NEW EDINBURGH.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 226, 4 July 1846, Page 69

NEW EDINBURGH.

Tix the Colonial Gazette of October 25 appeared a letter from Mr. G. Rennie, explanatory of the reasons why he no longer takes the lead in the enterprise of founding a-olonyof his countrymen in this island. Mr. Rennie's differences with the New Zealand Company rose, it appears, out of the refusal of that body to remunerate him for his personal services while organizing the expedition previous to the check it received by the Company's quarrel with the Government. This question, we are told, is now to be decided by a court of law. We should not have noticed Mr. Rennie's letter had it contained nothing but what related to his personal differences with the Company ; but when we find such a passage as the following, we are bound not to pass it over in silence : —

" As regards the site chosen for the colony, I am not sufficiently informed to offer any definite opinion as to its eligibility. I would, however, impress on the intending colonists the propriety of requiring some certain proofs of the climate being suitable for the finer descriptions of grain. J never contemplated settling in so high a latitude; and although the winter at Otago (the place chosen) may never be j severe, there may not be sufficient sun and dry weather to produce a fine quality of corn. I tihrow out these hints to the intending colonials, without pretending to say whether the climate be equal to the ripening of wheat or noi"

iThis "damning with faint praise " is very ungracious on Mr. Rennie's part, and betrays lamentable ignorance. Good crops of ' grain have been grown by the missionaries and natives in the most southern parts of 'this island ; and we are assured by persons who have visited Foveaux's Straits, tli at even there the climate is not less favourable than in the most genial parts of Great Britain.

Truth. — Truth is naturally so acceptable to man, so charming in herself, that to make falsehood be received, we are compelled to dress ie up in the snow-white robes of Truth ; as in passing base coin, it must have the impress of the good ere it will pass current. Deception, hypocrisy, and dissimulation, are, when practised, direct compliments to the power of Truth ; and the common custom of passing off Truth's counterfeit for her\elf, is strong testimony in behalf of her intriDoic beauty and excellence. — Book of Symbols.

A Comfort to Travellers. — We have just seen a new invention, called the " Railway Pocket Companion." It is the size of the Court Guide, and contains a small bottle of water, a tumbler, a complete set of surgical instruments, a packet of lint, and directions for making a will. It is very elegant, being bound to look like a book of poetry, and its utility cannot be doubted for a moment when the bills of mortality are proving every day the great charms of railway travelling. We can conscientiously declare that the " Railway Travelling Companion " should be in the pocket of every gentleman who is in the habit of going on a railroad. It should be sold at every station. — Punch.