The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, OCT. 21, 1854.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 889, 21 October 1854, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, OCT. 21, 1854.

Ue just and fear not: . I>t .ill trie enrts ttio-.i aim :.i **, be thy Country**, Thy God's, and Truth's.

The Gazelle, from Newcastle, has not brought a mail; but l>y private courtesy, we have the Sydney Morning Herald, from the sth to the vthinst., —leaving still an unsupplied interval of some clays in our file?. There had been no later intelligence from England; neither was there any colonial news of striking interest. A notification in the New South Wales Gazette announced the completion of the arrangements for bringing into immediate operation (from the Ist of this month) the provisions of the Postage Act, the liberal features of which we stated in our last. •' The postage of a letter, not exceeding half an ounce, is now only sixpence, whether posted or delivered in any part of the United Kingdom or of the colony." The Herald animadverts on the anamolous fact that a letter from Sydney to Melbourne costs more than double the postage of a letter from Sydney to London! The case of Abraham Polack and W. D. Wells, —who were convicted at the last sittings of the Central Criminal Court for a conspiracy to defraud a man named Cahill in the matter of a property, the disposal of winch he hail entrusted to Polack as his agent,— had been again brought before the Court at much length, on a plea for mitigation of punishment. Ultimately, Polack was sentenced to two years 1 imprisonment, and a She of £900;

and Wells to the same term of imprisonment, but without a fine. 'lhe commercial reports were of the same character as for some time past, showing a glut in the markets, general depression, forced sales, and great sacrifices. It was hoped, however, that the continuance of favourable weather, and the opening up of a brisker trade with the interior, would lead to an improvement. The flour market was dull, at £27 to £2B for fine, and £25 to £26* for seconds per ton. Thb Melbourne journals to the 30th inst. had been received. Trade there also remained in a depressed condition, and goods were still pouring into the market. The imp rts for the week ending the 23rd ult were of the declared value of £347,154. The exports amounted to £0,920, but they consisted wholly of withdrawals from the market, principilly for foreign ports. " Minor failures" continued. The banks were strict, and merchants were holding. "Generally speaking, trade was stagnant, and most of the prices were nominal."

Some local controversy was going forward as to the causes of the sufferings of the working classes at Melbourne through wrnt of employment, and the best modes of meeting the difficulty; but the fact seemed beyond all dispute that great numbers are in distress, —willing to labour, but unable to obtain employment. The Squatters had made a •* demonstration'' in the shape of an influentially attended meeting, at which they adopted Resolutions complaining of the injury done to their interests by the feeling of insecurity at present thrown around them; disclaiming all wish to ; mpede the alienation in fee of lands adapted for agricultural purposes ; but firmly maintaining that "where rights legally and justly acquired are either invaded or obstructed, a fair and reasonable compensation must be given." A deputation was appointed to lay these Resolutions before the Lieutenant Governor. Much dissatisfaction was expressed because His Excellency had made no allusion to the "pastoral interest" in his speech on opening the Legislative Council." Indeed there were various indicatii n; that Sir Charles Hotham's halycon d tys of juvenile Governorship were passing away, and that he was likely soon to be dealt with as stringeutly as his predecessor. For instance, the following passage from the Melbourne correspondence of the Sydney Heraki is very si-nific nt. The generous suggestion in the concluding sentence is exquisite in its way—- " In this view I question very much the policy of the Home Government in the selection of Sir L. Ilothum. He may be a very good naval officer, a man of high intelligence, honest and energetic, and yet he may not be ' the man for Galway.' We require an experienced financier, administrator, and legislator—such a man in fact as Sir George Grey, of New Zealand, or Mr. E. Deas Thomson. Sir Charles, however, according to all accounts, is decidedly honest, and if he finds he is not competent for the task he has undertaken, it is probable he will resign."

The Ilobart Town markets shared in the prevailing depression. The latent report is, '• Every one is complaining of the general inactivity that prevails. Business is at a perfect stand-still, aud no sales can be effected." Flour was variously quoted at from £3O to £36. Potutees £2B to £3O per ton.