LAUNCH OF THE SCHOONER MAORI DAVIS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 3, 9 August 1842, Page 2

LAUNCH OF THE SCHOONER MAORI DAVIS.

. — o — - On Friday last, the sth instant,. this little craft was launched from" Mr. Meecli’s building yard, Thomdon Quay. It being the first vessel of her size (14 tons) built for a bona fide native owner, a large assemblage of Maories had collected. After the launch, Mr. Davis entertained a select party of European and native 1 friends, amongst whom we noticed Dr. Fitzgerald, R. R. Strang, Esq., B. Halswell, Esq., the native chiefs Etako, Mutoroa, and several other gentlemen.- In the course of the evening, they were joined by several other European gentlemen. After the cloth was removed,

Dr. Fitzgerald, in proposing the health of their spirited and enterprising host, and success to the Maori schooner, took an opportunity of remarking 1 that the occurrence of the day might he regarded as one of the most important events in connection with the natives, that had taken place since the establishment of the colony, inasmuch as it tended to show the rapid progress civilisation was making amongst them, that instead of confining themselves to the canoe, they were showing an evident desire to become possessors of vessels similar to the one which had been launched amidst the cheers of the assembled multitude.. .

Mr. Davis, im, returning thanks, in English, stated it was the happiest day of his life, that his heart was glad to be able to- entertain his friends, and concluded by saying, he wished to see the natives the same as the Europeans. Several other toasts were proposed during, the course of the evening. The table was laid out in first-rate European order: the dinner was sumptuous, the wines excellent.

We think the inhabitants of Wellington may complain of the state of the road from Te Aro to Kai Warra, with equal justice as their friends at Auckland find fault with Shortland Crescent. There is plenty of shingle on the beach, which, with little labor, and less expense, might be advantageously distributed in the front- of each house by the respective inhabitants, and people would not then run the risk of losing a boot at each step. A few more rainy days, and stilts will be in universal requisition. In a paragraph in our late ; number relative to the prevailing sickness at Auckland, and the detention of the brig Patriot, the word weeks was inserted in lieu of months, the latter being nearer the correct period. We regret to leare? that His Excellency the Governor was near!?/ falling a victim to the prevailing disorder, & wrong medicine having been inadvertently ad* ministered. . Indeed, doctors are at a very higli; premium at Auckland. ; - It is our painful duty to add one more to th£ list the numerous deaths by drowning, whiefo have occurred jn this colony. The name a£

the sufferer is Thomas Bolton, Chief Headsman to George Thoms, of the Porirua Fishery. The boat -in which this young man was, accidentally capsized, and the whole of the crew, with the exception of the deceased, were saved by another boat putting off to their assistance. His body was picked up /on Sunday week last on the beach close to own residence. The unfortunate man has left a wife and two children to lament his loss. - We are authorised by" Mr. Murphy, to state that parties may register their votes, in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act, at the Police Office, between the hours of eleven and four each day. We insert the form of claim, and the qualification necessary to constitute an elector. Summary of the provision of the Municipal Corporation Bill , relative to the first Election of Mayor and Alderman. Every .male inhabitant of a Borough, of full age, being duly enrolled, shall be qualified to vote at the Election of the Council. Every claim shall be in writing, in the following form : FORM OF CLAIM. To Mr. A. B. I hereby give you notice, that I claim to haVe my name put upon the Burgess Roll for the Borough of Wellington, dated the day of in the year 1542. £ p f Place of abode, and ’ ‘ [ Business of claimant. Every person claiming the right of voting, shall, at the time of preferring such claim, pay to the returning officer, the sum of twenty shillings, which sum will ,be subsequently allowed out of any rates to be. thereafter assessed upon such claimant. First Election to take place on Monday, the third day of October next, to commence at nine of the clock in the morning, and. finally close at four of the clock of the same day. Eighteen persons, being Burgesses, to be then elected. The Tioelve Burgesses out of the above Eighteen, whose names shall stand highest on the list to be the Aldermen. The Alderman having the highest number of votes to hold the office of Mayor. Every Burgess may vote for any number of persons not exceeding the number then to be chosen, by delivering to the Returning Officer a voting paper, containing the Christian and Surnames of the persons for whom he votes, with their respective places of abode, and description, such paper being signed with the name of the Burgess so voting, and setting forth his place of abode and description. Last day for registering for first Election, Thirtieth of August. Place of Registration, Police Office.

We have not room in our columns to insert the whole of the Letter signed “Colonist." We however give the substance of it, and trust that the attention of the parties concerned in the welfare of newly-arrived emigrants may be drawn to the subject and the inconveniences remedied. It is stated that the Directors of the New Zealand Company at home, . had, with praise-worthy foresight, sent out articles of furniture considered- indispensable to ndw fresh emigrants. These articles consisted of bedsteads, tables, stools, &c., and our Correspondent states that instead of being placed in “Emigration Square ,” they are now lying useless at Petoni, quite unavailable to the “Working Classes” for whom they were intended. We feel confident, that, should this paragraph meet the eyes of the persons capable of remedying the abuse, future complaint will be unnecessary. We beg to direct the attention of our readers to an article in our advertising columns, calling a meeting of the inhabitants of the Borough of Wellington, to consider the propriety of preparing an address to be presented to. the on his arrival. :?

(From the Government Gazette.J

The following Ecclesiastical appointments were gazetted July 12, 1842. Rev. W. Williams, 8.A., Archdeacon of the district of East Cape.

Venerable Archdeacon Williams, and Rev. Thomas Whytehead, examining Chaplains to the Bishop. Rev. W. C. Cotton, M.A., Domestic Chaplain to the Bishop. Rev. J. F. Churton, M.A., Minister of the Township of Auckland. Rev. R. Cole, Minister of the Township of Wellington. .. Rev.. H. Williams, Commissary of the Bishop for the district of Bay of Islands, and a Surrogate for the granting of Marriage Licenses. Rev. J. F. Churton, Surrogate for the district of Auckland.

Rev. R. Cole, Surrogate for the district of Wellington. The cause of Temperance appears to be,an all engrossing subject in Auckland. A Teetotal Society has already been established, and the following extract from the Standard, of July 11, will show in strong character the pains and penalties inflicted on the crime of indulging in the use of intoxicating drinks—

• ! ■ •“ All persons brought -before .the Police Ma->. gistrate. and convicted of drunkenness, without respect to persons, will find their names recorded in this journal, (Auckland Standard,) together with their trade or calling, number of convictions, and sentence.-- Neio Zealand*Gazette.