Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1029, 8 May 1857, Page 3

Correspondence.

%• Our correspondence columns being impartially open, we are not to be indentified with any opinion «xprejtaed therein.

To the Editor of tht Southtrn Crott. Sir,— lthM always been my wish to lay before the public my real thought* and my opinion-of the. cause of the war, and the ransacking and burning the town of Kororarika, which waa -entirely through mismanagement. I shall commence firtt from the tragedy of Wairau, which occurred on the 17th June, 1843, in which twen-ty-two of our countrymen lost their lives, nearly the whole of them being cruelly butchered in cold blood. Mr. Shortland was Acting- Governor at the time, and this massacre was allowed to remain unnoticed till the arrival of a new Governor. Captain Fitzroy arrived at Auckland on the 23rd December, 1843. He shortly afterward left for Wellington, where he arrived in Feb., 1844. He then sailed for Nelson, and afterwards for Waikanai, where he had an interview with Rauparaha and his tribe. His Excellency, instead of apprehending and trying the murderers, passed them off, taking their promise that they would Jiot do the like again. The native protector and his friends were well aware that if * native commit a crime, and is not punished, his countrymen think themselves justified in following his example. The proof of this -will be shown by the way the natives acted at the Bay of Islands. On the 3rd July, 1844, Honi Heke and his followers landed at Kororarika on purpose, as he said, to cut down the British flagstaff, and he took possession of the town. He remained there three or four dnys ; his tribe robbed several of the inhabitants, and killed several pigs and fowls ; but his main object was to cut down the British flagstaff. On the Saturday before the Monday on which the flagstaff was cut down, a meeting was held in a house belonging to a settler of the name of Lord, Mr. Beckham, who was Police Magistrate at the time, Mr. Kemp, the interpreter, Mr. W. Williams, one or two more mission gentlemen, and several of the inhabitants, being present Honi Heke was begged by all parties to leave the beach peacably, and not to offer to cut down the staff till such time as the Governor was informed of his intention, — if he had any grievance, the Governor would hearken to him. But his answer was he had been too often deceived by the Governor and his advisers ; he still persisted that he would, early on Monday morning, in spite of the inhabitants on the beach, cut down the staff, and at last he made a sudden rush out of the house, at the same time uttering these words, — "Rauparaha killed white men at the Wairau, why should not IT But if there had not been British law, and the inhabitants of Kororarika could have had their own way, Honi Heke, and as many more men as be had with his own tribe, would never have cut down that flagstaff Myself and another person of the name of Hector went to Mr. Beckham, knowing him to have the whole control of the Bay of Islands at that time, to ask him to give us bi» consent to call the inhabitants together and force Honi Heki and bis followers to le..ve the beach, as we had often done to the like of him before. Mr. Beckham told us that he would readily consent to it, but that it was more than he could take upon himself to do, holding the situation he did ; or else be would readily accept our offer, and assist in turning him off. He told both me and Mr. Hector that he would not lose any time in letting- the Governor know the whole circumstances. Honi Heke was as good as his word. On Monday morning down went the British flagstaff. Captain Fitzroy hearing the news, lost no time in chartering the ship Sydney, then lying at Auckland, and sent despatches by her to Sydney for Sir George Gipps, who, on 'receipt of the same, immediately ordered two hundred troops to embark. The same vessel, with the troops on board, arrived at k theßayof Islands about the 2oth of August, 1844. Captain Fitzroy, with the military at his disposal, landed at Kororarika, prepared with this force to take Honi Heki A few days after his Excellency's arrival, he called a meeting of the inhabitants. The mesting was held in Mr Pollock's house, nearly the whole of ,the inhabitants attending, except the Governor's bad advisers. At this first meeting his Excellency met the inhabitants more like a lather than a Governor. The first question he put to the meeting was, whether there was any grievance he could rectify, as he would do every thing that lay in his power. The general wish of the inhabitants was that Honi Heke should be:lak,en,,%nd made tell who put it into his head to come from his own "place, the Waimate, to Kororarika to cut down the British flagstaff. The Governor's answer was, "that is my determination,' 1 stating at the same time, that he had got two hundred good troopers at his command, and could have plenty more if he needed them ; and he was determined to take Houi Heke and make a public example of him. He further stated that he intended leaving as many troops at the Bay of Islands as he could finds barracks for. He also said that another thought had struck him— that .having no bonded store at the Bay might keep the natives more satisfied, as they used a great deal of tobacco, and it would come much cheaper to them taking the duty oft He said that he would order the bonded store to be thrown open on that day week, which was done according to his promise. Had he not got mixed up with the missionaries, and kept to his promise in leaving the troops at the Bay, the war would not have taken place, nor Kororarika been ransacked down. On the following morning after the meeting, I was sent for by his Excellency and the Officer commanding the troops. The first question the Governor asked me was whether any place could be got that would hold from 80 to a 100 troops. I having the largest unoccu- ' pied building in Kororarika, mentioned it. Myself, the Governor, and three of the officers went over to the house, and after looking at it for some time, it was agreed that I should make any alteration needed, which I did. The alterations cost me full £20, The officers approved of it very much. Three cottages of mine were - also taken for the officers of the troops. Military stores were, landed and put into another " building, belonging to me ; the troops all came on shore under orders to them to live in their tents till the barracks were ready to receive them ; the day was fixed for the Governor and the troops to go in search after Honi Heke and his followers, when his Excellency was stopped by a letter from, Archdeacon Williams. The upshot of the affair was, that a meeting between his Excellency, and the Mission, and the Chiefs, was arranged to take place at the Waimate, and the whole ended in smoke. The troops were again ordered on board the ship, to be conveyed to the Kerikeri, as every one thought, to take Honi Heke ; but it turned out to .be, by the Governor's o*n words, " they had sent for him for no other purpose than to persuade him to send the whole of the troops back to Sydney." ' After his Excellency returned back to Kororarika from the Waimate, he called another meeting of the Natives ; the Chiefs made some very curious speeches, and told him not to be discouraged if they did it again. Honi Heke did not'attend the meeting according to his promise, but sent a letter stating he would not carry on any more of his tricks if he could possibly help it. His Excellency's speech was a fair sample ot nonsense ; and he finished by asking for a few muskets, as payment for cutting down the British flag-staff. About twelve were |aid at his Excellency's feet ; but he returned them back, and all shook hands, rubbed noses, and parted. .The delivering up of the muskets was planned by the Missionaries and the Governor, at the Waimate, and it was made known to the Native Chiefs, after the meeting took place, that the troops had orders to get all ready for embarking. His Excellency, on the day of his leaving for Auckland, called another meeting of the Natives ; it was held in Polack's house : Mr. B. Wood, now bailiff in Auckland, was placed at the door, with orders not to allow any civilians in the room except Polack and myself. The meeting was to tell the Natives that he had altered his mind, as the Mission gentlemen had persuaded him to send the troops btck to Sydney, and they had pledged themselves that Honi Heke, nor any of his tribe, would not do the like again. Several of the inhabitants wished rery much to speak to his Excellency, and to tell him of the Natives' determination, but he would neither see nor bear them. I repeatedly told his Excellency that before the troops were landed, at Sydney .they would be wanted back in New Zealand.

The British flag -staff was again raised, in, a short j time after, by the fti&dly' Natives belonging to Kororarika, who had a wish for tht troops to stop ; but Honi HeKe, knowing he had got off so w>ll the first time, lost no time in cutting down the staff again, promising to do so as often as it was set up. I took the news to Auckland, to his Excellency, who began to be a little alarmed, and then beliered what I had told him. He asked me again if I could let him have a house at the Bay, for a few troops to quarter in till he could get more from Sydney. After my promising • house the troops were .ordered to get ready ;. the Government brig Victoria was olso ordered to be got ready ; and 30 soldiers of the 96th Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Barclay and Ensign Campbell, were put on board. The Government brig and my own vessel left Auckland together, and, within one hour, arrived at the Bay of Islands together. Hit Excellency igain broke his promise by having another flag-staff erected— which was the real destruction of Kororarika. He had told me that he would never think of raising another flagstaff at Kororarika till he^had sufficient force to protect it ; and it was under tnat promise I went to Sydney with despatches for more troops, leaving my family and property to the mercy of the Natives. I had hardly left the Bay of Islands, for Sydney, before another flag-staff was ordered to be erected; a block-house was also erected close to the flag -staff. In the month of January, 1845, I left for Sydney, with despatches to Sir George Gipps, for more military aid ; but, at the same time, Governor Fitzioy was telling Sir George Gipps he had no occasion to be* in any hurry to send them. Had the troops been sent immediately after the despatches had arrived in Sydney they would have been down nine or ten days before the war took place. The U.S. corvette St. Louis lay in Sydney several days after my arrival, and arrived at the Bay of Islands several days before the war broke out. I wrote three letters in the Sydney paper, stating the necessity of the troops being sent immediately ; befora any vessel was chartered to bring them down to New Zealand, and before the troops were sent, my letters were answered by Sir George Gipps having Governor Fitzroy's letter published. After my leaving for Sydney, Kawite and his tribe went to my farm, and, after making the two men fast that were in charge, they turned-to and robbed the house of every article, cut all the fruit-trees down, and when leaving they stole one •ntire-borse and three mares and foals. Capt. Robertson of H.M.S. Hazard (which was lying at the Bay), hearing the news, followed them, but to no use ; the Natives fired on the boat's crew, but without effect. On the 4th March Kawite and his sons and Honi Heke, and their followers, again took possession of my houses and farm, and killed nil the cattle they could see, and held possession till the day the town was burned down ; they then took the remainder of my houses, and burned all the buildings and fences down to the ground— early on Tuesday morning. On the 11th March the Natives, having first previously given notice of their intention, attacked the town of Kororarika on three sides, headed by Honi Heke, Kawite, and the sons of the latter. Honi Heke led the attack against the British flag-staff, and the block-house which defended the flag-staff, and, without any trouble, became master of the block-house by shooting the sentries on guard, and levelled the British flag-staff (for the third time) to the ground. Capt. Robertson, of H.M.S. Hazard, behaved most gallantly, and^so did the officers and cr«w under his command. Capt. Robertson, after performing wonders, fell covered with woundi. The soldiers likewise behaved well, but wanted better officers to lead them. After a fight of some few hours the Natives became masters of the field. Soon after the fight the inhabitants were taken on board H.M. S. Hazard, the Government brig Victoria, the U.S. corvette St. Louis, and the English whaling ship Matilda, and conveyed to Auckland ; in all about four or five hundred souls, most of whom had lost all they had through bad government and bad advisers. The plunder and loss by burning was not one shilling less than forty thousand pounds. After the fi'jht of Kororarika there were five or six civilians murdered by the Natives in cold blood ; one that was in my employ. , Benj. E. Turner. Retreat Cottage, April 25th, 1857. [It is necessary to say that we do not agree with our correspondent in all his opinions, more especially as to the proceedings of the Northern Mission. But we are always glad to place upon record statements, by eye v itnessi's, having reference to the early history of the Colony, tlie memory of which is already beginning to fade away. Any capable person, who would compile a tuts aceouut of the early troubles of New Zealand, and of the real causes which led to them, would confer a public benefit. Those who have been accustomed to derive their information from Blue Books would be lost in surprize. — Ed.]

To the Editor of tht Southern Cross. Sir, — I could wish that the 'New-Zealander,' in their future publications, could pay a greater attention to the truth of their premises before they allow thetr genius to hurry them to a conclusion. Mater ia Magica kee,<s in the hack ground by the help of his mask ; whenever he, with others, will be honest enough to lay it aside, and produce the face which lurks behind it, the world will be able to judge of the motives for writing such infamous invectives. His name will discover his freedom from or his servility to faction. To follow such writers would be labour without end. I will, therefore, give a short reply to such correspondents by asking them and the public what they can discover incorrect or dishonorable in my original report r And, for what reasons the Superintendent should bring it back to me to omit and add certain word* ? A» a subordinate officer I was obliged, so far as my conscience could allow me, to comply with the orders and wishes of my superiors. Why did I not resign ? I did resign some time after, as can be proved by the records in his department. I resigned, why? For reason* best known to myself, though much against my pecuniary interest. Had the Editor of the 'New-Zea-lander adhered to the truth— ot had wished to learn the truth, he could easily have found out that I was neither dismissed, discarded, nor discharged. So far from the truth is he that I merely request of him to enquire if it be not true that, on the 31st March, I sent in my resignation. On the Ist April the Superintendent and his Chief Clerk stated that they considered that I was premature and hasty in so doing. The Chief Clerk stated that I was foolish, and advised me to listen to the Superintendent's advice, viz.: "That if I wished to withdraw my letter of resignation he would not , sign the letter accepting my resignation." It was not , till the following Saturday, about 12 a.m., that his reply was handed to me accepting my resignation. So much for the truth of that statement. The Superintendent even offered me employment in the service. Understanding, from his own lips, that he could not ' sign the acceptance, I took no further notice of it. It was not till the Saturday that I was aware of the change, the cause of which he attributed to my not withdrawing the letter. Then it was I consulted friends, and amongst them many known to himself, some of whom advised me to do one thing — while others advised other steps. If further evidence be required, I refer to the Superintendent to state candidly if what I have stated be not the truth and the whole truth. And, even further, if he forgets the eulogiums he passed upon me, not only at that time but on the 7th of February, with reference to an increase of salary, &c, &c. The assertions ot the Editor of the 'If ew-Zealander' are diametrically opposite to Mr. W.'s frequent eulogiums which I considered at the time to be correct. I can fearlessly state that I have ever done my duty, and that I have not said anything of either the present or the late Government that I would be ashamed of saying to their faces again. As to the burning of official records, I was not cognizant of any records having been burnt. I never stated it, and was not present (if such be the case) at the conflagration. With regard to wishing to "signalise my devotion to the new Government," the facts of which will be found herein, I never said or did anything dishonourable to rtiaintain my position. In an interview with Mr. Williamson in his own room, in accepting office, I asked him if it were his intention to dismiss me, as being in the Board of Works, against which department I knew the first missiles would be sent,— adding that I was willing to render my aerrices in any department with which I was acquainted. He said that in accepting office,H \t as not his intention to cause any inconvenience to the official^, but that of necessity he would be obliged to curtail certain d^paiu ments, and endeavour to do the work of the Government with fewer, but efficient hands. T!Kj--e of com c that lud double duties, ate, would be remunsiated. I was willing to co-operate and render my services wherever they might be of most use. It would be too tedious to say more at present Yours obediently, Joseph Cunningham.

To the Editor of tht Southern Cross. \ Sir, —The Superintendent has proclaimed a district | in which war is to be waged against all noxious thistles, but he it again behind the age; Scotch-men and Scotch thistles are still in advance of him; for if hear any of his Executive ware to go to "Waiuku, on the south side of the Waitangi, they would find the thistle spreading far and wide. I would therefore beg to suggest to the "soul of honor" an extention of the thistle district, following the course of the Wairoa from Hewling's line to the boundary of the Hunua block, then in a straight line to the mouth of the Mangatawiri creek on the Waikato, following the Waikato to the sea, then by the sea coast to Manukau Harbour, following the shores of the said harbour to' Papakura to Hewling's line. Any one who

knows tins district must admit that it i" an important one, and ono that will progress rapidly, for Scotch-men and Scotch thmilesare already abundant init,amj ,his honormav depend on it that ii he is desirous of keeping them dowr it is only to be done by extermination. I hare great respect for the former, but for the latter, I n» ve no such reverence »•

"To turn the weeding hook aside, To spare the symbol dear." But believing that wherever the Scotch -thistle has taken root, the Jaw ahouM be in operation; and if th* district is not immediately extended, the Government should see that the thistles I have alluded to, should be eradicated. Yours, &c, Travellkr. May 4, 1867.