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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 187, 19 April 1860, Page 3

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. Sib, —In the letter of Mr. Taylor, published in your last number, the Rev., gentleman first assumes certain matters as having occurred at the- public meeting held. upon, the? evening of the 10th inst., and thereupon states— *“ his deep regret at such an expression; of feelirig,” declaring the same to be both “ unbecoming to us as a-civilized people, and impolitic asrespects the nativescalculated, t/” Anoten, to destroy the present good feeling which prevails, and to bring on. those very evils we seem, so much to dread.” Surely, hie must have written without that consideration we should have expected from liis experience, or he would not have failed to; hare .seen he has thus, himself; made know., as extensively as

it was in his power all fMt"'which lie seems to think would have be^n;ha,Uer hidden. Now, these questions naturally- arise—are the representations of the occurrences at such meeting correct or not?—-If true, they ought not, as he thinks, to have been made known ; if otherwise, Mr. Taylor’s letter has been, at least, a double , mistake; He-has evidently (not having been - present) taken much upon trust, which his own experience and caution should have led him most carefully to examine, ere he gave it to the world. umfer.-his own i sanction—and the lesson may be- a good one > to us all.

No violent speeches were made against our Putiki or other neighbours.- A feeling, it is true, had arisen, how I know not, that at the meeting in the ; morning the natives had requested that we should not arm ; this alone, if true, would have led to sucpicion. But the meeting of- the evening' proceeded with singular care , and caution. It first inquired of Mr. Deighton, who had been present and could interpret the speeches, if such- had been- the case ; and, upon his replying in the negative, there was an end of the matter. There were no angry and violent;Orators, nor any hissing or hooting,, as stated ; for this good reason—there was no disagreement. The question mentioned by Mr. Taylor was put to Colonel Wyatt, as to his abilijty, in tho event of an attack from the- north, to repel it; and he answered cautiously, and like an old soldier, “He would do-his best.” The word “ bosh” was certainly uttered, but the speaker did not, I believe, intend it as charging either misrepresentation, or deceit; but merely as objecting to a long and formal ceremonial to establish a simple fact, which few amongst us ever doubted. Resolutions, too, were passed —all of them unanimously; some of which, although perhaps not immediately necessary, yet- were at least upon matters to be considered by a people, who, with example before their eyes, wished to protect their families against any attack of hostile natives ; the same who had without provocation, attacked in large force the town of Taranaki, and who, being within some sixty miles of us, might, either from inclination attack ourselves, or be driven upon us by the force opposed to them on the north. Will Mr. Taylor himself say this was wrong? Has not the Vigilance Committee appointed by that meeting met, and has it not been joined by the Putiki chiefs themselves, who, while- Mr. Taylor was fearing for -us at a distance, were harmoniously working, with- us at Wanganui for oUr Common benefit; But, having warmed as he proceeded, Mr. Taylor now comes to an allegation'which puts the stamp of incorrectness upon all the notions lie has entertained. He. charges the people of Wanganui with indifference to the position of the out settlers-—" that whilst safe,” as lie says, " under the guns of tyvo formidable stockades, we did nought for them ; that we seek only to serve ourselves,”—meaning therefore, in plain terms,, that we are capable of leaving them, their wives, and children, to be butchered by a. savage, unrelenting foe ; taking not one step for their preservation, and selfishly rejoicing in. our own security. A dastardly race we should be, and undeserving the name of Englishmen, could we stoop to such dishonour. Mr. Taylor must have written this in the heat of the moment, and sadly has that heat betrayed him. What was the first movement in Wanganui ?—to form a cavalry corps. For what?—to parade the streets of the town under the guns of the-fortress, or to go forth and assist the out settlers-?- Common sense gives the reply- - ; 4tid ~df<f n3t Major jDurie at the- meeting declare that he was ready to deliver to our out settlers such arms and ammunition as they might require.? What produced the collision so glorious to the settlers at Taranaki, but the noble devotion of those who went forth from under the protection of their fortress to save women and children ? and whence arises the opinion that we of Wanganui would not go and do likewise ? Mr. Taylor —you have wronged your old friends, or you do not yet know’ them ! Whilst the colony is shouting applause to our Taranaki neighbours, should the world take your view, what will be thought of us ? V. [We have received several letters on this subject, and bad our space permitted would have been glad to have .published them all. But as this was impossible, we have for various reasons, which need not be specified, selected V.’s communication for publication;. The meeting; was quite as orderly as any public meeting can be expected to be till close on its conclusion, when some little confusion took place, while some details were being arranged which did not require its attention. Nor did we observe any manifestation of ill feeling towards the friendly natives. There was, however, an unanimity of; opinion; as to the-impropriety of entrusting to their protection our property

and lives ; and to nave taken no steps towards preparation for self-defence would have been in our opinion highly criminal; Had Mr. Taylor been, present at the meeting, he would perhaps have judged of it differently. As it is,.every one has a right to his own opinion, but the discussion of the subject in these columns may be considered as closed.— Ed."] < TO " THE INHABITANTS OF WAGANUI, r Thi&'‘Committee appointed l by your;meeting of the lOth.inst. believe, that by making public the following statement of part ofuts proceedings, they will remove any doubts which may possibly exist as to the-friendly feeliag of the Putiki and neighbouring chiefs; * Rutland Hotel, Wanganui, - ‘ • 13th April, 1860, At it meeting of the Vigilance Committee Appointed by u public meeting of the inhabit-

ants of Wanganui, held in the Theatre on the evening of the iOth inat., it Was resolved, — “ That with a view to maintain the friendly feeling expressed by the natives at the Putiki meeting, and further to remove all motives of distrust, the Committee request that a deputation, to consist of say four or more of the most influential of the natives (appointed by themsehres)j do attend the meetings of the Committee,, to act in concert with them, that all may work harmoniously together.” In- consequence of the invitation forwarded in, pursuance of such resolution, the following native chiefs—namely, Tahana T'uroa, Hoani Wiremu te Hzpango, Topia, Hakaraia, Meti Kingi, and, Te Kepa, attended the next meeting of the Committee, which was held at the Rutland Hotel on Friday, the 13th inst.

Mr. S. Deighton was requested to explain to them, that it was the intention of the inhabitants of Wanganui and its neighbourhood to arm and drill themselves, to enable them to resist any incursion of hostile natives from the north;. and the Committee, having heard that some objection existed on the part of the natives. to such a proceeding, requested them in that case to state the grounds of such objection, assuring them,.on.the part of the Europeans, that the Committee entertained no doubt of their fidelity, and that such feeling had been strengtheped by their appearance to take part in the deliberations of the Committee upon that: occasion.

The chiefs present, on, behalf of the differ ent tribes they represented, assured the meet ing that their intentions towards the Europeans were in every way peaceable and friendly —.that they had every desire and intention to aid and assist them whenever occasion might offer—that so far from being opposed to their arming, they considered-it both naturaKand proper on the part of the Europeans to do so —that they had imagined, from reports that had reached them, that the Europeans were about to erect a stockade at Kai Iwi,.to be garrisoned with soldiers, to which they did object, believing that it would only invite attack; but it having been explained to them that any such building was only intended as a temporary shelter for women and children, they were quite satisfied. The Committee, however, came to the conclusion, that no such step was at present necessary ; when the natives stated, that if it should be prudent at any time to adopt such a measure, or to establish beacons, it would have their full concurrence.

It was further agreed that the future pro* i ceedings of the Committee should he open to > the natives, and that they should be'invited > to attend. s (Signed) ’ Hugh Ross. John Treweek. • T. B. Taylor. Stephen Curtis. . W. //ylton. T. B. Tuke. r Samuel Deighton. Wm. Kells. > George Roberts. John Nixon. > JTilliam Small. Edward Lewis. ; J. M. Richards. I [A. corrects translation has been made of this „ by Mr. Deighton, and signed by the native t chiefs whose names are mentioned, and will be > circulated without delay among the natives t and Europeans.] i ' - ; LATER DETAILS FROM TARANAKI. f [From the Taranaki Herald, April 7.] I Monday , April 2nd.—The night pickets i heard volleys and the report of one cannon in . the direction of Waitara. We shall have to r wait the return of the-Tasmanian-, Maid for inI formation, as the rebels hold the road. Tat mati ITiremu, Bob E Ilangi, and-. Porikapa, ; the chief of that section of Taranaki which > did not join in the late movement, arrived-this f morning. Porikapa came into town bible in . hand as his safe conduct, and was in a state of . great excitement in the street, while giving an , account of the state of the defeated taua, who, , contrary to his earnest entreaty, came on their :

i rebellious errand to New Plymouth. He told i them they were going to their death, but they ; would not return,, and laughed him to scorn, and what was the result ? The survivors , shrunk past him, with their bands over their | faces 1 Whitikarau, a Ngaliruanui chief, and Manihera, another Dative of that tribe, were i found buried to-day on the battle field. Rumours of overtures of peace from the defeated . rebels ; we have no doubt that now they: would ;be glad to be at peace with us. After having invaded our territory, murdered our people, , plundered us, and burnt our houses, they, for* i sooth, wish to say hioni am, and be at peace ' with us ! But, no 1 the blood of our slaugli 1 ; tered., fellow colonists calls for farther vengeance, and nothing short of the lives of' all the murderers and rebels concerned, and their ! territory, which they have justly forfeited, can i be considered as utu — then we may entertain i peace. A large foraging party of armed volunteers and militia, led by Major Herbert and Captain Stapp, proceeded before daylight this 1 ; morning to some farms at the extremity of the < , Oinata Block to get in the potato crops, acting, t •jprobably, upon the suggestion of a correspon- - dent in the Herald. They dug up a large quantity of potatoes, and thrashed out a stack t of wheat, and returned to town in the .evening s with between 30 and 40 loads. Sad accounts a are given of the district as far as could be ' seeti^—houses plundered, horses and cattle 1 : missing, oarts, ploughs—in fact, plunder seems t to have been general, though to what extent it has been.- carried on- in the rural districts t cannot be known for the present; ‘

April.3.—A New Zealand Ga~; zette was issued this morning, containing a proclamation from the Governor, in which the Government offer a reward of One hundred ponnds for any native concerned .in the late murders, and a pardon* under ccr-

tain circumstances. Also, a Notice, declaring that ail -Europeans residing- in Native districts between Waitara and Patea and the inland, boundary of the Taranaki province, excepting; ; missionaries and persons having the sanctionof the Government, will be regarded a 3 rebels--, and treated accordingly. It is now ascertained that ten chiefs of the Taranaki, and seven!of the Ngatiruanui tribe, have fallen at Waireka. ; Wednesday, April- 4.—-The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara, and the Wonga Wonga from ; Wanganui were at the anchorage this morning. The Wonga Wonga brings Wanganui! news up to the 3rd inst., but nothing of im- > portance. A general parade of the 66th, tbo i Volunteer Rifles, and Militia this morning, at i 10, on!parade ground ; these forces assembled together for the first time, and formed a very i imposing lins- At the conclusion, Colonel . Gold addressed the Volunteers and Milifa iu > fitting- terms-on'their: gallant services at Waii reka and geiieral 'good condact. ; Thursday, April 5. —In the Mews of to-day t there is an assertion made that Manahi, “ al- . though instigator of the Omata slaughter, was i not one of the actual murderers.” We have } been careful in deriving our information, amt. , can positively say that Manahi was one of thef party who fired upon S. Ford, who had no less. i than five bullet wounds.. Manahi was seen t ten minutes after the affair by Mr. Ware, whoi can also testify that he saw Keren- TamatiWiremu’s brother. We are told that Manahi,. Perere, Paratene, and a party of natives from, the Ratapihipihi, were.behind the hedge when - . Ford and the others rode past, and that they - t fired a volley which brought them all down, j 'I/his evening, about eight, rockets were seen; t in'-town from the Bell Block stockade, and r _ r soon after flumes and smoke in that direction.. j Two or three persons rode out, and ascertained i 5 that several of the settlers’ 'houses were in t flames; fired by the natives, which were be- ; lieved.to be the houses of Mr. Arden, Mr. » Rundle, Mr. Northcroft, .and the Messrs. 1 Wills. Great excitement prevailed in town, j as the glare of the burning houses could bo i distinctly seen, though five miles off. The i Wonga Wonga left this to-day with about 50 f passengers for Nelson. Friday, April 6. i/.M.S.S. Niger, the . Airedale, Tasmanian Maid, and the cutter . Pegasus,, were at anchor in the roadstead this t morning. IVews received from Auckland by i the Niger to the effect that tho natives were e about to rise in. that province.. The party of blue jackets were ordered on board, and passed . through the town with their guns'and'camp o equipage about 11 a.m. for embarkation, and 1 were heartily cheered. by the townspeople and . military. WELLINGTON. General Assemble.— We have reason tobelieve that the Governor expressed his intention, before leaving Taranaki for Auckland the - other day, that the General'Assembly would certainly be held next month, according,to the - proclamation already issued. The Country Districts. Mr. James--5 Mitchell, of Burnside, Porirua road, is spoken. 3 of as intending to come forward for the seat in . 3 the Provincial Councial vacant by the resigna* s fion of Mr. James Wallace. An old settler, like Mr. Mitchell must be well able to represent the country, districts, in one portion of , which he has so long resided. There is not likely to be any opposition from the radical side.— lndependent, Gth April. \ OTAGO. 3 Immigration. The '“Dunedin” from*. . Melbourne has this week brought us 114 im- . migrants, sent down by Mr. James //dam, and' ( we understand that he may be expected here , by the “ Pirate” on her next trip, with 150 ; passengers. The “ Airedale ” brought no immigrants, although it. was stated that a conf siderable number were to arrive by her, the i reason being, we presume, that she was taken , up with the ti oops to Taranaki.— Olago Wit• • ness, 17th March. NELSON. Gas.—Dr. Tatton has informed ÜB, that it i is his intention to exhibit another illumination ■ by gas made from Nelson coal, at his premises I near the salt water bridge, on the evening of i Monday next, at 6 o’clock ; at the same time - he will also have on view specimens of colours made from the Nelson chrome. The Colonial Secretary.—E. W. Stafford, Esq. Colonial Secretary, arrived in Nelso*on Monday last in the Airedale, and will remain here a short time before proceeding onto Wellington to prepare for the meeting of the General Assembly. The Ministry.—-We are informed that F. A. Weld, Esq. has become a member of the present- Government. The accession of Mr.. Weld to the ministry will add greatly to its strength, for wo know no public man in the colouy who stands higher in general estimation than the member for Wairau. We trust that Mr. Weld’s health will be snfficiently restored to enable him to attend to his ministerial and. sessional duties .-—Nelson Examiner, 4th April.. Our hop-picking is finished. There is a very poor crop this year, and the quality is said uot to be first rate. Perhaps a little additional barley per hogshead would somewhat make up for this. The Nelson beer of late has been falling off, and is losing its reputation, if it ever bad any. An addition to the ornithological riehes of these islands has been discovered at Aorere, in the shape of, a very large parrot, with the most, beautifully; blended green and yel'ow plumage, and immense jet black-feelerß almost similar to those-of a cat. The bird is about the size of a guinea fowl and remarkably-'feme. Six guineas nave oeen refused for it. —Melton Correspondent of the Marlborough Press*.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. As noticed hy our last, the General Assembly has been summoned to meet at Wellington on the 3rd of May next. That the session will, if not brought to a premature termination, be a most important one, no one can doubt; yet who will be bold enough to foreshadow the. result? The antagonistic principles of Centralism and Provincialism will be brought into collision under different circumstances and possibly under different leaders than those under which the battle was waged in 1856. Then it, was little beyond. conflicting theories arrayed against each other; and the result gave to Centralism that power, which, thanks to the mistakes of the Provincialists in 1858, it lias for four years exercised with unrestrained arrogance and blundering imbecility. We have now had some experience in the . development of both these principles, and, if Provincialism has shown some weak points, Centralism has fallen so low that it can only hope for support from those whom it can bribe into its ranks.

The state of parties, too, is somewhat enigmatical. We presume the Ministry will be well prepared with further measures having for their object the denuding of tlie Previnces of all power of independent action, and stultifying all their energies under the blighting infinance sf Central officialism. But we believe the fate of the present Governmeut is sealed, except it should, pull through from the want of any well-defined principles of co-operation among its opponents. The character of the opposition must, of course, to some extent, depend upon the ministerial programme ; but who are to be its leaders? Mr. Sewell, the ‘great gim’ of the party which secured the reigns in 1850, has completely dissevered himself from them, and is now evidently bidding high for power on his own account. lie goes in for a separation between the two islands of New Zealand, and the repeal or entite remodification of the Waste Lands and. New Provinces Acts of 1858. We fancy, however, that Mr. Sewell would find the difficulties in the way of his forming a new party to be insuperable. His explanat/on of his past conduct, given at Christchurch, will scarcely suffice to remove the distrust excited by his management of the Loan and Steam affairs, with regard to neither of which was his statement satisfac tory. It is scarcely within the bounds of possibility that he should be found " shoulder to shoulder” with the “ three F’s” and their supporters; while the recent exposition of his views must have created a wide gap between himself and the present dominant party. His hope must be with the moderates from both sides—rather a forlorn one. But it is perhaps idle to speculate upon the future, though the temptation is rather strong, a serious change in the management of public affairs being, we take it, inevitable.-— Otago Colonist.