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The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23, 1853.

Be just and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim’st at, be thy Country’s, Thy God’s, and Truth’s.

By H.M.S. Fantome , which arrived in our harbour on Sunday, and the Galatea which arrived yesterday, we have Sydney journals to the 14th inst., but no English mail, and only two days later European news than had already reached us. The Sir John Harvey steamer had reported, that, as she was leaving Port Phillip on the sth instant, a vessel supposed to be the mail contract ship Vimiera was entering the Heads. But later intelligence has not confirmed the report. The few items of Latest English News given by the Sydney Herald will be found in another column. The funeral of Sir Everardl Home had taken place on the 4th inst., with every demonstration of respect that the Government, the Officers of the Naval, Military, and Civil Services, and the citizens of Sydney could offer. An interesting narrative of the ceremony, taken from the Hei'ald , will be found in another column. The following announcement respecting the Naval changes rendered necessary by Sir Everard’s death had appeared in the papers:—

“ The vacancies occasioned by (hedeathof the late Sir Everard Home, Bart., and C.B.,bavc been filled up (according to the rules of the service) by Captain Gennys, the senior officer present, until the pleasure of the Commander in-Chief (Admiral Sir Fleetwood Pellew) shall be known.

Commander John Henn Gennys, of H.M. Sloop Fanlomc, becomes Acting Captain of H.M.S' Calliope, vice Sir E. Horae (deceased). Lieutenant Arthur G. Fitz Roy, from H.ju.s* Acheron, becomes Commander of ' Fantome, vice Gennys (promoted). Lieutenant Jolm Ward, of H.M.S. Calliope, takes command uf H.M.S. Acheron, vice FU - Roy (removed). . Mr. George P. Heath, Mate of H.M.S. Call*®? » becomes Junior Lieutenant of H.M.S. La* Hope, vice Filz Roy (promoted). ' It appears that the opponents of the New Constitution Hjll, as laid before the Legislative Council, like many other objectors, have found it more easy to pull to pieces the work of others than to construct a presentable substitute of their own. Including, as their remarks did, “ some who stood very close to the line of demarcation between conservatism and democracy,” with others “whose democracy pushed ibern to the very verge ol republicanism,” their coalition has pwv®“ ;* essentially feeble on the very point chiefly at issue — the mode of constituting the Upper

Chamber. The Sub-Committee appointed b the General Committee to draft a Constim lion could not agree amongst themselves and “submitted two distinct and dissimilai schemes, one recommending that the Uppei House should be returned by an eleciora college, the other that it should be electee by the people out of a body of Crown presentees.” The General Committee negatived both propositions, and thus, says the Herald, “though the mountain brought forth twins' the hapless babes were both strangled as soon as they were born!” What would next be done to reconcile the conflicting •views, remained to be revealed. It was complained that the Select Committees ofCouncil, which bad been authorised to sit during the adjournment, in order that as much business as possible might be in a state of preparedness at Hie re-assomb-Jing of the Council on the 6th of December, v-erc so generally neglecting their work that the object of Hie arrangemeni was not at all likely to be realized. The Herald , referring to the French acquisition of New Caledonia, strenuously urges that immediate steps should be taken for the establishment of British supremacy in the Feejee group, either by obtaining a formal cession of territorial rights from the Chiefs who now, ; possess itoo* live federal Government under British protection. The object is one of such vast political and commercial importance, even viewed apart from all other considerations, that it surely is earnestly to be desired that there may be no needless and dangerous delay in adopting a course so essential to the safely of British and Australian interests in Polynesia. We have intelligence from Melbourne, to the end of October, by our regular files received by the Wanderer yesterday, and yet later news coming down via Sydney, to the sth inst. Nothing certain was yet known as to the new Lieutenant-Governor, but the report that Lord Marcus Hill was appointed had again obtained currency. It was said that Mr. LaTrobe intended, if possible, to return to England by the Great Britain. A Committee appointed by the Legislative Council to select a residence for the new Governor had nearly concluded an agreement with

Mr. Octavius Browne, to lease liis splendid mansion at St. Kikla for the purpose, for three years, at a rental of 0000/. per annum, coupled, however, with conditions that would considerably lessen this rent. The Legislative Council had voted 300.000 L for the promotion of female emigration .... The number of persons arrived in the colony during the week ending Oct. 291h was 5001; the number who left, 558—leaving an addition of 2443 to the population for*that week. A serious fire had occurred in Coliinsslreet Melbourne, on the morning of the 28lh ult. The shops, etc., of Messrs. Thompson, Mr. Levey, Mr. Benjamin, and Messrs. Hart, were entirely destroyed. The loss was variously estimated at fromso,oooL to 80,000 Lor more. Indeed the value of the goods consumed in Messrs. Harts’ store alone was said to amount to nearly the latter sum; but they were largely insured. It was confidently asserted that Coal of excellent quality had been discovered in the Colony by a Mr. Terry. The locality was kept secret, it was suspected that Western Port was the spot. The statement —had naturally produced some excitement, as an available, coal-field would just now be deemed a treasure to Victoria greater than another gold-field. A Mining Company was already in existence to work it, and the manager offered to deliver first-rate coal in the city at 5 1, per ton. Still doubt was thrown on the matter by many, and a correspondent of the Sydney Herald , writing from Melbourne on the Blh inst., predicts that “Mr. Terry’s brilliant scheme will not carry water.” A large meeting hod been held to discuss the propriety of introducing into the colony the Maine Liquor Law, and the judgment of those present was strongly in favour of urging the adoption of the measure on the Legislative Council. Increased activity in business was reported, large sales being effected without any material alteration in prices. The consideration of the proposed additions to the duties on spirits and wine had been postponed in Council for six weeks, and there was much speculation as to the result. Flour was quoted at from 32 1, to 34L per ton for fine. The latest report (Nov. 5) slates that “Timber and Building Materials are dull of sale, the supply being at present in excess of the demand.”

The Van Diemen’s Land Legislative Council, (as well as lliose of New South Wales and Victoria, to whose proceedings on the subject we made reference in our last), had undertaken the work of Constitution making, with this difference in their case—that they set about it as volunteers, without any special authority or invitation from the Secretary of State, the Circular which had been addressed to the Governors of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, not having been sent to the Lieutenant-Go-vernor of Van Diemen’s Land. Disregarding this omission—which may, or may not, have been accidental, —the Council appointed a Select Committee on the subject, with Mr. Richard Dry as Chairman, and on the Report of that Committee being brought up, adopted it by a majority of eleven to nine. The principle of an elective Upper Chamber is asserted here also. The “Legislative Council” it is proposed shall consist of twelve members, to be elected upon freehold suffrage of 25/. per annum, and the whole colony to form one electoral district for their election. The duration of the Legislative Council to be six years. The Committee believe that “ the Conservative element of the Constitution” will be sufficiently secured by these arrangements. The “ House of Assembly” to consist of thirty members, elected on the franchise already in existence with the alterations suggested by the 14th Section of the New South Wales Constitution Act. The Revenues of the Colony to be consolidated, and all Bills for raising and appropriating the same to originate in the House °f Assembly. So far there are precedents for the principles, if not the details, of the Committee’s recommendations, but there is another proposition which, we believe, is wholly unpre-

—- - -T. 1 11 111111 k [ denled and rather startling. It is th teethe Governor shall he removable on tin ajfrss . c^J rncc by tivo-flht'ds of the members of (ich Bouse. ibis proposal has called firth repeated comments from the Austrian li ess. fhe Empire is delighted wU it, and contends that “the Governor is public property, and, that it follows from the fac ol his being accountable for his acts totheauhority of Par lament, that there can be no possible reason why lie should, not be acountable also, and more strictly so, to , tnosc whom bis acts more immediately ' co ncern,—the people of the colony, through their representatives.” The Sydney Ilemld with, as we think, a better appreciation ol the spu-u of the British Constitution, suysflj r , is, we believe, is an innovation on any Colonial Constitution, and waulj} scarcely be operative, because the Governor would , nave the power of dissolving a hostile house of Assembly, and of proroguing the Legist lalive Council. The consequence of investing j the two houses with such a power as is i Proposed, although it might rarely be exeri cised, would be to destroy the balance of j the Constitution, and to reduce the Queen’s 'representative to the position of the mere executor of the will of the Legislature; a position incompatible with the functions iwmoijtticaf goVcVuiucm.' — tue oyuney Englishman deals with the question in a still mere decided lone. After arguing that “ the Governor, who holds exactly the same relative position in his government as the Sovereign does over the whole Empire, is entitled to equal immunity,” the writer continues; — “Not only is the privilege proposed to be given to the people of Tasmania totally at variance with the first principles of the Constitution, hut the mischief and danger of entrusting anybody of men, in a young and distant colony, with the power of superseding the executive, are so obvious that we are astonished to hear even the Empire argue in defence of so monstrous an exaction : which being conceded, Ihc Tasmanians may as well “ cut thepainler.” It is impossible that any dependency of Great Britain can be permit ted lo possess such a privilege, and yet enjoy Ihe benefit of her protection, and share in the glory of her name.” The question indeed seems at present rather one on which revolutionists on the one hand, and adherents to the British Crown on the other, may try their respective powers of argument than one of practical urgency; for we cannot conceive of any possible Secretary of Stale advising her Majesty to assent to a scheme which would be a virtual abdication of her Sovereignty over the Colony.

Cape Town papers to the 17 th of September had been received at Sydney. They bring the important intelligence that the Imperial Government had resolved on the abandonment of the Orange River Sovereignly,—a course which was earnestly condemned by—it would appear,—the universal voice of the Press and the Public of British South Africa. As one instance (ol several which are extracted in the Sydney papers) of the view taken of this stop, we quote the following passage from an article in the Port Elizabeth Mercury, entitled “The Sovereignty abandoned,” which was published in deep mourning : “ The fearful result of this dishonourable abandonment of its subjects and its allies by the English Government may be briefly summed up thus. Disappointment and ruin to industrious emigrants who have risked their all from confidence in rulers who now betray them. The existence of slavery on our very borders, and with the virtual permission of the Queen's government. A wholesale system of murder consequent on the bitter hostility existing between the Dutch emigrants and the coloured races. We call the strife which must ensue, and that before long, in tine now peaceful Sovereignly, murder , for it will not be worthy the name of war.” The 74th Highlanders, the 43rd Regiment of Foot, and the 12th Lancers were under orders to depart immediately for India ; the Rifle Brigade to return home. The Legislative Council met on the 1 Olh of September for its last session previous to the change in the Constitution. It was expected that the elections would take place in December, and the colonists were actively engaged in registration and other preparations for the exercise of their new privileges. It was estimated that there would be about 10,000 or 12,000 actual voters out of a population of 130,000. The celebrated Mr. Pretorius was dead.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZ18531123.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 794, 23 November 1853, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,166

The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23, 1853. New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 794, 23 November 1853, Page 2

The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23, 1853. New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 794, 23 November 1853, Page 2

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