THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3398, 12 November 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1879.

The current report now is that for diplomatic reasons, the Government refrain from taking steps to bring tho culprits of the JN"gatihako hapu to justice. It may be so, and there is ample precedent iv tho past annals of New Zealand to assume that it is to. Diplomatic reasons allowed the blood of Todd, Sulliran, and McLean to go unavenged while tho dark-skinned culprits strut about amongst their compatriots, a coustant incentive to them to go and do likewise. And now in our own district history repeats itself, and the chances of Pakara and Epiha figuring in the prisoners' dock at the

Suprr-mo Courf scorn very slight. After tin; pri'lirninary attempts to soft soap the natives into submitting themselves to the tender niereitM o! English justice, which us all know proved futile, tho laic Government delegated Mr James jVlacluiy to proceed to tho scene of (he outrage, and by moral suasion, or otherwise perhaps, induce tho natives to submit. Tho nature of his instructions were not made public. A change of Ministry took place, and Mr Muckay, after one korero with the Ngatihako, was recalled to Wellington, and here, so far as is known, the matter ends. Perhaps tho Government intend to take some decisive action after the loan is floated ; at any rate, it is to be hoped they have such a motive in view. It is absolutely necessary, in the interests of law and order, that the natives should be taught that shooting Europeans is not a pleasant pastime to be indulged in with impunity. We are pleased to notice that tho Liberal Association havo takon some steps in tho matter by telegraphing for information regarding the present position of the affair. A question will probably be asked in the House in a day or so, and perhaps tho reply will afford some information regarding the intentions of the powers that be with reference to the would-be murderers of Me Williams.