Removal of Women and Children.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 134, 14 April 1860, Page 3

Removal of Women and Children.

A memorandum from the Superintendent of Taranaki to His Excellency the Governor, on this subject, concludes in the following terms : —

To recapitulate — Health and public morals require the removal of a large part of the women and children, before long, to some more suitable quarters. Financially, the -removal of such part for a time, and the full liberty of permanent removal to some portion, would probably prove a gain rather than a loss. In a military point of view, such a removal would be equivalent to the addition of the whole militia to the effective force in his Excellency's hands. On these grounds the Provincial Government thinks that, unless a thorough and immediate occupation of the open districts can be reckoned on, and the town and its neighbourhood rendered safe, without the anxious and harassing service now needed for its security, it would be advisable to take action for the general removaT'bf the population incapable of military service, and they desire to be informed

Whether his Excellency would authorise them to provide free and reduced passages for such persons aa are not enrolled in the militia or volunteer force, or engaged in necessary public service, to such places •as may be suitable in the Southern Island.

Whether His Excellency would order the discharge of all .persons from the militia whose families exceed five souls, and who may desire to quit this province altogether.

. Or, what step His Excellency would authorise, sanction, or recommend, having the objects above indicated in view. .

New Plymouth, March 27, 1860

His Excellency's Reply,

Before replying to the questions addressed to me, I think it right to inform you that there are now upwards of 800 fighting men and a considerable strength of artillery in the town, and that I expect a further reinforcement by the Airedale on her return from Auckland, consequently I consider the town perfectly safe. I may also add that in less than a month from this time I expect a naval brigade and a considerable reinforcement of troops from Australia. Commodore Loring and Sir Win. Denison having informed me by the last mail (in answer to letters written from Auckland) that they would be ready to forward them at a moment's notice.

The propriety therefore of moving the women and children should be considered on other grounds than those of safety. There can be no doubt that a town of which the surrounding districts are likely to be the seat of war, is not a desirable residence for females of any class.

The crowded state of the town is likely to produce disease and to cause it to be more than ordinarily fatal.

It ia also true that the men would be better fitted for their duty as soldiers if relieved from anxiety for their families.

Taking these matters into consideration (and without any reference to their safety) I think the removal of those females who can be supported and provided for by their Me ds would be desirable.

Persons not enrolled in the Militia, and unable to pay for their own removal, might be removed at the expense of Government ; the ultimate expense remaining to be settled between the General and Provincial Governments. It will, however, be necessary to provide also for their future support. The Airedale may be made available for this purpose on her return from Auckland, and the amount of payment may be arranged by the General Government.

This discharge of persons from the Militia does not depend on me, but in the cases of men having very large families, a special application might be made to the Colonel commanding, and would certainly meet with every attention, even if not acceded to.

New Plymouth,

March 26, 1860.

(From the Taranaki Herald.)

Mokau, March 31, 1860.

Friend McLean, — Wishing you well, we have received your letter respecting William King's

work,

Your word is correct, we all agree to what you say. Do not listen to what people may say about hundreds of the "Waikatos going there. Listen, McLean, we, t]ie Ngatunaniapoto and Waikato, will not be foolish, as we are a great tribe, and a tribe of chiefs which you have seen and known ; you know also that this tribe is a peaceable one. Let William King work out his own work of error. Listen, both the Governor and you, we shall sit down and be content with good works, we shall not madly interfere with the evil. A man sent by us, the chiefs of Ngatimaniapoto, named Tiinoti, is going to convey our good advice to William King, to give up his wrongful works. Do not suspect him, he is going peaceably, and to warn the Taranaki people to remain m their place. This is all we have to say to you all. This word is about the mails. Do not be afraid. Let the mails come and go, Let the Ngatiavva interfere with it.

This is all from your loving friends, from Takekei Waitara HIKAKA Ti Kaokao TE MOTTJTAPtT Kgatawa Te Wetini. From all the chiefs of all these tribes, from Honi Ekctonc, teacher of the people. [This letter represents the sentiments of the Ngafcimaniapoto tribe, a section of the Waikato, who muster about 800 good warriors. — Donald McLean.]

To the Editor of the TaranaM Neios. Marsknd Hill Stockade,

April 1, 1860.

Sir, — As you have hitherto most ably and correctly detailed the various events connected with the present war, I trust you will, in justice and in consideration of the renowned merits of the military, afford publicity to this letter. In your. last publication, you have, as must be admitted, elicited the warmest thanks of the military, and all concerned in the affray, for the lengthened space you have devoted in hallowing the glory of our united forces ; but yet, sir, (with due deference to your informants) to those engaged in that affair of Waireka, there seems to be some, if not many, of the principal movements of the day partly or entirely omitted. To your distant readers, a mysterious inaction on the part of the military appears, which has already called forth some severe but gi*oundless criticism. Without, in any manner, wishing to detract from the merits and well-deserved plaudits bestowed on the Militia and Volunteers, I think it but right to say that a superfluity of praise is bestowed on one quarter at the unjust expense of another, — a proceeding which it is to be regretted should enter the- breast of any well-thinking member of bur well-tried force at this particular crisis. "Honour to whom honour is due" is, and always has been the custom of the British army. The retreat of the military on the 28th has, by some persons unacquainted with military manoeuvres, been dwolt on in a sarcastic manner, while from those engaged, and persons of understanding in military movements, it has called forth" the warmest approbation. The principal incident of the line of occupation 3eems to have been omitted from your journal, which might otherwise have given a clearer account to your readers. It will be recollected by Mr. Standish that, on the march to the scene of action,

he most kindly informed us that the Militia were attacked by the Maories, and in hi 3 opinion, he considered that, from the continuation of the fire, and the overwhelming force of the rebels, the. Militia would be worsted. On this information, Colonel Murray immediately sent forward the invincible Naval Brigade in skirmishing order, supported by the Light Company of the 65th Regt. The Naval Brigade, acting with their usual lionlike courage immediately opened fire on the natives from the left front of the Militia, which drew the attention of the natives to that quarter. It will be recollected that between the right flank of the Naval Brigade and the Militia a gully, unprotected, presented a very advantageous position to the natives, which, by a dexterous manoeuvre, they endeavoured to avail themselves of; but, fortunately for the Militia, the foresight of Colonel Murray, Avith the right support of the Light Company under the command of Lieut. Urquhart, frustrated their designs, and ultimately continued a fire for 1 hour and 35 minutes in that quarter, where the work of destruction soon told on the natives. After a long-continued fire, it became necessary to make precautionery preparations, as it was evident that, from the limited supply of ammunition in possession, prudence and foresight were to be observed. Fortunately, of these great qualities Col. Murray haß an ample store, and, late in the evening, he sent word to Lieut. Urquhart to knowhow the ammunition stood. At this period, the pouches only contained nine rounds each, and it was also ascertained that the Militia had. even much less. It was here and at this very critical period the retreat was sounded, there being a cart with ammunition in the rear. Thus, Mr. Editor, on this movement has originated so many widespread and different opinions, known only to those engaged, which must call forth the firm conviction of all that the movement must be performed on that occasion, as it is well known that the natives will not stand the steel, or otherwise a retreat for ammunition would have never been thought of.

I am, Sir, Ose os the Eight Sitb-Diyisiok, Light Company,

An uneasy state of feeling existed in Auckland at the date of last advices, as to the probable movements of the natives of the southern portion of the province. Euniour was rife with tales of the most dreadful kind. To 'these the Neio Zealander of the 6th thus alludes : —

" After a short time, that plain practical com-mon-sense which is said to characterise the British at home, and which does not altogether, it is to be hoped, desert them when they emigrate to the Antipodes, suggested that it might be as well not to take every tale on trust. Investigation soon stripped these rumours of their terrors, and reduced them to very diminutive proportions. Thus, the mounted settler who bad ridden in, in hot haste, from Waiuku, to report a monster gathering of natives who were ordering the settlera to quit, dwindled into a messenger conveying a note from the Governor to the Adjutant of Militia and Volunteers on some matters of detail — and the fleet of canoes said to be menacing Howick, turned out to be a schooner from the Thames, which had anchored there against a foul wind. Hardly a rumour was there which did not, on investigation, prove to be equally groundless ; and then common-sense suggested that the best thing was to ascertain Avhat was being done to guard against, if not prevent the occurrence of native.disturbances in thia province. Inquiry of the proper authorities at once elicited the information, that Government were taking every necessary step, to provide both efficient military and naval defences for the eastern and western sides of the Province, as well as the City and Suburbs ; — that, as far as then ascertained, the natives of this Province had not shown any disposition to sympathise or co-operate with either Wiremu Kingi or the Taranaki and Ngatiruanui tribes ; but that there was undoubtedly much restlessness among some of the natives, which restlessness was possibly in some measure a reflex, if not the con-sequence, of the similar feeling they could not lvii to notice among the European population. It also became known that the Assistant Native Secretary, accompanied by Mr. John White, had gone down to the Waipa, to attend the meeting of VVaikato natives convened for the purpose of discussing the Taranaki question ; and that the Eev. T. Buddie, who is regarded with much respect and esteem by the tribes at the Waipa, amongst whom he was for several years stationed, had departed fpr the same locality, to aid those officers in placing the merits, of the whole affair in their real light before the natives of the south of our Province, and to prevent the emissaries of the Taranaki insurgents and murderers from giving a false representation both of what has taken place in that province, and of its bearing upon the interests of the native race generally. Bishop Selwyn has also gone to the Waipa on the same well-timed errand. As we may receive some intelligence of what has taken place at this meeting before we go to press, we will not say more on this topic here than that we have reason to believe, that a large deputation from W. King have already sought to enlist Potatau and the Waikato natives in their behalf, but have hitherto been unsuccessful — old Te Wherowhero not seeing any inducement to interfere in a quarrel which does not concern him and much preferring that W. King should practically experience the philosophy of the adage, that "as a man makes his bed, so he must lie : " in other words, that as Wiremu Kingi has chosen to make the Waitara his battle-iield, there the battle must be fought out. It is not to be denied that there are those whoare about old Potatau who have not his prudence : but, on the other hand, there are many very shrewd chiefs who have not been unmindful of the progress of European Colonization during thelast few years"; we also know that native messengers have started off in various directions, conveying news of the preparations being made by the Government, and made still more actively by the settlers, to be prepared for aiiy contingency.

Last night, a Trovincial Government Gazette ■was issued, containing a letter from hia Excellency to the Superintendent (which we give- below) further contradicting these rumours.

Government House, Auckland, April 6, 1860. Snt 3 — Learning from yourself and others that unfounded rumours have been circulated, and .many persons, bath in town and country, have been unnecessarily alarmed, I beg the favour of you to contradict these reports. Incorreob accounts of the difference between the Government and William King have been indus* triously spread in the Waikato districts, and some •parts of the Maori population in these districts are afe this Inoinent considerably excited at what they consider an aggression on the part of the Europeans. A gentleman from the Native Office has been sent to the Waikato to correct these misrepresentations, and I have every reason to believe that he ■will succeed in satisfying the Chiefs and most influential portjon of the Maories that they have been misinformed. It may also be satisfactory to yoa to know that every military precaution has been adopted which .could be taken if danger really existed, and I have pleasure in assuring you that the town and district of Auckland is perfectly secure against any attack which could be made by the largest force the Maories could bring into the field. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, T. Goee Beowne. His "Honor The Superintendent, < Auckland. Otjb, DEFENCES.a-With reference to these we are informed that his Excellency the Governor, in reply to the gentlemen who, together with his Honor the Superintendent, waited upon him, on Wednesday last, for the purpose q? ascertaining his views of the present state of affairs, and the means of defence organized, stated that H.M.S. "Niger" would proceed to Taranaki forthwith, and return immediately to the Manukau and take up a position for the defence of the Whau portage on that side — that H.M.5.,, " Elk " would meantime protect the Waitemata — that lines of land defence on the Tamaki on the east, and the Whau portage on the west had been carefully planned and arranged for. In addition to this we observe advertisauients calling for tenders for the supply of two gun boats for the Manukau ; and we hear of the organization of a Volunteer Naval Brigade, to oppose .any attack that might be made by canoes, and to prevent the landing of natives at any particular point. Volunteer Cavalry, to the number of 120, are also formed. The Militia are to»be immediately called out. The " Pensioners " are already ordered to assemble for enrolment, and these, together with other active measures now being taken by the Government, will, we feel assured, at once effectually render the possibility of any attempt at surprise being successful, and set at rest any fears which may be enfertained on this head. — Southern Cross, April 6. Rtthotos o:f attack on Auckland.— lt appears that there are some few in the town who are apprehensive of a native attack upon Auckland. They must remain so, for such arc- not likely to be talked out of apprehension. For our own part, we agree -with the Governor's dictum (if he did say it, for we have heard it contradicted), that we ' arc as safe in Auckland as in London, or rather more so, for there is less chance of having one's pocket picked. We believe that if the young men of Waikato rise, they will go south, to the scene of the fray, and not come up to the north. The rumours about Waiuku have proved to be without foundation. The only difference about Waiuku, is that nofc a native was to be seen about the place — an unusual circumstance — when our informant came away. It is true that the family of a settler at the Whau became alarmed the night before last, on account of a few noisy natives, and came away to Edgecome's Inn ; but there was nothing, really to fear. It wilhbe perceived by an advertisement 'in another parb of our columns that a cavalry corps is being formed. About 100 names have been already received. Revolvers and sabres have been sent for. With niuch> deference to those more conversant in military matters, we suggest the substitution of the lance for the sabre. — Soufkern Cross, April 6.