The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 404, 27 February 1850, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Be just and fear not : Let all the ends thou aims't at, be thy Counlry'l, Thy God's, and Truth's.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27,1850.

One step of practical utility for the benefit of the Maories being of more real value than a hundred theories or speculations of fine»spun sentimentality respecting their capabilities and prospects, we look with unaffected pleasure on the erection of the commodious building in Mechanics' Bay which, under the designation of *' The Maori Hostelry " is now open, according to Regulations which have just been issued, and which we subjoin. The main object is to provide a place of shelter in which the Natives may sleep during their temporary sojourns in the town ; — we say the main object, for although, while we are awaiting the building of the regular market, which (under the auspices of the Government, and by the exertions of the New Ulster Agricultural Society) we hope to see speedily established at the very suitable site adjoining the junction of Queen and Shortland Streets, we are far from undervaluing the facilities which the yard and verandah of the Hostelry will afford for the sale of articles of native produce, we yet regard this as but a secondary advantage to be derived from the Institution. Its leading benefit will be the provision of a dry, secure, and wellordered lodging-place for those whom we have hitherto been so constantly distressed by j seeing huddled together — the very personification of neglected wretchedness — lying in their blankets, at night, through all weathers, in the corners of the streets or on the beach, or in miserable hovels which it would be a mockery to call a shelter, and in which a careful and humane farmer would be unwilling to keep his cattle. The urgent need of some such provision has long been felt and pressed upon the consideration of those who had the power — and on whom it was therefore morally obligatory —to remedy a state of things against which humanity protested. So long ago as June 1845, a writer in our columns, amongst other valuable practical suggestions, called the attention of the then existing Protectorate to it. Referring to this matter, he said, " They (the Natives) arrive here with their produce, perhaps in rainy weather, and are often detained by contrary winds for days and even weeks, and during that time, (unless indeed in some solitary instance of favouritism when a few may find shelter in the out-houses of some kind person) they are obliged to swarm together in hordes upon the beach during the wet stormy nights, and sleep in the same blankets that have absorbed the rain during the day." No wonder, we may observe, that men, however hardy, should under such circumstances be specially liable to these pulmonary affections which have borne, and still bear, so large a share in that diminution of the native race which is now so generally known to beinwhatwefearisrapid progress. Ourcorrespondent then urged that " the least that might be done was to have a large dry house erected, in which the numerous i Natives who, visited Auckland might be sheltered from the inclemency of the weather." After the lapse of nearly five years we have the pleasure of witnessing at last the adoption of th,is suggestion ; — the Hostelry in Mechanics' Bay being — (although, we apprehend, not sufficiently exteneive to meet the full requirements of the case, and admitting of some improvements which experience will probably soon indicate) is yet a large and important step towards the supply of the want. The following code of regulations tojbe observed

by those who may avail themselves of the advantage, has been issued from the Native Secretary's Office, and was yesterday posted in the Hostelry. Persons occupyingthisßuilding nrnst attend to the following Regulations which will be strictly enforced. 1 . No Cooking will be allowed to be done inside the Building, nor within fifteen yards of the outside. 2. The interior of the Building and the yard must at all times be kept clean. 3. No Potato Peelings, Fish Bones, or other dirt may be thrown in the yard or within fifteen yards of the Premises, but a hole will be dug at some distance wherein to put all the refuse. 4. Every party upon leaving the Building will be called upon to deliver the key of the compartment which they have occupied to a person appointed to receive it. 5. Before leaving the Premises the part occupied must be properly cleaned by the party using it. 6. No damage must be done to the Walls, Windows, or other part of the Building, and any person doing such damage will be called npon to make it good, or be excluded from the benefits accruing from the Institution till such damage is made good. 7. The Yard and the Verandah in front are intended to be used as a market place where goods may be exposed for Sale, but no pigs will be allowed within the inclosute, nor will any refuse be allowed to remain. 8. Dirt being one of the greatest promoters of sickness, it is expected that these regulations, which are framed for the comfort and convenience of the natives, will be strictly enforced by the Chiefs who may be present. 9. The Police have orders to visit the Hostelry frequently during their rounds, and to enforce strict attention to these regulations as well as to take care that order and regularity be preserved. 10. Any person disturbing the peace or tranquility of the place by fighting or quarrelling will be immediately ejected. 11. The Natives will be admitted free from any charge whatever, C. A. Dillon, Native Secretary. February Jst, 1850.^ These regulations seem to us reasona ble and judicious, including nothing oppressive, or unnecessarily restrictive of full liberty or the enjoyment of such a measure of comfort and convenience as comes within the simple and unostentatious scope of the Institution. The attention to cleanliness and ventilation which they enjoin is essential to health ; and the habits of order dud carefulness which they will tend to promote cannot fail to have a good educational influence on a people in a transition state from barbarism to civilization, and, — like the natives of this country, — apt and willing to learn whatever is calculated to raise them nearer the European ievel. We trust that the regulations will be carried out prudently, impartially, and kindly, as well as firmly and steadily. The friends of the natives,—especially such as are acquainted with their social and domestic usages, and can speak their language, may do good service by occasionally visiting the Hostlery, and manifesting an interest in the condition of the lodgers, which, our intelligent and sensitive natives would not be slow to understand and appreciate, and which may therefore, in its own degree, conduce to closer and yet more amicable relations between the races. It is also to be hoped that settlers j generally through the district, and especially that Missionaries and other religious teachers will direct the attention of those natives who are within the immediate sphere of their influx ence to the advantages which they may derive from the Institution, explaining its objects, and recommending a prompt acquiescence in rules, which, as can easily be shown, are only such as are indispensable to the attainment of the contemplated ends. We make no apology for offering these suggestions on an undertaking which, although it may not have much of external attractiveness about it, will be deemed unworthy of notice only by the thoughtless or the selfish.

Pensioner Servants. — ( Communicated.) — It is matter of regret that complaints of the misconduct of servants of this class continue and even increase. It is gladly admitted that many of the Pensioners themselves evince praiseworthy and exemplary habits, and are likely to become useful and respectable settlers ; out, it is certain, on the other hand, that some of that body, and a considerable proportion of their children, act as if they were doing all they could to bring the character of pensionerimmigrants into disrepute. We have heard of several going into place badly clad — almost immediately asking for an advance of money to buy clothes, — and then leaving just as soon as they had paid off the advance. It might have a very beneficial effect if parties would in no case engage one of these servants who had been in employment here, without a satisfactory discharge from the former master or mistress, and, if possible, some additional testimonial of good character. Much advantage has resulted in England from the adoption of a suggestion made in 1534, by the late Lord Granvillb Somerset, that the Courts of Quarter Sessions should refuse to entertain the com- j

plaint of an employer against a servant, and even saddle the complainant with the costs of the case, if he had engaged the servant without requiring the production of a character from his or her last place. It is undoubtedly both the interest and the duty of the settlers to cooperate in every practicable way to check the annoyance now so generally experienced from the behavionr of servants here, remembering that such check would tend as much to the ultimate benefit of the servants as it could tend to the comfort of the employers.

The Band of H. M. 58th Regiraentt, by the permission of Lieut.-Col. Wynyard, C.8., will perform in the Grounds in front of the old Government House on to-morrow evening from half-past four till half-past six o'clock. PROGRAMME. Overture 0p.. .... "La Barcarolle" Auber Melange 0p.. .. «• The Bohemian Girl" Balfe Cavatina Op '• Nortna*' Bellini Aria 0p. ... "La Donna del Lago" Rossini Waltz "The Sun Beam" Finney Quadrille " The Royal Iriih" Jullien Polka " The Albion Schottiscb Taylor Song .... " The Banks of Allan Water". . . . Song "The Peace of the Valley ........ Balfe