The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-20 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND.

The Terror schooner arrived on Sunday from Auck-
land, and the Lady Leigh from Kaw-an. They bring
no tidings of new disasters, but intimate that the colo-
nists of New Zealand are not at their ease. Seven hun-
dred names are enrolled as a militia, for the defence of
Auckland. We have no account of Wellington in this
respect, but troops had been sent there in her Majesty's
ship Hazard. The Commander, Captain Robertson, we
are happy to say, is recovering from his wounds, but is
not yet able to leave his bed. In consequence of a son
of a chief, named Nene, the most powerful of those re-
siding near the now desolate village of Russell, at the
Bay of Islands, Heki, whose party had had the misfor-
tune to kill him. gave satisfaction to Nene by a skirmish
with his followers, whereby one of Heki's party was
killed, and the two chiefs then became reconciled. The
chiefs of the Ngatiwhatua tribe had informed Governor
Fitzroy that Heki had asked their permission to pass
through their lands to attack Auckland, If this be true,
Heki has altered his mind, and is beginning to think of
general hostiiities against the British. Heki's request
was refused.
The settlers generally, backed by some of the members
of the council, centinue their hostile feelings against
Mr. Clarke, the protector of the aborigines. But the
Governor had declared that that officer is more essential
to him, through late events, than ever. We are glad the
Governor is firm in keeping this officer to his duty.
Mr. Clarke has very likely not acted prudently in all his
dealings with the natives ; he may have erred in over
kindness to them ; but to his prudence and talents ge-
nerally the Governor has given the strongest testimony.
He is essential to Captain Fitzroy's Government.
Gold, silver, and copper money had all disappeared
equally from circulation. What the ship masters had
left behind became hoarded. Debenture notes as low as
five shillings were passing, and notes of individuals were
issued and taken as low as a penny. Fourpenny pieces
and halfpence, it seems, were thought worth hoarding in
the present state of the settlements.
Governor Fitzroy's new property-tax having completely
failed, the old customs duties had been re-enacted. We ex-
pected this would be the result. New colonists will never
pay direct taxes, without law ; and law,' when every settler
is a defendant, is out of the question. The salaries of public
officers were in arrears. We deeply sympathise with our
brother settlers in New Zealand, one and all. But they may
console themselves with this reflection—though it will prove
barren for ten or twelve months—that the deeper their pre-
sent distress, and the greater the confusion which may at
present prevail, the more effectual will be the arm which
Parliament and Downing-street will, for the honour of old
England, stretch out for their present relief and permanent
support.
Forty. five passengers arrived by the Terror, of whom half
were children ; and eight by the Lady Leigh. We expected
a much great nu mber.
The Governor was personally sanguine that all the chiefs
but Held would remain peaceable ; but the community was
doubtful. We at -e glad they were, for danger will make the
settlers cautious, and keep them alive in defence. To sup-
pose that the New Zealanders, so long as they think them-
selves the strongest (and perhaps at present they are), will
forego the prospect of war and plunder, after the success at
Russell, is what we will not believe, until we hear of the ar
rival in those islands of troops from England. The troops
sent there hence markeep the natives quiet at present, but
war is in their he arts, or the character of the New Zealander
has hitherto been strangely misrepresented. They are a
people who deligiht in war. Held may not be a plunderer,
and only a national patriot. But, as a patriot, he is as dan-
gerous as his plundering brother chiefs. His morals may be
good, but his feelitngs are anti-British. That is enough for
us. The only man who, it appears, is likely to keep the New
Zealanders quiet, is Mr. Clarke, and the clergy and mis-
sionaries of all s acts, Protestant and Roman. 'Yet the set-

•
tiers
wish to get rid of the former, and we rather suspect of
the latter too. We are glad this wish cannot be realised.—
The Australian, April 29.
The Kate, which arrived yesterday evening from Auck-
land, brings intealigence from the Bay of Islands to the date
of her sailing. ,lihe touched at the entrance of the bay on
the evening of the 18th ult., and left the following morning,
when she saw her Majesty's ship Hazard, from Auckland,
going in there, with ammunition for the chief of Hokianga,
Tomati Walker (Ni Ni), who, with his tribe (being very
numerous), are at war with John Heki, in consequence of the
tribe of the latter 'having killed a child belonging to Ni Ni.
When the Kate left the fight was still going on, and several
on both sides were killed and wounded.
Shortly after the affray at Kororarika, nine American set-
tlers, who resided about six or seven miles from the Bay
were killed by the natives. It appeared that when the oc-
currence took place, they had gone to Kororarika, to obtain
some of ohe spoil which the natives had taken from the
European settlers, when they were butchered in some man-
ner not described.
The barracks and town of Auckland were being fortified.
The natives were daily expected there. Heki and his party
would, no doubt, have been there prior to the Kate leaving,
but for the engagement with Ni Ni at the Bay. The Militia
Bill had passed at Auckland, and seemed very obnoxious to
the inhabitants. Her Majesty's ship North Star was lying
there,—The Australian, blay 6.