THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wangvnui, March 15, 1860.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 182, 15 March 1860, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wangvnui, March 15, 1860.

We . subjoin full extracts from the Taranaki Journals relative to the state of aftairs in that quarter. Nothing decisive had occurred as yet. The White -Star Line “ Pheenix ” arrived at Wellington from Liverpool via Auckland, on the sth instant. It is from no disrespect to the Governor, whom we have every reason to believe a most estimable man, but from a strong sense of public duty, that we devote a few lines to canvassing his procedure towards tho natives. His policy has been marked by an apparent timidity and want of firmness, which, if manifested towards tho settlers as they have been towards the natives, would have disorganised society, and made the whole country a prey to disorder and ruffianism. He seems to have forgotten the great truths so well expressed by Edmund Burke, that one of the “ first motives to civil society which becomes one of its fundamental rules, is, ‘ that no man should be judge in his own cause;* that by this each person has at once divested himself of the first fundamental right of uncovenanted men, that is, to judge for himself and assert his own cause; that he abdicates all right to be his own governor; that he inclusively in a great measure abandons the right of self-defence, the first law of nature ; • and that man cannot enjoy the rights of an uncivil and of a civil state of society together.’* He seems further to have forgotten, that the natives are British subjects, and that whatever of their own laws, customs, and usages they are allowed to maintain for the government of 1 themselves, and in all their relations to and dealings with each other,” these are to be per-

r mitted to be retained only in particular dis- 1 i tricts, aud so far as they are not repugnant to the general principles of humanity.” 'lho violation of these fundamental principles of civil society, aud of that particular adaptation of those principles to the natives of New Zealand, as authorised or permitted by the Constitution » act, has been allowed by the Governor; and ’ the natural consequence is the present deplorl able defianco of Government at Taranaki, » which is agitating the whole of the west coast 1 settlers with apprehensions of the possible loss! property, if not of life, and diverting them from * the peaceable and gainful pursuits of industry! to expensive and harassing, preparations for ■self-defence. What can have made Wiremu Kingi so audaciously insolent, but the utter incapacity manifested by the Government on » the occasion of bis dispute with Ibaia ?., This * Ihaia was among the most civilised of the 1 natives in the district, and a firm friend to $e t British. His Opponent was a savage and ah outlaw. And yet the Government tamely stood by for months, while these two chiefs 5 were fighting in the immediate vicinity Of 2V s ’rausk'v making the fields of the settlers the,

frequent' scene of tlieir skirmishes, and doing tlie settlement /a vast amount of injury, and in the end permitted Ibaia, its firm friend, to be defeated and driven away by his opponent, after narrowly escaping a general massacre of himself and his people by the help of a lew natives from Wanganui and other districts. No ; we wrong the Government. If did interfere. In February, 1858, when Ihaia was obliged to leave the immediate neighbourhood of the town and to retreat to the Waitara district—the present subject of dispute^—it boldly issued a proclamation against armed assemblies ! And yet these assemblies continued not only armed, but fighting, till the following June, without further check from the .Government. Conjecture is utterly at fault in endeavouring to account for this extraordinary apathy, when humanity and justice, not less than sound policy, demanded our interference. .What wonder that the, successful party should vattribute it to utter impotence, and conclude that they might defy the Government with impunity when they pleased ? , It is not necessary now to advert to the King movement —which, whether it be looked j on with contempt or alarm, is clearly treason-able—-because it is said that the Home Go- ; vernment has signified its opinion of the matter 7 to the Governor in unmistakable terms.

But let us refer to what may be considered as the origin of all the disquiet and uncertainty felt in regard to the natives, who, having a form of civilization but not its power, cannot be depended on for a continuance of their friendly relations with us,-as men-truly civilized, understanding their own interests, and not liable to be led aside by the whim of the moment, niight be relied An: It will be in the recollection of our readers that when the Governor was here last May a deputation waited on him to represent the impolicy of; allowing the sale of firearms and powder to the natives, and that the answer was, “ that it had been found impossible to prevent the smuggling and illicit sale of the munitions of war—that it was now known at any rate who were the purchasers—and that no effort will be spared to bring about a better state of things.” Now this reply is perhaps as satisfactory 83 the generality of the answers of public men to such deputations; but substantially it is very unsatisfactory. The Governor admits that It ia impolitic and dangerous to furnish the natives with firearms, but declares that it is impossible to prevent it, while he promises to remedy the evil so far and as soon as he can. 2’hat it would be difficult to disarm the natives and prevent them being supplied with ammunition, there can be no doubt; but that it is impossible we cannot believe. What has been clone in India with its hundred millions of natives under British rule, may surely be done in New Zealand with its 50,000 Maories. But if tho Government cannot controul its own subjects and enforce its own edicts, then the sooner the question of who is to- be master in this island is brought to an issue the better, for a state of suspense and uncertainty is more to be dreaded than any loss that could now bo sustained by a trial of strength that would set the matter at rest. But that such a Contest would ensue on our requiring a general disarmament we do not believe. It may be said that the friendly uatives would comply with the edict, and those inimical resist it. But the friendliness of any Maori is, we fear, to be trusted only so long as it suits his own interests, and we should then know more exactly with whom we had to deal. And if through means of missionaries, who should be glad to assist in a work that would ensure peace, and intelligence obtained from friendly natives stimulated by a reward for the information, every individual who retained his arms contrary to law could not be found out and punished, a heavy penalty on all who should repair guns for natives'would .-soon reduce the number of available weapons; whilst a severe punishment inflicted on all smugglers and sellers of guns and powder, with a war steamer cruising along the coasts, especially near- those places which American whalers most frequent, would go far in preventing new weapons from being supplied. Some more effective means might perhaps be used; but at any rate let such measures be taken as shall effectually obtain security for the settlers, and at the same time promote the interests of the natives, who would no doubt be benefited by being disarmed. It is to be hoped that now the Go • vernor will not persevere in his weak and temporising poliey, but will act in such a wise, firm, and energetic maimer as shall make it impossible for any such disturbance again to arise.

While our townsmen are busy preparing against the possible contingency of a rising of the natives, they forget that there is an enemy in their own houses and On their own hearths of a much more formidable character, against whose outbreak they have as yet no effectual protection. No one can look on the rapidly increasing number of houses, and their closer proximity, without grave apprehensions of the results of such outbreaks. Already the town has suffered from this cause; and it would be well for the inhabitants to take immediate steps to guard against the danger in future. Fire, though an excellent servant, is a bad master, and the materials of which our houses are ,constructed make some effective provision for.-its extinction, when it breaks out a most necessary precaution.. Where the same materials are used in America, the inhabitants are alive to the necessity for such a provision, and in all the towns are formed fire brigades, which, thoroughly trained, act with the readiness, precision, and efficiency, of veteran troops.. No one who has been in any Of the large cities of the Union on the 4th July, can forget the fiue appearance of those bodies of men, who, indeed, with their engines, form the most attrac*

tive part of the processions which on that day defile through the streets amidst the enthusiasm anti triumph which the' anniversary of the declaration of /iidependonce never fails to excite. Such bodies of men, trained to act in concert, might in a few days be formed into an effective malitia. Not that their engines would he used against an enemy, although we have aeon them exert an amusingly cooling and dissolving influence on a riotous mob, and the Cincinnrti engine, wrought by steam, which sweeps with its powerful jet of water a horse and cart off the street like a mere speck of dust, would be no contemptible auxiliary in a pitched battle. But it is well known that the power to execute monceuvres, and uot the mere shooting, is the principal part of the soldier’s education, and these firemen are already in this respect educated men. So that if in the present circumstances such a body of men, of say 50 to 100 in number, were organized, it would be doubly a protection — ready to act either against the enemy without or that within. Any one who has been present at a fire must, be aware of the vast importance of immediate,' united, and well planned action. But this can never be obtained from a crowd brought together from all quarters by the cry of fire. They are ignorant of what should be done, irresolute, and ineffective.. With the best intentions, they often promote rather than impede the progress of the flames. But let a cool and experienced head be there, and a trained body of men j immediately order, discipline, and combined and energetic action, take the place of confused and disjointed efforts. All the available part of the crow'd are employed where they are most needed, and in a minute each one has fallen into his proper place, and is doing his own work. The change is as magical and beautiful as the sudden and compact arrangement of crystals round a wire introduced into a solution of salts. If such a brigade were formed here, it is mere than probable that the Insurance Companies would provide an engine, and possibly the necessary accoutrements. Might we suggest that a public meeting of the inhabitants should be held, on an early . evening to take' this matter into consideration ?

It appears from the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald ” that, the owner of the White Swan has given notice that that vessel will be withdrawn from her present service unless an additional subsidy of £ ISOO, (making in all .£4500) premium be. allowed, for which addition however, he would make a second trip every month between Napier and Wellington. The Hawke’s Bay Council has declined complying with the. proposal, so. that it is possible the White Swan may be withdrawn from the station and the. /Tonga Wonga again subsidized. It was mentioned in the Council that the owner of the White Swan seemed to have made this proposal purposely when it was likely the Wonga Wonga would- be laid up for repair. The only repair needed is a new’.boiler, which has been ordered, is on its way out. Very little time will be needed to put it into the vessel, so- that even if the White should be withdrawn, little interruption, in the trade need be apprehended from this cause. It would have been well if tlie, trade had encouraged the continuance of the larger steamer, but although it may seeni selfish we will not regret the change, as it will make us more certain of retaining the services of the Wonga Wonga.

Local Intelligence.

Rifle Corps. —There was a public meeting held at the Rutland Hotel on Monday last, to take into consideration the formation of a Rifle Corps in /Fanganui. There was a large attendance. Dr. Tukc was called to the chair. Affer some discussion, Mr. Davis proposed, and Dr. Rees seconded, the following resolution,’which was carried unanimously:—“ That this meeting do now sign a paper headed with a statement that, ‘ /Te, the undersigned, are desjirous of forraiug ourselves into a company linger the name of the Wanganui Volunteer Rilles, and for the good government thereof ato willing to adopt the general Rules and Regulations and Bye-laws of the Royal Company of Auckland Volunteer Rifles.’” The meetinf then elected a committee to carry out the reqnisite preliminaries, consisting of the followinf gentlemen—-namely, Dr. Tuke, Messrs. George, Burnett, E. Woon, and P. Bell.

The “ Emily Allison ” has just returned from’ Nelson, having landed there the first cargo of cattle shipped from this port. It wds the owner’s intention to have taken them to Auckland, but from the long detention at the Heads it was thought prudent to try the nearest port. The beasts were landed in good condition and disposed of by auction, at prices ranging from 3 to 8 guineas a head. About 20 of them were considered prime, the remainder as not worth shipping and sold ac cordingly. Although a considerable loss has accrued through this speculation, it is intended to keep the vessel in the cattle trade if a paying market can be found. Inquest —On Thursday last an inquest was held at Dunleavy’s Hotel upon the body of Mr. John McNally, who. died suddenly there the day previously. From the evidence it appears that he bad been .suffering from •ome internal difease for some time past, and that after drinking a glass of beer he was leaving the bar-room when he commenced throwing up large quantities of blood, and almost immediately afterwards expired. DrsTuke and Gibson were in prompt attendance. The verdict of the Jury was—“ That the deceased came to his Death from a Rupture of a blood-vesiel in the Lubgs ” The deceased, was followed to his grave by a large number of his fello-settlers. ' '

Oriental Banka— Mr. W. -F. Russell arrived oil Sunday last, per Tyne-, having been' appointed agent for the Wanganui Branch of the Oriental Bank Corporation. Mr. W. S. Ackland, the acting agent, was entertained at a dinner at the Rutland Hotel, oil Thursday last hy a few of his friends on his departure for /Fellingtan, lie carries the good wishes of the community with him.