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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1508, 14 December 1872, Page 2

A contemporary, speaking of Sir George Bowen, gives utterance to the following sentiments :—" No governor of this country could have done less, perhaps than Sir George Bowen towards bringing about the change that has come over the affairs ot the colony. Unlike Sir George Grey, he has obtained no influence over the natives; nor is he personally known except to few of that race. Nevertheless, his Excel lency lias endeavored to make the Homo authorities acquainted with the Maoris, their manners, and peculiarities of speech. The comparisons he has drawn between the natives and the Highlanders of a century ago, however flattering to the Maoris, have been considered sufficiently original to have callpd forth a good deal of comment, and it is something to be original nowa days. Sir George's despatches are all that we are likely to remember \nm by." A new Government IJouse is to bo erected in Melbourne at a cost of $64,000,

NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE QOYERNOB. (From the Australasian, 30fch November.) In speaking of the approach ing departure of Sir James Feguson ior England on a short visit, preparatory to assuming the Governorship of New Zealand, the South Australian correspondent of the Argus says that it is astonishing how tew regrets will follow his Excellency. It appears that Sir James has been discontented with his position, and has taken no pains to conceal his dissatisfaction; he has refused to identify himself in any way with the people under his government, and has shown a want of sympathy with colonial institutions generally. These, no doubt, are grave faults in a Governor, and it would be well if they were brought under the notice of the Earl of Kiniberley, so that while Sir James is in England the Secretary of State might gently admonish him on the subject of his shortcomings. No-vhere throughout the Queen's dominions are the representatives of her Majesty treated with greater respect or kindness than in these Austialian colonies. They are welcomed and made much of wherever they go, high and low alike being always ready to place the best they can afford at their disposal, in a spirit of genuine hospitality. We make bad courtiers, it is true, and have a ready knack of calling a spade a spade, but we do not think that any gentleman who respects himself will think any the less of us because we are not skilled to cringe, and craw], and fawn on those in office. Perhaps the South Australians are too independent to please their great pro consul. If the colonists cannot command the sympathies of their Governors, they havo at least a right to insist on an interest being taken intheir affairs. It is as much the duty of a Governor to take a prominent part in every movement calculated to promote the social well being ot the people under his rule as it is for him to attach his signature to an act of Parliament, or do any official deed required of him in virtue of his office, So much for the " Governor," but what shall we say of the " man" who can preside o\er the affairs of one of these young, but rapidly growing communities for a series of years without finding anything to engage his attention, or enlist his sympathies 1 Who can watch the earnest, though oftentimes crude and mistaken efforts, political, commercial, and social, they are putting forth as they struggle onward towards national manhood, and yet continue to dwell on some serene height, unmoved by the joys or the fears or aspirations, of the people with whose interests he is chaiged. Shall we be far out if we say that he must either be very selfish or very foolish?