CRITICAL STATE OF THE NORTH.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2322, 29 December 1864, Page 4

CRITICAL STATE OF THE NORTH.

The rumour iv town yesterday that Mr. Meiklcjohn's house at Mafcakana had boon sacked by the natives, turns out to be too truo. It seems that during the absenco of Mr. Mcildejolm, senior, a number of Tauwhitu's natives, belonging to the Kaipava soction of lluanngi's tribo, entered his house, and took by force a quantity of his goods. At least one of his sons was prcssnt ; but *so far as we can learn, no resistance was offered, tho intention of the natives being but too evidently an attempt to bring about; a collision, ending in bloodshed, and so provoking a rising in the North. We are glad that so much forbearance was exercised by Mr. Meiklcjohn. Tho alleged 1 cause of the outrage was the statement that Mr. Meiklejohu had burnt down part of the Omaha pa some somo time ago, and tho visit was in payment for this offouce. According to Maori notions, this would bo " right ;" but it does not square with our notions. On the news of the outrage reaching Auckland by way of the KawaU, tho Native Minister, accompanied by Mr. Bogan, E.jVI., went down; and both Mr. Mantell and Mr. Eogan had interviews with the settlers and the natives. Mr. Eogan took settler Moiklejohn's depositions ; and by Hie payment of a small sum of money to the natives, they wore induced to return most of the stolen articles. On this we will not comment further than to say that naless the G-overnmeut is prepared to assert the law in tho heart of a European settlement, and to punish felonies, the sooner tho task of governing the natives is given up, and the adjustment of difficulties between the* vaoos left to the settlers and the natives, the better it will bo for all parties. It is not tolerable to live in a stato of bondage to lawless savages ; and the Northern settlors will not do so. This was put pretty plainly by a deputation from Matakana, tvlio waited on tho the Colonial Secretary yesterday, and who reqnested tho Government to repress further violence, or the settlei'3 would take the necessary stops to protect themselves. In conclusion, wo ma} r state that Tauwhitu has always declared he will have payment for Euarangi. To-day we repoat what we said yesterday : " lot the Govcrnmont look to it." Their troubles are only beginning in the North, and we fear those of the settlers also.