CHAPTER VII. Hapurona hoists a white flag...
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CHAPTER VII.
Hapurona hoists a white flag and tenders an offer for peace, which is refused-- Armstrong guns and heavy mortars arrive, and are moved to the front--Recommencement of hostilities--Death of Lieut. McNaughten, R. A. -- Governor arrives --Second armistice--Insurgents hold a conference with the Government--Terms offered and accepted by some of the Waitara natives--Terms offered and refused -by the Southerns--Arrival of Lieut. -General Cameron--Departure of troops for Auckland--Taranaki's future prospects--Departure of Governor Browne and arrival of Sir G. Grey--His policy.
AS the sun arose on Tuesday morning, March 12th, 1861, a white flag fluttering in the morning breeze was visible from the insurgents' lines; at the same time a native was seen approaching the redoubt with a flag of truce and a letter fastened to the end of a supplejack (or New Zealand cane); which, on being forwarded and read by the General, was found to contain such offers of peace that he could not concede to.
During the time the General at the Waitara was considering the contents of the letter, the Maories were seen busily engaged searching for bullets. There is no doubt that they reaped an abundant harvest; as, on some days, as many as 19,000 rounds of Enfield rifle ammunition were fired away, independent of shells and other missiles from the heavy guns.
At the Waitara three 12-pounder Armstrong guns had arrived, with some 10 and 8-inch mortars, and were immediately mounted under the personal superintendence of Captain Mercer, of the Royal Artillery. They had been packed in a mixture of white lead and palm oil, which a very little rubbing removed, allowing the beautiful
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finished workmanship of the guns to be seen. A sailor, who was standing by, on seeing the nice-fitting machinery put together, remarked to his comrade, "I say, Jack, before you and I can manage such gunnery as that, we must serve an apprenticeship to a watchmaker!"
On the General having formally refused Hapurona's offers of peace, the new artillery was quickly forwarded to the front, and the conflict once more renewed, causing an increased loss on our part; Lieut. McNaughten, of the Royal Artillery, being amongst the fallen. This young and promising officer had, from the first engagement at the L pa to the period of his death, been present at almost every affair against the rebels where a heavy gun had been fired. He was laying the cohorn mortar in the demi-parallel in advance of No. 8, when he was shot dead.
We had now at the front a great display of artillery, consisting of two 10-inch, two 8-inch, and five cohorn, mortars; two 24-pounder howitzers, one 9-pound gun, two 8-inch guns, three 12-pounder Armstrong guns, besides rocket tubes.
Well may the Maories fancy they are a great and a brave people, from finding themselves capable, with their imperfect munitions of war, of coping for upwards of three months with such an armament as was before Te Arei and Pukerangiora.
The Governor and suite, with Mr M'Lean and Mr Weld, Native Minister, having arrived from Auckland, accompanied with a number of friendly chiefs, an armistice was agreed to, in order that terms of peace might be discussed. At Te Arei the white flag was again run up; and a lengthened korero (or talk), which lasted several days, took place at the Waitara. After much delay the following terms were accepted by Hapurona and a few followers--King refusing to give his sanction or meet the Government, and the Waikatos agreeing to return to their homes:--
COPY OF THE TERMS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE WAITARA INSURGENTS.
"HAPURONA AND NGATIAWA, --For twelve months you have been carrying arms against Her Majesty the Queen and the authority of the law; you have now laid down your arms and expressed your
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desire for peace; believing you to be sincere, I have come from Auckland for the purpose of stating the terms upon which it will be granted, and upon which Her Majesty's gracious pardon and protection will be extended to you.
"They are as follows:--
"1. The investigation of the Title, and the survey of the land at Waitara, to be continued and completed without interruption.
"2. Every man to be permitted to state his claims without interference, and my decision, or the decision of such persons as I shall appoint, to be conclusive.
"3. All the land in possession of Her Majesty's forces belonging to those who have borne arms against Her Majesty to be disposed of by me as I may think fit.
"4. All guns belonging to the Government to be returned.
"5. All plunder taken from the settlers to be forthwith restored.
6. The Ngatiawa who have borne arms against the Government must submit to the Queen and to the authority of the law, and not resort to force for the redress of wrongs, real or imaginary.
"7. As I did not use force for the acquisition of land, but for the vindication of the law, and for the protection of Her Majesty's native subjects in the exercise of their just rights, I shall divide the land, which I have stated my intention to dispose of, amongst its former owners, but I shall reserve the sites of the blockhouses and redoubts, and a small piece of land round each for the public use, and shall exercise the right of making roads through the Waitara district. In conformity with the declaration made on the 29th of November, 1859, the rights of those who may prove their title to any part of the piece of land at Waitara will be respected.
"On your submission to these terms you will come under the protection of the law, and enjoy your property, both lands and goods, without molestation."
COPY OF THE DECLARATION OF HAPURONA.
"I hereby declare that the Terms of Peace proposed by the Governor have been read and fully explained to me, and that I understand them thoroughly; and I declare that, on behalf of myself
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and people, I agree to abide by, and fulfil them.
HAPURONA PUKERIMU.
"These Terms have been read and explained in our presence and made thoroughly to be understood this 8th day of April, 1861.
J. A. WILSON, Missionary C. M. S., of the District of Auckland,
MORE,
DONALD MCLEAN, Native Secretary.
"I, Hapurona, speak for myself, for all these men whose names are hereunto subscribed, for the women and children.
(Here follow 64 signatures.)
"From me,
From HAPURONA.
Witnesses. MORE, DONALD MCLEAN, Native Secretary."
COPY OF THE DECLARATION OF PATUKAKARIKI.
"I hereby declare that the Terms of Peace proposed by the Governor have been read and fully explained to me, and that I understand them thoroughly; and I declare that, on behalf of myself and people, I agree to abide by and fulfil them.
WIREMU NGAWAKA PATUKAKARIKI, his x mark.
"These Terms have been read and explained in our presence, and made thoroughly to be understood, this 15th day of April, 1861.
TE WAKA NENE, x.
FRED. A. WELD, Native Minister.
DONALD MCLEAN, Native Secretary."
On these preliminary terms being partially agreed to, the Waikatos and the Southerns returned to their respective districts.
The following conditions of peace were sent to the Taranaki and Ngatiruanui:--
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TERMS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE TARANAKI AND NGATIRUANUI INSURGENTS.
To the Taranaki (or Ngatiruanui) Tribe.
"The Governor came down to Waitara at the request of Hapurona, William King, and other Ngatiawa, to state the terms upon which he would grant peace to them. The Governor is now at New Plymouth, and he is informed that you have retired from the European land to your own country, and that you desire peace. If this be true, he is prepared to state the terms upon which he will grant peace to you. The Governor will return in a few days to Auckland, and you must therefore send me an answer to this by Wednesday 1 morning, the 10th day of April.
(Signed) DONALD MCLEAN.
8th April, 1861."
To the Chiefs of the Taranaki (or Ngatiruanui) Tribe.
"Before I leave New Plymouth I will state to you the terms on which I am willing to grant you peace. In dictating these terms I cannot overlook the outrages that you have committed. Whatever may have been the dispute in reference to the land at Waitara it was a matter with which you had no concern. Without even pretence of quarrel with the Queen's Government, or her European subjects, you have taken advantage of the disturbances caused by another tribe to set the authority of the Queen and the Law at defiance; to attack Her Majesty's troops; to burn, destroy, and steal property; and treacherously kill without provocation Her Majesty's subjects while engaged in their peaceful occupations. Moreover, you have driven off the settlers from land which, years ago, you had sold and been fully paid for, and have avowed your intention of repossessing yourselves of it and retaining it by force. However much I may condemn the offences committed by the Ngatiawa, I look on those perpetrated by you to be of a far more serious nature, and before I can consent to grant you peace I shall require restitution and compensation for the past, and explicit declaration of your intention to conduct your-
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selves as peaceable and orderly subjects of Her Majesty for the future."
I require--
"(1) Entire submission to the Queen and the Law.
"(2) All plunder now in your possession to be forthwith given up, and compensation made for that which is not returned, and for property destroyed and injured.
"(3) That all mails shall be permitted to pass without interruption, and the mail carriers protected.
"(4) That people, goods, and cattle shall be allowed to pass without molestation.
"The grave offence of killing unarmed settlers and children is one against the Queen and the Law, and will not be overlooked. Whenever those men who are charged with having committed that offence are taken by the Officers of Justice they will be tried, and the Law will declare whether they are guilty, and, if guilty, what punishment they shall suffer.
(Signed) T. GORE BROWNE,
Governor."
After considerable hesitation the Southern natives declared that they would neither accept or refuse the terms, but await the result of the Waikato Conference.
On His Excellency's return to Auckland the following warrant and letters patent were issued:--
COPY OF A WARRANT OF APPOINTMENT TO MR ROGAN.
By His Excellency Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c, &c, &c.
To JOHN ROGAN, of Auckland, Esquire, Greeting:
Whereas certain Aboriginal Natives of the Ngatiawa Tribe have lately been in arms at Taranaki, in our Colony of New Zealand, in Insurrection against our Royal authority:
And whereas, in or about the month of April last, I, the Gover-
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nor, in stating the terms on which the submission of the said Natives would be accepted on behalf of Her Majesty, did declare that all the land then in possession of Her Majesty's Forces, belonging to those who had borne arms against Her Majesty, should be disposed of by me as I might think fit; and did further declare my intention to divide the said land amongst its former owners, reserving the sites of the Blockhouses and Redoubts erected on, and exercising the right of making roads in the Waitara District at Taranaki as aforesaid:
And whereas the land so in possession of Her Majesty's Forces is bounded by a line commencing at the mouth of the Waitara River, and proceeding thence along the South bank of the said river to Te Arei pa, thence by a line from Te Arei pa to the southernmost of two roads leading from the said pa to Huirangi Redoubt, thence by a line following the edge of the forest till it strikes the Waiongana River, thence by the Waiongana River to the sea, and thence by the sea to the commencing point:
And whereas for the purpose of carrying into effect the said terms of submission, and of ascertaining who are entitled to the benefit of the said declaration, it is necessary that some person should be appointed for the purpose, and with the powers hereinafter contained.
Now, I, the Governor, having taken into consideration your diligence, ability, and discretion, do hereby appoint you, the said John Rogan, to ascertain and mark out upon the ground the extent, position, and boundaries of the several proprietary rights subsisting prior to the said insurrection of every individual, family, and section of the Ngatiawa tribe who has or have been in arms as aforesaid, to land within the boundaries hereinbefore described, and to make proper surveys and plans of the same, and also to lay out such roads in the Waitara district aforesaid as shall be hereafter designated by me to be reserved for public use, and also to lay out the sites of such blockhouses and redoubts as shall be hereafter directed by me in that behalf.
And you are hereby enjoined, before proceeding to mark out any proprietary right upon the ground, to publish a general notice to all members of the Ngatiawa tribe, calling upon them to come in and point out the claims which they may have to land within the bounda-
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ries hereinbefore described, either as individuals, families, or sections of the said Tribe, and warning them that unless they shall appear before you personally or by proxy for the purpose of pointing out such claims upon the ground, at some time, not being less than three, nor more than twelve months from the date of such notice. You will then, for the purpose of giving effect to the said declaration and terms of submission, proceed to lay out and mark off the proprietary rights of the Natives so in arms as aforesaid, according to the best evidence as to such rights as you can procure, or which shall be laid before you on the spot.
Provided always, and you are expressly hereby enjoined, that if and so often as any matter of difference shall arise as to the ownership of any portion of land, or as to the extent of any such proprietary rights: Then, and in every such case, you shall not proceed to define or mark the same out upon the ground, but shall reserve the same to be enquired into before Her Majesty's Commissioner appointed for the final determination of such differences; unless such difference shall arise in respect of any part of the block commonly known as "Teira's Block," or in respect of the sites of Blockhouses or Redoubts, or in respect of any line of road.
And you are hereby further enjoined in the execution of this Warrant to obey any rules or orders which Her Majesty's said Commissioner shall in pursuance of his commission establish or direct to you for your guidance, and for the more effectual carrying out of the objects of the said Commission and of this Warrant.
Given under my hand at the Government House at Auckland, this twenty-seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
T. GORE BROWNE.
By His Excellency's Command,
FREDERICK A. WELD.
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COPY OF HER MAJESTY'S LETTERS PATENT UNDER THE SEAL OF NEW ZEALAND, TO HIS HONOR JUDGE JOHNSTON.
Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:--
Whereas certain Aboriginal Natives of the Ngatiawa Tribe have lately been in arms at Taranaki, in our Colony at New Zealand, in insurrection against our Royal Authority.
And whereas Thomas Gore Browne, our Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over our said Colony, did, in or about the month of April last, declare and publish the terms on which he would, on our behalf, receive the submission of the said Aboriginal Natives.
And whereas our said Governor did, in the said terms of submission, declare with respect to the block of land at Waitara in Taranaki aforesaid, commonly known as "Teira's block," that the investigation of the title and the survey of the said land should be continued and completed, and that every man should be permitted to state his claims without interference, and that the decision of our said Governor or of such persons as he should appoint, should be conclusive: and whereas our said Governor in the said terms of submission did further declare that all the land then in possession of our Military Forces, belonging to those who had so borne arms against us, should be disposed of by our said Governor as he might think fit: and that as he did not use force for the acquisition of land, but for the vindication of the law and the protection of our Native subjects in the exercise of their just rights, he should divide the land so in possession of our Forces amongst its former owners, reserving for the public use the sites of our Blockhouses and Redoubts erected thereon, and exercising the right of making roads through the Waitara district at Taranaki aforesaid.
And whereas the land so in possession of our Forces is bounded by a line commencing at the mouth of the Waitara River, and proceeding thence along the South Bank of the said River to Te Arei Pa, thence by a line from Te Arei Pa to the southernmost of two
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roads leading from the said Pa to Huirangi Redoubt, thence by a line following the edge of the forest till it strikes the Waiongana River, thence by the Waiongana River to the sea, and thence by the sea to the commencing point:
And whereas our said Governor, so far as regards the said block of land commonly known as Teira's block, has determined to retain in his own hands the final decision upon any claims which may be preferred to any part thereof, and also to determine the extent of the Reserves so to be made for the public use as aforesaid: But it is expedient that, so far as regards the residue of the land comprised within the boundaries aforesaid, steps should be taken without delay to ascertain who are entitled to the benefit of the declaration secondly hereinbefore recited:
And whereas for the purpose of carrying into effect the said terms of submission, as regards such residue, and in order to enable separate titles to be hereafter granted to such persons as may be respectively entitled thereto under the said declaration, it is necessary that certain proprietary rights, subsisting prior to the said insurrection, in a portion of the said land, should be ascertained, and that no pretended claim of ownership which might be set up on the part of the Ngatiawa tribe, as a whole, should impede the ascertainment of such rights:
And whereas in order to the proper definition of such proprietary rights our said Governor did, by Warrant under his hand, bearing date the twenty-seventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, appoint John Rogan, therein described, to investigate and ascertain the same:
And whereas differences may arise as to the extent and boundaries of such proprietary rights: and it is expedient to make provision for the determination of the same.
Now Know Ye, that we do hereby nominate and appoint our trusty and well-beloved Alexander James Johnston, Esquire, a Judge of our Supreme Court of New Zealand, to be our Commissioner to investigate and determine all matters in difference which shall arise as to the extent, position, and boundaries of the proprietary rights subsisting, prior to the said insurrection, of any individual, family, or
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section of the Ngatiawa tribe who has, or have been in arms as aforesaid, of land within the boundaries hereinbefore described; but excepting thereout the said block, commonly known as "Teira's Block," and also the said public reserves so to be made as aforesaid, as the same shall respectively be hereafter designated by us, or by our Governor for the time being of our said Colony, before our said Commissioner shall proceed to any final determination upon any such matters. Provided always that no claim, or pretended claim, of a general tribal right, over the whole, or any part of the said land on behalf of the whole Ngatiawa tribe shall be received, entertained, or investigated, under this Commission.
And, for the purpose of more effectually carrying out the objects of this Commission, we do hereby direct our said Commissioner, from time to time, to associate with himself such Native Chiefs (not exceeding three in number at any one time or place,) as he may in his discretion select and appoint to act as his Assessors, to advise and assist him in the determination of any such matters in difference as aforesaid.
And we do hereby enjoin our said Commissioner to make and publish, from time to time, such Rules and Orders as he shall deem advisable for appointing his sittings for the orderly conduct of business thereat, for the serving of sufficient notice on all persons concerned in the matters to come before him for adjudication, and generally for carrying the objects of this Commission into full effect: Hereby calling upon all our subjects to be aiding and assisting our said Commissioner in the execution of this our Commission.
In Witness whereof we have caused these Letters to be made Patent and the Seal of our said Colony to be hereto affixed.
Witness our Trusty and Well-beloved Colonel THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, our Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over our said Colony of New Zealand, at our Government House at Auckland, this twenty eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord,
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One thousand eight hundred and sixty one.
T. GORE BROWNE.
By His Excellency's command,
E. W. STAFFORD.
About the same time the following Declaration was issued to the Waikatos:--
COPY OF A DECLARATION BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE NATIVES ASSEMBLED AT NGARUAWAHIA.
THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Governor.
In order to avoid misapprehension, the Governor directs the attention of the chiefs and people assembled at Ngaruawahia to the present condition of affairs at New Zealand, and states distinctly the course necessary to be taken in order to avert the calamities that threaten the country.
In the year 1858 a portion of the Maori people, resident in Waikato, pretended to set up a Maori King, and Potatau was chosen for the office. He was chosen at Rangiawhia in the month of June in that year. On Potatau's death, in 1860, Matatuera, his son, was nominated his successor.
Diversity of opinion existed from the commencement as to what would result from this movement. Some were led to believe that its supporters desired only the establishment of order, and a governing authority amongst themselves; while others viewed with apprehension a confederacy which they deemed fraught with danger to the peace of the colony. The Governor at first inclined towards the more favourable view of the movement, but soon felt misgivings, which have been justified by the event.
The Governor, however, has not interfered to put down the Maori King by force. He has been unwilling to relinquish the hope that the Maories themselves, seeing the danger of the course they were pursuing, and that the institution of an independent authority must prove inefficient for all purposes of good, would of their own accord abandon their attempts.
The Governor can now only look with sorrow and displeasure
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on what has been done in the name and by the adherents of the native King:--
1. An authority has been set up inconsistent with allegiance to the Queen, and in violation of the Treaty of Waitangi.
2. A large number of the adherents of the native King have interfered between the Governor and other native tribes in matters with which they had no concern; have levied war against the Queen, fought against her troops, and burned and destroyed the property of her peaceful subjects.
3. Other adherents of the King have assisted, encouraged, and harboured the men who have committed these outrages.
4. A war party of several hundred men some time since assembled, and advanced to within forty miles of Auckland, for the purpose of interfering with the due course of the administration of justice.
5. Her Majesty's mail has been stopped; jurisdiction has been usurped over Her Majesty's European subjects; and other offences have been committed, to the subversion of her Majesty's sovereignty and of the authority of law.
At this very time the adherents of the native King are using the most strenuous efforts to possess themselves of arms and ammunition for the purpose of effecting their objects by intimidation and violence.
The Governor cannot permit the present state of things to continue. No option now rests with him; he has been commanded by her Majesty the Queen to suppress unlawful combinations, and to establish, beyond a question, Her Majesty's sovereignty in New Zealand.
Submission to her Majesty's sovereignty requires--
1. That every man yield implicit obedience to what the Law (which is the same for all) prescribes for the public welfare. But while the Law exacts what is essential for this object, it confers great benefits, and guarantees freedom and security to the weak as well as to the strong.
2. That rights be sought and protected through the Law, and not by a man's own will and strength. No man in the Queen's dominions is permitted to enforce rights or redress
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wrongs by force: he must appeal to the Law.
3. That men do not enter into combinations for the purpose of preventing other men from acting or from dealing with their own property as they think fit. This is against the Law.
4. That every man, European or Native, under the Queen's sovereignty, submit to have roads and bridges made on his land, wherever the public convenience requires them; but land can only be taken for these purposes under lawful authority, and on payment of a reasonable compensation.
On the other hand, her Majesty's sovereignty secures "to the chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and to the respective families and individuals thereof, the full, exclusive, and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties, which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession." This is the Maories' safeguard for their lands, and it has never been violated. The Governor has been falsely accused of desiring to introduce a new system in dealing with native lands. This he has never attempted, nor has he the power to do so. The Queen's promise in the Treaty of Waitangi cannot be set aside by the Governor. By that treaty, the Queen's name has become a protecting shade for the Maories' land, and will remain such, so long as the Maories yield allegiance to her Majesty and live under her sovereignty, but no longer. Whenever the Maories forfeit this protection, by setting aside the authority of the Queen and the Law, the land will remain their own so long only as they are strong enough to keep it: might, and not right, will become their sole title to possession.
The Governor sincerely hopes that a correct appreciation of the real interests of the Maori race will induce the adherents of the native King to conform to her Majesty's declared wishes, and to abandon the baneful and dangerous course they are pursuing.
Her Majesty has an earnest solicitude for the welfare of her native people, and it will be the duty of the Governor to give the fullest effect to measures calculated to secure that end.
The Maories cannot be more anxious than the Queen and her Governor for the complete establishment of law and order amongst
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the Maori people, and that the institutions of the Government should be, as far as practicable, in accordance with their interests and wishes; but the Maories must not forget that these objects are unattainable without their own cordial co-operation.
The Governor last year convened a meeting of chiefs to consult with him upon native affairs, and has declared his intention again to assemble chiefs, from all parts of these islands, for the same purpose. Her Majesty has been pleased to approve of these proceedings.
It is the Governor's wish that the coming conference should devise measures for the introduction of law and order, and the establishment of useful institutions in native districts, and it will be his earnest desire to give effect to any measures approved by the conference, which appear likely to promote the welfare of the native people, and to bring all her Majesty's subjects in these islands, both European and Maori, under one law, upon terms of equality. The Governor earnestly hopes that the chiefs and people, who are adherents of the Maori King, will abandon their present perilous position; they will then receive the same invitation as the other natives of New Zealand, to choose some of their most respected and influential chiefs to represent them in the approaching conference, and to afford assistance in its deliberations.
The Governor now states specifically what his demands are:
1. From all,--Submission without reserve to the Queen's sovereignty, and the authority of the Law.
2. From those who are in possession of plunder, taken from her Majesty's European or Native subjects, --Restoration of that plunder.
3. From those who have destroyed or made away with property belonging to her Majesty's subjects, European or Native, -- Compensation for the losses sustained.
Compliance with these demands will satisfy the Queen and her Governor, no other demand will be made on Waikato, the past will be forgiven, and for the future the well conducted will be protected, offenders punished, and the rights and privileges of all maintained by
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the Queen and her laws.
Government House, Auckland,
May 21, 1861.
To this a section of the Waikatos, through W. Thompson, returned a long, rambling, and evasive answer, interlarded with endless scriptural quotations, almost blasphemously applied, obtained from the only book in their possession from which they could borrow language for the expression of ideas.
As all, for the time, was thus concluded, a new Commander-in-Chief, in the person of Lieut.-General Cameron, C. B., arrived. Major-General Pratt, C. B., and Staff took their departure for Melbourne in the Victoria steam sloop, which had so kindly been placed at our disposal, in the hour of need, by the Melbourne Government. The kind and brave manner in which Captain Norman and his men practically carried into effect the assistance they came to offer can never be forgotten by the inhabitants of Taranaki.
The departure of General Pratt was soon followed by that of the sailors, who embarked on board their own ships as they rode at anchor at the mouth of the Waitara, amidst the hearty farewells of all. The English sailor's rough and reckless habits peculiarly adapt him for camp life, where he generally succeeds in obtaining the good will and kindly feelings of those around.
Friday, April 12th, the troops, with the exception of the few men left at the blockhouses, were withdrawn from the front. Shortly afterwards, the greater portion took their departure, with the artillery, for Auckland. New Plymouth was now left with the 57th, and a local force of about 6OO men, under the command of Colonel Wane, C. B.
The directions published by Colonel Warre in case of an attack on the town are so clear and concise as to have given the inhabitants of this unfortunate Province every confidence for the future. By the arranged plan, in place of the streets being crowded as heretofore with women and children flocking towards the barracks for shelter, the whole in a very short space of time would be surrounded with
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skirmishers and their supports; so that, if fighting ensues, it will be clear of the town.
Whether it is to be peace or war time alone can show. Should it be peace, let us sincerely trust that it may be based on such a firm and unmistakeable footing as to induce prosperity once again to unfurl her standard over this beautiful and prolific land.
CONCLUSION.
THE cessation of the active operations of war gave the unfortunate settlers an opportunity of looking around and enquiring into the amount of their losses, which were found to be far greater than mere figures could convey. Most of them when they landed on these shores, some twenty years ago, were young, robust, and fitted by Nature for the arduous task of subduing the primeval forest. Many of the bush settlers had formed for themselves, on their clearings, homes, with a competence for support in their declining years; all of which has been taken from them or destroyed. The compensation, as yet doled out (three shillings in the pound) by the Government, will go but a very small way towards reinstating these unfortunates in their former comfortable position. Those who have courage to commence bush farming again will no longer feel supported by the energy of youth and the hope of forming shelter for their declining years; they can only strive on, with the prospect of not dying in want. What is in the future for Taranaki it is difficult to state, so much depends upon the working of the policy the present Government may adopt; but it is certain that no great improvement in the condition of the white population can be expected for years to come. Before one step in advance can be taken, all that has been destroyed during the war must be replaced; and the pasture and other lands, by dint of hard labour, restored to their former luxuriant condition.
The unfortunate settlers who may be tied by their property to this devastated district, will have to struggle on and reproduce their capital; for no man of means will think for one moment of investing in Taranaki until perfect confidence is restored. Nor will those who
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are compelled to remain build or fence, more than absolute necessity may require. Let it be hoped that the Government, in pity for their position, will endeavour lo establish this much desired confidence as quickly and as firmly as possible. 2
As to the most certain method of ensuring a firm and substantial peace various opinions exist. At this present time there are no less than three political parties in New Zealand: one forming the war party, whose openly avowed object is to subdue the natives by force of arms alone; a second, consisting of liberal minded, thinking men, who have watched and studied this experiment of civilization in New Zealand with intense interest, approving of war only as a last resource when all honorable diplomatic means should fail; whilst a third, hedged in by bigotry, pretend to have formed such exalted ideas of the perfection of the Maori character as scarcely to recognise amongst them even the common frailties "which flesh is heir to." The whole power of their eloquence has been spent in extolling the half-naked savages, and in depreciating without adequate cause their fellow-countrymen. Like the frogs in the well, they look up and can see no more than a small portion of the blue sky above, from the limited, circumference by which they are bound.
The change from peace to war was soon followed by important alterations in the Ministerial Cabinet. His Excellency's Responsible Advisers, by a vote in the House, were thrown out. This change, if anything, tended to increase the dark uncertainty that was hovering over the country at large.
The uncertainty was rendered still more gloomy by the peculiar Constitution of New Zealand precluding the Governor from taking any steps of importance in native affairs without first communicating with the Powers in Downing-street. Years might pass away before a satisfactory arrangement with the natives could be concluded. Scarcely could one despatch reach England ere circumstances would. give rise to another series of questions.
When all were anxiously awaiting some movement or occurrence that would throw light on the future, news arrived that Sir G. Grey, K. C. B., had been appointed to the Government of New Zealand, and
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was on his way from the Cape of Good Hope, armed with large discretionary powers. September 26th, 1861, he arrived in H. M. S. S. Cossack, at Auckland, at once taking upon himself the responsibility of the Government; the late Governor, Colonel Gore Browne, C. B., leaving a few days afterwards for Sydney, amidst the hearty farewells of every grade and denomination.
As soon as the change in the Government had become generally known, farewell addresses to Colonel Browne poured in from every settlement; that from Taranaki being signed, with few exceptions, by the whole of the male population. 3
Sir G. Grey, on his landing, was received with every honor, a general confidence being felt that he would eventually succeed in unmistakeably re-establishing her Majesty's supremacy over these islands. Sir G. Grey's previous knowledge of Maori character and of his would-be advisers place him beyond the reach of party influence: he has come, no doubt, firmly armed with a determination to pursue a given policy. His first steps, on arriving, were to commence the establishment of Courts of Law, to which the Maori should become amenable; and to promise the Maori every aid towards his advancement in civilization.
The word "civilization," which has been so often used in these pages, to say the least, may be variously defined. Whenever it has appeared it is intended to convey the interpretation given by Guizot in his "History of Civilization," who states it to be "The perfecting of civil life, the development of society, properly so called, and of the relations of men among themselves." "Such is, in fact, the first idea which presents itself to the understanding when the word civilization is pronounced; we at once figure to ourselves the extension of, and the greatest activity in the best organization of the social relations: on the one hand, an increasing production of the means of giving strength and happiness to society; on the other, a more equitable distribution amongst individuals of the strength and happiness produced."
By examining the progress made by the Maories through these ideas of civilization, we shall find their advancement to have been
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very trifling. This is more particularly evinced by the locking up of their lands, without showing any desire or endeavour to use them profitably. Notwithstanding, this very acquisitiveness so natural to the aboriginal native, may, by proper management, become subservient towards raising him in the social scale. The old teaching was --"Do not part with your lands, even if you cannot use them; keep them for your children." Let the new be-- "Consider how much land you can make available, raise townships, build mills and manufactories, and sell your surplus land, so as to have consumers for your produce and manufactured goods." Impress upon them the long-established truth that it is better to possess one acre that energy and intellect has raised to value, than hundreds of acres which, from the deficiency of population and markets, are comparatively useless. Every endeavour should likewise be made, through the newly established Courts of Law, to ascertain the rightful owners of land; and to persuade disputants, in place of fighting, to carry their claims before them for decision.
Some occupation is much needed that would tend, whilst yielding relaxation and amusement, to direct the course of the Maories' thoughts. At present much of their spare time is spent in listening to the tales of their forefathers; and recent events prove there is not the slightest doubt that their still holding out for their own Government is in great measure due to the relations of incidents during the late war. They have not met with one defeat, well followed up, to check the ideas they have formed of their own powers and superiority in out-manoeuvring their opponents.
Could this source of amusement be replaced by a judiciously selected course of literature, good would for a certainty result. A series of simple tales might be translated into the Maori language, illustrative of history or other valuable sources of information; which the young would read to their elders, and thus awaken an ardour within themselves for a solid and true advancement, whilst the long established prejudices of the aged might be weakened. And thus, in place of tales awakening feelings of savage barbarism, their minds would find ample food for thought in contemplating the often troublous, but certain advance in civilization, and the advantages that
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have accrued from the cultivation of the arts and manufactures. From these sources they might be taught that a people only rank as great in proportion to the amount of their commercial value. 4
To induce the Maories to build and erect mills, rope, oil, and other manufactories, is the most certain method of establishing peace on a fixed and permanent basis. A people rich in fixed property cannot afford to risk its loss by the casualties of war. There is no doubt that the fear of endangering the large amount of mill and other property in the Waikato district has done much towards saving the Province of Auckland from devastation. The natives of the North cannot close their eyes to the fact that, should unhappily war be renewed, all their small sailing vessels will fall into the hands of the English.
So long as the greater portion of the Maories remain in valueless pas, and possess only stock that can be quickly driven to the hills, there can be no certainty of a continuous peace. On any quarrel occurring with the European, they can afford, without fear of ruin, to risk results by taking the law in their own hands; but, as soon as they possess a fixed and valuable property, retribution can be obtained for wrong done; they are no longer wanderers, --they have become assailable through their fixed property.
In studying civilization as it has marched through the earth, we cannot but observe how every now and then some obstacle has arisen temporarily checking its harmonious progress; but, no sooner is the impediment removed, than the advance becomes more rapid than ever. In like manner may the late disturbances prove but a prelude to the rapid and sound advance in prosperity of the people of both races.
