The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 534, 28 May 1851, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Be just and fear not : Let nil tins end"! Thou nnns't at, bo thy Country*, Thy God's, and Trutn's.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1851.

The celebration of Her Majesty's BirthDay took place on Saturday, with the usual demonstrations; the salutes on the occasion being rendered mote effective by the circumstance of H.M. Ships Havannak and Fly happening to be in our harbour. The day was observed as a holiday, not only in the Public Offices, but. to a considerable extent, in the town generally, many of the shops being closed, and their occupants, with the other inhabitants, paiticipating in the out-door enjoyments for which the weather pro\ed on the whole propitious. At two o'clock — immediately after a parade of the troops at the Albert Barracks in presence of a large number of highly gratified spectators — His Excellency Lieutenant-Colo-nel Wynyard, C.B , I-ieutenant-Governor of the Province, held a Levee at the Council Chamber, which was attended by the following gentlemen :—: — Private Enthy— The Bishop of New Zealand, BUhop Pompnllier, Chief Justice Martin, the Colonial Secretary, tie Attorney General, the Colonial TieHsu-rr, j Mr. Sh riff Biirey, Mr. Kerkham, (Police < ommissionpr.K'o'on^l Hnlm v , Mr. Merrim»n, M»j^rM»tsor>, Captain Erskine, H.M S Havunnah. Captain Oliver, 11.M.5. Fly, Colonel Bolton, Cap*. Greenwood, Cnpt Lnye, Captain Cockeraft, Colonel Campbell, Lieut. ! Wynynrd. Rev. Mr. (.hurton, Rtv. Mr. Lloyd, Ret. | Mr. Abraham Messrs. Abel, A. Abraham, FI. J. Andrew*, S. A. Bell, C. Baker, David Bum Rev, Thomas Buddie, Bartley, J. Baber Dr. Bennett, J W. Bain, J.Buchannan, VV. Brcwn, Bourke, H. C Be'neavi*, 58th Regt., Busby, J. Burtt. F. Bn»thw*ite-, D.A C.G., C. Clarke, dipt, ! F. C. Campbell, Coopor. H.M.S. Fly, C. E. Cooper. Coates, W. Cooper, A. K. Churton, Conn-H, Arthu* Cooner, 58th Re»t.. Dr. Davies, C. Divis. Rev. J. H, ])»Ip, T. H. Ely, G. Elliot Elliot, j. e\ j ottf R ev , fj. J. Fvnes, T. S. l'oraaith. S. Fnrtfnith, Key. J. H. Fletcher, Dr. Fox, P.M.0., J. A. Gi fillan, J. Guild-i-itr, W. Gundry, W. S Grahamc, R. Gilhllan, Gl«i«ter. T. L. Grarit. 58'h Rfi^t., E H. H^yw/od. Ja-nes C. Hill, Albert Win. Hnima'cl. E. W Hicknon, Staft Offi •er.Capt. Haultdin, Staff Olhcer, J.S.Hirkion, C. Heaphy, T C. Hnll«ra re, Hrv. J. Inglm, Johnson, J.R John^tone, 58th Rfgt., C. Km^dt, H. Kemp, H Keeiin?, Rcy. G. A. Knnling, S. K^mpthortie, \V\ S. Luke, 11.M.5. Fiy. W Lf-r. T Lewm, Rev.H.H. Liwry, H. Lnwlrtr, Lit.lewood, O M. Mitford. E. Mayne, M'Jjacblan.Ret.A.M'Donßld.B C Vl'Gaumn.J.Macky, E. J. Mathews, R E.,Geo McElwain.T. P. (VlcGaumn, Capt. Murray, Dr. Mihcn, R.N., J. Moir, 58'h Regt,, D NaMian, Nihil, C<ip>. Nugent. r)Bthr )8th Regt., Tho*. Outhwaite, G O. Onmby, Dr. Philson, Copt. Parrotf, 58rhR»gt.,W F Poripr li. F. Porter, W. Plun,mer. R. Hidings, Kdw. Rioh, G. Ru-teU, J Rout, G. M E. Stepb»n,G.F.. t> w!tinson > J.Snlnion,J.T()Uie«i,D.A.C C, , R. .<e Thierry, T. It. Tio-biell, 58th Rrg'.,T.E. T.iylor, Dr Thomson, 58th R»gt., G. cl- Thierry, P Turner, A.C.G., Rev. F. Thatcher, R. Woud. J. H. Wilson, ,J. W W-myßs, J. Woodhousp. M. Whytl w, F. Whitaker, G Wynjard, 58th R. gi., R, Vidal, S. Yalei, W. Yonntj.

After this came the part of the proceedings specially set apart for Her Majesty's Maori subjects, four hundred of whom assembled in Mr. Robertsons Rope Walk, Mechanic's Bay, where they most loyally, and to their own most manifest satisfaction, paitook of a dinner, so abundant in quantity, that some of our European friends could scarcely comprehend the possibility of its being made to disappear in such a short time, and of so excellent a quality as to reflect much credit on the contractor, Mr T. J. Boylan, of Queen Street, who did his part, we are assured, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The Maori guests were in the highest spirits, and — so far as they could spare time from (he more immediate and interesting business of paying due attention to their beef and pudding— laughed, shouted, and sang with the heartiest good will. The Lieutenant-Govfrnor and Mrs. Wynyard were pr sent through, we believe, the whole of the feast, and His Excellency was greeted by the Natives with vociferous welcome. After dinner, the Maories ascended the height above Mechanics' Bay ; thence ran down in picturesque order; and afterw&rds danced to their hearts' content what might be called a mitigated War Dance, — wanting the fierce spirit which pervades the real performance, hut still strikingly characteristic, and moie than sufficiency hideous in the contortions of limb and feature which accompanied it, — though all evidently for fun. The Birth-Day having fallen on Saturday, the celebration Ball could not be held on that evening without infringing on the Sabbath ; it was therefore postponed until last night. At the hour when our paper goes to press, no doubt the amusement is in progress ; and from the number of invitations issued, and the scale of tasteful liberality on which the preparatory arrangements were all made, there can be little doubt of its realizing the large expectations eatertained of it.

ff.M. Ship Hnvannah sailed on Saturday afternoon for Sydney, to which port she was to proceed diiectly. It had been reported that she was to call neat Waiheke, with a view of impressing a large number of Natives, congregated there, with the fact of a powerful force being at hand, if they entertained any hostile intentions. But the meeting was, we are informed, of an entirely peaceable character — being connected merely with the observance of some of their own Maori usages. This, we believe, was satisfactorily ascertained by trustworthy observation which the Police Commissioner caused to be made on the spot ; there was therefore no occasion for any demonstration such as that which rumour stated the Havannah was to make. H. M. Schooner Bramble also sailed on the afternoon of Saturday, her destination being Wellington. The Colonial Secretary and the Attornky-General were passengers — it being understood that they have proceeded to attend the Session of the General Legislative Council, which had been summoned for the 19th instant, but which, it is taken for granted, had been postponed, although, so far as we are aware, there is little or no definite information here on the subject.

The Honolulu papers received by the Arabia do not contain much matter of interest, except upon one topic ; that one however, is of paramount importance to the Hawaiian Kingdom, and involves considerations of some moment to all concerned in the well-being of the Islands of the Pacific, amongst which France has from time to time manifested a spirit of grasping and despotism equally unworthy of a great nation which plumes itself especially upon its chivalrous honour, and prejudicial to the independence and safety of the comparatively feeble governments which have little beyond right to oppose to might in the contest. The leading circumstances of the French aggression on the Sandwich Islands must still be in the recollection of such of our readers as take an interest in the subject ; as, at the time, we devoted two or three lengthened articles to an abstract of them, and copied the principal official documents on both sides of the question, (see New Zcalander, November, 1849.) We then exhibited in the clear light of undeniable facts the tyrannical character of the proceedings of Admiral de Tromemn, Com-mander-in- Chief of the Naval Forces of the French Republic in the Pacific Ocean, and the mean and Jesuitical stratagems by which Monsieur DiLLON, the French Consul in the Sandwich Islands, found, or made occasions of quarrel in the genuine style of the Wolf with the Lamb of the fable. The negotiations to which our attention is now called, were designed for the adjustment of the difficulties which were then raised ; and which have since been continued, — mainly, we believe through the one-sided representations of the case laid before his Government by M. Dillon. The parties to these negociations were M. Em. Perrin, the Commissioner of the French Re public, and Mr. Wyllik, Minister of Foreign a ffairs of the Hawaiian Kingdom. These gentlemen held conferences on the matters at issue, which were continued by adjournment from the 10th of January to the 25th of March last, and which appear to have been conducted hot only with great attention to the punctilios of diplomatic lorm and regularity, but with a

mutual disposition to effect the restoration of amicable relations between the Governments which the Commissioners respectively represented. The results of their deliberations have been published at much length ; but the substance of them may be condensed within a comparatively small space. A number of Demands were presented by M. Periun, the satisfaction of which he required as the condition of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the French Republic and the Hawaiian Government. These were, with little variation, the same as those propounded by Admiral TROMtLiN and M. Dillon in 1549. Three of them call for particular notice, however, as upon them there was so far an agreement between the Negociators that a " Declaration" of their conclusions was formally issued in the name of their respective Governments. These demands were — * 2. The ntablishmeiitof a duty from I, to 2 dollais a gallon of five hottleH, on spirits containing less than 55 per cent of Alcohol. 3. A treatment rigorously equal, grunted to the two worships, Catholic anil Protestant. Tue direction of instruction coiifiled to two Superior Committees formed in earn of the two reli«ions. The submi&S'on of the Catholic Schools to Catholic Inspectors The proportional division bMwefn the two religion* of the Tax r.used t>y the Hawaiian Government for the Bupp >rtof Schoolt. 4 The adoption of the French language, in the Rel • i ions between French Citizen-, and the Hawaii in Administration. The decisions arrived at by the Commissioners on these points of difference being the only actual " pronouncements" in their Declaration, we give them in their own words : — 2. Without admitting that by the est, bli'hraent of a Cmtom House duty of #5 per i»allon, upon spirits, the liowaiiau Government have pone beyond the exclusive power winch France herne't had granted to them, through the means of the wording of the VI article of the Treaty above mentioned— an assertion, in regard to which, thr. undersigned French Commissioner makes ail reierves—and after having pioved that tbe cflVcts of" that duty have been profitable to Fr ince, and hurt'ul to the L'.n^lUi and \merican trade in spirits — the King of the Sandwich Islands declares Himself disposed to submit the question of the reduction of duty to .52,.50 centt per g<illou, as a maximum, to the Legislature, which is to assemble next month, as a mpaiiue ot political economy, which the Chambci oJ 'Commerce of Hoiiululu have recommended on strong grt-un 's. 3. The Government of the King cannot recognize, on the part of any foreign na inn, the licbt of dictating or prescribing laws u> them, on mttteri which hfFrfct only the relißiom belief or secular education of the native injects of the King : neverthelehs, disposed to admit the third of he demands precrnted by M, Pernn, on tbe lit of February last, at a f icndly sujrgegtiouf destined for the examination of the Lssjis'iiture which Js to assemble lln» year, the Hawaiian Government will place these assemblies in a pohkiou t<> decide, if the equality betwemthe Catholics and the PioiesUnts, und r the protection of the Constitution and the Laws, of which, numerous proofs have been furnished, do not yet require something for its perfect application. 4. Documents presented by French citizen*, in tli L >ir own language, will be receive"! in all th« cases in which documents in the English Lin^uugp are received; but, in the cases were the employes whose duty it is to make use of these documents do not underhand French, it shall be incumbent, provisionally, on the paity mtenited, to furnish a translation of the document produced, which, to prevent all error and ditcussion, shall be certified by him as true. Besides these matters which are so far settled — (that which relates to Education being likely, however, to undergo a very close sciuting in the Legislature) — there were six or seven minor Demands, which, as we have intimated, were substantially indentical with those urged at the time of the French Agression, and were now replied to in nearly the same terms as then. So far as we can understand the somewhat involved Minutes of the Commissioners, these points were to stand over until M. Periun should have communicated the issue of the negociations to his Government, and received further Instructions. Pending the arrival of those Instructions, he is to remain at Honolulu in the same capacity as before, and it was agreed that the two Negotiators shall continue to discuss officially, and " in a conciliating spirit," the points yer unadjusted ; but that no new Declaration shall be made till the mind of the French Government shall be ascertained. .. .It should be added that the Hawaiian Government voluntary referred to the judgment of the President of the French Republic the King's claims for compensation for the injuries inflicted by the French during the Aggression in 184.9. The Polynesian remarks, France, noted in all ages for her rbi»alry, cannot be insensible to the high compliment paid to her, in the person of her President, by the King of the Hawaiian Islands. Until the result be known, it would uot only be premature, but disiespectful to the exalted character ot tbe two personages in'erehted, to prejudge tbe grave case which the one bus referred to the other. Further comments at the present moment, would be permaturp and in bad taite. Meanwhile the executive department-, of ihe King's government will be able to rosutne their attention to the hum. al interests of the nation, and to matuie the measures of reform which llu-y had contemplate! to (he approaching Le£isl«ture, fiom whose improved ronsntui ncy the public naturally expect »o much. The time now lft them is short, and the arrears of business, particularly with the Privy Council, enorMOUB. The Hawaiian Legislatuxe was 10 meet on the 30th of April. The Birth-day of King Kamkiiameiia was celebrated on. the 17th March, with •• unusual

* The numbert refer to the older in which Ihe Demands were placed in the list. Number one had reference to " the complete, entire, mid loyal adoption" of the Treaty of March 26th 18 16, to which both parties appeal as* luihoniatiYc ucd obligatory. j

interest and unusal honour." There were Consular flags displayed, and "Royal salutes fired, and a parading of " the newly equipped soldiers," and, amongst the natives, " a good deal of feasting, family - gathering, and loyalty," and in the evening, a soiree at the Palace, where all seems to have been merry as a marriage-bell, and *' a multitude of new faces gave additional proof of the great accession the j Foreign population of Honolulu had received within a few months." ' Attention was being turned to precautions against fire. A Fire Company, consisting of forty members, had been organized, and the election of a central Engine House, and the provision of means for securing a sufficient supply of water were in contemplation. A project was on foot for establishing a journal " in opposition to the Government, and in lieu of the Honolulu Times, to advocate the true interests of the Islands, free from scurrility and personal abuse." According to the Polynesian, the establishment of any paprr in Honolulu must be " from some other motive than pecuniary gain. It remains true to this moment that the publication of a newspaper must involve its proprietors in absolute loss. The subscriptions will not pay for composing the types, leaving out of the account all other expenses, of editing, paper, ink, use of types, office, press, &c." To the natural question, whi/ then are newspapers established there ? our worthy contemporary replies — rather safely then satisfactorily, — " some from a yood, and others from a bad motive," — leaving the reader to infer for himself " which is which."

New Zealand Flax. — We have always felt it a pleasure as well as a duty to afford every aid in our power to the efforts of the various experimentalists who have turned their attention to the important undertaking of rendering the Phormium Tcnax a productively marketable article, and so of ptactically developing an almost inexhaustible source of industrial wealth in this country. We have now to announce — not exactly the appearance of a new claimant for the honour of having solved the difficulty in the preparation of the article — but the re-appearance amongst us of an old and well-known experimentalist, who comes forward in the confidence that he has discovered the causes of former mistakes and disappointments, and is at length prepared to work the Flax with nearly, or altogether, a certainty of success. We refer to Mr. Whyt-j-aw, who, as many of our readers are aware, has devoted much time and expended a considerable amount of capital in investigations on the subject. This gentleman is at present in Auckland, and we believe intends to bring the matter before the public in the course of a few days, in the form of a Lecture or Address, in which he will not only exhibit the tesults of his process, but will also freely and fully explain the process itself, and show a model of the m.jchine by which it is effected, thus placing all who are competent to judge, in a position to determine for themselves the Talue of his plan. We are not sufficiently acquainted with the details of the plan to attempt any description of it ; still less can we ventuie to forestall the conclusion at which practical men may arrive with regard to its merits, either positively, or as compared with others to which we have from time to time invited attention ; but Mr. Whytlaw takes the broad and solid ground of affording adequate facilities for public scrutiny into his process, and is undoubtedly entitled to that careful and impartial investigation of it which he courts. It is a matter of general interest — one upon which no well-wisher to New Zealand can be ndifferent.