AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 1, 2 April 1845, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

The Examiner and Spectator are replete with the veriest bitter sarcasms, and reproach of the Governor, and the Maorie mania. We have never felt a disposition to go so far as they do, but when we find universal opinion so strenuous upon the subject, we feel that we have hardly gone far enough.—Maorie aggression is accumulating at the southward as fast as it is here, and it must —be put down. Our brother colonists have addressed a memorial, in many respects similar to that we have sent home, to Sir G. Gipps, and even though this is an irregular, perhaps a disrespectful communication —may God grant that it be effective, before some serious loss of life ensue. We publish the following account of a public meeting, held by the Refugees from the Bay of Islands, at Auckland, and which throws a little more light on the disgraceful affair at the Bay — Public Meeting.—On Tuesday, (March 18,) a meeting of the people who have recently arrived from the Bay of Islands, was held at the Exchange Hotel, Mr. W. Clunie in the chair. The chairman briefly opened the business of the meeting by stating that he would be happy to hear any remarks or proppsitions to make in connection with the business for which the meeting was called. Mr. T. Potter then came forward and said he would not detain the meeting by any remarks of his as there were others more competent who, he had not the least doubt, would address the meeting, he would therefore beg leave to propose the following resolution, which was seconded, by Mr. Frederick Hodgkinson :— That it is the opinion of this meeting that the late lamentable occurrences at the Bay of Islands attended as they have been with the loss of so many valuable lives, and all the property of the inhabitants, is in great part to be attributed to neglect on the part of the/Military Officer in command of the Block-house, who allowed him-

self to betaken by gurprise."—Carried unanimously. Mr. Hector said he did not think it was right to pass the resolution as the gentleman in command of the block-house held a commission in her Majesty's service, and there was little doubt an enquiry would be held in which the conduct of the officer alluded to would be scrutinized : as to the taking of the blockhouse, he (Mr. Hector) did not think it was the least use for the protection of the town generally. Mr. Hodgkinson asked the last speaker whether if the block-house had not been taken the town would have been given un ? Mr. Hector replied that if the block house had not been taken he would not have been attacked at the block-house where he was stationed, that if the conduct of officers had been as brave as that displayed by the men, Kororarika would not now have been in the hands of the natives, and, continued the speaker, Mr. Barclay the officer in command came to the block-house where I was stationed, and there remained from about half-past five o'clock and remained to about eleven, sitting down under the guns and protected by by his own men. The men assisted me to repulse the natives, and I have no hesitation in saying that Mr, Barclay acted in the most cowardly manner. When Ensign Campbell came running to the block-house where I was stationed, followed by his men, I said good God, what is the matter ? Ensign Campbell replied all is lost, as the natives had taken the block-house. I told him to give me his men, and I would at once proceed and retake the block-house, but he refused to do so. Mr. Falwasser here begged leave to ask the last speaker whether he considered Ensign Campbell was afraid to go with his men, to retak*e the block-house, or did it appear to him (Mr. Hector) that Ensign Campbell thought it impracticable to attempt such a step ; as he (Mr. Falwasser) had no motive but merely for the purpose of having every thing-fair and candid to lay before the public. The speaker called the attention of the meeting to the statement of the Governor in Council, who related that Ensign Campbell had only left the block-house because he heard firing in a different direction and was desirous to take a part in the most active proceedings. Mr. Hector said he could not say whether It was fear that prevented Ensign Campbell and bis men from retaking the block-house, but this he could say, that Mr. Campbell had received instructions not to leave the block-house, and he ought to have obeyed, and that would have been the means of saving many valuable lives, and we, very likely, -should have been in our homes at Kororararika. Mr. Hodgkinson contended that the meeting could not interfere with Ensign Campbell further than passing the resolution, which he was sure every man who had witnessed the conduct of that officer at the Bay would support, as there was gross neglect on the part of that officer. Mr. Makepeace then came forward and corroborated the statement made by Mr. Hodgkinson, respecting the improper conduct of Ensign Campbell. This speaker also said that there was not a sufficient quantity of supplies or water in the block-house of which Ensign Campbell had charge, and that the door of the block-house was oaly three quarters of an inch thick! Mr. Falwasser —Mr. Graham told me the door was three inches thick. Mr. McCiiver —The door was an inch and a half thick with an inch pannel, but, continued the speaker, we are not met for the purpose of discussing about the thickness of a door, but for the purpose of getting compensation for our losses. Captain Bateman said, they might look for compensation in about eight years. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr. Makepeace then proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Powell :— That great neglect was displayed on the part of those in command at the house of Mr. Polack in not having a sentry placed over the Magazine before the explosion took place, which destroyed two valuable lives, wounded a great many and caused the less of so much property, —Carried unanimously. Mr. Hodgkinson then came forward and said he would beg leave to propose the third resolution, but before doing so he would say a few words. The speaker then went on to say, that in his opinion the conduct cf Capt. Beckham, during the late disturbance at the Bay was highly culpable, as that gentleman promptly refused to allow the inhabitants to remove the goods out of their houses as they wished to put their property on board the vessels, whilst he (Capt. B.) took measures to have his own property removed on board, by which arbitrary conduct many, who were now present r had lost ail their property; the

speaker said* that on the day of" the action Captain Beckham" took good.care.of himself, and concluded by saying, that Capt.. B. was like other great Generals; who consider their duty best performed by commanding rather than coming into personal contact with' the enemy. (Laughter.) Mr. Hector said—that as to the conduct of Captain Beckham on the day in question he would say nothing, but this he would say, that a grosser or more deliberate tissue of falsehoods and misrepresentations he never never read than the despatch of Captain Beckham to the Governor, describing the conflict, and which appeared in the paper of that day, (the Times.) The hour at which the natives attacked the town is said by Captain Beckham to be "four o'clock," it was exactly ten minutes to five when it was attacked. In the despatch he says " the town was attacked on all sides," I say, and there is many here that can corroberate my statement, that the town was not attacked on all sides ; it was attacked from the Matava side, and it was some considerable time after before the town was attacked on the other side, as to the number of natives on the ground Captain Beckham says there was about 2000, but a grosser lie was never penned by man, as there was not at any one time 400 natives engaged in the affray ; I state this not only on my own opinion, but I have also that of Pamare, who- told roe that there were 600 natives, 200 of which formed a reserve, and were only to be called on in the event of Kawiti's death, which I believe, but cowards generally magnify the numbers of the enemy. (Laughter.) Captain Beckham also states in his despatch, that the block-house was taken by surprise ; but the cause of the block-house being taken was a gross dereliction of duty, and a want of courage on the part of the officer in comand to retake it. It was an unfortunate circumstance, said Mr. Hector, that Captain Robertson was wounded, as only for that we might have retained possession of the town: again, the despatch says there was a simultaneous attack, but such was not the case; and further, it is asserted that " the greatest portion of the amunition was exhausted," but I have only to say that such was not the fact, as I examined and saw the men had plenty of cartridges when the town was deserted. The speaker went on at some length, and concluded by saying that Mr." Campbell spiked the guns of which he (Mr. Hector) had charge—-mat the natives drilled the spike out, and that those who imagined the natives could not fight were very much mistaken as they fought well during the contest. (Here three groans were proposed and given for Captain Beckham.) The following resolution was then put,Proposed by Mr. F. Hodgkinson, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Potter :— That as great_ credit is given by his Excellency to the Police Magistrate for his conduct during ithese eventual transactions, it is right that the truth be made known, that that ftmetionary did not command the respect of those on the spot who had the best opportunity of jndging of his conduct, and that in all matters connected with Military affairs he not only displayed a total want of judgment, but took, especial care to avoid that danger, which he had no hesitation in exposing others to.—Carried unanimously with three groans. Mr. George Russell then proposee the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Green i — That the conduct of the officers and men of H.M.S. Hazard in repulsing the enemy was beyond a praise, and that this meeting deeply deplore the loss af so many gallant men and the severe sufferings of their brave Commander, Captain Robertson and all those who were wounded with him on the occasion.—Carried unanimously. Mr. Hector proposed as an amendment that the private soldiers ought to be included in the resolution as they acted gallantly and would have been much service had they been led on by brave officers. Mr. Makepeace wished to know if Mr. Philpots name was included in the resolution, as he (Makepeace) considered the conduct of that officer highly objectiouable. At this part of the proceedings Mr. Hector and others spoke in testimony of the valour and gallant bearing of Lieut. Philpots during the day. It was then proposed by Mr. Makepeace, and seconded by Mr. Johnson, " that Mr. Philipotts name be excluded," which was put to the meeting and lost; the otiginal resolution was then put and carried, Proposed by Mr. Baternan, and seconded by Mr. John Smith : — That a Committee be formed to wait upon his Excellency to apply for compensation for losses sustained by the inhabitants. To draw up a memonal, —Carried unanimously. It was proposed " that Mr. Cluuie do leave the chair and that Capt. Baternan to take the same," which was carried, and after voting thanks to Mr. Ciuuie for his conduct in the chair, the meeting, which was very numerous, broke up, giving three cheers for Mr. Hector for his gallant conduct during the collision.