[From the Wellington Independent, Sept. 13.]

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 245, 4 October 1848, Page 3

[From the Wellington Independent, Sept. 13.]

The following gentlemen waited upon hi 8 Excellency the Governor-m Chief, yesterday morning, at 11 o'clock, with the Memorial adopted by (he Public Meeting held at the Britannia Saloon, on Thursday evening, September 7 :— Dr. Dorset, chairman ; Dr. Featherston, Messrs. A. M'Donald, W. Fitzherbert, J. Smith, 11. Waitt, H. Wallace, A. de Brandon, W. Dorset, R. Davis, J. Bligh, G. Grace, W. E. Vincent, A. Hornbrook, W. S. Loxley, F. Brady, T M'Kenrie, T. Watets,J. Greenwood, and W. Lyon. His Excellency received the deputation in the most courteous manner. Tlie chairman read the memorial, as printed, to which his Excellency was pleased to give the following repl) :—: — CtBNTLKMEN,— In reply to tbe Memorial which you have presented to m«, 1 have to observe in the first place that 1 am hardly aware of what is meant by the statement,— That you at present exist under a form of Government more absolute than that of any other dependency of the British Crown with the exception of Norfolk Island. la as far as I have any acquaintance with these subjects, this colony is under exactly the same form of Government as every other British dependency in this portion of tbe world with the exception of New South Wales. Although none of the adjacent Colonies present the feature peculiar to New Zealand of being inhabited by a numerous, proud, and well armed native race. I make these rema'ks because whilst there is no real analogy between Norfolk Island and this Colony, either as regards their present condition or form of Government, I fear that the Memorialists have unintentionally used expressions which amongst those who are unacquainted with their incorrectness might produce strong prejudices and rouse hostile feelings, and thus prevent the subject from bung viewed in that ca'ra and ummpasstoued manner which its importance requires. No person caa regret more than Ido the extent of the power* with which I have been entrusted, and the heavy weight of responsibility, which hasbeen thrown upon me, and this in relation to a subject which involves the welfare of two races, between whom but so recently collisions have taken place ; which inrolves further tbe interests of bo many settlements, and of Great Britain, and of the adjacent Colonies, no less than those of the New Zealand Settlements. I can only trust that, amidst so many and great interests, and so many conflicting demands as will be made upon me, I may be enabled to execisethe powers conferred upon me in a manner which may in the greatest po&bible degree promote the happiness and prosperity of all. I will at least to the best of my ability endeavour so to di.-charge tbe trust committed to me as to attain this end. In as far as the inhabitants of Wellington are concerned, I am sure that in judging of the measures I may ultimately th'nk proper to purbue, they will remember that under the moit trying ciicumstances I have never shrunk from toil, anxiety, or responsibility to promote their interests, and that I have hitherto, through both'peace and war, so conducted their affairs as to secure "them a constantly increasing state of tranquility, security, and prosperity, whilst, in as far as I am concerned, neither time or circumstances will uiake me forget tbe friendly assistance and support I have hitherto received from them, and upon -vhicb I s.ill rely, for tint favorable interpretation of those measures which I may have to adopt in reference to the future Government of this Province, which will be so «s*eniial to the successful working of ouch measures. G. Grey. Government House, Wellington, September 12, 1848. His Excellency then stated that with regard to the last paragraph of the memorial he should be happy to hear the view* of the deputation, or the opinions of any of the gentlemen present, with regard to the introduction of representative institutions. Mr, Fitzherbert in reply pegged to request of bit Excellency a patient hearing whilst he endeavouted to remove from his Excellency's mind any unfavorable impression which might have been created against the subscribers to the present address, or the mode in which it had been got up. Mr. Ftzherbert, in the name of the deputation, begged to assure his Excellency, that noihing could exceed the respect which those present entertaiued for many of his Excellency's proceedings, and that the firmness of tone manifested in the present address arose from the j earnestness which the subscribers to that address felt on the subject, and was not fairly attributable to any want of courtesy. ! His Excellency observed that no one had poisoned his mind in regard to the signers of the address, and that if such an attempt had been made, he should hold the character of those prelent to be in itself a sufficient guarantee. " Mr. Fitzherbett then slated to his Excellency, that his instructions from the deputation were to this effect, viz., to endeavour to elicit from his Excellency some definite reply to the tenor of the address, which consisted in a demand for come soi t of represensative government. His Excellency would observe that the subscribers to the address had carefully abstained from entering into detail — they contented themselves with "briefly making their demand for representation of some kind, some voice for the people in the government of this colony, leaving it to his Excellency to iuforni them of the degree of liberality to be granted to them in that respect Those present felt that they had come from their native country with untarnished reputation, and had, they believed, brought out with them the full rights of British subjects, and that, both by character and education, they lelt themselves justly entitled to a representative form of Government, as at present the immeasurable distance that exists between his Excellency and the colonists completely excluded the, latter from all knowledge of what was going on. His Excellency in reply stated that he had never concealed his objections to the constitution, or bis determination, not to biing it into

operation ; that lie bad mentioned his intentions to etery member of the Executive andLegislative Council, and to fifty persons besides; that his conscience would not have permitted him to confer a Constitution, vrhich would in all probability have led to war between the two races ; that as to his intentions he could say nothing, until he had sufficient time to learn the general state of European politics, to ascertain what assistance lie might expect from home under a different state of uffairs, and until be bad seen more of New Zealand. Dr. Featherston stated that the statement that he had made known his intention with re S pect to the Constitution, afforded the strongest possible proof that an immeasurable distance did at present separate him from the colonists, and that no organ of communication between his Excellency and them did exist, inasmuch as no one settler bad ever received the slightest hint of such being his Excellency's intention. His Excellency stated that he had only had a short time to consider the memorial, it having only reached him that morning. He then alluded to the many difficulties and dangers he had encountered in bringing about a state of iranquility, and he was happy to acknowledge the warm' and efficient support which he had ever received from the Wellington settleis. Dr. Featherston, in reference to his Excellency's plan, that he was taken unawares.and therefore unprepared to give{araoie definite reply to the memorial — reminded his Excellency that on a prior arrival nearly three years ago, a deputation urged as the object which above all others they bad most at heart, the granting of Representative Institutions— that the Deputation then expressed the opinion to the settlers that his Excellency's antwer was unsatisfactory — that the Constitution (of Earl Gtey) arrived some months afterwards —that the settlers never received ftom bis Excellency any intimation that he was unfavorable to it, or intended to procure its suspension— on the contrary that the proclamation of it, and the creation of numerous offices under it induced them to believe that his Excellency would confer it upun them, and then introduce into it the necessary modifications— that when the news of its suspension at his Excellency's recommeiida tion arrived, the settlers felt that an unfair advantage bad been taken of them — and that they had been prevented from taking those measures to counteract his Excellency's recommendations which they would have done. That with respect to the support afforded bis Excellency by the settlers in canning on bis government, that support whilst having been in some degree passi ve,would have been themo&t cordial, enthusiastic, and powerful, ever afforded to a Governor, had his Council contained membeis elected by the people; that bis Excellency ought to disabuse his mind of any idea,)if such existed, that any factious opposition lo his Government would proceed Irom a Legislative Assembly. That with respect to tlie tone of the address, the 6j<. n ers were convinced that they were claiming what they had never ceased 10 regard as their rights — if they felt that the inevitable effect of a despotic government was to render a community less lit for free institutions, to destroy the political education which the settlers had all received— -if they candidly believed and admitted that they themselves were becoming, and would every year tindei the present Government become more unfit for such iDstitutions— if they were sincerely convinced that one of the main objects of the Government of New Zealand ought to be to piovide for the future population of these islands, i and that, to render it attractive, it was above all things essential that those'institutions most genial to the habitsand feelings of Englishmen, should becoufeired upon it— that after all they were periorming, in claiming representative institutions,,a duty not merely tv theinselres but to every member of their race. Mr. Fitzherbert pressed his Excellency for a definite answer, and on his Excellency observing that he did not consider it fair to press him after the reply he had given, Mr. F., feeling that the reply was evasive, and that he had a duty to perform towards those who bad deputed him to express their sentiments, observed that, however painful it was to him, he was compelled to tell his Excellency that his reply was most unsatisfactory.

The Memorial and proceedings of the 7th were, however, not permitted to pass unquestioned. The entertainments of that evening appear to have been patronised by the " Independent," and, in consequence, to have evoked the hostility of the " Spectator," which, accordingly, on the 12th, got up a little after piece of its own. This, although neither so piquant nor so pointed as the previous performance, elicited certain " proceedings of a stormy and unpleasant character," which in turn provoked a general scrimmage, in which heavy columns of editorial leaders, with a cloud of epistolary sharp shooters, of either faction, do fierce and furious battle. It is somewhat singular that at both meetings the chair should have been taken by Dr. Dorset The following is Memorial No. 2, with His Excellency's reply.

To Hit Exctllcncy Georqb Grbv, Esquire, Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, 4-c, ire, fyc. We the undersigned, inhabitants of Wellington, being deeply impressed with the great advantages and importance of Hepresentat ye Institutions} beg respectfully to uige our claims to them on your Excellency. While we cheerfully admit, the present improved state of the colony, and attribute its increasing prosperity in a great measure to the sound policy of your Excellency's admimsti ation, and the discretion exhibited in tne exercise of the extraordinary powers with which you have been invested, we feel assured that your Excellency will be desirous to relieve yourself, in some degree, from these weighty responsibilities, by admitting the colonists to participate, by means of Representative Institutions, iv the direction of their local and internal affair^ and we are the im>re anxious to urge our claims 10 them upon your Excellency s attention, lest our silence should be mistaken for indifference. Prom the increasing importance and number of the

Southern Settlements, and the anxiety felt by their inhabitants for these Institutions, we ate persuaded that any further delay would be injurious to their interests ;-we therefore hope your ExceTlency may oe induced speedily to confer upon us those Representative Institutions which it is admitted, we 'are well fitted to receive, and of which, it is believed, in our Father Land, we are in the actual enjoyment. Sigmd, &c, «<N,

A Deputation of thitty-five gentlemen waited Upon His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief on Monday, with the Memoiidl, adopted by the public meeting held on Tuesday evening last, at the Britannia Saloon, for the purpose of " requesting Governor Grey to confei upon the inhabitants Representative Institutions." His Excellency received the deputation in the most courteous manner, and the chairman> Dr. Dorsel, read the Memorial as printed, to which the Governor wai pleased to give the following reply : Gentlemen,— l have so recently delivered a rcplv to a Memorial of ths same purport as that which you have now placed in my hands, that l trust I shall be excused if I do not on the piesent occasion, address you at any great length. It may suffice r or me to say that in as far as depends upon me, the Southern Province of New Zealand shall, in the shortest practicable period of time, be in possession of a Legislative Council, and that, should the constitution of that Council prove unacceptable to the colonists, it will afford me much pleasure from time to time to modify it so ns to render it suitable to the advancing circumstances of the colony. At the present moment there is probably no portion of the world in which life and property are more secure than m New Zealand, nor is there any other country which holds out greater promise of prosperity and happiness to intending emigrants. Tne safety of yourselves and of your families, and of the numerous British population, so widely and thinly scattered throngheut the countryi a* also the maintenance of the now rapidly increasing value of property, ai c necessarily to me objects of such near and deep concern that I weigh with the greatest care and anxiety every step I take which might disturb or interrupt the present happy state of things. I thus perhaps, may move more slowly, and cautiously, than some would desire ; all I howe\er ask of you is, to attribute my caution to the true motives, and not to any desire on my part to thwart those very natural wishes, which you have expressed in language for which I feel grateful, and which gives you a new claim to every e"^ertion upon my part to promote your welfare and happiness, and in so far as my duty permits, to consult your wishes. G. Grey. Government-house, Wellington, September 18, 1848.

On Wednesday, September I3tb, Rangihaeata met his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief at Otaki. The Natives assembled in considerable numbers, whilst only three or four gentlemen accompanied the Governor. Rangihaeata, who bad a dogskin mat thrown over his shoulders, a meri in his hand, and featheis in his hair, stood up to make a speech. He referred to the war, to hit actions throughout, how he had fought his way like a man, until he had settled at Maridwatu. He then stated that he was tired of war, though prepared to resist, but that he longed to live at Taupo, Porirua, which he considered as his place. His Excellency then addressed the natives. He deprecated war, but would compel turbulent native* to respect the rights and properties of their neighbour. The Governor stated, that before JRangibaeata could live at Porirau, he must surrender Petomi, the native charged with the murder of the boy Hobmanj now living under Rangihaeata's protection. Raugihaeata, after some demur, consented to surrender Petoini j and then, after teceiving the warmest testimonials of respect from the natives, the Gorernor-in Chief left the assembly. — Indedendent, Sept. 16.

Kaparatehati, or E Para, a well known chief in connection with the late war, arrived in town on the 15th. It is stated, that Kangihaeata will come in some lime next week, bringing witb him Petomi, the accused murderer of the boy Hobman.—lb,