PORT NICHOLSON.

New Zealander, Volume I, Issue 10, 9 August 1845, Page 2

PORT NICHOLSON.

Although wtthout any mail from the Southern settlements, we are most happy to learn from good authority, that the Valley of the Hutt is in progress of being peaceably evacuated by the natives, and no collision between [them and the Eupopeans need be feared. The Superintendent is very wisely purchasing all the crops, as soon as they are off the land — and doubtless at good prices for the natives; however, if that satisfies the trespasser, and induces their quiet departure, it is excellent policy. Those natives who have congregated on the Hutt, not being of one distinct tribe, there could be no unity of interest ; therefore each individual has been looking solely to his own interest, — and as, we understand, the natives in that quarter are very much alarmed at any hostile proceedings on our part being undertaken, with spirit and determination, they have resolved to evacuate the Hutt, receiving payment for their crops. On the East Coast, we learn, there exists great fear among the natives of being visited by a man-of-war; and the effect has rendered commercial dealings with them much less hazardous as to treachery and plunder.

lIIPWRECK OF THE BARQUE " TYNE," Ca PT." S Robertson, from London to Wellington • By the Hannah, intelligence has arrived of the barque Tyne, Captain Robertson, a regular trader between England and this Colony, being unfortunately wrecked in entering the harbour of Port Nicholson, on the 4th of July last, when she went ashore, in a tremendous gale from the south-east, at sh. 30m., p.m., at Sinclair's Head. On the sth, at noon, the third mate and one seaman swam on shore, and were picked up by a shepherd, who proceeded to Port Nicholson, arriving there at 4, p.m., with the intelligence ; and at 8 o'clock the following morning, three companies of the Wellington militia, and a detachment of the 9Gth Regiment, were despatched to the assistance of the vessel. By noon, on the 6th, all the persons on board were safely landed, by means of a rope, from the ship to the shore, and, at the same time, about ten mail boxes were picked up along the beach. On the Bth the Uncle Sam was going into Port Nicholson with the remainder of the mail, as the Hannah was leaving. There Vas only one cabin passenger on boaid the Tyne. All the cargo, inclusive of 5 150 sovereigns is lost. If the weather cont'nucd moderate, much of the cargo may have been saved — but should it have blown from the south-east, the ship must have gone_ to pieces. There was a guard of militia constantly protecting the wreck.

Court Martial. — -On Thursday, a Court Martial was held in the mess room of the Officers in the barracks, on Lient. Barclay, 96th Regt., for his conduct on the 11th March, when Kororarika was attacked and taken by the natives. Colonel Despard was the president, Lieut, and Adjutant Deering, 99th Regt., Assistant Deputy Judge Advocate, and Colonel Hulme conducted the prosecution by order of the Commander in Chief in New South Wales, It was intimated at the opening of the Court, that the proceedings must not be made public until they have been submitted to Sir Maurice O'Connell, therefore we are not at liberty to publish the proceedings for the present Public Sales. — On Tuesday last, the fine herd of cattle belonging to (r. O. Ormsby, Esq., were brought to the hammer, by Mr. Hart, when twenty head were sold,averagir]g £l 4.105. each. Afterwards a Grey Arab Mate sold for £39 and a good brown Mare fetched £31. On Wednesday, Mr. Hart sold the cargo of the " Coquette " from Sydney, when various articles were sold at good prices. Loaf Sugar, ' 8d- per lb. — Cheese, Bd. per lb —Tea, Is. sd. per lb. — Nails, 3d- per lb — Brandy, 6s. sd. per gallon, in bond, — London- Porter, £6 2sUlcL— per hhd. — Vinegar, Is. 6d. per gallon.

Our readers will remember that two weeks since, we recorded our opinion oh the "Present Crisis of the Colony," and that we did so, underlie impression, that we feared the Government were acting under the erroneous impression that the rebellion was crushed. Little did we then [conceive, when seriously and calmly at our midnight lamp, we endeavoured to iwarn the Government of their false delui sion and mistaken views, there was, at that very time, a document in existence containing all that we so much dreaded, and far more indicative of the " shadows," than our greatest- fears ever anticipated. Of all the State documents that have ever been published to the world, fraught ( with mistaken infatuation, — perversion of i'acts, — and blind prejudice,— we consider the subjoined letter of His Excellency Governor Fitzroy, to Lieutenant Colonel Hulme, dated Government house, 18th May, 1845, will, for ever, remain unsurpassed. The first emotion {on perusing this official letter,— is perfect astonishment, succeeded by unbelief ; but, published as it has been, by Lieut. General Sir Maurice O'Connell, in the General Orders, at Sydney, and thus circulated throughout the world, there can be no further doubt of its authenticity. Of the incalculable mischief which this letter must and will produce, no one can imagine or foretel the extent. Subsequent events have proved how in direct variation of truth, was the flourishing assertion, that "the rebeU were beaten and dispersed, — their pah or fortification, impregnable to musketry, trebly stockaded with walls, embankments, ' and ditches, . h abandoned to the loyal natives! The leaders Heke and Kawiti have fled to theivoods, and their remaining followers a/ c few in number." | Now our readers will remark that these sentences cannot apply to the pah, up the Waikadi river, against which Major Bridge directed his attack on the 15th May, and from which lie succeeded in | driving the Waikadi tribe of Natives; but to Heki's pah, and that he and Kawiii had neither fled to the woods, nor the rebels beaten and dispersed, — the disastrous events of the Ist July too mournfully prove.

But we consider the quotation, we have made, but of little moment, in comparison to the subsequent sentences, in this most unaccounable public document. We have ever conceived, that His Excellency was either badly advised, or entertained mistaken views and prejudices ; but how he could deliberately put on record such erroneous trash, to give it no harsher term, — as the following sentence, we e cannot, with all our reflecting powers imagine :—: — " I have no hesitation in asserting that mutual good feeling between the two races has been much increased hy these proceedings, and that each holds the other in greater respect, and that a more kindly interconrse will be the consequence.'' ! ! ! "We shall only futher remark, that we most sincerely, — most deeply, regret that His Excellency should have ever written this letter.