LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 357, 20 August 1863, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Lambliill, loth August, 1863. Sir, —-In your last issue, regarding the alarm at Mr. Harrison’s on the night of the 3rd current, you say that “ the idea of strange natives having been about the premises is conclusively negatived,” and as you appear to rest part of the conclusiveness of the negative on evidence which purports to have come from me, and as it is quite contrary to any I ever intended to give, perhaps you will allow me to point out 'now widely it differs from anything I am sure I ever stated. Also perhaps you will allow me to give a little additional evidence which I have since picked up. You say, “Dr. Allison, a mile off, supposed them to be camp fires somewhere near Duffield’s (where however no trace of them was found), though he says they might have been beyond the Wangaehu.” Now I am certain 1 never stated that we considered we had seen them somewhere near Duffield’s, as no place anywhere near Duffield’s can be seen from where we saw them. So the negative proof that no traces of fires could be seen there on a careful search would be of no value. The place where we saw the fires was, I should say, quite a mile from Duffield’s. With regard to their being beyond the Wangaehu. I suggested it might be possible, but from tbeir appearance I did not think it the least likely. From cross bearings however which I have since got, and you seem to place a good deal of value on such evidence, it is impossible they could have been beyond the Wangaehu. Mr. John Gilfillan, on whose authority I can thoroughly rely, saw the fires from Fernilee, which is about north-east a mile and a half as the crow flies from my residence. He saw them in the direction of a little hill which beai’S about due south from Fernielee and is distant about two miles. I saw them in the direction of the same littie hill, but from me it bears about south-east and is distant only about a mile. Had they been more than about a mile from ny place I could not have seen them unless they were removed to three or foiu% as the wide and deep valley of the Wangaehu intervenes there diagonally, and nothing could have been seen in it either by him or me. Had they been three or four miles from me he could not have seen them in the direction in which he saw them, or had they been much more distant than he supposed them I could not have seen them in the direction in which I saw them. The cross bearings would thus indicate they must have been very near the place where we imagine them to be. The C2 - oss bearings, Mr. Editor, which -you draw must be altogether wrong, as you say they would indicate the fires to have been somewhere about Mr. Bruce’s, whereas Mr. Bruce’s or its direction cannot be seen by many degrees from where I saw them. I remember thinking they were only camp fires made by natives, but it struck me as a very strange thing that they should camp on such an exposed place on such a wet night, and that there should be so many of them as we considered there must be, for at one time we saw four fires, and judged of the number of natives accordingly. But what struck me as more strange than all the rest -was, that they managed to keep their fires burning so brightly in the heavy rain. I recollect, too, examining them with a glass to see if I could make out anything, being struck with this appearance, and judging them to be near in consequence, for had they been at a great distance I considered the heavily falling rain.would have dimmed their appearance somewhat. I am glad to hear that we have such efficient police established, “ that Mrories are not allowed to traverse the settlements unchecked,” and also that ‘ ‘ the only chance for strange natives to pass secretly would be by night of that, too, you tell us there is but small cliance, still it would seem there is a chance, and this may have been the very chance. Whether it has been so or not, however, I will not take upon myself to say, but'l conclude, in fact I’m sure, from what I have stated above, that there were natives of some sort with the tires whfeh we saw that evening, and as this so exactly tallies with what was seen at Mr. Harrison’s, I have no doubt but that they were there also.

But perhaps you wall allow me to go back a little on what I have now stated, as I think by so doing I could condense the matter, and give the construction which 1 would put upon it, which may perhaps not be without its value.

The number of fires would indicate that it had been rather, a large party, but we have seen that a large party of strange natives is not probable. The fires clo not look like camp fires on siteh a night, but exactly correspond with torches prepared for burning brightly and showing the way on an excessively dark night, aud they are seen on the way that leads to Mr. Harrison’s house, and to his house only. Supposing them torches tlieir number is not great, as it would not be the least out of the way for four people to Carry them. They are seen about two miles from Mr. Harrison’s, but that is not too far for torches to be carried, but rather the reverse, as they would be in a measure necessary in such a dark night to enable them to keep tlie track on such a uniform flat, and which in most places is very indistinct. The way they were seen, too, at Mr. Hrrrison’s would exactly tally with their being torches. It may be urged thst it is not likely that natives going to attack a place would be likely to be carrying torches ; but in the darkness thej' may have taken them farther than was intended, or what I think is inore likely, they probably'well knew that, except when be had male visitors, Air. Harrison rarely or never, with the. exception of himself or liis young children, had anything blit females sleeping on the premises or near them. The natives, too, most probably knew that Mr. Harrison was from home, as he had been all day, and by all accounts would not have returned by 9 p.m. As Mr. Harrison, too, used even a short time ago to keep in his employment one or two natives, some of whom were well known to' have been Kino natives.

probably, or rather certainty, all this was well known to them. So thinking there would be nothing but' females to deal with,' they were not afraid to show their .light, but rather considered that the terror which, they would be '.'Store' to inspire would certainly give them an ■easier conquest. Fortunately for Mr. Harrison, however, he had engaged men a short time before to put up fresh buildings, and fortunately too they were on the premises that night, but most probably the natives knew nothing of this as there were none in his employment at the time.

That the men should have taken a panic is not very likely, for, as far as I can learn, there was no appearance of anything that could be called a panic at any time ; nor is it likely that they could have been so cruel as to try and make such a practical hoax. But even if they had, it is most improbable that so many things should, as it were, have dovetailed into it and confirmed it on that particular night. There was a statement made by the men which T would like to have seen investigated, namely, that they heard a ball or missile from the fire returned strike the roof of the house. If such really happened a search would have been sure to ha ve detected it as the roof is of corrugated iron, hut I have not heal’d that auy such, search-has, ever been made. Mr. Harrison himself 1 know* even although he arrived late, considers that lie saw natives there that night, and that a volley was fired at him by them. I, too, ani certain that I.saw fires or lights, which I can acconnt for only by natives having made them, and that they were close to,where-1 supposed I saw them and their being there that night is a mystery, unless we accept the illustration which Mr. Harrison’s affair affords.

Trusting I have not caused any unnecessary alarm,'but perhaps have tended to make some pause who may have been over confident, I am, yours, &e. James Alltson.

[Dr. Allison’s words, which were condensed to save space, were not quoted by us in reference to the question of strange natives, but to that of the whereabouts of the fires. His exact description to us of their supposed locality was, “somewhere near the fern hill between Duffield’s house and the main road.” That the fire was beyond the Wangaehu there can be now no question. From near the Wangaehu bridge, as well as from Mr. Wilson’s at Turakina, it was seen to be on the ridge between the two rivers. ]