The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1879.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3217, 3 September 1879, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1879.

In the session of 1&78 the Government announced that the native difficulties wore over and peace had at last been

restored to the Colony. This, no , doubt, V ftS a little political blowing on tho part of tho Government, and if things had only gone right for a short time longer, the Grey Government would havo vacatod the Treasury benches with the happy consolation of having in their day atlast secured peace. The Nomesis was however coming, and the quiet of some eight years was about to find vent, and, as usual, boiled over in acts of aggression • To Whiti led the van in causing considerable alarm to our people. Uis character was evidently not understood by thoNativo Minister, ' find his power and influence on the "West Coast was undor-estimated and unappreciated. The contest of power between the Government and To Whiti is now a matter of history, resulting in

the imprisonment of somo one hundred and eighty of his followers without his influence being hi the least impaired . No sooner is there a lull in native difficulties on this coast, than a serious disturhance, involving attempted murder, occurs in the Thames district. The Government appears to havo heon nogociating the purchase of a block of land, and with the view of passing it through tho Court for tho purpose of investigating tho title, a survey is being mado. As usual thoro is a small party of non-sellers who claim part ownership, aiid protest against the survey by the most forceablo of all protests — shooting the surveyors. This murderous act has a more dangerous aspect than tho turning tho surveyors off tho ! Plains, for there appoars to have been no gentle means used by tho native ! opponents, but liko true savages who have the courage of their opinions, they shoot at tho surveyors as they would shoot at any midnight marauder. Fortunately, no life has been taken ; no thanks, howover, to the natives. They intended killing, no doubt, and their act is one which tho law would call murdor. The Govern- i rnent does not appear to havo been preparod for any such action as this, for thoy appear to bo undecided as to what steps shall bo taken to arrest • tho aggressors. The first step takon is a parley with them through Mr. Puckey, with the view of their.' quietly surrendering themselves. As might have boon cxpectod, the natives declined the honour of a lodging in the gaol, and much preferrod to bo' free. They are, however, very communicative, and relate froely the circumstances of the attack. If pigs had been shot at, tho recital could not have been given more coolly or deliberately. The pakeha surveyors wero on their land, or land they claimed, without their consent, and tho most effective way that occurred to their minds to rid themselves of objectionable guests was to shoot them; and they shot accordingly. On Mr. Puckey's return the Native Minister appears to have ordered an expedition, consisting partially of natives, to arrest the aggressors ; but, hearing they were reinforced and meant to resist, the natives threw difficulties in the way, and refused to proceed. Subsequently, the Constabulary and Volunteers, uuder Superintendent Thomson, were ordered to do the business, but even this seems to have been abandoned. We do not think Mr. Sheehan is the right man to deal with a difficulty liko this, where cool judgment and steady nerve is required, combined with rapid organising power. It is evident, however, that decisive action is now necessary. To be effective it should be quick, and so strong as to be beyond the ordinary chances of failure. That it should happen in the midst of a dissolution is very unfortunate, but that responsibility rosts on Sir George Grey, who advised an appeal to tho country. The native difficulty, we are sorry to say, ia not over ; peace has not at last been established ; and we fear that before utterance can honestly be given to such words again, much money will bo oxpended on defence purposes, to overawe the spirit of disaffection which seems to be spreading over the North Island.

The B.s. Wellington crossed the Manukau bar at noon this day, is duo early to-morrow, and proceeds South at 7 a.m. Passengers for New Plymouth :— Mr Lyttelton and Mr. J. Snrgont. Wo would remind intending purchasers that the sale of the p.s. Haurakiwill take place at Waitara to-morrow at half-post one o'clock p.m.! Tho following regulations, in. addition to those already published, arc made for tho conduct of Immigration to Now Zealand on the nomination of Immigrants by persons resident therein :— (1.) The sum of five pounds will be required to bo payed in cash, in advance, for each malo adult, whether married or single at the time of making tho nomination. (2.) Single women suitable for domestic service will receive free passages and free conveyance by railway or steamer to the port of embarkation in the United Kingdom, and they will not be required, to pay any sum towards their expenses of outfit. The Committee of the Benevolent Society held their monthly meeting last evening, when there were present : — Archdeacon CJovctt (Chairman,) Rev. I). McNicoll, Messrs. J. Veale, Richmond, C. Govott, Madamcs Skinner Crompton Ueveiiish, and Miss Cavcrhill. Two donations of 10s. each were paid in to tho Treasurer. Relief was authorised in several cases and onquirios dir.ee tc,d ,to be male in others. Tho Scorctary reported that Mr. C. E. Rawson had kindly supplied him with the list of all persons receiving Govorunioht aid, and had agreed to keep him inf6rmcd of any alterations or additions' that might be made from time to time. It was resolved that the Secretary should in return furnish for the information of the Relieving officer particulars of aid administered by the Society. Tho meeting then adjourned till the first Tuesday in October.