BRINGING FORTH FRUIT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1741, 17 July 1862, Page 3

BRINGING FORTH FRUIT.

When Governor Grey left New Zealand he was a power iv the land— the Natives recognised the Queen's authority, and not a breath of disaffection was ever known. When Governor Browne arrived, tbe m.intle of bis predecessor enveloped him, but he cast it off; and long before he left, bis power over the natives had vanished and disaffection reigned almost everywhere. Why was this t An answer is given in one single live of an address of welcome to bim by the natives of Port Cooper (Assembly papers, present sesion, E. No. 1 p. 4.)

" Friend the Governor! We greet you as the White Crane of rare appearance.'

Natives recognised in Governor Grey a friend — Governor Browne they never saw, and endeavoured to supply the deficiency by a Governor, or kiug of tbeir own. It took years for Governor Biowne to be divested of the prestige he had on landing, is it to be expected that tbe prestige can be restored to Governor Grey iti a few months ? Children sow seed one day and expect to reap it the next, is it reasonable for grown men to expect that the natives can be won otherwise than gradually back, by any method that could possibly be devised..

Not very long since we detailed some iof the successful results attending Mr. Buller's fiist circuit through tbe West Coast district. When Sir George Grey visited it two months ago it was reported that be was well pleased witb what he heard and saw. Like a skilled physician, one feeling of tbe pulse enabled him to take in the whole symptoms and the way was felt to be opeu for the magistrates appearance. Everywhere Mr. Buller was listened to patiently ; in almost every instance bis words were pronounced " good," and even thus early, they are beginning to bring forth fruit.

Several ofthe tribes are desirous of coming over either f<om mere neutrality or decided Kingism ; but tbey fear tbe ridicule of tbe disloyal aud the distrust of the loyal natives. A good pretext is all that is wanted by many, and such a pretext occurred recently to one of very strongest tribes of tbe King party. The Ngatihuu or Te Rrngihaeata's tribe is closidy related to the Ngatitoa aud Ngatirau and exercises great influence on tbe West Coast. This tiibe contributed some of the body of thirty three who startedrfor Taranaki last May, iv the hope of being able to open the road for mails and travellers through the Ngatiruanui country. Epiba, returning unsuccessful, was not only ridiculed but cursed by the Ohau Kingites. According touative custom no greater ground of offence could readily be found, and Epiha's tribe were two anxious to come under new institu tions to let the opportunity slip. A meeling was. held last week at their pa Porotawbao, when Kingism was formally renounced by the whole of them— about 200 ; with the intention of submitting to the new order of things, after a, month or two's decent interval.

Porotawhao is an inland settlement between Otaki and Mauawatu, and will be known to many as tbe retreat of tbe old chief Rargihaeata after the last southern war. It had been the bead quarters of tbe King party on tbe coast, and possesses two of the very best Runanga bouses in tbat district, now to be placed at tbe Government's disposal for Court houses &c. Nothing will tend more to weaken the King's cause among the neighbouring tribes thau tbe defection of the Ngatibuia, more especially as tbey do not in any way intend to hide or palliate their defection. A large feast is to be held at an early date to celebrate tbeir casting off tbe King's cause, when letters are to be formally despatched to his Waikato Majesty, to the effect that henceforth he need not reckon them among bis loving subjects.

This is but a specimen of what we know will be continually occuring. The natives are keenly alive to ridicule, so much so tbot a Maori

Punch would possess a more powerful influence than a Maori Times. With many, tbe fear of being ridiculed as turncoats alone kieps them from giving in their formal adhesion to the Queen ; and as pretexts occur they will be readily seized. Tn time we shall see tbe proposed new order of things gradually accepted even by those who at present offer them the greatest opposition.