New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, February 1, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 17, 1 February 1845, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, February 1, 1845.

"We publish in to-day's paper a full report of of last Saturday's meeting, and also a letter we have received this week from our Wanganui ■correspondent, to both of which we beg to direct the attention of our readers. The meeting was most numerously and respectably attended, and the number of signatures attached to the Memorial was not far short of four hundred. Of these the greater part was obtained in the room immediately after the m«eting, and we beliive the number 1 would have been doubled if time and opportunity had permitted. Our space will not allow a lengthened commentary, nor is it necessary, for the facts adduced speak for themselves ; but we may add, that there is but one opinion in the colony as to Captain Fitzroy's unfitness for his office. It was somewhat coarsely observed of Mr. Cobbett by the Times, that he would sell his soul for sixpence, and chuckle at the bargain, and in tl.e same spirit Csptain Fitzroy has bartered his country's honour for a. few rusty muskets. From this fatal step, and his treatment of Rauperaba about the Wairau Massacre, the present disorders flow ; the natives themselves confess it and boast of it, and though these are the beginning of troubles, it is impossible to say ■where they will end under our present Governor. His Excellency is fond of proverbs and old sayings, and we would remind him with all tenderness for his reputation of the adage non ex quovis ligno fit mercurius — and that he cannot too soon repair the fatal mistake be has committed in supposing that nature ever intended him for a Governor, by retiring to the shades of domestic privacy, which in an evil hour his ambitious aspirations have induced him to abandon. Happy would it have been for himself, happier still for the colonists of New Zealand, if he had kept the even tenor of his way in the retirement of private life, instead of occupying a station for which be is not calculated, aid in which he hat done more mischief than a life will repair.

H.M.S. Hazard returned on Thursday morning from Nelson bringing intelligence of the arrival of the Slams Castle, after an extraordinary passage of $9 days from England, with news to 24th October. Owing to the gross negligence of the Post Master at Nelson, the Wellington mail (which we are informed is one of the largest that has yet been received) was not forwarded j -and as this conduct deserves more than passing rebuke, we *hall state what we have heard from good authority on the subject. The Slams Castle anchored at Nelson on Sunday at noon, .January 26. Inquiry was made when the mail for Wellington would be ready, and the Post Master replied, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The Captain of the Hazard intended to sail at 10 a.m. on that day but kindly delayed his departure for the purpose of bringing the mails. Finding, however, they were not ready at the appointed time, h» sent again at 7 p.m. and the Hazard's boat did not leave the jetty at Nelson until at half-past nine o'clock. After all this delay the only mail put on board with the exception of the bags from the Augustus, which were merely re-shipped) was a small bag for Auckland containing about 300 letters but without any newspapers. Not even the Nelson mail for Wellington was sent. Various reports are current, but from whatever ' cause vre are deprived of our letters, such conduct is perfectly inexcusable, as independent of the disappointment to private individuals, the delay may prove of serious consequence to mercantile firms here, who may lose the opportunity of answering their letters, and it practically deprives the settlers of Fort Nicholson of the advantage of the quick passage. We cannot but contrast with this neglect the way in which the»Post Office is conducted here, under Mr. Hoggard, whose obliging disposition and attention to the duties of his office deserve every praise. Every mail is forwarded by him with the utmost regularity and despatch and he 'always contrives unassisted to effect the delivery of the largest English mail within

twenty-four hours after its arrival. In conclusion w« would suggest to his Honor the Superintendent the expediency of making a* representation to the Post Master General, to request that the mails for rhe different settlements be inclosed in separate bags or boxes, which would possibly prevent the recurrence of a similar disappointment.

Timber. — We observe great quantities of timber ready for exportation lying carelessly exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, and getting all cracked ; this is much to be regretted, and we would suggest the propriety of the parties interested immediately getting all the logs piled up together, and covered over with brush wood or fiax, which could be easily done and at a trifling expense. It is not to be wondered at that newly cut timber, and in the green state, so hastily exposed to the sun, and shipped in that way, should be depreciated in value at home. It is a pity that damaged timber should be exported — the choicest specimens only ought to be selected, so as to give the New Zealand timber a name, which it will have sooner or later ; at present we believe the knots of the Hinau are the most valuable, and we would suggest that in shipping them they should be packed in crates, as they would stow much better, save freight, and by being thus compact, would avoid all mistakes.

The barque Raymond, which sailed on Tuesday last for London via Sydney, takes home a cargo of oil, whalebone, wool, &c. &c, valued at about £12,000 in the London market according to the last quotations.

The report of the Public Meeting held on Tuesday last, for the purpose of considering the propriety of the inhabitants forming themselves into a Volunteer Corps, will be inserted in our next number, want of space compelling us to defer it till then.