The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 402, 13 November 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1868.

By telegraphic correspondence, which we published yesterday in an extra edition, and which we re-publish today in another column, we havetbe sad news of one of the most cruel and complete massacres that have ever occurred in the civilized history of New Zealand. In the dead of night, the unarmed, unoffending, and wholly unsuspecting settlers of Poverty Bay were aroused by a stealthy incursion of the Maoris, and, with fire and sword, were " done to death," or driven to the open bush, some to perish, others to escape to tell the tale. The .narrative, even in the bare form of a telegram, is •one which cannot fail to provoke strong •comment, and still stronger feelings,

throughout the colon)', and, as well throughout England itself, for even ii the Indian Mutiny there were few episodes so shocking as this savage massacre in Poverty Bay. That it wil also provoke to action—to measures extreme, extensive, and, as we might say, exterminative—cannot be doubted. Public opinion has halted between the two policies which were advocated, of allowing the Chatham Island prisoners to go quietly to theii homes, or of following them up with the sword ; but there is now no question ol policy. The question is not one of attach but of defence. It is possible that within a few weeks the whole population ol Hawke's Bay will be called upon tc fight, not so much for their country as tor tneir lives. And should it subsequently come to be a question of attack, it .must be an attack more serious in intent and character than any attack that has yet been made in the name of Colonial or Imperial war. The present position of the colony is one, however, which makes even the question of defence, not to speak oi attack, one of very great moment. It Ls-t jo apparent, from the latest accounts which we have from Wauganui, that not only was the last engagement a fell disaster, but that even further disaster is imminent in the enforced evacuation of Patea and other places of defence ; and, with the limited force at our command, the protection of both sides of the country, at one and the same time, and under such circumstances as the present, seems almost impossible of achievement Verily, Sir George Bowen, in succeeding to the Governorship, has not found his !ines to fall in pleasant places. Let it ae hoped that, without the fate of 3-overnor Eyre, he may be as truly bund to be a man thoroughly equal o the occasion.