THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, July 11, 1846.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 227, 11 July 1846, Page 74

THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, July 11, 1846.

Jouraals become more necessary as men become more equal and individualism more to be feared. It would be to underrate their importance to suppose that they serve only to secure liberty : they maintain civilization. DE TOCftUEVILLE. Of Democracy in America, vol. iv., p. 200.

The news we are enabled to present to our readers is of the highest importance. From England, by way of Sydney, we have intelligence to the 20th of February, by which we learn the nature of Sir Robert Peel's measure for the abolition of the Corn Laws, and that it had been read a first time. The effect which the opening of English ports to foreign corn will have on the temper of corn-growing countries has already been exhibited in the case of America. The valour of Jonathan seems likely to evaporate in the prospect of a good market for his staple exports; and we may therefore expect that the increased commercial relations between the two countries will be the best guarantee for the preservation of peace. The surmise we hazarded the other day that Mr. Gladstone would be the new Colonial Minister, proves to be correct. What will the colonies gain by this change ? is the universal and natural inquiry. As a man of business Mr. Gladstone is in every respect the superior of the " fiery Tybalt;" but we fear the influence of the old ladies of the back parlour in Lower Brook Street will be as great with him as with his predecessor. The substitution of Lord Littleton for Mr. Hope as Under Secretary, is perhaps an improvem-

ent; but the master-spirit of the office, the source of all mischief, Mr. Stephen, remains, and unless Sir Robert looks a little more closely into colonial matters, which is not unlikely, there is but little hope that we shall be much benefited by the late changes.

The Indian news furnishes us with an account of two more of those brilliant achievements by British troops so common in that country.

The contrast afforded to our Indian successes by our New Zealand defeats is as painful as it is humiliating. The intelligence from Wellington, though scarely so bad as was rumoured, is sufficently mortifying. Another settler murdered in broad day ; and a second conflict between the rebels and the troops, which, if less disastrous than the former one, affords no room for congratulation. The authorities at Wellington have apparently resolved to incur no responsibility but such as may result from their disgraceful inactivity. The Governor's arrival was anxiously looked for by the settlers, and it is not unlikely that he reached Wellington on Thursday week, as a vessel showing two lights was seen by the Ann and Sarah making for the heads on Wednesday evening. His Excellency would probably have arrived sooner, if the Uncle Sam, the vessel which took the despatches respecting the engagement on the 16th of May, had not been wrecked in Hawke's Bay, and everything on board lost. The next arrival from Wellington, which may be looked for daily, we hope will bring intelligence of some decisive steps taken by the Governor to ferret out the nest of murderers and robbers at present acting under Rangihaiata ; and as a detachment of the 65th Regiment must have arrived at Auckland via Hobart Town, from England, we trust he will have sufficient force to put these scoundrels down effectually, and give the settlers protection.

The particulars of the accident at Taupo, which we slightly noticed last week, are published in the Wellington Spectator of July 1. It appears that Te Heuheu, the chifcf who made himself so troublesome to the settlers at Wanganui about 18 months ago, had his pa at the foot of a high hill, in a narrow valley ; and that on the 7th of May a landslip from the hill buried him and his six wives, his eldest son, and a number of his people, amounting altogether to fifty-four souls. The death of this chief is likely to be beneficial to the Europeans' as his brother, who succeeds him, has declared his intention to preserve peace.

The Ngatiawa tribe residing about Otaki and Waikanai, are in a state of great alarm, j It has for some time been expected that j the Taupo natives would join the rebels near Wellington, Rangihaiata having repeatedly urged Heuheu to do so, and the Ngatiawas on the other side of the Straits feared the united tribes would then fall on them, as being old enemies and friendly to the Europeans. Since Heuheu's death, the Taupo tribe have moved towards the coast, intending to establish themselves on the Wanganui and at Otaki ; and though they profess pacific intentions, the natives they have come amongst regard them with suspicion. Some relatives of Erino, the Massacre Bay chief who owns the schooner which bears the name of his wife, Erina, have sent him a pressing request to fetch them away immediately and put them in a place of safety, and he sailed for Otaki on Friday week for that purpose. It is more than probable that the native population at Massacre Bay and Motueka will receive an accession of several hundred of the Ngatiawa tribe, in consequence of this movement of the Taupo natives. We should state that the latter assign as a reason for their movement, a threatened attack from the Waicato tribe.

We are informed that wheat has risen in Sydney to 7s. a bushel, and flour to £20 a ton. In Van Diemen's Land wheat was quoted at 4s. Bd. to ss. 7d. a bushel. The

season in New South Wales still continues very dry, and fears are entertained for the next crop. The high price of flour in Sydney has caused it to advance in Wellington, and a small coaster has been despatched here for a cargo. There was only a small quantity of fine flour in our market, and most of that has been purchased at about £18 a ton. If the settlers will get their wheat ground, we make no doubt that they will obtain at least £18 a ton for their flour, and that parties in Wellington will be glad to send here for it at that price. We also learn that in Sydney salted butter is selling at Is. 9d. a pound, and the Wellington Spectator is of opinion that fresh butter will advance to 3s. this season. The same paper states that in a dairy near Sydney, at which 150 cows are usually milked, sufficient butter is not made for the family. The cause of this is the parched-up pasture.

When Heki first cut down the flag-staff at Kororarika, a portion of the Australian press at once discovered that he possessed the qualities of a great hero ; Wallace, Tell, and Washington were not purer minded patriots than he. The Age, a newly established Sydney paper, anxious to obtain a character for penetration, boldly announces to its readers that Johnny is nothing less than " the wonder and the admiration of the world !"

The principal settlers at Wanganui have addressed the Governor, praying that they may be removed to some other locality; Mr. Symonds, who was lately appointed by his Excellency to purchase the land of the natives, having failed in his mission. The memorial, which is signed by Messrs. King, Wilson, Campbell, Nixon, Bell, sen., and Bell, jun., states in feeling terms the utter extinction of the hopes of the memorialists to make Wanganui their future home, and suggests that they may be removed " to the Middle Island, particularly where there is a likelihood of British concentration, and where the chance of native interference is diminished." We have little doubt but his Excellency will accede to the prayer of this memorial. 1

We have news from Auckland, via Sydney, to the 27th of May, which is nearly two months later than our direct intelligence. The last Auckland mail received in Nelson was made up on the Ist of April, but papers to the 25th of the same month have reached us through Kawhia. It was believed that Captain Grey would have taken early measures to establish a constant communication between the various settlements, and we deeply regret that nothing has been yet done towards so desirable an object. We can learn nothing of the Governor's movements from the Sydney papers ; and we only infer that all are at peace in the north, by no mention being made of hostilities. We are sorry to announce the total wreck of the barque Mary Catherine, in Kiapara harbour, the following particulars being taken from the New Zealander of the 23d of May :—

" On the 25th April, the fine barque Mary Catherine, Captain Howlett, 400 tons, left Auckland, for the Port of Kiapara, on the western coast, to take in a valuable cargo of spars for England. It is with regret we have to announce that advices were received last Sunday, overland, with an accout of the Mary Catherine having been driven on a sandbank in the harbour of Kiapara, after parting from the chain and warps, in that most tremendous gale which occurred during the night of Saturday, the 9th of May. It is most satisfactory to state that no lives were lost, and that what cargo there was on board of copper, oil, flax, and kauri gum will be saved."

The barque Madras was advertised for all the ports in New Zealand, to sail on the 15th of March. The Mathesis, formerly advertised for Auckland, was taken off the birth.