THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 80, 18 July 1846, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT

Saturday, Joly 18, 1846. The friendly natives of Port Nicholson had an interview with his Excellency Captain Grey yesterday. The following is the substance of tha conference which we have been enabled to glean. Tbe natives expressed dissatisfaction at being supplied with rations, and expressed a desire to receive money in lieu of them. Grey stated that they might either receive rations or money instead. The natives then said, that as the military and police received payment, they also considered that they were entitled to the same. To this his Excellency answered, that if the natives would place themselves under hisorders, in the same manner as those bodies were, he would station them in barracks, remove them to any part of the district as occasion required, and give them rations and soldier's pay; but whilst they were acting independently of him, under their own chiefs, he could not think of doing so; wlun they proved, by deeds, that they were earnest in their support of Government, he would not forget their services, . The natives inf. rmed his Excellency that certain | arties had advised them thai in event of a collision between li.M. Forces and ih« rebe's, ihey, the friendly native*,shu.uld allow ihe militaryto go first, aud inly in cage the troops were'driven

back, wore they to go forward and assist them. The Governor replied that there were two kinds of warfare in New Zealand, and for one of them he desired the assistance of the natives, and that was for the purpose of going through the bush and showing the military the way, and for the purpose of giving intimation to 'them in case of ambushmenu; but that it pahs were to be stormed, or any fighting to be done, then he would prove to them thai the whites could do it themselves. Capt. Grey likewise directed the inter preter to inform the natives that they must not suppose the murderers would be allowed to go unpunished. When he was out in the bush in Australia, the natives of that country one night broke into the encampment and murdered six men. The murderers were captured six years afterwards, tried, found guiliy, and hung; and they might depend upon it, that sooner or later, such would be the fate of those murderers who were with Rangihaeata. The natives then wished to know what plan of operations was laid down, and what they were to do ? His Excellency replied that he had made up his mind as to the plan of operations he should carry out, but he did not then think proper to inform them. That when the time for action arrived he should consult with them. That in time of action he should share the common danger. The Governor further advised that they should leave one half of their number at the Camp to act in case of emergency, whilst the remainder employed themselves in planting wheat and potatoes. He strongly urged them to plant as much ground as they possibly could. During hisabsence, in the event of any danger arising, they would receive instructions from his Honor the Superintendent. Captain Grey likewise impressed upon them the necessity of holding themselves in readiness, at a moment's naming. He also placed Mr. Scott, who has been in a most trying and difficult situation, in a better position. The natives departed highly satisfied, and expressed themselves in glowing terms of the decided and agreeable manner of Captain Grey.