[FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.]

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 32, 16 April 1862, Page 3

[FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.]

Waipa, March 25, 1862. I hear that Mr. Gorst has been over to the Wa pa, and informed the natives there that if they are agree* able, he will help them to investigate the affair between William Hamilton and the native Hepi, who made an attempt on Hamilton's life. The natives, of course, did not want his assistance nor the case investigated, as Hamilton was a Pakeha or stranger," and Pepi one of themselves. It appears to me, as- an outsettler, that the Government should insist on an investigation of this affair, as, if such serious offences are allowed to pass unpunished, I will not be surprised some day to learn that a white settler has been murdered by the natives. It was my impression that the appointment of magistrates, &c, for this district argued a desire on the part of the authorities to enforce law and order, or at least that a modicum of justice should be done to Europeans. This was not my conviction alone; it waa participated in by all the out-settlers ; but lam sorry to say that my conviction is, we are worse off than ever. Now, a native can choose which court he will appear in, and he usually decides on that tribunal before which ho hopes to obtain the most. He may go before the native magistrate, or before the European magistrate, and he usually chooses the former. If judgment is given against a European, he must pay to the uttermost, without any alternative ; but if it is given against the native sftitor or defendant^ the European may whistle for the damages. Why is this ? Are the loyal subjects of the Queen of England to be mulcted of • their money by the aid of native magistrates, appointed by the representative of the Queen's authority in this colony, without any reference to' equity and fair dealing ? If the aboriginal race are not to be brought under subjectiou to law and order until they think proper, I venture to suggest that it will not be during Sir George Grey's residence among us ; and when he leaves they will have secured such a supply cf powder from the money lavished among them by his Excellency, that they will be enabled to stand a long siege in their native fastnesses. I declare to you solemnly, that many of the king's people are thinking of joining what it termed the Queen's party for no other end than to suit their own purposes in tbia respect. As to confidence, they have none; they openly say, "You are buying us over because you cannot overcome us by the sword and gun." I believe that a great deal of the money used in carrying out the present policy is to be reserved for the purchase of ammunition. I have been informed that there is nearly £1,000 now collected at the East Cape to purchase powder. All the very worst characters, it appears to me, are being picked out for native assessors, &c, if I am correctly informed of the men. I hope greater judgment will be displayed in selecting European magistrates, as on them much will depend. We are now strangers to the Maoris, whose polioy is to fleece every European they can. I regret very much to inform you that I hear many objections raised to the opening of the Waipa and Whaingaroa road. These objections are, Ist, if opened at all, no money is to be received from the Government ; 2nd, no trees to be felled, nor any cuttings to be allowed to make levels. If these objections are to be insisted on, I can see very little use in having it; done at all. Several of William Naylor's people have used these objections in conjunction with some of the kirgites. It now remains to be seen whether William Nay lor has any influence over his own people i and whether Sir George Grey will be enabled to cariy out the foimation of this road, as requested by Nay lot and his people, or must give up the undertaking, owing to the opposition of a few natives. Messrs. Gorst, Armitage, and Fenton are to be at the final meeting on tbe 28th instant, at W T haingaroa, To give you some little idea of what the ontsettlers have to bear from the natives, I may inform you that I know a European, residing on his own freehold, and the natives ride through his garden, break down and trample his fruit trees and live hedges, making roads where they please ; and one native, on being remonstrated with, told the settler to be careful what lie said, or lie should mark the consequence. In fact, the poor sett lers have to " grin and bear it." I only wish Canon Stowell and men who, like him, circulate lies from missionary platforms, were to be located among the Maoris, and had to earn their livelihood by agricultural pursuits. A short experience would soon cause them to change their tone. P.S.— I hear that William Toetoe has been to Auckland, at the desire of the Governor ; and that he has been appointed native assessor for the Eangawhia district, I firmly believe the natives won't have him. Your readers will recollect the part this worthy chief , took in abusing and despoiling the Messrs. Chitham. Since then he has been guilty of ■ cattle and horses, and disposing of them ! THE COBOMANDEI, GOID-FIELDS. But the most important news of the month is the confirmation of the gold discoveries in Coromandel. i Gold in fair quantities has been discovered, and hundreds are coming north from Dunedin. What di- ' mensions the "rush" may assume we cannot pre- , dicate ; but we believe the indications of gold are such i as to lead to hopeful conclusions. We have reason to believe that the question, "Is ; there a paying gold-field in the Province W Auckland ■ has at length been solved. The influx of diggers from Otago, led to the north by private intelligence from , their friends in Coromandel, has been marked for the L past eight or ten days. Tliere are now between 200 and 300 men on the spot, many ot whom landed from I the vessels direct, without coming to Auckland, others f proceeded thence from this city. The success of the prospectors is a great fact. We J will merely transcribe extracts from letters we have ; seen, and report the oral testimony of gentlemen who t inspected the operations of the diggers at Coromandel, . and leave the public to judge of the matter for themj selves. Mr. Beeson writes to a mercantile firm in this city \on the 31st March :— " There waß a find of twenty . ounces of gold on Friday last at one place, and seven , ounces at another. These places are four miles apart, , with every prospect of a good field being opened in a , week or two. One nugget weighed nine ounces fifteen pennyweights." In relation to the facts detailed in this letter, we ( may add that since perusing it we have talked with gentlemen who saw the gold referred to, and they say ' that the weight of the nugget was nine ounces eighteen pennyweights, about seven ounces pure gold and the balance quartz. i Writing on the 28th March from CoromandeJ, a i gentleman for whoie veracity we will unhesitatingly; i I vouch, fttatai :—

"The diggers are coming here from Otago direct ; 100 have landed, and 150 are on their way, while more are to follow. These men bring money, but no provisions or tools. " Gold is being found in two places, five miles apart, and I believe the whole of the men are going to work at once with a goad heart. "I have seen the specimens of gold and quartz lodged with Mr. Turton, the Resident Magistrate, by two parties who thus put in their claim for the reward. One specimen weighs 1£ lb., the other six ounces. " All the Viotorian diggers want is supplies to last three weeks, and they are satisfied that they will do for the future. Their experience leads them to this conclusion." A gentleman who was one of a party recently in Ooromandel, stated to us that a party of miners under the leading of Lawrence Murphy, consisting in all of six men, Lawrence Murphy, James Jones, Robert Wynn, John Fleming, William Alcock, and Thomas Nash, have struck upon a promising quartz leader, in a drive in the centre spur at Kapanga, near to the spot where Mr. Coolahan and party made £205 worth of gold in 1854. There are three spurs converging at this point, and Murphy's party have driven sixty-four yards into the central and largest spur, making provision for drainage. The men are most sanguine of a rich find from the heavy quartz of the lender. Below, and at some distance from this party, in the gully, another party of men are working, Germans, and they showed our informant and his friend several pounds weight of blaok auriferous sand, largely intermixed with gold. The richness of this sand can only be appreciated by those who have seen it. These men are in high spirits, and are daily accumulating the precious earth. Near the residence of Mr. Preece, a party of four men are engaged on the hill-side, and have sunk a shaft a considerable depth. They also displayed | specimens of quartz of considerable value, and left the impression on the minds of the gentlemen to whom they exhibited a pretty considerable pile, that they had more behind whioh they did not deem it prudent to exhibit. The diggings are now extending towards Cape Colville} and the nearer they approach this point, the richer the finds become. There are working parties all over the country, except oh the prohibited land ; and the diggers appear unwilling to satisfy the curiosity of visitors. They also, no doubt, fear to exoite the cupidity of the natives. But from what we j have recorded above, and from statements equally trustworty confirming this, which we have heard elsewhere, "we believe the time has passed for reticence. The existence of large gold deposits has been estabblished on European land ; there are hundreds', perhaps thousands, on their way from Otago to Auckland ; and it is for the Government to be equal to the emergency. The diggers need want for nothing in Ooromandel. They will find men in Auckland who shall do their utmost to make their early trials as light as possible ; and above all thej» will enjoy a delicious climate, have wood, water, food and clothing in abundance.

Captain Cbacboft.— The following is an extract from a letter from Captain Cracrofb, dated January 25 : — " My dear , the intense grief under which I am labouring, and the profound affliction into which our family is plunged by the untimely death of my brother-in-law, Captain Tennant, must plead my exouse for writing very briefly by this mail. I feel still stunned and stupefied by the heavy blow that, for some wise purpose, the Almighty has been pleased to inflict upon me ; and, although all my friends try to console me with the assurance that not a shadow of blame attaches to me, I cannot recover from its effects. We are, in consequence, going to try a change of scene, and on Monday next, the 27th, we start for Lisbon from Southampton, and shall probably go on to Gibraltar, and make a tour of Spain, as I have obtained three monthß* leave of absence."