The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 347, 28 August 1849, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

He |ns> and li'.ir not: Let all tli«' ends tlion .ums't at, be tliy Country's, 'J h> (ion's, :ind I'iuLli's.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1849.

Tiik General Legislative Council met at three o'clock on Saluiday, and completed its business lor the session. The Crown Titles Bill was, on the motion of the Governor, re-committed, in order to the re-introduction of the original wording of the 9i.h clause, by which the privilege to claim other land in lieu of that described in the grant, is restricted to grantees who, on account of the opposition of the unlives, cannot obtain peaceable possession of the land granted to them. The abuses and injustice to the public that might spring out of the extension of the principle of exchange, without such a limitation, were so plain that this amendment of the amended clause, — by restoring it to its first form — was at once agieed to. The Bill was then read a third time and passed — the final sanction of the Council being thus given to the "quieting" mea.sure, for the enactment of which they had chiefly, if not wholly, been assembled at this time. A scene followed which, in addition to whatever public importance it possessed, involved more of petsonal interest than perhaps any other during the session. With reference to Mr. Edward Mcurant's memorial, which had been presented on the previous day — and which (as our readers will have seen by the outline of it in our last) contained grave accusations against the Government — the Governor enteied into a detailed statement for the purpose of proving that the allegations contained in that memorial were untrue, and that so far from his having acted towards the memorialist with injustice, he had in the whole transaction treated him and his family with a kindness which Meurant himself had frequently acknowledged in glowing terms, and, indeed, such as he (the Governor) felt to be an overstepping of the strict line of official impartiality, which he could vindicate only on the ground of his desire to promote the welfare of the half-caste children of a man whose situation (that of interpreter) placed him so much about his person. His Excellency then proceeded to show from the evidence furnished from correspondence which he laid on the table, that the Memorial was made up of a tissue of misrepresentations, both as to the Jj^antity of land which Mr. Meurant originally daimed,"and as to the way in which he had obtained a claim upon it. Amongst other things it appeared that the land on account of which he (in 1844) applied to the Government, was a different piece from that which is the subject of the present complaint, and considerably smaller ; — that he had not at that time said a word about its being given as a marriage portion with his wife ; — and that, in reality, the probable, if not certain, fact was (what the Colonial Secretary declared to be his belief) that the land was obtained, neither as a marriage portion, nor by pin chase, but as remuneration for services unwairantably performed by him in negociating land transactions between Natives and Europeans. The iSurveyor-General bore testimony to the statement that Mr. Meurant had repeatedly, and before various persons, expressed warm gratitude to the Governor for his conduct in the matter ; and also entered into what we deemed a satisfactory explanation of the alleged taking away and suppression of a letter on the subject. On the whole, had we been sitting in a jury-box to determine on the case, as it came before the Council, we could not have hesitated for a moment to lecord as our verdict a full and entire acquittal of the Government^ and a censure of the charges as unfounded and calumnious. — This seemed to be the general judgment of hon. members ; for although Mr. Merriman, with his usual professional acuteness, cross-examined the Governor on two or three points, His Excellency's leplies were prompt arid conclusive ; and, finally, Mr. Barstow, who had presented the Memoiial, declaied with a frankness equally just towaids the Governor and honourable to his own candour, that he did not now believe all the accusations contained in it. At the same time, however, that we thus express the opinion to which an impartial consideration of the case, as submitted to the Council, has led us, we, without the slightest reluctance, give .insertion to a letter (which will be found in another column) embodying views tending in some respects to a different conclusion. We feel neither prejudice nor partiality in the matter, and can have no other desire than to lay "before our readers whatever may help them to ascertain the truth — the whole trurh — in relation to it. Some conversation toolc place on the important but difficult question of legal enactments respecting the position and hereditary claims of half-caste childien; but no member was prepared to bring forward a definite plan, and the subject dropped, with an understanding that the Government should continue to deal as might seem equitable with individual

cases until the information derived from such cases should accumulate so as to form an adequate foundation for a general measure. A friendly and well-conducted " passage of arms" between Mr. Merriman and the Attor-ney-General followed, on the comparative merits of the Court of Requests Act and the Resident Magistrates Couit Act. It issued only in a statement by the Governor that he would (although contrary to his own opinion) bring the former into operation in place of the latter, whenever either the Council or the public should distinctly acquaint him with their desire for that change. The Governor then read his formal Reply to the Address requesting him to take measures to facilitate the leasing of lands by the Natives to European settlers. Both the documents — (the Report on which the request was founded, and the Reply) — will be found In extenso in our columns to-day. His Excellency then thanked honourable members for their exeitions during the Session, and declared the Council adjourned sine die. We shall, in a future number, follow xip our ample Report of the proceedings, by a general review of the Session as a whole.

The "Naiad," a schooner recently built at Hokianga, anived at this poit on Satin day, bringing a Sydney mail to the 28lh of July, brought to Hokianga by the barque " Honduras," which put iv there to load with timber for the colonies. English intelligence to the 20th of April had been received from London by the " Plmnician," which had made a quick passage of ninety one days. The files, however, were incomplete, portions having been forwarded by ships which had sailed previously. Moreover, part of the mail by the " Phanician," had been destroyed by fire, (occasioned it was said by the culpably careless use of lucifer matches). This circumstance naturally produced considerable uneasiness to those who, not having received all the letters they expected, fear that they have thus been altogether lost. The political news of England (so far as it was conveyed by this vessel), was not very important. Rumours of political changes were rife, as is usual about the season of the Easter recess. The most note- worthy, was that a Protectionist Ministry, with Lord Stanley as Premier, was not unlikely to obtain the reins of power. Notwithstanding the acknowledged weakness of the present administration, and the re-action against the apostles,— if not against the principles — of free trade which has undeniably taken place, we do not regard this as at all probable. If there were no other hindrance, Lord Stanley would find it extremely difficult to fill up the ranks of his government with men in whose practical statesmanship the country would or could confide. The Navigation Laws Bill had undergone so many changes, that it appears on the reprinting, almost as a new measure. A select committee of the House of Lords had reported against it, and there was but small prospect of its passing the Upper Hduse .... A sum of £50,000 had been voted for the distressed Unions in Ireland, and the Ministerial lush Rate-in- Aid Bill, (by which it is proposed to levy a rate in aid, of six-pence in the pound on such property in Ireland generally as is already rateable to the Poor law) , was dragging its slow length along against vehement opposition. It had just attained its second leading ; but that, and all other propositions by the Whig government for the relief of Ireland, had been thrown into the shade by a plan for the redemption of the pauperised districts brought forward by Sir Robert Peel. Its main features are, to bring the management of poorrelief under one control : — to devise a properly organised scheme of emigration : — to render effective the grants for land improvements, fisheries, &c, and to employ paLd labour in the formation of roads, and such really useful works : — and, by various arrangements, to extricate the land from its entanglement in a nominal and insolvent ownership. He proposes that these measures should be worked liy a special commission of statesmen with ample powers. The Spectator says, " this scheme has generally been hailed with delight by the public ;" and again, " the feeling of the House was that the Government Bill was the little measure, Sir Robert's the only thing to be called a policy before Parliament." The Revenue accounts for the quarter and year ending April 5, were " in that balanced state which enables commen'ators to describe them as ' satisfactory,' or ' unsatisfactory ' at pleasure." On the quarter, there was a decrease in the Excise of £180,000, but an increase in Customs of £200,000. On the year, Excise shows a decrease of £720,000 and Property Tax, £140,000 ; but, on the other hand, there is an increase in Customs, of £1,170,000. The nett increase of the whole year is £867,000. Colonial affairs had engaged some attention in Parliament, and other discussions on them were expected, but, as has too generally been the case, the renl interests of the colonies seemed to be less regarded than their capability of their being employed as weapons in the political warfare of rival parties. Mr. Scott's motion, on the 16th of April, for a Committee on Colonial Government, was (as we were

enabled to state on the 16th inst.,) lost by a majority of 81 to 34.... A motion by Mr. Chisholm Anstey relating to the suspension of Judge Montague formerly of the Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land, brought on we believe for the third time, fell to the ground, having no seconder. We really wish the lion, and learned gentleman would let colonial matters alone ; the House is so nauseated by his perpetual intermeddling and interminable prolixity, that nothing brought forward by him has a fair chance of being attended to Sir William Molesworth had given notice of a molion on Colonial affairs after Easter ... Parliament had adjourned for the Easter holidays. The Convict question was exciting interest ; but, as the "Sydney Herald" candidly avows, " we cannot quite understand what was being done "in it. The London correspondent of the Herald, (referring to a debate in the House of Commons on the motion of Mr. Adderley, respecting the transportation of convicts to South Africa) , observes, "It seems to be generally considered that that discussion has settled it as the rule, that colonies should not have any convicts if they are determined to resist the infliction. But there is no doubt the general sense of Parliament and of the country is in favor of transportation. The " Times" of the 18th April, says, the " Randolph " was talcing convicts for " the new convict settlement of Morpeth, in Australia;" and in "Bell's Messenger," it is stated that a vessel was about to be despatched by Government with 400 male exiles for Moreton Bay. A Court of Proprietors of the New Zealand Company had been called to protest against the sending of convicts here. No doubt, self interest, apart from every higher motive, would stimulate the Company to strive against a procedure which would so materially discourage intending emigrants and land purchasers. The Meeting which was fixed for the 27th of April, was summoned " to consider and promptly adopt means for effectually securing New Zealand from the stigma and terrible injury of being made a Penal Colony, like New South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, and the Cape of Good Hope." We observe by the market notes that at the April sales, wool continued to maintain its price, with the prospect of a brisk demand at the advanced quotations, as the clothiers were low in stock. Tallow was declining with a heavy stock on hand. It was apprehended that the price would remain dull during the summer months ; it is, however, the usual policy of the English buyers to keep the market low on the opening of ihe spring trade with the Baltic, with a view to their making more advantageous purchases in Russia for the season. Of the recent deaths, there are few of general interest. Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., one of the most devoted Christian philanthropists cf the day, had died in the 56th year of Ins age, of fever, supposed to be brought on by his indefatigable and self-sacrificing labours in the cause of Sabbath observance, with which his name has long been pre-eminently and honourably identified .... Archbishop Crolly, the Primate of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, fell a victim to Cholera, on the 1 6th of April, after only nine hours illness. He was amiable and benevolent in private life, and in public his political course was marked by a moderation which contrasted strongly with the political violence of Dr. M'Hale, and others of his episcopal brethren. He had rendered the Government very efficient aid in the establishment and extension of the National Education system.. ..Major General David Forbes died at Aberdeen on the 26th March. He entered the army in 1793, and was present and active in the various brilliant services of tlie 78th Highlanders, having particularly distingnished himself at Java, during the years 1811, 1812, and 1813. It was said of him that "he had the rare qualification of never having apparently made an enemy, or provoked a reflection." Those who find a morbid gratification in reading the details of horrible crimes — and there are many with such a vitiated taste in England— had a new case of atrocity before them. An elderly lady, named Jefferies, residing in Bristol, who was possessed of a very large property, was murdered under circumstances of great barbarity. The Coroner's jury returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder " against her servant girl, Sarah Thomas. Rush, the perpetrator of the atrocious " Stanfield Hall murders," had been convicted on the most conclusive evidence, after a trial which exhibited, in a very revolting aspect, his deep and systematic depravity. He conduced his own defence. The principal witnesses against him were Mrs. Jenny's female servant, whom he had fired at and wounded on the fatal night of the murders, and a woman whom he had seduced, and who was living with him at the time of the horrid transaction. The latter obtained permission during the trial to leave the Court to suckle her child, of whom the wretched culprit whose doom her testimony sealed, was the father ! The financial state and prospects of New South Wales has been ably staled in the Message to the Legislative Council from Sir Charles Fitzßoy (which is understood to have been drawn up by the Colonial Secretary). The estimated expenditure for 1850 is £329,142 9s. 6d., being 4513,720 more than that of the present year. The increase is produced chiefly by pro-

posed voles of £6,000 for steam navigation from Singapore to bydney ; £3,000 for the Dredging Machine at Port Phillip ; £2,000 for the Wharf and jetty at Geelongj £1,000 for a Bridge over Wai Us 's Creek ; and £1,230 for new Police Stations at Wide Bay, Burnett, and Manoroa. On the other hand, the estimated Ways and Means amount to £346,488 7s. 2d.; and it is calculated that the balance of Revenue over Expenditure on the 31st December, 1850, will be upwards of £25,000. The apparent desire of the Government to afford full information on every point has given general satisfaction. The accounts of the Sydney and Port Phillip districts respectively, have been presented in such a form as to show that, should the anticipated separation take place during the coming year, the income in the case of each district, will not only cover Ihe expenditure, but leave a surplus of from j £B,ooo to £9,000. An improved mode of keeping the public accounts, by double entry, and otherwise in conformity with a model sanctioned by the Lords of the Treasury, is to be observed from the Ist of January. Both in and out of the Legislative Council much attention continued to be directed to the subject of the redemption of Quit-Rents at ten years purchase, as permitted by the regulations of October, 1 846, which, (although at first disapproved by the Secretary of State), were recognised as still in force by a despatch from Earl Grey, dated January 12, 1849:— and to the Bills for " amending Publicans," and " regulating " the Medical Profession, the promoters of each of which were fighting their way against storms of opposition raised by strong sections of the classes which it is proposed to amend and regulate by their enactments, The " profession " of robbing seems to thrive, at all events, in Sydney and its neighbourhood 1 . Scarcely a paper appears without new cases not only of petty thefts, but of daring robberies. The " Richard Dart" was at Deal on the Gth of April, and was to sail immediately for Auckland.

We have heard from various quarters, strong and as we believe, most just complaints, of the firing of guns last Sunday, during the hours of Divine Service. We know it was Prince Albert's birthday, and we should readily join in any proper celebration of it, in honour of tho consoit of our beloved Sovereign, and a Prince whose personal amiability has secured for him a large share of public esteem. But we must record our protest against what we cannot regard as otherwise than a desecration of the Sabbath, very contrary indeed to the spirit in which Her M.ijesty and the Prince recently gave prizes for Essays on Sabbath observance, and in which the Queen extended sell special patronage to " The Pearl of Days" — a treatise on the same subject by a Labourer's Daughter in England. The celebration might surely have been deferred till the next day, or, at least, till after the hours of public worship. In, making these observations, we are sure we express the sentimentsm ents of hundreds who were offended by the unbecoming interruption.

Cattle Stealing. — An investigation has been going forward before the Resident Magistrate respecting the stealing of cattle in the neighbourhood of Auckland. It occupied a considerable patt of yesterday, but as it has not yet been concluded, we for obvious reasons, postpone any report of it. The prisoners were remanded, and will be brought before the Court again this morning.