West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1869.

West Coast Times, Issue 1165, 17 June 1869, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1869.

If we may judge from the latest advices, it is about time that the Assembly took some action, and that steps of a more than usual character were taken in order to crush the Maori rebellion. We know that of late King ■ Tawhiao insulted the Duke of Edinburgh by refusing to meet him, as a young man travelling about the world without an object. This may or may not be true, however ungraciously expressed by Maori royalty ; but at all events the same does not apply to his Excellency Governor Boweu, who actually waited, after the departure of the Galatea and her royal freight, for the simple purpose of having an interview with the Maori Sovereign. The humiliation of the ruler of this Colony waiting on any sable burlesque of Majesty would, we should think, have been of itself sufficient to disgust any European or white man of any race, but how much further must such be regarded when the king, after keeping the Governor dancing attendance for some time, positively declined to

meet him. Insult could scarcely no further go, and it might have been inferred, without prophetical inspiration* that more mischief than that actually contained in the insult in question was really brewing 1 . It now appears that such was the case, for at some korero or other the king (God save the mai'k) has been induced to make demands which in fact are declai'sitions of war, which never can be complied with, and which, if we were not accustomed to Maori eccentricities, and equally astonishing pakeha subservience, would cause considerable astonishment. His Majesty Tawhiao, in the first place, modestly asks that New Zealand shall recognise his Kingship, that we shall cease all hostilities against his dusky subjects, that we shall pardon the murderers of our settlers — the murder and worse than murder of their wives and the butchery of their children. This, in itself, is pretty strong*, infinitely stronger in fact than the stomach of the colony can digest at the present moment, for there is a strong feeling existent in which we certainly share, that, as soon as punishment is awarded to such scoundrels as are implicated, then it will be time to talk of terms to those less guilty, but at the same time not guiltless. The conditions of Maori Majesty are enough to take the pakeha's breath away even as expressed ; but whan that potentate further demands- the surrender of all confiscated lauds taken from the Waikatos. during the last campaign, we cau only charitably suppose that the ruler of the Maoris has been dining, and has dictated his post-prandial terms. It is, of course, out of the question that any of the conditions named can be complied with, and it is just as well that the pseudoKing' should openly declare himself gather all his forces, light up a thorough good blaze in the North Island, and have himself, his pretensions, and his following disposed of at once and effectually. Quern vult Deus perdere prim dementat, is, indeed, a true saying, though handed down to us hundreds of years ago, and it would seem as though the native race, with their infatuated head were anxious to provoke destruction at our hands. The miserable symbol of Maoridom has been tolerated longenough. It is to be hoped that his conduct may be such as to justify the European race in putting an end to it, once and for all. The Assembly now sitting have all the facts before them. If members permit what is revolting to the good sense and self-respect of the colonists in this particular, they are faithless to their duties, and unworthy of the land from which they sprang.

The very latest information from the Eight Mile is that the rush has slightly subsided. The centre of attraction is at Maori Creek, a tributary of the New lliver, distant three-quarters of a mile from the Eight Mile, Two shafts were bottomed on the terrace on Saturday ; the result, eight grains to the dish. Gold has also been struck on the terrace on the opposite side of the creek, and, should the lead extend upwards, no donbt a large township will soon be formed on the creek and the population doubled. There are now about 500 men on the ground, and two stores. A third building has been commenced and preparations made for an hotel.

An enquiry will be held to-day touching the death of Richard Russcl, who died very suddenly yesterday morning. He was in the act of getting out of bed, when he suddenly ell back. Dr. Rosetti was immediately sent for, and went at once, but life was extinct before he reached the house. The deceased waß formerly proprietor of the Old House at Home Hotel.

We would remind our readers that the Volunteer ball will be held to-morrow night. We hear that already there has been a good demand for tickets, so that it may be safely predicted that the ball will be a success.

"Wonders will never cease." That old assertion can now be repeated, when Mr Hinchcliffe's latest advertisement is readIt tells that the " hall still keeps on rolling !" and that there is yet another reduction in the price of meat. The prices quoted are the nearest approach possible to those of the old Victorian boiling-down days, and meat has certainly never been sold so cheaply in New Zealand. A glance at the advertisement will show this.

In another column it will be seen that the officers and members of the Hospital Committee have been elected. It is now to be hoped that those who have been chosen will be workers and not members in name. Upon them the success of the change in the management of the Hospital depends.

A meeting of the Totara Road Board was held on the 4th insfc.,when there were present — Tthe Chairman, Messrs Grimmond, Nyulasy, Lee, and Cuinniing. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Some correspondence was received, and its consideration deferred until the next meeting. Tenders for a drain and culvert in Moorhouse-street were opened, and it was agreed that the tender of Mr Morris (£lO 15s) should be accepted, so soon as the clerk had collected half the amount necessary to carry out the work. Accounts to the amount of £33 7s 3d were passed for payment. A deputation from St. James Street waited on the Board to ask for any surplus money there might be in haud after making the necessary repairs to the abovenamed street. It Avas resolved on the motion of Mr Grimmond, seconded by Mr Nyulasy — " That all papers connected with the request of the deputation be laid before the Board

at its next meeting." The meeting then adjourned to Monday, June 21.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Matthew Browne was charged with drunken and disorderly conduct. He had been twice arrested. On the first occasion lie had been let out of the lock-up on bail, but his vagaries were -such that in four hours he was brought back again, and locked up for the night. He was fined in all 20s, and costs. Mr Button made an application under the Resident Magistrates' Act. In a case, Jackson v. Hungerford, the plaintiff had recovered a sum of £30, and the money had been paid into Court by the defendant. But Jackson had been a defendant in a suit» Schaw v. Jackson, in which a judgment for about £40 had been given against him. Mr Button's application was, that the proceeds of the case in which Jackson had won might be handed over to satisfy the judgment which had been obtained against him. An order was made directing that this should be done, the Clerk of the Court retaining the professional and other costs in the last tried case.

The coach from Christchurch came in at a little after five o'clock yesterday evening, with Mr Wilson, Mr Ollivier, and two wayside passengers. The coach for the Grey left at eight o'clock, with the following passengers :— The Rev. Mr Beaumont, Mr Murphy, Miss Conly, and Mrs Williams. The coach from the Grey arrived at one, with Messrs Young, GofHn, Fisher, Fuerst, and two waysides. The coach for the Grey leaves at nine o'clock to-day.

The gentlemen who formed Mr Jack's committee are requested to meet this evening, at eight o'clock, when business of importance will be brought forward.

The two passengers by the Blue Jacket i»ho have returned to New Zealand, we {Press) are sorry to learn, have lost everything ; in addition to this, their health is quite broken by the hardships they have endured, so that it will take them some time to recover. We feel confident that anyone giving a little assistance would be doing a kind act, as it would enable tftem to rest a few weeks till they had regained their strength. It is proposed to open a subscription list at the Union Bank, and also at this office.

In the Nelson Provincial Council a resolution moved by Mr Luckie— " That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to put on the Appropriation Act the sum of £150, to be applied as a subsidy to any company or individual who shall introduce an improved method of conveyance by means of Thompson's india-rubi.-. r- tired road- steamer." He said it was likely that some enterprise would be shown in this direction, and by means of "this it was believed that a large reduction on the rate of carriage would take place. It was rejected by a majority of one.

The Wellington Independent of the 12fch inst., says : — " What's the state of your poll ? might very well be asked of anyone who has once encountered the basilisk gaze of Dr Carr, especially after a certain ludicrous exhibition at the hustings yesterday. The hour was a holiday one, and mirth and frolicsome humor reigned for the time ; and amongst the animated faces of those present none so merry as that of an eccentric son of St. Crispin — when, lo ! he starts, he stares (apparently gazing into the middle of next week, for all speculation has vanished from his eyes), he turns half round, Avith an amazingly droll I-can't-help-it expression of countenance, and many futile and helpless efforts to stick to the particular piece of asphalte on which he was standing; but no, the poor cordwainer had to succumb to the powerful will of thegeni, and the moment he was indulging in his particular vanity, at the mute monition of the mesmeric will, and was delighting the astonished crowd with the affecting song, : Canst thou leave me?" However, after ihe first stave the Doctor released the singei from his thrall. After giving vent to verp loud threats, the venerable and scattered locks of the cordwainer's diminished head disappeared in the crown, no doubt ruminating on the * state' of his ' poll.' "

Commenting on the alternative presented to us by the Imperial authorities, of either paying the full cost of keeping the troops and bearing the expense of the staff, or of losing the military altogether, the Argus thinks it will be admitted that the benefits to be derived from such an arrangement as the former are not commjnsurate with the benefits it will entail. Protection against foreign enemies, and thj repression of civil disorders, are the two pirposes for which a military force is valuable. Our geographical position secures us fron military invasion. For the repression of intestine tumults, recourse to military ait is unpopular and unnecessary, wherever equal laws prevail, and no section of societj needs the restraint of brute force. Our police and volunteers are available, and behind these we have the powerful reserve of population, profesional and trading classfS, Arho would come forward in case of an cneute, and would lend a moral weight as well as a physical appui to any organised movetueu; for the resistance and suppression of seditious outbreaks. As colonists we must not complain, our contemporary observes, of the action taken by the Imperial authorities, as it implies a recognition of the fact tiat we have emerged from bondage, and are able to give a good account of ourselves "when we speak with our enemy in the gate.' Being independent of Imperial assistance, the colonies will, the Argus thinks, become nore closely united and more self-reliant.

Geueral Sheridan's jecent experience on the plains has satisfied him that the Indian of the period is " a disgusting individual, though once in a while )ue is found who has a bit of drollery. A band of Indians, the General writes, had male a sudden attack on a detachment of his nen, who fortunately had a howitzer mounted on a mule. Not having time to take it )ff and put it in position, they backed up and blazed away at the Indians. The load was so heavy that the mule and all went tunbling down hill towards the savages, \vld, not understanding that sort of fighting toik to their heels. Afterwards one of then was captured, and when asked why he jan, replied — " Me big Injin; not afraid of little guns or big guns ; but when white man leads up and fires whole jackass at Injins me kiow not what to do."<