COROMANDEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 446, 18 April 1865, Page 4

COROMANDEL.

[fEOM A COBIIESPOKDENT.J FURTHER PARTICULARS RESPECTING T"£ INTENDED MASSACRE. April 1". Some days ago I infcrmod you of the arrival in harbour of H .M. B.s. Eclipse, as also of the s.b. Sir John Purgoyne, the advent of these ves-els being attributable to information despatched from heuce a few days previously, relative to a contemplated descent on Cororaandel by Pii Mariro natives of the Ngatlprou tribe. A3 I was obliged to close my communication shortly after the arriva l of the man-of-war and the otl er steamer, I gare you what information I could glean respecting the ease on the moment, but as it is always difficult to get at the exact truth of affairs like tho present, at first, "so I found in this instance no exception to the general rule. Tho natives of Kapanga themselves were evidently not satisfied that everything was comme il faut, and this circumstance in itself (taking into consideration tho means of communication which the natives appear to possess) was not one to tend to allay any anxiety the Europeans might

feel respecting an attack. Aa may "be supposed msnv. as I hinted in my last letter, pooh-poohed the whole thing, but there is little doubt that there were, a few days ago, natives at Warataunga (or Kennedy's Bay) who looked with a jealous eye on our we!l-filled stores, and once tho work of depredation commenced, bloodshed would have been the only denouement that we could expect. The following account of the affair I think you will find lo be correct, commencing with the arrival of the Eclipse, which, as you well know, took place on the 6th instant. On the eame day the Civil Commissioner proceeded by the Eclipse to Waratnuiiga, whither he arrived at 9 pm. Mr. Mackay, together with several of the chiefs of the immediate vicinity who had accompanied him (amongst whem were Kitaki Te Tanewha, Pita Taurua. and I,t"akoare), went ou shore ehortly after the arrival of the vessel, a nd the Civil Commissioner harangued the natives at the place, and exhorted them to give up their diabolical riles, and pointed out to them, moreover, that if niore lr.nrdtrs were prrpetraled by the Fsi Marires, (hat the name would be so associated with niurder that they would be shot down like dogs, and tl at even" man's hand would be against them. This remark was rot without its effect, but at last they said iimt they dared not relinquish Pai Marirism, for sir.ee they had professed such faith they had seen tho spirits of their ancestors, and that being the case, were they to return to their former belief they would die.' One effect, if I may here digress a little, that tin'.- visit had was, that the Pai Marire services, if I nisiv so use the word, wero discontinued during the remainder of the time that the Pai Marires remained at Kennedy's Bay. i-o much for the 6th of April. On the 7th, two Jfaeri women, named Hona and Bans, went to Mr. 3KOrcger's house (who, I will remind you, is tho owner of the mill at that place), and told" him (Mr. 0.) that n native named Hercmaia, of the tribe Ngatirorou, had gone to the diggings from Kennedy's TV.', niid had informed ihfm of the intentions of the pii Marires, ■n hicli tl ey said, according to his (Heremsia's) statement to them were these:—That the Pai Maiires would go to tho races, which it Was proposed would be held at Kapanga on the Bfh of .April, and that they wcidd seek a cause of quarrel, sack the place, and murder the Europeans. Porihira and Hera:ia had previously told these women that as

soon as their crops were housed it was their intention

Leo to the war, and that if either McGregor or any of his people were "impudent," they would kill than before they set forth. Heremaia had been warned by these women, that if ho went to Kapanga snd the Europeans ascertained that he ard thoso who xr.isrht so with Mm were Pai Marires, that the} - would ill'be taken prisoners. lie then replied that the Pai Marms would take the first opportunity of quarrel, and then massacre the pakehns. Heremaia was confronted with these women (Hona and Hana), and became most confused. He denied at first all knowledge of the affair, and in the same breath admitted— what was much wotsc—he allowed that he had said that if he went to Coromandel by himself that he would try to keep it from the knowledge of the Europeans—that he was a Pai Marire native, but that if others in any numter accompanied him, he would let it be known that they were all Pai Marires, and that if the European* in any way objected to their presence, that a slaughter of tho Europeans would commence, and that this would be a beginning on the part of the Pai Blames. The Kennedy Bay natives were very wrath with the women, and said that they had got up the whole thing, with the hope of being rewarded by tbe Europeans; however ,this, of course, Heremaia'sown statement stultifies : nevertheless, the natives poured forth thunderings against these women (who most boldly, in spite of all, confessed everything), and swore that they should be killed, upon which the Commissioner warned fhem most particularly as to their treatment, and stated to the Maoris that he had landed fifty stand of arms, together with a supply of powder and ball, which would be for the protection of these women as well as of the Europeans. I need hardly remark here that it is only to be expected that these people would deny all knowledge of the affair when they found every part of this CDEningly conceived scheme to thoroughly discovered. The talk being finished, the Civil Commissioner gave these Pat Marire natives (who had lately arrived at tho Bay) ten minutes to come to a decision, whether to leave or not ; they Mine to a determination to depart in about seven minutes —the Commissioner then allowed them two hours to make themselves scarce in, and included in this order Heremait. and Aporo, the prophet (who is a resident at Harataunga). To this they demurred, first saying that ths wind was foul —but were answered to the effect that foul or fair go they must, and that instant— the}- then said we have no provisions, and our boats are not litre, but these objections were again overruled by their being informed that if they had no food they would have to go without, and that if their canoes were not then there, the only thing left for them to do was to exchange in the meantime with the Kennedy Bay natives, and while H.M.S.S. Eclipse was anchoted in the Bay, 19 Pai Marires took their departure from Harataunga. Immediately prior to their leaving, Mr. Mackay warned Bohert, the principal chief of Harataunga, not to invite them back without his assent, and he also informed the Prompts that if they remained quiet, and committed no overt act of rebellion, th~.t they would be allowed br-and-bye to return to Harataunga.

During the early part of the war we had perio 'ieal visits from H.M. ships on 'the station, and it is to be trusted that the authorities will see the necessity for a renewal of this system ; although the real locition of the Jfgatiporou is the .Fast Cape, there are some few residing at Harataunga, and this section of the tribe, which appears to be a wandering one, wished it would seem to convert their relatives. The Coromandel chiefs, I should not forget to say, Bpoke very openly and strongly on the matter during the korero, and altogether evinced a most friendly spirit towards us. The communication referred to in my letter of date loth April, has not yet appeared. I regret it, for amongst other matter I sent you a return of gold transmitted from here to Auckland during the past quarter. On the 10th there was a report current that the murderer Kereopa was at Piako, and had poor ilr. Yolknev's head with him. This turns out to be incorrect, and it now transpires that a fanatical wretch called Pikari is there, and has a soldier's head in his possession. He is trying hard to contert the people, and is stirring them up to rebellion. Mr. Jlackay intended proceeding to day to the Thames, but I fear the wind will have to moderate before he could venture, for it is now blowing great guns. Papers of the 10th have just come to hand. I perceive that the correspondence appearing in the Daily Southern Cross of date Bth April, headed Coromandel, states that 16 stand of arms were landed at Kennedy's Bay. The number was 50 stand. The Resident Magistrate of this place has been blamed at different times because the natives up the coast buy spirits at Kapanga and take it up to their habitations. The fact transpires that there are coasting vessels constantly conveying spirits up the Thames for sale, and the Civil Commissioner has, I rerceive, posted a notice to the effect that the full statutory penalty will be enforced, and, in the case of a conviction, half the line will he paid to the informer. The news from the Union claim is, I understand, very good, and of such a nature as considerably to have increased the prices of the shares.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Herald. Sin, —The oppo3ers to tho granting of the Publicam' Licence to the numerous applicants of 1860, for permission to sell spirituous liquor, wine, ale, or beer within the province, look, I regret extremely to know, to tho J.P.'s who may sit this morning on the Bench, to decide the future "weal or woe" of thousands of families. Allow me through your column?, Sir, to remind • these kind philanthropists that the Bench will be i n their places to adminster the law, and not to call in question the propriety, or impropriety, tho goodness or badness of it. If A.B.'s have received the privilege, Y.Z.'s have an equal right to receive it also, if they can show proof to the satisfaction of the Bench, that they have complied with the neeesEary rules as to accommodation within, and without, and that they ore of good fame and repute, &c. On the other hand the opposition, that scorns likely, or at least at present threatens, some few of the applicants will succeed, if their objections are in a majority. The framers of tho Licensing Act should have been respectfully memorialized, and there is not the least doubt but that their prayer would have been fully and seriously taken into e onsidoration. It is now too late, but still the J.P.'s ought not to be blamed for doing their duty. I have the honour to be, &c, J.P. iOE New Zeaxaud. P.S.—I enclose my card.

THE OTY OF AUCKLAND LIGHTED "WITH GAS. To tho Editor of the New Zeatahd Herald. Sm, —Faturday last was a memorable day to flip inhabitants of Auckland, and will be long remembered, ond a great public bene fit is now enjoyed. We ■were delighted lo see parents and their children pneing up and down Queen-street to see this invprovcf I mode of light. Iho children enjoyed it, and they will' never forgot (he day. In the course of time wo shall wonder how we hare got on so long without it. The saops looked well, and the taste displayed in tho choice of chandeliers, &c., is highly creditable. Among many others, I noticed tho Messrs. Graham and Berwin and Mcndelson's as. being the most effective, especially tho lnttor, which, I think, was the most brilliant. Tho light in tho streets did not meet expectations ; tho light was dim, in fact it wns scarcely so good as tho old lights, but allowance must be made frr a lime for tho clearing of foul nir, I &c, until the pipes get into oider. The lights in tho ! streets were much better last night, but can it bo wondered at that, tho deficiency when the lamps are so few and so distant. Tin's is oil tho part qf the authorities) miserable policy ; if you burn a light at all let it bs creditable to this ruing city, then wo shall not, as usual, have to reel to and fro like a drunken man, in those unlevcl bad ttreets and pathways, as if in a state of intoxication. I regret to bo informed of tho h-'gh charge of this useful commodity, viz., one pound per one thousand feet. I find iu England 6s. fid. per thousand feet, and in many cities and towns in the mother country it is as low as four shillings, and leas than that* lam aware that many causes militate against a low rate at the j resent time, viz., the ecst of coal and labour. Nevertheless, the Gas Company will, no doubt, seo tho wisdom of gradually reducing the charges as soon as possible, to as to induce a larger number of consumers, which will not vastly increase tho cost of production. It is hoprd that the inhabitants generally will encourage the consumption by lighting their houses and shops, and thus avail themselves of such a useful and convenient mode of light. Grumbling long about the charge will not redueo it-'so early, it may be, as if all were to unite in exercising their influence to increase the consumption. Then tho Gas Works will pay a good dividend, and the public convenience cannot bo overestimated.

I cannot but notice the marked improvements going on in repairing and levelling the streets". what a comfort it wil bo when the}' aro finished, to hnvo a good stieot, well lighted, to walk along in tho night. Shopkeepers -will find the benefit, the public will come out more frequently, and they will be tempted to buy more extensively than when tho lights -were bad and the streets almost impassable. Trusting that the Gas Works will pay well, nnd that improvements -will go on until this city, possessing so many capabilities, will soon rank among the most beautiful cities of the 'world.

Yours truly, Enouisii. Auckland, April 17th, 1565.