WELLINGTON.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 309, 5 February 1848, Page 194

WELLINGTON.

We have Wellington papers to the 29th ultimo. Two important events have lately taken place there. On the 27th of January, Crown Grants for the districts of Wellington and Forirua were issued to the "New Zealand Company by the Government, so that, eight years after the formation of the colony, the Company has acquired a legal title to the land. On the 28th, Lieutenant-Go-vernor Eyre was formally installed in his office, and was sworn in on the lawn in front of the Government House. The Anniversary of the formation of the settlement has been celebrated this year with more than the usual gaiety. The 24tb, 25th, and 26th of January were devoted to sports of all kinds, among which horse and boat racing held prominent places. The weather was propitious on the first day, but on the second, it was a damper. People determined on sport, however, are not easily induced to forego their object, and so the fun was persevered with. Races on a new course at Burnham Water were to come off on the 2nd and 3rd instant, which it was expected would afford good running. We give the following extracts from the papers : — Rauparaha. — Having on several occaions commented on the intention of the Local Government to release Te Rauparaha, we feel grieved rather than surprised ■at the manner in which he is about to be permitted to go at large. Te Rauparaha was arrested for a crime sufficient to have caused his death in the most civilized community ; he was found playing traitor ; supplying with arms and ammunition the avowedly hostile chief Ranghiaiata, and aiding him and his followers with his advice and support ; when at the same time he was professing the most friendly feelings towards the Europeans. He was taken in a manner which reflected credit on him who planned the scheme — his : Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, Captain Grey. We are sorry we cannot praise the after policy pursued towards this chief. He was detained a prisoner, without a trial, for some months, and was then sent to Auckland, there released on parole, and finally brought back and is to be landed here, without any information being furnished to the public, as to the justice, or impolicy of all these movements. If Captain Grey was justified in capturing Rauparaha, and no one doubts it, he wes also justified in detaining him a close ptisoner, since the peace of the country demanded it : or, his Excellency should have brought him to trial, and let the law have taken its course : or, following the example of Sir Henry Hardinge, Captain Grey should have hung the traitor chief to the first tree, as the GovernorGeneral of India hung the Rajah of Pulteealah, for similar treachery. But to release Rauparaha, in this manner, at this critical period, when the slightest turn of events may involve us in a war with the great body of New Zealanders, is to commit an act of indiscretion, to say the least, which we trust will not recoil on the heads of the innocent settlers. Assuredly Rauparaha has lived too long a life of turbulence and violence to change his nature. The tiger and the wolf are component parts of bis constiution, and ere long we shall hear the howl of the one and the roar of the other. Revenge has entered into Rauparaha' s breast against the Pakeha, for the indignity he has been subjected to, for in a letter to the native chiefs in the north, referring to his imprisonment, he describes " the white man as trash, as reeds readily eradicated, and as cabbage easily destroyed. We again warn the authorities against setting this man ashore out of reach of the police ! We feel, that whatever blood may be shed, we haye 1 done our duty. — Independent, January 15. Te Rauparaha was landed at Otaki last Sunday. During the day, only one or two of his relations visited him. On Monday,, several of his friends began to collect, and^ on Tuesday the great gathering of the tribe! took place. Rauparaha addressed them in< a very energetic strain, to the following effect: — " Ngatiraukawa, T was taken and detained on board the man-of-war. But what surprised me most was that you — my old companions — you who I have led to battle, made no attempt to avenge my disgracel But I must have payment for the indignity. The white people and the Ngatiawawere together, but let the white people remain. I will have the Ugatiawa." He then called upon his children, v he termed them, to espouse his quarrel, taking care to rake up all old animosities, in order to excite his auditors. He was, however, guarded in his expressions against the Europeans, for fear of injuring his present purpose. We make no comment on the above. — Ibid, January 22.