The New- Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 259, 22 November 1848, Page 2

The New- Zealander.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1848.

Yesterday morning, His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., departed in H. M. Ship " Havannah," for Port Nicholson. The Government during his absence will, as usual, be administered by His Excelltncy Major-General Pitt.

So ! — New Zealand, then, is once more blessed with a Nominee Council J She yet rejoices in men and liberals magnanimously acceptive of the honour of a seat ! She again enjoys a fantoccini senate to bob its deliberative compliance ; — to exhibit to the world, — " Legislation done here, on the shortest notice, and most moderate terms ! — " Well ! Vive la bagatelle, since, justice to the colonies appears to be a trifle too paltry for England's consideration ! We must bide our time *. — for colonies, whilst they are colonies, can never hope to prosper, unless emancipated from the thrall of the Colonial Office. We have had a long and a weary experience of the accuracy of our opinion. We have dwelt in many colonies, and under many rulers; arfd we have never known one who enjoyed any lengthened period of popularity-. Some of these men have been the most amiable and the most intelligent — men honoured and esteemed beyond the province of their rule, but, there, only more or legs detested : and wherefore *? It is impossible that their nature and characters could have undergone a total change, and that the man should be so utterly lost in the Governor, as to have converted to a despot a friend of liberty and liberality. By no means ! The Governor himself sinks into the pwppet of the system he is compelled to evolve. He owes no allegiance to the colony. He is its master ' — but the servant of the Colonial Office ;to which alone he renders an account of his stewardship — from which issue the orders he is bound to enforce— and to which he looks for distinction and rewards. Until, then, that this whole system be changed, no Governor ever can be popular. His very ability tells against him with the people over whom he is temporarily placed, because it enables him more skilfully to controul them ; and controul is the guiding principle of the Colonial Office. A change of Governors never ensures a change of measure/s. These are like the laws of the Medes and Persians— they alter not ; or if a variation does occur it is only one more oppressive and more exacting to the colony. Changes are injurious, too, in this respect, inasmuch as each successive Governor has his following to provide for, and the colony becomes charged with a standing army of cormorants, for whom place, no matter what their capacity, must be provided. Art imbecile, ot grossly tyrannical Governor, is probably a better one for a colony, than another, because his oppression may probably excite attention^ and create a British sympathy, and, so, wring concessions. Whilst an astute and prudent one — under the shelter of his nominee Council, will so fulfil his instructions, that however the colony may detest the system, it cannot in justice, condemn the ruler who carries out his duty in a manner the least offensive to the colonists, and with a desire to serve their interests as much as he can i$ consistent subservience to those of the Colonial Office. Of all the expedients- devised by oppression, none, in our opinion, can compare with that abortion — a Nominee Council ! — It smacks so . much of a resurrectionist dodge at in-vesting Despotism with the constuprated shroud of Liberty. From behind that seven-fold shield, more redoubtable than that of Ajax, more impenetrable than, that more modern targe, Whoie brazen studi and tough Lull hide, Our rights bath eter dashed aiidc.

hesitated to have cast. Is it not pitiable, then, that men can be found to assist in putting this abominable stalking horse in motion — this vampyre of Colonial Legislation 1 Surely no honourable member of that august body, can lay the flattering unction to his soul, or delude himself into the belief, that he does the Colonial state a service 1 What 1 In an assembly where he can neither initiate nor negative a single measure 1 Where he is but a make weight to the show in which he possesses no substance. Where, if by miracle, as once happened in a sister colony, to a very arbitrary and inefficient ruler, with a very lame and incompetent Colonial Secretary, as his prime minister; — a secretary, the very antipodes of the gentleman who so worthily and so advantageously occupies the post for New South Wales : — If, as on that occasion, a " patriotic six," should start up and impose a momentary check. Well, what then 1 Ctii bono ? so long as six other independent patriots can be found to sell or serve their country ? What has been the practical result of the Tasmanian Nominee check 1 Their place warmers were, indeed, in due time kicked out, but has Nomineeism improved ? Has it been gifted with any active faculty — has it even been imbued with a negative virtue ? Not a bit ! It is still the same instrument of passive obedience to protect the Governor, but to paralyze the people. And, until the Colonial office be suppressed or muzzled, we see no I prospect of Colonial liberty ; until the Colonial people shall stretch forth the hand and compel it. Unless, indeed, Sir Robert Peel shall become, as he has not obscurely hinted, their Liberator ! But, however fodignantly we may feel dis- | posed to scout the infliction of a Nominee Council, it is, nevertheless, a question of the utmost importance to ascertain the ripeness for the introduction of Representative Institutions. Is New Zealand, in the full and fair acceptation of the term, yet a Colony ? Is she, in the population scale, and by virtue of her social and political position, entitled to ! demand the civil privileges denied to Sonth [ Australia ; withheld, after an existence of five and forty years, from Van Diemen's Land; and but partially conceded, in her eleventh lustre, to New South Wales ; and that, long after she possessed the agricultural, pastoral, commercial and public interests which New Zealand has yet to acquire ? Mortifying as it may be to our vanity, we must, if truth be spoken, admit that we at present constitute but a broken chain of disunited settlements, mainly dependent upon British bayonets for protection, and British gold for our support. Whilst the native race outnumbers the European — whilst industry and enterprise are, confined within a limited circle from our towns — and whilst, by consequence, the natural and the varied elements, of which a representative body should be composed, are held in abeyance, Aye cannot but believe, that the Governor, — who, by Colonial merit, must earn an European reputation — has adduced the most cogent reasons for declining the immediate introduction of a representative system. Let a Representative Assembly be granted to-morrow, and could they, we would ask; accomplish the main object of all prosperity. — Could they command an influx of wholesome emigration, by compassing such a reduction of the price of waste lands as would entice the capitalists, the artizans, and the peasantry of England, to flock to a possession where comfort and competence, would amply reward their judicious expatriation ? Not they ! And until the waste lands monopoly be broken down, and New Zealand, by a generous accession of population, become a colony, in sense as well as in sound, it is a mere delusion to dream of a Representative system which no Governor will be permitted to grant. The land question, our readers may rest assured, is the question, to which all others are but links. Cheap land will lure capitalists Capitalists will command population — and population will compel attention and redress. To obtain cheap land the energies of the people should be incessantly directed, by petition and remonstrance to Queen, Lords, and Commons. New South Wales possesses a semi representative Council, but no control of her waste lands. She, consequently, is in a state of decadence and despondency. Cheap Land is the life blood of a colony. Cheap Land, or rather, free land, created all the British settlements in these seas. When cheap they prospered — since they were made dear they pined. To a return to cheap land, then, the energies of all the Colonies should be addressed, for on that concession depends the sum and substance of all colonial hope, as well as the speedy and ample enjoyment of all colonial rights civil, social, and political. Preferring, as we ourselves- should, the liberty which a dictator, would pause to impinge, but which a Nominee Council arms him to invade— we, nevertheless, cannot but look upon the Provincial Council's, as promised to be constructed, as a decided improvement upon the old : — not that we expect any great result from their collective wisdoms, but, because, if actually predominant in the number of non official over official members, and, if those non officials should be really independent men, although

Kennedy and Merriman recently and worthily exemplified) by the presentation of petitions, and by a frank and manly discussion of questions affecting the public weal, — to place a strong and legitimate check upon undue authority. Viewing them, then, in this light, and assuming their functions to be such as they profess to be, they may probably prove a step in tine right way. Under any circumstances they must be bad indeed, if they equal the Grey Constitution fiom which we have been so happily deliveied.

Saturday last, being the day appointed for investing His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief with the Order of the Bath, shortly after noon our quiet little city, despite a lowering horizon and chilly atmosphere, began to exhibit an unwonted bustle and gaiety of appearance. Silks and satins of every figure and fashion — Red Jackets and blue — black coats and brown. — The young, the old, and the middle aged, poured in continuous streams towards the grounds of the late Government House, upon the lawn of which a spacious pavilion had been i erected. In front of this pavilion, and forming a martial avenue of entrance, the 58th Regt., with their Band and Regimental Colonr was posted. The pavilion, the property, we believe, of the Bishop, was an ample one, capable of containing some five hundred persons. At its eastern extremity, stood a dais, or raised jjlatform, ascended by three steps and covered with scarlet cloth. The centre of the platform was occupied by a throne, placed on a crimson velvet pedestal, the frame of the throne being composed of native wood covered with rich crimson velvet, and ornamented with massive bullion lace. On the right of the throne was placed a chair of State, (also on a crimson velvet pedestal) for the Queen's Commissioner, and, on the left a corresponding chair was reserved for the accommodation of the Knight elect. The Commissioner appointed — by warrant ' under the Sign Manual, and countersigned by Prince Albert as Grand Master of the order of the Bath — to represent Her Majesty, was the Chief Justice : — the Secretary to the Commissioner, the Sheriff. The Pavilion was tastefully decorated — the ceiling being composed of the blended flags of all nations, whilst the ridge poles were festooned with garlands of evergreens and flowers. It was crowded with fair women and brave men. The Maori warrior as well as the British hero — the civilised and the semi savage: — the chief external distinction that we could discover between the races being that Barbarism wore its feather in the hair, whilst Civilisation plumed itself on a cockstail stuck in the hat ! At five minutes to one o'clock her Majesty's Commissioner, supported on his right by the Colonial Secretary, on his left by the Sheriff, entered the domain, proceeding to the robing tent ; — the guard presenting arms, and the Band greeting him with the National Anthem. Exactly at one o'clock the procession began to move from'the Commissioner's tent towards the Pavilion, formed in the following order. Government Officers Two and Two, according to rank; the Juniors first. The Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General in the rear. The Commissioner's Secretary, Percival Berry, Esquire, Bearing, as King at Arms, the Royal Commission on a Crimson Velvet Cushion. Her Majesty's Commissioner, William Martin, Esquire, Chief Justice. The Bishop and Clergy. On arriving at the platform the Government Officers took their places on the right and left of the throne, the Commissioner seating himself on its right, with his Secretary on his right. In a few minutes afterwards the procession was resumed. Naval, Military, and Staff Officers, Two and Two. Followed by the Civil Secretary, the Hon. C. A. Dillon, Bearing the insignia of the order on a ' crimson velvet cushion. The Esquires of the Knight elect — Messrs. Black more and Thatcher, Tamati Waka, and E'Puni. His Excellency the Governor, introduced by Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, C. 8., Acting Grand Master of the Order, and supported by Lieut. -Col, Bolton, Royal Engineers ; Captain Erskine, H.M.S. " Havannah ;" Captain Stokes, H.M.S. " Acheron ;" Majors Gray and Matson ; Captain Henderson, R.A. ; Brigade Major Greenwood, Drs. Thompson and Courtney, &c, &c, &c. During the procession the music played, and the troops presented arms. The Knight elect, as he approached the throne made three successive reverences, and having ascended the first step of the platform there remained stationary whilst the commission was read aloud, after which the commissioner addressed him as follows : — The Warrant under the Royal Sign Manual, which has now been read in the hearing of this assembly, lias sufficiently declared the object for which we are gathered together this day. Jt is the' pleasure of Her Most Gracious Majesty, to award to you, the Goveruor-in-Chief of New Zealand, a distinguished mark of Her Majesty's approbation of your public services, here and elsewhere. Honoured as I could not but feel myself to U I_ I -I _-. ...J_«J 4.. ...... .,,,,,^..». U«« K/fni'n..+«> nnA

better, if Her Majesty's choice had fallen on some other odirer. For there are officers, here present amongst us, who might set forth more worthily the services you hate rendered, by reason that they have been themselves eye-witnesses of your exertions, and have borne their part under you in conflict and jt» council. But, in truth, the services which Her Majesty this day rewards, need no setting forth by any one in this place. Your most eminent successes- have been achieved in the midst of us. They are plain and manifest in their consequences to all men. They require no detail ol description : they call for no heralding. Let each of us travel hack in thought over a space oi three years, and we shall at once appreciate what lias been done. Three years are completed this day from the time when you assumed the administration of the government of this colony. We all remem* ber the alarm and perplexity which then filled the land j and we are all able thankfully to contrast the then state of affairs, wth the present tranquility. \Vc ail acknowledge how greatly we are indebted to your sagacity and energy, under the blessing of a good Providence, for the happy change which tws taken place in the circumstances of this colony. From diflicuHy and success in another land, you came to a greater difficulty dnd a more conspicuous success here. Her Majesty has been pleased to express her sense ot the zeal and ability you have displayed in the service ot your country ; and it is Her Majesty's further pleasure,, in acknowledgment of your merits, to enrol your name I in an Order, which numbers amongst its members, many of the most illustrious persons of our time. Such a distinction, has, 1 believe, seldom been conferred upon any one, at so early a period of life. It ought ihcroiorc to be regarded, in this case, not simply as a reward for services done and laboirm ended,-~not bo'ely as intended to give dignity to repose— but rnfher as an incentive to new exertions, for the common weal. 1 trust th.it many years may yet be reserved to you, in which you may be enabled, by (iod's blessing, to do the State fuither servicci and to win and to wear honours even higher than this. I now proceed in the name, and on the behalf of Her Majesty, to invest you with the insignia of a Civil Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, [Here the Commissioner placed the Ribbon aiottrul His Excellency 's neyk, whilst his Secretary secured the clasp,] anil 1 deliver to you the Star of the same Order, [placing the same in his hands.] Sir George. Grey^ Her Majesty doth give and grant to you henceforward, full power and authority, to wear and use these Insignia, and to enjoy all the privileges appertaining to a Civil Knight Commander ot the Most Honou able Order of the Bath, in as full and ample a manner as if you had been invented by the Sovereign Herielf. This ceremony completed, his Excellency ascended the platform, and spoke thus in reply to the Commissioner's address :—: — " Your Honor : I believe it ill becomes me to address any words to your Honor on this occasion -, it is enough for me humbly to receive the distinction which it has pleased Her Majesty to confer upon me ; but I must make my grateful acknowledgments to your Honor for the courteous, kind, and eloquent manner in which you have been pleased to accompany the bestowal of Her Majesty's distinction. I can only say that the honorable order which it has pleased Her Majesty to bestow upon me has been greatly enhanced by the fact of its having been given in this country, and received at the hands of one whom I so highly and sincerely respect, esteem, and regard." The Chief Justice then addressed the Sheriff, thanking him for his good services — and the ceremony concluded by all the officers aud ladies congratulating the Goveruor upon his newly attained honor. On the platform, near to the Governor's chair, were perceived, Lady Grey, and suite — composed of, the General's lady, the Bishop's )ady, and the ladies of the Chief Justice, the Sheriff, the Civil Secretary, Col. Wynyard, the Surveyor General, &c, &c.

Our readers will perceive, by the Gazette, republished in our columns of to-day, that Lieutenant-Governor Eyre, having partially recovered from his recent severe indisposition r is now enabled to state that he hopes " the injury which the colony is likely to sustain by the impression which the occurrence of so severe an earthquake must naturally make in England, will not be so great or so permanent as was at first anticipated." If 'it be not, we shall have to thank the sound sense and calm, discrimination of the people of England, rather than the unwise inductions of Governor Eyre. It is positively refreshing to find from His Excellency's reflexion tardive that " a blow has been struck" less " at the prosperity of the settlement," than "at the very existence" of tat/ and other pots, numbers of which, His Excellency has since discovered, have gone to immortal smash, whilst all " who can find the meansof getting away fronathe colony" now " intend to remain." We never doubted the fortitude of the Wellington settlers, and it is with the most sincere and heartfelt satisfaction we now learn that their losses are less severe than they were at first represented to be.

Gunnery Practice. — Last Wednesday morning, we were seduced from our studies by the thunder of cannon, which boomed pleasantly in our ears. Hastening to Smales' Point, we perceived that a rival exhibition, between the Royal Artillerists at Fort Britomart and the seamen of H. M. Ship " Havannah," was then in full play. The target of the Artillery was a floating one, and, consequently, the but of their aim compelled a plunging fire. That of the " Havannah" was a fixed object, in the shape of a sailor delineated on canvas, and posted in a bight on the North Shore, and on a level with the frigate's broadside. Taking into consideration the greater difficulties of the Artillery their practice was beautiful. Although they never struck the target, their line of fire was admirable, ranging a little over or short of the mark, but yet sufficiently close to have proved uncomfortable to an excitable temperament. Every shot from the " Havannah"

one knocked him on the head, (it been previously prostrated twice,) and another ploughed the ground on which, but a moment before, he stood. To us to whom sights like these ere treats, the day's amusement was one of equal satisfaction and delight. Long may every British man-of-war cany a stock of such shots in her locker— and long may every British Battery point its guns with the same precision that directed those of Fort Britomart.— In the afternoon— not to let the great guns have It all their own way— Lieut. -Colonel Wynyard C. 8., inarched the disposable men of the 58th Regiment, with " trumpet and drum," to Freeman's Bay ; where, according to the report of a naval friend, the small arms riddled their targets in first rate style. On Thursday morning the frigate and the fort renewed their piactice; the latter firing shells from a six pounder howitzer. The fuse, however, was too long for the distance (about nine hundred yards) at which the target was placed— no shot struck the diminutive mark, nor did we observe any shell burst at the contemplated point of flight. As on the day before, the direction was excellent although the r&Bge was not precisely obtained.