HC Deb 13 July 1868 vol 193 cc1103-4
MR. GORST

said, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the following passage in a despatch of the Governor of New Zealand, laid before Parliament on the 5th May, 1868:— I have heard no allegation of other acts of cruelty in New Zealand, except in the case of the attack made on the native mission village of Rangiaohia by the European Forces under General Cameron one Sunday morning (the 21st February, 1864). I heard with sorrow those reports; but, for the reasons I have before stated, I could not tell whether they were true or not," &c. What were the acts of cruelty at Rangiaohia referred to by the Governor; and, whether the matter has ever been inquired into either by the civil or military authorities?

MR. ADDERLEY

said, in reply, that the despatch referred to by the hon. Member was dated 1866, in which the Governor of New Zealand (Sir George Grey) described certain conduct of the troops towards the Natives in 1864. By reference to that despatch it appeared that it referred to a certain local force—Rangers—who set fire to a village, the Natives being at the time in arms and firing on the troops. The Governor at the time passed no censure on them, although two years later he described their acts as acts of cruelty. The Secretary of State had expressed general approbation of the conduct of the troops. Under these circumstances, and considering that four years had elapsed, he did not think there was any good cause for further inquiry into the case.