NATIVE OUTRAGES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 152, 1 February 1845, Page 191

NATIVE OUTRAGES.

' We gave an account last week of the outrages Itftely committed by Paramatta in this settlement, and the manner in which they had been repressed by the firm and prompt conduct of the settlers in taking measures for their own defence after the police magistrate had declined acting. On Saturday last her Majesty's ship Hazard, 18 guns, Captain Robertson, arrived here on her way from Wanganui to Wellington, having run down Blind Bay in consequence of foul ! winds. Major Richmond was on board, and Job Monday morning he proceeded to Wakapuaka in one of the Hazard's boats, accompanied by the police magistrate, the Company's | Agent, and Mr. Forsaith, the Government interpreter. Puratnatta was found at his pa, with a small number of his tribe. At first he was j sulky and repeated his falsehoods about the ' plan being a forgery, and his assertions that he ! had not sold the land in dispute. He also refused to accompany Major Richmond and bis party to the boundary line; but Emano and Epero, his brothers, with some other natives, went, and the line was pointed out to them. On the return of the party to the pa, Paramatta, perceiving that his followers did not side with biro, altered his tone, and eventually agreed to adhere to the boundary pointed out. Major Richmond informed him that if he kept faith in this particular, the crimes of housebreaking and itheft, with which he stood charged, would be ioverlooked ; but, if he renewed his aggressions, |he would be severely punished for what he had [already done; and the severity of the law with regard to the former crime was fully explained Ito him.

| It was also distinctly stipulated that both | Europeans and Maories should be allowed to I travel through the district allotted to each other, 'but that neither should locate themselves upon ground belonging to the other. Our opinion is that this native is now completely subdued, and that no more trouble from him is to be anticipated. We hope therefore to learn that the settlers are again resuming their position in the Happy "Valley. One circumstance which occurred is worth recording, as showing the effect of the admirable legislation of the Solons who lately passed the .Native Impunity Ordinance. When Major Richmond (through the interpreter) adverted to the theft committed by Paramatta, he treated it with great indifference, and sa : .d " Oh, he would pay for that;" and one native cried out " Here is a sixpence," another " Here is a shilling," and a third, who wished to limit his subscription, was asking for change for a five-franc S"ece. In short, they made very light of it. ut when Mr. Forsaith dilated on the housebreaking, which fortunately is not within the range of crimes specified in the " Anti-Punish-xnent-for-other-Crimes Ordinance," it was evident that Paramatta perceived he had got into an unexpected difficulty, and that he could no longer compensate for his misdeeds by a trivial payment, but ran the risk of transportation. We believe this fact more than anything else contributed to the satisfactory conclusion of the interview, and that it will be much more likely to keep him quiet for the future than if he was only liable (as he would be in most cases) to punishment by his own consent, and that punishment a trivial fine subscribed by his followers. ___