THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT Saturday, August 2, 1845.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 36, 2 August 1845, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT Saturday, August 2, 1845.

The last vessel from Auckland was the Pα?myra, which arrived here on the sth of July, with old dates. On the 22nd of July, the schooner Carbon arrived from Taranaki, and supplied us with a number of an Auckland paper called the New Zeaiander, under date the 21st of June. From it we gathered, and published, that on the morning of Monday the 16th of June, the whole of the forces were disembarked at the Bay of Islands, and fey 3 o'clock in the afternoon were at the Kiri Kiri, where they halted for the night. It being anticipated by Nene that Heki would attack him on Tuesday, the troops were on the march early that morning for Nene's Pa. This is our latest authentic account; and it relates to events which took place more than six weeks since. Rumour furnished us, before oui last publication, with a statement to the effect that one hundred and seven soldiers, part of a body of men employed in making a road for the cannon, had been surprised and slaughtered by the natives. It is also stated that only four natives lost their lives on the occasion. This rumour, with some modifications, is still in circulation, and quite as respectable in appearance as Captain Fitzroy's Debentures. If there be truth in it, the event must have occurred, according to the dates we have quoted, some where about the 20th of June, or six weeks since. But whether it be true or false, is it not most disgraceful that Captain Fitzroy shows such perfect indifference about the anxiety of the •settlers in Cook's Straits, especially when he Tshtfuld bear in mind that they are nearly all the British subjects -who have had the courage to remain in New Zealand with his Excellency as Governor ? That we are entitled to know ifrom time to time, the consequences of his Excellency's mad pranks in the north, none can doubt j. and especially when some twenty founds per month would luve secured a vessel with which to keep up an active communication between Auckland and Wellington. We can forsee that the anniversary of Capt. FitEroy's recall, or resignation as it may happen, will be the Anniversary of New Zealand. What Dinners !! What Bonfires !!

By our recent accounts from home, the extraordinary apathy of our countrymen to the proceedings and conduct of the local Govern-

ment of Ne-v Zealand, ha 3 passed away; and we trust for ever. The present favourable ebulition of feeling manifested by all classes and creeds in the mother country, mustlje attended with the most beneficial consequences to this hitherto unfortunate colony. Every vessel from these Islands, and from Sydney, has conveyed home new and startling facts, of the natural progression of events, since the cutting down of the flag staff in July, 1844, by Heki and his followers, and the favourable feeling must be maintained and augmented by all information reaching home from New Zealand. We have all along contended that the destruction of Kororarika will prove mainly instrumental in rescuing this colony from the fangs of the Colonial Department and the Missionary bodies, and we still hold the same opinion. The Press—that mighty • engine of dread to oppressors^ —has espoused j our cause in such a manner, that we may safely augur the most favourable consequences. But whilst our friends in old England are prosecuting the war against the mis-rule of the Colonial Office, with vigour, the war of extermination which has been brought about, and is being carried on, by Captain Fitaroy, in the north, seems by accounts to flag not. The natives have hitherto defied the Majesty of England; have hitherto necessarily defeated all attempts to put them down, and British blood is flowing in torrents in a quarrel, caused by the spurious humanity, and vacillating policy of the Exeter Hall Pet. Certain it is, the Governor has roused the worst passions of the aborigines ; when, had he been actuated by more knowledge and less arrogance, peace and quietness weald be reigning throughout New Zealand. Had Captain Fitzroy been the only sufferer by this outbreak, had his besotted philanfthrophy merely brought mischief upon himI self, it would have been of little consequence: but the blood of hundreds is being shed, the life of each of whom cannot be of less importance than his own existence, in a conflict of his own creation. ■" Capt. Fitzroy has jeopardised not only the properties, but the lives of the settlers and their families; he has derogated from the dignity of the British flag; and engendered feelings of animosity between the races, which it will demand good management for years to allay. Of this, however, Captain Fitzroy may rest satisfied—that both the present and future ages will advert to him as the destroyer of the Maori race — mainly because he has been animated by positive presumption, and imaginary Christian humility.

♦ What are the Land-owners in this settlement about ? Why have they not taken advantage of the "Public Works and Roads Ordinance," and elected Road Commissioners from among their body, for the purpose of furthering and carrying out the intentions of that Ordinance ? Is it because the roads in the Port Nicholson district are so numerous and excellent, that nothing further is required ? The present state of the beach road is a sufficient omen. Are we still to go jogging listlessly along, not stiring hand or foot to help ourselves; or are we to put our shoulders vigorously to the wheel, and prove to Captain Fitzroy, and the other detractors of Pert Nicholson, that we have sufficient capabilities within our reach to enable us to make this become a flourishing and powerful community, and laugh at all their futile endeavours to destroy us. But we must say that on this head there is gross indifference some where. For a long time the cry has been " we want roads, had we but roads, we would cultivate the land." Now that an Ordinance is passed into law, empowering the Landholders to levy rates and collect tolls, for the making and repairing of roads, no notice is taken of the matter. In the meanwhile, for the want of rural lands, or rather the means of communication,.for of land we have enough and to spare, our agricultural population is gradually leaving these shores, and the place becoming depopulated. Had the districts in this neighbourhood been laid open in the first instance, our position at the present moment would have been gratifying in the extreme. But as it is, it is

never too late to remedy an evil, let it be as bad as it may. The Land-owners have now a means within their reach of removing the principal ills under which the settlement has laboured—viz., the difficulty of getting on to country lands. On a former occasion, we urged the propriety of a meeting being called for the purpose of electing Commissioners, and we again call the land-owners attention to the expediency of at once taking upon themselves the powers vested in their body by the Ordinance in question.

But there is another subject which must not be over-looked. Up to the present time high and exorbitant rents and prices have been demanded for lands, in many instances, of inferior quality. Now if the sectionists wish to benefit themselves, as well as the colony, they must reduce their charges. The difficulties of a bush life oight to be considered, and the proprietors should be satisfied with a moderate profit. If some inducement, such as low rents and prices for land, was held out, we doubt not but that our numbers would be speedily increased by arrivals from other quarters, and that in the end the owners would reap a far more substantial benefit, than they are at the present time by making such exorbitant charges. We shall return to this subject in an early number, for it is one of vital importance to the very existence of the place.

The Star of China, Captain Wood, arrived from Sydney on Wednesday last, July 30, from which she sailed on the 12th ultimo. We do not find that she furnishes any late English dates, or local news of any important nature.

A smart shock of an earthquake was experienced on Sunday morning last, about five o'clock. Captain Fitzroy was not the cause.

Kauri Gura is how an extensive article of export from New Zealand. We think th« Gam of the Red Pine would prove equally as valuable, and we advise our country friends to try the experiment. It should be remembered that the Kauri belongs to the same class as the Red Pine.

We advise our bush friends to employ their spare time in sawing Pine logs into boards, since there is likely to be a great demand for plank in the Australian and Van Diemen's Land Markets.