ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 101, 10 February 1844, Page 400

ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

The long-expected and earnestly-desired arrival of Captain Fitzroy, our new Governor, took place on Monday last, though, from the state of the weather, his Excellency did not land until the following Wednesday. Shortly after nine o'clock on that morning a salute from her Majesty' ship the North Star, which was returned from the Fort, announced that his Excellency was on his way to the shore. Most of the respectable inhabitants of the town had assembled before the Custom House, in the expectation that his Excellency would land there, but the state of the tide being favourable, the boats proceeded on to Mr. Otterson's jetty, Auckland Point, where his Excellency landed, in company with Sir Everard Home, and straightway proceeded to tke Court House. The assemblage of persons had now become numerous, and a large number were compelled to remain without the building. His Excellency having taken

his seat, a short congratulatory address was read by the Honourable C. A. Dillon, a copy of which we regret to say we have not been able to obtain, the draft having been mislaid.

A memorial had also been prepared, and his Excellency furnished with a copy, which, at his Excellency's request, was likewise read, as follows : —

Sir— We, the inhabitants of Nelson, in public meeting assembled, beg leave to call your Excellency's attention to such matters as we conceive to be of pressing importance to the colony over which you preside, and which we pray you to take into your early consideration. We would most earnestly request your Excellency to institute a full, searching, and satisfactory inquiry into all the circumstances connected with the melancholy catastrophe at Wairau. We should wish to see this take place by the ordinary course and proceeding of British law, as in similar cases at home; but should this be deemed by your Excellency impracticable or inexpedient, which we would hope will not be the case, we would venture to suggest the appointment for this purpose of a special commission, composed of men of intelligence and courage, unbiassed by local interests or prejudices. Whatever be the course adopted, we sincerely trust that a full examination into the matter will ensue : when so much blood has been shed, it is evident that a high degree of criminality rests somewhere; and while we disclaim all idea of retaliation or vengeance, still, as an organized community, it is our sacred duty to use our utmost endeavours that in a case of such fearful importance the truth should be discovered and made known, and the guilty brought to punishment. Until this shall be done, we must be allowed to express our conviction that the power of British law will be held in derision by the aborigines, and we must expect to see it openly and violently resisted whenever its decisions are unfavourable to them.

We beg leave to bring under your Excellency's notice the urgent necessity that exists for the settlement of claims to land in this district and throughout the colony in general. We believe ourselves to be correct in supposing that the non-settlement of the New Zealand Company's claims in Cook's Straits is the sole obstacle to the obtaining titles to their lands on the part of those who purchased from that body two years ago, or even more.

We need not remind your Excellency that, at the time when the lands in the Nelson settlement were offered for Bale, the New Zealand Company had obtained a charter from the British Government, by which its operations were sanctioned and its agency as a colonizing instrument recognised ; nor need we dwell upon the injustice sustained by those who, having previously paid for their land, and encountered the hardships of so distant an emigration, have not yet been put in possession of it, and find themselves, as we at the present moment are, in a state of uncertainty and danger, fatal to all industrial activity. It is not our business to pronounce any opinion upon the merit of the New Zealand Company's purchases ; but it appears to us that after the lengthened investigation of the commissioners appointed for that purpose, the Government may now be in a position to decide that point ; and we think it would be an act of justice to us, and of injury to no one, if, in the supposed case of unwillingness on the part of the Company to complete purchases decided to be really defective, the Government were to interfere, make an equitable payment to the natives, and put the settlers in peaceable possession of that which they have already, paid for, and have come so far to obtain. It is at all events perfectly clear that the want of titles to land in New Zealand is a very great bar to the advancement of the country; that the settlement of this question will be an incalculable boon in all respects, and its delay proportionably injurious. We beg also to call your Excellency's attention to the political position of the natives. It has been currently reported that the highest law officer in the colony has expressed himself of opinion that they are not British subjects. Whether that opinion be wright or wrong, this is not the opportunity for discussing; but that, in the eye of the law, the aborigines have some I political station, rendering them more or less amenable to British law, is evident. We desire to be informed what their real position in this respect is; whether the same contracts bind them ; whether they are amenable to the same criminal code; whether the same doctrines respecting slavery and freedom affect them as affect the European population ; or whether the two races differ in such respects, and, if so, in what particulars, and to what extent. Till this is distinctly declared, no foundation exists for any social intercourse between the races. The native protectorship is an office which had its origin m humane motives. It was intended to be (and, well administered, might have been) the means of promoting harmony between the two races. It has failed in producing any beneficial effect as far as we have been able to discover. This, we believe, to be owing in a great degree to the inefficiency of the hands to which the office has been committed, and the apparent absence of any settled system of operation. If it be considered wise to continue the office, we trust that its future administration may be confided to men of such education and intelligence as may afford some ground of probability that it will be administered to better purpose than heretofore. The fault is not that they have done anything positively wrong ; but that, maintained at a very heavy public cost, they have in no way contributed to the public

The Supreme Court (calculated from its location and forms to be tardy and ineffective) has never yet reached our settlement. The dilatory proceedings and enormous costs, compared with the amount of their jurisdiction, render the County Courts nugatory. For the maintenance of civil rights and claims we are therefore practically without any provision. The establishment of a court of separate jurisdiction for Cook's Straits, of which we have heard there is a probability, will, we hope, supply the want of a Supreme Court; but, in the place of the present County Court, a Court of Requests for the recovery of small debts, similar to those long existing in England, is much to be desired.

Hitherto, the ordinances of the Legislative Council have been passed without reference to the opinions of the settlers in Cook's Straits : we trust that some provision may be devised for making them acquainted beforehand with measures affecting their interests intended to be brought before the Legislature. We beg to urge upon your Excellency a more equitable expenditure of the public money than has hitherto been made. The revenue collected in this settlement since the establishment of a Custom-house, has amounted to more than £3,000 per annum, whilst the expenditure by Government for this period on objects of public utility, cannot have much exceeded £300. A considerable sum has, no doubt, been expended in payment of the salaries of Government officers resident in the settlement ; but we believe that this expenditure is open to economical reform, and that a surplus might be saved from it applicable to local improvements, which justice would certainly appropriate to some such object. In connexion with the revenue, we would press upon your Excellency the importance of its being levied by some means which may render the trade of the colony as free as possible, and oppose no check to our unlimited commerce with other countries.

We desire to call your Excellency's attention to the condition of the widows and families of those who fell on the occasion of the Wairau massacre, as well as of those who escaped maimed from the conflict. Hitherto, they have been maintained by the New Zealand Company, the Local Government having refused to adopt the burden. But that maintenance cannot be expected to be afforded them longer than till application can be made to your ExceJllency on the subject, when, if left unprovided for by Government, the sufferers must fall upon the uncertain resources of private Charity. It seems to us that, whatever may have been the legal merits of the conduct of the magistrates who attempted to execute a warrant upon the natives at Wairau, the posse comitatus who accompanied them by their command were entitled to that protection in the case of accidents which is in England afforded to those who suffer in the service of Government. If it were incumbent upon the police or the people when called out to aid the Executive Government to sift the technical legality of the authority under which the magistrates presumed to act, it would render useless this provision for the maintenance of the public safety. We trust, therefore, that your Excellency will admit the propriety of giving to the sufferers the assurance they stand in need of, that their misfortune will meet with the alleviation to which the exercise of their allegiance has made them entitled.

We wish also to address your Excellency on the subject of the importation of convicts from the Parkhurst Penitentiary. Convicts perhaps we are wrong in styling them, as it is understood that they have completed or had commuted the term of their sentence; but, at all events, they bear (as the Archbishop of Dublin is reported to have observed in Parliament) the same relation to actual convicts as a wild beast loose bears to a wild beast chained.

Whether a supply of convict labour, under a well-regulated system, might be beneficial to the colony, is a question which may admit of different opinions : but on the subject of the importation of the Parkhurst Penitents, in the teeth, as it is understood, of the solemn pledges given by the British Government to the founders of this colony, but one opinion can exist. We beg to point out the importance of a body of troops being stationed in this settlement. The possibility of a collision between the races cannot be denied ; and, in such a case, the settlers are entirely without protection. It would be little satisfaction that troops should arrive after such a Calamity had occurred. Praying your Excellency to take the subjects we have mentioned into early consideration, We have the honour to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servants. His Excellency then said he had a few remarks to make before he read his replies to the address and the memorial. Much as the inhabitants of Nelson might deplore the loss of their friends at Wairau, there was no person not a relative of those who fell on that occasion who more deeply lamented their melancholy fate than himself. The late tespected, and deservedly respected, Company's Agent had been his shipmate ; and he never knew an officer for whom he entertained a higher respect than he did for Captain Arthur Wakefield. It was his duty, however, to look to the circumstances which led to the unhappy event, and, on so doing, he could not approve of the conduct of those who sanctioned the proceedings out of which it arose. But he- feit deep and inexpressible shame at the behaviour of his countrymen who, when the deadly struggle

had commenced, however improperly, basely deserted their leaders in the moment of danger. If they had behaved as our countrymen usually did under similar circumstances, he felt assured that we should not have to deplore the loss which was now so severely felt. His Excellency expressed regret that several magistrates and gentlemen of this settlement should entertain very errbneous views respecting the occurrences at Wairau. Great allowance was certainly to be made for feelings arising from the loss of friends so highly esteemed, but they were not justified in suffering themselves to be hurried into courses which the law could not sanction nor those placed in authority above them approve of. With respect to a judidal inquiry into the proceedings at Wairau, his Excellency said he had not yet determined what he should do in the matter. Some remarks also fell from his Excellency respecting the aborigines, which would lead to the supposition that the natives were, at least in the estimation of his Excellency, an oppressed people, and standing so much in need of peculiar protection that his chief business in New Zealand was to shield them from the aggressions of his countrymen. This is not the place, nor have we room to discuss this matter now ; but we may be allowed to remark that if, instead of listening to the insinuations of interested persons, his Excellency had consulted the records of even those partial tribunals, the Police Offices in the southern districts, he would there have found more than sufficient to refute this very erroneous opinion, and enough to impress an unprejudiced mind with the conviction that the reverse is at present the actual relative position of the two races, at least so far as the inhabitants on the shores of Cook's Straits are concerned. His Excellency then read in a very distinct and impressive manner the following replies to the address and memorial : — Nelson, February 7, 1844. Gentlemen — I beg to offer you my thanks for your congratulations on my safe arrival on these shores. To assist in removing some of the difficulties under which you labour, and to promote the advance of the interests of all who are connected with these islands, will be my earnest endeavour. I thank you for the kind wishes you have expressed for the health and happiness of my family and myself; and I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen, Your faithful servant, Robert Fitz Roy, Governor. The Hon. Constantine Dillon, J.P., Nelson. ) (For the Inhabitants of Nelson.) Nelson, February 7, 1844. Gentlemen — I have attended carefully to the suggestions and requests which you have thought it advisable to make ; and lam happy to find that all the subjects to which you have referred have already had my full consideration. Inquiries into the circumstances of that fatal catastrophe which occurred in June last have been made and are still in progress. Deeply do I deplore that dreadful affair, in which twenty-two of our countrymen, some of whom were our own personal friends, perished so wretchedly. In deciding on the line of conduct to be pursued in a matter of such grave and general importance, I should not seek for advice, nor could I expect to find unbiassed opinions, among those whose personal feelings have naturally been so much excited. Every one must be fully aware of the vital importance of settling the Claims to Land ; and I will yield to no person in anxiety to effect their peaceable and just settlement. In answer to your inquiry respecting the position of the natives of New Zealand, I have to inform you that they are British subjects, and are entitled to all the consideration and protection due to subjects of the Queen of Great Britain ; but that they are not in every respect amenable to the laws of England. The majority of the native population of New Zealand are as yet ignorant of our legislative code. It would be oppressive, unjust, and unchristian to exact a rigorous obedience to unknown laws. By slow degrees, the influence of civilization attendant on good example, and the general propagation of Christianity, united to the gradually increasing application of our laws, will work the desired effect, and bring the whole population under sufficient control. The important and responsible office of Protector of Aborigines is one of the most difficult to fill properly, because a combination of natural and acquired qualifications is required, which are rarely united in the same individual. I shall always endeavour to select the best qualified persons I can obtain for those indispensably necessary appointments. It is very gratifying to me to hear that, in your estimation (notwithstanding all the diffi-

culties of their position), " they have not done anything wrong." The Judge of the Supreme Court for the Southern Division of New Zealand (in which Nelson is included), is now at Wellington, in the full exercise of his judicial authority. It is intended to substitute Courts of Requests for the existing County Courts. Individual interest must give way to the general welfare in matters of legislation, as well as in other respects. Whenever the circumstances of the colony will admit of reference to all the settlements previous to passing any ordinance, such reference will be made j but, in urgently pressing cases, those members who more particularly represent the distant settlements will be expected to attend to their interests.

That the Legislative Council may always have at least two members connected with, or immediately interested in the Southern Division of New Zealand, will De my particular care. You have been rather misinformed as to the expenditure of the public money at Nelson. .Less than £3,000 per annum has been contributed by Nelson ; while the expenditure in that settlement alone, during 1843, has been about £2,300, and the sum estimated for 1844 is £3,300.

At the settlements of Cook's Straits and Akaroa, more than eleven thousand pounds of public money were expended in 1843, and about twelve thousand pounds are estimated to be the expense in 1844. These sums do not go to Auckland at all : they are paid by the bank at Wellington, or by the collectors of Customs.

I am an advocate for free trade in a young country such as New Zealand ; but I am not yet prepared to propose so sweeping a change. Government will render some assistance to the widows and families of those who fell at Wairau ; although the charge of doing so ought to fall on the New Zealand Company. No more pardoned offenders from Parkhurst will be sent to New Zealand previous to my report on the subject reaching England. That report will not be in favour of receiving any more such youths; but how far it may have weight is of course uncertain. When I left England, it was not the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to augment the military force in New Zealand ; and I was specially desired not to allow any subdivision of the small detachment in this colony. It appears to me that, if the settlers treat the aborigines with justice, kindness, and charity, they need not fear a serious collision between the races. I remain, &c. Robert Fitz Roy, Governor. A brief conversation ensued between his Excellency and the Hon. C. A. Dillon, when his Excellency retired for the purpose of giving the magistrates a private interview, which was of considerable duration. We are unable to report what passed, as the meeting was private, but we understand that his Excellency informed the four gentlemen ■who signed the warrant for the apprehension of Rauparaha and Ranghiaiata that he should omit their names from the next list, and that three of them immediately tendered their resignation.

In the evening his Excellency went on board, but was again on shore on Thursday morning, and gave interviews to several private individuals. Mr. M 'Donald, J.P., who had returned from a country excursion but the previous evening, on becoming acquainted with what had transpired, likewise tendered his resignation. Although he had not signed the warrant alluded to, yet, having acted throughout with the other magistrates, he felt himself implicated in the censure. In the course of the day his Excellency received a deputation from the working classes, and, after a patient hearing, promised to inquire into their complaints and see them the following day.

On Friday his Excellency, after transacting private business, again saw the deputation from the working classes. He assured them that he would endeavour to promote their interests in every possible way, so long as they conducted themselves with propriety, but cautioned them against any acts of turbulence or misconduct. The deputation thanked his Excellency, and promised to use their best efforts with their fellow workmen.

His Excellency afterwards met the natives at present in Nelson, consisting chiefly of visitors from Waukapuaka and a few from Massacre Bay. After shaking hands with the chiefs Emano, Ereno, and Paramatta, his Excellency said that it was the desire of his Sovereign to benefit their condition by promoting their spiritual and temporal welfare, and that he would do so to the utmost of his power. He was prepared to support them in the just occupation of their land, and to see they were not deprived of their

pas and cultivated lands, nor of any land which had not been legally sold. His Excellency also told them that he should take equal care that his own countrymen suffered no molestation from them — it Was his wish to do justice to both races ; and endeavoured to impress them with an idea of the mighty and irresistible power which England, if necessary, would send to his assistance. The chiefs were then invited to confer with his Excellency. After a short pause, Paramatta rose and, in a brief conversation with his Excellency, expressed his desire to sell land, and claimed payment for Waikatu (Nelson) and the Waimea ! The Rev. C. L. Reay, who sat with his Excellency, immediately assured him that this was the first time he had ever heard the validity of the sale of those places denied ; that, on the contrary, they (pointing to the natives of Waukapuaka, of whom Paramatta is a chief ) had often admitted, when in conversation with him, that it had been fairly sold. His Excellency told them that the present was not the time to investigate those matters, but that, as soon as Mr. Spain and Mr. Clarke had completed their labours at Wellington, they would immediately visit Nelson and investigate and settle the claims in this district.

The following gentlemen were then admitted to an interview — Messrs. Fox, Jollie, Macshane, Heaphy, Otterson, Greenwood, Whiter Elliott, Tuckett, Stephens, Fearon, and Budge. The interview had been solicited, to learn the views of his Excellency on several important matters affecting the welfare of the colony, and we state with pleasure that on this occasion the fullest information was readily given. On the subject of the Wairau massacre, and of bringing the murderers to justice, his Excellency stated at some length the difficulties which beset the question, and that, in his own estimation, our countrymen had brought the calamity on themselves by their illegal conduct. We regret to say that his Excellency gave but little reason to hope that any judicial inquiry into the matter would take place. It was his intention to visif Waikanae on his way to Wellington, and, with the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Hatfield, make further inquiries among the natives engaged in the unhappy affair. It was also his intention to assemble the chiefs, make them acquainted with the power he possessed of calling to his aid an irresistible force in a just cause, and warn them of the consequences to themselves of committing further outrages on Europeans. His Excellency gave the strongest assurances that the land claims should be speedily settled, and that settlers should then receive every protection the law could afford to insure them peaceable occupation. He admitted that it was desirable that a small military force should be permanently stationed here, and would strongly urge the subject on the Home Government; but he was strictly forbidden to subdivide $at which was at present in the colony. His Excellency had evidently entertained the idea that the people of Nelson were unfavourably, if not uncharitably, disposed towards the natives. This impression, we have reason to think, has been removed. The uniform forbearance and very general kindness with which they have been treated by the inhabitants of Nelson, even since the event which might have been expected to generate less charitable feelings, would indeed be ill requited by such a misapprehension of the sentiments and conduct of the settlers.

At the close of a long interview, the impression left on the minds of all present was, that, although his Excellency differed with many on some questions, he would carry out honestly and fearlessly whatever measures he deemed necessary for the public good, and that the prosperity of the colony was his chief aim.

The Gazette of January 31, furnishes the following particulars of the interview be* tween the Governor and the settlers at Wellington : —

" The first subject discussed, and that which is most painful and embarrassing, was the Wairau massacre. The views of his Excellency will be found in the reply. To- <Mte he adhered, but stated, he purposed seekra^ farther information at Nelson, and that then he would be enabled to decide whether a judicial inquiry ought or ought not to take place. We hope ana trust his Excellency will be convinced of

the necessity of a judicial inquiry, as we deem it alike essential to the best interests of the native population and to the satisfaction of the feelings of the friends of the deceased. " The next Bubject was that upon which the progress of New Zealand rests. It, we need hardly observe, was the Land Question. His Excellency stated that he had arranged the settlement of this Vital question with the Company's Agent. It had been determined that the pas and cultivated grounds should be excepted, and that compensation should be made to the natives in cases where such was evidently due ; and that, should the amount of compensation required exceed the sum which the Company's Agent might feel authorised to draw, his Excellency would render all the assistance necessary to complete the arrangement ; but, as a consequence, he would feel bound to abstain from granting the Company any title to any lands until the matter had been satisfactorily arranged between her Majesty's Government and the New Zealand Company. He, however, anticipated no difficulty, for he was sure the settlement of the question would be pursued in a proper spirit. We may add that, should titles not be granted, which we do not anticipate, as the Maories would be satisfied, this would not interfere with the settlers occupying their lands. In relation to the satisfaction of the natives, the question was put distinctly to his Excellency whether, such having taken place, and should they then molest the settlers, would he protect them against molestation ? And it was received in reply that his Excellency felt confident that peaceable occupation would be allowed; but, if it were not, which he could not believe, he would feel bound to protect the settler in the occupation of land to which the Crown title would then be perfect. "The foregoing are indisputably the two great questions. The deputation also submitted all the other questions which they considered of importance to the colonists, and received most satisfactory answers. Not only did his Excellency not avoid discussion, but he invited it in every possible manner. The deputation took every pains to dispel unfavourable impressions which his Excellency had respecting the settlers, and we believe with success. Altogether, we consider the interview to have been most satisfactory. " Of his Excellency we would state we consider he entertains several incorrect opinions respecting the relationship of the native and European population, but thai such is the respect he has raised in our m£nd* for his honest, manly, straightforward condiid, , ihas when he is convinced he holds an erroQeous opinion, he will hasten to abandon it; arid to evince by his acts the change which has taken place. " The colonists need not fear that his Excellency will allow any private statements to be made to their disadvantage. Whoever makes a statement to his Excellency will find it necessary to maintain the assertion. This is a great guarantee against the mischievous influences which are so often used successfully in small colonies. Further, we may rest assured that we shall never find in his Excellency's despatches to the Colonial Office stronger expressions than he has uttered in public. On the contrary, we are convinced his Excellency *will avow to us his displeasure in stronger terms than he will address to the Home Government. From what we have seen of his Excellency, we are satisfied that his honourable feelings will ever prevent him from taking advantage, in any contest, of the superiority which his position affords him over the colonists of New Zealand.

" In conclusion, we would state we are confident his Excellency will make due allowance for the intensely painful feelings which exist at Nelson respecting the Wairau catastrophe. The settlers there mourn, as with a lover's feeling, the loss of their most admired and admirable leaders. No good man can have been acquainted with many who fell on that fatal day without experiencing a sense of bereavement; and, could his Excellency have witnessed the prostration which was exhibited upon the melancholy event being announced, he would alike respect the community that could so duly appreciate such worth and, sympathising with them, admit it will take years before the saddening feeling can be sufficiently softened down to enable them to hear a word of censure without a sense of wrong to the memory of the dead. The feelings cherished at Nelson all must feel are alike a credit to the departed and to the living.'*

Two striking exemplifications of the contempt in which the Government of this colony is held by the aborigines have just occurred in the Northern Island. We cannot say that we are in the least degree surprised at such events, as they appear to us but the natural sequence to the many outrages which have been allowed to pass unnoticed. One of the earliest and most enterprising of the New Plymouth settlers, Mr. Cooke, has been visited by a couple of hundred Maories from the Straits, who have squatted on his section, and wantonly destroyed several acres of very valuable bush; and another gentleman (Captain Crea, a passenger by the Himalaya) has been prevented by the same people from getting op' bis land at all, the surveyors having been driven off whilst employed in laying it out for him. A public meeting was subsequently held to consider what would be

the proper course for the colonists to take. It had become evident to all that, unless Government quickly interposed and rendered them the protection to which, as British subjects, they are entitled, the successful cultivation of the soil was impracticable, and ruin only could result from the attempt. It was therefore agreed that a memorial to the Governor, praying that troops may be stationed at New Plymouth, should be immediately prepared ; and Mr. Cooke and Mr. Thatcher were deputed to proceed with it to Auckland and present it to his Excellency.

The next case is of a worse description, and, if the guilty parties were Europeans, would undoubtedly be pronounced an act of piracy. The Carbon, a small vessel of about 20 tons, recently built at Massacre Bay and brought here to complete her fittings, was, about six weeks ago, chartered for the coast, by Mr. Graham, of this place. Having filled her with merchandise, she proceeded on her trip, calling at Massacre Bay, where she took on board a chief named Ereno, a native woman possessing 1 influence amongst her tribe, and a few of their people. Ereno, who bears an excellent character, induced Mr. Graham, by promising him a market for his goods, to proceed to Mokau, a place lying about midway between Taranaki and Kafia, and where the chief of a tribe, a friend of Ereno, resided. Accordingly, after calling at New Plymouth, the vessel went to Mokau, and anchored at the mouth of the river. But this did not suit the native woman, who was very anxious that the vessel should be taken about three miles higher up, to the spot where the pa is situates and, upon the refusal o$ the master tifijccede to her request* her husband and slaves endeavoured <t£ weigh anchor and take the vessel up, themselves, threatening violence to thej master fhr. his non-compliance with their wishes* At'Lhe suggestion of Mr. Cooke (who,, with Mr. Thatcher, hald taken a passage for Kafia, oh th.eir,w,ay to Auck-i land), and to avert the" 'pi^bable conse-^ quences of the attempt of the 'ifafc&fis, J-Q, Jies3 forcible possession of the vessel, she was? taken up to the pa, from which the natives 5 came on board in considerable numbers.; Instead of purchasing or bartering for such; goods as they might select, they at oncei took possession of the entire cargo, pro- 1 mising, however, to "make a payment" for what they kept. Mr. Graham, finding that. he had no choice, left the whole underEreno's charge whilst he proceeded to Kafia,« that chief promising to procure payment fofr all that might be taken. On returning to! Mokau, Mr. Graham found that the " pay-J ment" for his goods amounted to about one-third of the English invoice prices. He remonstrated, but that was useless ; — all on board were threatened with the tomahawk and the seizure of the vessel unless they quietly acquiesced and promised to bring another cargo. Such are the naked facts of the case, which have been sworn to by Mr. Graham and the master of the vessel before the Police Magistrate on their arrival here. It is but justice to Ereno to state that he disapproved of the conduct of his countrymen, and expressed deep regret that by his advice Mr. Graham had visited a place where he had been so cruelly robbed. We refrain from commenting either on the outrages themselves or the mistaken policy which would gloss over their enormity. But we record them, as we shall all others that come to our knowledge, together with th# steps, if any, whial the authorities may take to bring the offenders to justice. Such facts, plainly told, must lead his Excellency to see that protection is more needed by the peaceful agriculturist and the private trader than by their darker skinned but higher privileged fellow-subjects, against whose outrages, if his Excellency's interpretation of the law be correct, we are at present without remedy, and must either suffer patiently or defend ourselves at the peril of a crown prosecution. Samuel Stephens, Esq., has been appointed Chief Surveyor in this district, vacant by the resignation of F. Tuckett, Esq. Mr. Stephens was in the commission of the peace, but has sent in his resignation, jjpjto a belief that he should now be unable TOdevote any time to its duties. W, Shortland, Esq., has resigned the Colonial Secretaryship, and proceeds to England in the Bangalore.