AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 466, 11 April 1862, Page 4

AUCKLAND.

POKINOE CAMP, MANGATAWHIRI,

The camps of tlio 12th and 14th regiments are pitched on the Cranbourn Farm (Austin's), immediately fronting Mr. T. C. Hallainore's property (Allandale), and being in the vicinity of the naMvo or Ru.ori villages of Pokinoe, Tuakau, W:ukafo, end their inlnUutants (the ;-vo;ii- hy <!)« .jcca^ioii, as they drive a ■■'f^!- p'vr 1 '-}'■ 't-de iV :' k '••■? of their produce, . ir) "v.-, >.v-:cai, maize, peaches, potatoes, grapes, apples, onions. vr.iVj.ldus, melons, aud horse*, to the troops. "Hie ci'-r^i.t;;ii>tion of the articles enumerated is • •■.■■.?, and should he seen to be believed. The pertinacity with which the Maoris push their trade is truly remarkable, and the scenes that occur daily afford a deep fund of amusement. Outside the post and rail fence (Allandale), which divides the camp grouud from the road, is a large clear space, which is termed the Maori market, being the spot selected for them by Colonel Sir James Alexander, X.C.8., L.S.; and from dewy morn to dusky eve it is occupied by Maoris of both sexes, and of all ages and sizes, each provided with some saleable commodity. The efforts of the Maoris and soldiers to hold converse with each other, by means of signs and a kind of jargon coined for the occasion, is highly entertaining. Occasionally, when giving change, tho arithmetical powers of the_ Maori fail him, and the Hoia, kindly trying to assist by signs, &c._, only confuses him more; both parties then repair, by mutual consent, to the tent of the military interpreter, Lieutenant Bates, 65th regiment, who arranges the difficulties satisfactorily. Mr. Bates is very much respected by the Maoris, and his zeal and intelligence go far to increase and preserve the good feeling and confidence which at present exists between tho troops and natives in this district. I may add, that there are several Maoris in the aforesaid villages who are well educated, and who speak and write the English language fluently, and, to speak honestly and fairly of them, set an excellent example to their European friends, as upon no account whatever will a Maori be found to commit a desecration of the Sabbath, or perform any servile work on that day. On the contrary, they devoutly attend their place of worship. They are a strictly moral race of Christians, and it must be gratifying to the poor missionary, notwithstanding the vast amount of privation that he has been subjected to, to find that his labour has not been in vain. What a pleasure it is to behold such a superior race of people, who a few years ago were wild barbarians, attend and conform to the tenets of the Bible, and sing with pious and sin- I cere hearts glory and praise to Jehovah. The missionaries have done their duty weil in this colony, notwithstanding the reflections and aspersions cast upon them by unprincipled and inexperienced men ; and had the .New South Wales and Queensland colonists been blessed with such zealous and persevering servants of the Most High, the Wills' tragedy, near Rockhampton, would never have occurred.

But unfortunately some of our brother colonists aie ci' opinion, that their hearths and homesteads are unsafe unless the whole of the unfortunate aborigines of a colony be exterminated. What an incorrigible crime against the law of the Most High, as well as against the true principle of our gracious Sovereign's rule, to shoot poor ignorant beings like wild beasts or game in the forests. I have seen myself, in the river Mary, Queensland, scores qf-their dead bodies floating in the stream, and have known the local authorities of that borough refuse holding an investigation into the cause of such a course of conduct on the part of the officials. The only explanation afforded by the ruthless perpetrator of the atrocious conduct already described was, that the natives had stolen a lew sheep from a neighboring functionary. For further particulars as to the veracity of the above {insertion, I would respr-:! fully >x )W- your renders to tiiv columns of ihe JSloreton Bay Courier of the mouths of February and March, 1860. !<■ ia a wcU known fact to all old residents of the bister colonies, that tl.o nstivfs, wlivn iViriy and (^■■(..•-■v!;/ ircuted ly the settlers, have invariably '-■•".»? •' ""- -; s f- s "(1 kind ereatmey,

■ ic. t u^tior.abiy become, even now, an iiitaiiigeut and industrious pc;!.vo!i of thn Australian, community, Their gcneroaity and friendship

iDwnnli, the Kuinpe.'ii] |,;; i5 | KU , n f,,jj v j HustrM; 0. "-<■ 1)();;i<- out recent!v in harltorimr and pnitei<t:n"- «!><■• coin,-onion of (ho unfortunate F>- 5 f <■<;<>.• i,,»----moiab.u explorer, Ollara Bmke (King) iv the rit'sort ft; C-MrptMUarla. The line of conduct and general policy introduced by our worthy Governor W^d* tlm native rac. nf tnia colony ,K- S orv M the coiwiJeir.tion (.f every lurnest_ nnnded Christian, as ere many prs^okaonnmi pakeha will vulk hand iri hand, and consider themselves sheep of the .sumo fold. Our Governor's intentions townrd-: them m-j;-.-e i o=s-1 hr.r.o-P.ble, p*:4 ili-sorvc the support of'all iiKjinbers oi the coDimiinity, arfl io unison with ;..j1 we]\ '.v! '.■■•£ of li-w Zealand.- I Will &a y ' P.';-.-;,H\-re, Sir Geci-ge, f"n ?h«^ g.;n,l work that you h-nvG begun; educate ,i.t ?■'"•->!.!.?. ;;.-,,1 the mis-sionifiiii-s lunonji IhcTij, o;^;; u^ the roads of the inuTKu, mid, when your soul sh.i'l have gone to rhat bourne i'rom n'iierce no tTaveller returns, the 'h::. exisfing popuLtiiuij—both Mauri and European—will shed tears of regret in commemoration of your never-to-be-forgotten memory.' The prevention of the disposal of spirituous and fermented liquors in this district has accomplished great service to the inhabitants, and the thanks of the community are due to the originator of so wholesome a measure.— New Zeakmder.