TARANAKI

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1591, 14 June 1861, Page 5

TARANAKI

[IfROM OUU OWN OORItESrONDENT.]

Taranaki, May 29, 18G1. Judging from appearances, but little of interest is likely for some time, to diverge from Tara. naki; at present our case is truly a pitiable one the natives look upon us a lace of beings, that have n» free will, and dare hot face them ; they see that we are under strict subjection, and^that .although we may speak of our farms andjlnnds we cannot even visit thetn, without the permission of those, who have little or no interest in us as settlers.

The 1 Mauri ori the contrary can wander at large, through either country or town, with his gun over his shoulder, and ammunition in his pouch. I am not writing in. blame of the native; but to expose 4he humiliating position that we as English colonist, are placed in by the present " bastard peace.". I, may record it for a certainty, that, we shall, not be enabled this year to bring our farms* far beyond the town under ciiUUie/ythis, not alone from the loss

Most of these morbid feelings so prevalent amongst us, could be dispelled if some definite policy was made known, capable of allowing our minds at least to anticipate results and at the same time, a confidence would be engendered which would induce us to believe the Government incapable of risking again, our lives and property, by patching up a peace. Expediency from time immemorial, has been the great fault in the British system of Govennent, and notwithstanding the consumption of red tape, the. Crimean and othei affairs have shown forth her utter deficiency, when systematic arrangement, becomes of a sudden requisite.

Although on a perspective glance into the future all appears so dull aud dark : we have at the present time our monotonous career broken by an occassional excitement, the kind and courteous conduct of the military, must not be passed over in silence, added to many other little ; attentions. On the evening, of Monday last," (May 27th), Colonel Warre and the officers of the 57th, gave a magnificient ba\l to' the ladies of Taranaki; Mrs. Warre acting as lady patroness, the evening passed most pleasantly away. On the 24th of May, the troops in garrison, including upwards of 200 of the Militia and Volunteers, after firing the usual salutes hi honor of Her Majesty's Birthday, and being inspected, were iirst complimented on their soldierlike appearance by Colonel Warre, and afterwards by letter through Major Herbert, by their officer. On the same day, our election of Superintendent was proceeded with, during the meeting the Herald attributes the quietude of the town and good temper of the people, to the new system of taking the poll, I cannot reiterate tliis idea, for it strikes me, that the few who have any direct interest in the choice of a Superintendent, are too far broken down, to feel much excitement, as to who was the man that should hold the position, whilst those who have but lately come amongst us, have uoi 1 the slightest feeling in any welfare, but in that of the Militia.

The varions speeches made by the candidates at a prior meeting 1 , and afterwards on the hustings, were of a character to interest none but local readers, each candidate most carefully avoiding the speaking on any subject that would show future policy; the speakers retrospectively glanced only at their past deeds, and trusted that by them we would judge of their capabilities ; to a cerlahrextent this was at least acting with honesty, inasmuch as it raises, no false hopes, no one seems enabled to anticipate what is next lo come. The result of the election was the returning of Captain GY Brown,. T.M. as the successful candidate. The state of the poll at Us close, being . C. Brown 167, J. C. Richmond 98.

I do trust, that our provincial authorities, on finding that the season has advanced too far, for the out farms to allow of occupation, will at once set to work and have the whole of the waste lands surrounding' the town, marked out. into 5 or 10 acre sections, and leased to the iudustrious agriculturists.

Not alone for our osvn sakes ought we to arise and strive to help ourselves, but it is out* positive duty, inasmuch as it is the only method left us of shewing, a true appreciation, for that assistance and sympathy, that has beco so kindly bestowed upon us in our troubles, to piove ourselves worthy of the kind considerations of our fellow colonists, we must through whatever difficulties may yet oppose us, boldly step forward, put our shoulder to the wheel, and help ourselves from within as far as we can ; and there is no doubt that the assistance requisite for seed and fencing will iind us from without.

In our elections of members, to serre in. the | Provincial Council, we hare decidedly succeeded in obtaining the services of practical and business men, most of whom would not allow the intrinsic merits of a question before the Council, to be warped by party feeling. We are too small a community to allow of a divided bouse, our greatest strength, more particularly under existing circumstances, is in both unity of purpose and of action. One great want that is felt, and spoken of by all, and which has been noticed in v sister province, is that of a means of obtaining for the rising generation," education." I trust that the successful candidates, in compliance with their promises will do all iv their power to advance this important item in colonial prosperity. From the present compulsory concentration of our population, 6ome. temporary system might at once be brought into play. • Our Iron Sand Speculators, seem to have been most successful in the forming of a company, with adequate capital. From the situation both of the sand and fuel, the war will have little or no effect in checking the advancement of these operations ; the smelting works can bpSerecleil near the beach, under the cover of duT' forts, whilst the charcoal burners, in the forest can find shelter and defence by means of stockades and blockhouses, the country around the town and near the bush offers protection, from its peculiar physical structure, there being no exteut of country without some promiuent sugar loaf hill situated in its midst. The working of this company by denuding the country of timber in the inmimediate proximity of the town, will do much to' wards destrojing the cover for an enemy. The hand of.sickness is still heavy uponus: within a very small space of time, upwards. of 70 from our small community have been taken from amongst hs. The many who have been attracted here, by our militia arrangements, are entering into horse racing, and similar amusements in o/der to pass away the time that would otherwise hang heavily on their bauds ; few of us disapprove of recreation, in gone bye timei, the settlers of Taranaki found abundance of leisure for their picnics aud other rural pleasures', but at the'present time, I tliink we ought .first to strive and do something towards again placing ourselves in an independent^ position, most of vs — if our militia pay was to "cease, tomorrow would be. penniless ; consequently now is the time,, wirii allour energies to prepare Tor, the rainy day. ..,■.,■ ,-, , : June Ist. A dispatch Las tins, day avrived from: Auckland, directing the*, disbanding of the j greater portion pi. the mounted volunteer corp, from private sources we. .have also an intima*

tion that the breaking up of the militia, will soon follow. The Southern natives appear still to consider;;, l that they are our masters, aud can do as they' * like; we' are informed that the chiefs in conclave, have agreed, that for the future, the white man shall not with impuuity, pass beyond the Vowtoko pa, a distance of about seveu milea from -„',; town; notwithstanding that few miles '.< beyond this, we hare between three and four .:"' thousand acres, for which their chieftanships , have deigned to accept payment; for all this we ought to be truly grateful, more particularly „ as they so mercifully allow us the town of New ,- Plymouth for Wintev Quarters. June 6 th'. — The long expected Prince Arthur: ■ has at last arrived from Bombay via Auckland with the wives and families of the 57th.'. '/She brings 149 non-commissioned officers and men, , 42 sjldiers wives, and 69 {children, the Officers aye Brevet Major Haysard, Captain Sir Robert.. . Douglas, Bart., Captain L. G. Clarke, Lieuts. ; Acheson, M'Clintock and A. C. Manners, ; the ladies are Mrs. Haysard, and Mrs. Martiudale • ' and 4 children.

The Prince Arthur will proceed to Mauukau with the detachments of the 14th, still remaining with us and most of the Artillery consisting of 2 10 inch, two 8-in. aud several smaller mortars, two 8-inch guns, two 24-pouud howitzers, and two 9 pouud guns with a large quantity of, ammunition. . ;

We are progressing well with our rifle shoot-/ -; ; ing for the eolouial prize. Out of upwards two hundred competitors, one hundred and : eighteen have already fired with the followingresults. ■ • ' .'■:•<•.- --2 marked in ,tfie wine shots 18 '• "-' 2 " . " « 16 -,'.: 3 " " " 15 •' i . -1 « « « 14 2 ' « « « 13' • 9 " . " ' " 12 11 " " " 11 „; , 5 " " " 10 „.• „, 11 " " " • .9 6 " " « ,8 ". ■ ■ The remainder, various numbers under 8. '■; Our new colors contrary to anticipation were " l .' not presented to us on the* Queens Birthday. The: 18th of this month, the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, has been chosen for this ' interesting ceremony. ' : W.I.G. '■■-- By the Wong a Wonga, w© have received { \ Tarauaki papers via Nelson, up to the : ..', : Ist inst, and by the Lord Worsley to the; . - 7th inst. . ! The schooner Victoria, from Manakau, "; arrived Rt Taranaki on the 30th ult., 1, bringing Aucklaud papers up to the 25th ■ ••-- May ; but the Native news they contained r was not so recent as the Herald had ' "'' received from a private source. . . .• We extract the following from the Taranaki Herald of the Ist inst, being ; the most recent native intelligence re- .."■ ceived : — „ .:

Waikato. — By the overland mail, on ■•.'■.•;; Tuesday, the following items of hews* ''•?■* have been received, and have been kindly put into our hauds: — "No. certain infoi>,, ; „i mation can be given in reference to the ; future proceedings of the Waikatqs. '■ Wi Kingi and party vrero to leave Ran- . "\, giawhia on the 23rd ult., for Maunga-.:. tautari, so that the great meeting at -' Ngaruawahia would be held about the ' : * 30th ult. It is feared that the rej&ulis^,;. will not be satisfactory ' to" the ' G ov^ri-,''. f : ment. Thero is no hope of the.Waik.o,tos j ' : agreeing to give up their flag and- King, ,'. : > and Ngatimaniapoto object to give up Vthe plunder. There is, however, a small. ". i party who are willing to do all these ;■ things, and, perhaps, if not further pushed immediatelyi- they might daring" ■ the winter agree to terms. . It is, how-' 1 ever, very uncertain. The natives have,,. '" as yet, no certain plans. Nearly all are V anxious for peace, but they. wish for it on : . their own terms. It is to be feared that '■ the war is not yet settled at Taraiiaki."

A general election had taken place for,, the Superintendency aud Provincial Council.

Election for the Superintend' ; dency. — Thursday last wa» the day appointed by the Returning Officer for \ nominating the candidates for the office of Superintendent. Three names .had been previously put forward, but on that 7 day only two were placed in nomination*. s namely — Charles Brown, Esq., the first Superintendent of the province, and J. C. Richmond, Eaq , lately Provincial Secretary. From the large ossemblage of. > electors and others the nomination, al-.i though the day was lowering took plaoe outside the Court House. Mr. Hulke and Mr. Gledhill nominated Mr. C. Brown, and Dr. Wilson and Mr. Tatton Mr. J. C. Richmond. The show of hands was declared by the Returning Officer to be in favor of Mr. Brown, and a poll was thereupon demanded by Mr. Riohmond* - The poll was taken on Friday, aud re- „. suited as follows : — Mr. C. Brown 167; ' Mr. J. C. Richmond 98.— Neivs, May SO, The Provincial Elections, Omata.-. — The nomination of members to the : Provincial Council for the district of Omata took plaoe, as appointed, at noon Saturday. The names proposed were Messrs. Greenwood, Upjohn, Curtis, Looney, Newsham and G. R. Burto'n.j The show of hands was in favor of Messrs.:. ; liooriey, Newsham, Burton and Curtis;! and no poll being demanded they were) declared duly elected.— H era Id ' ' * Town of Nbw Plymouth.— The iip-[ miuation of members, to the Provincial* Couuoil for the Town of New Plymouth! took place a? appointed on.Monday.^ The=* names proposed were.Messrs. Humphries, ,. Wait, ; Gledhill, Yems, Letli'bridge,,aixdt W. Weston. The. show of, hands. was mi faror of Messrs. Humphries,, GledWll, £ Yem» ; and Watt. A i poll Was tiema'nded* •byMr:w;eßtQn. ......■'; •';; !i ''. •;;:■'! ;!" : On Tuesday the polling fgrjltjie above closed! with the following resulfcs:e4 4J r •:••- i Mr. Yems ..,<.... ,.;.i..^.;i 69 (> ' *■•_« Gledhill ■.;.».»;.^..J,^ , . ; ' , " Humphries. V» ...;..• ... '•jit'i^^hi- i v' Le'thbridge 0 ,,. 0 .w..;i. 43 '» Gri|y and Bell. — The nominations topk place on the follow « ft

of crops, but also from the mischief, that must accrue to the land by the accumulation of weeds, is much to be regretted. One and all wish once again to be clear from military sway and in the enjoyment of there own homes. If it is uatural lor us to look back with pleasure on our father land, with what affectionate inte rest must the industrious settler look updn the colonial home, that he bus by the strength of his owu right hand, redeemed from the wilderness. The beautiful language of the poet is truly applicable to our case —

There's nae place like our am hame ; Oh, I wish that I was there ! There's nae place like our am hamc, To be met wi' ony where ! — And oh ! that I wero back again, To our farms and fields so green ; And beard the tongues o' my niii folk, And. was what, I lia'e been !