THE CASE OF HETA TARAWHIT1.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3044, 29 April 1867, Page 6

THE CASE OF HETA TARAWHITI.

To the Editor of the Daily Sobthmn Cross. Sir, — I have rend from time to time as reported in your columns the evidence, and also (as you truly say) the very able judgment, in the case of the Rev. Heta Tarawhita ; you refer to it in your leading article of the 20th instant, and, as I differ from you somewhat in some of yonr conclusions, perhaps you will gLve me space for a few remarks. I agree with you in believing that very few persons will blame Mr. Mackay, because, as agent for the Crown,jhe would be simply carrying out his instructions from the Government ; and I also think with you that the judgment of the Court will not increase ia the minds of the Maori people respect for the Crown. But whose fault is that ? Certainly not that of the Judges of the Court, or of the agent for th* Crown, who, in opposing such frivolous charges against the rev. gentleman, could not be acting on his own mere motion, but from instructions. But, sir, I differ somewhat from you in your strictures on the Judges of the Court. Mr. Mackay, when conducting the case on behalf of the Crown, became amenable to the censures of the Court if he failed to conduct it in such a way »s would give the least annoyance to the accused pet son compatible with the evils of justice, and the Judges would have failed in their duty to the public had they passed it by in the judgment without notice. And I also differ.from you in thinking any thanks are due to the agent for the Crown (from the reverend gentleman) for charging him with being a rebel, because the tiial had. proved him to be a true and loyal subject of her Majesty. Although he left the court without any stain of disloyalty attaching to his character, would he, think you, leave it with undiminished respect for the Crown and the palceha 1 But, air, this trial raises a very serious question as to the eventual pacification of the country. All you say in praise of Mr. Mackay as a public servant may be quite true ; but I have no faith in these itinerating agents of the Government ever pacifying the Maoris. They keep the Maori people in a constant state of irritation and bewilderment. We no sooner read of those gentlemen visiting a district than we hear of the disturbed state of that district. Depend upon it, so long as those gentlemen are allowed to run up and down the country amongst the Maori people, counteracting this, that, and the other, so long shall we hear of Hauhau and Maori disturbances. — I am, &c, W. Atkiit. Tamaki, April 23, 1867.