TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1086, 8 April 1863, Page 3

TARANAKI.

(FBOM THE ' HEKALD,' MARCH 14.) The deputation appointed at the public meeting on the 26th February, waited upon Sir George Grey by appointment, on "Wednesday last, Mr. Domett and Mr. Bell being present at the interview. After a few preliminary remarks, they submitted to the Governor the first of the questions they had prepared. His Excellency said this question was of such great importance that he could not answer it without serious consideration, but desired that the whole of the questions should be read, which was done. His Excellency then requested to have them in writing. The deputation stated that if his Excellency wished the questions to be put in writing, they would re-write them, as in the present form some of them were contingent upon answers that his Excellency might give. The Governor said he wished to have them in writing, as he could then give written answers to them, so that all misunderstanding would be avoided. The deputation thanked his Excellency, and said that would be the course that they would prefer. His Excellency said the questions were of such great importance that they would probably take a considerable time to answer. He regretted that the usual course which had been always followed in every other place he had been in, was not followed in this instance. The custom he referred to was for the leading gentry of the place, whether appointed by a public meeting or not he could not tell, to wait upon him and acquaint him with the state of the place, to tell him what were their grievances and what measures they thought, would remedy them. In this instance he was quite in ignorance of the state of things here, and wished to be made acquainted with them and what the deputation would suggest as a remedy. He wished to hear the matter discussed by persons having local knowledge; even where difference of opinion existed he often gained much useful knowledge. The deputation replied that they thought his Excellency was fully acquainted with the position of the settlement, both from the memorials and addresses to his Excellency and her Majesty, and also from his own officers ; but that if he was ignorant of the state of the Province, the deputation would willingly give him a written statement of it. With regard to the remedy to be applied to the disease, they had not dared to suggest any, as they understood it to be their duty to lay their grievances before his Excellency, and for him to devise measures to give them redress. The Governor said he had seen, in a memorial to the Queen, that Her Majesty's representative had been forbidden to make roads on the Queen's land. This statement was untrue, and he should be obliged to contradict it; he had not been forbidden to make roads on European lands. The deputation said that it was not their duty to defend the memorial; that if there were any incorrect statements in that memorial, the settlers would, of course, have to suffer for them. "With regard to the case referred to by His Excellency, the settlers knew this much, that the men were ordered to commence the road, that the order was countermanded, the rebel natives telling the settlers at the same time that they had forbidden the carrying on of the road. The several members of the deputation then related facts that were within their own knowledge, illustrating the state of the settlement, at some of which his Excellency expressed much surprise, saying he had never

known them before. The deputation replied that had the settlers supposed that his officers were so remiss in informing his Excellency of what had occurred, they (the deputation) would undoubtedly have made him acquainted with it. The fact of armed natives crossing the bush from north to south within the last day or two was mentioned to his Excellency, who said he was assured that these natives had gone south with the most laudable intention. The subject of the murder of the boys at Omata was then spoken of, and his Excellency said that, with regard to Manahi, he had every reason to believe that he was not concerned in the murders. If Manahi could be advised to come in and stand his trial, he thought it would be a very good thing, which, if he was innocent, he no doubt would do. "With regard to the stolen property, he was decidedly of opinion that any one found with any should be dealt with by the civil powers as the law directs; but thought it very doubtful how the law would deal with such a case. With respect to the case mentioned by the chairman, which was brought before him as a Cattle Ownership Commissioner, he did not think that —as the owner had recovered the bullock, it would be advisable to proceed further in the matter. [The case referred to was one in which a butcher in 'this place had bought of a native a bullock, afterwards proved to have been stolen during the war.] The deputation replied that now they knew his Excellency's desire in the matter, they would use every endeavour to secure the man who had sold the bullock in this case, and any other similar case that might occur. His Excellency repeated that he did not consider this at all a good case to try the question upon: if done, it would be quite against his advice. His Excellency said the whole question was involved in great difficulty ; he had found some goods in possession of a native at Waikato, and was going into the matter at once, but was met by the iiatives, who said " You can't punish us for thieving while you allow the pakeha to keep our property ; there is Commodore Seymour riding about on one of our best horses, and Colonel Gold has just sold two : you can't punish us and not the pakeha." He felt the force of this, and did not proceed further. He thought the law would perhaps cut both ways, that perhaps the best plan would be to find an European with some native property, and then try the question. The deputation replied that they saw no objection to the question being tried in any way his Excellency thought best; they must tell him that they knew not a horse or cow taken from the rebels was held by the settlers; every one that was taken was, by a brigade order, directed to be given up to the military authorities. All property taken during the war was considered to belong to her Majesty, and applied to the uses of her Majesty's troops, while all the property lost belonged to the settlers; the settlers therefore were very anxious that the question should be brought to an issue. In the course of conversation the deputation complained of the thistles growing on native lands, which the settlers could not, and the natives would not, keep down ; and which did the former great injury. His Excellency said an opinion had lately been given by the law officers of the Crown to the effect that the natives were not legally the owners of any land, and he expressed a doubt therefore whether they could be called upon to perform the duties of land owners. Eespecting the £200,000, a long converversation took place, which can be only summarised. His Excellency stated that he must take the opinion of the law officers upon its bearings. He was of the opinion, which he still holds, that the settlers should have received compensation in full for their losses, and said as much to Ministers during the Session. The case was not analagous to that of Kororareka. That was a sudden attack upon a town ; whereas, here Taranaki had been deliberately chosen by the Government as the field on which certain questions should be tried which it was deemed necessary to the welfare of the colony to have tried. It was not fair that men should be used like chess-men, and thrown away when not wanted. He had grave donbts, however, whether the Loan Act granted compensation. His Excellency, to show the interpretation he put upon it, and that he had thought it might be applied to other purposes than making good the settlers' losses, said that at one time he had formed a plan involving a large civil and military expenditure, which he had only not brought forward because he found the £200,000 would be insufficient to carry it out. He believed it could be appropriated to other purposes, but would take the opinion of the law officer, by which he must be bound. Mr. Bell stated that if the Exesutive Council differed upon this subject, he should advise the Assembly being called together, and the sense of the House taken upon it, to which his Excellency agreed. On stating his intention of moving troops to Poutoko on the following morning to make the road, his Excellency said in answer to remarks about the danger to be apprehended by such settlers as were away from the town, that he felt so sure that he was doing what he had a perfect right to do, that he could not believe there would be any objection. He said also, that we must, indeed, be in a degrading position if he could not move her Majesty's troops to any part of her Majesty's land. Hia Excellency stated that the national opinion of the Maroi people was that Tataraimaka should be occupied, and he thought these Southern Natives might see the advisability of it. A peace brought about quietly and gradually was better than hostilities. In answer to a question, his Excellency stated that he was prepared to assist those who wished to go away, to the extent of a free passage, but deprecated this action on the part of the settlers, as the abandonment of the settlement would be the deepest degredation to the British name, and he would be ashamed to govern a colony if such occured; in fact he should not continue Governor, _ he should most probably resign his commission.

CUSTOMS REVENUE RETURNS. Comparative Return of Customs Revenue collected at the Port of Lytteltou oil tlie different articles for llie Quartern ended renpectively March 31, 1863, and ISC2,

RETAIL PRICES.—LYTTELTON. Beef, 6d to 9d; mutton, Gd to 9d; pork, 9d; veal, 9d; hams, Is Gd; bacon, Is 3d to Is 4d; pork sausages, Is 3cl; beef ditto, Is, per 11). Fowls, 5s to 6s per couple. Groceries —Cheese, Is 2d to ls6d; sugar: company's pieces, Gd to 7d, snowdrops, 7,|d; tobacco, 8s to 10s; currants, lOd; raisins, Is; candles, lOd to Is, sperm ditto, Is 8d to 2s; salt, 2d to 3d; coffee, 2s; tea: black, 3s to 3s 6d, green hyson, 4s, gunpowder 6s; fresh butter, 2s to 2s 6d; mustard, Is 8d to 2s; soap, 7d to 8d; starch, 9d to Is; chocolate and cocoa, 2s; best rice, 6d to 6d; jams and marmalade, Is 6d to 2s, per lb; mixed pickles: pints, Is 3d, quarts, 2s 3d; sardines, |lb. tin, Is. Flour, 17s per lOOlbs.; bread, lOd the 41b loaf. Wine and Beer—Port and sherry, 6s; champagne, 10s; claret, 10s; ale and porter, Is 6d per bottle; English draft ale, Is 6d per quart. Eggs, 3s 6d per doz.; milk, 6d per quart. Fresh fruit—Apples, 6d to 8d per lb. Timber—Scantling and boards, 25s per 100 ft.; firewood, 40s to 42s per cord, on the wharf. Coals—English, £4 5s per ton; Newcastle (N.S.W.), £3 to £3 5s per ton. RETAIL PRICES.—CHRISTCHURCH. Beef, 6d to 9d; mutton, 5d to 8d ; pork, 9d; veal, 9d; hams, Is 6d to 2s; bacon, Is 6d; pork sausages, Is; beef do, 9d per lb. Fowls, 6s to 7s per couple. Grain—Wheat, 4s 6d to ss; oats, 5s to 6s; barley, 5s to 6s per bushel. Groceries —Cheese, Is 3d to Is 9d; sugar, company's pieces 6d to7d, snowdrops 7|d; tobacco, 10s; raisins, lOd; currants, lOd; candles 9d to lOd; sperm do, Is lOd; salt, 2d; coffee, 2s; tea (black), 3s 4d to 3s 8d; do, green hyson, ss; do, gunpowder, ss; mustard, 2s; soap,_ 7d; starch, lOd; chocolate and cocoa, 2s; best rice, 6d; jams and marmalade, 2s 3d per lb; mixed pickles, pints Is 6d, quarts 2s 9d; sardines, qr.-boxes Is, half do, 2s; flour, 15s per 100 lbs; bread, 9d the 4-lb loaf. Wines—Port and sherry, ss; champagne, 10s; claret, 6s per bottle. Beer—Ale and porter, 2s per bottle; English draught ale, 9d colonial, 6d per pint. Fresh Fruit—Apples, 6d to Is; pears, Is to Is 6d per lb; cocoa nuts, from 3d each; oranges, and lemons, from 3d to 6d each; walnuts, from 6d to Is per dozen. Eggs, 2s 6d to 3s per dozen; milk, 6d per quart; butter, 2s per lb; potatoes, 14s to 16s per cwt. Timber—Scantling, 26s to 275; boards, Bxl, 26s to 275; wide do, 28s 6d per 100 feet; Y.D.L. palings, 26s to 35s per 100; shingles, 32s to 35s per 1000. Firewood, £2 10s to £3 per cord; coals, £4 10s per ton. WAGES. Farm servants and station hands, single men, with rations, £50 to £60 per annum; good ploughmen, £60 to £70; shepherds, £50 to £60; married couples, £60 to £80; female servants, £25 to £30; dairymaids, £30 to £40; day laborers, without rations, 6s to Bs.

Heads of Revenue. Dotv. 18i53. 1862. £ h. d. £ s- d. Spirits, 45153 2 6 3856 9 6 Cigars, 132 11 7 149 19 6 Tobacco .. 809 3 6 717 3 9 Wine .. 1013 2 0 849 19 6 Ale and Beer, in wood, .. 490 18 0 487 15 6 „ in glass, .. 890 5 0 669 19 0 Tea, 756 12 2 678 9 6 Coffee, cocoa, &c., .... 289 5 8 204 0 3 Sugar 1878 11 0 1877 3 9 Firearms, 650 515 0 Gunpowder, 2 14 3 10 Goods, 4s. per foot .. .. 2773 2 0 2474 19 4 Ditto, 3s. per cwt. .. .. 391 0 1 227 I 8 13,996 12 9 12,198 17 3 The following shown the duty collected in each mouth ;— MO.nths. 18:53. 1861. £ s. d. £ «■ d. January 4614 7 3 4273 15 1 February 4526 18 9 3771 11 1 March 4855 6 9 4153 14 1 13,996 12 9 12,198 17 3 12,198 17 3 Increase oivQuarter .. 1797 15 6 Comparative Return of Vessels Inwards and ,Outwards for the Quarters ended March 31, 1862 63. Vessels Inwards—Quarters ended March 31, 1862-63. All with Cargoes. 1863. 1862. From. • = Men . § Men ® C o O £ H & H United Kingdom,.. 3 2899 97 4 3502 123 New South Wales, 4 632 33 5 3107 107 Victoria 6 1225 59 5 892 49 Tasmania,,. .. 5 2408 75 3 1699 45 South Australia 0 1 436 15 Boston, U.S.A. .. ] 573 17 1 423 13 19 7737 281 19 10,056 352 Decrease on Quarter, .. 2222 tons, 71 inen Vessels Outwards —Quarter ended March 31, 1862. With Cargo. In Ballast. Total. Where Bound. i | Men | Men | £ Men United Kingdom, 2 1656 54 2 1656 54 New South Wales, 7 1158 57 3 2713 87 10 3871 144 Tasmania .. •* 1 lit* 7 2 472 21 3 590 28 Victoria, 1 1399 26 1 1399 26 South Australia, 1 436 15 I 436 15 Point de Guile, 1 427 14 1 427 14 Callao, Moulmein, .. 1 992 25 1 992 25 Akyab, •• 1 1074 31 1 1074 31 Guam .. .. 2 1278 38 1 93 6 3 1371 44 14 5629 195 9 6187 186 2311,816 381 Vessels Outwards —Quarter ended March 31, 1863. With Cargo. In ballast. Total. Where bound. 5 g! £ Men g h Men J Eh Men United Kingdom .. 2 1795 48 .. .. .. 2 1795 48 New South Wales,, 6 1112 51 4 869 37 10 1981 88 Tasmania • « a , 2 497 20 6 964 53 8 1461 /3 Victoria 2 889 33 2 889 33 Point de Galle 1 1212 29 1 1212 29 G uum 1 1129 22 1 1129 22 Callao 1 595 15 1 1007 28 2 1602 43 11 3999 134 15 6070 202 26 10,069 336 Vessels. Tons. Men. Total, 1862 23 .. 11,816 .. 381 Total, 1863 26 .. 10,069 .. 336 Decrease .. .. 1,747 45 The White Star and other vessels bringing sheep swelled the account for 1862. Value in sterling of Imports and Exports at the Port of Lyttelton, for the Quarters ended March 31, 1862-63. IMPORTS. Countries. 1863 1863 £ £ United Kingdom . • .. .. 111,081 64,251 Victoria .. •• .. .. .. 30,364' 28.541 New South Wales .. •• .. 21,303 76,274 Tasmania •• •• •• •• 9,909 4,85b South Australia .. 8,299 Norforlk Island 80 United States of America.. .. 8,807 9,060 181,544 191,287 181,144 Decrease on quarter , 9,743 Probably owing to the large number of sheep imported in the March Quarter of 1862. EXPORTS, Countries. 1863 1862 £ £ United Kingdom 111,435 . 131,092 New South Wales .. .. .. 2,472 3.908 Victoria •• •• 295 38 Tasmania .. .. •• •• 1'® Boston, U.S.A 379 .. Moulmein J Callao •« 114,656 135.214 114,656 Decrense 20,558 The greater part of the wool has not yet been exported, which accounts for the decrease in the present Quarter. Goods remaining in the Bonded Stores, April 4, 1803. Goods. In bulk. In Bottle. Brandy Gals. 5,561 1,092 Whisky', » 3 - 0<i8 495 Sweetened Gin, ,. .. .. •• >• 2,101 229 Geneva, «• « 7 610 Rum, .. .. » 5 > 639 •• Perfumed Spirits •• Spirits of Wine »» J*' 4 , 1',., Wine .. .. <» 14,<39 1,033 Ale and Beer, » 4 . 027 J -233 Cider, •• Ginger Brandy » •• Cigars, » 894 Tobacco, 26,913. T ea .. » 3,061 Coffee, 'J'JJJ Chicory • Chocolate » 2 '?J1 Treacle, .. Drapery, Oilmen's stores, A-c.,..Cub. Ft. 408 • Principally sheepwash. IIEATHCOTE RIVER. Goods remaining in Aikman's Bonded Warehouse on the 31 si of March, 1863. Brandy 't 042 ? ? u,Ions Rum , 5 ' 2 ,, " Geneva 1,248 J „ Whiskey ®7 „ Wine » Bottled beer Sugar 137,242 fts Coffee 1 > 156 TIMARU. Comparative Shipping Returns, Coastwise, for the Quarter ended March 31, 1862 and 1863. INWARDS. "u a; Estimated Period. *3 — -2 " £ g Cargo . 3 '& a | 2 landed. O « 0) o »- •£> PS H o March Qr., 1862 21 1884 206 50 435 tons. March Qr., 1863 21 2272 237 45 530 „

OUTWARDS. , u ® n i u. ; o S) S) o "g £ Period. "a m g -J . ■ % . . 1 '5.5 I 3 £ .3 1 3 3 O 0) 3> C £. Ctf cj C3»T w O £> 03 H O 3. M on W t? AH Mch.qr. 1862 21 1887 206 54 11 1155' 1 Mch. qr. 1863 23 25S7 255 49 2501 35 | Note.—Under the head ' Foreign,' two vessels, 307 tons, 13 I men, entered inwards at Tiraaru during the Quarter ended March 31, 1663.—Outwards, nil. Compautive Return of CunTOMS Revenue collected at the Port of Timaru for the quarters ended respectively March 31, 18t>2, and 18(53. Heads of Revexue. 1S62. 1863, if i, d. £ s. d. Spirits, 293 8 4 522 19 0 Cigars & Snuff, .. — 13 10 0 Tnhiicco, 72 19 (i 85 5 6 Wine, 65 8 0 23 5 0 AIh (fe Heer, &c., in wood, 7 8 6 24 15 0 Ditto, iu hottle, .. 13 rt 0 11 16 0 Tea, 41 0 0 35 16 8 Coffee, Cocoa, (fee. .. — 6 16 9 Sugar 107 17 6 88 0 0 Firearms, — — Gunpowder, — — Goods by msmt. 4s. ft. 1119 0 119 16 8 Goods by wt., 3s. cwt. 7 13 6 4 4 9 «2| 0 4 936 5 4 —— ,— "