SUMMARY FOR THE SEPTEMBER MAIL TO EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1955, 10 September 1863, Page 4

SUMMARY FOR THE SEPTEMBER MAIL TO EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA.

Wellington Independent Office, Wednesday, 9th Sept., 1863. At the time we write, the steamer Storm Bird is eight days overdue from Auckland, and is therefore expected anxiously every hour. Should she arrive before we go to press, her news will be found in another column ; should she not make her appearance, we shall issue an extra on the arrival of the Auckland, the steamer due from Auckland via Napier, on the 11th. A Supplementary Summary will be issued on Saturday next for transmission by the supplementary Mail, to be forwarded via Otago on that day. The news from Auckland having during the last month or two been of an all absorbing charac ter, the affairs of our own province have necessarily occupied a comparatively subsidiary place in our Monthly Summaries ; but this month the news from Auckland is as yet so barren in incident that we are able to devote a much larger space than usual to that relating to Wellington. Unfortunately the events here during the pasfc month, have been of a more exciting character — we have had panics in the Hutt, Wairarapa, and Rangitikei, and in the latter district the murder of a settler. The Supreme Court has also disposed of a very heavy calendar, in which were some cases that have excited more than ordinary interest. THE UVfT AND WAIBARARA. Before daylight on Monday, the 17th August, Captain Ludlam, the senior officer of the Hutt Militia, received a letter from Mr Bidwell, a settler and Justice of the Peace in the Wairarapa, acquainting him that information had been received from a friendly chief, named Manihera, that the Wairarapa natives intended to attack the Hutt Militia on that day. Captain Ludlam did not apparently deem this notice of sufficient importance to call out the Militia in the Lower Hutt but sent on the letter to the Captains of Companies higher up the valley. There the Militia was called out, and very great alarm and excitement ensued ; but towards the middle of the day the improbability of the natives coming from the Wairarapa to attack the Hutt Militia was so conclusive that the alarm subsided, and has not been again raised. But a few days previously to this, a portion of the Wairarapa had begun to feel alarmed, also from information communicated by the same chief Manihera, who it appears is in the habit of visiting a public house at Greytowu was one day more than usually communicative, and in that state led the bar to believe that ho could say something that would interest them if he chose. Whea pressed, both with words and something more stimulating, he pulled out a letter which, though it could not bo understood by those present, was understood to contain mischief —an understanding which Manihera certainly fostered. A public meeting was held on the 12th and resolutions urging the adoption of measures for the defence of the district were passed, and transmitted to Wellington without delay. The messenger arrived in town on Friday evening, the 14th, and noxt morning a special messenger from some of the natives in the Wairarapa, also arrived with letters expressive of their apprehension at the talk and movements of the settlers, and begging the Superintendent to visit them and explain the intentions of the Government, in the same way as they heard he had recently done to the natives on the West Coast. Major Gorton the newly arrived commandant of tho Militia, having engaged to visit the Wairarapa with a view to select sites for stockades and other duties connected with his office, arranged to start with his Honor that afternoon or next day (Sunday). Circumstances connected with the expected arrival of the Storm Bird fio-n Auckland, delayed them until Monday, when they started about mid-day

— the excitement in the Hutt that morning having previously become known. We mention these minute particulars, because it has been a moot question ac to whether the visit of his Honor and Major Gorton did or did not arise out of the letter then received. It is a matter of little moment to those for whom our Summary is principally written, but it is evident, from the facts above stated, that the visit to the Wairarapa was determined on previously to the Hutt panic— although if it had not been so arranged, it certainly would have been determined upon when that panic arose. And perhaps this is the place to remaik that we use the word " panic" simply in the sense of great arid general alarm in the district in which it occurred. A very interesting official report of the visit to the Wairarapa will be found elsewhere, and renders it unnecessary for us to do moro than give an outline here. It will be seen that on arriving at the Taita, about twelve miles from Weilington and four miles up the Hutt, the Superintendent and Major Gorton found the Taita Company at drill, having been under arms from an early hour that morning. Same remarks which Major Gorton addressed to them relative to their not going about with their rifles, were, in the excitement of the day, misunderstood ; and one of the men, having made use of language most unbecoming to the Major, was reprimanded. This man had his father murdered in the old Hutt war, and on that account the Major would probably have been more disposed to have left unnoticed the language theo used than he otherwise did. However, the result was that on riding off they were both" insultedin the grossest possible manner, Major Gorton on account of the remarks he had made, and the Superintendent on account of his known friendliness lo the natives." In the Upper Hutt the panic had very considerably abated, and by the time the Superintendent reached Greytown, in the Wairarapa, he had ascertained that Manihera was drunk when he wrote the letter to Mr Bidwell, which had caused all the alarm. Not the least of the evils likely to arise is, that Mr Bidwell or other gentlemen may probably refuse to again cry " wolf," and so, if the wolf really comes, he may perhaps find the settlers less prepared for the moment than they otherwise would be. Previously to the alarm occasioned by Manihera'i proceedings, the Wairarapa settlers had felt themselves secure, or if they did not feel themselves secure, they at any rate spoko and acted as though they did. The large majority had deprecated the calling out of the Militia, and had not formed themselves into Volunteer Corps, with the exception of a proposal for a Cavalry Volunteer Force that had been sent to Auckland for hii Excellency's approval a few days before. The •' mischief which Manihera had alluded to, had it been real, would have found them most defenceless, as comparatively very few of the settlers there have fire arms of their own. However much the security they previously felt may now be called into question, by those who seek thereby to damage the local political influence of the Provincial Govern, ment, it is certain that the settlers did not think themselves in sufficient danger to form themselves into volunteer companies, that they did not look upon the natives of the district as likely to be influenced for evil by the emissaries of the King, and that whatever apprehension might at any time have arisen in their minds, resulted from the possibility of a raid from foreign natives, of which they believed they would be duly warned by those residing around them. But that feeling of security had passed away with the first hint from Manihera, and the natives (who had for a long time past exhibited signs of fear at the preparations they heard were everywhere making by the Governor and the local governments,) assumed an attitude of defiance, which while many thought to be real, some thought to be only bounce — events proving the latter to be the more correct. The number of the natives, it may be remaiked is very far below that of the settlers— the former living in small villages dotted here and there over the district, and the lalter living, foi the most part, more or less scattered. The Superintendent held several meetings with the Natives. The Queen's natives expressed their fear of the Kiugites and endeavoured to obtain a promise that arras and ammunition should be supplied to them. The Kingites at all their meetings threatened to oppose forcibly the enrolment of the militia (or volunteers), and the introduction of soldiers or troopers. At one meeting theit language was so excited that the settlers were apprehensive of immediate mischief, and a messenger was secretly dispatched to Wellington for arms, and volunteer corps were formed at the townships of Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, and Featherston — the Superintendent having urged them to do 60 because of his inability to call out the militia in consequence of no ofiicer having been appointed by the Governor to enrol it. Two of the leading Kingites happening to visit the Superintendent while some of them were being sworn in, he offered them a seat at the dinner table, purposoly, that they might deliberately see that the threats that had been expressed at their meetings were unheeded, and at a subsequent meeting the Superintendent pointed out that what they were threatening to prevent he had actually accomplished — ani that in like manner all that he bad said should be done, would be done, whether they liked it or not. We refer to the official account elsewhere, for further details, suffice it to say here, that about two hundred rifles have been distributed amongst the 258 volunteers — the deficiency being made up from private sources — the supply of arms in this province still being so scanty that even where the militia is called out they are only partially armed. The sites of several stockades have been selected; but the difficulty in connection with their erection is the garrisoning them afterwards, as it would be only tempting the natives to leave them unprotected. At this date, quiet is restored. Several of the families who left at the time of the panic have returned or are returning, and confidence generally is very much restored. It wiJl be seen by a reference to several native letters appended to the official report, that the King and others have been endeavouring to induce the natives to " assist" the Waikato causa by a diversion here in its favor. Similar attempts have been making iv all directions for several months past. They have hitherto bßen unsuccessful, but we believe that they have teen so, mainly;because of the fear induced" by the great war-like preparations which General Cameron has been making in the north. We look to every success of the General has having a most impertant effect in keeping the peace elsewhere. TVANGANUI AND EUNGITIKEI. The constant state of excitement in which I Wanganui was kept, while the war was coufinedjto Taranaki, has greatly ceased since it has broken out in Auckland. With the exception of one or two occasional alarms, such as that in connection with the shots said to have been fired at Mr Harrison's I house, (reported last month), the district has been singularly quiot considering the proximity to a large native population. The adjoining districts of Rangitikei and Turakina were, towards the end of last month, kept for several days in a state of great excitement. There has been for a long time a dispute going on between some tribes as to who are entitled to the grass money ; i.e., the rents of lands leased to settlers for pastoral purposes. The money being claimed by the former owners of the land as well as by the recognised present owners, armed demonstrations have been frequently made by the opposing parties. The dispute has, at last, been agreed by them to be referred to the Governor; meanwhile their having moved about armed, in fear of each other, has caused much uneasiness, especially amongst those who have looked upon the whole dispute as a device got up to blind the settlers to their presumed real intention. Some 15 or 20 of these natives went armed to plant potatoes about

a fortnight since, and, their numbers becoming magnified, a report was circulated and bdieved ■ that they were the advance party of a large body of Waikatos, concealed some distance up the Kangitikei river. Another version of the same story represented a body of Taupo natives as lying in wait in another direction, and in addition thereto the following letter was sent to the Magistrates at Turakina, by a native who appears to be well known to them. " Parawanui, 24th, Aug., 1863. Listen to this word all of you fighting men; Make haste you who are sitting there. There are 107 armed men at Te Hou Hou, and 60 with Wi Tako and Heremiah for the work of killing the white people at Turakina and Rangitikei at this time. You be careful. Be careful the white people at your place. Make a pah of earth for you by the side of the road. My word to you is to do something while it ia light." This letter coming from a native who had promised to give timely notice of anything evil that he might hear was intended, naturally produced some uneasiness and " pas of earth" or redoubts were thrown np in several places, but nothing being seen of the enemy and the incorrectness of the Waikato and Taupo reports becoming apparent, the excitement subsided, but not before several outsettlers families had come into the more populous centres for safety. It must be evident to everyone that natives are liable to be as mistaken by listening to the reports current amongst themselves, as we are by those amongst ourselves t but still it will not do to pooh-pooh the information thus communicated, and the more the settlers are prepared and know what to do and where to go to if an emergency arises, the less they are likely to be influenced by unfounded reports. Our 1 correspondent at Turakina, in writing on this sub- | ject very properly says — i " Things are quieting down, and the letter ia ■ pooh-poohed by the Wanganui people. I am • very much afraid that we shall be in the position . of the shepherd in the fable, we shall hear the cry of wolf so often that we shall pay no attention to . it when it is raised in earnest j however, we must ■, hope for the best, and be prepared when they do I come, Ido not think £hat there is anything to I fear from the Natives of this place, unless they are compelled by a stronger party from the other end [ of the island." ; The scarcity of arms in these districts is com- ' plained of, and though nothing like that which '■ exists in Wellington city and suburbs, the Wai- ■ rarapa &c, it is yet most shameful that all the « strong representations which have been so re--1 peatedly made to Auckland for farther supplies, 1 should be still unattended to. From Manawatu, Otaki, and Waikanae there , is nothing specially to report. MOBDEK OF MB BOBEBT BATNEB. t Shonld the report of the Coroner's inquest be i received .before we go to press, it will be fouud ia r another column ; meanwhile we here notice this 5 melancholy occurrence, so far as is yet known. 3 Mr Robert Rayner was a farm settler in the 1 Rangitikei district, and around his farm are • several others He may be said to have \ been less isolated than the average ' of large farmers in that district are. He was married, but some few weeks since his wife I and children came into Wellington on a visit to 1 her relations. There was a half-caste lad living 3 as servant in the house, and there was a native • lad working on the premises. On Thursday evening the 27th August, Mr Rayner went down r to Bull's accomodation bouse and Post-office, [ transacted business, wrote letters for that night's ' Wellington mail, and went home, perfectly sober. 3 at about midnight. The distance is about three ' quarters of a mile. Next day the half-caste and madri appear to have left the house, for doing r which they assign as a reason that their time was up, and say that they left Mr Rayner in the | house. On the following Tuesday (Ist Sept.) a Mr Broughton went to Rayner's, and " cooyed" 1 as usual, but not receiving any answer, he went 3 up to the house, and finding it locked, got in • through a window. There was as we at present 1 understand, nothing to excite particular attention " except a revolver on the floor, and that Rayner's- [ bedding had been removed from his room into--3 the half-caste's and mixed up with it. There " were two guns in the house belonging to Rayner, [ and no appearance of robbery manifested itself. 5 Having looked about the premises and Rayner not | being to be seen anywhere, and his absence from > the drill of the Mounted Volunteers being recoils lected. Mr. Broughton raised the alarm and the j neighbourhood and river were searched that day and Wednesday. On Thursday morning the body | was fouud buried within a few yards from the ' house, in consequence of the toes of the boots pro--1 jecting— the place being overlaid with wood to prevent its having been newly dug being discovered L The clothes were the same aa those worn at Bull's. ' A piece of flax was tied round one leg and one arm ' was partly out of the coat sleeve. In a part of the- _ premises there were two spades, which, on being examined, were found to have on them blood and ' hair, showing that two persons had apparently been engaged in digging the hole in which the " body was concealed. The body was carefully removed to Bull's and a jury summoned for the in- • quest to be held on the following day (Friday.) We have letters dated on Friday before the inquest began, and they mention that the post mori tern examin »tion reveals three wounds; of which either the one through the apex of the heart, or a second through tne crown and throat, was sufficient to cause death. The native was apprehended without trouble and the half-caste, who had gone to the pa where his relatives resided a few miles off, was given up by them to the party of eight mounteed volunteers who went up for him.' The half-cast^ himself was obstinate, but his relatives readily gave him up. The natives in the whole neighbourhood expressing their detestation of the crime, asserting that it was not done by local natives, who wonld be sure to have taken away the three fire-arrris ; nor by natives from a distance, who, had it been done for war purposes, would have left the body exposed and not attempted to conceal it- Three influential natives were placed upon the jury, and the two prisoners sent to Wanganui gaol to await the result of the inquest. Some suspicion had been raised against a white man living close by, in consequence of his having been said to have uttered threats of vengeance against the deceased, " even if he were to hanged for it ;" but until the evidence of the inquest is before us, we refrain from adding anything further*, the more.especially as while great mystery hangs over the murder, there is much that undoubtedly points to its having been committed by two persons. Mr Rayner was a son of Mrs Stilling of the Hutt . and was married to one of the Misses Knox of the Porirua Road. Several settlers families have thus been thrown into the deepest affliction by this foul murder. The motives which could have prompted the perpetrators of this foul deed to commit it cannot as yet be divined. The first impression was that it had a political significance— that it was done to bring on war ; but the general impression on the spot now is against that supposition. The evidence taken at the inquest ia looked for with very great anxiety. RESIGNATION OP THE HON. MR. MAKTELL. It is understood that the Hon. Mr. Mantell has resigned his seat in the Ministry. This gentleman has been for some months the locum tenens here of the General 3overnment at Auckland, and . has rendered important services to the province by • being able to act at once in many matters, which might have involved serious cAnsequenees had the delay of a reference to Auckland been necessary as it otherwise would. Mr. Mantell ceaeesi to act in this capacity so soon as his resig-

cation is accepted, which acceptance was expected by the steamer due on Ist instant from Auckland but not yet arrived. We have on a former occasion noticed the advantage of having had a 'f local minister," and we need only say here, that whatever mayjhave been the reason ior this unexpected event, it must be satisfactory to that gentleman to know, that his services to this province are thoroughly appreciated by all classes of the community. During the recess, and especially during the last few months, the duties of Mr Man tell have been most onerous, and under the very critical circumstances in which the province has been placed, it will be generally acknowledged that they have been performed in a manner which must considerably add to the already high position he holds in the good opinion of the Assembly. THE GENERAL .ASSEMBLY SUMMONED. A proclamation summoning the General Assembly to meet at Auckland on the nineteenth of October next, has been published in the New Zealand Gazette. The Southern Cross blames the Governor rather than the Ministry for delaying the meeting. It says : — The Parliament of New Zealand is to meet on the nineteenth of October, at Auckland, for despatch of business. The news will be received with pleasure by the whole country, which has for many months past with one voice demanded its assemblage at the hands of Government. It would perhaps be useless now to enter upon the question of what it was which so long delayed that which was so earnestly desired by the public, particularly as we have no certain knowledge on the subject. One thing, however, we must in justice say on behalf of the Ministry, that they did intend and wish for its meeting some months ago. That it did not meet then, or rather that it is not at this moment in session, was not we believe, the fault of the Ministry, so much as the wish of the Governor. The New Zealander, however, throws the blame on the proper shoulders — that of the Miuistry. It rejoins : — "The attempt made by the Southern Cross yesterday morning to shift from the shoulders of the Ministry to those of the Governor the odium of having, in direct opposition to the wish of the colonists, so long deferred the meeting of the General Assembly is one worthy of the source from whence it emanates. As an occasional writer in the Cross, as one whose non-political responsibility renders him able to use his pen on behalf of his colleagues, the gentleman whose style is so easily recognisable in the article in question has occasionally done good service to his party. In the present instance, however, he has succeeded no farther than in simply raising the question of blame. Nothing has been proved, but the insinuation that " the delay has taken place less from the fault of the Ministry than from the wish of the Governor" is cast forth in the hope that it may pass unchallenged, and work upon the public mind. Now it was clearly to the interest of the Governor that the Assembly should be called together, and that as quickly as possible. He had nothing to lose by such a step; on the contrary, the gain Was his, for aa certainly as the meeting of the Assembly takes place, so surely does the Governor receive the support of a New Ministry — men in all probability on whose disinterested advice and judgment he will be able to rely, and not men, as in the present case, whom it i<» tolerably well* known, he has been positively obliged to keep at arm's length. The Duke of Newcastle'^ late dispatch, rendered it imperatively necessary that a new order of things should be initiated, and the contents of that dispatch doubtless influenced Ihe Governor in resisting further delay, which would have been so acceptable to those now in office. "On the other hand it has been clearly to the interest of the present ministry, and their party, »O stave off 80 long as they possibly could the meeting of the Assembly. Not only were they fully aware of the uncertainty of their weathering the very first storm in the House, but several of their supporters were absent from the colony, and in the insecure position which the members of the Executive hold, these alone were strong motives on their part for delay. Perhaps, however, a still stronger motive exists in the exercise of power and the bolstering up of political capital out of doors, which the reckless control of a large war expenditure, and of the Militia and other appointments, and of a civil commissariat supplied without the vulgar business details of" public tenders," confers upon them.