THE PRESENT STATE OF POVERTY BAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 976, 8 September 1868, Page 2

THE PRESENT STATE OF POVERTY BAY.

Sir, — To say this very promising district is not in a critical position, would be decidedly untrue. We cannot tell the hour when the ex-prisoners, with reinforcements, may not return to take vengeance for their past captivity, and the loss they must undoubted^ have sustained in the three engagements they had with their pursuers, notwithstanding these were three decided victories. They may cpnie, or may not ; if they have the good sense to keep away, so much the better for us, and our hearths and homes ; but if they do come, our present numbers (I regret to state that thirty-six, amongst which which were a good sprinkling of active young men, who ought to make good fighting men, left the Bay the other day), with the friendly natives in the district, who are so little to be depended on, are too small to warrant our doing more than protecting our women and children in a blockhouse. The gallant Colonel who. so lately left us, whilst musing on our happy and safe position, hinted that he was sure the Government would not assist us in the least. Now, although I place as much confidence in his opinion as in his word, I don't believe the Government would or will act thus ; but, supposing they do leave us to our fate — neither allowing us an European force, or even a small inducement to the JN"gatiporo to come to our aid, — I ask the question — Of what value is such a Government to New Zealand ? How can they act in such a manner conscientiously ? What is the first great object and duty of every Government? Why, to protect the lives and property of all its subjects. Had they, two years ago, acted with promptness, decision, and straightforwardness, numbers of settlers would have been located on those rich flats ; and, in a time like the present, we should have had no occasion even to ask for assistance. They can even now ease the burden from their shoulders, by at once settling the land question one way or another, and by offering inducements to settlers to come here. Of course it would be too late for the present emergency, if the enemy comes down on us this spring ; but that is no reason why the question should be left in abeyance any longer. If they decline to assist iis now, they may have much to answer for ; they will have little to boast of. Let them, instead of taking away Major Fraser's troop from such thinly-populated districts, to one that is well represented by numbers of settlers, quite able to carry on a defensive or offensive Avar on the outskirts of the province, to say nothing of the defensive force they possess in the 18th, — increase the numbers of the constabulary, and organise an expedition against the enemy, who are close to the scene of last engagement, fortifying a j>ah for a retreat,

End so eradicate the evil; instead of allowing them time td come down and commit murder and rajpihe on the oiit-settlers. Napier is capable of defending itself; Poverty Bay. and Wairoa cannot do so without assistance: Let the Government paiise before they refuse us any direct or indirect help ; let them' remember their duties as the rulers of this country ; let them also remember that, although comprising only a small area of* land, Poverty Bay requires but labour and capital to render it inferior to no district in New Zealand. — I am, <fee, Justitia.