480 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. XVni. 
sary increase of the police force, which was kept by 
the Government at so small a number, that Major 
Richmond reports to Auckland in favour of the con- 
tinuance of those who had been added. 
But his whole demeanour bore the colour of be- 
lieving in a dastardly spirit of revenge in the Nelson 
settlers, merely because they wished to see the law put 
in force ; and he wished to show a determination to 
keep such a spirit down. 
At length, pushed to exasperation, some one asked 
Major Richmond, "whether on the departure of the 
'* North Star, he would feel himself justified in re- 
" questing the Commander of the French frigate to 
*' move from Akaroa to their protection ?" He replied, 
" Certainly not ; and he considered it would be deroga- 
" tory to any British subject making such an applica- 
" tion." 
The Magistrates at Nelson, having heard some more 
evidence, especially that of Morgan, who relates that 
he saw the first shot from a Maori kill a man by his 
side, had issued a warrant against Rauperaha and 
Rangihaeata for murder ; and they applied to have it 
enforced, now that the authorities possessed the neces- 
sary means. 
But this was refused, with no small manifestations 
of ridicule at the idea. The Capfciin says, in his 
report, " It appeared that, mistaking my functions as a 
" captain of a man-of-war, they imagined that I was 
" bound by law to enforce any act authorized by war- 
" rant from two Magistrates ; and accordingly, on the 
" arrival of the ship, having 50 soldiers on board, a 
" warrant was made out for the apprehension of 7'e 
" Rauperaha and Rangihaeata, and it was supposed 
'* that I should have been honoured with the execution 
" of it. Understanding this, I commenced by explaining 
