TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 303, 26 September 1855, Page 5

TARANAKI.

We continue our extracts from the journal of Mr. Turton published in the numbers of the " Taranaki Herald" lately received. "Aug. 7, Tuesday. Hearing the report of firearms this morning, we left our work, and hastened off lo the seat of contest, where, for the first time, we found both parties engaged in real earnest. Then took place what was recorded, last week, in our note to the editor of the' " Taranaki Herald :" and so ended the proceedings of the day by the withdrawal of tlie skirmishers on both sides. We feel it to he no slight annoyance, that we cannot remain at home a single day, without thus having; the peace endangered,, by the hasty conduct of our young men. For although the attack, as usual, proceeded from the opposite party, yet in the absence of restraint the young people, in their excitement, rushed on to the contest, which drew out the elders to their assistance, and thus the strife became general. As to their not taking aim when they fire, I found it to be incorrect. It may have been so formerly, when only their own relatives were engaged ; but now that other tribes are in the fielil, the case is very different. This will account for the desultory manner in which the feud has been maintained for the last twelve months : inasmuch as they have not wished to shed the blood of any of their family, except those who were personally convicted of the slaughter of their chiefs. - " Bth. Wednesday.—ln the morning the Mokau people arrived at the Ninia, but not in so great a number as had been reported—there not being more than 150 altogether. But it is not in the number, so v much as in the name, that our security consists ; as our opponeuts well know that there are plenty more of the same tribe, should our necessity require their assistance. After a little of the ordinary speechifying, from which we have always found there is nothing to he gathered, they proceeded in a body to the town, for the purposes of commerce, leaving the chiefs with me to engage in nocturnal deliberations. For amongst the Maories, nothing of any importance is ever determined except in 'the night time—so that unless you can keep awake till daybreak, you have but little chance of ascertaining their real sentiments and intentions. " And so in the present instance. Our meeting commenced at sundown, and continued, without interruption, until the last watch was called out. And a remarkable meeting it was ; — so full of inquiry and debate, and pertinent observation, qualities in which the Maories excel, and woe be to that man who gets hold of the wrong end of an argument when engaged in controversy with the natives. However, the final result was this—that if the rest of the people would agree to it, on their return from town, i they would remain wherever we pleased to lo- j cate them, for the space of three weeks, so that time might be given, either for the Governor or military to arrive, when they were to be free to return home, if they desired to do so. It appears that they have a contest of their own, to come off in summer, in reference to the land on the North shore of Kawhia ; and that being but poorly supplied with ammunition, they must preserve it all for that occasion, as otherwise their arguments would have no weight in coun -

cil. They said that they had supplied our people with some muskets and powder, and that they had now brought them a little more; but that if the contest continued with the same kind of arm.-, the other party mast eventually prove victorious frono the simple fact that they are so amply supplied with all sorts of ammunition. If they could only resort to Maori warfare, they would run any risk in assisting the Natives or the Government in securing justice and maintaining peace amongst our own people, as well as in causing the Ngatiruanuis to return to their own district. " They said, they thought the Governor would have considered it wise to assist to maintain the Ninia, as the best security for the safety of the town; but as that was not the case, and they were left uiiprovisioned, it would be great folly either for themselves or the Waikatos to enter into the question at all, with the certainty of having to endure indignities from their former slaves, which they would not possess the power either to prevent or to punish. To a course of argument like this, there could be, no reply; and therefore it was agreed, owing chiefly to this want of proper means of defence, that they - should not be further requested to have any thing to do in the Native matter ab all, even; though the Ninia were to fall by assault. But that if, after that, our assailants" were to enter the Bell Block—that then the Mokaus and the Ninias were to be ready for any expedition to 5 which they might be appointed by the English; authorities, to whom, as a matter of course, they; would then become subordinate. But the idea, of a Province being left in so defenceless a state as to make it incumbent upon a Missionary to ; enter into such arrangements as these for the _ safety of the common wealth ! To some, it may* look like combining the office of " Minister-at-war" with that of " Minister-of-war"—and yet it is not so; for where might we all possibly have been, but for the diversion produced by calling up this frontier tribe to our assistance. "11th. Saturday.—The rest of the Mokaus returned from town, and agreed to remain at thekainga of Rawiri for the next three weeks, according to previous arrangement; but not to have anything to say to the Natives of the Kaipakopako, so long as they Temain the other side of the Mangatarauou. Of course we can imagine that many objections will be started against any proposal whatever, according to the various interests by which each several objection may be influenced. These motives are not generally known; but we are acquainted wit •* most of them, and perhaps, in due time, they maybe exposed to public view. Say what you please against Katatore and his co-adjutors, our greatest enemies, I believe, are within our own household, as was formerly the case, in other places both North and South. But as to forming a correct opinion on the subject of this character, there are but few in the settlement who are able to do it, except on information derived from those who are more conversant with, the question ; and many of those who are the readiest to pass judgment, are the most incompetent to do so, arising from.many causes with which we are sufficiently acquainted. Such men may be very clever in many respects; and yet it is no reproach to them to say, that they are not possessed of all those distinctive qualifications, which alone could capacitate them to form correct opinions of the intentions of the Natives. It is not a knowledge of the habits and customs and language of the Maories. so much as au acquaintance with their history, and modes of thought ami reasoning, which in this case it is requisite to enquire, before we can place any confidence in our opinions. How careful we ought therefore to be, before we propagate them amongst others. For the past twelve months, in accordance with the request of the Government, we have done our utmost, to bring this question to a safe termination according to the principles of noninterference. This, we never approved of, except as a matter of necessity, inasmuch as it is altogether opposed to the dictates of justice and to the requirements of social order—and therefore, it has been found impracticable. If ever any part of New Zealand is to be called a " settled district," where British law and usage is to obtain, this surely must come within the category. With our native assessors spread over every part of the circuit, and the general lawfulness and civilization which has obtained in it for many years past, we can imagine nothing so irapoliiic us well as unjustifiable, as to deprive the people of the protection of those laws to which in a

great measure, they have been led to submit. Had the Puketapu chiefs retained their native authority instead of deferring to ours, they would still have been alive and in the possession of all their rights, which none would have dared 10 dispute. And if, after losing their lives in the maintenance of our cause, and at our own instigation, and under the direction of a Government officer, the slaughter is to be ignored, and the murderers to go free, it is not to be supposed that the survivors will submit themselves any longer to our direction, or that they will be blameable fur refusing to do so. Their only protection will be fouud in their ancient, though barbarous customs; and the Queen's laws they will leave for the Queen's subjects. And thus will rise up in our midst an imperium in iniperio—the Maori chief will supplant the native assessor—and British rule and supremacy will cease to obtain, even in our very township. We have tried on every available occasion to affect an arrangement for the termination of hostilities, especially by urging upon Katatore to adopt the plan proposed by Mr. Commissioner McLean, in accordance with Native usage ; viz., to abandon the land to the use of the survivors, and, with his few adherents, to remove away from the district. But this he peremptorily refuses to do; and so long as he can get assistance from other parties, it is not to be expected that he will comply with even so lenient a measure. Thus, with the exception of the slaughter, William King is even worse than Katatore ; because, had it not been for his unwarranted interference and support from the very eomtnencemeut, the question might probably have been settled long ago. And now that the wives and children of the Ngatiruanui have arrived at the Kaipakopako, it seems as if they have made up their minds to a prolonged struggle; which, if allowed within half a dozen miles of an English settlement, and British troops, will make me ashamed to confess myself a British subject. And as a Missionary to the Natives, and one of the best friends they possess, I should consider such apoliey destructive to their interests, as it would be suicidal to ourselves. It would lead to the entire demoralization of the district, and thus neutralize every past effort for their advancement, and every fresh object for the future—besides surrounding the settlement with a cordon of most turbulent men, with whom no peaceful relations could ever be established. It is, however, sincerely to be hoped, that His Excellency will be led to the adoption of those measures which will secure the best interests of all parties. P.S.—lt may be as well here to state that five of the men who fired upon me on Tuesday last, from their ambuscade, were wounded in return from the Ninia. One of them belonged to Katatore, one to the Waitara, and three to Ngatiruanui. So soon did they meet with their retribution ! We sent them a message on the following day, advising them in future not to listen to the foolish conversation of thoughtless aud interested Europeans, but rather to consider me their friend in wishing to spare the effusion of human blood, and bring their strife to an end. The reply of the Wai mate people was very characteristic:—" Why do you inquire so particularly, as to the persons who fired at you ? It was we who did it—theNgatimanui—the men of determined spirit!" Let us, however, request in future, that the traders will restrict themselves to their commercial operations with the Natives, and leave the settlement of Maori disputes to those who understand them best. "Ne sutor ultra credidam." H. H. T. 16th, Thursday.—Arranged with the Mokaus yesterday that as the Military would soon be here, they should be at liberty to return home on Monday next. We have only had two of the chiefs (Tikaokao and Te Kaka)'sleeping at the ■Ninia, and yet none of the party have dared to fire a shot over their heads, and as to Kind's people, tliey have kept pretty snug at Waiuuvi, as the Ngatimaninpoto ordered them to do. Irom the check which the whole party has ihus received, and the fear evinced, the true policy of the Government in the safe and final settlement ot this district, seems to be pointed out, that is, as to the kind of agency to he employed, should circumstances require its use. Besides ihe fact, that by the appointment of the Waikatos as the original conquerors of the soil, and as having • received part payment in the sale of it, to act as referee, and then to return the question to the Government, when only settled by themselves, the whole case would be divested of danger as to other parts of the Island, and receive ft Sttucfcioa in the opinion of surrounding Tribes,

which it would be very advisable to obtain. And there are many reasons, well appreciated by the Natives, why the employment of the Waikatos on a mission like the present, would be as honourable to the Government and the military, as it would be reputable to themselves. Aug. 17th, Friday.—Ten messengers arrived from the interior of Wanganui, bringing letters from the head chiefs, as also a cask of powder for our people. This is an answer to the summons of Ihaia, which he sent off, unknown to us, knowing that we should have opposed any proposal to bring up that distant and numerous tribe, even to our assistance. For there are many past account, which the Taupos and Wanganuians have to settle with William King and the Ngath-uanuis, altogether independent of this case of Katatore's, for the balancing of which, we have no desire that they should choose the district of Taranaki as their sheet. But so it is. All our past prognostics are thus coming true; and if ever these hostile tribes are really brought into collision, as at present there seems every chance of it, we shall then have reached the culminating point of events, to provide against which, we have been so solicitous, from the very beginning, for the arrival of troops.

The powder was sent up with the instructions that it was to be sown, as seed, upon the Ikamoana, and Kaipakopako and Waitara ; and they would shortly arrive themselves, to reap the produce. This is one of the various ways which the Maories have of declaring war. A letter was also sent by them to the Ngatiruanuis, to return home as soon as pgssible. But Katatore and W. King would not agree to release them from the Lesigue, and therefore they replied, that they would hold possession of the land—" until their throats were "cut"—a Maori aphorism, expressive of strong determination and dissent, but which perhaps may have a literal illustration before they expect it. The aforesaid protocol was cast, like its predecessors, into the " whare poaka," which seems to have been constituted by Katatore into a kind of 5{ dead letter office." On the return of the messenger to Waitara, three men were immediately despatched to the upper part of Wanganui, where it is reported, that the greater portion of the tribe is convened, only awaiting the return of the " karere," before they come over in a body to enforce their demands—And then, William King will have to account to .Mamaku, for his treachery at Waikanae ; and the Ngatiruanuis will have to render payment for the 136 whom they slew at Waitotara in the year 1840. And then, where will the end be ? Let some one of our quieiists or misinterpreters resolve the problem, for we acknowledge ourselves incompetent to do so. But neter mind that! We have now got the Military protection on the spot, and under their able defence, we will defy any casualties, whether from friend or foe ; at the same time that every scheme shall be tried, and every proposal made (so long as it is left a Maori ques tion) that will tend to procure peace on the basis of a righteous negotiation, so as to preclude the necessity of any armed interference whatever. U is not to induce, but to prevent a war of the races, that the military have been sent to ihis Province : and if the policy of Governor Browne is only made to include a subsidy to the Waikatos, we may still get over all our troubles, however they may increase upon us, with very little difficulty. But let the troops, by any chance, he brought singly into collision with the" Maories, and, in our opinion, it would, at the present time, produce a ferment of opinion in the whole of die Colony ; inasmuch as there are persons in this country who would represent it as a question altogether of the acquisition of land. The inference would therefore he, that the New Governor had In-ought out new regulations from the Queen and that they were forthwith to be deprived of their territorial possessions; an object which it would require a war of extermination to effectuate, but which, we hope and believe, will never take place in New Zealand. But by the employment of the Waikatos, that danger would he avoided : just as Sir G. Grey has made an engagement with Sandilli, to protect the frontiers of British Kaffraria.

18ih Saturday.—Yesterday a letter was brought to us to read and seal, and send to the Post Office. It was addressed to the Governinent,und stated that if His Excellency would assist them in obtaining justice froai Katatore, and prevent their lands from being taken possession of by King and the Ngatiruanuis, that then they would dispose of the whole block to

the Government, as far as the Waiongana—-And that is about as far as the Puketapu claims extend. It was only signed by one native, after the fashion of most Maori letters, but we find that it was the result of a general council. And though we were not aware that they intended to make that proposal, in so formal a manner, yet we highly approve of it, on every ground. But especially, on that of their own advancement in civilized life which will never be the case until they become more inlim.itely commixed with their European neighbours, and establish private friendships amongst them, which alone will bind the two races together in interest and affection. • * • * *

21st, Tuesday—This morning, the Mokati with the Rev. Mr. Schnackenberg, returned home, according to previous arrangement, without any accident, having occurred to nullify the object for which they came.

On arrival at the Ninia, this morning with the Rev. Mr. Ironside, we saw the two letters addressed by his Excellency the Governor to Arama Karaka, and Hoani Ropiha. In the latter one, it is explained that the Military are being sent for the protection of the European, and of those natives who are wishful to live peaceably. The ' Duke of Portland ' arrived yesterday, with a detachment of the 58th, under the command of Mitjor Nugent, in whom we all place the greater confidence from his having been so long at the head of the Native Secratariat, and who is therefore fully acquainted with the exact state of our affairs. And from his having been already here en a commission of enquiry, it seems very fortunate he should thus be in charge of the expedition. We have also received letters from the Rawhia Chiefs, in which they direct, William King and the Ngatiruanuis to return home and mind their own business ; and charge two or three of their relatives who are remaining at Kaipakopako, to " come out of the city, lest thej be consumed " ; after which, if any accident were to happen to them, no notice would be taken of their death.