THE Wellington Independent "NOTHING EXTENUATE; OR SET DOWN AUGHT IS MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 22nd SEPTEMBER. THE WEST COAST SETTLERS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1960, 22 September 1863, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent "NOTHING EXTENUATE; OR SET DOWN AUGHT IS MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 22nd SEPTEMBER. THE WEST COAST SETTLERS.

The intelligence brought by the overland mail frtm Wanganui and the West Coast, shows how very critical is the position uf the outsetlers in this province, and how great is the necessity for hurrying on the work of preparation for defence. In Wanganui, fortunately as yet, everything is quiet, and under almost any circumstances, the settlers there, with the military, militia, and volunteer forces in the distiict, are in a position of comparative safetyIt is however, for the out-settlements that some anxiety may be felt, because although on every hand we are assured of the cheerful alacrity which the people have evinced in organising themselves for defence, yet we legret to say, that up to the present moment, tbe supply of arras furnished by the Geneial Government, h9s not been quite sufficient for the exigencies of the case. This evil, we have reason to believe, will very^-shoitiy be remedied, as tbe authorities at Auckland, have promised to send down as early as possible, a further instalment of rifles aud small arms which will be sufficient for the requirements of the Province. We have repeatedly urged oh tbe attention of the General Government, the imminent need there was of sending arms to the settler g here, and weare now g-lad to say tbat atlast they are fully alive to "the necessity of so doing, His Honor the Superintendent and MrMantell have strenuously uiged this, and we are now \ led to believe that their applications have met with some success. It however appears tbat in Auckland the stock of arms is not quite sufficient for the Militia and Volunteers ; indeed it is alleged that when the corps of Rifle Rangers was formed there, the authorities I were obliged to take away the breachloading carbines from the Colonial Defence Force, so th'tt the former body migb 4 be armed. Everywhere requisitions have been despatched for further supplies, to Sydney, to Melbourne and to England, and it is now anticipated that very soon, the whole Island will be properly provided. For this Province we have the assurance that every rifle that can be spared will be sent. So far, this is satisfactory, but we cannot help thinking that if the work of preparation had been commenced iv time, much anxiety would bave been spared, and we sbould not have witnessed the recent panics that have occurred in this Province. The state of feeling in the different settlements ou the West Coast varies considerably. In the Wanganui, Turakina, and Rangitikei districts wbich are more thickly populated, there is a general feeling of confidence, and the settleis anticipate being able not merely to hold their own — to defend their lives and propeity— but also to retaliate with severity on whoever may be daring enough to assail them. And yet it is uot from the local natives, more particularly, that danger is anticipated, but rather from the incursions of armed bauds of strangers, either from the North or | from those settlements a little southwards, \ where Wi Tako plots and the spirit of Kingism ] is most rampant. It is unfortunate that in the f settlements nearer Wellington, those of Mana- ( watti, Otaki, and Waikanae, the natives are more numerous and hostile ; tbe settlers less in number and more scattejed. Thus while we find the people in Rangitikei only asking sufficient arms, and willing to use tbem in ease of need, those of Manawatu deprecate any public demonstration being made, either in calling out the Militia or distributing arms. They consider, justly enough, that in the event of war they could not without further assistance hold the settlement, and like the Raglan settlers, think that it is imprudeut to excite j tha natives, by a demonstration of arming which cau uot be followed up by corresponding action. A detachment of the Defence Force might well hare been stationed there. We believe it has been resolved ' on otherwise, the men having been alloted in ' other districts, which certainly stand in need of ' theiv presence. But if the Defence Force is < wanted in Rangitikei and Wanganui, it is < equally wanted at Manawatu. A hundred and ! fifty men are apparently not enough to give a \ fair n timbei to each settlement requiring them. If that be so. it would be well to raise a further body,— and raise them at once. When people f begin to talk of abamiouing a settlement, and \ speculate on its falling into the hands of the s Kingites, as the Manawatu settlers have apparently been doing, it is surely time to strain r every nerve to prevent anything so sad and so disgraceful taking place. Nothing would in- I fuse the King Natives with so much hope, as * the abandonment of a single place in this Pro. vince. No expense and no trouble should be f spared to prtrent this, and if it be necessary, it Ii would be better to raise a Defence Force of " five hundred meu, than that it should occur. , While we are wiiting thus of further measures c to be taken and more men to be enlisted, the set- ° tiers loudly complain, that of the force at present stationed here no use is being made. Wo are t sorry to confess that this is but too true. The p whole scheme, one originated by the present 1 Ministry, has been a disgraceful bungle from P tbe beginning. The men were enlisted and v brought here, but not the slightest provision vi had he§a made fot drilling, arming, and P

equipping them. Even now, though one hundred and fifty stalwart fellows are in Welling* ton they cannot be sent where they art -ao urgently wanted because, — for one of several reasons — they have no swords. Though nearly three months have elapsed since the first detachment arrived here, yet the authorities at Auckland have not yet bean able to send tbem swords. Each man should be armed with a carbine, revolver, and Cavalry sword, but except a supply of breach-loading carbines whicb arrived by the last steamer, tbeir other- arms are as yet very deficient. We believe it is concontemplated to .send fifty men up to Wanganai immediately by steamer, and we trust ere tben that the necessary arms will have arrived from Auckland. That they have not been received long- ago, is certainly not the fault either of the Superintendent or of Mr Mantel!. As mentioned elsewhere, tbe Superintendent started for. the West Coast yesterday. Wa believe in the present state of affairs this is the wisest step that could have been taken. He will be enabled to meet the settlers, to ascertain what is necessary to be done, and to take whatever measures tbe necessity demands.