TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1755, 19 August 1862, Page 3

TARANAKI.

[from our own correspondent.]

Taranaki, August 9, 1862.

I mnst commence my cominunicaliou this month wiih an Englishman's privilege of finding fault witb the weather. The rain thai has fallen this winter exceeds in quantity that of any past season within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, our streets in parts are literally impassable being far above tbe knees in mud The road to the North of the town on the contrary reflects the greatest credit on the Engineer who has with the aid of the militia shown to what perfection, by means of a proper system road making cau. be brought to in this Province. Many of our small community evince a considerable amount of soreness, at the silent and almost contemptuous manner we have been passed over in the Governor's speech ; but I suppose from our forlorn position we are no longer deemed worthy of thanks for any public works we may carry out, for we needs must go when a certain individual drives. There is no doubt that many would leave the Province had they the means.

Mr. Hulke brought forward the following motion in the council:— That this council feels both surprised and hurt at the omission in the Governor's opening address to the House of Assembly at Wellington of all allusion to the critical position of the Province of Taranaki with regard to its Native population. That a Province in which martial law is in force and has been for even two years and a half, in which European settlers bave been wantiugly murdered without respect to age, in which armed bodies of natives have been suffered with impunity to buru, pluudei and destroy property to a large amount, and to hold by a right of conquest a large aud highly cultivated district, deserves in the opinion of ibis council, some consideration in a speech of much importance, more particularly as the greater part of the population are now obliged to be supported by the General or Provincial Government, all agricultural pursuits and trade having long ago ceased to exist, the remaining population being centered iv town or at the Slockades, whilst a very large body have been expatriated lo Nelsou by order of the Military authorities. Such is indeed, is a true picture of our state. Was peace immediately proclaimed, from the advanced state of the season, we should be unable to prepare the soil and complete our fencing so that another year must pass away without tbe slightest hope, of seeing even a solitary marketable commodity produced. Every year such as this must be, is increasing to a vast extent the difficulties that will have to be contended wiih before the country will yield eveu a livelihood. Insteau of ploughing up a field and planting at once, a large amount of capital and labour must roquisitely be expended in clearing the farms. Another year of uncertainty is before us, in which no one cun make arrangements for tbe future. There seems from your last papers to he a probability that tbe buisness of the colony will be carried on by a ministry formed by the coalition of the opposition parties. This augurs well for us, at preseut, we appear to be simdarly situated to a football between the players ; we are first kicked over to those in power with the remark, " see these poor wretches, what are you going to do with them," we are then kicked back again with the answer, yes, indeed we siucerely sympathise with them, but they are as wben we first took the Government, no action of ours has reduced them to the pitiable position so feelingly held forth by honourable members. Should this coalition ensue, there is every prospect tbat the simpathy so abundantly expressed may eventually find vent in some more practical scheme that will reinstate us in our former comfortable homes.

May be under the present unhappy state of the country, any junction that would tend to soften the asperities of party feeling would prove of iufinite service. One great master mind, during a period of great agitation in England, supported a movement he did not agree witb, in order that the Government of the country might be harmoniously carried on ; I allude to the Duke of Wellington on the passing of the Reform Bill.

With the exception of a little stir in the South, tbe Native news is unimportant. A quarrel was likely to break out between W, King of Umuroa, a Queen's native, and a leading man of his tribe, with tbe King's natives concerning a horse. The report last week was tbat bloodshed was likely to ensue from the affair, but to the present time no other news has reached us, lam sony to inform you of the death of Captain Burton, J. P.. of the Taranaki Militia who after long ailing, died suddenly on the 4th AugHSt, by the bursting of a blood vessel.

Captain Burton entered the Militia when it was first embodied under Major Lloyd, and from the first outbreak at Omata, he was in command of the garrison ai the stockade, under Jiis directions the building was fitted for sheltering the men and protecting them from the various attacks by the natives.

There is no doubt that the exposure and privations then endured ended in bringing about his early dealb. When quietude was again restored, he returned to town, when he was elected by the Provincial Council as tbeir Speaker, at the same time received an appointment as a commissioner for investigating the compensation claims. His thorough business habits, coupled with the high standing of bis character, has caused bis departure from amongst us to be considered as a great loss lo our suffering community. Captain Burton was a Justice of the Peace of some years standing ; he leaves behind him to lament his loss a widow and tbree children. W. I. G.