The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 561, 30 August 1851, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Tie just and fear not. Let all the ends tlum auns't at, l)o thy Country's, Thy God'S), <uul Truth's.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1851.

We have to announce — not yet exactly the receipt, — but — the arrival of one of our occasional overflows of newspapers. The Thames, (the first of a new line of packets to New Zealand which we are gratified to learn has been laid on by Messis. Hooper of London, in connexion with our esteemed fellow-townsmen, Messrs. Bain and Burtt), reached our port from England yesterday ; and almost at the same hour, the Black Dog schooner anived, bringing not only files from the southern settlements of our own colony, but also some of the long overdue mails from Home, which have been travelling about New Munster, and, we ! believe, a number of Van Diemen's Land, and miscellaneous journals. Owing to the magnitude of these mails, the Post-office general delivery is unavoidably deferred until twelve o'clock to-day ; but the gentlemen in that establishment have, with their usual courtesy, favouied us with as many of our papers as they could immediately select. We have done the best we could with these materials in the short time since they came into our hands, and proceed, without further preface, to lay the results before our readers. By the Thames, we have English news to the sth of May. The House of Commons had re-assembled after the Easter recess on the 28th of April. The proceedings during the interval from that day to our last date were important, but may be briefly summed up. The Income Tax Bill was read a second j time on the 28th. Mr. Spooner had proposed as an amendment that it be read a second time that day six months, but did not press his motion to a division, it being urged by Mr. Disraeli and others, that the objections to the measure might more advantageously be considered in committee. On the Friday following, (the 2nd of May), the House went into committee on the bill, and Ministers sustained a humiliating defeat on an amendment proposed by Mr. Hume, — that the tax be renewed for only one year, with the view of instituting an inquiry by select committee as to the best means of removing the injustice of levying the same amount of taxation upon vaiious incomes from trades and professions, as upon fixed incomes from real property. This amendment, which gave formal expiession to one of the most decided aud just objections to the impost, ! was carried against Ministers by a majority of '\ fourteen, the numbers being— for the amendment 244 ; against it, 230. The result was received with loud cheers. Our latest report breaks off here, with only the additional information that Lord John Russtll announced that he would not go on with the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill on the next Monday, as had been originally intended, but would proceed with the Income Tax Bill. The second reading of the Oath of Abjuration Bill (for the admission of Jews to Parlia-

nvut) vuis cdined, on the motion of Lend John Russell, by a majonty of 277 over 200. Mr. Ewart had brought furwaid a motion for extending to the colonies the mitigations which had been effected in the laws of England with respect to the punishment of death ;— hut the subject kept together only 38 members, and while the hon. gentleman was proceeding to '' enlaige on. the question" the House was counted out. The House of Lords had le-assemblod on the Ist of May, but had not transacted any business of the slightest irnpoitance. The evei.t to which so much anxiety and interest have been directed — the Opening qv hie Grevt Exhibition — took place on the first of May, with all appiopiiate pomp and solemnity. The day was beautifully fine, and, it is unnecessaiy to say, that all London was, from the eailiest dawn, in a state of pleasurable excitement and anticipation. We must reseivc for future extract many of the details connected with the spirit-stiaing occasion, but the following has an interest which claims immediate inseition. We quote from the Illustrated London News of Way 3. At fwolve oVloclc n flnmi,ri of trunks pioelaimed \ the advent of tlie Quid, ,'• ni/ied out ido \>y the tlevat tiiri of the Ro\al st.iud.iul at the noi them summit of the loofof the tuin^pt. As hei Majesty and I'iitico Albert entered under the crystal aiched roof, through the ! handsome bionzed and gilded northern gates circled by [ tho Coalbrookdale Company, tlnough the -adjacent | spaces decorated with gorgeous exotic;, sparLhno, foun- ! tains, nnd choico statuary, and as the flourish oftiumppt I and clarion pioclaiiaed this their State entry, a most deafening hurst of applause carao from the concourse of loyal subjects around hei, who rose to welcome the Royal pair. The sight was overwhelmingly grand. I When her Majesty had taLen hor seat iti the chair of state — to which she was coi'ui.etod through the Ro/.il ! Commissioners, Foieign Mmisteis, and members of the 1 Cabinet, who.ia their bright court dresses and splendid uniforms, were lauged aiound hor chair — the national anthem, " God save the Queen," was perfbimed by a choir of nearly a thousand voices, accompanied on the organ (built by Messrs. Gray and Davison) by Mr. Goss and Mi. Tuile. His Royal Highness Prince Albert then descended from the dais, and, taking his place with the other Commis&ionets, read the following address :—: — " May it please your Majesty — We, the Commissioners appointed by >our Majesty's Royal warrant of the oid of January, 18.')0, foi the piomotion of the Exhibition of the works of Industry of all Nations, and subsequently incorporated by your Majesty's Royal charter of the I.sth of August in the same year, humbly beg leave, on the occasion of your Majesty's auspicious visit tit the opening of the Exhibition, to lay before you a brief statement of our proceedings to the piesent time. "By virtue of the authority graciously committed to us by your Majesty, we have made diligent enquiry into the matters which youi Majesty was pleaded to refer to us— namely, into'tho best mode of intioducing the productions of your Majesty's colonies anil of foreign countiies into this kingdom — the selection of the mosUlesiiable site for the Exhibition, the gener.il conduct of the undertaking, and the proper method of determining the natuio of the pi i-tcs, and of seeming the most impartial distribution of them. " In the prosecution of these inquiries, and in the dischmgo of the duties assigned to us by your Majesty's Ro) al charter of incoiporation, we have hold constant meetings of ourwhcW- body. and have, moreover, referled numerous queslions connected with a great variety of subjects to committees composed partly of ouv own memb'eis, and partly of individuals distinguished in the several departments of science and the arts, who have couhally responded to our applications for their assistance at a great sacrifice of their valuable tune. "Among the earliest 'questions brought befoie us, was the important one as to the tetms upon which articles ofl'cied for exhibition should bo admitted into the building. We consideied that it was a main characteristic of the national undertaking in which we weie engaged, that it should depend wholly upon the voluntary contributions of tho people oftlns countty for its success; and we, therefoie, decided, without hesitation, that no chaige whatever should be made for the admission of such goods. We considered, also, that the office of selecting the ai tides to be &ent should bo entrusted in the first instance to local committees, to be established in pvory foreign counliy, and in vaiious districts of your Majesty's dominions, a general power of contiol being reserved to the commission. " We have now the gratification of stating that our anticipations of support m this couise have been fully realued. Your Mnje-»ty'3 moat gracious donation to the funds of the Exhibition was the signal for voluntary contubutions from all, even the humblest, classes of your Majesty's subjects; and the funds which have thus been placed at our disposal amount nt present to about .£65,000, Local committees, fioin which we have umfoimly leceived the most zealous co-opeiation, were foimed in all parts of the United Kingdom, in many of your Majesty's colonies, and in the terntones of the Jlonoui able East India Company. The most energetic support lias also been received from the Governments of neatly all the countiies in the woild, in most of which commissions have been appointed for the special purpose of promoting the objects of an Exhibition justly charactenzed, m your Majesty's Royal wairant, as a:i Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nation-. " We have also to acknowledge the great readiness with which persons of all classes have come forward as exhibitors; <md hore again it becomes our duty to return our humble thanks to your Majesty for the most gracious manner in which your Majesty has condescended to associate yourself with your subjects, by yourself contributing soino valuablo and interesting articles to the Exhibition. " The number of exhibitors whose productions it ha 9 been found possible to accommodate is about 15,000, of whom neaily one-half .ue Jiutisb. The remainder represent the productions of more than forty foreign countries, compnsing almost the whole of the civilized nations of the globe. " Youi Majesty having been graciously pleased to grant a site in this, your Royal P.uk, for tho purpose of the Exhibition, the firbt column of the structure, now honoured by your Majesty's presence, was iixed on (he 26th of September last. Within the short period there- j fore, of seven months, owing to the energy of the con tractors, and the acttve industry of the woikmen employed by them, a building has been erected, entnely novel in its construction, covering a space of more than 38 acres, me,isuimg 1851 feet in length, and 4.")6 feet m extreme breadth, and capable of containing 40,000 visitors, and aftoidmg a frontage for the exhibition of coods to the extent of more than ten miles. For the ouginal suggestion of the principle of this structure, the Commissioners are indebted to Mr. John Paxton, to whom they feel their acknowledgments to be justly due for this interesting feature of their undertaking. j " With rogaid to tho distribution of rewards to dost rinng exhibitors, wo have decided that they shonld be given in the form of medals, not with reference to meiely individual competition, but as rewards for excellence m whatever shape it may present itself. The selection of the persons to be rewarded has been entrusted to I juries composed equally of Butiah subjects and of fo- ! r i*nors, the former having boon selected by the comi mission from the recommendations made by the local committees, and the latter by the Governments of the foreign nations, the productions of which are exhibited. The names of these jurois, comprising .is they do many i of Euiopenn celebrity, afioid the beat guaiantee of the impartiality with which the rewards will be assigned. I "It afford', us much gi atification, that, notwithstand- ! ing the magnitude of this undei taking, and the great distances iiom which many of the ai tides now exhibited hate had to be collected, the day on which your Majesty has been graciously pleased to be present at the inauguration of the exhibition is the same day that was originally named for its opening; thus affouling a proof of what may, under God's ble&smg, he accomplished by good-will and coidial co-operation amongst nations, aided by the means that modem science has placed at our command. "Having thus hi lelly laid before your Majesty the results of our labouis, it now only remains for us to convey to your Majesty our dutiful nnd loyal acknowledgements of the support and encouragement which we liavo derived throughout this extensivo and laborious tasi, fiom the gracious favour and countenance of your Majesty, It is our heartfelt pi aycr tlmt this uudeitak-

I jntr, vvlncb has foi it.-, ond tl>o promotion of all bi.i dies of liiim.in industry, and tlio strrn»ll)<Miinij of the bonds of peace and friendship among all nations of the psuili, ihiiy, by tlio bicssJiig of Divuie L'jovidenco, conduce to the well. no of your iW vjesty's people, ami be loiv; remombeied ninom* tlio bi i« litest circumstances of your AlajoMy's peaceful and happy rei»n." To which hor Majesty u.icl tLo following piacionq reply, winch was put into her hamlb by Sit Guorgo Giey • — " 1" receive with the greatest satisfaction tlio address u-lnch you liave presented to me on the opening of tins inhibition. " L liare obsetved, with a u-arm and incioasing; inteie<;t, the pi ogress ot youi proceeilings in the execution of tlio dulios cntiusled to }ou by the 3toy.il Commission, and it Jiiloids iop bincem gratif/cntion to witness tbi> succp^sf'il lesult of your judicious and unremitting e\-(>itions in the splendid fejiiict.iclo by winch I nm thib cld\ "-in rounJed. " I cnr.iiallv concur will) yon in the prayer, that, by God's bit -Mug, tins undcitnKing ma^ conduce to the weliaio of my people, and to the common mteiosts of the human nee, by encouraging the arts of peace andindus- !.- \ .strengthening: the bondb of union .mioiig the nations of the e.ulb, and piomotmg a fnendly and honourable iw.ihy \\\ \hc useful exercise of those faculties winch hdvo I'fpii confon ed by a benofiont Providence ioi the good and the happiness of mankind." The Archbishop ol C.inteihuiy then read tho following pwvyci or benediction :—: —

PRAYER. "Almighty and eveil.istmg God, governor of all things, without whom nothing is strong, nothing holy, acccj)t, wo beseech 'J hee, tho sacufice of cur pr.iUe and thanksgiving, rocpive our prayeis which we offer up to ] J'hectlin day, m behalf o( this kingdom and land. We j acknowledge, O Loul, that Thou hast multiplied the j blessings which Tbnu mightest most justly have withlield ; we acknowledge that it is not becauso of the woiU of nghtoousness which wo have done, but of Thy groat meicy (!in( wo me pemuttt-d to come before Tljoo tins day with the 1 voice ol thanksgiving. Instead of humbling' us for our offences, 'Ihou liast given ua just cnu^a to praise Thee for Thine abuudaat ooodness. And now, 0 Loid, wo beseech r l hee to bless tho woik which 'lliou hast enabled ub 1o begin, and to rog.ml with Thy favour oui present purpose of w itui£ togethei in the bond of peace and concoul the diflerent natio .s of tho eaith; for of Tlieo, 0 Lord, and not of the piuparation of man, it cometh that violence is not heard inourland, nor contentions, nor violence within our borders. It is ol Thee, 0 Lord, that nation does not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any moie. It is of Theo that peace is within our walls, plonteousness within our peaces, and men £0 forth in safety, and that knowledge is increased tbionghout ihe world. Therefore, 0 Lord, rot unto us, but unto Thy name, be all prai.se. Whilst we sui vey the works of art and industry which surround us, let not our hearts be lifted up that we forget the Lord our God, or that it is not of our own power, or of the might of our hands, that we have gotten in this wealth. Teach us to remember that tins store which we have prepared is nil Thine own, in Thine hands it is to make great and give st length and honoui. We thank Thee, we praise Thee, we mtreat Tliee to overiule this assembly of many nations, that it may tend to tho advancement of Thy glory, to the mcieise of our prosperity, and to the promotion of peace and good will among the diffeient races of mankind. Let tho many mercies we have received dispose our hearts to seive Thee moie and more, who art tho author and giver of all good things. Teach us to use those earthly blessings that Thou hast given us so richly to enjoy, that they may not withdiaw our affections from those heavenly tilings which Thou hast prepared for tnem that love Thee, through the meats aud mediation of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honoui and glory, world without end. Amen." The " Hallelujah Chorus" then followed, by the choir, under the direction of Sir H. R. Bishop, accompanied on the oigan by Drs. El vey and Wylde. The Royal Procession was then formed, and went through the vaiious parts of the Building. On Her Majesty's return to the platform, the Queen declared " The Exhibition is Opened !'' aud a flourish of trumpets announced the fact to the public. A Grand Protectionist Demonstration took place in the metropolis on the 29th of April. Dairy Lane Theatre could not contain the multitude who thronged to attend the meeting, and a supplemental meeting was therefore held in St. Mai tin's Hall. The Duke of Richmond presided at the former, and Earl Stanhope at the latter, A vast amount of wealth and rank was represented at these assemblies, and " the earnestness and enthusiasm displayed, were seldom perhaps, never exceeded,"