The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4, 1854.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 884, 4 October 1854, Page 3

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4, 1854.

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

Oun Sydney, files have been completed to the 23rd ult. by the William Denny's Mail. Political contests were running high both in and out of the Legislative Council. The decision of the Imperial Government to defer the Parliamentary consideration of the New Constitution Act until next Session, had been officially communicated in a despatch from Secretary Sir George Grey,—the reason assigned for the postponement being that the similar Acts passed in South Australia and Victoria ought to be discussed at the same time with the New South Wales measure, and that, the Victoria Act not having been received until the 51st of May, it would not be possible for the Cabinet to give the subject due deliberation before the close of the Session. The estimates had occupied a large portion of the lime of the Council, and many objections had been urged by the opposition against the general way in which they had been prepared, as well as against particular items. The dissatisfaction of the objectors at length found concentration and embodiment in the following series of Resolutions, moved by Mr. Cowper.

1. That the Government of the colony, as at present administered, does not possess the confidence of this House.

2. That this Council resolves to postpone the consideration of the Estimates for the year 1855, until it is assured that the public expenditure •will be made under a Government formed upon the principle of Ministerial responsibility. 3. That an address be presented to his Excellency the Governor-General, transmitting the foregoing resolutions, and respectfully requesting that his Excellency will be pleased to take them into his favourable consideration.

Mr. Cowper brought forward these Resolutions on the 13th nil., and, after some hours’ discussion, the further consideration of them was postponed for a week, with the understanding that, in the meantime, the Estimates were not to be proceeded with. On the 20lh, the debate was resumed, and continued with unabated spirilthroughlhatand two succeeding days- At length on the 22nd the Council divided on the first (the “want ofcgnfidence”Resolulion,)when ibemotionwas negatived bv a majority of 27 to 10. The triumph of the Government was the more marked aslheGovcrnmemOlficcrs retired from the House to avoid voting, with the exception of the Commissioner of Crown Lands who was accidentally locked in. The remaining Resolutions were negatived without a division. Amongst the amounts voted in Committee of Supply on the Supplementary Estimates we observe the following: —IO,OOO/. to construct defensive works at Port Jackson, — an appropriation which was carried by 52 voices against a minority consisting of the Reverend Dr. Lang, (who, on the re-election for Stanley Country had been returned by a majority of one over Mr. Hodgson), and Mr. Campbell;—3,ooo/. for a supply of gunpowder, and 4,800/. to procure arms and ammunition from England,—this vote also having been carried against the opposition of the same two patriotic members; —3,000/. for alterations and additions to the Sydney Post Office; Circular Wharf from the present masonry to Campbell’s Wharf; —7,000/. to meet deficiency in the Estimates for temporary increase to the salarias of Public Offices; 10,000/. to meet deficiency in the Estimates Cor the conveyance of Mails; —2,000/. for the completion of the Australian Museum —besides a number of sums of various amounts for objects of immediate local interest, The total estimated Revenues for 1833 was 700,430/. : the total estimated Expendilimc, 735,221/.

The question of the separation of Moreton Bay had been brought forward by Dr. Lang, who moved an Address to Her Majesty praying that the territory lying to the northward of the thirteenth parallel of latitude towards the tropic of Capricorn, may be separated from New South Wales, and erected into a distinct colony, to be called “Cooksland,” in honour of its illustrious discoverer, Caplain Cook. After a debate the previous question was moved and carried by a majority of 23 over 7. The subject of a Colonial Mint had undergone repealed discussion, the opposition to it—as being the establishment of a needless and cosily bauble—having been maintained with great zeal and perseverance, but hitherto without success. A motion by Mr. i’arkes for a committee of enquiry on the question was negatived by 18 votes against 13.

A Bill was before the Legislature to incorporate a Company under the title of the Fitzroy Iron and Coal Mining Company, for the purpose of working the Iron Mines at Miltagong, about 63 miles from Sydney, and

! directly on the line of iho Sydney mid Goulburn Railway. The Herald is sanguine iin its anticipations of advantage to ilie colony from the operations of this Company, the iron being of the finest description, and extensive coal fields (which the. Government have leased on liberal terms to the Company) lying in immediate proximity to the works. ’ The Herald of the 20lh contains a long and elaborate digest of statistical information relating to New South Wales from which we condense a few of the most important facts. The Population of the colony, which at ihe end of 1852 was 208,254, at the end of 1855 amounted to 251,088, showing a nett increase of 22,854 The increase in

agricultural produce in 1855 was considerable, (especially in wheal and potatoes), though not commensurate with the increase in the population* The imports of grain and potatoes during the year had amounted to 306,5191., being nearly 250,000/. more than in anv year since the (amine years 1859 and 1840! ‘Rut the Herald laments “the almost total cessation of the cultivation of one valuable article of commerce, that of tobacco.” ... The Return of Live Stock shewed a large increase, giving an average of 55 sheep and 7 head of horned cattle to every man, woman, and child in the Colony, and nearly two horses and the fourth of a pig to every individual. The quantity of sheep and cattle slaughtered for boiling down purposes was considerably less than in any previous year, and the export of tallow showed a corresponding diminution ; but the export of wool showed a large increase both in quantity and value. Other statistics of production are given in a detail which we cannot follow even in the way of abridgement ; but we observe that the manufacture of cloth had considerably fallen off—that ihe Whale Fishery had dwindled to extinction, “ not one barrel of whale oil having been procured bv colonial enterprise in the year 1855,”—and that the export of Gold, which in 1852 was in value 2,CU0,940/., was in J 853 only 1,781,172/. . . Turning to commerce, the Shipping , both inwards and outwards, showed a considerable increase. The Imports, which in 1855 were estimated at 1,900,455/., in 1855 reached the enormous amount of 0,342,597/.—ol which 90,005/. came from New Zealand. Ihe Exports in 1855 were 4,525,340/. bring a decrease on the year of 19,000/.: the Exports included 250,715/. to New Zealand. . . . The Herald's comprehensive analysis concludes with Social Statistics. The excess of registered Births over registered Deaths was last year 4784. The number of Marriages solemnized 9509. The number of schools in 1855 was 29 more than in the preceding year, and the number of scholars showed an increase of 1992: it was computed that the children taught in the schools amounted to about one in eleven of the entire population of the colony. . . . Other Returns were of a more melancholy character Insanity had latgHy increased. The Convictions in the Criminal Courts were much more numerous in 1853 —a Aict The more observable because for several years before they had been regularly diminishing. Litigation was also largely on the incaease, as was proved by the number of oivil cases tried in the Supreme Court. The amount of Mortgages bad more than doubled within the year, —a fact which, however it may be accounted for by the immense increase in iliesale of Crown Lands, yet, as the Herald remarks, ‘‘ betrays anything but a healthy slate of things growing up.” The Postal return was satisfactory. The average rate of wages during the year showed an increase varying from 25 to 75 per cent, on the wages of the previous year. These figures may seem dry, hut we think them well worth the trouble of collecting, as they give a bird’s eye view of the stale and prospects of New South Wales which scarcely could be so satisfactorily obtained in any oilier way. The Empire of the I6th ul t., tinder the heading “New Zealand and Sir George Grey,” brings prominently before its readers, wilhacandideditorial introduction, thewhole of the article in the New Zealander of the Gib nil., in which we commented on the misrepresentations relating to the financial condition of this colony, which the Empire had been led to circulate on theanlborily 1 of *‘a gentleman occupying a leading position in monetary and commercial affairs of Auckland.”

The renowned singer Catherine Hayes had arrived in Sydney, and seemed likely to produce as great an excitement there as in the United Stales. Her first Concert was to be given on the 2Gth nil.

We have little commercial intelligence in addition to that given in our last, every reference to the slate of the markets only confirming previous accounts of the glut of most kinds of merchandize, the depressed condition of trade generally, and the ruinous sacrifices at which several descriptions of goods must be sold, —if they are sold at all.

The Melbourne papers are more than usually barren of political matter, the Legislative Council not being in Session, and no question of immediate urgency claiming public attention. Large space is devoted to the sayings and doings of the new Lieutenant Governor, Sir Charles Hotbam, who seems hitherto to have succeeded, almost to a miracle in winning the admiration even of those who, under the ‘‘ Latrobian dynasty,” were the most fierce and apparently implacable opponents of Government. His Excellency’s endeavours at the outset to introduce reforms in some of the official departments, made a favourable impression on the Argus-eyed watchers of his movements. Soon after, Ins speech at a dinner at Geelong, gave a sudden an I powerful impulse to his popularity. He there told his audience that “ the principle on which he intended to conduct his administration was that all power springs from the people,” and that “a Government cannot bo conducted with satisfaction to the people without the fullest and freest communication with the people.” These sentiments, com ■ ing, as the Argus says, “ from a person now occupying the position of a virtual despot , ’ could not be otherwise than acceptable in the highest degree to the masses. Then, Sir Charles, with Lady Hotharn, has made a tour through the Gold I ields, everywhere conversing frankly and familiarly with the diggers, and manifesting a sympathy with them which has met with the heartiest response Hence his Excellency’s “progresses’ have been like continued triumphs—breakfasts, dinners, balls, fetes, and acclamations awaiting him in whatever direction he bent his steps. Seldom have we heard or read of a Colonial Governor so

j universally greeted Avith the applauding welcome of multitudes.

' If bis Excellency can only retain the po- ! polarity ho has so rapidly and largely achieved, all will he well. But we cannot help recollecting that he is as yet only, in some sense, a holiday Governor : or apprehending that this honeymoon of his administration may bo followed by a homelier and loss rose-coloured career, when he comes to the performance of the sterner duties of his station. The Argus already sounds a note which breaks in, rather discordantly, on the chorus of jubilation which its own voice has contributed to swell. In an article with the ominous heading of “ Apple of Discord,’ it revives the question of the Convicts Immigration Prevention Act, as “ a stumbling block in the path, which may throw everything into confusion.” Our readers will remember that this measure, after having been disallowed by the Home authorities (on the ground of its oppressive and unjust character, and especially of its interference with the Royal prerogative of mercy), was last year re-enacted, verbatim. and in a spirit of scarcely concealed defiance, by the Victorian Legislature. The Argus devotes a leader of two or three columns to a fresh vindication of the measure, —which it declares that it never lost sight of, although for a time it did not break in upon the delightful union between the new Governor and the colonists by pressing it. “ The answer to this,’’ says our contemporary, “ Sir Charles Botham doubtless brought out in his pocket, and in the plainest possible manner we wish now to ask what that answer is.’’ As the Legislative Council was to meet on the 21st ult., the decision of the Home Government may probably have ere now been made known ; and no doubt Sir Charles has come determined to carry into effect the Instructions lie has received on the subject. V hat if they should ho that the reasons for the disallowance of the Act in the first instance are deemed equally cogent still ? Do the advocates of the measure expect that lie will set her Majesty’s authority at nought? If so, they will assuredly find themselves mistaken. Should this contingency arise, as it very possibly may, it will bo interesting to observe how far his Excellency s popularity will abide the trial of his carrying into effect an unpopular decision, but one in which his sense of duty will leave him no alternative hut to obey his instructions to the letter.

Wc briefly indicated in our last that, in Melbourne as at Sydney, the market was glutted by importations far in excess of the consumption. We have now before us a detailed statement showing that, in the months of July and August, the declared value of the imports was 1,200,000b per month, or at the rule of about fourteen millions per annum. The Argus calculates that the present rale of importation would be upwards of 50/. per head for the population of Victoria, and urges that “ the smallest consideration must show that nothing hut ruin can ensue to parlies making such reckless consignments ns these figures indicaie.” The writer, after adverting to the existence of similar gluts in Sydney, Adelaide, and Hobart Town, adds, remarkable and discouraging fact, that the markets of California, in this, the fifth year of the gold discovery, arc similarly overwhelmed, and therefore it appears that an oversupply of merchandize in gold countries, must be a chronic disease.”

The good people of Melbourne bad been lb row.i into a stale of great excitement on tbc nigbl of the Blb nit., by the sound of a brisk cannonade in tbo Bay, and the sight of rockets thrown up in the air. The conclusion that “ the Russians w» re come at last” became general; the military were placed underarms; and every civilian who could muster or manage a weapon was preparing for defence. After a considerable lime—of course appearing the longer for the anxious suspense in which the oily was kept —it turned out that the eansc of the alarm was dial the commander of the. Great Itrituin, on his ship’s being released from a long quarantine in which it had pleased the local authorities to detain her, had gratified bis passengers by these demonstrations and that some ofthe vessels in the Ray bad fired guns to express sympathy in their joy. Thus began and ended ‘the Rattle of Melbourne.” The arrival of Mrs. Chisholm at Melbourne had been hailed with lively demonstrations of gratitude for her great services in the cause of emigration. Amongst other incidents of her reception was a Public Meeting at which the Speaker of the Legislative Council occupied the Chair, and Mrs. Chisholm herself spoke at great length, her address being, says the Argus , ‘ distinguished by the high intelligence and large hearted benevolcuce which are her characteristics.” A City Mission had been organized at Melbourne, in the support of which various religions denominations united. It was estimated tbatoOOOL would be required to put the machinery in motion, and 4000 L had been subscribed for the purpose. At the recent meeting of the Licensin’ Bench for the district, of forty-six applications for publicans licenses, thirty-seven were refused, ami six postponed.

There is no later English news by the William Denny’s mail than that which had previously readied us via Sydney, and the leading particulars of which, in relation to the War and other topics of importance, have already been laid before our readers in considerable detail. We find a number of minor facts, and several articles in the English journals, however, which though not of pressing urgency, will be interesting whenever other demands on our space may permit of their being transferred to our columns.

So far as we can learn, the appointment of Sir Henry Young as Governor of New Zealand had not been officially announced but it hud been stated by the Globe in one of those paragraphs which that journal is frequently enabled to give on what subsequently is proved to be trustworthy information. That Sir George Grey’s appointment to the Cape of Good Hope Government, though not yet Gazetted, was decided on by the Cabinet, appears from the following outline of a short discussion in the House of Commons on the 26th of June, which we copy as we find it. It will be seen that a renewed attempt to call in question some of the later portions of Sir George’s policy had again been firmly met by Mr. Peel, who was supported on this occasion by his official Chief, Secretary Sir George Grey; and that, incidentally, Mr. Peel referred to Sir George’s appointment

I to the Cape as a matter fully understood to ! be in contemplation : Mr. Adderlcy called the attention of the. House to the conduct of the late Governor of New Zealand in delaying ami partially frustrating the new constitution granted to that colony. lie charged Governor Grey with being attached to the old autocratic colonial system, and with having set himself to retard the working of recent constitutional legislation, not only by availing himself of the utmost legal delay in convening the Legislature, hut by certain illegal acts in regard to the colonial revenue, Crown lauds, and otherwise.

Mr. F. Feel defended tlic course which had been adopted by Governor Grey, and said that it was unfair to assail him for using the discretion allowed him by law. The constitution had, ho said, been given to the colony as early as Parliament had intended should be the case, and the delay spoken, of was no more than was necesary for the due working out of the details of the electoral system, lie also vindicated Governor Grey’s conduct in regard to the other points on which he had been attacked by Mr- Adderley ; and eulogising the character of Sir George, said that the very best results might ho anticipated from his appointment to the Government of the Cape. Sir John Fakington bore general testimony to the merits of Sir G. Grey as a Colonial Governor, but he could not consider that recent acts of Sir George in the colony of New Zealand had been successfully vindicated by Mr. Feel. He thought that Sir George had acted indiscreetly in regard to the disposal of the land, and that he had not acted in conformity with the intentions of Parliament in delaying the convening of the Legislature. The C.'olonial Secretary said a few words in vindication of Sir George Grey from a minor charge advanced by Sir J. Pakingtou, of having left the colony before the new constitutional arrangements had been completed. 'lhe subject then dropped. The House went into committee of supply on the colonial estimates, the discussion of which occupied the remainder of the night. The latest number of the Australian and New Zealand Gaztete which we have received (June 24-th) has the following, with reference to some of the attacks on Sir George Grey still kept,up in the Southern Cross ; The Governor of New Zealand, be he whom he may, is now a nonentity ; and any abuse of him in future will only give the idea in England that the colonists, having all but the unfettered power of selfgovernment, do not know how to make use of that power. As for Sir George Grey, his foes will never get over the fact that he took the Government of Now Zealand amidst war and anarchy ; that lie has restored it to peace and prosperity; that under his swav the natives have been converted from savages into most valuable colonises, scarcely, if at all, inferior to their European visitors ; that they have become quite as good ( hristi ois as the best of the r European brethren, whom they rival also in the industrial pursuits of civilization. No one cares how these results were brought about under the Government of Sir George Grey. There they are, and all the abuse in the world cannot deprive him of the credit of them.

We have received a number of Californian and other foreign papers, on which we shall draw as opportunity may offer. The American journals give details of a tumult at boston of a class which as wc may expect to become more numerous and formidable under the operation of the atrocious Fugitive Slave Law. A negro named Anthony Hums was arrested in the streets of the city, on the charge of being a fugitive slave —having stolen himself ! Popular indignation was excited, and a public meeting was held, a ter which tin attempt was made to force the building in which Burns was confined. A man was killed in the affray. After the usual form of a trial. Colonel Suttle’s claim to be the “owner’ of burns was affirmed by the Court, and the poor fellow was given up to the tender mercies of his master. On his being taken to the vessel, an escort of 1,000 men was provided to protect Colonel buttle s “ property,” and even a cannon was brought out to sweep the streets if necessary. There was, however, no breach of the peace on that occasion ; and it was said that the advocates of slavery, flushed with success, were taking measures for the arrest of a number of other persons of colour resident in Boston who were believed to be escaped slaves Accounts from Barbadocs describe the ravages of the cholera as frightful, the deaths numbering from 200 to 300 daily.

Temperance League. —A Public Meeting was held last evening, pursuant to advertisement, in the Odd Fellow’s flail, for the purpose of considering the propriety of forming a League having for its object to lea l the public mind to seek a legislative prohibition of the sale of Intoxicating Liquors—in other words, an establishment of'thc ‘Maine Liquor Law”—in this Colony. The Hall was crowded, manypersons, indeed, being obliged to stand during the proceedings. The Chair was occupied by Mr. T. S. Forsaith. The first three Resolutions.— moved or seconded respectively by the Rev. A. G. Purchas, Mr, David Rough, Rev. J. F. Lloyd, Mr. A Clark, Mr. Joseph Newman, and Mr. Griffin—were all carried. The fourth, which was moved by Mr. E. G. Wakefield and seconded by Major Greenwood, implied a recognition of the right of publicans in certain cases to compensation should the desired Law suddenly put an end to their trade. Mr. Buckland moved an amendment, to the effect that the question of compensation should not bo introduced as one of the principles of the League. After considerable discussion, the amendment was carried. Two or three Resolutions yet remained, one of which was moved by the Rev. T. Hamer, seconded by Mr. Joseph Brennan, and carried : on the next, moved by the Rev. T. Buddie seconded by the Rev. A. MDonald, Air. Hansard proposed an amendment having for its object to direct the efforts of the League towards a prohibition of the importation, an well as of the safe, of Intoxicating Liquors. The hour being now late past eleven o’clock —it was agreed, on the proposition of Mr. Rowe, to adjourn the further discussion of the proposed principles of the League to another evening, of which public notice is to be given. We shall give a fuller report of the proceedings in our next.