WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 84, 9 January 1847, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[From the Wellington Independent, Dec. 19,] The Ralph Bcrnal sails in a few days with a valuable cni go for London. It is desirable that we should take advantage of such opportunities to apprise our friends in the Mother-country of the progress and prospects of this distant colony. First, then, in (lie person of Capt. Gjcy we have a Governor, uniting nil the- requisites in his own pel son to enable him to cut the Gordian knot of our difficulties, and to bring about a more active and genial stile of affairs. The Native question, apparently so difficult a problem, has been almost entiiely set at rest, and we now look forwaid to a long period of repose, in which the aborigines and colonists will strive with a gcneious rivahy to advance tho interests and pi ornate the well being of the whole body. 01 the extermination of the mnoii race we have not the lea:>t apprehension. They are making rapid strides towards civilization. They are cultivating extensively wheat and other grain, and they are beginning to appreciate the blessings of security, and the evil effects resulting to themselves, more especially, from the demon of war. The country is being opened by means of roads. Had the Native population, as a whole, displayed hostility to the Europeans, we should not have been enabled to miintain a footing, owing to the difficult character of the country bordering on a sea-board. But the roads once formed the peace of the colony can be preserved, for the superiority of the maori will then be des'royed. We have to notice renewed activity amongst the settlers. Commerce is increasing, and that too in a highly encouraging form. A provision trade h\s been established with the neighbouring colonies, and fiom appearances it is likely to prove a lucrative one. This trade already supports a large body of the inhabitants. Our future prospects are encouiagiii£, and provided the Imperial Government take the aH'airs of New Zealand into their own hands, we cannot fail to prosper. Our readers will find in smother part of to-day's paper an aitielc from the Nelson Examiner, on the subject of education in that settlement. ]$y it we learn tint out of a population of loss than 3,000, seven hunctied children are iecoiving instruction. Nelson may well bo proud ot the care displayed for her rising generation. We arc afraid that ill Wellington we are considerably in the rear of our neighbours. The Wesleyans are entitled to credit for the manner in which they have attempted to push their school into notoriety. The Episcopalians of this neighbourhood have no school worthy the name of a public one. Why is this ? The members of that church are rich and numerous. Their minister is indefatigable in the exercise of his avocations, but still the important subject of education, in an extended view, seems to have escaped his and their attention. We trust they will strive to bring about a different state of affairs. Every denomination of Christians ought in justice to look after the education of the young peculiarly belonging to themselves. Much may be done if a proper beginning is made. We are convinced that Captain Grey, on behalf of the Government, will encourage to the utmost the laudable object of educating the youthful mind in the course it ought to pursue.