New Zealander Office, Wednesday, Noon.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 676, 6 October 1852, Page 1 (Supplement)

New Zealander Office, Wednesday, Noon.

We have just received the Sydney and other papers by the Moa, which came to anchor in our harbour this morning about half-past ten o'clock. There had been no direct arrival at Sydney of English news later than had already reached us ; but by way of Melbourne there had been actual intelligence to the 16th of June, and nominal intelligence bo the 23rd by the Brilliant which had arrived at Geelong after a rapid passage of eighty-three days, — but unfortunately the Victoria papers received at Sydney up to the day on which the Moa sailed contained no extracts .or information of any kind brought by her. The New Zealand Constitution Bill having made some progress in Parliament, and undergone one or two important alterations, we hasten to lay before our readers the principal items of the intelligence on this and other topics of interest which has just come into our hands, selecting the paragraphs from the summaries given in the Sydney Herald and Empire — which, however seem to have been themselves dependent altogether on the materials supplied by the Port Phillip papers. The New Zealand Constitution Bill, was moved into Committee on the 4th of June. The following is the fullest reference to the subject which we can find. It leaves untouched many points on which "we anxiously desire information ; but it contains the important announcement that Sir John Pakington

had yielded to the opinion of those who thought that (in conformity with the "earnest recommendation" made by Sir George Grey in his Despatch on the Form of Constitution which he deemed "best for New Zealand) the* Superintendents should be elected by the respective Provincial constituencies ; and also that the New Zealand Company's debt should be levied, not as before proposed, by a tax of ss. per acre on the land sold, but by an appropriation for the purpose of onefourth of the proceeds of the land sales. At the first blush this strikes us as a less had arrangement than the former, as ifc does not so thoroughly preclude the possibility of obtaining cheap land, and may open means which, by an ingenuity perfectly lawful in a case of such monstrous injustice, the colonists may teach the Company that they have not made quite so good a bargain as they suppose. We cannot, however, stop to comment or even ourselves deliberate on the intelligence, our object being to lay as much of it as we can immediately before our readers. Wo therefore proceed at once to our compilation of extracts.

On the second reading of the New Zealand Government Bill, Sir William Molesworth opposed it, on the ground of its being too cumbersome and expensive ; but it was supported by Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Adderley, and others, and carried through a stage. When the Bill was\moved into Committee on a subsequent evening, the following important admissions by Sir J. Pakington were leceived with general cheering :—: — He mentioned the changes which he had resolved to introduce into the details, after consultation with several gentlemen of great influence in New Zealand, and now in this country ; and after anxious consideration on the suggestions which had proceeded from influential members of the House. These suggestions referred mainly to two points — the mode in which the superintendents should be appointed, and the course to be taken with the New Zealand Land Company. In reference to the first point, his proposal now was to make the Superintendents elective by the same con-, stituency which would elect the members of the Provincial Legislatures, instead of being appointed by the Governor-in-Chief. It was also proposed to strike out the provision relative to tho £500 of salary to be allowed to each of the supeiintendents, and to leave to the Provincial Legislatures the option of paying them salaries or not. With regard to the New Zealand Land Company, Sir John Pakingtoo. deemed himself bound to abide by the adjust- 1 ment which was ratified by the Act of 1 847. Should it be the opinion of the House, however, that the stipulation of ss. per acre was not a judicious niriingement, he was quite willing to stipulate that the company should have a fourth of the sum dpiived from the land sales. There was another point to which Sir John was anxious to adveit. As theie was no determining whcie gold might not be found, he proposed to insert a clause, providing that, in the event of gold or other precious mineral being found in New Zealand, the piofits should go to the Piovincial Legislatives. He had already acted upon that mle in the c?se of the Australian colonies, having intimated by Thursday's mail that all the revenues derived from the gold fields should be umestiictedly placed at the disposal of the iUisualian legislatures. The different New Zealand Settlements are therefoie in future to oleel their own Superintendents or Senatorial Governors. The subscription list of the proposed Australasian Pacific Auul rtcaai racket Company was closed. The total of sh a^s to be allotted was 12,500, of J;10 each, and the numher applied for y, as '10.C.j3. Uis expected that U o

vessels of the Company will commence running in the course of next year. They are to he of about 1400 tons burthen, on the aux= iliary principle, with 300 hoi&e power. The question of emigration was still attracting much attention. Deputations from different inteiests were almost daily waiting on the Ministers, wging most extended emigration and relaxation of legulations. To a deputation on the sth June, Sir J. Pakington replied that the Government were using the most strenuous exertions, they had materially relaxed the regulations, and had upwards of seven thousand persons registered by the Commissioners, but the difficulty was to get ships : there were then loading with passengers for the Australian colonies 28 ships in London, and 15 in Liverpool. In consequence of this, freights were nearly double what they were a few months since. A deputation of colonists, London merchants, and shipowners, accompanied by some members of Parliament, had an interview with the Emigration Commissioners on the sth June, on the subject of sending lahour to these colonies. Mr. De Sails represented the injury inflicted on the wool trade by the want of labour, and suggested that bounty emigrants should be precluded from holding gold-diggers' licenses for two years after their ai rival, and in case of refusal be compelled to repay by instalments their passage money. Other gentlemen supported these propositions, and Mr. Murdoch, the Chief Commissioner, stated in reply (amongst other facts) that in regaid to Port Phillip, at the end of last year, iiaving been informed that there was a great emigration in progress from that colony to New South Wales, the Commissioners made a great effort to supply the gap so created ; that they accordingly relaxed the rules so as to admit of families with more young children, and extended the age at which parents could be taken from 40 to 45 ; that in consequence of these relaxations and the exertions which they had made, the Commissioners had been able to send out in the month of December last, 1,900 emigrants j and that they had endeavoured since that time to keep up an equal stream ; that, in order to do so, they had despatched or chartered since ihe Ist of January forty-two ships ; that, in addition to the emigrants whom they had sent out since that dale, they had at present in the office either accepted emigrants or applications to the extent of 7000 persons ; but that their great difficulty lay in procuring ships. That, in consequence of the very large unassisted emigration now in progress, there ! being 15 private ships in the docks at Liver- i pool, and 28 in London, the freight had risen most seriously, and that, unless it fell again, the number which the funds in the hands of the Commissioners would send out would be very much reduced. That, in the hope of getting ships, the Commissioners had sent their adveitisements for tenders to all the principal ports in the United Kingdom, and were endeavouring to establish a depot in the colonies. He then proceeded to notice the suggestions of the various members of the deputation. In regard to taking an engagement from emigrants not to apply for a gold license, but to devote themselves to agricultural or pastoral occupations, after slating the difficulties which he apprehended in enforcing such an engagement, he stated that the Commissioners would not object to the principle of it, and would be happy to consider with the gentlemen who had proposed it in the manner which it might be best carried out. Another meeting of manufacturers was held in Leeds on the 4th June, on the subject of the supply of Labour for Australia. The C hairman said, since they last met on this subject he had received a great many letters from almost every part of the country, some of them from clergymen in the agricultural districts, recommending suitable persons as emigrants ; others from parties with suggestions upon various points, and one from a Mr. Wooller, recommending some plan for dispensing with manual labour in the shearing of sheep in Australia. An association named " The West Riding Association, for the promotion of emigration to the wool-growing districts of Australia," has been formed to aid intending emigrants and a libeial subscription enteied into in support of the design. The Emigration Commissioneis have issued a notice that in consequence of the piepondeiating number of male over female inhabitants in Australia, no more single men could be taken as emigrants unless they formed a number of such families proceeding to Australia as came within the regulations of the emigration rules* An intention has also been expressed of despatching eight vessels a month from the various ports in the United Kingdom for the ensuing six months. The Militia Bill had passed its third reading in the House of Commons, by a maioritv of 72- • J ' The general election mania was growing more intense as the period of the dissolution of Parliament approached. It was expected Parliament would be dissolved about the end of June.

Mr. Sheriff Alison, the well-known historian, had been created a Baronet. j The Printing Office of Clowes and Son, of j London, was burnt down on the 10th June, and between £40,000 and £50,000 of property destroyed. Government has reduced the rate of interest on advance to Irish railways from five to four per cent. The 40th Regiment (under the command of T/ieutenant-Colonel Stretton), is ordered to hold themselves in readiness to embark for New South Wales. The regiment has arrived at Cork, from Temple more, &c, to await the anival of tonnage tocotivey them to their destination. We understand that in consequence of this order, the 1 5th will remain at Ceylon, and the sth at Hongkong, it having been previously arranged that the 15th should proceed to China, and the 50th to Australia. The " Plymouth Journal" of the 10th of ! June thus speaks of the Wool Sales :—": — " The colonial wool sales at the Hall of Commerce, | j which commenced on the 20th ultimo closed this evening. About 31,000 bales have been sold independent of about 6000 bales of various ! descriptions of low foreign wool. From the commencement to the close of these sales there has been a very lively demand, and prices have been well supported. Everything has been sold, and nothing bought in* It is calculated that one-fourth of the finer descriptions of Port Phillip wools and the better sort of Capes have been taken for foreign account, principally for the Feench markets. Staplers, and dealers have not takentheir usual quantity. A few parcels have been bought on speculation, but the greater, bulk has been taken' by our own manufacturers. The healthy state of j trade in our manufacturing districts, and the comparatively small quantity for this season of the year brought forward, has caused prices ta average full 15 per cent, above February, and 25 per cent, above May and June, 1851 ; and should trade here and in France continue good, and the importations between the present time and July prove short, there is no calculating on what the price of wool may be, as the stock in this country is lower at the present moment than it has been for many years. The imports into London, last week, were 842 bales from Moreton Bay, 100 from Calais, 500 from Bombay, 53 from Seville, 8 from Hambro', 24 from Antwerp, 1518 from Portland Bay, 473 from Swan River, 3005 from Port Phillip, 4 from Leghoru, 438 from Gibraltar, 442 from Port Beaufort, 953 from Launceston, and 738 irom Sydney."

Roman Catholic Puocessiono. — The following proclamation is published in the London Gazette :—": — " Victoria R. Whereas by the Act of Parliament passed in the 10th year of the reign of his late Majesty King George IV, for the relief of his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, it is enacted, that no Roman Catholic Ecclesiastic, nor any member of any of the religious orders, communities, or societies of the Church of Rome, bound by monastic or religious vows, should exercise any of the rights or ceremonies of the Roman Catholic religion, or wear the habits of his order save within the usual places of worship of the R,oman Catholic religion, or in private houses ; And whereas ii has been represented to us, that Roman Catholic ecclesiastics, wearing the habits of their ordeis, have exercised the rites and ceremonies of the Roman, Catholic religion in high-ways and places of public resort, with many persons in ceremonial dresses, bearing banners and objects, or symbols, of their worship, in procession, to the great scandal and annoyance of large numbers of our people, and to the manifest danger of the public peace ; And whereas it has been represented to us that such violation of the law has been committed near places of public worship, during the dime of Divine Service, and in such a manner as to disturb the congregations assembled therein ; We have, therefore, thought it our bounden duty, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to issue this our Royal Proclamation, solemnly warning all those whom it may concern, that, whilst we are resolved to protect our Roman Catholic subjects, in the undisturbed enjoyment of their legal rights and religious freedom, we are determined to prevent and repress the commission of all such offences as aforesaid, whereby the offen ders may draw upon themselves the punishment attending the violation of the laws, and the peace and security of our dominions may be endangered Given at our Court, at Buckingham Palace, this 15th day of June, in the year of our Lord 1852, and in the loth year of our reign. God save the Queen."

Military. — The iorce to be raised under the New Militia Act is, we understand, to consist of three divisions, artillery, rifle, and and battalion companies. The uniform to be jackets and trousers; the jacket to be blue, green, and red, with black or grey trousers It is not yet decided what description of headdress is to be worn The whole of the 40th regiment is now assembled at Cork in readiness to embark for Australia j but the embarkation, we understand, cannot take place for a fortnight or three weeks. The celebrated steamer Vulcan, which performed such prodigies of

speed on her last voyage out to, and back from the Cape, has been named to convey this regiment to its destination, and she is undergoing a thorough overhaul at Portsmouth for that purpose, the machinery, which proved so defective, then being about to be replaced by more efficient engines, which will take at least 'fourteen days to accomplish.

South Australian Banking Company. — At a general meeting of the shareholders of this bank, held on the 15th June, a dividend for the ensuing year of 6 per cent, per annum was declared, with a bonus of 10s. per share, being equnl to 8 percent, paid out of undivided profits, amounting on May 31 last, t0 £24,501, • which, after deducting £3000 for contingent losses, and carrying £2151 to the reserve fund (which will now stand at £!0,164), leaves a sum of £19,360 applicable to the present dividends, which are payable on the 15th June and 1 5th January next. The directors, in their repoits, state that the business of the bank for the pa^t year has presented u very sound appeatance; and with regard to the future, although they view the gold discoveries with anxiety, they nevertheless believe that the injurious effects will be but temporary, and will eventually prove productive of considerable advantage, both directly and indirectly, to South Australia, whilst the commencement of steam navigation to the colonies will greatly promote the prosperity of all the local interests. Resolutions were passed authorising the directors to increase the capital from £200,000 to £300,000 by the issue of new shares.

Mh. Fbargus O'Oonnor. — The House of Commons has at length been obliged to adopt measures for the purpose of restraining the unfortunate member for Nottingham from indulging in eccentricities which had not only become annoying, but positively dangerous to its members. On Wednesday, the 10th, while Sir B. Hall wis calling " Divide," Mr. O'Connor struck him a severe blow in the side. The hon. baronet appealed to the House for protection, and Mr. O'Connor, in most distressing toned, weeping and sobbing, and using very incoherent language, made an apology. On Thursday loud ciies of " Order" were elicited from honorable members in consequence of Mr. O'Connor's eccentric behaviour. He repeatedly left and re-entered the House, tendered his hand to members on the , Opposition and Ministerial benches ; punched several members in the side ; snatched a letter from the hand of Captain Fitzroy, and otherwise so insulted him that the gallant member assumed a threatening attitude, which caused Mr. O'Connor to make an abrupt exit. In a few minutes he again entered and commenced a second course of eccentricities, which elicited | loud cries of " Order'" in which Mr. B. Dennison was joining, when Mr. O'Connor | directed his fingers to the honorable member's face as if about to pull his nose. Mr. Denison ' theieupon demanded the interference of the house ; and ultimately, on the proposition of Mr. Walpole, seconded by Mr. Pakington, it was resolved that Mr. O'Connor should be \ committed to the custody of the Serjeant- atArms, for disorderly conduct and contempt of the house. As soon as he became aware of the nature of the proposition, he left the house, and was proceeding down the members' piivate passage into Westminster-hal 1 , when he was followed and given into the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms. The presence of a number of ihe members greatly excited the unfoitunate membei, who called them " ruffians, villains, murderers;" at times shouting furiously, at others groaning heavily, and occasionally triumphing and rejoicing. His present apartments consist of bed-room and sitting room, and he is attended by a relay of policemen, seijeants, and messengers, who are in constant attendance in the ante-chamber. On being searched, a roll of bank notes was found in the interior pocket of his vest. On the officers taking them for security, he is reported to have said " Do not take those, I shall not cut anybody's throat with them." It appears that he liad been in the habit of indulging excessively in brandy, from which he is now strictly prohibited. On Thursday, two medical gentlemen waited upon him, and in consequence of the incoherence of his conversation, and his previous eccentric conduct, they have certified that he is of unsound mind, and not fit to be at liberty. During the interview he repeatedly addressed one of them as " your Majesty." There is no doubt that Mr. O'Connor will be placed for the present in some lunatic asylum.

Emigration of Government Clerks. — Several of the clerks employed in the different departments of Somerset House, seeing no likelihood of promotion or additional pay, have formed themselves into a party to memorialise her Majesty's Treasury for retiring allowances, having all agreed to proceed the first oppottunity to the gold diggings of Australia. — Sun.