WELLINGTON EXTRACTS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume VI, 8 May 1847, Page 37

WELLINGTON EXTRACTS.

During the month of February, more than two thousand sheep, three hundred head of cattle, and forty horses, were imported into this settlement from New South Wales. The above large quantities have been purchased by the settlers, and taken to the several districts surrounding the town. Our flocks and herds are becoming considerable, and before the end of the year we trust the present number will be doubled. It must be remembered that sheep and cattle proJuce wealth; the money sunk is returned in a shape highly advantageous to the colony. Labour is absorbed, and, instead of paying for the importations in hard coin, we

return the products of our adopted country. — Independent. We stated in a former number that it was intended to carry the Porirua road out to the coast at Wainui. Since then Captain Russell, of the 58th Regiment, the Military Superintendent of Roads, has been indefatigably employed surveying the Horokiwi valley and country adjacent, and the result is, that an excellent line has been discovered by that gentleman leading out at Waikanae; one more suited for military purposes, and better adapted to open the fastnesses lately in the possession of the rebels under Ranghiaiata. The road will therefore be continued to Waikanae; and the traveller, who leaves the bay of Port Nicholson on a visit to the coast, will perambulate a beautiful tract of country, and salt water will not meet his eyes till he arrives at the above place. Settlers are already beginning to take advantage of the roads. One or two may be found in the vicinity of Pahautanui, Ranghi. aiata's former city of refuge, and several families are located at Porirua. Let absentees and landowners in the settlement offer their sections on moderate terms, and the different roads will soon be studded with peaceful cottages and smiling corn-fields. — 16. There is some rumour afloat that the Ngatiawas purpose forcing their way to New Plymouth, in spite of the Government's intention not to allow any large body of natives to remove from one locality to another. The Government has exhibited sound discretion in this prohibition. The natives will receive greater benefit by intermixture with Europeans than when collected in isolated bodies, and will be less inclined to break the peace. We therefore trust that the police will keep an eye on the movements of that tribe. We are aware that at one or two places the Ngatiawas are repairing large canoes, but whether for the purpose of removing or not we cannot say. The safety of the settlers at New Plymouth demands that no large force of natives be allowed to congregate in that district ; and the Ngatiawas must be made to feel, that when they do right they will receive assistance from Government, but that when wrong is committed the Government will assuredly punish the offenders. — Ib. H.M.S. Calliope, 26, Captain Stanley, arrived in port, on Sunday, from Nelson and Wanganui, having on board, as passengers, his Honour the Superintendent, his Honour Mr. Justice Chapman, R. Strang, Esq., and officers of the Supreme Court. When off Wanganui, a melancholy accident occurred, involving the loss of two lives. On arriving off the bar, the Calliope fired a gun. Lieutenant Holmes left the river, in a boat, with four prisoners, whom he conveyed on board. On returning, a fresh breeze sprung up from the north-we6t, and he | was unable to make the bar. He accordingly decided on beaching the boat towards the Wangaihu, but, when about a mile from the shore, she shipped a sea and eventually capsized. Two of the men made at once for the shore, which they reached in safety. The unfortunate deceased became frightened, and, loosing their presence of mind, began to sink. Lieutenant Holmes, with a gallantry in every way to be admired, remained with them, assisting them on to the boat, which had turned uppermost. All his humane efforts were unavailing, for the poor fellows were washed off and drowned. Mr. Holmes then made for the shore, but, so exhausted had he become through his exertions to rescue the two men from a watery grave, he would have lost his own life in the surf had not the two, who previously reached land, ran in and saved him. The remainder of the party, by holding on to the boat, reached the shore in safety. One of the unfortunate men was a sailor, named Clatworthy, and the other a corporal of the 58th Regiment.— lb., April ]4. We learn by the New Zealand Journal that the phormium tenax of this country is beginning to find a market in England. Provided care be taken in packing, 80 that the fibre may not be injured by doubling, and some little inducement offered to the natives to produce a clean article, we may depend that the flax-will realize a remunerative price in the home markets. A considerable addition to our exports is thus within our reach, and we trust the mercantile community will take advantage of the growing demand in the mother country. — Ib. From all accounts we are inclined to believe that New Zealand furniture wood is beginning to force its way into the English markets. We would recommend the formation of a small company for the purpose of shipping home five or six tons of good specimen woods every two or three months. If the article does not pay, the loss will be trifling; if, on the contrary, furniture woods return a remunerative price, the advantage to this district will be incalculable.—lb. Daring Outrage committed by the Rebel Ranghiaiata. — Early on the raorning of Sunday last, the rebel chief Ranghiaiata,

at the head of about forty well-armed men, made a sudden and unexpected descent upon Kapiti. He crossed the water from the neighbourhood of Manawatu, in a large war-canoe, previously provided for that purpose. On landing, the rebels surrounded the premises of Mr. Brown, who was alone in the house at the time asleep. Brown was aroused by Ranghiaiata, who waa standing over him, holding a tomahawk in a threatening manner. The chief said, "I will kill you." Brown answered, "Kill away, lam not afraid to die." Ranghiaiata then ordered him to get up, saying, " I hear you have a large quantity of powder in the house, and I must have it." Brown, making a virtue of necessity, went out and unlocked the door of the store room. The natives seized a half cask of powder, and, disbelieving Brown's assertions that he had no more, commenced ransacking the house in every direction. A few minutes afterwards, one of the vagabonds found four flasks of fine powder, and this proved a Bignal for plundering the whole property. Expecting to find more ammunition, the natives set to work systematically, and handed the whole of the goods out of the house on to the beach. They then took possession of a five-oared whaleboat, which they filled with plunder. They also destroyed a smaller boat, in order to prevent Brown from creating an alarm. During the time occupied ransacking, Ranghiaiata told Brown "That the Calliope could not come out of Port Nicholson, as she was repairing damages." After having made a clean sweep of everything moveable, they made preparations for departure, having stowed the property in the whaleboat and canoe in a very scientific manner. The rebels obtained about 60 lbs. of gunpowder, 3 double-barrelled guns, I 6 muskets, 4 bags of shot, a quantity of lead, carpenters', blacksmiths', braziers', and other \ tools, tobacco, flour, blankets, and clothing, the property of Mr. Brown and his two sons. Not having room for the beds in the boat, they ripped them open, and scattered the feathers on the beach. For the same reasou they threw a bag of flour into the water. The value of the goods stolen amounts to about £500 sterling. After the robbery, and when on the point of leaving, Ranghiaiata informed Brown that " The act was the commencement of hostilities, and that from this he intended to prOßecute the war." The natives then raised their war-cry, and, as they made off, shouted, "To Wairoa 1" meaning Gillett's place. Fortunately, an accidental circumstance caused Ranghiaiata to change his intention. Observing a boat leaving Gillett's place for Waikanae, and no doubt suspecting that the boat had been despatched for assistance, Ranghiaiata gave chase, and cut the beat off from the beach, but without injuring the crew. His party then fired three volleys of musketry in defiance, and pulled in for the beach about three miles on the Otaki side of Waikanae. Here natives were assembled to convey the plunder, so that it is evident every necessary precaution had been taken by the rebel chief. Mr. Brown arrived in town early yesterday morning, and at once made known the circumstances to the proper authorities.' — Ib., April 21. The schooner Gipsey, Storey, master, arrived in port, on Wednesday, from the East Coast. Captain Storey reports that, on the 10th March, the schooner Flying Fish, 50 tons, M'Lollolen, master, sailed from Ouridi for the Navigators' Isles. Whilst lying in the Ouridi, the natives seized upon seven casks of tobacco, and a large quantity of print, &c, which they appropriated for their own use. Captain M'Lollolen, who resisted to the utmost, was knocked down several times, and his life threatened. A few days after the robbery, the natives put on board the Flying Fish twenty-five tons of potatoes, as payment for the tobacco and print. Though M'Lollolen may not have been a loser in the end, this species of traffic is by no means desirable, and the sooner such a state of things is put down, the better it will prove for our coasting trade. — Ib., April 24. Early in March, Mr. Ellis, of Hawke's Bay, captured a sperm whale, yielding about seven tuns oil. The whale contained 250 lbs. ambergris, so that Mr. Ellis will realize a pretty considerable sum by the first whale captured this year. Mr. Storey has left a specimen of the ambergris at our office for inspection. — Ib. The schooner Edward Stanley, Armstrong, master, arrived in port, yesterday morning, from Otago. The surveys were nearly completed, and the whole of the parties had completed their work with the exception of one. The American ship Superior had put into Otago, and sailed again for the United States. Mr. Watson, the police magistrate at Akaroa, had been to Otago, and had fined several persons in euros varying to £100 far selling spirits without license. One man was sent to gaol, at Akaroa, and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, with bard labour. Several of i\surveyors have arrived in the Edward Stanley, and another batch may be expected in a day Or two in the cutter Levin. — Ib.