The New-Zealander. SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1847.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 122, 31 July 1847, Page 2

The New-Zealander. SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1847.

Be just and fear not: Let all the ends thou aims't at, be thy Country*, Thy God's, and Truth's.

The Council sat again on Thursday, when the Native Troops bill, the Spirits bill, and the Gunpowder bill, were read & second tifne,< and discussed in Committee. The first question entered upon was that of the Native Troops bill. We quite agree with the learned Attorney- General, in thinking all discussion about the raising of such a force superfluous. The Council have nothing to do with it, for it is not brought before them. The only question they are called upon to de cide, is wheihei or not (he Mutiny Act shall am ly to such body of men when raised, and thai merely as a precaution, to settle a doubtful clause in the English enactment. It is raised by the Queen, of her own plenary authority ; and whatever may be our private opinions as to the ultimate benefit of the measure, either to the native race, or to ourselves, we still have no right to interfere in any way with her prerogative, and ought not, in good taste, to shew even an inclination that way. We may observe, however, that we could not understand the force of the reasoning which went to shew that Natives enlisted in that corps, would be upon a par, or nearly so, in advantage with those who have entered the police. If, it was assumed, they be placed on the same footing with the English soldier, no consideration of rations, or pension, can Weigh against thft difference between fifteen shillings a week, which the well conducted policeman can clear for himself, and the small sixpence a day which remains to the other, at the very best. It mast be allowed, however, that those able to form the best judgment on the subject, seem to apprehend little difficulty in inducing them to enlist, even at the smaller rate of pay. With regard to the bill prohibiting the sale of Spirits, &c, to the Natives, we have to thank His Excellency for the introduction of such a measure, without being deterred by the many difficulties which it presents. To get it in to anything like shape, without involving colla* terally important and doubtful principles, may yet try the ingenuity of the honorable gentlemen assembled. The Gunpowder ordinance appears to be drawn up more with a view of Obviating the risk of accidents, than of increasing the stringency of the regulations concerting the sale of the article. In spite of the precautions

taken against illegal sale; there is reason to fear that this wicked traffic is not yet completely done away with. Among the bills 'which have not yet been laid upon the table, the most important is that for the regulation af 1 the Currency. The first thing which strikes us with regurd to it, Is the manner in which mention is made of it in His Excellency's address at the opening of Council. " The law for the regulation of the Currency of this Colony,- which the Seoretary of State has directed me to lay before you." From 1 the express mention of Earl' Grey's commands, we may not unreasonably infer that the bill is no bantling of the Governor's. He, of course, has no choice left' but'to obey the recommendation ; but we' cannot being ourselves to believe that he can really be -anxious that a measure, at ?once so purely experimental and so dangerous, should be passed. -Efti-l-ftr? y's flintifity^iluH? it- Bnould be intro- • duced-urider the present form^of legislature, is a little remarkable j for~HrHTcan c bc>forced through this Council, in spite of opposition; whilsf; in the future House of Representatives its fate would be sure. ft is certainly unfair that a matter so immediately affecting the interests of the Colonists should not be intruited to themselves. We, do not think them competent' to legislate entirely for themselves oh all subjects, without some restraint or check ; their theoretical opinions are too extreme and violent to be always safely trusted. But where a man's immediate profit or lobs is concerned, he is sure to think temperately and coolly,, to throw away prejudice, and- gird himself up in earnest for his work. Since, however, that is not to be, we think that the least His Excellency can do is to adopt a middle course, and to make it an open question. Let us have the benefit, at all ' events^ of the free- and unbiassed opinion of every member of Council, constituted even as it is. Should it still be passed, it will be received by the community, at all events, with less mistrust, and by that very diminution of mis trust,, a portion of the attendant risk will be avoided.

H. M, S. Racehorse arrived m port on Wed. nesday evening, from Waoganui on the 18th inst. Affairs were in the same state at that settlement as when the Governor left. The force at Wanganui consisted 0f 4 50 men ; and the rebels, about 400 strong, were in a stockade about four miles higher up the river— a few of them were occasionally seen upon " Shaksp«are'e Cliff," on the opposite side; but owing to the nature of the country, it was not deemed prudent to attack them. Marauders from the native camp Were in the habit of coming at night under the stockade to steal whatever they could find, and one or two of them had been killed. It is now ascertained that the numbers killed in the former engagement were three, and thirty wounded. There was no sign givenjof an immediate break up among them, A Mr MacGrregor, having gone too close to the native encampment, was shot through the cheek, and chased by three natives, but by the assistance of some officer*, he escaped with his life.

Inquest.— YeSterdav evening au inquJst was held at the Caledonian Hotel, on the body of a man uamed Adamson, who was found drowned at the Taniaki Heads on yesterday. From the evideuce produced, the jury "returned a verdict of— " Accidentally Drowned by the capsizing of a boat/