The New=Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 646, 23 June 1852, Page 2

The New=Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1552.

Be just and fe<ir not: Let all tlie ends thou aim's,t at, lie thy Country's, 'I iiy God's, and Truth's.

We have received a few Wellington papers by the Elizabeth. The latest date is the 29th ult. The Queen's Birth-day had been observed with the usual celebrations, including the Governor-in-Chief 's Levee, a Feast for the Natives, and a Ball at Government House. The Natives mustered in considerable numbers. The Spectator mentions a new arrangement for their Feast, — " a liberal allowance of flour and beef was given to each family, which was taken by them to their houses, and there cooked according to their own tastes." The plan, it is added, was "apparently very greatly to their satisfaction. We have no doubt that to many of themselves it would be n very agreeable arrangement, but we much question whether a mere donation of food is an improvement on the original idea of associating the Maori with the Pakeha subjects of her Majesty on this anniversary. The occasion might, we are inclined to believe, be so regulated as to aid the natives in their progress towards civilization, and to cultivate their feelings of loyal attachment to their Sovereign , in a manner and to an extent which can scarcely be anticipated from a mere gift of flour and beef, •' to be cooked according to their own tastes." But, as we observed in recording the Maori •' Feast," given here on the same day, the matter needs a careful consideration, which we trust it will receive before the next Birth-day celebration The Ball passed off in brilliant style. Both the local journals represent the attendance as unprecedentcdly numerous, although the Independent states that " some dissatisfaction was caused by the invitations being of a very select and somewhat of an exclusive character." Lieutenant-Governor Enderby, from the Auckland Islands, Messrs. Dundas and Preston (the Commissioners of the South Sea Whaling Company), and Mr. Justice Stephen and his lady were amongst the company. About twenty natives were present, and the Spectator admiringly notices the marked improvement in their dress, manner, and general demeanour : " several of the females joined in the dancing, and appeared to enjoy it amazingly, and were evidently desirous of increasing their acquaintance with the refined usages of society." The settlers at Ahuriri, in the Hawkcs' Bay district, had adopted a Petition to the House of Commons against the New Zealand Settlements Act of last Session, and in support of the adjustment of the land question proposed by the Legislative Council, and of Sir George Grey's Pastoral Regulations. They pray Parliament c to reHove this new and distant, yet important, district, never in the possession of the New Zealand Company, from any laws or regulations passed by the Company for the settlement of their affairs." The petition did not reach Wellington, however, in time to be forwarded, with others, by the Midlothian. A translation of liobinson Crusoe into the Maori language, by Mr. Kemp, had been published under the direction of the Government. It consists of 168 demy octavo pages, and is pictorially illustrated. The number of copies printed is 1000, and it is intended to sell the work at a price which will cover its cost. The reason assigned, in an article on the subject in the Independent, for selecting this in preference to directly religious or moral compositions is that its narrative form — especially as the fascinating story is, for the most part, told in the manner in which the Maorics themselves relate events of importance — may promote a taste for reading, and so aid in the education of the Natives. But could not works possessing equal advantages in

this point of view bo found amongst tlio rich stores of religious and morol narrative % "Works which might have imparted intellectual information and instructed the heart and conscience, as well as excited interest in the perusal? We think it would not be difficult to find s uch. The literature) \oi every kind placed in the hands of a race in the transition state in which the Aborigines of this country are now found is a matter of great responsibility. It may obviously be made an instrument only second to the directly religious teaching which they receive from "their missionaries,in furthering thciradvancement and elevation ; and we believe it quite possible, by a judicious application of the principles'"which are now so extensively and efficaciously developed in books for European ichildren, to arrest their attention, amuse Their fancy, and at the same time improve their understanding and guide their conduct in life. "We look upon the Maories, as regards both their existing 1 intellectual state, and their capabilities of mental improvement, very much in this light of European children — who have received a measure of education sufficient to manifest their possession of powers which would abundantly requite diligent cultivation, — who arc capable of being led on to adult comprehensiveness and vigour of knowledge ; — and there could scarcely be a more animating and interesting undertaking than to guide them on stop by step to the condition of mental development for which they are undeniably qualified. But this is too large and grave a subject to be discussed in a passing note in a summary like this. The cargo of the Black Dog, consisting of a portion of the stores, implements, building materials, &c, of the WhalingCompany's Station at Port Ross, had been sold by auction, and brought good prices. At the last dates Flour was £22 per ton in the Wellington market ; Bread, sd. the 21bs. loaf. .Returns of the Emigration and Immigration at Akaroa and Otago had been published in the Government Gazette. The nett amount of immigration at Akaroa, during the year 1851, was 52 persons. During the March quarter, 1852, at Akaroa 4 persons, at Otago 11. There was intelligence from Nelson that a rich vein of copper ore had been discovered at the source of the southernmost branch of the Maitai stream, within a very short distance of the town. The ore had been found on Crown Land, and some of the settlers had applied for a lease, with a view of turning the discovery to a profitable account.

Wesleyan College and Seminary. — A halfyearly examination of the pupils at this establishment was held on Monday. It was conducted by the Principal, the Rev. J. 11. Fletcher, in the presence of several ladies and gentlemen interested in the progress of an Institution so creditable and beneficial to our young but rising colony. The examination embraced classics, history, mental arithmetic, geography, and various incidental topics of general information suggested by the subjects of more formal questioning; and the prompt and intelligent answers of the pupils in the several branches was most satisfactory, as evidencing the ability and care with which their education had been attended to, and the diligence with which most of them had availed themselves of their opportunities. There is perhaps no point on which intending emigrants of the educated classes feel more anxiety than the existence of facilities for procuring for their children, adequate intellectual and moral cultivation ; and we are sure it would greatly encoui age a di&position to fix upon this district as their adopted home, if they could only be sufficiently informed respecting the scholastic advantages which are to be obtained in Auckland, in the Institution to which we now refer, and in the smaller and more private but efficiently and zealously conducted schools of which several are to be found in the neighbourhood. The results of the examination on Monday might safely bear comparison with those of similar examinations at seminaries at home which maintain a high character ; and they may well excite cheering anticipations respecting the future of youths who are so succesfully acquiring a sound literary education, accompanied with — or rather based upon — solid principles of religious and moral training. Auckland "What ing Company. — It will have been seen by advertisement that the forms of application for shares, and all other necessary information respecting the projected Whaling Company may now be obtained from the Ilonorai'y Secretary, Mr. Hansard. It is obviously highly desirable that those who intend to become Shareholders should signify their intention with as little delay as possible, that the Provisional Committee may be enabled to expedite the work assigned to them by the Public Meeting. Dinner, to Alderman Powditcii. — This gentleman being about to leave the Colony for some time, his friends embraced the occasion to show their respect and kindly feeling by inviting him to a dinner, which took place on Thursday last, at the Half-way House, Epsom Road. About twen-ty-five were present. Mr. J. C. Hill officiated as Chairman, and Mr. Crisp as Vice -Chairman. In addition to these gentlemen and Alderman Powditch himself, Mr. Lusk, Mr. Thomas Somerville, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Joseph May, and others spoke during the evening. The whole passed oH, we are informed, in a very agreeable manner, political questions having in a great measure been kept in the back-ground, and the hours chiefly devoted to friendly social intercourse.