WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 31 May 1851, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

We are in receipt of Wellington news, by the "Perseverance" to the 24th instant. The Independent of 17th May contains the following report of the condition and prospects of the Hutt district. "It is gratifying to witness the progress that has been made in this district within the last few months, and the vast improvements that are everywhere visible. Hardly an arrival now takes place, without adding to the number of its inhabitants. Every person seems to be fully employed. By the indomitable perseverance and industry of the settlers, that which was once a howling wilderness, is now converted into smiling green fields, and comfortable homesteads. And when the insuperable difficulties that the Hutt settlers have to contend with, are taken into consideration, (both flood and field), we think the energy they have displayed in overcoming every obstacle does them infinite credit. A considerable number of new buildings have lately been erected, and cottages of a superior description now stud the road, on either side, almost to the Taiti. The past season- is said to have been one of the finest that has been experienced in the Hutt since the arrival of the first settlers. The grain crops have turned out remarkably good, and have been harvested in fine condition. The Newry Mill is fully employed, having more grain on hand than it can conveniently grind. The continued dry weather has on some farms materially damaged the potatoe crop, and there will not be an average yield; but onions carrots, parsnips, &c, have been very, prolific. Mr. Russell's farm, however, is an exception, to this rule, his land having realized at the rate of 14 tons to the acre. The fruit trees have borne abundantly this year. Mr. .Trotter picked a pear from o\ie of his trees the other day which weighed 28J ozs., it was of delicious flavour, and was much larger than any he had seen of the kind in England." The same paper records the death of J. G. Courfcenay, Esq., Staff Surgeon, late principal officer of New Zealand, on the 28th November, on board the barque " Clara," off the Island of St. George, Azores. The Legislative Council was opened on Monday the 19th inst., by his Excellency the Go-vernor-in-Chief. Only two nominees and seven officials were present. We regret that the length of the Governor's speech compels us to defer its reprint until next week. A public meeting of the Hutt settlers took place on Tuesday, the 20th inst., for the purpose of deciding on the most desirable line of roads, to facilitate their communication with each other, and with the present main road. The subject of the Governor's proposition to incorporate the Hutt settlers also came into discussion.

Some important proclamations appear in the late Government Gazettes, not having room to publish them entire, we must give an abstract of them. One of these, dated May 17, refers to the cat^ tie trespass ordinance, and enacts that'? it' any cattle shall be. found wandering at large in any street orpublic place within the limits of the town of Christchurch, the owners thereof shall forfeit and pay for every head.of cattle, so wandering-, any sum not exceeding five shillings, to be recovered in a summary way." The word 'cattle' being taken to include " horned or neat cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, and swine." %■ A*second provides for the enforcing of " An ordinance to increase the efficiency of the constabulary force," within the limits of the towns of Lyttelton.and Christchurch, as such limits are defined "in the authorised maps of the Canterbury Association." A third proclamation of the same date declares the building now used as a Lock-up in the town of Lyttelton to be one of the public gaols of the colony of New Zealand. J The Governor-in-Chief has appointed Bobeut |Heaton Ehodes, Esq., of Port Victoria, to be a Magistrate of the Province of New Minister. All applications for "Bush" Licenses are to be recommended by the nearest magistrate, or by at least three of the respectable inhabitants of the district, the application to be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary on or before the 20th of June nest.