THE NORTHERN OUTRAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 355, 31 December 1864, Page 5

THE NORTHERN OUTRAGE.

As we said in our issue of yesterday, the settlers of Matakana held n large public meeting on Monday last, to consider what steps should be taken to protect the settlers of the district from the repetition of such outrages as that toutmittted by the Natives on tlie property of Mr. Meiklejohn, on the 21st, instant. The following resolutions of the meeting, embodied in a memorial to the Governor, were presented yesterday to His Excellency by Messrs. Alexander Campbell and .Joseph Greenwood, the deputation appointed by the meeting of Monday : —

At a large and influential meeting of the settlers in tlic districts of MntnUuna, Muliurangi, mid Omaha, held ill the school-room, Matakann, on Monday, file '2Gth December, ISG-1, wo were desired by the said meeting immediately to proceed to Auckland, mid acquaint jour Excellency and Council of the alarming attitude now assumed by the Native towards Europeans in these localities, and in particular to convey tlie following resolution, moved by Aleximdor <'ruickshanks, Esq , and seconded by J. Meiklejohn, Esq.,—" That llessrs. J. Greenwood and A. Campbell furnish his Excellency tlie Governor and his Executive with the particulars of tlie recent depredations of tlio Xatives in this neighbourhood and the alarming appearances of a general outbreak at an early date, aiul request them to take immediate aclion to protect the settlers, otherwise they will be obliged openly to declare that they will resist any further outrage from the Kativee, and they request that arms and ammunition may be furnished to protect themselves."

In pursuance of these instructions, v.e bcp to inform your Excellency and Council llmt upon Thursday, the 22nd inst., seventeen Natives, armed with guns, pistols, and tomahawks, attacked the house of J. S. lleiklejohn, mid in open day, and did steal property to a large extent. "While Mr. Meiklcjohn and his assistants endeavoured to remonstrate, the Natives presented their arms to them in the most threatening attitude. That, after satisfying themselves with plunder the Natives withdrew, and were shortly pursued by Mr. Meiklejohn, who had now also prepared to act cither defensive or aggressive. Being overtaken, the Natives gave up u small portion of their plunder and withdrew to the river, taking Sir. Meiklejolm's boat and destroying it, ill order that they might not be pursued. At same time we are desired to state tliat these Natives apparently were not of the number of what are known as the escaped prisoners, but followers of Xi Wliitu, a late accomplice of the prisoners. That, from reliable information, it is to be feared that the Tainoliea. the late stronghold of the escaped prisoners, will soon be re-occupied by them or other Natives determined to foster disturbances in the North, and as this mountain is by liatuie so well suited for defying expulsion from it, we are desired to solicit that your Excellency and Council will take steps to prevent any attempt from the Natives again occupying this stronghold.

Alex. Campiiei.i., Joseph G been wood. His Excellency received Messrs. Campbell and Greenwood as usual very courteously, and asked them what tlicy proposed should be done. They at once stated as their opinion, knowing the wishes of the settlers, that the Tamahanga Pah should be either occupied by the Gcvernment, or that a man-of-war should he kept at the mouths of the Matakana, Omaha, and Mnhurangi harbors, so that if any party of natives attempted to occupy the pah. they might be dislodged before they hail so strengthened the position as to make it once more nearly impregnable. His Excellency did not concur in the advisability of pursuing either ot' these courses. He stated that he did not consider the circumstances warranted the occupation of that part of the country bv the military. Neither did he think it advisable that a vessel ot'war should be kept in the neighborhood for the purpose of retaking the pah if the natives thought proper to occupy it. He said that, to do so, would be productive of the following result —the position would be taken from them, but when night came, the Natives would gather together, swoop down upon the settlers houses, and murder as many of them as they could. He told Messrs. Campbell and Greenwood that he would be able to manage the matter better by diplomacy —for that he would starve the strange Natives out of the district, and bring pressure upon Tawhiti to induce him and his people to leave the pah at Omaha, where thev are now living. Beyond this, the Governor promised nothing—the old policy of leaving matters to bring themselves to a head, and of making things pleasant meanwhile with Hour, sugar and money, is all apparently that will be done.