Several persons have remarked to it that the men belonging to the Jane Eliza, who were committed some weeks since for trial, for mutinous conduct, &c., and whose case we fully reported, are now at large. We would enquire of whose Authority their enlargement has been effected? If there was necessity for their being set at liberty, they ought not to have been committed. Is this to be understood as an indication that the judge is yet to be expected to try prisoners according to law? The declared object of the establishment of a British Colony here was the protection of person and property, and this object is to be effected by a police and Magistracy without power, by gaol confinement without security and purpose, by the opinion declared on the Bench in the hearing of a culprit that there is no such thing as property here at present to protect, and by Acts of Legislature which are in themselves the warrants of universal robbery. Truly, this is a novel experiment in colonization. — CORRESPONDENT.

Two Commissioners have come down by the Earl of Lonsdale. We do not know for what purpose. One thing we may hope and expect at least, that they will use their own eyes and judgments; and that they will give Sir George Gipps a few correct ideas in reference to the subject of Legislation for this Colony.

We are gratified to hear that Judge Willis is appointed to this Colony, and that he is to itinerate to all parts of the Island. We shall now, doubtless, have a Court of Requests, in which small debts may be recovered, and the Police and other public business will be put upon a better footing.

We are glad to find that the Memorial and Protest will be almost universally signed.

Last Sunday evening during the time of divine service, the back of the Beach was kept in a state of complete uproar by some parties, at the public-house kept by Mr. Knowland. Our informant tells us that the combatants were two females, a White Woman and a Maori. We heard and witnessed a part of the disturbance. It is surely high time that such nuisances, which are certainly a little too often repeated in that neighbourhood, should be put a stop to. Of what use are Publican’s Licenses, if they are not employed to prevent such riots as are an injury to all quiet and orderly people?

The Lieutenant Governor left the Bay for the Thames in the Favourite on Friday.

A correspondent requests us to mention, that it is in contemplation to establish a Bread Company at Kororareka, in consequence of the price of bread at present being so much higher than at Sydney.

It is with real pleasure we learn, that a very large portion of the bills, lately stolen from the stores of Messrs. Spice and Wavell, were found last Saturday morning concealed under a tuft of grass in the Swamp, by a Native Boy belonging to Mr. Knowland.

We omitted in our last Number to insert the arrival of the brig Bee, Chayne, master, from Sydney, consigned to G. T. Clayton & Co. The cargo is consigned to Henry Thompson and Co., Bateman and Brodie, and E. M'Lentun.

On Friday last, the tent store of Mr. Williamson, of Russell, was broken into, and about £40 in cash was stolen therefrom. Monday afternoon, three soldiers of the 80th Regiment, stationed at Russell, and two women, were taken into custody at Kororareka, on the supposition that they had committed the robbery, and have been fully committed for trial.

Original Correspondence.

Mata, Sept. 8, 1840.

DEAR SIR,—I have had a summons to appear before Capt. Beckham, the Police Magistrate, to-morrow, at 11 o’clock, to answer a complaint made to him by Ruanui, a person with whom I believe you are well acquainted. The complaint is this; that I have unlawfully detained his property. Now, Sir, as you are in possession of information lending to shew, 1st, that the Property in question does not belong to Ruanui; and, 2ndly, that I have not unlawfully detained it, I beg you will attend at the time appointed, and give the information you possess on the subject; when called upon to do so. I am, dear Sir, yours very truly,

(Signed) M. WHITE.

To Mr. Odeland, Pipiro.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Advertiser and Bay of Islands Gazette.

SIR,—The case referred to in the preceding communication, seems to me of so very peculiar and interesting a character, that I am induced to forward to you the following particulars respecting it, for publication.

On the receipt of Mr. White’s letter I immediately repaired to his residence from whence I accompanied him to the Police Office, at the Horike, where we arrived about a quarter before 12 o’clock. On Mr. White being called into the office, Captain Beckham read the deposition made before him, on oath, by Ruanui. Now, Ruanui is a Heathen Chief,—was under a Tapu when he took the oath, and, as will be seen in the sequel, understood the nature and solemn obligations of an oath as well as an ignorant Native might be supposed to understand it.

The substance of the deposition, as far as I can recollect, was, that sometime in the latter end of last year, the Ruanui and his people were dragging out timber, his own property, off land belonging to Te Ngau (Chief of Oria), that whilst they were in the act of dragging out some long spars, Mr. F. White went to them, cut the rope in two with a hatchet, took it with the blocks, and dogs away from them. That Mr. Wm. White had been applied to several times to give them up, but refused to do so without the interference of a Magistrate. The deposition having been read, as before stated, Captain Beckham enquired of Mr. White if he had any questions to ask the Plaintiff? Mr. W. replied that he had several questions to ask, but before he did so, he begged most distinctly to repudiate the charge contained in the summons, and proceeded to enquire if it were comparable with the usages of the Office that he be allowed to ask the questions himself. Captain B. replied, that as the Interpreter would be put on his oath, it would be more in order for him to ask the questions. Mr. White having avowed that he had no property in his possession belonging to Te Ruanui, then asked through the Interpreter, if the rope, blocks, and dogs in question were bona fide property; in answer to which he most distinctly replied, No, they belong to Mr. Marriner, from whom I got them.

Mr. White was proceeding to ask other questions, when the Magistrate interrupted him by asking Ruanui if it were not usual when Natives borrowed rope and blocks, &c., to draw out timber, in case they were broken or lost, to replace or pay for them. Ruanui looked round as though in doubt, and in hope of somebody directing him what to say, replied, stammering, yes. A greater untruth than which no man could utter, and almost every one present must have been of that opinion at the time. Mr. White then enquired of Ruanui if he did not know that the ground of which he was dragging out the timber for Mr. Marriner had been purchased by him and his brother from Te Ngau, &c., long before? Here Captain B. interposed his authority, saying, that the question was irrelevant, and would not allow it to be put. Mr. White reminded the Magistrate that the subject to which his question referred was contained in the deposition of the Native, and that he wished to show that the property in question, viz., rope, blocks, &c., was taken away by his brother from the Native, whilst in the act of committing a robbery. Here Captain B. again interposed, saying, that he would not allow any such proceedings in that Office. Mr. W. said, that he was not aware that his proceedings were disorderly or his questions irrelevant. Captain B. asked Mr. White if he had the blocks, &c., in his possession. Mr. White said, yes. Captain B.—then why do you give them up and have done with the matter altogether. Mr. White replied, I will give them up, but will not have done with the matter in question, as there are accomplices in the robbery whom I intend to prosecute. At this Captain B. seemed at a loss what to do, and was much irritated. Mr. White repeated his willingness to give up the property, and stated, that he would not have detained it, had the proper parties applied for it, and enquired of Captain B. when he should send for it. Captain B. said, to-day let it be sent to this office. Mr. White sent his boat for the rope, blocks, &c., and they were delivered to Mr. Marriner. Mr. White was not required to pay any costs or damages.

Now, Sir, that the preceding statement may not be liable to suspicion as coming from a stranger and non-Subscriber, I have forwarded a copy to Captain Beckham before sending this to you for publication, that he may, if he judge proper, add, correct, or confirm it in any way he may choose. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, S. ODELAND.

Pipiro, Hokianga, 14th Sept., 1840.

SIR,—In forwarding to you the enclosed paper, I beg to say, that having no means of taking notes in the Police Office, I have been chiefly dependent on my memory in making the statement now submitted to your inspection. Nevertheless, I am not aware, that any person who was present and paid attention to what passed, can justly accuse me of any important omission or the slightest misrepresentation. Lest, however, any ground of complaint should be taken after its publication, I send it to you for correction, or confirmation as may seem to you most proper.

You will perceive that I have confined myself to simple facts. I have expressed no opinion, indulged in no reflections, nor have I presumed to blame any one. Nor am I aware that anything of the kind was required. If the statement be a true one, you can have no objection to its being made public.—I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, S. ODELAND.

To Captain Beckham, Police Magistrate, Hokianga.

Shipping Intelligence.

ARRIVED.

Oct. 21—Schooners "Columbine," "Trent" and "Mercury," from coasting.

21—Ship "Earl of Lonsdale," Capt. Peel, from Sydney.

SAILED.

Oct. 18—H.M. ship "Favourite," with His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor on board, for the Thames.

28—The "Tybee," for Tahiti and the United States.

The "Bolina" for England.