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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 703, 8 January 1853, Page 2

By the Eclair , which reached Mamikon, from New Plymouth, on Thursday evening, we have received onr Wellington files to the J Ith nil., —thus anticipating only by two or three days the usual course of the Overland Mail. We have also the Taranaki Herald to the 20lh nit. The Independent of the Mth copies from the New Munster Government Ga:etlc the Notifications respecting the proposed Meeting of the General Legislative Council at Wellington, on the 22nd nit., which we have already been enabled to lay before onr readers, —not, as our veracious contemporary, (now of “grass-growing” and “Man in the Moon” notoriety) the Soul hern Cross , politely asserts, by “underhand” or “back-door” means—but simply by obtaining the loan of a copy of the Ga cite from a gentleman to whom it had been forwarded by a private friend,—just as our contemporary might himself have done if be had occupied in the collection of intelligence for iiis readers (be lime and attention lie devotes to vituperation and mischief-making. Neither of the Wellington papers has a word of comment on the Notifications, —which, however, bad only just appeared. The Gazette also contained Reports from Mr. Ligar and Mr. lleaphy, respecting the Coromandel Gold Field, giving statements substantially the same with those already known to the public here. Also, a Tabular Journal of the working of the Kapanga Diggings from the 29i.1i of October to the 3lh of November. 1 he Wellington Gold Reward Committee bad offered a Reward of 200/., “ to be increased to 300/. so soon as the amount shall be subscribed,” for a discovery of Gold within limits which—as Wellington itself was not likely to contribute the required amount -- U was intended should include Nelson and Wanganui. The conditions were sufficiently stringent to secure that the subscribers should receive a quid pro quo before they were called on to pay. One was “ that if the discovery be made on private property, or on lands belonging to the aboriginal natives, such lands must unreservedly be placed in the bands of Government for management before the reward will be paid.” The body of W. 11. Bent, Esq., late Surgeon of H.M.S. Fantome , bad been found at Porirna, and brought to Wellington, where it was interred with Military honours. The bodies of four of the seamen, also drowned by the unfortunate upsetting of the Fanlome's boats, had been recovered and at Porirna. A severe, though not fatal epidemic of the nature of Influenza was so prevalent in Wellington and its neighbourhood that, according to the Independent , “scarcely any one was fortunate enough to escape it.” Our contemporary profoundly observes, The sooner such an unpleasant and unwelcome visitor leaves us, the better.” W T e quite concur in this philosophical judgment. Amongst the passengers from England by the Stains Castle was Thompson Rauperalm, son of the late celebrated native chief, To Rauperaha. lie had been presented to Her Majesty by Sir John Pakinglou, at a Court held on the 50th June. There was intelligence from Otago to the 20th of Oct. The receipt of the news of the passing of the Constitution Act had been hailed with public rejoicings. A general illumination look place, the jetty was used

as a dancing room, and festivities was kept up through the night. A Petition to the Governor was in course of signature against an attempt, by Messrs. McAndrew and Co., to create a new circulating medium by substituting promissory notes for cash payments, —or, as the Spectator describes it, “an attempt to raise the wind by an issue of skin-plasters in the shape of one pound promissory notes payable at turn months afterdate by a private firm.” Simultaneously with this movement, the Otago Witness was urging its readers to sign a petition praying for the recall of Sir George Grey. The canny writer thinks that “ every nerve should be strained to get rid of His Excellency” before he “gels together a pocked Assembly” under the New 7 Constitution Act, and seems really to imagine that a Petition now forwarded from Otago to England might effect the object. We have already mentioned that Mr. Charles Brown and Mr. J. T. Wicksteed were competing for the Snperinlcndency of New Plymouth. A third candidate has been brought forward in the person of Mr. Wm. liaise. The Requisition to this gentleman is very respectably signed, including the names of four Justices of the Peace, —Capt. King, and Messrs. Culficld, Lloyd, and Wilson. A meeting had been held and a Committee appointed to raise a “Taranaki Gold HeRcward Fund.” It was proposed to offer not less than 100/. for the discovery of gold, in sufficient quantity to pay for the working, within forty miles of New Plymouth. The Herald , hi announcing the arrival of 11. M. Brig Fantome on the 10th ult., says—“We understand the brig’s mission is to gather up the members of the old Council from the various Settlements, and to carry them to Wellington.” Our contemporary is quite at a loss to know what can be the object of this movement, but surmises that the Governor-in-Ghief wishes to obtain information to aid him in settling the electoral districts under the new Act. It appears, therefore, that the real object of the meeting of Council was not publicly known when the Fantome called. We give the following nwreeau of intelligence as we find it in the Herald of the 2:2 nd ult.; — “The Barque St. Michael left this portfor Auckland on the afternoon of Saturday last, the 18th insl. ; she carries five passengers, and 20 tons of merchandize from this place, and seven of her passengers from England, among whom is the Hon. E. B. Porlrnan, who w 7 e understand takes (he despatches of which he is (he hearer, on with him to Auckland, his instructions being to commit (hem (o the Lieutenant-Governor if the Go-vernor-in-Chief should he absent from (hat settlement on his arrival; so that they may not reach his Excellency at Wellington for six weeks fo come. “This will be of (he less consequence as no doubt the Slains Castle, which arrived at Wellington on (he 7lh inst. brought the duplicate despatches; and hence, probably, the visit of 11.M, Brig on Thursday last.” The following quotations arc from the latest Market Notes :—Wellington, Dec. M. — First Flour, 40/. per ton; Bread, Sd. the 21b. loaf; Potatoes, 8/. per ton. Now Plymouth, December 22.—Wheat, JOs. per bushel; Flour, fine, 24/.; Seconds, 19/.; Bread, Gd.; Potatoes, 5/.