RAGLAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 355, 31 December 1864, Page 7

RAGLAN.

[I'ROM OTJU OWN COUKF.3rONDF.NT.] December 20. If a few of that )eele"bruted fraternity, tho Aborigines' Protection Socio!v v wero to pay a visit just now to tho harbour of Kawhia, they would become fully satisfied that philanttxrophy, in its more extended sense, is fully understood and acted upon in New Zealand in general, and &awhia in particular. They would there have most gratifying evidence how deeply the amiable Maori is* eared for by his friends in Now Zealand. They could there behold the glorious spectacle of hundreds of Maoricd in open and undisguised rebellion, engaged in the peaceful avocations of the planter and the fisherman. They could inspect the extensive plantations, and tho stores of drying llsli, &c., and they would doubtless be told that all these stores of food wero for the purpose of making them strong for the light by-and-bye, for which it would all be transported into tho interior as speedily as possible. Seeing all this, they would doubtless pray that the wish of the amiable Tamihana may bo acceded to, and that they should not be molested until such time as their commissariat stores were safely stowed. •Such is tho state of things just now in the abovenamed harbour, and for months p;ist it has been the same. Ilia Excellency was well infonued of it from the first, I believe, but no action has been taken in the matter. liow easily one of tho vessels of war could have entered tho place, and in a s>hort time, done immense service by crippling —perhaps permanently— the resources of the enemy, I need not now stop to show you. Perhaps, in a month or so, when all their stores of food are cut of harm's way, it will be suddenly discovered that the thing is highly expedient, and forthwith down coincs a vessel just in time to bo the least bit tco late. If thoy have more than usual luck, they will discover perhaps one or two small hoards of potatoes, and with such splendid trophies, and the thought of what they might have done had they been down sooner, they must rest contented.

The screw steamer * Ahuriri * came in on Sunda the 18th, and loft on Monday afternoon, tho 19th, for the &outh. ftfhe had a pretty considerable amount of cargo for this place—and as it ruined very heavily on and wo cannot boast tho possession of aiii'thing in tho *hapo of a stove on the boa h, much of the gtods came to grief. It i.s really a pity th saincthing of tho f-ort thould not bo erected, would be a great convenience to the community here if a sin nil sum w.is accorded by hid Honor tho {Superintendent for tho purpose ; it could, speedily "bo managed, and would bo a lasting public benefit.