IMPORTANT FROM MANAWATU

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1960, 22 September 1863, Page 3

IMPORTANT FROM MANAWATU

(from our own correspondent.) I In consequence of a notice from Major Rookes, to the effect that on Wednesday, 16th inst., he intended swearing in and distributing rifles and preparing for the drill of the militia, a meeting was held at Te Awhoe Hotel, Manawatu, on Saturday evening last, when F. Robinson, Esq., presided. After a few remarks from the Chairman, W. Buller, Esq., R.M., stated that he had (by the request of the settlers) most strongly urged upon the Government the importance of stationing a portion of the Defence Force on this river, not only for the purpose of Assisting the settlers in the defence of their homes, but also from its being an important position for the object of keeping the communication epen between Wanganui and Wellington, but he was sorry to inform the meeting that his earnest solicitations for their benefit had been of no avail, the Defence Force being already allotted and distributed amongst the out-lying districts, as the Superintendent had told him that we might not expect any assistance. He himself felt that it would be greatly to tbeir advantage being armed, but still his best endeavors would be used in order to forward the wishes of tbe settlers tothe proper quarters with as little delay as possible. The following resolutions were then put to the meeting and carried : Proposed by T. W. Cook, Esq., J.P, secouded by Mr Gray: — " That this meetitg fully recognises the critical position of tbe Manawatu settlers scat tered as they are over a wide extent of country, surrounded by a large disaffected native population, cut off from communication with either Wanganui or Wellington, and without the means of defence or escape in the event of a sudden attack." Proposed by Mr H. Symons and seconded by Mr W. Wintersgill :— " That this meeting desires to express the unanimous determination of the Manawatu settlers, provided the Government will afford reasonable aid, to use every endeavor in their power to hold the district in the event of a native outbreak." Proposed by Mr C. Symon*», seconded by Mr Gray .— " That this meeting having heard with regret the utter hopelessness of help from without in the stationing of a portion of the Defence Force on this river and fully conscious of the inability of the settlers to hold the district against a native population out numbering them by twenty to ont, sre of opinion that it would be highly injudicious at this conjuncture to arm the settlers with rifles or to call them out as militiamen. Proposed by B. Smith, Esq., coroner, seconded by Mr H. Symons. "That this meeting, composed chiefly of militiamen, having received notices to assemble at the Ferry House, on Wednesday, the 16th, to receive rifles and ammunition from the Major Commanding the Wanganui Militia, desire to express their earnest hope that such notices mvy be withdrawn, feeling assured that such ostentatious display would only be productive" of harm, and without actually contributing to the defence of the settlers, would render the position only more critical ; while this meeting* desires at the same time to suggest to the Major Commanding, that the issue of a revolver to each settler capable of holding and using thesame, would be a considerable boon," Proposed by T. W. Cook, Esq., J.P., seconded by Mr G. Trask. " That this meeting respectfully requests the chairman to forward through the Resident Magistrate, a copy of the above resolutions to his Honor the Superintendent, and another to the Major Commanding the Wanganui battalion of Militia." This closed the business of the meeting. A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman and the meeting terminated. The general feeling of the meeting was — more especially from those settlers who understood the Maori character, tbat should they ultii mately bave to abandon the Manawatu, that the King party would again claim that block of land by right of conquest ; also, that as most of tbe natives residing here, being professedly loyal, the withdrawal of the pakeha settlers would destroy their rallying point in the event of tbese (the loyal natives) being attacked by the King party, and would most probably draw them into the vortex of King warfare, more for their own individual protection than from any desire to join in the rebellion ; and they are more so now within the last few days, as natives from Otaki and Ohau, are passing through all armed on their way to Rangitikei, for the purpose of watching the proceedings of the inquest held on the murder of the late Mr Rayner ; and also, as they say, to pull down the stockade that the settlers of that place had built, aud expressed themselves as determined not to allow any stockades between Wanganui and Wellington, Hereraia is at their head. The number that passed was 24 all armed, and on foot.