New Zealand Gazette.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 21, 29 August 1840, Page 2

New Zealand Gazette.

AND BRITANNIA SPECTATOR.

Saturday, August 29, 18401

Our advertising columns contain a notice issued by Mn Shortland, the Colonial Secretary, against assembling with arms. It is necessary to state that the occasion alluded to in the notice arose out of a difference between some of the natives and Europeans, when it was reported that Captain Daniefl had been struck down by a blow from a tomahawk; his fellow colonists very naturally seized their fire-arms and hastened to the spot, merely with tha intention of sustaining themselves on the moment, should immediate action be demanded. We are informed, and we are happy to hear it, that tlie difference has been settled amicably v

It becomes our painful task to record

the most melancholly event which has happened since the formation of the settlement of Port Nicholson. It is tli3 loss by drowning of several of our nmst valuable and respectable fellow colonists,

As far as we have been able to collect them the following are the circumstances. On TuesJay several boats left Britannia for Petoni. They were all under sail running before a strong south-east wind, which occasioned a very heavy surf on the beach. One tf these boats, having twelve persons in it, when within one hundred yards off the beach, was upset, and though in less than seven feet of water, but three survive the accident. Of the nine which have perished one is missing, two ha,ve been washed ashore, and six were rescued almost immediately by the united assistance of native and European population, Efforts were mads to restore animation but were unattended with success.

The natives showed their attachment to the colonists by the efforts they used to rescue them. The following individuals were particularly active. Ma Hau; E Wanga, E Pake, E Ware, and E Pouni ; to these names of men we have to add the names of three females who equally exerted themselves to save our, fellow countrymen. E Tutu, E Wa, E Ui. Such eager and ready assistance is a proof that we have not disappointed their expectation of receiving benefit from a British population residing among them. To particularize the exertions of any one individual in such a cause might be considered invidious, where all alike — from the minister of the gospel to the untutored and uncivilized New Zealander — were rendering their best energies to restore animation ; but we cannot allow the opportunity to pass, without recording; the prompt and humane assistance afforded by the lady and family of Mr. Hunter, in furnishing whatever was needed for so trying an occasion. Wright's passage boat, imd.also Mr. Hunter's, put off, but were immediately filled and rendered useless. The following are the names of those who perished. Mr. J. Pierce, Mr. W. Elsdon, Mr. R. Hight, Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Josias Tucker, Martin, a sailor belonging to the boat, and lately in the schooner " Jewess; " Griffin, late steward of the " Cuba; " Rogers, a thatcher by trade ; And a person known as "Colonial Bill" whose body bas not yet been found. |

Mr. Francis Bradey, Mr. Fowler, and the steersman were the only person saved.

On Thursday night, an enquiry was instituted we believe by order of Mr. Shortland, but we

have not been furnished as yet with the result of the enquiry. The. Funeral took place at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was numerously and most respectably attended. The deceased were all interred at the same time. It was a truly sad and solemn scene. The Rev. J. G. Butler read the service; knd the Rev. J. McFariane delivered a most impressive prayer.

Allen's boat arrived about the same time, but passed through the surf in safety, though we understand not without being in some danger. Coglan's boat was upset at the east end of the beach, nearly two miles from the shore. Mr. Collett launched his boat successfully, and after great exertions succeeded in rescuing the sufferers, who were insensible at the time. Through the unceasing exertions of Mrs. Collet, Mr. Watts, and others, they were all restored. . .

We have long ago apprehended some fatal catastrophe such as that which has unstrung the energies of the Colonists. There are many boats in the harbour not fitted for the purposes to which they are applied ; and there are too many persons willing to take charge of them, whose knowledge of the real dangers of boating is too limited to entitle them to fill so responsible a position. There are grounds for believing that if Peel's boat had been manned by competent persons, we should not how have to deplore the loss We have sustained. We hope and trust this misfortune will prove by experience the real dangers of this harbour to the untutored. The public should not take passage in boats which are not in charge of a competent and soblPsteersman, and manned by a crew under his control. Wright's is the only properly equipped passage boat in the harbour"; yet this boat has well nigh abandoned plying from want of support. Surely the public will now do justice to Wright's caution, and study their own safety at the same time.

The hand of death which has fallen so heavily upon us, has bereaved several wives and children of their natul-al protectors, and left them without sufficient means with which to sustain themselves. We feel confident that our fellow colonists will be prepared to furnish the required aid, and to urge it upon them would be to insult their better feelings. It has been suggested to us that the best plan would be immediately to appoint a committee to ascertain the number of widows and children requiring aid, to embody the information obtained in a statement to be attached to subscription papers, and to appoint two or three places at Petoni and at Britannia where contributions can be received.

Captain Williams, of the "Jane," has commenced the subscription by placing two guineas in the hands of Mr. Telford ; and we hope in a few days to be able to announce that a sufficient sum has been collected to keep want from the door of the widow and the fatherless.

On Thursday, the Surveyor-General dispatched two of his staff, Messrs. Stokes and Parks, on the route towards Taranaki, to examine the practicability of a good land communica-tion,-and the best territory in which to prosecute the survey of country sections. These gentlemen were accompanied by E. J. Wakefield, Esq., who volunteered to introduce them to the chiefs with whom he had resided ; Mr. Heaphy, the New Zealand Company's artist ; Mr. Deans, one of our most enterprizing agricultural colonists ; and six labourers to convey baggage and provisions. .

The whole of the male inhabitants of the Pah of.Petoni capable of bearing arms have turned out, headed by E Pouni, and proceeded in the direction of Palliser Bay. The causa we believe is hearing many reports of guns,' and doubting the good faith of the Nga ikahuni tribe, with whom they have lately made peace.

A ship arrived al-.a 1 -. Cloudy Eay report? the arrival at Banks' Peninsula of a French frigate and two sbip3, with three hundred emigrants from France.

Two boa! s belonging to the.LVe Mr. Pierce arrived ye3ter Jay afternoon. They have been long absent and were frequently reported as loit. The •one in charge of Mr. Deighton has been to Wanganui.

We invite our readers attention to a le t3r in another part of our'journal, as it is from the uen of a gentleman who has been declared to oe better qualified to express an opinion on the *elative,merits of the Thames and Port Nicholson than 'any other person accquain ted with the Islands of New Zealand.

Just as we are going to press, two vessels ai c signalized off the heads.

The "pigs which owners allow to foraje

for themselves, to the destructiqh of their neighbour's property, are a public nuisance. Yet if the injured party destroy tKem, he is subject, according to the convict law under which we find ourselves placed by the courtly Normanby, to transportation for seven years, if the law of our Magistrates be good. This being the case, the Government should immediately establish pounds for such of the pigs as may be caught, which we fear will be but a small portion of the evil doers, as they are sly and quick in making their escape when pursued.