WANGANUI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 152, 1 February 1845, Page 190

WANGANUI.

"We extract below a communication from the Wellington paper relative to the excesses at Wanganui, from which we are happy to perceive that the reports which had previously reached us were much exaggerated. The account in the Wellington paper %vas confirmed by the Hazard, which looked in here after leaving Wanganui. As regards the attacks upon the women (our report of which gave offence to a gentleman very sensitive of the honour of the British nation), it appears that the report was not without foundation, though the injury was confined to a single instance, of a young girl who was abused by a native. The Hazard party persuaded the natives to disperse, and left, the place in restored tranquillity. The remarks of the chiefs, as given in the Wellington paper, indicative of their increased respect for the British authority since Captain Fitzßoy's disposal of the Wairau and John Heki murders and riots, are worth observation. In short, if the natives may be believed, their present aggression was encouraged solely by the impunity of the offenders on those occasions.

" On Thursday last, the long talked of war party, consisting of Waikato, Taupo, and Rotonui natives, and headed by Hen-heu, Potama or E Wtka, Tauniii, Herekiekie, Iwikau, &c, in numberi somewhat below two hundred, arrived tn the town of Wanganui, and immediately took possession of the ground allotted for a market place. Their object, avowedly, is to fight Nga te Ruianui or Waitotara. They also threaten Mawai, but, as they are deficient in point of numbers, are not likely to meddle with him. They, however, talk, very largely, and threaten to remain here three months, during which time we may expect to lead anj thing but an emy life. Herekiekie is the only chief among them who is really attached to the white people: he is always well behaved, and, being connected with Putiki, the settlement of Mawai, is not likely to act against it or take any

jMirt against the Europeans. Hi££fMAumber •bout fifty. Among the others tht!^<ljp^ some great scoundrels, whose sole object appear* to be

plunder. "Soon after their arrival, they were vitlted by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, who endeavoured to persuade Heu-heu to return quietly, but without producing tny effect. In the argument which took place, the chief forcibly delivered the following remarks:—

" * I am come to' take possession of my land. This ii my land; it is mine and my brother Toroa's. lam come for payment for my people who were formeoly killed here. You talk about other chiefs being here, who are they ? let me see them! Mowai and his people are slaves; they ate my slaves, and, before I go, I will eat some of them. You and all the white people are slaves. I! and Turoa are kings here, and Rauparaha is king of the tea coast You talk about your Queen. Who is she ? Is she strong ? She is a woman ! And what can a woman do ? What did she do to 'Held when he cut down her flag ? That was the feymbol of your country's greatness! She was and did nothing 1 She is weak!' Here Tauanui remarked — ' And what did she do to Rau{laraht, when he murdered her white men at Wairau ?' ' And,' continued Heu-heu, ♦ you, who come *» talk to me, are her slaves !' "