The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 406, 6 March 1850, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Me just .md fe.ir not ■ Let all the ends them aims't at, be (hy Counliy's,, Thy God's, nnd Tiuth\s.

"\V EDNESDAY, MARCH G, 1850.

We have received by the Camilla, complete files of the Wellington papers, from the 19th of December to the 23rd of February; but having been enabled by a loan of the numbers to the 26th of January, with which we were favoured through another channel, to give the Southern news to that date in the New Zealandcr of the 9th ult., our attention is at present called only to the later intelligence. We are now also in possession of the Nelson Examiner to the 2nd of Februaiy, and the Otago Neivs to the 2Gth of January. The Government Gazette of the 22nd ult. contained the Return of Revenue for the Quarter ending December 31, 1849, which, like that of our own Province, presented an encouraging aspect, — exceeding the revenue of the previous quartet by £1,241 11s. 3d. The total amounts were, for the September quarter, £2,928 17s. Bd,; for the December quarter, £4,170 9s. 4d. It is not easy to reconcile these stubborn figures with the foreboding of the Independent, that " the revenue bids fair, in fact, to show a deficit of some £6000." The Annual Report on the Colonial Hospital, which appeared in the same Gazette, showed " a progressive increase of native patients as the Hospital became known, and its benefits appreciated." In 1849 there had been one hundred and sixty-seven in-door native patients, being one hundred and twentyfour more than in 1 848. The interesting fact is also stated that several of the most influential chiefs from the coast had so far overcome their prejudices as to leave their friends and " pas '' and come long distances to submit themselves without reserve to the treatment and attendance of Europeans, and that some of them had returned home with leluatance, expressing determination to come back if they should again require medical care, and carrying with them from the Hospital rules of dietary, &c. We may remark that the evidence thus afforded of the value attached by the natives to European medical aid is further confirmed by the fact that the natives at Rotorua have lately petitioned the Governor to establish an Hospital with a resident Surgeon in that inland district. We transfer to our columns in extenso a pamphlet which Mr. Wakefield had just put foiward under the. title of *' The Southern Colonies : Their Municipal Annexation, or their

National Independence. In a letter from Mr. Edward Gibbon Wake-field to Mr. Henry Petre." It is interesting at least as an exposition of the views and schemes in relation to our affairs which are entertained by an active and vigilant class of colonial politicians at home. The Spectator, in referring to it, takes occasion to state, — " We also learn that the New Zealand Company have ngreed to give the Absentee Laud Owners compensation at the rate of seventy-Jive acres for each Preliminary Land Order." The " Settlers Constitutional Association " had passed a series of strongly-worded resolutions declaring sympathy with the colonists of the Cape, and indignation at the attempt of the Home Government to force convicts upon them. Another resolution expresses warm approval of their agitation for self-government; — the Association " cordially invites their cooperation in the endeavour of the colonists of New Zealand to secure for themselves the first right of every British colony, self-government by means of representative institutions." The Wesleyan Chapel in Wellington, erected on the site of that destroyed by the earthquakes of October, 1848, was opened on the 10th ult. The building, Avhich is in the Gothic style, is capable of accommodating tlnee bundled persons, and has been elected at a cost of between £800 and £900, of which £711 has been already raised. The Spectator says, — " Ftom its size and appearance it forms a very conspicuous and impoitant feature among the buildings at the head of the bay." At the Annual Meeting of the Managers of the Wellington Savings' Bank, it appeared that the deposits had amounted to £2000. It is gratifying to observe that amongst the depositors there were sixteen Maories. It is stated that within the last few months an active trade has been carried on with the west coast of the Island in bale lashing. The individuals who have set the trade on foot have three principal establishments, — viz, at Ohau, Waikawa, and Manawatu. To these the natives convey the ilax as prepared by them, and it is then either worked into lashings, or shipped as it is to Wellington. The lashing finds a ready sale, and the Independent says, "has almost driven that from Manilla out of the neighbouring markets." Our contemporary adds, — f The establishments at present in operation cannot supply the demand : the whole of the Australian colonies and Van Diemen's Land look to New Zealand for supplies, aud several hundred tons will not meet their wants. Here then is a business at once to which the attention of men not otherwise engaged might be profitably turned. No great amount of capital is required ; labour and attention with some little, knowledge of the native character are sufficient to ensure success in the undeitaking." The suggestion seems one of practical value, and as such merits consideration here as well as in the South. . . . Mr. Yon Aldzdorf is still zealously prosecuting his efforts in the preparation of flax, directing his attention especially to the construction of machines on a cheap scale.