WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1995, 12 December 1863, Page 2

WAIRARAPA.

(FROM OUR OWN OOKBESPONDENT.) Carterton, Dec. 5, 1863. On Snnday evening Mr Varnbam brought news of the ti<?lu at Rangariri, various rumours floated about but t'>e truth did not appear uutil the anival of the mail on the 3rd ult., and although the loss on the part of the pakeha is severe, It is the most satisfactory phase in the attempt to crush the rebel power that has turned up during the rebellion. • The maories here are all judiciously supplied by the Government with the news, and the turn in events has caused considerable excitement ami discussion, and it is clear that out friendly natives, are rather surprised to learn that the great Waikato braves have beeu so signally defeated ; nor is their defeat hailed will* pleasure by the friendly natives, but it goes against their grain to see their countrymen (rebels and murderers as they are,) conquered by the pakeha, whose powess they have for sometime looked upon with contempt. In listeniug to the maories who were warmly debating the subject the other day, one frieudly chief observed '• that it was some satisfaction to know that the pakeha could not get into the Rangariri pah, and it was good of the rebels to j come out before they had killed the whole of the pakehas." This is the fiiendly maories view of the cisc, whils some of the pakekas here are under the impression thut had not the irmoiies given themselves up as they did, the pakehas would have soon hare beeu in the stronghold, and then the maories who are now prisoners might have found a safe retreat in the grave. The Southern Cross, of the 25th of November, seems to be in a complete state of bewilderment 'as to what is to be done with the Maori prisoners. Surely such a concentration of intelligence as is necessary to constitute an editor for the Southaru Cross, need not be at a loss as to what to do with the interesting rebels — bestow them on their friends — let those who deem them worthy ot roast tut key or sucking pig provide for them, and those like Mr Fitzgerald, who wish them to have a seal alongside of him in the Commons of New Zealand, and amalgamate the races, allow them to take from 50 to 100 each home with them, and the amalgamation may be speedily accomplished ; but, surely these loving friends of rebels and murderers, will hardly wish to take the latter to their homes to increase the family circle. Then what is to be done with them ? Why common sense and plain justice says, hang the murderers. If they were English, Irish, or Scolch, that would be their fate under similar circumstances. Then what is to be done with the remainder? Send them to the Chatham Islands. Make those Islands the Maori penal settlement, make them work tilery and if they are properly managed, the produce of their labour will cover the expense of their detention. And as they acquire habits of civilzation and industry, and by their conduct merit to be again at liberty, give them th'-'ir liheity, and by that time there will be a pakeha population that will hold rebelious spirits in check for the future ; but by no means allow this suggestion to thwart those wbo are inclined to select a few for their own domestic use in amalgamating the races.