The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1873.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 158, 13 May 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1873.

The following is Mr Gillies' explanation in reference to liis interview with Mr Vogel : — "Sir, — m jour paper of this morning a leader appears, containing a paragraph from the Thames Advertiser in reference to Sullivan's murder, stating that (among other inaccuracies) I proposed to Mr Vogel " to muster all the a\ailable force in. the Waiknto for instant pursuit." The writer in your paper goes on to say that he lias made inquiries respecting the truth of the Advrrtiser't statement, and, whilst correcting some lrwccuraeiei. he virtually endor»os the accuracy of the statement above quoted, by commenting upon it, and condemning it as my proposal. Permit me to say that there is not a particle of truth in the statement. I never, cither directly or indirectly, to Mr Vogel, or any other person, proposed or suggested, either "instant pursuit," or any other action which would »-iuse a collision with the natives. Tho false statement 6O Made and endorsed, is evidently a part of that system of political detraction which has persistently endeavoured to iii upon me hostility to the native race, and a desire for war, notwithstanding all my disclaimers. That I did urge Air Vogel to offer a reward of £1000 for tho apprehension and flelivery, at any police-station m the Waikato, of eaeli of Sullivan's murderers is true, and as a 6ort of mutilated account of my interview w ith Mr Vogel has appeared in the papers (not obtained through me) , I feel at liberty to give you a correct account of what otherwise 1 would have regarded as, to a considerable extent, confidential. On the (In) that intelligence of Sullivan's murder arrived, and the following day, I conversed with a considerable number of persons whose opinions on native matters I value, and found an almost unanimous opinion to exist that a large reward should be oflered for the apprehension of the murderers. That such a course would inspire confidence m the settlers that the Government were not going to treat the matter lightly, would excite the cupidity of the King natives, raid tend to prevent their uniting for the protection of the murderers, and would m no way endanger a collision with the natives. Convinced that these views were correct, I conceived it to be my duty, as Chief Executive Officer of the province, to endeavour to have them given effect to, nnd, therefore, waited upon Mr Vogel to urge upon him the propriety of at once offering a reward of £1000 for the apprehension of ench of the persons directly implicated in the murder. Mr Vogel agreed that it was, probably, a very proper course, but urged delay. I urged that, to be of any value, the reward should be offered at once, and be sent up the Waikato by next morning's (Saturday's) coach. Mr Vogel hesitated, and suggested that Mr Mackay should bo consulted I sent for Mr Mackay, when hr counselled delay until the attitude of the King in the matter could be ascertained. I urged that, whilst it would be well to ascertain the views of tho king party, the prompt issue of the offer of a large reward would tend, to cau«e them to hc«itate, by exciting their cupidity, and could rlo no possible harm. It was suggested that perhaps it would . Excite some rash settlers to form inaritndtng parties, to which I replied that the settlers could bo warned that nothing of that sort would bo permitted, and that the offer was intended for the natives. Finding that Mr Vogel was not prepared at once to offer the reward, I stated that I would do so as Superintendent, and accept tha responsibility, unless ho was prepared to take tho responsibility of requesting me not to do so. After some considerable diucussion he did so request me, and I did not thcrefoie feel at libcrtv to take wjiafc, lam convinced, would be a wise course. A3 I have already said, no word was spoken by me suggesting any employment of force j but, on the contrary, my whole desire and recommendation was to take the steps which might render any appeal to force unnecessary. It will bo for the country to .judge whether my recommendation was not a wise one.— l am, youro, &c, Thomas 13. Gilmes.— May 9th, 1873 " We are credibly informed that the alinoat unanimous .opinion of .the- friendly nativts.is that the "King "party mean rinsc'liicC. A gentleman who hfn lately travelled through the country' from Napier to Cambridge informs us that great uneasiness prevails in the settlements between Tiiupo and Cambridge. They aie fearful of boing attacked by I'uru.kutu and his' people. We have received a letter from a corre spondent complaining that the men belonging to the Cambridge Cavalry Vc I mteers are unable to procure ammunition when ordered on service. The captain ol the corps appeared to haveoflcred to give an order indemnity ing the eon^able in chnrgo. Thi* is a state oi affairs that should not exist. We will print the letter in our next. We have been auupelkd to hold over our leader on the abpect of native ailairs. The inlorination, however, on current events contained in our columns will doubless pro\c oi great, interest to our readers. It h reported flint Mr Copland, lute of Marshall & Copeland, the celebrated brewers of Dunudin, sold out of the firm for £36,000.