The New=Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 470, 16 October 1850, Page 2

The New=Zealander.

Be just nnd fear not : Let nil tliu ends tliou aiins't at, bo thy Couutry'i, Thy God'i, nnd Truth's.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1850.

The generally circulated and, we may add., the extensively credited, rumour that the Seat of Government is about to be removed from Auckland, has lost none of its exciting influence on the public mind since our last, It Would have been strange indeed if it had, It is no three days' or nine days 1 wonder ; but, if true, it discloses a procedure which violates so grossly the plighted faith of the Government, and militates so powerfully against theinterests — yes, and the moral rights also — of the residents and holders of property in the town and its vicinity that the feelings provoked by it must become only the more vivid and active in proportion as further consideration unfolds more of its real character. We feel bound to repeat the unequivocal expression of our opinion that the public are warranted in looking for some authorized information on this subject. We are far from saying or thinking that a Government should be held bound to gratify curiosity by answering every inquiry that may arise out of rumours, some of which may be circulated through misapprehension, and some perhaps through a mischievous desire to bring the Government into circumstances of perplexity and annoyance 1 . — or even that it should be held bound to give information at all times on grave political questions. But this is a rumour which has peculiar characteristics Whatever may have been its origin, it has acquired hold of the minds of many who do not readily receive, and who still less readily propagate reports. The matter involved in it is not merely or chiefly of a political nature. , It affects not only the confidence which the governed can in future repose in the promises and pledges of their rulers, but — (and this is the aspect in which we just now wish especially to present it, — it seriously affects property, and the interests and arrangements of numerous individuals and families, whose past proceedings have been taken in reliance on the assurance that Auckland was to be permanently the Capital of the colony, and whose present proceedings may be materially influenced by the knowledge whether it is really intended to violate that engagement or not. Whether the tale be true or false, every day while the information respecting it is withheld, mischief is resulting. And this mischief must go oh so long as the apprehension of the truth of the rumour continues. For this is not like one of the floating stories which come into an ephe • meral existence, and having fluttered their day in the newspapers, die and are heard of ( no more. The apprehension, we say, that" the Seat of Government is to be transferred, will, until removed, continue to operate injuriously. It will operate in the Land Sales, and in retarding buildings and agricultural enterprise ; it will impair the value of property ; most undoubtedly, a in an wishing to lell a property to-day would find that it is doing so even now. And as undoubtedly projects of improvement and outlay which might have been in contemplation would now be checked until assqrance on this subject should afford guidance as, to whether the undertaking should be modified to meet such altered circumstances in the locality, or — be abandoned altogether. We find ourselves almost insensibly and irresistibly treating the matter as if the announcement of the real fact must necessarily be such as to establish confidence in the faith of government in this case, and to quiet the doubts

of those who, trusting in the inviolability of that faith, have cast their lot here, in preference to Wellington or other places. Should the reverse unhappily be the fact, it in no degree lessens the necessity that the whole truth should be made public. When men know the worst, they brace themselves to the effort which that worst may require. Suspense in such a case is above all paralyzing and disastrous. We necessarily do speak " hypothetically " on this subject. We lay no claim now, nor did we lay a claim at any former time, to be regarded as a " Court Journal." If that expression is meant to imply special honour or emolument, we never pretended that it was conferred upon us : — if to imply special subserviency, we never submitted, or were asked to submit, to the degradation. We heard here, for the first time we had ever heard it, an open avowal that the principle — " measures not men" — was to be set aside in the case of Sir George Grey, and that the man was to be the object for whose removal — rather than for the reversal or improvement of obnoxious measures — popular effort was to be excited. This dogma we have since, up to the present, seen and heard carried out, not only in the public imputation of motives, but in the employment of language, the toleration of which — considering that it was used towards the Queen's Rehu<sentative — we shall only say, gave indubitable evidence of the Liberty of the Press in the Colonies. — We were not converted to this new doctrine. We have held to the original and time-honored maxim ; and we have dealt with Sir George's " measures," to the best of our judgment honestly, — certainly not in any party spirit of advocacy. We have seen much to approve, and we have said so ; — all the more readily, because we saw, as impartial observers, a set made against " the man" from whom principally the "measures" proceeded. Whon we saw reason to find fault, we did so—only refraining from attacking "the man," and dealing with the " measure." We see no reason to alter this course. And therefore it is that we express ourselves so decidedly as we do on this question. The interests of the community at large are those which we hold paramount, and which we shall to be best of our ability defend. Perhaps we may not be less successful , because we endeavour to do it without acrimony or personality.

By the arrival of the Monarch we are in possession of Sydney papers to the 4th of this month inclusive, as well as of a number of other colonial journals By way of Sydney there is English intelligence to the 23rd of June ; and, by way of Ilobart Town, news which, though not coming down to so late a date, and very briefly given, supplies a few additional particulars. We compile from both. 1 The Australian Colonies Bill was working its way thi ough the House of Lords amidst a repetition of the difficulties which environed its passage through the Commons," but with every probability of eventual success. On the 31st of May, Lord Grey, in a speech of great length, moved its second reading, which, after some discussion, was agreed to without a division; — amendments being reserved for the Committee, which was fixed for the 10th of June. On that day the battle began with a motion by Lord Brougham, that the Hon. F. Scott be heard by counsel at the Bar of the House against the Bill. This was negatived by 33 to 25 .... The Bishop of Oxford then moved that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee of their Lordship's House. A long debate ensued, which terminated in the rejection of the motion by 34 against 21. These proceedings having occupied until after one o'clock, their Lordships adjourned.. . .On the following night Lord Monteagle (" Lord Stanley having gone to the races") moved the amendment—" That th-re shall be in each of the said colonies of New South Wales and Victoria a Legislative Council and a Representative Assembly." Earl Grey replied that a double reptesentation was suitable to England, but not to the colonies, and urged their lordships to support the Government in carrying out a plain and simple principle which would not disturb existing institutions. On a division, the amendment was negatived, but by the narrow majority of 2— the numbers being 22 against 20. | .... Lord Lyttelton moved an amendment to give the Colonial Legislatures power to repeal the existing Acts and Orders in Council respecting waste lands, and " to make further or other provisions for the management of the said waste lands, and the appropriation of the revenue arising therefrom." This was rejected by a majority of 10. ... Another proposition by the same noble Lord, for reducing the franchise to a £10 qualification, and extending it to squatters, was acceded to by Lord Grey The Bishop of Oxford, in a speech of great length, proposed a clause for giving to the members of the Church of England "the same liberty of regulating and governing their internal affairs as are enjoyed by ■members of any other connexion." After a discussion, of which we have no report however brief, this motion was rejected. Here our information terminates, except that Lord Stan- \ LtfY intended to take the sense of the House once more on the third reading. On the motion of Lord Stanley, the House of Lords had passed a justly severe vote of censure on the Government, for their conduct

towards Greece, by a majority of 166 to 132. Lord John Russell stated, however, that Ministers would not resign unless that vote were confirmed in the lower house. Mr. Roebuck gave notice of a motion on the subject for the 24th of June. There could be little doubt that Government would be sustained by many votes in the Commons, not on the merits of their cause but on grounds of political expediency, — as if defeated there, they must resign, and where are the materials for a new Cabinet that would work efficiently and harmoniously ? The Bishop of Lov don's Bill to amend the law respecting the Courts of Appeal in " matters of religious doctrine," had been thrown out by a majority of 84 to 51. The friends of religious education will learn with pleasure that Mr. W. J. Fox's Secular Education Bill was not only rejected in the House of Commons on the second reading, but rejected by a majority much larger than might have been anticipated, considering the zeal with which latitudinanan views on this subject have lately been advocated. The numbers were 287 against 58.

The latest intelligence we can find respecting the steam communication, is in the letter of the Ldndon correspondent of the Sydney Herald, who says, " I am told that the difficulties in the way of the steam project are likely to be soon removed now." He adds a rumour, that Mr. Dk-^alis, the Sydney merchant, will be a Director of the new Company. The same writer says, " There are on dits that the New Zealand Company is no>v on its last legs, but that it will probably be merged in the Canterbury Association. This latter project is said to be doing more than well." That the Canterbury Association was succeeding, we had inferred from numerous statements in our own English files. It was announced, we may add, that the Rev. Thomas Jackson is to be the first Bishop of Canterbury. It is rather a curious coincidence that the gentleman nominated to this position is the son of the President of the Wesleyan Conference for 1849-50, the year of his nomination. A terrific storm of thunder and lightning had visited many parts of England in the latter end of May. A dreadful steam-boat accident had occurred oft Port Patrick. The steam -boat Orion had run on a rock, and upwards of one hundred passengers were diowned. The Rev. Dr. Graham had been elected Moderator of the Kstablished Church of Scotland for the current year, and the Rev. Dr. Paterson of the Free Church. The Canadian Parliament had rejected a motion for an Address to Her Majesty to grant Canadian Independence by a majority of 57 to 7. Sir Aun McNab had given notice of a Bill to amend the " Rebellion Losses Bill," to prevent persons actually engaged in rebellion from receiving compensation. This is the whole of what we find in reference to Canadian affairs. The Electoral Reform Bill had passed the Legislative Assembly of France by a majority of 433 to 211. These are the principal items of general intelligence in the papers before us. We may again, however, glean some others of interest ; and we have still the bulk of the matter in the files received by the Barbara Gordon to occupy any space we may be able to spare.

Our Ilobart Town files (which come down to the 21st of last month,) are occupied to a great extent by reports of various movements through Van Die men's Land, against the continuance of Transportation to that colony. The .spirit of the Anti-Convict population, which had already been roused by the violation of the Imperial promise that Transportation should not be resumed, seems lashed into indignation, and moreover, stimulated to energetic action, by the statement made by Earl Grey that " the colony had become less adverse to receiving convicts, under an improved system, than it was in 18 16." The papers before us contain reports of two very important public meeting* on the subject, in which we find — with some not very logical reasoning, and a good deal of vehemence of expression, — yet, a mass of sound principle, manfully declared and ably defended, on this great question. One of these meetings was held at Hobart Town, on the 12th ult., and was so numerously attended that the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute could not contain the people, and an adjournment took place to the Victoria Theatre, which was crowded to excess. A series of Resolutions, and a Petition to the Queen were, all but unanimously, adopted. The second was also a crowded and enthusiastic meeting, held by the Midland Colonists at the Assembly Rooms at Campbell Town, at which resolutions to the same effect were carried ; and, in addition to the resolutions, a letter to Lord Grey, designed to make him " acquainted with the»deep dissatisfaction and disappointment which his treatment of this colony has occasioned." We quote the concluding sentences of this somewhat remarkable document '.—. — Without wearying your lordship with a repetition of our wrongs, or quoting your own promises to redresi them, and without stopping to enquire how far the local government is responsible for your Lordship'i duregard of facts in assuming a shameful inconsistency, and change of opinion in fnvor of transportation,— we assure your lordship most emphatically, lhat no such change lias taken place. On the contrary, our abhor*

rence of transportation upon any system, or under any form, however modified by so called reformntory im« provements, or recommended by so called ieligious provisions, h.is been strengthened by diitrust of your Lord-hip's sincerity, and despair of relief, except from our own measures and resolutions. Still, my Lord, you are accountable for pledging onr Sovf reign's name only to delude us. Still, your own word is recorded, that transportation should cease al together. Nothing lits since altered— but the extent and intensity of our hatred of the system, and our determination to oppose it. The disproportion of free and bond is fearfal. Voluntary immigration is hopeless ; and you, my Lord, take adv-mtage of the mis-statements of the local government, and of our weaknt-Ks to increase thai disproportion, to expel the lew remaining free minbi* tants, and to perpetuate the demoralizing and baneful influences against which we have so often and so earnebtly sued and protested. You must foigive, my Lord, this plainness. Our very existence, as a moral people, is at stake. We feel that we have been wronged, and r/a cannot speak the language of contentment. The spirit of the meetings was not however, permitted to evaporate in speeches, resolutions, petitions, and letters ; but, with an apparent determination to follow in the steps of the Cape colonists, an " Anti - Transportation League," was in process of organization. The pledge to be taken by the members was — " We solemnly pledge ourselves not to hire or employ, directly or indirectly, any convict, — male or female, and whether called Exiles, Probationers, Pass-holders, or Ticket-oMeave men, and whether sent under the present or any other system of transportation —who shall arrive in the colony after the present date." All this has a business-like aspect, and the movement must soon assume a formidable character, if, as the Courier affirms, the pledge " will be signed by nine-tenths of the people " The preparations to send contributions to the Grand Industrial Exhibition of 1851. engaged a quieter, but still in its own way, an almost equally steady and active effort. The colonists there seem alive to the advantages of having the available products and resources of their country adequately lepresented on that occasion. A committee, at the head of which was his Excellency the Lieuten ant-Governor, were busy in arrangements •, and their plans seemed very well judged and effective. Theie was to be an exhibition of the Tasmanian contributions, in Ilobart Town, from the I lth to the 16th November; after which, they were to be forwarded to London by the Derwent. The particulars respecting Smith O'Brien's gallant attempt to escape, had been broughi out, more fully and authentically, at the Police office, where the master and mate of the Victoria cutter, (in which he made the effort to escape,) were charged with having, contrary to law, held intercourse at Maria Island. On a second day's hearing of the case, the following statemeut respecting the convict's attempt was given in evidence : — It appears that by instructions from Government a •tiict look out had been kept for the cutter, which was expected off the island ; that on the 12th ult. she was seen; and that when about six or seven miles from the island, opposite Cockle Bay, she stood for between Long Point aud Darlington, on the island, and in a few hours came into the Buy between tho<e point*. Smith Obrien, who had pei mission to walk about with an overseer, named Miller, who was with the latter making towards the beach, but perceiving the constable following them, they concealed themseWes in the bush. The constable also hid so as to observe their motions, a d observed the vessel heave to about two hundred yaids from the shore ; a boat containing three men, of whom the defendent Hunt was one, put off frcm the Vicoria, when Miller waved his hat, and Smith O'Biien a white handkerchief. Tie moment the boat came near the shore, Smith OBrien sprang into the water to get into it — a person named Dawsoa in the boat lnnding him the end of an oar to assist him into the boat. The constable t' en left his place of concealment, and presenting his gun which was loaded, at the men 'in the boat, required them to surrender. He made them get out of the boat, one at a time, and go into the bush ; then jumped into the boat, and stove it with an axe which he found there. Mr OBrien then came out of the water \ but made a second attempt, although the boat was stove, and reaching the boat, got inside, and with an oar tried to shove oft; but the constable got hold of the painter, pulled the boat in, and knocked more holes in it. Smith O'lirien stepped on shore, and after expressing a wish to get hold of the constable's piece, told him he could go along with him. Meeting no answer, he lay down and refuted to move, when Miller lifted him up, and carried him into the bush. He was taken to a shepherd's hut, about a mile and a half away, and then removed to his quarters. The Victoria cutter was subssqaently taH. en possession of by a boat from the Island. The issue of a long trial in the case, was that a penalty of £60 with costs, was adjudged against the master and the mate, the Bench declaring that the offence was fully proved, and that the ostensible design was to assist Smith OBrien to escape. The Victoria having been given up by Government, the portion of her belonging to Ellis, (the master,) was advertised for sale to pay the fine incurred ; but he took her away in the night, no one knew whither. The original clearance for Tahiti had been impounded at the Police office, but Ellis possessed the duplicate. We give the following as we find it in the Courier. Supposing the facts to be as stated, it is evident, how seriously it must militate against the .once expeted prosperity of the export trade from Van Diemen's Land to California ; it only, however, furnishes an additional illustration of the — now abundantly and painfully ascertained — uncertainty of the San Francisco market : —

Important To Shippers.— E. Hathaway, Esq., the American Consul has received a letter from G. Moorhead, Esq., late United Stales Consul at Valparaiso, containing information which may prove inter* esting to shippers to this colony, as far «s regards the exportation ol flour to California, It appears that »n

engagtment hns been effected heiween the millers of Chili and a company of merchants at California for the supply of the market of Shu Francisco— that the production of wheat in Chili is very great— that flour is sold at a cheap price— and that freight from Valparaiso to the market is only one dollar and a half per barrel The consumption of flour in California being estimated at 25,000 barrels monthly, while 58,000 barrels per month is available in Chili for export, the millers being under contract to supply the company at 4 dollars and 38 cents the barrels of 2)Q lbs. During the existence of this contract, which is for one or two years, flour will therefore command a very low price in California. A very interesting meeting had been held in Hobart Town on the 26th of August, with reference to Mr Sidney Herbert's plan of Female Emigration It was convened at the desire of the Bishop of Tasmania, who occupied the chair, and read in extenso Mr. S. Herbkrt's now generally known letter to the Morning Chronicle on originating his project, as well as a correspondence which had passed on the subject between that gentleman and Bishop Nixon himself. The scheme was received with warm approbation, and a committee was appointed to make suitable arrangements for the receptiou and care of such immigrants as may reach the colony under its pr ovisions.

From New South Wales, as from Van Diemen's Land, the most prominent feature in the intelligence is the Anti-Convict movement. A most important step towards the complete emancipation of that colony from the convict evil has been taken by the Legislative Council, which, on the Ist of this month, — after four protracted debates, — resolved without a division that an humble petition be presented to Her Majfsty " respectfully setting forth that this Council adopts, as Us final conclusion, that no more convicts ought, under any conditions, to be sent to any part of this colony," and lepeating the prayer of its Address last year, for a revocation of the Order in Council by which the colony " had been again made a place to which Btitish offenders may be transported." The circumstance which gives this decision an importance beyond that attaching to public meetings on the subject, however numerous and earnest they may be, is, that the Home Government having expressly stated that the decision of the Council would be received as the decision of the Colony, the Imperial honour is now pledged to a compliance with the prayer of the Address. The Herald is in raptures at the conclusion, beginning thus an article, — which is continued throughout in the same jubilant strain, — " We scarcely know in what terms to express our congratulations to our fellow colonists, and our thankfulness to Divine Providence for die great event of the present week. The first of October will ever be a bright day in the annals of Australia." This debate concluded the business of the Session. On the 2nd inst., His Excellency the Goverhor — in a speech in which he recapitulated the principal measures that had been passed, and then intimated the probability that it would soon be his duty to call the Council together iigain to give effect to the provisions of the Australian t'olonies Bill — declared it prorogued to the 12th of November.

The Adelaide papers are amongst the most rc~ gular in their irregularity of those which, from time to time, reach us. By the Emma we received one — just one — number of the Observer, in which we notice nothing of interest except a somewhat lengthened account of the laying of the foundation stone of a new Wesleyan Chapel in Pirie Street, by the Lieutenant*Cjrovernor, Sir Henry Young. The building was estimated to cost about £4,000. His Excellency's address on the occasion is worth quoting : — " Reverend Gentlemen mid Christian Friends —It has ever appeared to my mind.to be a duty incumbent on us all to act as coadjutors and nrethren of a far greater society than that which is comprised in the congregations in which we commonly assemble. It is certain that we are citizens of a community which embraces all Christendom-— redeemed by one ransom— pledged to one service— owing allegiance Jo the Christian law of love. I therefore give my sympathy and aid and to the work of 'his day; not forgetting in what comparatively minor particulars I differ from my Wesleyan friends, hut recollecting much more vividly, and with much greater satisfaction, the grand cardinal points on which we hold toother our common faith, In assisting to lay the foundation atone of this house of prayer, we are discharging a du'y which, we may fervently hope and believe, will cairy with it a blessing to present and future times. In this edifice will be read and expounded the same sublime version of the Holy Scriptures, from which hope and consolation are proclaimed to our friends, relatives, and countrymen at home, and made known to all the nations for the obedience of the faith. WhiUt individuals are thus led to the only way of salvation, the peace and order of civil society will be pro-mot-d by teaching also in this Chapel the scriptural doctrine of ' Love the Brotherhood; fear God ; honour the King' As an individual, and as a ruler, then, I rejoice that the zeal and liberality of the Wesley ans and their friends are sufficient to engage in so praiseworthy an undertaking ; and 1 pray God to speed the good work."

The Observer concludes its narrative of the proceedings with this item of description :—: — The silver trowel used at the ceremony yesterday was much admired fur its exquisite workmanship. Iv the centre the arms of Sir Henry Young are beautifully emblazoned, and surrounded by the following inscription :— " This trowel was used in laying the fusl stone of the Webleyan Chapel, Pirie-Blreet, Adelaide, by his Excellency Sir Henry Edward Fox Young, the Lieut. - Governor, ami presented to him by the trustees, July 15th 1850." On the reverse, the motto, '• The best of all, is God is w.i.h us, I ,' and an elevation of the proposed building, with the names of the ministers and trustees of the Society and of the architect and builders of the Sacred edifice.

A Government Gazette was published yesterday. A considerable portion of it is occupied by documents from the London Gazette respectting the Great Exhibition of 1851 (the substance of which we have previously laid before our leaders) — and accompanying Despatches to His Excellency Governor Grey, from which we learn that the apportionment of space in the , building in the metropolis set apart for contributions from New Zealand, is 1000 square feet. We ftre conscious of having already done our duty in urging attention to this Exhibition, and having nothing to add here. A Return of Crown Lands sold otherwise than by Public Auction from the Bth of July to the 30th of September, 1850, states the amount realized by such sales as £1,936 16s. sd. A Return of Live Stock and Provisions imported into Auckland from the 6th of July- to the 10th of October, 1850, states the Value as £4.178 ss. Od. The Return of Exports, the Produce of New Zealand, from the Port of Auckland, within the same period, gives the value as £13,697 10s. Od. The principal items are Copper Ore, £6,140 -.—Potatoes, £2,547:— and Sawn Timber, £1,901. Additional Bye Laws for the Hundred of Auckland, and Bye Laws for the Hundred of Onehunga follow.

Mechanics' Institute — It would almost seem as if the elements were warring against the delivery of Lectures in this Institution ; for, although the winter has on the whole been so beautifully fine, yet on scarcely one in four of the evenings fixed on for Lectures has there been fair weather, Monday was appointed for the delivery of Mr. Heafhey's Lecture on the interesting subject of *' Modern Discoveries in Astronomy ;" but the rain fell heavily duiing a considerable part of the day, and although it had ceased before the hour of meeting, it still threatened, and the streets were in a condition very uninviting indeed to pedestrians (as most of must us be here). The attendance was consequently so scanty, that it was announced that the Lecture would be postponed to a future evening — which could not then be named, but of which due notification would be given.