed for the reason why they would not perform that which they bad not only agreed to do, but which they acknowledged to be their duty, they at last stated they would have dono it but Mr. Commissioner McLean bed told them they were no 1 compelled by the law to fence, and that I could no 1 make them do it. Tnding ai tliii matter may appear to some, It is not so with myself and others who may be similarly •ituatcd. Perhaps these very natives will bo my neighbour) for many years to come, and after they bare been told by so high an authority (and one too from whom wo have a right to expect beltc r things,) that they have no occasion either to put up or repair a fence, how is it likely that wo can livo on peaceable terina together ? I am told should their cattle break doirn my fence, and destroy my crops, I can havo no redress • whilst if mine break through and enter their ground I am liable to be charged with damages, So long as this state of tiling* is allowed to exist' let Englishmen censo to boast " that Britons never shall be tlaves." Are wo not now placed in sub* jeetion to the natives, and must take every injury which cither tlioy or their cattle may do us without the least protection from the law. By on advertisement in tbe HtralA of Oct. 20, signed by three of our magistrates and two other gentlemen, wo are there told they arc willing to do all they can to maintain a friendly feeling amongst all daises ; and they also call upon us to come to their aid to accomplish this desirable consummation. How can they expect to have the confidence) of tho white people, when a mngistialecan be found currying favour with the natives at onr expense. Now, Mr. Editor, is it for services like tbcao that nc are expected to pay from tbreo to four hundred pounds a year to an individual. Yours truly, Nov. 5, 1852. Wm. Paynter.

TO TUB EDITOR OF THE '• TARANAKI HERAtP." x Sm,— By the publication in your paper of the 3d in»t. ol « letter from s native chief, Te Ngahuru, I learn that tbc baneful advice conveyed in an advertisement from live of the Taranaki maglitrates has been followed, and that you have been itigma. tized as a libeller of native character. > It now becomes a queitlon lot the consideration of the lettlers whether the press of TaranaUt it to be intimidated Into silence by tbe act! of any section of the community. The articles allmfud to in the advertisement were truthful, benefioial in their tendency, and timely written. The official' documenu, which have misled English statesmen, if not disproved in the colony, will be deemed unanswered, and therefore incontrovertible ; and error* at gross a ibe admission of uncivilised men to tho electoral franchiie may again ccrur. |

I am as anxious as any man can bo that the amicable relations existing between tho two races should be continual ; but that anxiety shall nnto t blind me to the rait difference that cxlits between n cirilised and unciviliicd people.- I have had many years experience of native character, and have as kindly a feeling towards tho Maori aa I have ever had. T would Instruct and clovats the rice, but I would not couccde to it the highest privilege Of civilization. As a settler I disavow the acts of tho five magistrates. T bclicvo they have resulted from mo'ivrs of self interest, and I nppenl to my fellow-settlers for a confirmation of my opinion. Yon moy bavo offended the powers that te, but the Taranaki Herald has better supporters than the three tailors of Toolcy-itrect, and may safely despise the twaddle of Exeter Hall, and confide in the Intelligence of the colonists. I am, Sir, &c. K.