CIRCUMLOCUTION.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 19, 4 October 1842, Page 3

CIRCUMLOCUTION.

Talleyrand was wont to say, that speech was given to man, by the kindness of his Maker, that he might conceal his thought. We have a practical illustration of the wily Frenchman’s policy, in the signature to the Proclamation in our last Government Gazette. —One would have thought, relieved of the choice of a suitable selection of courtesy, being under no necessity to consider whether you are “ very faithful” or “ very obedient,” having no proprieties of this kind to pick your path amongst —the road to any man’s signature would be plain enough—especially a signature to. a proclamation of “ powers and authority”—assumed and taken up. The following, however, is rather a puzzler:— Given under my hand and seal, At Auckland, WILLOUGHBY SHORTLAND! Colonial Secretary! ! The Officer administering the Government!! I By His Excellency’s command ’ !! For the Colonial Secretary 1!! !! JAMES STUART FREEMAN!!!!! God save the Queen.

We extract from the Auckland Times the following paragraphs respecting the life and career of our late Govenor, Captain William Hobson, R. N.

“ William Hobson, while commanding the Lion schooner, in the West Indies, distinguished himself against the pirates off’ Cuba, in 1823. “Passed 1811; Lieutenant, 11th November, 1813 .: Commander, 18th March, 1824; and Captain, 9th July, 1828.” To this we are enabled, by one of his companions in arms, to note, in addition, a few memoranda as below.

" Captain Hobson was serving as Lieutenant at Jamaica, in the year 1823, when it was found necessary, by Sir Charles Rowley, the Comman- ■ der-in-Ohief of that station, from the swarms of pirates annoying our trade in those seas, to fit out two schooners to go in search of them. Lieutenant Hobson volunteered, and was put in command of the Lion, on which service he distinguished himself, by taking several piraticle vessels, with their crews and most notorious chiefs, whom he brought to punishment. Subsequently, he himself fell into the hands of ~thqse.dangerous gentry ; but the leputation of Lieutenant Hobson in respect of tljat generosity and courage, which forms so remarkable a feature in the character of a British seaman, saved himself and his comrade from a violent death, at the very moment it appeared inevitable, he was permitted to return to the service in which he was so useful. (Some of the incidents of this transaction, we are informed, have furnished materials of one. ot the most popular passages in Tom Cringle's Log. — Ed.) A short time after, for his- remarkable bravery, he was made a Commander, and re-appointed to the Ferrett, sent on the same service, when he was again very actively employed. In paying off the Scylla, to which vessel he had been removed, in 1828, he was promoted bythe Lords of the Admiralty to the rank of Post Captain. He' afterwards commanded the Rattlesnake, detached from the East India station, to New Zealand. Throughout the whole of his service he was considered a first-rate officer. Mild, strict, and gentlemanly, he was endeared to all who knew,him ;he was respected by his superiors, and loved by those he commanded; all who served with him will deeply regret the loss of a sincere friend.”

Captain Hobson lias 16ft a yoiitig &nd interesting family. It would be impertinent now to intrude upon the feelings of his Lady, further than to assure her, that there is not one among us who does not Sincerely condole with'her upop her great privation. The unobtrusive, silenL course of habitual benevolence, which has marke her path among us, has not been unobserve because it has been retiring and noiseless. Ihe people of Auckland unite as one individual in the warmest wishes and prayers for her happiness and welfare.