Untitled

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 186, 12 April 1860, Page 3

To the Editor of the 'Wanganui Chronicle. Putiki vraranui, April 11, 1860.

Sib, —-The 10th of April was distinguished by two meetings being held in this place, which you, as the chronicler of passing events, will of course register in your next issue. The first meeting was summoned by. George King, the principal chief of this district, the old and tried friend of the European, whose services in former day 3 of trial and trouble were deemed worthy of being acknowledged by the Queen’s representative with a small pension. He gave a respectful invitation to the settlers, and especially to the old residents, to attend. The call wasnot unheeded. Col. Wyatt, the officer in command, Major Durie, R.M , Capt. Campbell, J.P., the patriarch of our settlement, H. S. Harrison, Esq., J.P., John Cameron, Esq., J.P., Wm. Watt, Esq., M.P.C., J. Handley, Esq., M.P.C., and indeed almost every old resident, and many of the more recent ones were present, altogether fully a hundred.

Amongst the natives, who numbered several hundreds, were the principal Wanganui chiefs, besides some of those from Waitotara, Wangaehu, and Eangitikei. The meeting was opened by reading two letters from absent chiefs, Pehi' Turoa and Wiremu Kingi to Korohiti, stating their friendly feelings towards us, and that they did not sympathise with Jfilliam King of Waitara; afterwards the chiefs of the different tribes successively addressed the meeting, expressing their kindly sentiments and determination of making common cause with us should necessity require. AS’everal of the old settlers addressed the natives, expressing perfect confidence in their long-tried friendship. Colonel Wyatt made a judicious and well timed address, which, as well as the others, was listened to with great attention. At the conclusion of the meeting, George King, Mawae, and John .Williams oarrie forward, bearing a beautifully embroidered double mat, which they stretched out, giving a corner to Colonel Wyatt to hold, auqther to Muj or Durie and myself, taking the opposite sides themselves. This was the expressive native way of acknowledging the Queen as our common sovereign. John Williams then placed a copy of the word of God in the centre of the mat to render the covenant (as they called it) the more solemn, and thus in their significant way make common cause with us. George King then demanded of the assembled natives if they agreed with this covenant; one and all gave a loud assent. Colonel Wyatt put the same question to the Europeans, who responded with three hearty cheers. .

Thus this important and satisfactory meeting terminated, having been conducted with the greatest propriety and courtesy. The authorities, old settlers, anc(l believe most of those present, retired much pleased and satisfied with •the meeting, which was so well calculated to ■impart confidence and assurance that in case -of any emergency they would have the immediate aid of those who could easily bring near a thousand men to their assistance, being by the last census nearly four times as numerous as the Ngatiruanui. Iu the evening the Europeans held a meeting in the theatre, which was crowded. No notice or invitation was given to a single chief. Many speeches were made, marked by undisguised feelings of bitterness and distrust towards those very natives who had so recently -expressed their kindly sentiments; and whilst

all the most violent orators were loudly ap- : plauded, those who attempted to utter "a word in behalf of their native friends were hissed and hooted. One of the principal speakers authoritively pronounced all that was said and done at the grand meeting in the morning to bo f bosh another asked Colonel Wyatt if he thought he could defend the town. Many plans were mooted—-namely, to form a Vigilance Committee, a patrol, call out the militia, register the arm 3, fyc. All that was done applied to the defence of the town without any respect to the ont-settlers, although it must be remembered the town is under the guns of two formidable stockades, provided with a sufficient force for its protection. This, however, did not satisfy them. As an old clergyman and settler, wh o has been resident in this place for the last seventeen years, and who has been constantly. labouring' for the peace and harmony of the two races, I must say I deeply regret this expression of feeling,, which, is both unbecoming ,to us as a civilized people, and impolitic as respects the, natives, being calculated, if known, to destroy the pre? sent good feeling which prevails, and bring on those very evils they seem so much to dread. In conclusion, toe, I must say, that any im partial observer of the two meetings, contrasting the order and courtesy of the one with the confusion and violence of the other, could come to no other conclusion than this, that one was a meeting of gentlemen savages, and the other of savage gentlemen. I have the honor to be, sir, Your very obedient servant, Richaed Taylok.