SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND MR. DINGLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 283, 10 April 1869, Page 2

SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND MR. DINGLE.

_ — __^. — _.... The Taranaki correspondent of the Otago Daily Times relates the following : — The deputation lately sent to Wellington to lay before his Excellency the Governor, the defenceless state of this province, was composed of parties totally unfit for that purpose ; but the settlers were so excited at the time by the outrages committed by the natives, that they trusted that responsibility to one at least who had no tact , and who in reality did not express their sentiments. His Honour the Superintendent went on his own account, much against the wishes of the meeting ; so to counteract his proceedings, they appointed Mr Hurst and Mr Dingle, as a deputation, to accompany him. Mr Hurst is a man of business, but Mr Dingle — who is an excellent settler, and a good representative of the small working farmer — has a habit of giving his own idea of things in very round terms. This may be all very well at a public meeting in the province where he is known — but when he was representing the

settlers, I am afraid his style of talk must i have tended to do us much harm. On the i return of the deputation, a public meeting ; was called, and the Superintendent ■ and Mr Dingle related what they had done. , His Honor told the meeting that the Colonial Secretary considered the subjugating of the natives would be a work of time, and that the only way to fight them was by cutting off each rebellious tribe as it showed its head, which would be a work of years. Much more he stated to the meeting, but that was the pith of his speech. Mr Dingle, with his Devonshire dialect caused considerable amusement when he related his interview with the Ministers and the Governor; but as the journals of the province have not reported his speech, I must give you some idea of it. Ho began by saying that Mr Stafford was as sharp as a sword and as fierce as a lion, and that the Native Minister was as stupid as our own Superintendent. Mr Hurst said a great deal about getting volunteers from the southern island, but he (Mr Dingle) pleaded for troops. Ke could, however, get nothing out of Mr Stafford, aud said that although the Nelson people showed some sympathy for Taranaki, the people in other parts of the Middle Island, if they were what Mr Stafford described them, he considered must have been like the brute creation. But the best part of Mr Dingle's speech was his description of his interview with the Governor. I give a portion of it verbatim, merely altering the dialect, which will give you an idea of the man : — " I knocked at the door," said Mr Dingle," and the Governor said " Come in." So I went in. " Ah, Mr Dingle," said the Governor, "it's you, is it; sit down; you are an old settler, Mr Dingle, I believe." " Yes, ye Excellency," said I, and down I sat, and hung my head down, and we were both silent for a minute. I, however, thought I might begin, so I said, "Is it true, ye Excellency, that you have power to detain the troop-?" " I have not," said Sir George; " besides, the people of New Plymouth have never thanked me for detaining the troops for ths last eight months." "Ye Excellency," I said, " I'm sure the people of New Plymouth are perfectly ignorant of that, but I am ready to thank you now, and when your Excellency comes to Taranaki, the people will thank you there." I then (continued Mr Dingle) tried it ou again : " But your Excellency has power to keep the regiment, and I am sure your Excellency will." " Tut, tut," said Sir George; " do you mean to tell me that you are not aware how the colony stands with regard to keeping this regiment ? You are not an ignorant man Mr Dingle, and you must be aware that the Queen has offered the troops to the •'colony — has offered to meet the colonists half way, and let theni have the soldiers that cost her £80 per man, for £40. Do you comprehend, Mr Dingle ? But the colony could not deal." "Merchandise," says I; "What we'd call half-crease (this term the uninitiated may not understand. It has reference to sheep, where an arrangement is made for half the increase), ye Excellency." " Yes, Mr Dingle," said Sir George, " You are perfectly correct; but the Queen and the colonists can't deal." Empty purse," says I. "No money to pay." I then said more about the Maoris taking us away, and salting us and eating \xs for pork ; and the subject turned to the invalid soldiers being sent to New Zealand, when Sir George said, " Do you think, Mr Dingle, that the appearance of the troops would cause the natives that are not in rebellion to remain neutral, and not join the other ? " " Yes," says I. " And what would you do with your beef and muttoD, Mr Dingle, if they were here ? " said Sir George. "I am afraid you only want the troops here to eat it for you." " Yes, ye Excellency," says I. " You are possessed with power and authority ; write home to the Queen and tell her that this is a beautiful country, with streams of water, and fields of grass, and just the place for invalid troops — those sinking and ready to die. Bring them from those hot climates where the yellow fever and the ague, and all those things are. Show that New , Zealand can supply the troops cheap ; show what fertile land — both milk and honey — water and wood — to feed the troop on." I went on in this strain — (says Mr Dingle) for some time, and I think his Excellency thought a good deal of it when I concluded.