The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20, 1854.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 880, 20 September 1854, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20, 1854.

B« just and fear nut: Let all the ends thou aim st af, be thy Country’s, Thy God's, am! Truth’s.

The pressure of more urgent matter has hitherto prevented our giving our usual summary of the contents of the papers received by the steamer Nelson from the Southern Provinces, except in a few of the more immediately interesting particulars. As we have already intimated, however, there was not much focal news in any of the Settlements requiring attention. : Apart from the discussions relating to the political affairs of the colony, of which Auckland was the geographical centre, the subject exciting apparently most interest in Wellington was more or less directly connected with the Colonial Hospital, and with Hie late Colonial Surgeon, Dr. Fitzgerald, and his successor in oilice, Dr. Dorset- Such of our readers as were present during the discussions in the House of Representatives on the voles for Hospitals, may have gathered even from observations there made that the members of the Provincial Government and Dr. Fitzgerald did not gel on together with harmony or mutual conliJcsice, Pile recent papers contain much on the points at issue, and wc have also received a copy of a pamphlet published by Dr. Fitzgerald, containing a copious correspondence between him and Mr. Fitzherberl, the Provincial Secretary. Anything like a complete view of the points in debate between those gentlemen would demand more space than we can now spare for the mailer. It appears that during the late prevalence of measles amongst the Natives of the Wellington and Hull Districts, the Provincial Secretary required services of the Colonial Surgeon which that gentleman did not find his physical strength equal to, and that his representations on the subject were treated with considerable sternness and haughtiness. In the moiyb of July, Dr. Fitzgerald applied for leave of absence for two years, urging in support of his request that be had been laboriously engaged in the public service for fifteen years, amongst both Europeans and Natives, and that his health was impaired by an affection of the heart aggravated by a severe domeslip

(fliclion (the loss of Ills wife), logelher with dangerous illness brought on by overliiffue during the prevailing epidemic. He dosed a certificate from Dr. Monleilh, prifving his statement as to his impaired health, and declaring as his (Dr. Monieith’s) nninioa that “relief from his present °rduous duties and change of air were im--Beralively necessary.” Mr. Fitzherberl, in 1 fLnctlieued replies, pointed out steps taken ! t j ie provincial Government to relieve Dr. y from a portion of his duties, and, on the art of the Provincial Government, refused L requested leave of absence. Finally, Dr Fitzgerald resolved that he nvuld go, and accordingly forwarded a notice to Mr. Fitzherberl staling his intention to proceed to Sydney by the William Alfred , on his way to England, (which he actually did), and requesting that some one may be appointed to -act at the Hospital till the case was decided, as it was not his intention to resign his appointment except into the hands of the vernorUnder these circumstances, the Provincial Executive Council passed Ucsolulions touched in a lone of sharp censure towards pr. Fitzherberl, and appointed Dr. Dorset to undertake the duties of Colonial Surgeon “provisionally till the return of the Superintendent from Auckland.” A large and respectable portion of the community, however, manifested strong sympathy with Dr. Fitzgerald. The Spectator of the IClh till, contains an account of a meeting at the Athenaeum, at which a complimentary Address, together with a Purse containing two hundred and twenty Sovereigns, were presented to him. The principal Native Chiefs had also addressed him in terms of affectionate gratiiude, coupling his name with that of their “Father, Governor Grey, for whom they doclaie “their love is very great; for the good laws which he made for them, for his generosity, and for his having put an end to the confusion in New Zealand.” Even a greater amount of feeling than that produced by Dr. Fitzgerald's case bad since been excited by one of the first steps taken by Dr. Dorset, on his accession to the charge of the Colonial Hospital. The occasion of this may be best explained by the following “Circular” which he addressed to the Ministers of Religion at Wellington: Colonial Hospital, Wellington, August 21st. 1851. Circular. Being a member of the Medical Profession, aud therefore knowing the intimate relation between the mind and the body (in fact some of the diseases of the body are dependent on the jnind alone), and now having taken charge of the Hospital, I must for the future request that you will not administer your professional services to any Patient under nay charge unless with my express sanction. John Dorset, Surgeon in charge of Colonial Hospital.

Reverend U. B. Paul. The manner in which this decree of the new medical Potentate was received by the Ministers of Religion of all Churches will be 'seen from the following Memorial, which was forwarded to the Superintendent through the Provincial Secretary’s office,—and which shows at least one of the difficulties with which J)r. Featherslon will have to deal on his return to Wellington : To His Honor Isaac Earl Featuebston, F*n superintendent ol Die Province of Wellington. The Memorial of the undersigned Ministers of Religion in the said Province, Shewelh, That a circular has been recently issued by Dr. Dorset, Surgeon in charge of the Colonial Hospital, “requesting” that in future “no Minister of Religion will administer his professional services to any patient under the charge” of the said Dr. Dorset, “unless with his express sanction Believing, as your Memorialists do, that such an order is a violation of Hie rights of British subjects’ to receive religious instruction and congelation from Ike Ministers of their own communion at all reasonable times, and in all places ; your Memorialists most respectfully intreal your Honor not to sanction tiic introduction of a principle hitherto unknown in this Colony, and at variance, as your Memorialists are informed, with the universal practice in similar institutions at home: And your Memorialists will ever pray, etc., .Wellington, August 28, 1831. (Signer!) Ciiabi.es Creed, Wesleyan Minister Henry Green. Primitive Methodist Minister Wm. Kioto*, Minister of the Scotch Church, Wellington John Moib, Minister of the Free Church, Wellington Joseph J. P. O'Reilv, Catholic Pastor, V.G. R. B. Paul, Minister of the Church of England Samuel Poole, Minister of the Church of England J. Woodward, Minister of the Congregational Church. In the Province of Nelson, the Ist of this

month was observed as a day of Public Fasting and Humiliation, on account of the Russian War, having been appointed for that purpose by the Superintendent, in pursuance of the Prockmirlion of His Excel - lency the Officer Administering the Government. The Examiner records its devout observance at Nelson, where services were held in Uie several places of worship, and collections were made in aid of the Wives and Children of the men engaged in the war. A vacancy in the representation of the town of Nelson in the Provincial Council waving occurred, —in consequence of the resignation of Mr, Adams, the Provincial Solicitor, in accoi'dance with the principle of responsibility embodied in the Executive Council Ordinance,—-a nomination of candidates look place on the Glh instant. Mr. Adams was proposed for re-election ; Mr. Havers, (who was in Auckland attending •his duties in the General Assembly), was also Proposed, and a poll was demanded on bis hehalf. The result bad not been determined ■ a t the last date. According to the Examiner , testimonies to the value of the Motupipi Coal continued to accumulate. At Canterbury much attention was directed to the establishment of means of •conveyance for heavy goods between the R°i‘t and the Plains. The object was fell 0,1 all bauds to be of paramount importance, land carriage—owing to its costliness and water carriage-owing to its tcdiousncjs uncertainty—-were both deemed inadequate to meet ti*e necessity- A Railway M’as therefore in sex-ions contemplation, » f it should be found practicable to raise the funds, and,—probably even a more difficult task—to obtain the indispensab'c

supply ol labour. Iho Standard confidently anticipates that the reduction which would be effected by a railway in the cost of conveying agricultural produce between Christchurch and ship-board, would stimulate land sales to an extent sufficient in a few years to i repay the Government for Hie whole outlay on the construction of a rail road. A Meeting of the Colonists Society had been held at Christchurch to consider the (then) propos'd testimonial to Colonel Wynyard. The speakers agreed in kindly and respectful feeling towards His Excel- ■ lency, but the prevailing opinion was against taking part in the movement. Mr. Parker disapproved on principle of voting testimonials to public men because they had satisfactorily discharged their duties. Mr. J. Hall thought “there was more in the movement than met the eye, and ihal.il had a meaning at Auckland with which they at Canterbury were not acquainted.” Mr. J. Hritlan advocated the claims of Sir George Grey “who might be truly said to be, in its strictest sense, the father of the liberal constitution they enjoyed.” He had another misgiving, which the Standard thus reports: There were many persons who entertained serious doubts whether the house had not strained its powers under the Constitution Act beyond what the framers of that Act, or at all events, beyond what the Government at home contemplated. It was therefore just possible that these great changes which the Officer administering the Government might have to refer home for approval might not be altogether allowed. If that should be Hie case then this movement would prove decidedly premature. Mr. Oll'mer, on the contrary, argued that “unfortunately it had not been the rule in New Zealand that public men shewed a desire to act in accordance with their duly,” and that Colonel Wynyard’s conduct should be marked by some token of public approval. Ultimately the Society resolved not to engage in the movement,’ though the Chairman, Mr. Tancrcd, declared that he individually would. A Cattle Show was fixed to lake place at Christchurch on the 10lh of October, for which a liberal list of Prizes was advertised. The Colonists Society had resolved on a memorial to the Provincial Government, praying that defensive corps for the Province might be forthwith organized. Their attention had been turned to the mode of training adopted in the Canton of Zurich, in Switzerland. At New’ Plymouth a project was on foot to obtain a small steamer—from ;‘»H to 70 tons—for the service of the Settlement. A considerable number of 01. shares had already been taken.

Concert. On Monday evening, a Vocal and Instrumental Concert, for the benefit of Miss Debus —a young lady whose aid has for some years contributed very largely to the musical entertainments of Auckland —was given in the Odd "Fellows Hall, under the direction of Mr. Davis, Hand Master of the 3Sth Regiment. The selection was varied, and guided by good and the performance throughout was of so excellent a character ns to warrant us in pronouncing the Concert amongst the very best at which we have been present here. It might seem invidious to single out particular pieces or performers, where really all the pieces wire well chosen, and all the performers exerted themselves to the utmost, and with success. It may suffice to say that’Miss Debus sang more-—as to the number of her songs, —and as sweetly and judiciously as to their quality, as on some former occasions ; that Mr. Robottom, both in his Flute solo and in his part in the vionfi accompaniments, manifested his wonted taste and skill ; that Corporal Kearns was as effective as usual in his solo on the Clarionet; that the well known amateurs who lent their aid were most valuable auxiliaries; that the String Bund bore a prominent, not to say pre-eminent, position in the well merited favour of the audience; and that the military Band, as a whole, sustained its character—which is saying enough. It would he unjust, however, not to notice in special terms of approbation the efforts of Mr. Davis, whose judgement, skill, and unceasing care, both in the getting up of the entertainment and in con ducting the performance, entitle him to more than commonplace commendation. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the attendance was numerous ; although we must add that, if the Reserved Seats had been better filled, the result would have been only a just tribute on the part of the wealthier and more fashionable classes to the claims of a young lady whose singing has long formed one ot the most attractive features in our Auckland musical evenings.