OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 11, 7 May 1845, Page 4

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

/ftfTT NATIVES.

(Copy.) Wellington, April 30, 1845. Sir,—ln my communication of the 26th inst., I informed your honor that I entertained sanguine hopes of succeeding in my negociations with the natives, relative to the quiet evacuation of the Hutt, having heen authorised to make such proposals as I deemed amply sufficient to remove their objections; but my recent interviews with them have tended very considerably to weaken the confidence I felt of being able to effect this object and I am constrained to say, that I have now very little hope of inducing them to leave speedily. The great obstacle to their immediate acquiesesce in the terms I have offered, is the advantage they are daily deriving by traffic with the settlers; so long as their every wish can be gratified, and every necessary procured by the sale of their commodities, my arguments, and offers, make but little impression. This has led me to consider, whether some practicable means could not be devised, for depriving them of these inducements, and by laying an interdict upon their traffic, convince them, that no further advantages can be gained by persisting in the occupation of the Hutt. I am fully sensible of the difficulties which present themselves in contemplating such a measure, and every person who has the least acquaintance with the principles of political economy, will see at once, that any scheme aiming at a total suppression of trade and commerce with the natives as a body, and for an indefinite period, would not only be injurious to the best interest of the colony, but absolutely impracticable; in fact the attempt would be absurd ; but when it is contemplated to confine the restriction to a small body of the natives only, and for a limited period, I imagine the plan not only practicable, but perfectly feasible, if supported by voluntary efforts of the public ;—at least the difficulties attending the experiment are not insurmountable, and even less numerous in my estimution, than those which would attend the employment of physical force. Independently of the danger to which mauy of the out settlers would be exposed, by the adoption of compulsory measures, the nature of the country is so favourable to the covert resistance of the natives, that it would be almost impossible to ensure their entire expulsion, or to prevent their return if expelled ; at all events, it would be very long before the settlers could enjoy a complete sense of security—whereas, if the public can be made to feel that they have it in their power, most effectually to sever the ties which bind these natives to the Hutt, aud an appeal be made to them, to co-operate in a measure so safe, so humane, and involving so few sacrifices, the result is morally certain; we should soon have the natives as desirous to abandon their present position, and thereby recover the forfeited advantages of commercial intercourse with us, as they are now obstinate in maintaining possession. I would propose therefore, subject of course to Honor's approval, that the experiment be tried, and if there is a reasonable prospect of the unanimous and cordial co-operation of the public, for without this it would be useless to make the attempt, and the probability of such co-operation might soon be ascertained through the medium of the public prints; Iknix-Ukem, signed by yourself or some duly authorised person, should be issued to the resident natives of the various pah's in the district, to be presented by them whenever they had purchases to make or articles to sell to the European, those natives only being admitted to the advantages of traffic who were in possession of these authorised tokens proving them to be unconnected with the residents on the Hutt. The natives of the district would soon understand the object of such a regulation, and from my frequent opportunities of ascertaining their sentiments respecting the conduct of the intruders on the Hutt, I am satisfied that they would not endeavour to nullify such an attempt, by lending their tokens, or by any other act of collusion with the proscribed. In the case of strangers coming into town from the out settlements for the purposes of trade, a nearly similar plan could be adopted, only instead of issuing teens to be permanently retained, certificates of their elegibility for traffic should be given them, to be returned when they departed to their homes, If your Honor approves of these suggestions and it you arc of opinion that by the publication of such a proposal, the settlers may be induced to combine for the purpose of carrying it into effect, I think there can be no doubt of the result • and even though it should be found impossible to induce a combination so perfect, as wholly to suppress the trade with Hutt natives, yet such v majority I am convinced might be gained, as would make it apparent to them, that their opposition to the requirements of the Government hud placed them in a very embarrassing position, aud thus incline them more readily to embrace any offer which afforded the chance of an honorable retreat. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (signed) Thomas S. Forsaith. Mis Honor the Superintendent, &c, &c, &c.

(Copy.) ' Wellington, May 1, 1845. Siß,—la reply to your letter of yesterday's date 1 have to apprise you of my concurrence in the plan proposed by you as likely to be the means of causing the peaceable evacuation of the Hutt dis tnctby the intruding natives, and in granting ncr mission for its insertion in the Local newspapers I hare to express an earnest hope that the public will lend their cordial co-operation and assistance to a scheme which appears calculated to effect the object we are all so desirous of attaining-. I have the honor to be, Sir, /■ , v Your most orient servant. ( SI 6 Ue(I -) M. RICHMNOD, Superintendent. to S n . r ° rSaith ' Protectorof Aborigines, Welling.