TO THE EDITOR ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENTS

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 10, 3 May 1845, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENTS

• Sir,—Please give me space in your columns to notice a letter which appeared in the A'ew Zealand Spectator, of Saturday last, "A. Ludlam." From the geueral tenor of that letter, I am induced to believe, it is intended to do as much good as possible abroad, especially as it is addressed to a respectad gentleman about to sail for England, to represent and attend to the interests of the colony there. Yet this letter bears out the opinion expressed irj my letter, published in the Wellington Independent of April 23, to the effect that much mischief is done by non-practical and inexperienced persons taking leading positions, as they thereby tend to mislead others and in some instances end iv their ruin, weakening the confidence placed in the agri. cultural community. Mr. Ludlam's corr,aiunica., tion is commended by the editor of the journal iv which it is inserted, as being authenticated by having the name of the writer, but the writer sign, ing his name does not establish the fact of correct calculations or experience, and 1 beg to say to thaieditor that /c<c/s can be established although as. sumed titles are used. I conceive Mr. Ludlam has done some measure of injustice to those of hij neighbours whose land has cost so much above the rate allowed in that calculation for clearing, &c. I am credibly iuformed a greater part of the Und on the Hutt has cost £2Q and upwards pei acre even a great portion of that Mr. Ludlam is himself farming; and of course the adjoining property will be valued more by the present cost rate of expenses than any previous usuages. There is no doubt some really practical hard workiug settlers in t!n>. district in question, and they must feel their pro. perty and labour underrated by Mr. Ludlam. Again I do not deem it well judged to make public the fact of clearing being done by contract at so low a rate, for supposing the contractors to fulfil their agreements (of which many are abandoned as" being totally at variance with reason,) they cannot when working extremely hard, earn more than Is. per diem, and nothing will more fully show the depression existing in the labour market at this time, and I think it will be proved that there is out little land on the Hutt, that would not cost nearly double the amount allowed by Mr. Ludlam even at a very trifling advance upon ths is. per diem ; consequently to allow a fair rate of wages the cost 13 sadly underrated. In his c.ale;-.. lations Mr. Ludlam, has omitted some items of expense of which wear and tear forms one_.th.at ought not to be omitted. I fear also the quantity allowed as the average crop is also rather great. There is abundance of land in New Zealand can be brought into cultivation, including seeding, fencing, &c, for about £5 an acre, which will produce equally as much as the land which .is here so expensive to clear, and consequently offers greater advantages. In my letter above alluded to, I stated my humble opinions a3 to the best system of farming such land as is here spokenoorf r 1 there remarked that agricultural farming is not generally a profitable undertaking when udsupportedby stock, particularly sheep; and I would again recommend attention to such facts, I might enter into many details "which I feel inclined to do " but my time does not admit of it. Mr. Ludlam having used a free expression about me, (I believe with reference to- my letters,) I beg to inform that gentleman, that he would have exhibited better judgment had he contradicted my arguments through the medium of the press, and I further inform him that after a life spent in the calling in the best farmed districts of England added to my colonial experience, and being able to refer to many noblemen, gentlemen and practical farmers of standing in England as to efficiency, I canuot allow a man of a few months experience only, to give judgment upon me. ? Before I conclude 1 should briefly like to notice one class of men who decidedly better their circumstances by coming here, I allude to the agricultual labourer and small settler, who can d« *» greater part of the work himself. A man of' this stamp, having only sufficient to keep his family twelve or eighteen months, with a few seeds, implements, &c, after purchasing his land, or taking a .ease with privilege to purchase, or even having to work half his time for an employer, wou'd ZZ'JJ Sv^l and frugalit y- leada ver - u yifff, a, ?■ u A - tea ac ""Uotment divided into tint J •*' lu S° grass and the other hr 5' *? Ppin§ the tl la S e with di ' isi °as of wheat, bar ey and potatoes, (or substitute peas, &c, for barley,) would produce in value fully £30 and tarn. t sufficient for seed and potatoes" for famSy make aSS WOuld kee P «»*«*»* cows, &c, to make £.30 more. Allowing pi gs> poultry/garden, £»'hi. PE ? 7 u k l epthe famil y' £50 Per annum Sdi T"- 1 WhlC , h W< f d be a * ood salarly be sides he independent feeling thus created. This can labonr ??ll beeXP n Ctedafter three ° r *>« 7**** and L i .- smallsettler Pishes upon the open iround hf I I"' t0 r mmeQce i 3 S P™S il* the fufomn Lh 7 - aDd Put ia grain crojs in the ifauXin T Ume on wood land ;;;;;. asthe ™* -*» cutting n^w. «4 whVr*' say s - x or seveu m ° Q * s **>»**» The su7f» p rtf S T S mmeas6 ""Pleasant labour, by the t iono f e h WO fi ° d landis much sweetened nJtted'so much Slo" 3 ' ?? doe 3 faciiitv »«.««?• ~ • Jt 1S a s reat P i,; y more landl for 1 f ° eea ° ffered t0 this class m getting übiect to t PUrP ° SeS l ' Without takiQ g iton terms alwlvs end Pa ; o rem ° Ved after much labour . « bi <* fedee of tZ rSaS ? 0 " 0 it« occupant, and a know«Sr b H , i MtU ?s ed iSS ° to weaken the boS; il W ° Uld Stron S l y recommend the laSou? a U n C \ n ° t t0 take lat * d on ™V terms moluSr.;?h r - Edit0 '''" ■ »*»"" o y »e of tt» K££,e S*" T." 2? V'" 3 ' EiL ■"*; ' *• i am, &c, Robthj.'s t

The above engraving is a representation of the town of Kororarika, previous to its destruction by the Maories, on the llth day of March last, and the figures will point out for the readers instruction all the prominent points then occupied by the two opposing powers, We also furnish below, for the information of our readers here, and for the satisfaction of our friends at home, a summary of all the most important events from the Tragedy of Wairau, (which was the groundwork or mainspring of the Massacre at, and destruction of, the first European settlement established in New Zealand,) to the present time. And in doing so, we trust it may be some use in convincing philanthropists that it is far more dangerous to allow savage men to do as they please, and to reward them for the same, than it would be to properly curb, and restrain, and punish them. On the 17th day of June, 1843, now nearly two years siuce, began, what may not be unaptly termed, a new series of New Zealand Massacres. We use the term " new," on account of the numerous unfortunate beings, of all countries, who were sacrificed either from the passions or cupidity of the natives, previous to the regular colonization of this country ; and commence our data from the period that Captain Hobson proclaimed New Zealand an appendage to the British Crown. We begin then from the Massacre of Wairau, which occurred on Saturday, June 17, 1843, and in which twenty-two of our countrymen lost their lives, nine-tenths of them hfiinor InVinmpnW ami Am all if V.ntr.Vioi.o/1 in O -...—..j «..- "'"V"/ UUVUUVIbV* 111 cold blood. As our readers know, Rauparaha and Rangihaeata were the chiefs engaged in this terrible transaction ; and the quarrel was about "land." Rauparaha claimed it because a few years previous he had conquered and butchered the great majority of its inhabitants ;. the settlers claimed it by having, after the then existing native custom, bought and paid for it, and because it was a wild unprofitable waste—there being no native villages or native cultivations in the whole extent of it. Mr. Shortland was then Acting Governor, and this massacre was allowed to remain unnoticed till the arrival of a new Governor, then shortly expected. His Excellency Captain Fitzroy reached Auckland in December, 1843, end arrived at Wellington in February, 1844. He subsequently visited Nelson, and afterwards sailed for Waikanai, where the memorable interview with Rauparaha and his tribe took place. Had not that interview happened, the town of Kororarika would still be standing, its inhabitant swould still be happy and comfortable in their own homes, and Captain Fitzroy would not be morally responsible for the deaths of his brave countrymen who fell in fight, or have been murdered at, the Bay, and whose manes, like those at Wairau, are still unavenged. That this is a fearful responsibility all must admit, but the onus clearly lies at Captain Fitzroy's door. His Excellency, instead of apprehending and trying the accused, publicly proclaimed to.ahe, watchful and ever attentive aborigines of New Zealand, impunity for a crime for which, amongst themselves they would have exacted, even in the remotest generation, the most terrible satisfaction.

Captain Fitzroy could not have been aware that there was a trait in a New Zealander's temper and disposition, which would receive a fearful impetus from conduct like that which his Excellency pursued. We allude to the fact that, if a native commit a crime and is not checked, that his countrymen think themselves fully justified in following his example. Captain Fitzroy soon learnt that his bed was not one of roses, though perhaps he uhought he was car-rying out the very essence of good Government. A native was rescued, by some of his friends, from the Police Office at Auckland, and was almost a means of embroiling the settlers at the North with the maories, more especially as Captain Fitzroy stuck to his policy. Some time afterwards, a native was rescued at Wellington from two of the constables, and has not since, been taken. But other and more serious matters were brewing. "<**>*<***»~^ On the 4th of July, 1844, John Heki, who has since become so notorious, took possession of the Town of Kororarika, which he held for the space oi three days. During that period, he and his followers carried off the native wife of a Mr. Lord, robbed various stores, and killed several animals the property of the settlers. But his grand feat was cutting down and tha Staff levelling the British Flag to the dust. John Heki also uttered these remarkable words :—" Rauparuha killed white men at the Wairau, why should not I? " On hearing of these atrocities,"*""Captain Fitzroy chartered the ship Sydney, then lying, at Auckland, which vessel immediately sailed for Sydney, with despatches for Sir George Gipps, who on receipt of instantly ordered two hnndred troops to embark, and the ship Sydney, with the military on board, arrived at the Bay of Islands about the 20th of August, Fitzroy, with the military at his disposal, landed at Kororarika, prepared with this force to take John Heki, when he was stopped by a letter from Archdeacon Williams. The upshot of the affair was, that a meeting between his Excellency and the chiefs was arranged to take place at the Waimate; and the whole ended in smoke, or something worse. The " Chiefs and JElder Men "made some very curious speeches, and told the Governor not to be ; discouraged if they did it again—JohnJEJjgki was not forthcoming, but he sent a letter, in which he j said he would not carry on any more pleasantries if he possibly could help it; but j Johnny was afraid the disease ran too much j in his blood to be easily eradicated. The j Governor's speech was a fair sample of nonsense, and he finished by asking for some j muskets, as payment for cutting down the Flag Staff. About ten were laid at his Excellency's feet, but he returned them, and they all shook hands, settled the business,! and we suppose rubbed noses. The troops I sailed again for Sydney, their presence not being required, since the victory obtained had been a moral one. We have since heard that the delivery up of the muskets was planned by the Missionaries, some time before the conference ensued. In October, 1844, JolmJHeki_cut down I the British Flag-staff a second time. It was again erected at the Government expense. In December, 1844, JohnI the British Fiag-staff a third time, and, committed numerous robberies. '"His Excellency now began to be alarmed, nnd despatched

thirty soldiers of the 96th Regiment to the Bay, and subsequently aiiotKeTtwenty, under the command of Lieutenant Barclay and Ensign Campbell. A Block-house was also erected near the flag-staff which had been erected and cut down for a fourth time byJohn Heki. In the month of January 1845, his Excellency again wrote to Sir George Gipps for military aid. We must now record other things nearer Wellington. In February, 1845, Te Heu Heu, chief of the Taupo tribes, at the head of two hundred armed men, visited and seized the town of Petre, Wanganui, which he held for fourteen days. During that period, robberies were innumerable, and many females were grossly insulted. His Hdnor Major Richmond sailed for Wanganui, in H. M. S. Hazard, but, no good could be done as the sailors could not be landed. At length Te Heu. Heu was induced to withdraw by a present of blankets, &c, made by the Bishop of New Zealand. Te Heu Heu referred to the massacre of Wairau, and the proceedings of John Heki, as an excuse for his conduct! In February, 1845, the natives in the Nelson district became troublesome, and a collision of the two races nearly ensued ; prevented only by the manly conduct of the settlers. Since the Wairau Massacre, some Maori outcasts have strongly posted theraselve? on the Hutt, and are becoming more numerous than ever. They now practise with small cannon, and sentries guard their pahs, &c. They are a ferocious and sanguinary set, and a heavy incubus on the progress of the settlement. In fact, nearly all progress is stayed, in that district, by native interuptions. The natives appear determined not to leave the Hutt quietly, and we faar no means will be of avail save and except military force. In the latter end of February, 1845, John Heki's followers, fired on a boat's crew of H.M.S. Hazard, but effect.^ On the morning of Tuesday, the llth of March, the natives having previously given notice of their intention, attacked the town of Kororarika, on three sides, headed by John Heki, Kowiti, and the sons of the latter chief. John Heki led the attack against the block house, which defended the British Flag Staff, and owing to some mismanagement of the officer in command, carried this important post, and felled the Flag Staff for the fiftfr. time. Capt. Robertson of H.M.S. Hazard, behaved most gallantly, and so did the officers and crew under his command. Captain Robertson,, after performing wonders, fell, covered with wounds, but from which we are happy to say, there is now every probability of his recovering. The soldiers likewise behaved well, but wanted good officers to lead them. After a fight of some two hours duration, during which, the women and children had been removed to the ships in Port, the town was abandoned to the victorious Maories. As will be seen by the engraving, H.M.S. Hazard and Victoria commanded the. town, but.from the preseuce of the English could not use their guns with safety, during the fray. The Victoria, however, contrived to send a few shots in amongst the enemy. But why did not the two vessels fire on the conquering natives when the town was evacuated by the English? Because Bishop Selwyn

was on shore. No doubt his object was humane, but Bishop Selwyn if he would remain amongst, the natives uselessly endeavouring to persuade them to desist, ought to have taken the consequences. The town should not have been destroyed because of the presence of the Bishop. The inhabitants were taken on board H.M. Ship Hazard, Government brig Victoria, U.S. Corvette St. Louis, and the English whaling ship Matilda, and by them conveyed to Auckland, to the number of about 600 souls, most of whom lost all their property. The town of Kororarika was thoroughly sacked and burned to the ground, within 36 hours after the engagement. The plunder obtained by the natives was immense, amounting in J the first instance to £40,000. The uatives subsequently plundered and burnt to the ground the premises of the American residents at the Bay, and obtained plunder to the amount of £20,000 more. Of the English the following were killed in the engagement — H.M.S. " HAZARD." Sergeant Macarthy, Royal Marines, killed. Alexander May, do. do. William Lovell, Seaman, killed. John Love, do. do. F. Minnikins, do. do. William Danby, . do. do. 96th regiment. William Giddens, , killed. Henry Ireson, . ■% do. George Jackson, . do. William Miller, . do. CIVILIANS. — Torre, Esq., . killed. — Thompson, boatman, . do. One of the seaman of the Vieloria, do. Another person is reported to have died of his wounds. In all 14 killed and about 30 wounded. But it is our painful duty to record that, since the fight, nine more unfortunate Englishmen havejbeen murdered in cold blood by the natives. Of the natives, as far as can be learnt, about 30 were killed and 40 wounded. Since the engagement on the 11th March, several chiefs in the North have joined with Heki. The above is a summary of all the important facts which have sprung into being from the passing over, without punishment, of the Massacre at Wairau. What the English ' Government will think we know not, but our friends in the mother country will see tnat the frenzed enthusiasts of Exeter Hall have brought ruin on the colony, death on many of . their own countrymen, and death on many of their peculiarly favoured proteges. Where these things will end ? is a question we cannot think upon. But we do see before us some years of difficulty, bloodshed, and terror, where all might have been peace, plenty, and satisfaction. We have not enumerated the thousand and one aggressions committed by natives on the property of the settlers, but we have, only traced a .system which has grown with .the growth and ripened with the time that the. system of false philanthrophyhas been carried on in New , Zealand. The : monstrous doctrine that a-savage can be kept in subjection by allowing him to do as he pleases, has had full sway in New Zealand. We now trust we have seen the end of it.