The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 547, 12 July 1851, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Km j\ist Bivl fear nut: Let all the.uids than ai.iu'l at, be thy Country's, Thy Hod's, .mil Tiuth'b.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1851.

The conflict of opinion between his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, and his Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Eyre, called forth in the Legislative Council, on the second reading of the Provincial Councils Bill, although on the surface it may seem only an episode in the proceedings, yet will undoubtedly prove a reality, of germinant interest,— a fact, which may possibly be speedily productive of results of some importance, and will hereafter be referred to by colonial politicians, both here and at home. On what is merely personal in this collision, we do not feel called to enter at any length. Mr. EyRF, in our estimation, departed from -the recognised usages, not to say courtesies, of office, wheif he made an open attack upon a measure which had been framed with most laborious care by the head of the Government with which he is connected, and brought forward after it had been submitted for many months to public inspection — during which period, so far as has transpired, there was no objection urged to it by or through Mr. Eyre. If indeed he saw even now that the measure was intrinsically and radically a bad one, we might respect the boldness with which he, at all hazards, resolved to perform the painful task of recording his denunciation of it. But a perusal of his speech will show that he really concurs in the principles, and in every thing essential in the details. " Expressing my cordial concurrence," he says, "in the liberal provisions contained in the Bill before the Council on the subject of Franchise, the system of direct representation, and the duration of the Council, I beg to second the motion that it be read a second time." Considering that the gist of his dissatisfaction is confined to the circumstances of the bill being introduced in 1851, instead of 1848 — and that even as respects this, lie is dissatisfied not so much on his own account as on account of others, we cannot bat think that Mr. Eyre might, without much casuistry, have discovered means of meeting the requirements of his conscience in the matter, without such a violation of official proprieties as is involved in the unseemly exhibition of an attack upon the Government, by one of its own highest members, so pointed as to impose upon the Go VERNOR-IN- Chief the necessity of rising to defend his policy against the censures of his Lieutenant, — censures which lostnone of their real pungency from the circumstance of their having been prefaced by an acknowledgment of the duty resting upon officers acting under any Government to give their support to the administration of the Head. As respects the character of the Provincial Councils Bill itself, it would be only a repetition of what we have on former occasions fully expressed, were we now to enter upon any detailed statement of our views. Our readers know that those views are, on the whole, favourable to the measure, viewed as an important instalment of Free Institutions ; — only an instalment indeed, for we, from the outset, declared that as a complete and final piece of legislation we could not be satisfied with it ; — but yet an important instalment, as comprehensive most probably as Sir George Grey felt | himself at liberty to introduce, and an instalment which (according to Daniel O'Connel's own celebrated axiom) "would not hinder but help in getting the rest of the debt." We really cannot see how any impartial man can doubt that it merits this character, when he remembers that it provides for so large an amount of representation as two-thirds of elective members in the Council ; — that in the election of those members the franchise is rated so low, as, in the circumstances of our colony, to be virtually and practically universal suffrage', an( l that the qualification for members of the Council is fixed at the same qualification as that of Electors,— a provision which, we may remark, is considered far to liberal, and as an objectionable feature in the measure, by not a few who concur in its general principle, and wlo have, on various oc. casions, been distinct and cmphatical in calling for popular institutions. The question most agitated according to Mr. Eyre, howevei , is the time of itc introduction. In 1848 it "would have given

universal satisfaction," but now there }s " a different feeling in the public mind." Now, admitting that the course of events within the past three yoai*s has been rapidly progressive, and that we are now at a juncture at which some legislation of a popular character is likely to proceed from the Imperial Parliament, it does not follow that steps should not be taken here in accordance with such progress, and in anticipation of such legislation. The Provincial Councils Bill will give, we repeat, an instalment of Free Institutions; but it will not prevent the fullest attainment of whatever larger payment the Home Legislature may offer. If the expected Act from England should be based upon a wider liberality, the previous adoption of this Bill will not shut us out from the most entire enjoyment of it. It only secures that, independently of the aspect which, after having passed through the vicissitudes of a parliamentary elaboration, that Act may present, we shall have, at all events, a portion, and a considerable one, of Representative Government. But the Bill now under review will itself be subordinate to the control of the General Assembly which it is supposed will be constituted ; and it will be for that Assembly to modify it, if it should fall short of the boons contemplated in the Imperial Act. "We ask, then, what injury can result to any interest of the colony from the present adoption of a measure so circumstanced, and the beneficial operation of which will be secured, even should the Session of Parliament terminate — or the Parliament itself be dissolved (far from impossible contingencies in the state of England at our latest dates) without any measure, except perhaps some temporary make-shift being passed for New Zealand. But are those whose views LieutenantGovernor Eyre is supposed to have represented, prepared to maintain that the country was in all respects as well fitted for the introduction of Representative Institutions three years since, as it is now ? That there have been within that period none of those advances in population of an improved description, in wealth, in education, in the growth of patriotic attachments, in the varied moral, intellectual, and social influences, which render safe the extension of degrees of liberty which without them would be perilous ? Will it be denied that the dissolution of the New Zealand Company, the Quieting of Titles to Land in New Ulster, and the corresponding measure now in progress in New Munster, have facilitated a preparation for Representative Institutions, and have given increased assurance that the people will govern themselves wisely, without disturbing or perverting influences arising amongst themselves from personal interests, or forced them upon from some selfish and distant organization like the Company"? May it not be, after all, that Sir George Grey has marked with an eye, not only observant but anxious, the progress of advancement, — himself earnestly desiring the arrival of the periods at .which larger and larger measures of British constitutional freedom might be safely and permanently introduced into a country in many respects so peculiarly circumstanced as this ? May we not agree with those who believe that he has throughout his administration been acting out a large plan for what he believes to be the benefit of both Races in this country \ — We arc not prepared to defend all the steps taken in pursuance of that plan, although we arc convinced that the obloquy poured upon some of them might have been greatly averted if His EXCELLENCY had permitted it to be known that they were not to be viewed so much in their detached individuality, as in the light of parts in a comprehensive whole. But, after all, is it not .conceivable that this measure comes in, not only in the form, but also at the time best adapted to the completion of a plan on the whole sagacious and disinterested? We think such a view might be to some extent supported by a reference to steps taken during His Excellency's administration, as viewed by many here, and to the light which his own Despatches, and subsequent occurrences, have cast upon them, and in which the Home Government has seen and approved of them ; but we at present content ourselves with suggesting these topics of reflection. The public will await with interest the Reports of the subsequent proceedings on this measure ; — and, indeed, the Spectator s account of the day's proceedings now before us, — as we know that its reports sometimes are not altogether in accordance with the versions of the Independent. We also look with interest for the A'ITORNEY-Ge-NERAI's explanatory speech in moving the second reading, which we have no doubt will be found lucid and comprehensive, both as to the principles and the details of a measure in the preparation of which ho so entirely co-operated with Sir GEORGE Grey.

Although the American barque Gcrge Champlin from Newcastle has brought no mail, a lew Sydney papers has been received by her, for a perusal of which we are indebted to private courtes-y. The earliest date is the 19th of June, (leaving an unsupplied interval of twelve

days since the sailing of the Moa) ; the latest the 21st of June. The principal intelligence is the discovery of another gold field, the existence of which seems to have been fully ascertained, and which promi-ed to prove both lich and extensive. The Turon River is the locality of this additional developement of the mineral wealth of Australia. It had burst upon the o aze of ihe keen-eyed gold seekers with all the charms of novelty, and an almost instantaneous effect, that numbers fascinated by the new attraction, — like childien turning aside from an eager pursuit of one glittering object, to the yet more eager chase of another — numbers began to leave Ophir, which they have contemptuously called "the old diggings,' 1 for Turon, The best information we have respecting the new field of intere t, and the excitement produced by it in Bathurst and the neighbouihuod is given in the following article which appeals in the Bathwst Free Press of the lßlh ultimo •. The discoveries of gold deposits in the Turon, which pro said to be -very rich, are at present the current topics of conversatiou in Bathurst. The Ophir diggings are by no means exhausted, but everything connected with them has lost its novelty. "There is a magic charm about the mystery in which as yet the unknown and untold wealth of the Turon Diggings is enveloped. People enquire as eagerly for the latest intelligence from the Terra incognita, incognita as regards its mineral resources, as if their very existence and happiness depended upon it. What news from the Turon — have youheard any thing from the Turon ? assail you at every corner of the street, and because we are not prepared with a perennial wellspring of intelligence, or are unable to confirm the current extravagances and improbabilities every where afloat about the Turon, a doubtful glance ; from beneath the eyelids, tells us as distinctly as if spoken, that we are suspected of concealing the truth, and that we know much more than we choose to communicate. But the fact is, we are very chary about giving publicity to uncorroborated rumours. Within the last few days the greater portion of the colonial press has been an- , athernatiscd in our bearing by disappointed Sydney gokl-diggeis, and our own unpretending sheet ! has not been spared, although it has warned the ; enthusiastic from rushing from the ills they bear, to fly to others which they know not of, and although we have rigidly excluded any matters of detail or fact of whose authenticity we were not firmly convinced. The conductors of the Press have had all sorts of imaginary tortures prepared for them- on several occasions in our own presence. Shooting an editor has been accounted altogether too merciful a death, and as to discoverers, they have been set down as imposters, whose only discovery has been how to gull the public. A little slow roasting, or a protracted dose of flagellation, . has been mercifully recommended as a fitting punishment. The publicans and storekeepers of Bathurst have, in numberless instances, the credit | of originating the ruse, and of having, it is said, j bribed the press to bring customers into the town of Bathurst to drink their grog and buy their stores. Hundreds have rushed back from Ophir «! ond Bathurst, and very large numbers who reached neither the one nor the other, but caught the panic on the road. The Blue Mountains, old Father Winter, and no gold, have driven bands of Sydney enthusiasts back to r tke low country, penniless and spiritless, like a discomfited army, in a humour to abuse and blame everybody and everything but their own folly and stupidity. The ' order of things has been reversed, and. there has been a very extensive rush from the diggings. As regards the Turon, we shall briefly state all we know of the matter. It was generally rumoured some ten or a dozen days ago, that Messrs. Stutchbuxy and Piper had started from the diggings for the Turon, and that they had discovered very rich ground. The attention of many parties was in consequence attracted to that quarter. Rumours were rife on all sides that numbers were at work "there, and doing a profitable business. One party of several men who had been very fortunate at Ophir, were known to have left a very productive spot, with the intention of exploring the creeks and gullies of the Turon, and as they did not r-eturn, the circumstance was regarded as a presumptive proof that they were doing what is termed "a good stroke. 1 ' Mr. Richards' overseer, Mr. Bedford, who had been prospecting above the Turon ranges, succeeded in discovering gold in many places. Mr. Murnane, who has the charge of Mr. Suttor's sheep establishment, was equally successful in another quarter, and wrote his employer the particulars of his explorations, and at the same time suggested the propriety of returning a flock of fat wethers to the station which was intended for the market, as he felt convinced that when the discovery of gold existing in such plenty, became publicly known, the mutton would be required to supply the golddiggers of the Turon. The next circumstance which came prominently before the public, was the arrival in town of an ounce of the precious metal about the latter part of last week, the produce of the Turon. The bearer of this was Mr. Richards, who has stations there, and from having been in the survey department is conversant with all the localities. On Saturday last Mr. George Schofield sold 30 ozs. I6dwts. sgrs., which himself and party had obtained in the Turon, for £93 1 85. 7^d. Mr. Dunsford, watchmaker, was the purchaser. The fact, therefore, of gold existing in the Turon, and in sufficient quantity to remunerate the labour expended upon it, appears to be established beyond a doubt. The parties whose names we have given are all respectable, and would not lend themselvas to anything like deception. The consequence of this discovery being made public, has been a diversion of many new arrivals in that direction. Parties are also leaving the Ophir diggings for the Turon, so that in a short time should the new field prove as profitable as is anticipated the population of Ophir will be materially thinned, and an opportunity will then be offered of establishing something like regularity and system. As it is the order of the day with the Sydney newspaper proprietors, to despatch what are termed " Special Correspondents" to the diggings, we see no earthly reason why our little sheet should be deprived of this little bit of ostentation. Well then, our "Special Correspondent" has started for the Turon, and we hope to be shortly enabled to place our readeis in possession of further particulars. It is plain from the accounts that independently of the counter-attraction of the new diggings, very many were leaving Ophir, discouraged by want of success, or the amount of labour required for the work. As one of the writeis on the spot sarcastically remarks, young men who have been accustomed to tht ledgers of counting-houses, or the calico ani ribbon trade of drapers' shops, find the tools of the miner far more wearisome than the pen or the yard stick. Heavy rains had materially added to the discomfort,— raising the Summeihill Creek two feet in one wtek ; but this was only the beginning, as, according to the Free JPresi, " the Creek is subject to many

Hoods, which, iv consequence of the banks being in most places narrow and precipitous, rise sometimes to the perpendicular height of from thiity to 40 feet. 11 The roads had got into a feai fully dilapidated state, in consequence of the wet weather, and the vast increase of traffic. The / mpire says of the Bathurst Road, " From the numberless traces of bivouacs, and the sprinkling of dead cattle here and there (those that have been worked to death in the teams), and the general bad state of repair, our informant states that the whole line of rodd appeals as if some invading army had suddenly marched through the country." In this condition of things it is not surprising that parties, meeting others returning home in despondency — blaming any body, and every burly,, for beguiling them from their former pursuits, when they ought to have chiefly blamed themselves for being so easily led away — have turned back without ever once risking the scenes — to the view of which distance had led such an enchantment. A We are gratified, hovever, to hear that^Tre conduct of the crowds assembled at Ophir has, on the whole, been peaceable and moral. Arrangements were being made by the Bishop of Sydney for the regular performance of religious worship at the mines, and two clergymen had undertaken to attend at Ophir on alternate Sundays, until a stationary Minister could be appointed. " This," observes the Free Press, is a step in the right direction, and we hope that the spiritual leaders of other religious denominations will see the necessity of adopting the same course. * * Hitherto everything has gone on smoothly and peaceably, but. men are apt to degenerate into something like semi -barbarism when removed from the civilizing influence of female intercourse ! and religious worship." Rumours of the discovery of gold in several other places were in circulation ; and with the experience of wha< has actually been realized I within a few weeks before men's eyes, it would be rash to offer even an opinion upon the amount of credence to which they are entitled, until they shall have been tested by trial. As respects one locality, however, — in the Maitland District the following paragraph from the ; latest Maitland Mercury does not hold out great immediate encouragement : | The Search Fon Goid. — Specimens of supposed golden promise continue to be forwarded to Maitland by discoverers, and on Monday two very promising looking specimens were brought in, and one from Singleton having been brought from the interior, and one guessed to be'from the Upper William or the Manning. Neither unfortunately will stand the tests applied, the Singleton specimen being pronounced to be sulphuret of iron. There is scarcely any other news in these papers worth noting here. It was expected that the writs for the election of members to serve in the New Legislative Council would be issued about the first of July. The Bishop of Neavcastle has appointed the Rev. C. P. N. Wilton, M.A., the Rev. W. M. Cowper, M.A., and the Rev. R. G. Boodle, M.A., his lordship's commissaries during his absence from the diocese on his missionary voyage in the Border Maid. The latest commercial intelligence from Sydney will be found in another column. It will be seen that the price of flour had considerably fallen.

"We had pleasure at the time in announcing the completion of the " Dangar Steam Flour Mill/ and in giving some description of its adaptation for the purposes of its erection. We have lately with regret seen it unoccupied at a season when the grinding of wheat here was of peculiar importance and urgency. We now learn with gratification that it is likely to be soon again in operation, as it has been taken by Mr. Oackford, for the last twelve months employed as a practical miller here. The contract we believe is for a term of three years, at a rental of £300 per anmn. We confidently expect, and we sincerely hope, that the undertaking may prove equally remunerative to Mr. Oackford, and beneficial to the neighbourhood.

Contract Prices.— We are informed that the Commissariat contract for meat (from the first of August ensuing,) has been taken at 4 15-I6ths d. perlb., by a company of respectable farmers in our neighbourhood — Messrs. Dilworth , Donovan, Henry, &c. The contract for Bread has been taken on a tender sent in by Mr. John Hall, of Otahuhu, at 2^d. per lb., — that is fourpence-lialfpennj/ per 2 lbs. loaf, — not fivepence-halfpenny, as inaccurately stated in the Southern Cross of ye*jA terday. Evangelical Alliance.— Although a J^ll report of the proceedings at the public meeting of Tuesday evening last has been prepared, we are obliged to postpone it to our next. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that the first of a Series of Lectures, to be given by the Ministers of the Alliance, on the evils of Intemperance, is to be delivered by the Rev. Thomas Huddle, on Tuesday evening next, at the Presbyterian Church. A Government Gazette was published yesterday, the contents of which will be found m our fourth page.