The New Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 277, 24 January 1849, Page 3

The New Zealander.

Be just and fear nut: Let all the ends thon aims't at, be tliy Country's, Tbv God's, and Truth's.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24. 1849

We adverted, in our last, to the proposition of Ms Excellency the Grovernor-in-Chief relative to the establishment of steam communication between the several settlements. We now, return to consideration of that subject, in connection with the views entertained by the Nelson settlers upon a matter of such vital interest to New Zealand. It is one of the greatest misfortunes, both socially and commercially, that the several settlements of New Zealand are so widely sundered ; because they have, hitherto, possessed so little community of interest, that any measure likely to be of combined importance to the whole has either never been entertained, or, if entertained, viewed so coldly and calculatingly, (in reference to its probable, more particular local influences) as to have withered beneath the poisoned suspicions of local jealousy — of local spleen. Instead of each settlement regarding itself as but an energetic portion of the whole, it has been the common misfortune that each has arrogated its pretensions to pre-eminence, decrying those of its rivals, and stigmatizing their efforts, as though they were those of an inferior race. A wide door might have thus been opened to the introduction of the divide et impera, principle — since, instead of that union which imparted strength to the bundle of rods, each individual New Zealand rod appears to have been but an animated shillelagh ready, nay eager, to drub its fellow. We axe, we hope, about to change all this, and we know no mediator likely to give so vigorous an impulse to our mutual friendships, or to lessen the coldness and the distance between us — as Steam. Nelson, with the assets, and the Governor, with the power, have both pronounced in favor of its introduction ; and •whether as a political, a social, or a commercial measure, we can but regard it as one fraught with the most important immediate benefits, and with prospective, incalculable results.

We entirely concur with oat indefatigable Nelson contemporary, that, (calculating upon the aid the Governor has promised) there is no reason why Steam Navigation should not take place immediately. We have gone carefully into his tabular statements of the .probable amount of disbursements and receipt's,and though we imagine he may be beneath the mark in certain items of the former, we consider he is in excess in others. We doubt, for example, if an efficient Captain, and an efficient principal Engineer could be procured for £14 a month, but, on the other hand, mates and seamen would, we 'daresay, ship for less than he has allowed. We, also, entirely agree with his preference of a screw propelled rather than a paddle wheel Steamer. It is not only that the consumption of fuel is lessened* and an extension of tonnage gained, but the first is a weatherly, easily handled, vessel under sail, and, when favoured with a wind with which she can lay het course, is able to set such a spread of canvas as would far outstrip the paddle wheeler, supposing their sailing qualities to be at all upon a par. The horse power given in our contemporary's calculation is a third of the tonnage. This, he very properly remarks, would be much in excess for a screw steamer, whose power, he says, has been satisfactorily demonstrated to have worked well at a ratio of Ito 8 and Ito 1 0 as compared with tonnage. We fear this would be to jump too far to the other side of the question. * It is true that, during the year 1847, the j t{ Sarah Sands," a ship of about 1200 tons, fitted with an auxiliary screw propeller of 150 horse power, or an eighth of her tonnage, is declared to have made the passage from New York to Liverpool, against adverse winds and waves, in twenty-one days, giving her thus a speed of about 190 miles a day, or little short of eight miles an hour. Still, even if this be correct, it must be remembered that in crossing a large open sea, a ship can afford to bear away and to haul up a point or two from her course, whereas the coaster anxious to make a passage will naturally strive to cut off corners, and keep as close to the mark as possible. — Looking to this, and to the strong winds and wild seas on the coasts of New Zealand we should think, one sixth of the power, a very fair proportion to the tonnage, and with that an average speed of eight miles an hour might reasonably be anticipated, and at a consumption of less than one half the coals allowed m Mr. Elliot's calculation. We grieve that our Auckland contemporary should have taken so hostile a view of the introduction of Steam Navigation. With all due submission, we conceive that there is neither the " grossest ignorance " nor yet any " hallucination " discoverable in the praisewoithy anxiety to further that introduction by every practicable means. Has our contemporary carefully considered the measure in all its varied bearings ? If he has, can he discover no paramount advantage to the consolidation of the New Zealand interests, to which it will give birth % Does he regard Mr. Elliot's calculations as simple expositions of the " grossest ignorance T 1 Is the admitted axiom that the facility of communication is the parent of traffic, in his opinion, mere bunkum and no more % If so, he will we trust, pardon us when we say, we consider he is bound to shew cause. For ourselves, we entertain a widely opposite view of the case, esteeming the establishment of steam navigation, next to the relaxation of the ruinous land restrictions, as the most important practical means that could be taken in developement of the lesoiirces, and in concentration of the prosperous energies of New Zealand. If an excess of advantage could result to any settlement from the adoption of this measure, it would be to Auckland. The port of Manakau is the point of communication aimed at. Look at the situation of that port in reference to Auckland, to the settlements north and south of it, and to Sydney. Is it not clear that Manakau must inevitably become an emporium, and that the fertile lands in its neighbourhood must, at no distant date, be converted into one great and productive mine of agricultural wealth ? The harbour of Manakau, has for some time, been under survey. Seamen assert that its difficulties are more those of ignorance of its channels than actual and impassable dangers. These carefully defined and buoyed off : — proper pilots established, and coasting steam navigation in operation, it will not only become the port of import to Auckland, but the port of impoit and export to and from New South Wales and New Zealand. Once shew the Sydney capitalist that there is traffic for a steamer to pay, and we shall speedily be connected with New South Wales by such an agent, especially should the extension of steam from Sincapore to Port Jackson take place. The centralization of New Zealand traffic i2t Manakau would afford a reasonable prospect for the introduction of steam to Sydney. It would reduce the voyage one-third, and few persons would either adventure by sailing vessels through Cook's Strait, or round the North Cape ; whilst the produce of our own East Coast, would easily find its way to Onehunga, by the tramway which would assuredly traverse our Epsom downs.

We have been favoured with intelligence from

the Bay of Islands, to the 1 6th instant. All, at present, is peace, but it is by no means improbable that the 'bitter animosity subsisting between that Maori Hector, Heke, and our worthy ally, Tamati Waka, may terminate in bloodshed. On the 9th, Heke went down to Pahia, where lie indulged in the most insolent gasconadings. He sent, as we are informed, the day before, to proclaim his approach, spreading a report that Major Bridge was to meet him by the way. The following morning he despatched a most impertinent letter to the Major to intimate his arrival ; desiring that officer to go over to him directly, and to bring flow, potatoes, &c, for him and his people ! To this mandate, Major Bridge laconically replied, that " if he wanted to ste the Major he must proceed to Wahapu — if the Magistrate, he must go to his Court at Kororareka-, for he transacted no business at Pahia. 1 ' Heke, likewise, summoned Mi. Busby, Mr. Kingston, and Mr. Irving to attend him, but the latter alone paid obedience. This is a gentleman he has been thteatening to drive away from his own ground at the mouth of the Waitangi near Mr. Busby's ; but finding that he was not to be frightened, and that the Resident Magistrate would not tolerate a«y violation of the law, Heke very magnanimously told Mr. Irving that he would suffer him to remain, provided he was the Only European, but that he would not consent to any more wliite men residing on that side of the water, nor would he sanction the establishment of any town there. Heke left a document with Mr. Irving — a code of law at once for his guidance and a passport for his protection. We have a copy of this exquisite morceau, and such a piece of audacious bombast we never read. It is evident the fellow is striving to bounce people into a belief of his supremacy. Tamati Waka was inland when Heke went to Pahia, but he proceeded to the Bay the night before Heke set out on his return, having received intimation that he was to be waylaid and assassinated by Hekes parly. " There is," continues our informant " a lasting and deeprooted animosity existing between these two chiefs and their tribes, which, depend upon it, will yet end in bloodshed': — either party desire but a pretext to resume hostilities.* 1 The following are fragments of Hekes proclamation — " Friends, the many Europeans, I have come to John Irving to know his thoughts, whether they are good or bad, but the days are not yet come when I shall judge. " Let no one interfere with him, whether Europeans or natives. Whoever does so shall be to blame. Hear this, ye European chiefs, ye Magistrates, ye Missionaries, ye Gentlemen ye Colonels si ye Majors, ye Governors, likewise ye Maori chiefs of the world — let there be no more Europeans — let John Irving be the last* Let all others remain at Kororareka, because the sea is the country of the European men. " Should this not be attended to, my good intentions are ended, and the Lion shall be let loose, to roar and to bite. " Hone Wiremu Pokai Heke." On his recent visit to the Bay, His Excellency Major-General Pitt was received with all the distinction due to his rank as Lieut. Governor, being greeted with a salute of thirteen well served guns, and a guard of honour. His Excellency inspected Major Bridge's detachment of the 58th Itegt., with whose discipline and soldierly appearance he expressed himself to be much pleased.

On Sunday morning, the Reverend G. Pantgn, the pastor so long and so anxiously desired of the Piesbyterians of Auckland, delivered his introductory sermon, at the Couit House, which was completely filled upon the sacred and interesting occasion. The Rev. gentleman selected for his text, the supplication of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians — " Brethren pray for us." Prom this slender theme, he pronounced a discourse of much and feivent practical piety, such as could not, we imagine, fail to convince his hearers that their Minister is not only a disciple fully versed in all the solemn obligations that pertain to a faithful servant of the Lord, but one, likely from the earnest anxiety of his manner, zealously to fulfil the high and holy duties upon which he has so satisfactorily entered. Most cordially do we congratulate our Pres^byterian fellow citizens upon this auspicious accomplishment of their ecclesiastical desires ; for, if Mr. Panton prove only as faithful (w Inch we question not he will) in the performance of his duties, as he is clear and explicit in their exposition, they will have acquired a teacher of much price, and religion an interpreter worthy of being honouied. Evening service was resumed at 5 o'clock, when another crowded attendance ensued, Mr. Panton pleaching from the text, " Blessed are the poor in spirit, &c." The collections of the morning and evening amounted, we are told, to nearly fifty pounds. A meeting of the congregation and friends of the Scotch Church will be held this evening in the Mechanics' Institute, to consider matters connected with the erection of their place of worship.

The usual half-monthly meeting of the New Zealand Advancement Society, was held on the 18th, at Mr. Merrimaa's, when the

principal subject discussed was the manufacture of Roman Cement, and some specimens of stone upon which experiments had been made, were produced by Mr. Smith. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, the Ist of February, at the same place, when the subject will be further discussed, and Mr. Hay has promised to prepare some specimens of furniture and other woods, and to give a description of their different capabilities.

Press of matter precluded the usual notice of Sydney intelligence in our last. We regret to learn that the stagnation, so long| prevalent in the commercial woild, had not only not abated, but was, if anything, on the increase. As if to profit by such circumstances, a meeting of the mechanics and artisans had been held in the Mechanics' School of Arts. From all we can gather of this meeting it was what is quaintly, but pithily, termed a dodge to induce the Governor to, create work, after the Parisian fashion, for these discontented operatives, according to au explanation from the late Mayor, itaromg on Jive shillings a day. It has been stigmatized, as, and we have no doubt it was, a clumsy device of the idle to damage emigration, now in flood tide towards Australia. If so, 'its failure has been las signal as it was deserved. The Herald is mercilessly sarcastic on the monster powers of Provincial Councils Legislation, as displayed in the few hours sessiow at Auckland. Surely the Herald has had sufficient experience of such institutions to know that the pace is easy when the goal is certain. The writer relies confidently on the firmness of the men of the South. Eheu Jugaces ! A new division of New South Wales into counties-, &c, is ordered. A fearful typhoon had occurred in China, in which a great many vessels and lives had been lost. The Sydney Herald of the 4th instant) contains voluminous extracts from the Poly* nesian of the 4th of November, relative to the progress of the Calif ornian gold diggers. The schooner Plymouth had arrived with some of the precious metal, which was pronounced remarkably pure, and purchased, as a remittance to England,, at seventy shillings an ounce. The Sydney ship owners and agents had caught the yellow fever, Macnamara's brig Louisa, and the barque Eleanor Lancaster being advertised for the gold coast. The digging was going on most actively, but the country was, as we surmised it would be, a perfect chaos. Demoralization was complete. Lodgings, thiee in a bed, thirty dollars a week. Provisions and clothing at famine prices-. Blankets from fifty to a hundred dollars each. Oh, this gold — we fear it will not only prove the ruin of many souls, but the death of many bodies ! Tenders have been called for, until the 4th proximo, for about two and twenty hundred tons of shipping, for .conveyance of troqps from Van Diem en's Land to India. ! The Sydney Atlas is no more. It perished, as it alleges, fiom inanition) after a hopeless struggle to realize long outstanding accounts. We believe this allegation to be a perfectly just one, for jwe well know the all^but impossibility of collecting debts,to be a general newspaper complaint throughout New South Wales. It is a very sordid and a very despicable cause of complaint, unworthy those pretending to the rank of gentlemen. The Atlas was a journal equally distinguished for talent and for virulence. Brilliant language was obscured by bitter,*nay|rancorous, personal, scurrility. Men were more frequently attacked than measures ; — and the puiest and most honourable causes were defiled by the channel through which they were made to pass. Its pages teemed with fulminations of the most rabid and ribald description — the writers stooping as readily at garbage as they struck at a nobler quarry. Its brutal ferocity towards the late Sir George Gipps will stamp it with undying infamy. The 'pen that traced the iniquitous attacks upon that able ruler, however pregnant of jaundiced point, weie as much beneath the spirit of a ma.n as they were derogatory to the pretensions of a states jun ! But let them pass. The ruler and the slanderer have each accomplished their course. A new paper, the People's Advocate, has arisen. It is rather democratic in complexion, and somewhat Uomanist in its inclinings. It is, nevertheless, a creditable production, and we trust it will be so conducted as not only to deserve but to ensure success.

Programme.— On Thursday, 2oih -'anuaiy, the Band of the 58th Regiment will | eiform the following pieces of music, within the enclosure of the government grounds, from half-past four to half-past tix o'clock :— Overture— Op. " Guilkume Tell" , k Rossini Galop "The Post Horn" Koei.jy; Waltz "Thn Philloimllon" Sir^us^ Song "The Light of Other Days " Bait' Quadrille "The Queen of the May" Julheu Ana. „...*.Op. *' hi Donna del lingo" ....,„., Rossini Sotig "The Peace of the Valley Balf P lka "The Drawing Room" Juliea Grand March " Earl de Greys Grd

We are requested to call the attention of Dai/ymen ardotheri, to Mr. Hyam Joieph's sale of Cattle hoJ Hoists, ex "Thomas Fieldea." The Cattle will lie sold tin i day, »t Messrs, Coanell and Ridings Stock* yard, and the Hones, at the Stockyard of the iHaa Bell* to morrow, Thursday, 25th inst,, at 12 o'clock.-* Communicated.