THE INTERVIEW AT WAIKANAI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 152, 1 February 1845, Page 192

THE INTERVIEW AT WAIKANAI.

Among the many notices of the conference of Captain Fitzßoy with the chiefs at Waikanai which have appeared in the English papers, our attention has been particularly directed to two articles in the Examiner. The high character which this journal has always maintained for ability and integrity is weli known, and its influence generally admit ted.

The first of the articles in question appeared on the 21st of September, and was evidently written under the impression that Captain Fitz Roy had fully investigated the cause which led to the dreadful Wairau calamity —

"The account which has just reached this country from New Zealand, describing an interview between the Governor, Captain Fitzßoy, and some of the native chiefs — one, more particularly, who was the princ'pal chief present at the Wairau massacre last year — supplies a new and interesting chapter in colonial history. It is in many respects very gratifying, and will be read by no Immune or reflecting person with indifference.

" The meeting brings to a temperate and auspicious conclusion an affair that began in aggression and violence, in the most censurable mistakes and needless conflicts — followed by hasty, wanton hostilities, and then slaughter in cold blood. The ending of a scene so calamitous, though it cannot restore the bloud spilt, or atone for the shocking outrage, yet prov dcs, it may now be hoped, by the spirit of justice and humane dealing that pervades it, against a repetition of such deplorable interruptions to peaceful and civilizinggovernmeut.

'• What is required to make the reader acquainted with the course of this unhappy quarrel and its adjustment, is rather narrative than comment. The iriirhtful collision at Wairau had rendered ai investigation into its causes, and the adoption of measures for the prevention of such wrong and violence, imperatively necessary. A meeting with the chief* was therefore determined upon. It took place at Waikanai. where the Governor, with Sir Eterard Home and other officers, landed on the 12th of Fcbiuary. The chief (llauparaha) was attended by a large number of natives, and all assembled in a spacious open enc osure. The meeting being thus formed, Captain Fitzßoy explained, in language peculiarly striking and explicit, the feelings with wi.ich he regarded the outrage, and the motive of his visit — a desire to hear from the lips of the chief a narrative of the events they all deplored. He wished to compare the native story with the English, to see who were first, and who most, in the wrong. He glanced with gentleness, but with effect, at the less peaceful course than this friendly conference which hi.- might have taken."

Our contemporary then gives copious extracts from the published accounts of the interview, interspersed with his own remarks, and con* eludes as follow****-

" No course could be better calculated to convey the assurance that he would punish all attempts by the English to wrong and oppress the natives ; and his exhortation to the chiefs in their turn to exercise their influence to deter the natives from similar infringements of mutual right, seem to have been listened to with profound interest and attention. Shou'd Captain Fitzßoy succeed in his design of governing the colony upon the principles he upholds and vindicates, exhibiting in his practice the clear views of rights and duties presented in his speech, tbis meeting with the natives will rank as a memorable one, and New Zealand will be more fortunate and happy than most colonies."

This was the Examiner's view of the affair on the 21st of September. Additional information is received, and on the sth of October we find him writing as follows: —

" A fortnight ago, when an account reached this country from New Zealand of an interview between Captain Fitzßoy and some native chiefs relative to the Wairau massacre, the substance of the report appeared in our columns, with comments on the curious statements it contained. It was assumed, as the 7Vme»and other journals have assumed, that the decision of the Governor had

brought that lamentable affair to ft termination* Further information shows this inference to be most erroneous ; and reverses, if we do not »i»» take,, every ground- on which a hope of renewed ainitjf-hnd peaceful co-operation among the parties rested.

" No Englishman, colonist or not, could tolerate for an instant, far less cordially approve, auch> ay decision as that to which Governor Fitzßoy camey except upon the fullest and most perfect understanding that he had heard and examined both sides, the English as well as the native. That if too clear to need reiteration. When a person ia authority, like the Governor, feels called upon to decide a question of crime between savages wbow chief is of the very worst character, and fifteen of his murdered countrymen— when we find him at the opening of a conference with the natives, an* before they have offered a word in their own defence, at once acknowledging the misconduct of his white brethren the English— we must naturally suppose that he has inquired into every part of the case on their side, sifted all the facts, weighed all the evidence, and is master of some convincing and unanswerable testimony that sways his mind with irresistible force, after the most patient, searching, and conscientious investigation. Cap* tain Fitzßoy, before the chief spoke a word, told him that he came there having ' considered the whole case.' * * * * * * *

" Now if it should appear that Captain Fitzßoy although he had visited Wellington and Nelson, had not 'heard the white man's story:' if it should appear that he had prejudged the white man's case, or any material part of it ; had shut his ears to a full and unreserved statement on that side, and preferred an assumption of his own to an inquiry into and a calm consideration of essential facts * permitting the character of a partisan to appear in his self-imposed office of judge over both magistrates and offenders : — every argument for the Governor's justice, and every excuse and apology for his lenity, fall at once to the ground.

" This, then, is the question : Had Captain Fit«! Roy, when he went to Waikanai to meet the chief Rauparaha, heard 'the white man's story?' At that meeting he heard nothing of it ; for at the conclusion of the chiefs speech, he simply taid, ' Tell him to sit down, that I may think over what to say to them.' " Extracts are then given from notes of the interview by Mr. F. D. Bell. .Referring to the conduct of Captain Fitzßoy while in Nelson, furnished by Mr. Fox, the Examiner says— " One thing, then, at least is certain, that thus early in the month, Captain Fitzßoy appeared to have made up his mind about the verdict; and it must hence be presumed that he went with it so mads up to the meeting of the 12th, where he sat not to investigate, and judge between native and settler, but to deliver a predetermined sentence. If these statements of the transactions be as correct as the former one was unquestionably false in spirit and unduly coloured, the judge must have decided days before that the English were wrong, in the beginning, and that the murder was a case of 'justifiable homicide.' This turns the solemnity to burlesque." ******** *

" The character of Rauparaha, moreover, of] which little is said in the previous account, must have been perfectly well known to Captain Fitz Roy. It is of the worst order of savage barbarism, and his sanguinary temper is notorious. It appears that there are detailed accounts on oath of the atrocious murders he has committed : and it is alleged on authority, that his sole claim or right in the Middle Island was founded on his having put to death an entire tribe, including women and children. But, whatever rights he had there, he had by deed sold to the Company, as their printed, reports show. Nor should it be forgotten that! this massacre was not committed by resident natives, repelling a predatory invasion ; but by persons whose residence was thirty hours' sail from the place, Wairau being at the time uninhabited. " Condemnation, instead of approval, of Captain Fitzßoy's conduct is becoming general, as the real facts transpire in this country; and it is very marked in quarters not inclined to be unfriendly.'' , * * * * * * * * *

" It is quite clear that incidents in this quarter! arc of a character to attach more and more import- j ance to the report and evidence of the Parliamentary Committee appointed to inquire into the! state of the colony of New Zealand and the proceedings of the Company. With the tone andj purport of that report our readers are already well) acquainted, from the article relative to it which i we published in August. That committee hat objected to the too favourable position accorded ( to the natives, whenever they are regarded as possessors of ground of which they are not occupiers ; owners of a soil on which they never set foot, and separated by many miles of water from their chosen places of residences. And it is moreover a recommendation of the committee that the ground thus unoccupied by natives they shall not be allowed as a matter of course to claim. Recent circumstances clearly point to the adoption of such » recommendation, or to some means of settlement aa prompt and effectual. But whether Lord Stanley is the Secretary under whose guidance this or any good devised by the committee, or adopted and promoted by the Company, can be carried into effect, is Extremely doubtful. At all events, Captain Fitzßoy's policy has not lessened the noble lord's difficulties, nor lengthened his term of office."