THE NEW ZEALAND BILL.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 88, 6 February 1847, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND BILL.

To the Editor of the Times. Sfß,— As h New Zealand bill is to be introduced on Monday iv the House of Commons, permit me to trouble you with fi lew remarks. It is well known that the New Zealand Company established their colony in defiance of the Government and of both Houses of Parliament, on the principle of self-support, and this principle was attempted to be carried out to the extent of an independent legal administration. Tolerated therefore, but never supported by the Government, they were indeed left to their own resources, which in 1843 were entirely exhausted, and Captain Fitzroy on his arrival found the colony involved in debt and in quarrels with the natives. He was not only without pecuniary resources, but he was already doomed to bankruptcy by a public intimation from the Colonial-office, that they would dishonour public bills. He was entrusted with an army of eighty raw soldiers to coerce and settle disputes between the colonists and 40,000 armed natives, and he was not even in the possession of a fortified spot to protect his powder-maga-zine ; and, what was still worse, the prestige of superiority of courage had been lost by the battle of Wairua, where an equal number of natives had defeated an aggressive attack from British settlers. He was ordered to collect a revenue from Custom house duties without the assistance of a single armed ship, which, of course, was impracticable ; the regular English trader alone paid, and tobacco could be bought from the natives at a smaller price than the. prescribed duty. Internal taxation was more impracticable, owing to the destitution of the settlers, and to the impossibility of coercing an armed native population with a few soldiers. Such was the situation in which Captain Fitzroy was placed. He struggled for two years with his head occasionally under water, but with hopes ag'aiu to breathe. He saved the colony by his forbearance and by moral influence: under any other policy the British flag would have disappeared from New Zealand j and he has hurt and ruined nobody but himself. In 1845 Governor Grey is appointed with a double salary, with treble tlic pecuniary resources, with 1600 soldiers, and five ships of war, to remedy the evils committed, not by Captain Fitzroy, but by thp Colonialollice. Governor Grey has happily commenced by cap. Turing Heki's pah, and by restoring peace to the May of Islands ; but it is not generally known that our success was owing in a great measure to the bravery of our native allies, who fought as well as the British troops out in the open country, and much better than our soldiers in the bubh. Governor Grey has gone to the Valley of the Halt with 300 soldiers, and driven away the ollending natives from a disputed territory ; but now they are driven away, no British settler will dare to occupy it. Governor Grcy^ sent wqrd to two tribes about to light in the vicinity of Auckland, that if they killed one another, he would hang the chiefs. At once they made up their differences, and sent word they would not waste their powder upon each other, ; they would reseive it for a common enemy. Itis-casy to foresee the effects of this policy ; the agricv'tural colonists will be driven for protection into the tbwns, and every town must be fortified and garrisoned. Captain Fitzroy says, that during two years he never detected a chief in telling a falsehood. A member in the House of Commons said publicly last yenr, that they were all cowards and Hats. Those words and every speech uttered in the House of Commons connected with their affairs, are translated and repeated to these chiefs by American and French missionaries. ' These charges, indeed, were made by a member of the New Zealand Company, who arc ready to swear that they bought all the land between such and such parallels of latitude and longitude, and that the natives perfectly comprehend the bargain. In the bill about to be introduced, we shall reatfof municipal rights, representative government, and protection to the natives — a legislation enactment sadly ill-timed and inappropriate. Instead of municipal right, the col6nists want the necessaries of lire, strong forts instead of a House of Representatives, and double-barrelled rifles instead of civil rights ; and the natives want nothing from us so long as they have good muskets. For the last ten years the life and property of every colonist have been at their mercy, yet there are gentlemen in the House of Commons who fancy that the English party is the strongest and can exterminate the natives. There is but one method of ruling this colony, which ought originally to have been formed as a military establishment, which is to concentrate the colonists, not at Poit Nicholson, which it is reported has been selected as a New .Zealand Company's job, but in the vicinity of Auckland, which must be made a strongly fortified position. ' "» Then, never to interfere in native quarrels, to respect their customs and privileges, to discontinue the public robbery of obliging natives to se'l land only to the Government, to be. resold to the settlers at 500 per cent, profit ; and to rule them only by moral influence backed by a display ot military force. Any <>thcr policy will doom the country to inevitable destruction. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, 11. J. Rous. 23, Grafton-street, August 15.

Regatta.— On Saturday last, a Regatta, in commemoration of the Seventh Anniversary of the Colony, took place in our port, under the patronage of His Excellency Governor Grey, and Captain Graham, is. N., K. c. n. The presence of H. M. S. Castor, and 11. M. Steam Sloop Inflexible, contributed in no small degree to the gay appearance of the harbour, which was crowded, in addition to the shipping in port, with pleasure yachts, gigs, and boats, decked with flags of every hiu, and sailing to and fro upon its surface. There were five races came eft' for the various prizes announced by advertisement in our last. The first was a sailing match of barges, won by Mr. Peppercorne's Julia; second in, Mr. Grahamo's Polka. The next was a race of whale boats, four of which started ; and the race was won by a boat belonging to, and rowed by a crew of, 11. M Steamer Inflexible., TJie third was a race of ships' cutters, which was won by ono belonging to the Castor. The next was a sailing match of yachts ; and the prize was taken by Mr. Symonds Mirage. The last race was of wherries, three of which stai ted, and the race was won by Mr. Thatcher's Mirage, jun., rowed by Angelo. At one o'clock, His Excellency the Governor, with his lady, were received on board the Castor, under a salute, and, with a large party from the shore, were hospitably entertained by Captain Graham. The substantial fare of good old English cheer was abundant ; and the host himself well personified the " brave old English gentleman, one of the olden time." The Band of 11. M. Gfith Regt. was on board the Castor, and performed many beautiful airs in the course of the day. Although it seldom happens that no accident occurs to mar the pleasure of such proceedings, yet upon this occasion nothing of such unpleasant nature took 'place. This, we imagine, may, in a great measure, be attributed to the very orderly management of the Stewards, in particular, David Hough, Esq., who, we observed, was incessant in his exertions to enforce the very judicious regulations which were published for the guidance of the boatmen who took part in the Regatta. Town Pnopr.imns. — We are requested to call the attention of our readers to the town allotments advertised in our columns by Mr. Campbell. We arc aware that these piopcrtics urc so situated as to render them, ultimately, very valuable. Indeed, from the long experience that the proprietor has had as a practical Surveyor in the colony, we shonld not suspect that he would do othciwise lhan choose the best selections, when milking his jnucliasus,

Agricultural and lloßTicunTunATi Socibty. — We am not aware how it is that this Society has suspended its operations. This is now the third season that has elapsod since wo .heard anything of it. We regret this exceedingly, as all must admit, with us, that it was an institution calculated to do infinite good, by exciting emulation amongst us, in endeavouring to outvie each other in bencfUting the Colony, and, with the Colony, ourselves. Such institutions, too, savour so much of home, — brings back to our memory bye-gone days, and scenes of our fatherland, where we have been accustomod to witness at their exhibitions everything gratifying to the mind ; for although the fruits may be to us " forbidden fruits," still our reason feasts upon the rich bounties of Providence which we behold before us. We are more desirous to see the number of our old English institutions increased, than that the few we have introduced should be diminished by desuetude, or want of energy, especially when, as in this case, the employment attending them be honorable and honest, and the object to be gained be goodness and perfection. In 1843, our Society had a show, which did great credit to its promoters, and to our agricultural sottlers ; it far exceeded expectation, and would not have dishononored an older country. Yet, we are assured, that that was but an earnest of what could be accomplished ; and we strongly recommend, upon our fellow-colonists, a revival of the Society. Although the present season may not have been good, owing to the long and unaccustomed'drought that we have experienced, still we know that for some tilings it has been exceedingly productive. Barley, potatoes, oats, and the later vegetables have suffered much ; but our farmers and gardeners report favorably of wheat crops and abundance of fruit. We would recommend that, with a revival of the Society, some rewards, be they ever so trifling, should be oflbred to natives who should exhibit the best specimens of nativo labor. Anything that turns their attention to their own improvement, tends to our benefit as well ; and wo conceive that this Society, carried on with judicious spirit and energy, would be a powerful means for their advancement. We arc sure our Governor, who, we believe, has encouraged biinilar Societies in the Southern district, would lend his 'aid to such a purpose here, were we to put tho thing in motion ; and as our worthy and much respected fellowtownsman, Dr. Johnson, the originator of the former Society, is now again amongst us, we feel assured that if ho generously trouble himself to revive, as he did to originate it, we shall yet see the " Auckland Agricultural and Horticultural Society" in a flourishing condition.