MANAWATU.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 92, 29 August 1846, Page 2

MANAWATU.

A correspondent writes as follows, on the 10th of August :—

" For three months past, with the exception of high winds, we have had every variety of winter weather, occasionally thunder and lightning, sometimes keen frost, 1 the distant ranges of tho Tararua mountains being generally covered with snow, and the cold more than usually intense. Heavy and'long continued rains have, however, been chiefly in the ascendant. The river has been almost consiantly swollen, but although on two occasions it completely filled its capacious banks, happily both for settlers and natives, it has not overflowed them this season, or in the least injured the labours of the husbandman.

" The natives have been busilyoccupied, for some time past in putting in their wheat. Here, as well as in some other districts along the coast, a much larger breadth of wheat has been put in this year than on any former season ; both settlers and natives have ben cultivating largely. The prospect of Messrs. Kebbeil's Flour Mill being speedily in operation, and the hope of a brisk demand and a good price elsewhere, have stimulated both European and native industry.

*• The Maories on this river are gradually perceiving the advantages of civili - zation, Bnd acquiring a taste for its conveniences and comforts. The blanket is no longer the highest object of their ambition, other articles of European dress are eagerly _ sought after. Their increasing cultivation requires new implements, and creates new wants; hence a number of spades, sickles, sacks, and similar articles are from time to time finding their way up this river among the natives. They are also weather boarded barns in which to store and thrash their wheat.

"So eagerly and actively employed with the implements of peaceful husbandry, it might naturally be inferred they would feel little inclination to resume the weapons of war—and so it has proved. When the Wanganui taua came along the coast, a party was despatched inland to sound the inclinations of the Manawatu natives, but these departed as they came, with no addition to their number. Indeed, both Taikaporna and Taratoa had written to Wanganui, when they first heard of (heir intentions, urging them to remain at home, lt.may safely be affirmed, that all the natives on this river, who profess Christianity—imperfect and superficial a* their Christianity is—are heartily disposed for peace—warmly attached to the Government — and cherishing the most friendly feelings towards the whites. Even the professedly heathen are in general peaceably inclined. The settlors, i,y their scattered and utterly unprotected state, have on several occa-ions been seriously alarmed for their safety, in consequence of exaggerated reports of approaching danger. But in every instance of alarm, all the chiefs have assured them of their protection and assistance to the utmost of their power. A small section of the heathen have all along sympathised with Rangihaeata„and when the Wanganui natives came to Ohau, and found the opposition before them much greater than they had anticipated, a special messenger was sent express to Natives here, of them, without the knowledge of the other went off to join the taua. On hearing of this, the Ngatiraukawa and Ngatiwakatere natives met and passed a resolution, that in these unsettled-times no one connected with their tribes should, for any simi'ar object, go below a cutain point in the river, without acquainting the rest of the.tribe, that the general opinion may. be ascertained, and expressed, on the propriety or impropriety of any such intention.

When the taua found that the great bulk of the natives on the coast were de-

cidedly opposod to their going forward that Te lUuparaha was taken prisoner that the Governor had taken such acf measures to prevent thrfr j„i„i ng R l J° l.aeata, and was himself sailing backward* and forwards in sight of the shore in t | war steamer—the internal arrangeni. 1° and rapid movements of which havu <,«". astonished the naiives—when they f, • ? that to attempt advancing farther in [h circumstances was hopeless, they rein 86 tantly turned back at Ohitu. The m. °" body returned direct to Wanganul, | >ttt 8 ? render the attempt as little abortive a rf the retreat as little discreditable, as ns- oSble, one of their chiefs, Maketu !t ahout twenty of his followers, camo u p th Manawatu. Three days of speechityi,, 8 followed, between the war-seeking a Jj peace-loving natives. Great was (he- r S —loud and vehement the oratory and prodigal the expenditure of word? Maketu said that he had come at this tj m ' in a small canoe and with f.w men an J so many of the natives were against' hi that he was forced to turn back, but lm would now send for the Tatipo and WaU kato maories, and would return in canoe, well manned, and would go forward in spite of all the maories on, the coast But even among those who usually sym.' pathise with those in rebellion these sentU ments were but feebly supported, and by some of them decidedly opposed. For here also, as in other regions of the east most men '• bow to the msing sun "

On Tuesday last, the 4th inst., Maketa sent off ten of-his men over the mountains to the Wairarapa, to join Rangihaeatafy that He and a few followers are still lingering hereabouts to see what may happen. Maketu's object in sending away the»e men seems to have been this* seeing Rangihaeata's cause hopeless, he wished to assist him in making his escape, by way of Wairarapa and Manawatu, to Rangitiki and Wanganui, where if he could do less mischief, he might be in greater safety than in his present position at Porirua. We believe the authorities were made duly aware of this movement.

Owing to the disturbed stale of the colony, and other causes, no vessel had visited this river for several months, and few of the natives have found their way to Wellington. On this account piers have accumulated, and potatoes are still plentiful. There has been a great scarcity of *« trade " on the river. The natives are becoming much in want of the mora common articles of clothing, and of the one universal Maori luxury there has been all but an absolute famine ; a shilling has been offered for a single fig of tobacco. Two vessels have however arrived in the river just now, and will supply the more immediately pressing wants both of the settlers and the natives, and should peace, the harbinger of prosperity be established soon—life and property rendered secure— trade in all its branches will speedily re* turn to its usual channels.