EXTRACTS FROM APPENDICES TO THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND COMPANY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 143, 30 November 1844, Page 155

EXTRACTS FROM APPENDICES TO THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND COMPANY.

Appendix H, No. 6. (Enclosed in Appendix H, No. 2.)

The Chief Protector of Aborigines to the

Colonial Secretary of New Zealand.

Sir — It is my painful duty to enclose, for the information of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, a copy of the protector of the southern district's report of a serious affray which took place between her Majesty's European and aboriginal subjects at Wairau, New Munster, occasioned by the New Zealand Company's officers taking forcible possession of native lands ; and while I feel the deepest sympathy for the unfortunate sufferers and their sorrowing relatives, I cannot help regretting and deprecating the unconstitutional and murderous proceeding of the police magistrate and his colleagues in attacking an inoffensive people ; killing three, and obliging the remainder in self-defence to attack in turn their assailants, which terminated, as you will perceive by reference to the enclosed report, in the destruction of nineteen Europeans, and which, moreover, threatens to bring about a general collision with the aborigines of this colony. The desire manifested by. the natives to await the decision of the I^and Commissioner, as expressed to the Company's agent and surveyors, and reiterated to the police magistrate on his arrival with the armed force to arrest two of their principal chiefs, shows that they had no wish to quarrel with the Europeans ; and their subsequent conduct in passing through unprotected European settlements without molesting the residents, fully substantiates the same fact.

I cannot say I am surprised at what has taken place. I rather wonder at the long forbearance of the natives in the vicinity of the Company's settlements, receiving, as they have, such deep provocation in the forcible occupancy of lands which they never alienated ; and I can only account for this forbearance upon the principle of the pledge given them by the late Governor, Captain Hobson, that they should not be forced off land which they had not alienated, nor be disturbed in their pas and cultivations.

I am satisfied that such an unhappy affair as that of Te Wairau would never have occurred had not the natives been urged to it by extreme provocation. It is a principle with the natives in all cases of extremity between themselves and the Europeans to act only on the defensive. "We will not," say they, " fire a gun at a European until we see our people first murdered."

The parties engaged in this rash and inhuman affray have inflicted a deadly wound on the interests of the colony by, means of the unfortunate impression with regard to native character which this circumstance, even after the fullest explanation, will create. They have occasioned a breach of that confidence hitherto existing, which must prove alike injurious to both parties, and which time only will repair; and while I entertain the fullest confidence in the integrity of the natives, and am under no apprehension of any undue advantage being taken by them of their late success, I, at the same time, experience the greatest apprehension of danger from a number of our countrymen, who, I fear, are using every possible means to widen the breach for the unworthy purpose of taking possession of the coveted lands, and throwing the onus of the aggression upon her Majesty's Government. I am borne out in these remarks, I conceive, by the general tenor of the proceedings of the disap-

pointed settlers in all the Company's settlements, as exhibited in the police reports, and other occasional matter contained in the southern papers, but more especially by the sentiments of the resident protector, expressed to, me in his private communications, an extract of which is herewith enclosed for the perusal of his Excellency, as fully in accordance with my own views upon the subject. The only step which I could suggest to her Majesty's Government in the present painful dilemma in which they are placed by this disastrous occurrence, is to avow, in the strongest terms, their disapproval of the conduct adopted by the Nelson settlers, and the deep horror entertained by her Majesty's Government at the very severe measures pursued by the aborigines. I think this concession, humiliating as it may appear, more honourable and worthy the dignity of the Crown than any other line of policy that could be devised, and that most calculated to heal the breach and re-establish confidence.

Whatever may be the intentions of her Majesty's Government relative to this unhappy affair, I need scarcely suggest to his Excellency the necessity of rigorous measures to prevent an indiscriminate revenge by Europeans on natives, or point out to him the pains that will be taken to circulate injurious reports of the aborigines residing in the vicinity of the Company's settlements ; and I would submit to his Excellency the propriety of a gentleman connected with this department proceeding immediately to Fort Nicholson to act for a time under the directions of the district protector, enabling him to leave that settlement with confidence. As present circumstances will render it necessary that he should be in a position to facilitate his visiting the various settlements in the neighbourhood for the purpose of allaying the excited feelings of the natives, and using his influence to restore harmony and peace, I would also submit to his Excellency that inquiry should be instituted into the conduct of the survivors who took an active part in the affray, and, if found guilty, punished according to law, that the equitable manner in which her Ma]eSly*3~Oorcrimaont ■plan; fVitxp rnnpnf prOPPpHiflga may be apparent to all, and especially the natives. I have the honour, &c, (Signed) George Clarke, Chief Protector of Aborigines. Protector's Office, Auckland, July Bth, 1843.