The Provincial Council. (From the "Wellington Spectator," August 18.)

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 676, 6 October 1852, Page 2

The Provincial Council. (From the " Wellington Spectator," August 18.)

In our last number we published for the infor- , mation of our readers the Governor-in-chief's Proclamation, declaring that the Legislative Council about to be assembled shall consist of 33 members, of whom 22 are to be representatives, and eleven, or one third, to be nominees of the Crown, in accordance with the second clause of the Ordinance. After a careful consideration of the share of representation which is given by the Proclamation to each settler in the Province of New Munster, we can come to no other conclusion than that the distribution is most fair and just, when taken in connection with the amountof population which the respective settlements possess; indeed we feel, certain that in making the necessary calculations the Executive have bestowed much care on the subject, and acted with the desire of protecting to the utmost the interests of the Province generally. The total population we take to be about 15,851 souls, this number is to be represented in Council by 22 members. The Wellington Settlements contain a population of 6,515 to be represented by eight members. Nelson 4,287, — by six members. Canterbury ...3,273, — by five members. Otago 1 ,776, — by three members. Assuming our amounts to be correct, any one who will take the trouble to work out the calculation by a simple arithmetical pi'ocess will find how fair is the proportion of the representation accorded to the several settlements. Again, a reference to the proclamation will show that care has been taken not to give in favour of any particular interest an overwhelming preponderance, but that due regard has been had for the three great interests of the country, commercial, agricultural, and pastoral, so that each will receive an equal amount of protection. There is now one move step for the Government to take, namely, to issue writs for the return of Members. This has already been done at Auckland, and before long we shall heai* of the Representative Council being in full operation there. The Northern Province only possesses a population of between 11,000 and 12,000, to be represented by 12 Members; taking the difference between the population of the two provinces, New Ulster has certainly less representation in proportion to its population, than avc have in the

South. This \7e believe may be accounted for by the fact that in the North there is more concentration ; there are no vast districts, as in the South, inhabited by a scattered population whose parsuits and interests differ from those who live in clusters. We must confess that our Northern neighbours seem to possess an energy, a determination to make the best use of circumstances, which we in the South are somewhat deficient in. The citizens of the Northern capital were the first to build a steamer, to form a whaling company, they have shown a strong disposition to extend their trade with the neighbouring colonies, and in every "way seem resolved to go ahead. With regard to the Provincial Councils Ordinance they acted •with determination, and lost no time in electioneering business, while in the South there was "nothing but uncertainty of purpose. The Wellington Independent, the organ of the Faction, at one moment called upon the settlers not to qualify themselves, and at another as strongly urged •them to register. The Lyttelton Times was for the non -registering plan, and had the presumption to imagine that the settlers generally throughout the whole of New Zealand would be guided by the opinions expressed through its columns. The dii minores gentium, the " little Gods of the Cantei'bury press" must have been surprised and sadly disappointed when they found their " thunder" roll unheeded by the multitude, when they discovered there opinions were totally disregarded. At Nelson the desire seems to be to have the Council, and by the Examiners received by the Persia from that Settlement, we find that much disappointment was experienced from the delay on the part of the Government in issuing the necessary writs; pending their arrival we believe the Nelson settlers have made all arrangements for election contests.

Wellington Athen.ium and Mechanics' Institute. —The members of the above Institution held a Conversazione in the hall of the Institute on Monday evening His Excellency Sir George Grey, President, the VicePresidents, and most of the members with their families attended ; there were also some visitors, amongst whom we noticed Mr. Enderby and Dr. Fox. Tables were arranged along the centre and on the north, east, and west sides of the hall, and on these were displayed the numerous, interesting, and beautiful specimens of art, which the Committee had at great pains collected from various sources ; the walls were covered with paintings and engravings, and were decorated with evergreens, and the hall — well lighted and tilled with company, formed a pleasing and agreeable 'tout en semble.' His Excellency (the President) with his usual kindly urbanity contributed largely to the enjoyment of the occasion by sending a great number of his rarest curiosities of Native art and manufacture, amongst which we may notice the large Tiki, presented to him by Boni Heke, and the large carved box presented to him by Rangihaeata ; a curious Mnon Genealogical tree, and some beautiful Tapa Mats from the South Sea Islands — also a number of his beautiful illustiated works on Natural History. Three powerful Microscopes of the most recent construction, (one of which was kindly lent by Mr. Enderby) under the scientific management of Dr. Ralph, displayed the wonders of the invisible world to a numerous circle of admirers, few perhaps of whom have had a previous opportunity of seeing such perfect instruments in such sk Iful hands. A small Balloon was inflated with Hydrogen gas from the ingenious gasometer made by Mr. Scaly. This was sent up and performed its aerial voyage as far as the extent of the building would allow ; some bubbles were a' so blown from the same machiue to the delight of tha younger part of (be assemblage. Not the least interesting feature of the evening was the exhibition of a veritable section of the submarine telegraph wire which is now laid down between Dover and Calais, and some other specimens of Gutta Percha appliances ; nor must we omit to notice Mr. Marshall's beautiful drawing's of Wellington scenery, and Mr. Holmes' excellent pen and ink and coloured sketches about Lyttelton and its neighbourhood. A large and powerful musical box belonging to Mr. Joseph attracted considerable attention, playing at intervals twelve favourite airs. Cuung the evening a number of beautiful glees were very nicely sung by four amateurs, members of the Institute, and certainly tLey added much to the delight of lha evening ; —the ' Hardy Norsemen,' and ' sleep, Gentle Lady,' would, we think, hare delighted more critical ears than ours. Tea and coffep were served in the Library. His Excellency lelt about half-past nine, and the company generally left about half-past ten ; and we think it must have been with very agreeable impressions of Laving spent a very pleasant evening. Altogether, this first attempt of the kind in this Institution must be matter of great congratulation to those who take an interest therein, the execution and arrangements of the Committee of Management reflect the highest credit upon them, and the readiness with which their exertions met support from the President and Members who contributed the various ' materiel ' must be alike gratifying and encouraging to them and honorable to all. It is an advance in our social progress, and we heartily bid them ' Go on and prosper.' — Spectator, Aug. 18,