THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wanganui, May 24, 1860.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 192, 24 May 1860, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AN D RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wanganui, May 24, 1860.

News has been received from Taranaki up to the 17th inst., The intelligence up to that date contains nothing of particular interest, and will be found up to inst., . elsewhere, Jaken from the journal of the ‘ Taranaki Efljkyof the 12th. That number of the been suppressed by Colonel said of remarks questioning'the precautions taken against a surprise of the town, and laying open the weak places : n in the defences, The ‘ Taranaki News* of the 17th inst., is afraid this extreme measure may have been justified by the remarks made, although there are too many natives going about the town to make it possible to keep any weakness of the kind a secret; but it dees • not lay-itself open to a similar fate, as it contains not one word as to what is going on, The ; following extract from a letter of one of the Herald s correspondents shows to what straits many of the inhabitants are even already reduced. “ Although all Without is so calm, the same cannot be said of the feelings of those within No allowance is made for our sorrows and losses ; and whilst we still gaze upon the remains of our desolated hearths and ruined farms, we are coolly told, even by men of education and standing, that the recent outbreaks at the South have not been committed by wilful murderers or robbers, but merely by a marauding party, armed ’with the powers ol , declared'warfare. " To,what country in the world are we to appeal in order that instances of such painful kind .maybe adduced ? Where is there a heathen race, connected in the slightes degree with civilization, that would steal into an enemy’s country and in the. most barbarous manner murder the inhabitants ? But this is not the worst part of the matter. What appears to me most shocking ia the cutting and slashing to pieces of the two poor boys, who were not strangers, but in all probability had often laughed and-joked with the very men who thus demon-like brought about their untimely end. “ After the past, what confidence cen we have in returning to our homes, that revenge, the cultivated feeling of every savage wijl not, on the slightest opportunity, govern their actions ? In fact, X have but this day been informed by a person thoroughly conversant with Native affairs, that the Taranakis have stated that they will murder every white man they may meet with. “ It is, I am given to understand, proposed that we should again return to our farms. Before this can be done, two points must be considered ; —the first will be on account of the Maories ; and the second and most powerful one is, that few will have at their disposal the means of again placing their properties in working order. In my minds eye, in a review of the farms around, I can rest upon one that will require upwards of one thousand rails that have been - destroyed by the Maories to he replaced, to protect the crops from wandering cattle. Where and how are these rails to be replaced? All that was worth money to us have been destroyed, and the that would have. sufficed when sent to the market as means of again cropping for the ensuing season have mostly been eaten or trampled down. , • , . “ No person can ride round the country without being convinced of the truth of this statement, and that my remarks are not overdrawn, and, therefore, I sincerely trust that the government will carefully consider our peculiar position before acting. “ Of this rest assured, that whatever others mav say, we shall at all events act and cooperate with the Government as far as in us lies, and, in so doing , shall hamper them as little as. possible. “ We are suffering from much cold ana illness ; great part being brought on by a deficiency of clothing, many of us having had our all taken by the. Maories. Some have no blankets: nearly all in some shape or other, - require a renewal of their wardrobe, which .it is found impossible to bring about with tha-present state of our finances.” By the Emily Allison which arrived here yesterday we have news from Auckland to the 16th inst. At that date everything was quiet, and energetic precautions were being taken against a surprise. The Cavalry, Rifle Volunteers, Coast Guard and Milica number between 3000 and 4000 men.

We have seen a letter from a Chnrch of England Missionary among the Waikato, in which he describes them as perfectly certain of their being able to beat the Europeans, and declares his opinion to be, that they will shortly rise. On the other hand, a Missionary at .Raglan writes in the New- Zealander of thel6th inst., that the Jfaikato in that neighbourhood and asu far inland as the Waikato river, are among the most loyal of the Maori race, and are prepared to prove their loyalty wherever occasion may arise. " '

The report of the march of 1000, Waikatos on Tapanaki has.been contradicted, that host haying dwindled down to about a hundred, who-were escorting home the deputation of the Ngatiruanui thas had been visiting Potatau. They declared they only intended to have an interview with W. Kingi and not to “figlit.

At Wellington apprehensions are entertained of a rise among the natives at,Wairarapai Large bodies of them are going about the district armed. Wi Tako has announced his intention to hoist the King flag at the Hutt, and the authorities are about to erect a stockade there.

In Ahuriri the natives seem still as friendly as in this neighbourhood. But it is to be feared that an attempt to put down the King movement will bring on a general war. H.M.S.S. Pelorus arrived at Wellington on the 14th inst. Most of her sailors and marines had been left at Taranaki, and some were to return to it by the first opportunity.

Me. Mitchell has been elected. to the Council by a large majority. . - The Council met on the 15th inst., and have voted <£looo in -aid of the Taranaki sufferers,..£soo-to be-paid at once, and the rest as it is needed, and as the Provincial Treasurer can afford it. .

An address to the Governor was agreed to unanimously, expressing an earnest hope that the most vigorous measures will be taken to put down the rebellion at Taranaki.