That was but one of a series of disputes which led to murder and petty warfare, and were hardly at an end seven years later.

The settlers, though shut out of the back country, did, however, hold the townland on which they had squatted, and which is now the site of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
Cooped up in their narrow plots by the sea, Colonel Wakefield and his settlers established a provisional Government.

Captain Hobson, hearing probably some very exaggerated account of this, sent down his Lieutenant, Mr.Willoughby Shortland, in a Government vessel, with sailors and marines, to put down this act of insubordination.

Mr.
Shortland, who suffered from the not uncommon failing of a desire to magnify his office made the process as ridiculous as possible.

He began by stealthily sending a scout on shore at daybreak to haul down the Company's flag in Wellington and hoist the Union Jack instead.
Then he landed amongst the settlers, who had gathered to welcome him, in the fashion of a royal commander sent to suppress a rebellion.
The settlers consoled themselves by laughing at him.