CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 162, 12 April 1845, Page 23

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor op the Nelson Examiner.

Sir — The time has undoubtedly now arrived when it behoves every man in the community to be using his utmost means for the attainment of a common object, namely, reform of the nature and spirit of our Government. The destruction of the Bay of Islands settlement affords an instrument to our disposal, either to be used as the means of obtaining future benefits, or by neglect to become the probable cause of the withdrawal of British authority from a colony, the effective government of which would be a matter too irksome and expensive for a Conservative Administration. Some of your readers may start at the idea of such an abandonment of the colony; but Lord Stanley has stated that, rather than pursue a system essentially differing from that which has been in operation, New Zealand would be given up to the natives. And the additional expense of maintaining so large a force in the islands as the mismanagement of the Local Government has now rendered necessary, may be put forward as an excuse for such a proposition. It is impossible to determine as to what cause Governor Fitzßoy will attribute the late calamity, overturning as it has done all his previously formed plans, and showing the titter falsity (not at present to use a stronger term) of the principles of his system. Certain we may be that he will not acknowledge it to have been the foreseen result of his tampering with an astute and powerful native population, grown bold from the withholding of justice on the perpetrators of a former outrage, and the working of a hypocritical and one-sided policy. It is therefore our duty, not only to ourselves, but towards all those who have suffered in life and property, in various parts of New Zealand, through the mischievous measures of Captain Fitzßoy — to the memory of those murdered at the Wairau, and towards the present sufferers of the Bay of Islands — to make known, expose, and publish, in every possible manner, the impolicy and flagrant injustice of the principles which actuate the present Government, and to show clearly and dispassionately the causes which have led to the disaster.

Here in Nelson we are happy in having no display of party feelings; all classes unite in condemnation of those who have brought things to their present crisis. We may exult in the fact, that not half a dozen settlers could be found to uphold the Government, even including those in office, and most of those loathe it. Let all, therefore, whatever may be their station and whatever their influence, exert themselves in this common cause. Let them all write, and let their letters to their connexions in England and the adjacent colonies show forth the system of misrule. Let those who have editors of newspapers or members of Parliament in their acquaintance communicate to them in the fullest manner the train of circumstances which now in their consummation threaten the existence of the colony ; and such agitation must in the end be successful.

Let petitions be sent to the Queen and Parliament. Care not for the opinion of some Government employ^, who may say, " My dear sir, such memorializing is useless, and your petitions will be thrown under the table unread." In the investigation which will take place in England upon the receipt of the intelligence of the entire destruction of a settlement, and of the loss sustained by British troops and a British ship of war, every public paper will be read and every memorial examined which may relate to so startling an event, and the trouble of their preparation will be repaid in the result. Let memorials, illustrative of the critical state to which misgovernment has reduced the colony and descriptive of our imbecile and destructive Government, be despatched to the British authorities which surround vs — to the Governors of New South Wales and India; to the Lieutenant

Governor of Van Diemen's Land, to tbe Resident or naval officer commanding at Tahiti, and to the Governor of Hongkong. Let these memorials be transmitted regularly ; let them pass through the very hands of Captain Fitzßoy; and, asking, as they will, the interference and assistance of his colleagues in colonial government, he will be convinced that he is held in contempt by those over whom he rules, and that the reign of morbid and hypocritical sympathy ■is drawing to its termination. Memorials praying for assistance from those authorities cannot be passed over, even though the assistance asked for may be withheld. They will be transmitted to the Colonial Office, and one after the other will they pour in upon Lord Stanley, until a colony, which he has deemed of so little importance as to allow it to be governed by Exeter Hall, shall, by its pestering importunity in obstinate maintenance of its rights, compel him to extend to it efficient protection and a just imposition of authority. See then if all will be waste paper thrown under the table; and if governors, whether constituted such by the Colonial Office, Exeter Hall, or Lower Brook Street, are not amenable to the tribunal of Public Opinion, and to be removed by the exercise of the Public Voice in a just cause. Yours, Mr. Editor, Attrition. To the Editor of the Nelson Examiner. Sir — It may not be amiss at this time to refer to the degree of security our little wooden fortification (which in time past has been an object of censure) has afforded us, and does, at least in prospective, afford us still. It will be well also to continue the inquiry, How far is such a match-wood castle suited to our present situation ? If reports are true, we must believe the reputed town of Russell was given up on account of the explosion of the magazine, and but for a masterly retreat the sacrifice of life would have been enormous, seeing they had no fortress or refuge on land. I shall therefore offer a few suggestions as to our ability of our obtaining a better refuge for our ammunition, provision, and families. I know expense is the overruling clause to every such proposition ; but it need not be so now. The people are anxious to know what they shall do for our general defence. I say, volunteer a few days' work and we should soon be fortified. There are sufficient bricks to enclose an area of 30,000 or 40,000 superficial feet with a fire-proof castle wall ; and if every mechanic and labourer would volunteer his services, everybody else administering his quota by way of condiment, we might in the space of fourteen days be better prepared to stand against an enemy. It is for the public to judge whether there is any occasion in Nelson for such a step. It is certain there is not in Russell. I leave it with you to make use of if you please, and remain Yours, &c, W. Dartnall.