BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 7, 23 May 1840, Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SYDNEY IIERAT,D."

Sir, — As the " Herald" sails to-morrow for Sydney, I hasten to give you the news, as I dare say your reporter will not be allowed on board on her arrival — noboby could get on board of her here. The Governor has had a paralytic stroke, and is living at Waimata. The " Herald" arrived here on 29th January last, and as she did not hoist < her ensign and pendant until she was about to anchor, we all took her for a Yankee whaler. Several gentlemen went off, but were not allowed alongside. It is said that His Excellency and Captain Nias have had a tiff, and that the former wishing to see llr. Busty as soon a? possible, requested him to hoist his ensign and pendant as a signal for Mr. Busby to come on board, but Capt. Nias, in the most uncourteous and unceremonious manner possible, gave him a decisive refusal, since which time they have not been living on the best of terms. The day His Excellency landed here to proclaim the Queen and read his appointment and proclamation, we could easily see that Captain Nias had "got his back up," as His Excellency and suite were crammed in his cutter, and four policemen stuck in her bows, and in this manner Avas His Excellency shoved ashore on Kororarika beach, and had it not been that 11 guns had been fired from the " Herald," His Excellency would have been left to read his proclamation to the wooden walls and his suite. Several of the officers had landed previously, amongst whom I recognised Dr. Lane, and Lieutenants Fisher and Hewitt.

The meeting of the chiefs at Mr. Busby's appeared to have reconciled Capt. Nias, at least in appearance, to play " second fiddle," as he and all the officers under his command were there in full uniform, and made a very imposing appearance. His Excellency walked down to the tent arm-in-arm with Captain Nias, and placed liim on his right hand.

A few days afterwards His Excellency proceed to Hokianga, accompanied by several of his suite and Captain Nias. Several circumstances occurred during their cruize, which immediately irritated the irritable temper of the latter gentlemen ; he got wet, he fell from his horse, he got a cold, and was obliged to remain behind at Mr. Taylor's, at Waimati. On the 7th Febuary, the " Herald" sailed for the Thames, where His Excellency was annoyed in every petty way one can imagine. He could not get boats ffcom the " Herald," and was obliged to hire Mr. Bateman's schooner ; he was even refused lead-lines for sounding, and Capt. Nias positively refused to take His Excellency to any place he wished, except to Manning Bay. The " Herald" returned here on the 6th of March, and I have just heard that a serious quarrel has taken place between His Excellency and Capt. Nias ; His Excellency is now at Waimata. It appears that Capt. Nias sent some message to His Excellency by the surgeon, to (he effect that Capt. Nias intended to get him out of the ship as soon as possible, and that His Excellency sent to Capt. Nias to know why he did not communicate personally, instead of through a third person. JThat though His

Excellency was lying in his cot with his right arm lying powerless by his side, Capt. Nias got into a furious passion, shoved his fist in his face, and threatened to give him the lie direct if he said he did not co-operate with him, and that His Excellency talked of fighting him across a pocket handkerchief. It has caused a great sensation here, and I hear it is likely to form the basis of a Court Martial.

We suffered dreadfully here from a hurricane on the night of the 29th of February ; all our boats were knocked to pieces, palings blown away, and expected every moment our houses would have taken flight ; never was such a night. Natives were up the entire night saving their canoes ; several were obliged to open their doors to let the sea rush through ; the swamp lying behind the beach was full of water — it was a terrible night ; had it lasted two hours more it would have swept away every thing before it ; every ship drove. The " Herald," I hear, laid snug, but had two of her boats swamped and lost all their gear, and in attemping to hoist the cutter in, in the night, got her dangling from the mainyard by the bows, and kept her there for nearly four hours, hanging against the mainchains, till she was left almost a complete wreck.

The " Tuscan " and " Tobacco Plant," American whalers, have come in, in such a leaky state that they will have to be condemned. Mr. Clayton is now Post Master, Mr. Muir having left his store. Mr. Spiccr is building a new hotel here, a thing very much wanted. The land sales here have fetched enormous prices. Busby's went at the rate of £2000 an acre. No place has as yet been fixed upon for the metropolis. The " Harriett," of Sydney, was totally wrecked in a gale ; she drove on the rocks off the mouth of the Kiri Kiri, with both anchors ahead. Your's obediently, W. J. Kororarika, Bay of Islands, 11th March, 1840.