The New Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 369, 27 October 1849, Page 2

The New Zealander.

Be just and fe;ir not: Let all the ends thon aims't at, be thy Country's, Ttiv Gon's, and Truth's.

SATURDAY, OCT O B eV*2 7 , 18 49.

The papers from the South received since our last, by the Enterprise and Victoria, do not contain any news of much interest. Our Wellington contemporaries continue to occupy a considerable poition of their space with criminations and recriminations in relation to several individuals, not excepting their respective conductors and correspondents, in ■which we regret to find personal attacks indulged in to an extent and in a spirit that cannot conduce to either the honour of the press or the welfare of the public. The Annual Report of the New Zealand Company fills about six columns of the Independent, (which, by the by, has enlarged its sheet); but its substance was fully embodied in the abstract given in our number of the 17th inst. Our contemporary exults in the realization of its expectation " that the Company would take the right side on the great question of self government, and that it would not forsake the colonists in their need when it should come to be discussed at home." Two reports on the Rangitikei district have appeared. One is by Captain Smith, R.A., and is generally encouraging. The other, by Mr. Park, Principal Surveyor, NeAv Zealand Company, though written in the characteristic style of the late George Robins, the New Zealand Company's agents, and puffers gene rally, gives reason for believing that the district has natural capabilities of a high order. It was stated that the relatives of Maroro, (who was executed at Wellington last April for the murder of Branks and his family), having determined to get utu or satisfaction for his death, had murdered Charley of Porirua, (brother of the chief Rawiri PuAKA),and four others of the Ngatitoa tribe, at Wairoa, in Hawke's Bay,— killing Hohepa, (Charley), by hanging, and the others by stabbing in the throat. The report however, required confirmation. From the serious to the absurd is said to be sometimes but a short step. In one of the papers from which we are now compiling, we iind what purports to be a genuine correspondence between a Mr. Bevan, a rope maker at Wellington, and the Colonial Secretary. Mr. Bevan, it appears, unable to obtain payment for a rope which he supplied for the execution of Maroro, and which was of no further use " as it was not long enough for a cart rope," addressed a letter to the Colonial Secretary in which he said, — " as a last appeal, I apply to his Excellency, and beg to state, that unless the same is paid for, I will never supply a rope for similar services again." Mr. Domett's curt answer was, — " the Government cannot entertain the case, which is one of simple debt, and must be recovered in the usual manner." Unless this is a stupid hoax, we suppose Mr. Bevan meant either to give a side blow to capital punishments, or to snub the Government, — an exploit which some seem to think very creditable as well as vastly funny. Although the Government brig did not leave Nelson until the 13th, no newspapers were forwarded from that town. Only one — the Examiner of the 13th, has come into our hands, and we have seen that by the kindness of a gentleman connected with the brig. We

observe that on that day (this day fortnight,) a public meeting to take steps against the introduction of convicts into the colony was to be held. The Supreme Court had held its sittings. The Grand Jury made a strongly expressed presentment against the " introduction of a portion of the criminal population of Great Britain into this colony, under whatever designation." Mr. Justice Chapman declared a concurrence in these views, and a hope that Lord Grey would not carry his proposal into effect. There were only two criminal cases for trial, and no civil business whatever. We might have had not only intelligence from Otago itself, but also from London, as the Lurkins bringing an English mail, had arrired there before the sailing of the Scotia, which reached Wellington on the 12th. That intelligence, though of comparatively little public interest, (as we have already received news three weeks later via Sydney,) might have been of importance to individuals. But the Postmaster at Otago did sot think fit to forward it. Now that our means of communication with home are more uncertain than ever, we trust that we shall not have again to complain of inattention, such as this appears to be, at our young sister settlement. We suffer in> convenience enough through the negligence or caprice of the Post office authorities at Sydney. It would be a great benefit if the example of our own Post office at Auckland were generally followed. Here, on the departure of a vessel, a most praiseworthy solicitude is manifested to accommodate the public by keeping the mail open to the last hour, and ensuring its dispatch as promptly and regul arly as circumstances render practicable.

Fefjee. — H.M.S. Havannah. — The following communication from the Rev. James Calvert, Wesleyan Missionary at Lakemba, will be read with interest. It contains some very suggestive notices of the present state of Feejee, and of the beneficial influence of missionary exertion in civilizing as well as christianizing its degraded and cruel inhabitants. It also exhibits in a very gratifying light, Captain Erskine's soundness of judgment in dealing with those with whom his duties bring him in contact, and his kindly disposition to effect real and abiding good in his station.

Frejee Sept. 7, 1849. Rkverend and Dkar Sir, — On the 13th Augusta large boat from Her Majesty's ship Havannah arrived at Vewa. Captain .Erskine, R.N.; Captain Jenner, Lieutenant! Pollard and Spain, and Dr. Turnbull vUited us, and remained with us two nights. The ship had anchored at Ovalau, where she remained to take in wood and water About eieht o'clock in the even'ng Nga Vinde arrived from Bau to enquire what ship hud anchored at Ovtlgu. On the following morning we went to Ban. At Lord Feejee's bouse we had a twnnty-gallon pot of boiled pork and y»ms. Ac Nga Vinde'i a large pig wai baked for vi whole— the Dative oven being juit opened on our arrival. Captain Erskine spoke very plainly to Lord Fecjee about the folly of continual fighting 1 , and the abominable practice of killing human beings f>r the purpose of eating, at well ai of the brutishness of cannibalism generally. Many had lately been killed Tor the express purpose of being cooked for Boma strangers who were visiting Bau from another part of Feejec, to that Capta>n Ert-kine's remarks on that point were well-timed. It was with difficulty Lord : Feejee could bear the remarks ; at last ho broke I out, laying, " Yei-r-you Englishmen havo cittle. You 6a t them down, and eat them. We have not— and human being* consequently are our cuttle." However, this was only a temporary remark made by one who is well convinced of the folly, wickedness, and dugracefulneu of these practices. Afterwards he said, " Our forefathers have been accustomed to these evils. We have followed, not knowing but they were right. You Missionaries have arrived and instructed us. Ships alio come and confirm your statements. We shall give up the practice* of our forefathers." Lord Fctjee urged me to accompany him to the ship. We w<nt to Ovalau in the boat. On the 16th a target was put on the face of a rock, which was at once torn to pieces. The rock whs terribly shattered, and many pieces were thrown with force some distance into the fcea. The firing was very good indeed— being; precise and quick, and no random shot*. After dinner, 180 went on shore with mu«kets— 3o of them being marines. Two field pieces with the carriages were alio taken on shore. After exercising some time firing commenced. The bush was ranged, the way being cleared bv the two cannon. On the following morning a 24-pound rocket was fired from a machine (or rocket gun) fixed on shore. The rocket passed over two high mountains, and then fell and burst. The chief and his attendant, Nga Vinde, saw all well. He was fully convinced of the impossibility of their standing before English arms— and it is not unlikely but this exhibition of English power may prevent the necessity ot a real attack. The more he saw the more urgent he became for the ship to go to Bau, that all the people might see what he and his friend had lien. Captain Erekine was exceedingly kind to ut, and was very desirous to avoid saying or doing anything that would be likely to make an unfavourable impression—and to say and do anything calculated to benefit Feejee, and to promote the interests of the Mission. He pressed the chief to attend promptly to the in* structions of the Missionaries and become a Christian, and to abandon at once and for ever all treachery and meanness in war, and cunnibalism in all it* forms. The Captain investigated thu case of two Engl shmen of whom he hid heard un avourab'e reports. He also cautioned the chiefs against the murder of British subjects. Pie kindly offered tv aend his direr to see the John Wesley's keel, should she arrive from Lukemba before his departure — and also to niuke any repairs he cou'd. Being at Nandy on the Sabbath, Captain Erskine and Doctor Turnbull attended Divine Service in our Church ; and Captain Erskine addressed (he congregation after the service through the Rev. D. Hazlewood. He was much gratified with the devout appearance of our large congregation there, and urged the people diligently to follow the instructions of tUeir Minister. We are very thankful for such a visit, and hope we

•hall again be iimilmly farourcd, as suck visici are doubtless needed, nnd will result in good. I am, R"V. and dear Sir, Youri affectionately, James Calvert. T,> the Rev. W. Lawry, General Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission, New Zealand, and Visiter of the Missions in Feejee and the Friend'y Islands.

The papers from which we compiled the summaries in our last contain some other items of intelligence for which we could not then find room. The distress in Ireland had experienced no mitigation. Numbers were perishing, — " Died of starvation " being the frequently repeated verdict at inquests. The Cork Constitution (one of the most trust-worthy of the provincial journals, and one which has always shown a disposition to place the facts in the least afflictive light) says, "As for the people,— for them, we fear, the prospects have little cheer. Before the golden grain can glad their eyes, multitudes of them will be in the grave. In the South and West the description applies almost universally. We are no alarmists. * * Exaggeration in fact there cannot be. The difficulty is to depict the scenes that pass before our eyes — to make the strangei or even the native who does not share as well as witness it, comprehend the intenseness of the misery under which the people are wasting and withering away." Several of the unions were in a state of bankruptcy. In one of the chief streets of Cork fourteen shops were closed, and in the main streets of Clonmel, here were not less than twenty-two shops shut up. Ejectments continued to increase : in 1848, 69,899 persons were ejected, and, in Hilary Term J 849, 19,833 persons were served with ejectment notices. Ulster, however, still presented its usual gratifying contrast to the misery prevailing in the South and West. The exports of fine linens and mill spun yarns from Belfast to England and Scotland were steadily increasing. Flax spinning, which has become so important a branch of trade in Ulster, exhibited appearances of a healthy revival ; and cotton spinning, still a minor but a promising trade these, was also improved. The mills in Belfast and its vicinity were in full work, affording very extensive employment. The crops generally looked well, although some apprehensions of the re -appearance of the potato blight were entertained. The landlords were in many parts endeavouring to meet the embarrassed circumstances of their tenants by reducing their rents. Reductions to the amount of 20, 30, or even 50 per cent, are reported. There was scarcely any political movement. Agitation seemed to be, if not defunct, at least powerless. The classes of the people who were most easily and injuriously influenced by it in formei yeais, are those who are most entirely prostrated by the prevalent distress. In their present season of destitution, they have leisure for salutary though painful reflection on the fallaciousness and wickedness of the representations by which the demagogues, now dead or transported, led them astray, exciting hopes which could end only in bitter disappointment, and stimulating to proceedings equally guilty in themselves and ruinous in their consequences, to the country at large, — but most of all to those who were beguiled into participation in them.

Recent Deaths. — The obituary notices in the papers which have last reached us contain several names of some note. Lieut. Gen. Sir Benjamin DUrban, Commander of the Forces in North America, died at Montreal, on the 25th of May. He entered the army as a cornet in the 2nd Dragoon Guards in 1794, but afterwards exchanged into the infantry. In 1803 he acted as Superintendent of Instruction in the Military College at Marlow ; — in 1805 he accompanied Lord Cathcart's expedition to Hanover; — from 1808 to 1814 he served in the Peninsula ; — in 1818 he was nominated a K.C.H.,andin 1840 a G.C. B. From 1833 to 1838 he was Governor and Commander in Chief at the Cape of Good Hope. In 18*7, when the Earl of Elgin was appointed Governor in British North America, Sir Benjamin was appointed to command the forces there. This command, and the colonelcy of the slst Regiment are vacated by his decease .... The famous French Marshal Bugeaud died of cholera at Paris on the 10th June. His last words were, "Je suis un homme perdu", — " lam a lost man ! " His remains were placed in a leaden coffin, and interred with great pomp. . . Henry, 1 1 th Earl of Tiianet died on the 1 2th of June in his 74th year ; the title is now extinct.. ..The accomplished Countess of B lessi ngton, longkaown and admired in literary as well as fashionable circles, died suddenly in Paris, of apoplexy . . The musical world has lost the once unrivalledMadm.CATALANi ; Frederick Kalkbrenner, another artist of European celebrity ; — and Bandareli, for twenty years professor of singing at the Conservatoire. The last two died of cholera at Paris, where that disease has also numbered amongst its victims General Donadieu, who figured in the politics of the days of Louis XVIII. and Charles X. ; and Madame Cavaignac, mother of the General Having referred to the ravages of cho^ra, we may notice here the death of the celebrated American comedian, Danforth Marble, under rather remarkable circumstances. He had

been announced to appear at the Louisville Theatre in a new farce called H The Cure for the Cholera"; but his performance was prevented by his being himself seized with the fatal disease, which speedily hurried him off the stage of life To the list of deaths we have to add the names of the veteran General Gains, at New Orleans, of cholera : — General Pont le Roy, at Paris, in the 80th year of his age : — of cholera, Madame Recamier, the friend of Madame de Stael, once celebrated for her beauty and conversational powers :—: — Madame Marrast, wife of the late President of the French Assembly : — M. Laurent Franconi, the oldest and most celebrated equestrian performer in Paris : — the Earl of Mayo :—: — Vice Admiral Hill: — and Sir C. R. Vaughan.

The Seventh Annual Report of the Committee of the Commercial Exchange at the Cape of Good Hope, dated June 6, 184-9, presents a succinct view of the commercial condition of the colony, founded on the Custom House returns and various tabular statements. It appears that the imports for the year ending January sth were less than those of the preceding year by upwards of £250,000 ; and that, though the same returns, by including the specie entered outwards, exhibited an increase of £73,422 in the exports, yet the actual decrease in the goods exported amounted to £38,882. The staple articles of export on which the largest decrease took place were, beef and pork, hides, horses, ivory, and wool. The articles exhibiting the largest increase were, butter, tallow and candles, ivory and oats, flour and bran, fruits, and wine. The number of vessels entered inwards for the colony was 57 more than in 1817. The falling off is thus reasonably accounted for by the Comm ttee :—": — " The re-action consequent on a return from a state of war to peace on our Frontier must necessarily have deranged the commercial transactions of the colony, by the sudden check thus given to demand when large supplies had accumulated. But if, as your Committee confidently trust, the tranquilly of the Frontier has been permanently secured, its trade, in the natural course of events, will soon resume its wonted activity." The Committee refer with satisfaction to the progress of the Table Bay Harbour Improvements, and the prospect of the establishment of rail road communication through the Cape and Stellenbosch districts ; and conclude by indignantly condemning the proposal to make the Cape a penal settlement. The Natal Witness represents the colony a* at peace, and steadily prospering. Mr. Shepherd, the Diplomatic Agent, was busily engaged in removing the natives to their assigned locations ; the land-claims were in course of adjustment ; trade with the interior was improving ; and many of the refugees were reluming to their farms, particularly in the Klip river division. Arrangements for a new signal station at Cape Agulhas were nearly completed. Great advantage to shipping and commerce was anticipated from the provision of means by which vessels passing near the Cape will be able to give and receive information by signals. The post will then pass twice a week, thus ensuiing frequent communication with Cape Town. The commercial and agricultural state of the Mauritius is reviewed by the Mauritius Mail of June 13th, in a tone of mingled hope and apprehension. " The improvement in the London Sugar Market, the new era that is begining to dawn upon us, and the influx of capital into the colony have given new life to agriculture and commerce. Much, however, is in perspective, and the future is far from certain of prosperity." A modification of the tariff of the Sugar Bill of 1846 is earnestly urged as of primary importance. The coming sugar crop was estimated at from 55,000 to 58,000 tons. There were 122 men less in the colony than in the beginning of the year. The production of silk engaged much attention and promised well.

The necessity for some steps to prevent emigrants leaving our port without paying their just debts, — as represented to the Legislative Council by a respectably signed petition, which, however, was treated with practical disregard (partly, perhaps, because it mixed up with its main object some disputable matter) — has, since the session, been exhibited with increasing force by facts of frequent occurrence. This has been especially the case since Californian adventure became so popular here, and the means of escaping in vessels for that country so multiplied. Within a few days a particularly daring instance of such dishonesty has taken place. A man escaped in the Marys without discharging a demand the justice of which he fully acknow9[dged; and, when followed by the police to Kawau where the schooner called, opposed violence to the efforts of the officers, and succeeded in getting away in defiance of the law. Surely our honest and industrious tradesmen and shopkeepers are entitled to claim at the hands of the Executive some protection from such fraudulent runaways. Glad as we may be to have the town freed from the presence of persons so unprincipled, we would not have them permitted to go without the knowledge of their creditors, or until they had satisfied all legal claims.

Missionary Anniversary. — It will be seen by our advertising columns, that the Services in connexion with the Anniversary of the Auxiliary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society in this district will be held on Sunday (tomorrow) and Monday next. In the Auckland Wesleyan Chapel, the Key. John Whiteley will preach at 11 o'clock, a.m., and the Rev. James Buller, at 6 p.m.; and at Epsom, at 11, the Rev. John Warren, and at 2^ o'clock in the afternoon— (not at 6 in the evening, as by an oversight was announced in a former advertisement)— the Rev. James Wallis. We are informed that at the Annual Meeting, which will be held in the Chapel in this town, at half -past six o'clock on Monday evening, the Rev. John Watsford,wlk> has arrived by the John Wesley from Fejee, may be expected to take part, together with Missionaries from various parts of New Zealand, and other speakers, Native and European.

Court Martial. — Certain charges having been preferred against Major Johnson, of the 65th Regiment, now stationed at Wellington, a Court Martial has heen ordered by the military authorities, and will be immediately held in this town. Several of the field officers who are to constitute the court, and others summoned to attend as witnesses, arrived here on Wednesday by the Government brig.