The New=Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 485, 7 December 1850, Page 2

The New=Zealander.

Be just and fear not : Let all the ends them .ihns't at, be thy Country's, Thy Gou's, and Tiuth's.

Saturday, December 7, 1 8 5 0.

By the Helen S. Page, and the Maukin, both of which arrived in our harbour on Wednesday, we have received Sydney and other colonial papers, which (although the riles are by no means complete) convey a considerable amount of intelligence. Some of it is old ; some of it is the reproduction with additional particulars of facts which had already reached us through the more expeditious channel of our Californian intercourse ; and some of it is new, if not in actual date, yet in a freshness which we must be contented to acknowledge as novelty, until we can obtain a better system of communication with England than the existing arrangements permit us to enjoy. The latest intelligence from home comes via Adelaide, and reaches down to the 4th of August. As usual, we here condense an epitome of news, some portions of which will be found more fully developed in the extracts transferred to our other columns. The approaching close of the Parliamentary Session was manifested in the usual way — by either the abandonment of Bills which a few months before were brought forward as being of primary importance to the public welfare, or the hasty passing of measures the character of which self evidently demanded mature deliberation. It was understood that Parliament would be prorogued on the 19th of August. The Queen was expected to perform the ceremony in person ; after which, it was stated to be Her Majesty's intention to proceed forthwith to Balmoral. We have a report of a brief discussion on the amendments grafted by the Lords on the Australian Colonies' Bill, when it finally came before the House of Commons on the Ist of August. Lord John Russell proposed that the amendments should be agreed to, as the Bill remained substantially the same as when it had passed that House, and was calcula'ed to be a great benefit to the Australian Colonies. The amendments " did not interfere with the object of the Government in their immediate operation, although they to some extent interfered with it in its prospective action. When, however, the colonists desired additional powers, the Governmeet would be willing to concede them. Considerable discussion had taken place with respect to the es-

tablishraezit of two Chambers ; but after due consideration, the Government was of opinion that two Chambers should not be fixed in the present state of the Colonies." Mr. Gladstone described the Bill as " not a satisfactory Blll," but admitted that it "might produce good results." Mr. Roebuck denounced the measure, asserting " that the nominess of the Government would hold the sway over the whole legislation of Australia." Mr. Anstey characteristically described the Bill as " altogether contemptible*" Mr. McGregor, of Glasgow, (a wiser man than Mr. Anstey) supported the measure on the grounds of its generally beneficial provisions, and the inexpediency of "keeping the colonists, and those having commercial connections with the colonists, any longer in suspense," The Lords' amendments were agreed to, and so this — perhaps the measure of the Session which will most certainly live in history — received the, ultimate fiat of the Houses of Parliament. The debate in the House of Commons on the 25th of July, on the subject of Steam Communication with the Australasian Colonies, is so important that— although we at first intended to give only its substance in a summary, — we have judged it belter to insert it with little abridgment from the fullest report which has reached us. It will be seen that the project, so full of benefit both to the home country and , to these colonies, and on the realization of which this year, we had been led to calculate with something like certainty, had been frustrated. The cause of the defeat of the scheme is very evident. Her Majesty's Government seem to have taken the matter up warmly and frankly. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam, Navigation Company manifested a liberal disposition to do what they could, — of course, not neglecting their own safety, but still showing a spirit which rose above a mere love of ggaitn t The fatal obstacle arose from what we are constrained to characterise as the selfish, grasping' spirit of monopoly manifested by the East India ' Company. Unfortunately, they had got a contract which precluded the possibility of the proposed arrangement being entered into without theirassent. That assent they uopatrioticallyand narrowly refused. The comments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the conduct of the Company in this transaction are more severe than Ministers of State have usually adopted towards the magnates of Leadenhall street : but the occasion as stated in the debate fully warranted their strength. Sir James Hoggs laboured attempt at defence savoured more of the strategy of the Calcutta lawyer of former years than of the straight-forward and open vindication of so great a body, which might have been expected from its representative in Parliament. Mr. Andersons speech in explanation of the views takens by the Peninsular and Oriental Company was far more likely to impress favourably even those who might form a different opinion as to the route which would be most advantageous for the colonies. Our report is sufficiently full, however, to enable our readers to compare the ' statements for themselves. ' The case of the Baron de Rothschild's claim to his scat in the House is largely stated in the papers before us. It appears that the Baron's metropolitan constituents — weary of waiting to see what Lord John Russell might or could do in the matter — urged him to make a formal demand for his place in the House. He complied with their desire, but on coming to the table to be sworn, he said " I desire to be sworn on the Old Testament." Sir R. H. Inglis instantly and earnestly protested against this, declaring that u God being his helper, he should never &hrink from struggling with all his might and to the last, to render that House in profession at least,, that which may be worthy of God's holy grace — the Christian Legislature of a Christian people." A motion to this effect , led to a long discussion, and the consideration of the question was, after much angry debate and strife, adjourned to another day. The want of attention to dates or to the consecutive course of occurrences, in the papers before us, prevents our following out the narrative as we could wish ; but it appears that, on the 30th of July, the Baron again appeared at the table, and was informed by the Speaker that the House, had directed the cleik to swear him on the Old Testament. The process went on smoothly, until, in the oath of abjuration, the woids " on the true faith of a Christian" occurred. " The Baron then paused, and after a second or two said, * I omit these words, as not binding on my conscience.' He then placed his hat on his head, kissed the Old Testament, and added ' So help me God !' " Much excitement was manifested in the House, and the Baron withdrew under the direction of the Speaker. Mr. Hume moved that the hon. member do take his peat. Sir Frederick Thesiger, however, met this by a counter motion, to the effect that as he had refused to lake the oaths prescribed by law, the Speaker should be instructed to issue a new wiit for the election of a member for the City of London in his room. Mr. Page Wood, (in what is described as a " very effective speech,") contended that as the terms of the abjuration oath had been altered throughout for the benefit of Mr. Pease, a corresponding latitude of interpretation should be accorded in this instance. A warm discussion followed, in the course of which the Attorney Geni-rac declared that, while he himself wished that Baron Rothschild should be admitted to his seat, he

believed that the omitted words formed a vital pait of the oath, and that the leaving them out vitiated its whole tenor. The result was, that both the motions were negatived, — the Attorney General undertaking topiepare a resolution which might meet the difficulties of the case. We confess ourselves still as unable as we were when we last adverted to the subject to understand how the House could have expected a conscientious Jeio, as Baron Rothsschilt) declares himself to be, to take any oath "on the true faith of a Christian." We shall watch with interest the sequel of this strange, and apparently anomalous, procedure. Mr. Stuart Wortley's Bill for legalizing marriage with a deceased wife's sister had met the fate which, our readers may remember, we long ago anticipated for it. Having struggled through the House of Commons, it was " withdrawn " in the Upper House ; — withdrawn, as may readily bo supposed, because there was no chance of its being adopted against the Episcopal influence arrayed against it. Still, the parties in favour of the measure, although not very numerous, are so active and persevering, that its success in a future — perhaps the next — session, is very likely.

The Foreign Intelligence was but scanty. France seemed to be in its now usual perturbation, the electoral law, the tyrannical restrictions oh the press, and the other elements of discord to which we lately adverted ; and there were but too evidently combustibles in accumulation which a spark at any moment might cause to explode. Spain had its exciting news composed of the mingled politics and scandal which have become familiar to those who take an interest in its affairs. The young Queen's confinement had been looked forward to (as we before intimated) with vast expectations. A cradle and baby-clothes costing about six thousand pounds had been prepared for the occasion, and a Parisian artiste had gone to Madrid to superintend their due arrangement. But, alas for the vanity of human hopes ! the sequel was, that, after a difficult and dangerous illness, Her Majesty gave birth to a male child which almost instantly expired. We can scarcely say that we regret the poor infant's early doom. He was rescued from the probability of very much trouble ; —-as before he saw the light his legitimacy was more than doubted ; — and, had that question been more satisfactorily settled than it was likely to have been, th.^re would have remained for the child but an ominous prospecj of civil dissensions and wild paity rancour, which would have ibimed the atmospheie aiound his very cradle. The Queen had so entirely recovered her health as to be able to re-engage in some of her customary sports and frivolities. The issue of the war between the Danes and the Schleswig Holsteiners remained undetermined. One account represents the issue of the fatal battle of Idstedt, as having been so decisive as to leave little or no room for further contest *. — another account states that the Schleswig Holsteiners were still in good spirits, — preparing for another trial of strength, — and having 25,000 picked men concentrated for the struggle. Our limited space warns us that we must conclude our summary for this day. "We have, however, given the most important news in a sufficiently enlarged form to make it, we trust clearly intelligible to our readers. A few additional items not unworthy of attention will keep for another publication.

Projected Lunatic Asylum. — Our readers may remember that, a year ago, or more, we urged upon the consideration of the public and the government, the propriety of establishing some asylum for the reception and treatment of the cases of insanity, which, as is well known, have unhappily been not very infrequent in this colony. At the time, no response followed ; but we are gratified to hear that a movement is now in progress towards the attainment of the object. We are told that a preliminary meeting of a very influential character was held a few evenings ago, at the apartments of Messrs. GilfilLan, which were kin'lly afforded for the occasion. Having no personal or official acquaintance with what was done, we, for the present, merely advert to the circumstance for the purpose of /eiterating our entire concurrence in the value and importance of the project, and expressing our satisfaction that it has been practically taken up by parties who are in every way qualified to secure its completion.

Coroner's Inquest.— -An Inquest was held yesterday, at the Greyhound Inn, before Dr. Davies, Coroner, on the body of John Adair, a man of colour, who had died in the Lock-up on Thursday. It appeared from the evidence of two policemen that he had been found in a state o( intoxication amounting to insensibility in Shortland-street on the preceding night, whence he had been conveyed to the Lock-up, where he died. Dr. Philson, who had made a post mortem examination of Ihe body, slated the direct cause of his death to be a rupture of a blood vessel in the left lung. Thejuiy returned the following veidict-.— "Died by the rupture of a bloo'l-vessel in the lungs arising , from natural causes. The jury are of opinion that although no imputation rests against the

police or lock-up keeper in this case, the erection of a proper sleeping place or guard-bed in the lock-up would diminish the risk of injury to prisoners put into it, in a stale of intoxication." In the course of the proceedings a curious scene took place. The Resident Magistrate, Mr. Beckham, requested that cci tain questions which he had written down should be pioposed to the policeman who had summoned the jury. The principal of these questions was, "Did you receive instructions to warn any particular parties? 1 ' The witness, Corpl. Brown, replied "Yes, the Coroner desired me to warn Mr. Burn, it being Mr. Burn's own request that lie should be on the jury.'' 'Hie Coroner distinctly contradicted this statement, Mr. Beckham declared that he had himself heard the Coroner make the statement. On this, Mr. Burn, who was on the Jury, denied that he had ever made such a request. The witness again positively asserted that the Coroner had given him the directions which he had previously sworn to ; and that he (the Coioner) had gone so far as to say that he wished Mr. Burn to be the Forem-ui of the Jury. The Coroner then stated that he had expressed a wish that Mr. Burn should be summoned, as he desired to give the Pres9 an opportunity of hearing this investigation ; and that he had said that, most probably, Mr. Born would be Foreman of the Jury. The Foreman (Mr. Connell) heie interposed, objecting to the irrevelancy of the discussion, which led Mr. Beckham to explain his reasons for introducing it, — namely tint he deemed the summoning of the Jury to have been conducted ii an irregular manner, the usual course being to summon householders living in the immediate neighbourhood, and that he wished by bringing it before the public in this way, to check anything like the packing of Juries. We simply record without comment what took place on the occasion. W.e, however, may express our entire concurrence in the recommendation of the Jury in the verdict given above, which is in accordance with the dictttes of justice, and indeed of common humanity.

The Missionary brig John Wesley arrived here yesterday morning, after her visit to the Feejee Islands. We are informed that she will snil for London, on Monday week next, — an intimation which we are glad to s ive thus in good tini' 3 , as from her lapidity of sailing, she affords an opportunity of communicating with the home country more favourable than wo frequently enjoy.