416- ADVENTTTRE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chip. XVI. 
" ment at the very severe measures pursued by the 
" aborigines. 
" I think this concession, humiliating as it may 
" appear, more honourable and worthy the dignity of 
" the Crown, than any other line of policy that could be 
" devised, and that most calculated to heal the breach 
" and re-establish confidence. 
" Whatever may be the intentions of Her Majesty's 
" Government relative to this unhappy affair, I need 
" scarcely suggest to his Excellency the necessity of 
" rigorous measures to prevent an indiscriminate re- 
** venge being inflicted by Europeans on natives, or point 
" out to them the pains that will be taken to circulate 
" injurious reports of the aborigines residing in the 
" vicinity of the Company's settlements ; and I would 
" submit to his Excellency the propriety of a gentleman 
" connected with this department proceeding imme- 
" diately to Port Nicholson to act for a time under the 
** directions of the district Protector, enabling him to 
" leave that settlement with confidence ; as present 
" circumstances will render it necessary that he should 
" be in a position to facilitate his visiting the various 
" settlements in the neighbourhood for the purpose of 
** allaying the excited feelings of the natives, and using 
" his influence to restore harmony and peace. I would 
" also submit to his Excellency, that an inquiry should 
" be instituted into the conduct of the survivors who 
** took an active part in the affray, and, if found guilty, 
" punished according to law ; that the equitable 
" manner in which Her Majesty's Government view 
** these proceedings may be apparent to all, and espe- 
" cially to the natives . 
" I have, &c. 
(signed) " George Clarke, 
" Chief Protector of Aborigines. 
" The Honourable Colonial Secretary, &c." 
