WAIRAU.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 113, 11 May 1844, Page 39

WAIRAU.

To thr Editor of the Nelson Examiner.

Sir — The 17th of June — the anniversary of the most dreadful calamity that has ever happened to a new settlement — is fast approaching. The petition which has just been got up to be forwarded to the Imperial Parliament shows that we have fulfilled our public duty : but does nothing remain tb be done ? Have we no further duty to perform. ? Have we not all friends to mourn, many of us relations to grieve for ? Would it not be desirable that we should show (what, I trust, we all feel) our deep and sincere -sorrow for their loss ? 1 think this might be done by observing the day as a solemn day — one of religious observance for those who feel so inclined, and for all a day of abstinence from 'secular occupations. Let no person think that I throw out this hint with a wish to perpetuate a hostile feeling towards any person, be he of European or native origin : nothing is further from my intention. All I wish is that one short year should not pass away, and that it should *>c thought that those who now lie in their cold foreign graves have been forgotten by those who once loved to associate with them, whose voice it was their pleasure to hear, in whose happiness it was their delight to participate. We have our anniversaries for matters of rejoicing — our periodical meetings for business.—; but shall these engross us altogether? Shall we have no higher feelings — shall we " smile with all and weep with none"? Far, far be such a thought from us. Let us give their friends in that land which we still delight to •call our home, the* poor satisfaction of knowing 4hat, though out of sight, they are not out of mind. One word more, and I have done. Let me -appeal to these who were present and escaped from that awful catastrophe. Have they no thanks to offer tq Almighty God for their preservation ? I neefl say no more, but leave it to the sense — I trust; the honest sense — of the people of Nelson. O. P. Q.