TARANAKI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 181, 8 March 1860, Page 3

TARANAKI.

[From the Taranaki Her aid. j Early on Thursday morning the return of the steamer Airedale put an end to the suspence that existed as to the course the Government would take on receipt of the representation forwarded to Auckland by that vessel on the previous Friday, The steamer was observed in the distance to be crowded with human beings, but the prevailing colour of their dresses (scarlet) could not be discerned untill the vessel neared the anchorage* Great was the delight and profound the feeling awakened by tha spectacle so much so that the Governor’s flag was not noticed from the shore, and Ilis excellency landed in the bustle almost unrecognised. A general feeling has been ex pressed that the occasion did not, for the reason stated, permit of any demonstration being made to greet his Excellency’s arrival at this particular juncture. Later in the day H. M. S. S. Niger anchored from Auckland, and we are encouraged to believe that the powerful reinforcements by the two vessels will show the natives the folly of persisting in their misconduct, as well as disabuse their minds of any hope they may cherish of receiving support from, other tribes. The Govern raent may reasonably be supposed to be well informed on this, head, and the withdrawal of so considerable a part of the Auckland force is proof that the tribes to whom Wiremu Kingi is known to have appealed are thoroughly indifferent about him. He and those who act with him are in the wrong ; in opposing a dona Jide sale of land they in fact place themselves above the treaty which secures them in their possessions and extends to them the rights and privileges of British subjects. Attempts have been made to connect the present with the Maori king movement, without, however, any show of reason. W. Kingi lias already refused his adhesion to Potatau, but were he his most violent partizan, it could not help him in this instance. The King movement is a compact amongst the natives to retain their lands as against the Pakeha, which, little as it has tocommend itself to either race, is perhaps no infringement of the treaty of Waitangi.. But it is otherwise when natives assert to dictate such terms as would prevent those natives who, in the language of the treaty, may be disposed to alienate such lands as they have- no longer any wish or desire to retain, and her Majesty in svch cases from exercising her royal prerogative of pre-emption, which has been much too sparingly exercised even, for Maori interests. We have before expressed our opinion that the natives would abandon their pretensions if they found government strong and earnest, and with the means at hand -to enforce respect, aud we yet entertain the opinion. A considerable amount of mischief lias been occasioned by their bad faith. Martial law is in force, and the settlers, instead of pursuing their various callings, ara serving as militiamen. It is due to them that the present complication should be got rid of at whatever risk and cost; and that this will be done li'ts Excellency’s visit, at- a time when his presence j must he urgently required elsewhere, affords j proof. It is with much satisfaction we find; that the Auckland journals appreciate our posi-; tion, and warmly support the Government in their determination to relieve it. j

Having learned that the Maories have been alarmed and misled by unfounded reports of various kinds, circulated by ignorant or evil disposed persons, the Governor ba3 caused a statement to be printed and published in Maori, of which the following is. a translation. The Governor’s speech addressed to William King, Teira, and the other natives assembled in March, 1859, is also reprinted. It will he seen that these documents are in perfect accordance with each other, and we are assured the Governor intends strictly to maintain his promise, and firmly to carry his declaration into effect.

[translation.]

1. When the Pakehas first came to Taranaki there were no Natives at the Waitara. The Ngnatiawa had beeu dispossessed by the Waikato.

2. The Waikato transferred their rights to the Government, and received a payment for the laud.

3 Afterwards the Ngatiawa returned’and occupied the land: the Government acquiesced in this occupation. 4. In March, 1859, some of these occupants, Te. Teira and others, openly offered to sell to the Government their claims to a portion of the land at the Waitara.

5. William King opposed this offer, and said that no land at the Waitara should besold. But the “ mana ” of the land was not with William King, and he had no right to forbid the sale of any land which did not belong to him personally. 6. The Queen has said that all the natives shall be free to sell their lands to her, or to keep them—as they may think best. None may compel the Maori people to sell their lands, nor may any forbid their doing- so. 7. JPilliam King sets his word above the Queen’s, and says, though file rightful owners of the land may wish to sell, he will not allow them to do so. 8. The Governor cannot allow JFilliam King's word to set aside the words of the Queen. 6. The Governor has said that he will not allow land to be bought, the title to which is disputed. He has also said that he will not allow interference with the rightful owners in the sale of their lands. When land is offered, the title to which, is clear, the Governor will use his own descretion in accepting or, declining the offer. 10. The Governor accepted Te Teira’s offer conditionally on its being shown that he had an indisputable title. 11. Te Teira’s title has been carefully investigated and found to be good. It is not disputed by any one. The Governor cannot therefore allow William King to interfere with Te Teira in the sale of his own land.

12. Payment for the laud has been received by Te Teira. It now belongs to the Queen.

13. William- King has interfered to prevent the survey of the Queen’s land by ber own surveyors. This interference will not be permitted-

14.. The Governor has given his word to Te Teira-, and lie will not go back from it. The land has been bought and must be surveyed. The Queen’s soldiers will protect the surveyors. If William King interferes again, and mischief follow, the evil will be of his own seeking. If he ceases to. interfere with what is not his own, lie will be treated as a friend, and there will be peace;

On Thursday tho- Land Purchase Commissfoner and Mr. Rogan were the bearers of a message from the Governor to IFiremu Kingi, requesting him. to come in and see his Excellency. They found that chief near Kairoa, and in reply to the Governor’s request he stated, that lie would take time to consider it, and that after consulting his people he would make known his intention to his Excellency. We believe- that he has since written, refusing to come into town,, but offering to meet the Governor at the Tima pa, the stronghold of his staunchest ami most unscrupulous sup porters.

[From the Southern Cross.]

The Airedale sails this day at 2 p.m., with two hundred soldiers —two companies made up to one hundred each—and about thirty officers, including Colonel Gold, commander of the forces. Shs also takes his Excellency the Governor and the Secretary for Native Affairs (Mr. Richmond), and a quantity of Government stores Captain C: Frown has received 1 instructions from Colonel Murray to call out the whole-of the militia of the province-for active service.

The Auckland Volunteer Rides are to- be assembled more frequently for full parades — one having already taken place this morning at six; there appears to he also an expectation that the Auckland militia will be called out; but no proclamation to that effect has yet been issued, nor dio we think it needed. It would be giving much trouble, apparently without an object, and raising, the apprehended disturbance into needlessly high importance.