AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2115, 13 October 1864, Page 7

AUCKLAND.

THE ESCAPE OF 200 MAORI PRISONERS FROM THE KAWAU.— UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS OF SIR GEORG-E GREY TO INDUCE THEM TO RETURN. _^__ I I RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTRY. A POLITICAL CRISIS. ' I OtJE files from Auckland during tlio month I are from September 3rd, to October 4th inclusive. We subjoin in detail, the most important ' intelligence. The Souikern Cross of Sept., 13th, gives the following particulars of this affair : — ESCAPE OF THE MAORI PRISONERS j FROM THE KAWAU. The town was thrown into a considerable state of excitement 3 r esterday by the report that the Maori prisoners to the number of I 200, the most of whom were captured at ! Rangiriri, had taken Maori leave of their guardians, and had effected their escape from the Island of Kawau to the main land. This report was soon authenticated beyond all question of a doubt, as it was ascertained that it emanated from Mr John White, the native interpreter, who had brought up the information direct from the Kawau, at a late hour on the previous night, and who immediately conveyed it to his Excellency the Governor. We need hardly say that the prisoners were towed down from Auckland some two or three months ago, in the Marion hulk, and landed on the Governor's island, it being supposed by those who were responsible for their safety that it would be amply secured at this romantic and retired spot, besides giving them the enjoyment of that liberty which they could not possibly obtain on board the Marion. In other words we may say that it was thought that this was the best and niGst merciful way of disposing of the elephant we had caught. The old familar exterior of the Marion — a relic of a style of ship-building foreign to the present day — disappeared from the Waitemata, and with it the two hundred brown candidates for the rustic felicity that was in store for them on the romantic Kawau. People began to think less of the prisoners of war, and although there are a few who would like to have seen them quarrying at Mount Eden, or mending our roads, the more thoughtful and sympathetic agreed that perhaps a better course could not have been taken. It appears that the prisoners, after their long confiueracnt, were quite overjoyed at their release and at their being allowed once more on terra firma ; and with that simplicity which they can so well affect, signified their pleasure at the leniency extended to them. They were distributed into two or three bodies, taking up their quarters on different parts of the island, and were comfortably housed, at least so far as their requirements demanded it. To carry out, however, a self-supporting scheme, and for the sake of the prisoners' own health, they were required to employ themselves in the industrial pursuit of fencing in and planting the land ; and to this occupation they took with considerable will. They were provided with all the requisite tools, a large proportion of which were already on His Excellency's estate : and we understand that some of them had just completed the fencing preparatory to planting, and that others had actually commenced to plant. The Kawau, as most of our readers are aware, is not far distant from the main land — probably not more than two miles, but this breadth of water intervening was considered to be a sufficient guarantee even if the prisoners desired to escape, that they would not be able to do so. Captain Krippener's company of Waikato Militia had been relieved of the charge of them, no doubt much to the gratification of both parties, and the prisoners had an opportunity of going anywhere within the sea-girt boundaries of Ka^ wau. And here, we may say, a mistake seems to have been made in relieving them so completely from control that there wero only four Europeans absolutely left in charge of them, viz., the warden, the chaplain (the Eev. Mr. Astiwell), the interpreter (Mr. John White), and Dr. Sam. It is not likely the prisoners would disclose any cherished plan of escape, and everything seemed to go on fmoothly until Sunday morning last, when, at the request of the chaplain, the bell was rung for divine service, and Mr. Ashwell wasjready as usual to exercise his sacred office. The energetic ringing of the bell, however, brought Mr. Ashwell no hearers, except Dr. Sam, and suspicions began to dawn upon the minds of the reverend gentleman and those of his companion that his congregation wero either not punctual in their devotions or hud made their escape. The suspicion of an officer in charge of the hulk, who had landed, being also aroused, he made search for the prisoners, examined their houses, found them empty, and could see no traces of them about. H. M. s. Falcon was lying in the bay opposite the Governor's house, and information was immediately conveyed to the commander, Captain Parfcyn, that there was reason (o believe that all was not right- It appeared that some of the prisoners had recently either coalmenced fencing or cultivating in the northern harbour of the island, and it being supposed that the main body had repaired thither, a boat was despatched by Captain Parkyn, but no natives were seen and on a further search it became evident that the birds had flown and that the escape had been made between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Confiimalion of this was soon obtained by the arrival of one or two settlers in a boat from the main land, who as we have heard were deputed by the friendly chief Patuone of Matakana, to inform the authorities that the prisoners had escaped during the night from the island, and had arrived at a native settlement not much frequented, near Matakana at an early hour iu the morning;. They also stated, we believe, that some of t'te settlers about there had been warned by Patuone that there was some danger to apprehend, and to be on their guard. On further examination it was found that the prisoners had taken with them all they could carry, such as spades, tools o every description, blankets, pannikins, and other useful articles, leaving behind them only half a dozen old blankets that were not worth taking away. Captain Parkyn immediatelj despatched one of the cutters belongiug to the Falcon to Auckland, by which Mr White arrived at a very late hour on Sunday night, and at once gave full information to bis Excellencj the Governor on the subject. Orders wen given yesterday morning for the Miranda U get up steam, which she did, and sailed frou jr the harbor about eleven o'clock, a.m , with hi. 1

'Excellency the Governor and Mr White on board, and in pursuit it is supposed of the fugitives — what steps will he taken to secure their capture have not, of course, been made public. " For this ludicrous and unfortunate occur* rence," justly remarks the same journal, "Sir George Grey is solely responsible. While under the charge of the colonial authorities these men were well fed and safely kept out of harm's way. His Excellency becomes responsible for their custody, and they are taken | down to the Kawau, an island belonging to i him, and are left to roam about it free from all contiol. This taste of freedom, with the possibility of -perfect liberty if they can only cross the narrow breadth of water which separates them from the main land, is too tempting J for them. The escape is planned, and on Saj turday night or Sunday morning, the 11th I September, ll»ey seize our boats and safely ! paddle themselves over out of his Excellency's | domain. Regret that we should have been so foiled, but li'licule of the folly which was the cause of it, were tiie feelings which seemed to be uppermost in the minds of the public when [ the news reached Auckland. A great display of the Queen's ships was at once made, and his Excell-jncy started for the scene of his cherished hopes; but his faithless children had deserted him. Not only had they made themselves scarce, but, as if contemplating permanent settlement on the main land, they took with them all the toils they could collect on the island, as a memento, no' doubt, of Sir George Grey's kindness to them. Several efforts have been mude by his Excellency through the medium of his interpreter to induce them to return and locate themselves on a piece of land said to be purchased for them, but without effect. The sweets of libeity are too precious to them to be lightly thrown away, and it is now evident that they will not return unless they are compelled by force to do so. This opens the question of what evils their presence in the North may not Itiad to. They have already shot some of the settlers' catile, and have very coolly told the owners to send in their bill to Sir George Grey, They are building apa upon the top of Otamaluirt, one of the most inaccessible mountains in the district; and although they profess to have peaceable intentions, there is reason to believe that mischief is brewing, and that if any of the Northern natives are induced to join them very serious results may follow. It is satisfactory, however, to know that the sole responsibility of the escape of these men rests upon his Excellency. He foolishly confided in them, and they have deceived him ; hut his Excellency's reputation will not suffer at the Colonial Office, although the property of the settlers 'nay be destroyed and their lives en» dangerod ; but what matters that ! TFIE lIESiaXATION OF THE MINISTRY. The first positive intimation of this was given in the Southern Cross of the Ist instant Our contemporary s iys : — '"The resignation of the Ministry created great excitement in Auckland yesterday, the cause being pretty generally known. The utmost sympathy was expressed with the late Ministry, who had endeavoured to carry out an honest and straightforward policy, and indignation against his iixcelleucy and the pro-Maori party was as freely expressed. Of course rumour wis rife ai to who would compose the new Ministry, and the following amoiist other names were mentioned — Dr Pollen, Coloni.il Treasurer ; Mr John Williamson, Colonial Secretary; Mr George Gialnm, Native Minister; and Mr Swainson, acting Attorney-General until Mr Sewell could be communicated with. Another suggestion wtis that Mr George Graham would merely keep lhese.it warm until Mr Fitzgerald's adhesion could be secured. Of his readiness to take office under any terms and with any colleagues no one doubted ; and Mr G. Graham, it was said, could easily be rewarded by a seat in the Executive without offi-je. As au ornament of the Peace Ministry his influence would be prodigious. " Whether these arrangements will be curried out it is difficult to say ; but that the genile men named entirelj concurwith his Excellency's present policy everyone admits, and we cannot tell, if he passes them by, where he will find advisers to his mind. It is needless for us to say that any Ministry, which abandons the principles f'<r which the war was commenced, will i not enjoy the confidence of the colony. What the Assembly will do when it meets it is easy to predict ; meanwhile, we think the .people 1 * of Auckland ought.in teuiperatebut firm language, to inform the Governor and his friends what they think about them and their disloyal conduct." The same journal of the 3rd inst., adds : — "The resignation of Ministers was not accepted definitely by his Excellency up to last evening, but from the nature of his communication with the members of the late Executive there is reason to believe that their resignation will be accepted if he can see his way to do without them. A request for financial information by the Governor was supplied— and we hope he found it satisfactor3 f . One thiug we may, sjy, however, that the statement put forward in his Excellency's paper, to the effect that there is a financial crisis impending owing to the mismanagement of the Government, is uutrue. The truth is that the Ministry are in a position to carry on the business of fhe country; and the plan ofsetllemeut specified by the Assembly, if his Excellency keeps faith with the colony, even in the restricted sense of Mr Cardwell's despatches. But this the Governor declluos to do, and by his own act — -by his own shameless breach of faith— he is endeavoring to bring about a financial crisis, for the purpose of coercing the colony into complicity with his treasonable practices. Let that be fairly and fully understood. There is no likehood of a financial crisis occurring if the Governor gives effect to the policy which he initiated, and which has been approved of by the Duke, of Newcaastle Mr Cardwell. 'If he docs uot do so, a3 a matter of course, the colony cannot go on finding money for carrying out a policy which must entail ruin and a war of races ou the colony, and benefit no one but Sir George Grey, who will retire with the reputation of having made peace and saved the Imporial Exchequer. When the colony ceases paying for these, purposes there will be •' a finaucial crisis" —that, is the Imperial Government, aud not the colony, must be the paymaster. But we deny the truth of the allegations that have been mude on this subject, The Colonial Government have hitherto found the means of carrying on the war, and they are in a position to do I so until a lasting peace has been established, r altogether apart from the three-million loan, i provided only the Governor gives effect to the r law, and confiscates the rebels' lands in accord* ; ance with Mr Cardwell's instructions. The Herald says: — I " There is but one course of honorable action f either for Sir George Grey, or for any set of 3 men whom he may call upon to succeed that j which we suppose we may even still call the i present Ministry, and that is, at once to call tos getber the Assembly, and light the battle out

i with the Colony in an open aud straightfonvari ; manner. To do otherwise — to take adrantng ! of the interim between the present time, am j the meeting of the Assembly in the autumn, si as to carry out a line of action opposed to tin will of the people, the voice of the Coloniii • I Parliament, the prosperity of the Colony, am : the establishment of peace on a sure and solic foundation, is to incur a responsibility that w< ': think Sir George Grey eveu will shrink from ; when he reflects what may be the after cou i siderations of the Imperial Government, wher the whole facts of the case and the certair failure of his Utopian schemes come to be thoroughly known and appreciated, as well ai home as here. TUB PItOPOSED OPERATIONS AT TARANAKI. The Weekly News of the Ist inst says : — ■ "The troops are actually going lo Taranaki at last. They are not gone, to he sure, and Taranaki has had so many unpleasant illustrations of the possibility ot f-lips, depriving them of unexpected draughts of good fortune, that we cannot venture to sa> that they will get there. It seems probable, however, that somethin" will be dnre at Jast, and all colonist? will readily agree that it n lime- Recent news from both Taranaki and Wauganui is of a character quite sufficiently JU«rgestive aud threatening, and if llifi Governor is inclined to fight, it is pretty certain that the natives will not refuse his offer. The 50lh Regiment £oe«, it is siid, to Wanganui, and with two such regiments as the 50th and 57th, n northward march towards Taranaki ought not, we should say, lo be difficult. The rest of the troops that can he spared will pro bably go to Taranaki, and we tray venture to hope that if General Cameron's hands are not lied he m.iy in a very few weeks campaign giva the Ngatiruanui ind other Southern rebel a« very salutary and instructive lesson. The country is said not to he dillieult, and will) the co-oper.uiou of active colonial troops, there ean be no good reason why the Maoris should mil at last receive the long merited chastisements of Iheir various atiocities." We have but little faith that Sir Geojfje Grey intends to have a campaign in Tarauaki. He may send some troops and stores there, he may again occupy the TuUr.iimaka block, but he will not, we fear, lake the proper measures tu assert the Queen's supremacy. His I own organ, the New Ze.ilander, remarks: — "It is stated, on good authority, that the two Regiments destined lo Taranaki, are to be placed upon the Tataraimaka block, which is thus to be made a post of military occupation. : General Cameron, it is said, has repoited to liis Excellency the Governor against the expediency of making ihe Province of Taranaki the scene of a military campaign." This does not look as if any vigorous measures were to be adopted.