STEAM COMMUNICATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 400, 13 February 1850, Page 3

STEAM COMMUNICATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

The following announcement of the probable speedy attainment of an object for which we have long strenuously contended, reached us on. Saturday after the publication of our paper ; but knowing how gratifying the intelligence would be, we immediately caused it to be printed in a bill, and — so far as was practicable — communicated in that way to our friends and the public. We had intended to accompany the regular transfer of it to our columns to-day with some observations ; but the pressure of the interesting news received by the late arrivals compels us to postpone them. — The importance of the establishment of steam communication between the several settlements of the Colony, is so evident, however, as to need no comment of ours to secure for it general and attentive regard. Local Steam Communication in New Zealand. At a Meeting of the Landed Proprietors and Shareholders, held on Tuesday last, the 25th inst., at the New Zealand Company's House. Henry Aglionby Aglionby, Esq., M.P.. in the chair ; Present— Sir John Pirie, Bart., G. Lyall, Esq., CapL Nairne, &c. ; the following Resolutions were animously adopted: Moved by Mr. Burnand, seconded by Mr. Carrington : That the peaceful and happily-altered condition of New Zealand at the present moment, when the vast resources of the fountiy aic daily increasing in an extraordinary manner, without possessing any adequate means of conveying them into the principal depots for sale or re-shipment to other countries, make it an imperative duty on those connected with the Settlements to effect Local Steam Communication between them as early as possible. |l Moved by Mr. Radford, seconded by Mr. Gover : That the Director! of the New Zealand Company, having a reserve fund of about £10,000 belonging to

Nelson for the promotion of Local Steam enterprise, be solicited to advance a part of this fund in aid of this object. This Meeting considers that at no period since the colonization of New Zealand lias the necessity for this appeal presented so strong a claim to c onsi deration as the case before them. Moved by Mr. F. A. Carrington, seconded by Mr. Brees : That not only have the inhabitants of Wellington, Auckland, and Nelson expressed their sentiments in favour of Steam Communication between the Settlements, at several public meetings, and memorialised the Local and Home Governments to obtain it for them, but they conceive its establishment would give the greatest value and security to their land, and prosperity to its productions. Moved by Mr. Wray, seconded by Mr. J. Stayner : That the latest advices from New Zealand give evidence of the increased anxiety among all classes to obtain Local Steam Communication between the Settlements, while the Governor-in-Chief was urged from his seat in the Legislative Council to remark, " The plan appeared to him plain, practicable and profitable, while the results to be attained were so important to the colony, to every resident, and to all who had pro* perty therein, that it could not long be deferred." A declaration from such hi^h authority and before such an assembly, of its absolute necessity, where indeed all parties, governing and governed, are united to support it, encourages this Meeting to exert themselves to despatch at le«st one steamer for New Zealand on that service. Moved and seconded, That a Committee be appointed to carry out the objects of this Meeting. Moved by Mr. Had ford, seconded by Mr. Hart : That the thanks of this Meeting are due to Mr. F. G. Moore, of Nelson, for hii exertions in bringing the subject before the Public, and the paim he has taken in procuring information and calling us together to unite zealously in procuring a Steam Communication for the Settlements of New Zealand. Moved by Sir J. Pirie, Bart., seconded by Mr. Moore : Resolved,— That the Committee be mithorised to insert the foregoing Resolutions in The Times, Morning Chronicle, Daily News, and Spectator.

TO THE OWNERS OF STEAM VESSELS. The Committee appointed to mature a plan of intercommunication by Steam Vessels between the Settlements in New Zealand, are willing to contract with any parly disposed to send out one or more vessels —of not less than 300 and not over 400 tons, with powerful engines and in every respect sound, useful, and lea-going vessels ; to remain on the station three years, and to run from Nel»on and Wellington to Auckland, calling at such other Settlement! as may be directed ; — the tender to include all expenses and charges incidental (o the going out and subsequent working in Hie colony. The Committee will be ready to receive such tenders on Thursday, the 4th of October next, but do not pledge themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Plans and full particulars must accompany the tender. Colonists' Room, New Zealand House, 9, Broad-street Buildings, Sept. 28, 1849.

Changes of Law Officers. — It is reported on high authority that the following changes are to take place in the law offices : — Judge Chapman, from New Zealand, is to leceive the office of Puisne Judge ; Mr. Horne retains his office of Attorney-General ; Mr. Fleming has the option of retaining the office of Solicitor General, or receiving the vacant judgeship at New Zealand. Should he make it his option to continue here, as there is little doubt he will, the office is to he offered to Mr. Stonor. — Hobart Town Advertiser. Since writing the above, we hear that Mr. Sydney Stephen, of Port Phillip, has been offered the Judgeship of New Zealand, and accepted it. — Cornwall Chronicle, Jan. 16. Auckland Mechanics' Institute. — The first duty devolved on the Committee appointed at the Public Meeting of the 28th ultimo — that of preparing the Rules and Regulations for the future management of the re organized Instistute — having been performed at several successive Meetings since that date, the General Body of members assembled in the Hall on Monday evening last to receive the Report. — R. Lynd, Esq., one of the Vice-Presidents, filled the chair. The code of laws agreed on by the Committee was read by the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Hansard, and unanimously agreed to. The principal preliminary work having been thus accomplished, the Committee will now be enabled to go on without delay to the preparation of their programme for the ensuing season. We are gratified to learn that the number of members is rapidly increasing, having nearly or fully doubled since the first night of meeting, and that the list already includes many of the most intelligent and influential persons in onr community.

IS3P" The Band of H. M. 58th Regiment, by the permission of Lieut. Col. WynyarJ.C.B., will perform in the Grounds in front of the old Government House on to-morrow evening, from half-past four till halfpast six o'clock.

PROGRAMME. Overture Op " Masaniello " ..,.,...,.... Auber Melange Op "I DueFotcari" Verdi CJuartetto Op..' 1 Barona de Dolskein 1 ' Roisini Air&Chorm 0p.. . ..." Euryanthe" Weber Wallz. " Zephir et I' Amour" Marchan Quadrille .... " Lucia di Lammermoor" .... Musard Galop "The Post Horn" Kocnig Song « The Roie of Allaadale" Song "The Admiral" Wallace