NEW MUNSTER EXTRACTS.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 705, 15 January 1853, Page 2

NEW MUNSTER EXTRACTS.

The Gold Reward Meeting at Wellington. The meeting, on the Gold prospecting business, passed off very well, on Thursday evening; the pleasant part of the affair was that everybody assumed, not only the necessity, but the certainty of finding gold in the vicinity of Wellington ; and the uuly question seemed to be, within what distance we should accept die discovery of the precious metal. It was Mrs. Glass’s philosophy illustrated once more, in the kitchen of Midas. We have a splendid culinary apparatus provided ; —keen and voracious appetites, ready to devour anything, and everybody that cun be bagged by the adventure; the zeal of the huntsmen is stimulated by the offer of a good reward ; and noihing remains now but that we—“ catch the hare.” The Committee reported subscriptions to an amount little short of and, as they have included the Nelson and Wanganui districts within their project, it is taken for granted that there will be no danger in guaranteeing a reward of <SOOI. The only doubt expressed at the meeting was as to the boundaries. Some objected to our including the Nelson district; but the opposition was withdrawn on the assurance that the Committee had proposed the extension solely in reliance on the good faith of our neighbours, that if they shared in the chances of the exploration, they wotdd likewise join in contributing toward the expenses. Another question was raised, —whether we shod 1 not have extended the north-eastern limit to the East Cape, instead of cutting off the greater part of Hawke’s Bay. The reasons suggested were that, between these two points, Ahuriri and the East Cape, we should come upon the continuation of that very range of mountains, commencing at Cape Colvillcandstretchingsouthwards and eastwards, in the detritus of which gold has actually been found, near Coromandel Harbour; and, furthermore, that this coast line, with all the traffic of it, falls naturally within the exclusive dominion of the commerce of Port Nicholson. It appears, however, that this was, altogether a mistake, and that, notwithstanding the proximity of Ahuriri to this place, the facility of establishing more than one overland route to it from the Straits and the position of the East Cape, which few navigators have doubled without remembering it, the merchants of Wellington have determined to abandon the district to bolder adventurers from Auckland, as they are, quite 'willing to give up Taranaki. We admire vigour and enterprise, wherever we see them; but we should prefer to witness the display among our fellow citizens'. If the trade with Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki is to be tamely surrendered, where will the encroachment stop? Surely, the merchants of Wellington, by a little combination, could hold their ground against all rivalry, within their own proper territory ; and

tr'iut we consider to extend from Cape Egamnt, ( n th • one side, to the East Cape, on fhe oilier, to say nothing of the Middle Island. It is not to what the trade is now, but what it will become hereafter, that we are looking; and it is for tlie.se reasons that we like to see the Wellington people taking every opportunity of familiarising the public with the fads of their geographical position. Wo hope that these remarks will not prove offensive to our merchants, and that they will not disturb the tranquility of tha' elegant retirement in which they appear to be enjoying the fruits of their early enterprise. We trust, however, that a discovery of gold will be made, near enough to enliven and enrich our population, but not so near as to prove to us the curse that it has been to the chief cities of Australia.

The Late Melancholy Accident at Porirtia. —On Sunday afternoon last, the remains of W. Bent, Esq., late Surgeon of H.M. brig Fantome , were interred in the Cemetry, adjacent to the English Church. The body was brought into town by Mr. Floyd on Saturday last, and was we understand, found at the head of the Porinia Harbour, by a Mr. Tandy, some considerable distance from the place where the unfortunate accident happened. The funeral was conducted with all the solemnity and pomp due to the rank and profession as well as to the memory of the unfortunate gentleman. It was attended by Commander Genneys, the officers, non-commissioned officers, sailors, and marines, belonging to H.M. brig Fantome , Col. M’Cleverty, Col. Gold, and the officers and non-commissioned officers of H.M. 05th Regt., the officers attached to the Commissarint and Ordnance Departments, Dr. Robinson Staff-assistant-surgeon, and several private gentlemen, among whom were H. St. Hill, Esq., Resident Magistrate ; C. Clifford, Esq., J.P. ; Capt. Deck, of the Government brig, &e. The pall was supported by the first Lieutenant of the Fantome , Mr. Polkinghorne the Master, and two other officers; the coffin was carried to its final resting place by sailors belonging to the vessel, and preceded by the full hand of the 65th Regt., with muffled drums, playing the Dead March in Saul and other appropriate pieces of sacred music. Although the weather was very unpleasant and disagreeable from the high winds and clouds of dust, still the concourse of persons to witness the mournful but imposing procession was very great and the church during the reading of the burial service was densely crowded. At the time when the melancholy accident occurred, the above unfortunate gentleman was we believe, going ashore for the express purpose of visiting professionally a person, who was lying dangerously ill at Porirua, and who was unable to obtain advice, inconsequence of no professional man living within 14 or 16 miles. It was while on this humane and benevolent errand that Mr. Bent met with his premature and distressing fate so deeply and sincerely regretted by all who knew him.— lndependent , Dec. 1.

St. Andrew’s Day in Wellington.— The celebration of this anniversary was observed yesterday by the sons “ o’ the land o’ cakes,” with their usual national and patriotic spirit. Several of the vessels at present lying in the harbour were decorated with flags, in some instances reaching from the mast head-down even-to the deck. In the evening the usual dinner took place at Muhn’o Royal Hotel, which was well attended, K. Bethune, Esq., occupying the chair, and J, Telford, Esq,, as croupier. The viands and wines were of the best description, every one seemed happy and comfortable, Tlie usual routine of toasts were proposed and drank in the most enthusiastic manner. Several songs, sang in good style and taste, and many of them in broad Scotch, enlivened the joyous company, which separated about the witching hour of midnight.— lndependent , Dec. 1 .

Issue or Private Notes at Otago. The principal amoir t of information to be gleaned from the Otago Witness relating to that settlement is to be found in tiie advertisements, where we observe a strong protest in a petition to Sir George Grey now in the course of signature against an attempt to raise the wind by an issue of sbinplasters, in the shape of one pound promissory notes payable at two months after date by a private firm. This is an attempt to interfere with the circulating medium of that settlement, which appears to us of a moit objectionable character and which if not checked is likely to be attended with serious consequences. The Editor of the Witness professes to regard it as “ purely u private affair,” and considers the great majority of the settlers, who differ from him on this, as they do on most other questions which arise in their community, who justly look upon it as a matter of public importance, to be quite mistaken. But if one person is allowed to put his promises to pay into circulation, each man in business may claim the same privilege, and we have only to suppose this plan generally acted upon, to conceive the confusion which would be caused by such worthless paper, and the consequent injury which would be indicted on lhe credit of the settlement. We all know the mischief caused by Captain fitzroy’s paper currency, and the depreciation which it suffered even through issued on the credit of the Government, and received bv it. in payment of Customs duties This serious mistake led to his immediate recall, and all parties at home were loud in their condemnation of his debentures as the worst evil -that could possibly befall a young community. But this appears to be the very worst shape an inconvertible paper currency could assume, and we are not surprised the men in business at Otago should set their faces against it, and consider it an intolerable grievance. The following is tho Otago Memorial to the Governor on the recent attempt to establish in that settlement an inconvertible currency to which we have refereed above : To his Excellency Sir George Grey. K. C. 8., Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, &c., &e. The humble petition of the undersigned settlefs in in Otago sheweth, — That your petitioners view with dismay an attempt at creating a circulating medium by Messrs. Macandrew & Co., merchants, in Otago, whereby one pound promissory notes (one of which is fonvarded to your Excellency) are being substituted for cash payments, and which your petitioners think may be the means of destroying that, confidence in mercantile transactions which has hitherto exsiisted in Otago. Had the issue of notes been made by a constituted Banking Company, with a subscribed capital, and under proper regulations, your petitioners would not have been under any alarm; but the precedent now adopted may be carried out by other parties in the settlement, thereby creating a false capital; and should such prove to he the. case, they conceive the ruin of the settlement to be. inevitable. Your petitioners, morever, consider that this innovation by Messrs. Macandrew & Co. on the currency of Otago is closely akin to the Truck system-—the baneful effects of which • are well known in the home country, and which has been universally condemned. Yogr petitioners are not aware whether the Issuing of such paper currency is contrary to law, or any Ordinance of Ne,w Zealand. Your petitioners wpulcj,. hpwever, earnestly beseech your Excellency to adopt such measures without delay as would put an end to so intolerable a grievanc being inflicted on the settlers of Otago. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.