AND WELLINGTON SPECTATOR.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 307, 16 December 1843, Page 2

AND WELLINGTON SPECTATOR.

Saturday, December 16, 1343.

Much of the excitement amongst the natives is subsiding; they are now aware that Awaho will be put on his trill before Judge Halswell, on Tuesday next, the 19th instant, and they are satisfied.

They have often witnessed the criminal proceedings before this functionary, s«tler against native, native agaiust settler, native against native; they have seen, and were convinced, that justice was done to all patties; but most of all they have confidence in the Judge. We cannot but think this a fortunate circumstance, for no doubt much mischief has been done to the native through the mistaken zeal of some, and the interested motives of others. All tending to shake that reliance placed upon the good intentions of 'the white man, and which was formerly so manifest here. We cannot but compare the present state of things with that which existed a short time ago, before persons found their way amongst us who, so far from being identified with our interests, take prejudiced views of our position, if they have not hostile intentions upon the success and welfare of the settlements in Cook's Straits.

We have always maintained that ths law is the best protector of the natives, they fly to it for succour and redress, and have quietly submitted to its offices.

We remember one case in the County Court, against two natives convicted of stealing a quantity of meat from a butcher named Brown ; on this occasion the chief (Turinga Kuri of Kai Warra Warra, the most uncivilized chief in the port) was placed on the Bench by the Judge, and the whole proceedings, examinations, and observations, were carefully translated to him verbatim et seriatim. We have heard that he was consulted as ' \o the sentence, and not only was he perfectly satisfie 1 with the result as to these two men. of his tribe, hut, having ascertained that -the. property had been restored to the owner,- he. wished to send four -sovereigns, in money gold % home to the Quean oTJ-poym»iT«, -<w-The moi^C offence, agreeably to his "notion of Justine arid native custom.

These nomadic people hive constant and. most extensive communication with each other, and are fully acquainted with the operation of English law, and respect it. And we repeat, that but for the cupidity, envy, malevolence, or mistaken zeal of certain interested individuals, all parties, whether Aborigines or Colonists, would or might have been long since quietly located on their respective lands.

A few instances suffice to shew that the Native well understood not only the nature of the purchase, but also the system of the Reserves made for them. On one occasion Wairaropa, of Pipitea Pah, applied to Capt. Smith, the then Surveyor-General of the New Zealand Company, for certain reserves on Thorndon Flat, which he pointed out. He was referred to Mr. Halswell, at that time the Protector of Aborigines, who would have placed this Chief on the spot he selected, had it not been discovered that Wairaropa intended to sub-let it, and not occupy it himself, which was " considered contrary to the intentions of those who suggested the Native Reserves, whenever such trusts should be created.

On another occasion the Chief Moturoa selected a "patch of Town Reserves on the right of Willis Street, Te Aro, upon which, be was placed, and which he. has- ever since cultivated ; and Tomati Werriara (Thomai Williams), the Native Missionary of Te Arb Pah, was permitted to locate himself adjoining, although he was not of the same tribe or pah with Moturoa. . Again, about that time Paruta, of Pipitea Pah, was placed on Native Reserves on the Hutt," miles from his own . location, to ? which arrangements the Natives on the spot made no objection ; and so scrupulous was this excellent Native as to the boundaries of the reserve, that he solicited and obtained the permission of Mr. Moreing, the proprietor of the adjoining section, to cut down a tree, for a canoe; which was growing on the border. ■ But we do not wish' to^ multiply instances!* We are desirous of shewing ,that theJNJatiye* is; as well acquainted with our laws, as tbjey'are with our customs ; and but for the. fotft-. going causes and the . indifference . shem? '-to "th;e; late! unhappy affair at • Wairai^. (aoC! ■resistance would ev.er have been inadefta| the due course of the law with respect} (o; the Native Awaho, new in custody on a* charge of robbery, and perhaps; euione of b .graver and more serious characwr^'" :

We state these facts not so much for ourselves, as for our readers in the Mothercountry ; and as some-- comment- in addition to our former remaiks upon Mr. Hanson's mischievous letter.