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Wanganui Herald, Volume V, Issue 1428, 25 March 1872, Page 2

Pjsxman's Case.—Tins matter of so much public interest is not progressing. In fact the investigation appears to be almost frustrated by the aversion of Col. Whitmore to appear. He asserts that he is ill, but does not forward satisfactory evidence of such illness. He was arrested, and by an admitted error of 11. R. Scaly, Esq., the Napier R. M., discharged. It is a legal question which has been referred to the opinion of Mr .Roberts, as to whether another warrant can be issued, or whether proceedings to compel his appearance must be commenced de novo. We expect that gentleman's opinion to-morrow.

Gas fou Wakgakui. —Mr IT. B. Roberts informs us that it is his intention to call a public meeting shortly, to take into consideration the advisability of establishing a public company for supplying gas to this town. Mr Roberts is collecting data, and has already been in communica° tion with the other towns in the colony, blessed with the benefit of gas, so that the public will have something- reliable

brought before them at the proposed meeting. The convener, from personal experL ence in the introduction of gas into small vllages in England, some of them containing 300 inhabitants, is confident that a company* properly formed, and managed with ordinary business ability is certain to be successful.

Released Maori Prisoners.—" Dunedin," says the Daily Times of March Vi, had throughout yesterday what might be called quite a ' North Island look,' every street corner being able to boast of an exMaori prisoner or two. The natives seemed to enjoy their release immensely, as they paraded the streets in all the glory of new felt hats, bran-new moleskin inexpressibles and coats ala mode. Here and there an exquisite might be seen twirling about, after, the most approved fashion, a smart little walking cane, while nearly every one of them, old and young, was puffing away most vigorously with the darling " dudeen.' In the evening they marched two deep through Princes-street, up to their new quarters at the buildings formerly used as police barracks, surrounded by an admiring* crowd of pakehas, with whom they appeared to be on the friendliest terms pos sible. Before the Maoris left the gaol the y weie visited by Wiremu Tamihana, Te Neke and Aperakama Tamitaporea. A lonsr korero took place, the younger Maoris having learnt to read and write English very correctly since their imprisonment, doing a large amount of the speech-making. Tauroa addressed his companions before they sallied forth, exhorting them to conduct themselves with propriety during- their stay in town, and to show the pakeka that they did not forget the great kindness shown to them during their enforced sojourn in

Dimeclin."

Forgery.—lf the n\tiye is slow in copying the virtues of the pakeha, he shows a surprising aptitude in picking- up, find becoming an adept in, the worst vices that disgrace civilisation. This has been forciblyillustrated during the past week. A native made some trifling purchases at Mrs Bankin's drapery establishment in Wicksteed place, and at the general shop on the ground floor of the Masonic Hall, tendering- a cheque at each place, purporting to" be signed by Kawana Ilunia. The solvency of j the Kawana being believed in, the. cheques were cashed and the change handed over Subsequently, however they were found to be forgeries, and the police were com in v nicated with. A warrant has been issued fov the apprehension of the native, but up to the present he has eluded capture. [Since the above was in type the man has been captured]. Presentation-.—The Officers of the Taranaki Militia have presented a sword to Major Sfcapp the Commander of the Militia and Volunteers in that province. The presentation was made by Major Atkinson on Wednesday last on parade, the ceremony attracting a somewhat large assemblage. A variety of speeches were made, both complimentary and laudatory. The presentation sword was much admired by all present. It is a field officers'^sword, with ivory hilt and silver cross-guard, and the scabbard is richly chased, and gilt. The blade is beautifully embossed, and bears the following inscription.—" Presented to Major Charles Stapp, of the Taranaki Militia, by the officers of the district, as a testimony of of their esteem and regar:!." It has attached a very handsome sword and waist belt of embroidered gold, with silver gilt clasps and mountings.

-Nominations.—The nominations for the vacant seats in the council closed this afternoon. Messrs Geo. Beaven, J. W. Robinson, P. A. Chavannes, W. Finnimore, and John Henderson, have been duly nominated.

Telegraph Extension.—We are glad to be able to state that a temporary telegraph station has been established north of VVaihi bush, about ten miles (north) from the Katikati station. The telegraph from the tempoiary station right through to Wellington works well, in addition to the present service ' between Hikutaia and Katikati three times per week, there will be an additional service every Sat-.ir-day commencing on the 23rd "instant. The telegraphists expect to remove the Hikutaia temporary station to Tairua next week. This is half way across the range. The easterly weather has prevented The cutters landing the poles at Mataora, which has delayed the work a little, but this will not be serious if they can be landed next week. No difficulty with the natives anywhere. (New Zealand Herald.)

-Wool sales in Victoria.—One firm in Melbourne, Messrs. Goldsborongh and Co., have alleady offered for sale"during the present season 61,000 bales of wool* representing £1,200,000, and -have actually sold £47,0», or more than £9-10,000 Avorth.

HAWEEA. [From our own Correspondent.] March 20. A meeting of the Waihi and Hawcra settlers was held in the Block House here, on the evening of the 20th ult., for taking into consideration the conduct of. the Government in allowing the na' tives to return to Matangarara, andascertain the feelings of the settlers on the subject.

On the motion of Mr Milmore, seconded byftr Davidson, Mr C. N.Campbell was voted to the chair. As Mr McMichael had been present at the Wairoa meeting, he was called upon to give an account of what had been done there. He stated from memory what Mr Worgan had said, and how the Wairoa settlers seemed satisfied, and if Mr Worgan's statements wci-3 to be relied on further discussion on the subject on our part was unnecessary.

Mr Davidson, thought it as well to ascertain the feeling of the meeting on the subject, and report the same to the meeting on the following evening to be held at Manutahi, so that a line of co-operation would be established right down the coast, and now it would look very strange if the people in this place, the most expressed of the whole, had nothing to say on the subject. Mr T. Middlemas seemed astonished and could not believe Mr Worgan had conceded the point so easily, in fact he thought there must be some fault in Mr McMichael's inenior}"-.

Mr ¥m. Bayly, sen., was of opinion tliat the meeting should be postponed until word could be heard from Taranaki. • Mr Mclldowio thought we would have to wait a long time for help if we wailed until it came from Taranaki. Mr Davidson said Taranaki had nothing to do with Wanganui, that it was the General Government and not the Provincial Council of Taranaki, that had to deal with the question. Mr Barley said we should not persecute the black race, they were our brethren and we could not deny ic. Mr McMichael thought if the Government could not stand to their bargain with the settlers in keeping the natives out of the district, they ought to come to some arrangement that would satisfy all. y

Mr Middlemas was anxious to know what would satisfy all. Mr Davidson : If Maoris are allowed to come back, the settlers ought to receive compensation for all past losses of the war, and some security for the future.

Mr Middlemas rs said some think a conciliatory policy the b^st. As to Mr Woigan's promises at the Waiioa. I think Mr McMichael is mistaken; the Government has promised the Maoris that some of them should be allowed to return. I am confident that no such promise was given by Mr W organ; it would mean war.

Mr Davidson propo:e], and Mr Milmore seconded—" That this meeting state by vote whether they wish the natives to be kept on the other side of the Waingongoro river (or permitted to return to Matangarara (the latter portion was withdrawn.

Mr Thomas Middlemas proposed as an amendment, and Mr Bayly seconded, —"That we the Hawera settlers have perfect confidence in the Hon the Defence Minister, and we are of opinion that native affairs should be left solely to his administration."

For the amendment 5 ; againsb it 18. Before the motion or amendment was put to the meeting, Mr C. Cameron said : Mr Chairman, —The danger lies in allowing the natives to come amongst us. If we were numerous we should not be afraid, but at present we are few and they are many. Just now they are peaceable. We do not know how long they will remain so; perhaps only for a year1. While they in the bush are growing stronger and more numerous, we out in open country do not seem to be increasing our numbers, access to land is so difficult. Take the railway reserve, for instance. Now that is locked up, and absentees will not return to their land when they know that the Maories are amongst us. If the Government would lay the railway reserve out in sections of say 100 or 200 'acres each, available on easy terms, they would soon be all taken up, and then We should have, as it were, a living wall of defence all along the coast; men that would have something to fight for, and would fight for that something with a will.

The motion and amendment having been now put were carried as before stated.

Proposed by Mr Stevenson and seconded by Mr Mcll'Dowie, « That the wishes of this meeting as embodied in the resolution last passed be forwarder! to the meeting to be held at Manutalii to-morrow night." Carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Stevenson and seconded by Mcll'Dowie, That MrMilmor

and Mr Winks be appointed as a deputation from the Hawera settlers to the Manutahi meeting. Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks proposed by Mr Cameron to the Chairman closed the meeting.