AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1852.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 623, 3 April 1852, Page 2

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1852.

By tlie Overland Mail we yesterday evening received Wellington papers to the 6th of March. The most important intelligence is, that Sir George Grey had expressed to a deputation his willingness to ! take upon himself the responsibility of suspending the operation of the New Zealand Settlements Act of the last Session of Parliament, and reviving the Land Claimants Ordinance and his own Pastoral .Regulations, believing from the tenor of Earl Grey's despatch that he would be borne out in this course by the British Government, if it was shown to be the general wish of the settlers. Notwithstanding the late hour at which the papers reached us, we transfer to our columns the entire narration, as given by the Spectator, of the interview at which His Excellency made this announcement. We observe that the Independent vehemently opposes the plan, reiterating its old objections to the Land Claimants Ordinance ; but the ultimate decision of the Governor-in-Chief would no doubt be mainly influenced by the numbers and character of those who may hail his offer as — what it certainly seems to us to be — a valuable boon under the existing circumstances of the settlements. In order to elicit a demonstration of public opinion on the question, it was resolved to alter the Memorial previously in course of signature (which appeared in the New Zealander of the 24th ult.), so as to solicit His Excellency to take the proposed steps immediately, instead of waiting for the interference of the Home Government. The amended paragraph is as follows, the alterations being indicated by Italics. " For these and other weighty reasons we respectfully beg your Excellency will, by suspending the Act referred to (except such of its provisions as relate to the Trust Funds at Nelson), relieve the settlers from the serious evils which would result from its operation, and that you will cause the arrangements under the Land Claimants Ordinance to be immediately revived, and the Pastoral Regulations issued by your Excellency to be again put in force, and a uniformity of management to be established of the Crow Lands of the Colony under the Australian Land Sales Act and the Charter and Royal Instructions." The Shipping List of February 21 reports the sailing of the Goverrnment Brig, with Sir George and Lady Grey, and Lieut.-Governor Wynyard, for Nelson— to return to Wellington in about a fortnight. On the same day, the Undine also sailed for Nelson, with Captain, Mrs. and Miss Travers. Mr. Charles Henry Kettle had been Gazetted as Government Surveyor at Otago. ' ' The Rev. Mr. Dron, Free Church Minister for the Hutt, had arrived from England by the Agra. The Aglionby Races came off on Shrove Tuesday. The following were the winning horses : " Tradesmen's Purse," Lieut. TrafFord's Naenae, in whose favour tho stewards ultimately decided, although Mr. St. Hill's Camilla had first been declared tho winner ; the " Eritonga Stakes," Mr. St. Hill's Harribogine; and the " Hurdle Race," Mr. Robinson's Jack, Fisken. Flour had risen at Wellington to £30 per ton, and there was " none in the market." Bread was 6d. the 21bs. loaf.

The English news bv the Agra was to the 25th of November, five days later than our last intelligence by Sydney. We select a few items. The King of Hanover (Duke of Cumberland and Uncle to Queen Victoria)died on the 18th of November. He is succeeded by his son, who will reign under the name of George the Third. The Royal Commissioners for the Great Exhibition, Prince Albert presiding, had agreed on a report to the Queen representing that their power under the Charter would cease when they had discharged the expenses incident to the Exhibition, so that they would have no authority to dispose of the surplus, and praying Her Majesty to grant a Charter enabling them to recommend a scheme for its disposal. They promise to give their best consideration to the formation of a plan for furthering the ends of the Exhibition by promoting industrial education, and extending tlie influence of science and art upon productive industry. The Executive Committee had awarded £5000 to Mr. — now Sir Joseph — Paxton,the designer of the Crystal Palace. Mr. Crowder, Q.C.,M.P. was likely to be appointed to the Puisne Judgcship in the Queen's Bench to be rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Justice Patterson. Mr. Nassau Senior had been appointed to the legal post in India (worth £10,000 a-year) vacated by the death of Mr. \Bethune.