MALBOROUGH.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIV, Issue 1444, 7 August 1860, Page 3

MALBOROUGH.

From the Marborour/h Pros', Aug. 4.

A rumour having once gono abroad livit it was t!ia intention of tho Government to semi soldiors into tho Wairau, tho Muories hnvo bwoa in a very unsettled state, and on Thursday last a body of about thivly natives waited npoa tho Resident Magistrate- mid the Rjv. Mr. Butt, at tho Ooi'rt Mouse, Blenheim, to inquire into tbo truth of tho rumour, and to express their feelings with regard lo the present state of affairs.

The Magistrate a;H Mr. Butt were ml ■ dressod by Noah and P'ikek >.whalu, Ngatiawu chiefs; K'luue.F/iiochu, aud Joshua, Raugitani chiefs. Tije tons of all their speeches was of the most friendly and pacific character, expressing a wish to live under tha shelter of the English laws aud the protection of the Quoeu aud Gouor. Pukekowhatu, an aged cliief, i;i particular, was most emphatic in his language. Ho said, "I am chief of Motuoka and Titapu; all my tribe will do r.s I say; wo wish to livo peaueably and quietly under the Eug'ish lv.v ; to be able to go peaceably to visit our friends, to hold our (easts, and to bury our dead. Wo have no feolings in common with W. King, wo do not wish to have anything to do with him. We wish every man to attend to his own business. 'V

Noah, itf tha course of his remarks, said, "\Yohrtve heard that soldiers are c >ming to drive us fiom our lands. It has filled us with grief. You have heard what wo have said, d > not bolieve any rumours that may spread abroad against

us. We come to you that you may be a roof to us, and we may dwell under your shadow. If tha Pukaha thinks that we are going to fight with him, you can toll them it is false. You see how peaceably disposed we are. Thare is hut one thought at Massrcre Bay, Motueka, Wukapuaka, Pelorus, Que'ea Charlotte's Sound, Wairau, Kaikoras, aud that is for peace. We are sowing wheat for our support, that does not look as if we thought of war."

The Resident • Magistrate then addressed them, and in the ctmrse of hid remarks, said, " I am glad you have acted like Englishmen. You hoard a rumour of soldiers coining, and instead of brooding over it and nursing feelings of animosity or revenge, you come boldly to an officer of the Government to hear the truth. If you always do this, and seek the protection of the law, there will be no fear of fighting between the white man mid the Maori. What you have heard is quite false, there is no intention of sending soldiers among you. You need havo no fear so long as you carry out the principles and feelings you pro fess. There are good and bad mmi o! all races and colours. Good white men an 1 bad white men, good Maories ami ba.l Maories. The Queen and the Governor know no dilforonoe botwoon white man and Maori ; so long as they net rightly tboy will be protected by tha law, but if they do bally, whoiher wliito man or Maori tboy will bo punished."