THE Wellington Independent "NOTHING EXTENUATE; OR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 4th JULY. THE LOYAL OTAKI NATIVES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2227, 4 July 1865, Page 3

THE Wellington Independent "NOTHING EXTENUATE; OR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 4th JULY. THE LOYAL OTAKI NATIVES.

It will be seen from our Otaki correspondent's letter, with the documents subjoined, that the loyal Otaki natives are very much dissatisfied with the reply made by the Government to their application for arms aud ammunition, to enable them to resist tho Hau Hau fanatics who recently visited that district. One thing in their letter to Mr Edwards is noteworthy. They say that the danger has not passed away, and that it may recur again at any moment, when they will be unable to procure the means of defence in sufficient time. We believe that the former part of this assertion is correct. So long as the Hau Haus are anywhere about the West Coast between Wellington and Wanganui, a danger exists which should be provided against, and if the loyal natives so earnestly desire arms, it might be worth while asa precautionary measure to organise them nto a semi-military body, under the command of a European officer, so that their services might be made available when required. In that way arms and ammunition might also be provided. As the case stands there is a danger that those who might prove valuable allies will get disgusted at the virtual rejection of their offers of ser-

vice