AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 25, 29 March 1845, Page 4

AUCKLAND.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. At the opening of the Council on Tuesday last, the Governor said :—: — Gentlemen, — In addressing you at the opening of this, the fifth session of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, I may well be supposed, tinder the known difficulties of our present circumstances, to feel great anxiety. But difficult and embarrassing as our position is, and for some time to come, cannot fail to be, in this colony ; I believe the most dark and trying period has already passed, and that in due time we shall enjoy prosperity. We now know that the Imperial Parliament has voted an annual grant in aid of our finances ; and the knowledge of this fact may relieve our minds from a material cause of anxiety : because, assisted by such a grant, we may hope to carry on the public business of the Colony. Our commercial prospects are bcecoming brighter, and more " distinct than they were. We are exporting cargoes worth thousands of pounds each, and the number and value of such cargoes, will increase yearly. Peace, confidence, and capital, are alone necessary to ensure the commercial prosperity of New Zealand. Her resources are abundant, and her productiveness is extraordinary. There is every reason to feel confident that the just, disinterested and Christian course, ordered by her most gracious Majesty, to be followed by the Local Government of this place, has already convinced the majority of the natives of New Zealand, of the advantages and security they may enjoy under the protection of such a monarch, that they entertain the most kindly and confident feelings towards her Majesty, towards the local Government, and towards the settlers generally. Were it not for the machinations of a few persons, some of whose wicked attempts have been discovered, and may yet bring punishment upon their authors ; were it not for such evil agency, and the pernicious effects of slanderous publications, attacking natives as well as others, the worst parts ot which are speedily made known to the more intelligent chiefs, were it not for such mischievous efforts as these, aided by bad example, this country would be undisturbed, tranquil, and prosperous. But even under all the excitement of the last year and a half, our criminal calendar has been remarkably light, as the returns which shall be laid before you will prove. Only two case of homicide have occurred among the whole white population of New Zealand, in neither of which was the accused pronounced guilty, — and no case of murder has been brought before our Courts. Among the aboriginal population, crime is wonderfully rare, considering that they are usually armed, are unaccustomed to restraint, and, but a few years ago, were amongst the wildest of barbarism. Under such circumstances, their forbearance, self restraint, and general tranquility are quite wonderful, and I cannot but feel frequently vexed and disappointed by some of my own countrymen, who, heedless of such considerations, expect the New Zealanders to be, even now, without faults, without those failings which are inseparable from our common nature. While the natives, with the minds of children, but the passions of men, are acting according to their own usages, and perhaps unintentionally offend — they are too often insulted and irritated by words, which to us may seem trifling, but to them are gall. Sometimes mutual ignorance of each others

language causes serious misunderstandings. Occasionally, some of the ruder natives act in a manner . which their warmest partizans could not justify. Yet, notwithstanding all this, I think we might challenge the world to shew a population of one hundred and twenty thousand souls, taken promiscuously in any country,-among whcni there has been a less amount of known crime than has occurred in New Zealand during the last year and a half. May God grant that such a report may {be made in future years. Much will depend on our conduct, and forbearance, — and our mutual charity of disposition towards one another. Before I turn to matters of detail, allow me to remark on the trully gratifying kindness of feeling that exists in this colony between persons of differeent religious persuasions. However zealously each may forward or defend his own opinions, which he conscienciously believes to be right, we see all working cordially together, in the same field, for the same object. Misapprehensions may have arisen, though few, and easily remedied. The opportunities which I have had of witnessing mutual good feeling on these important subjects, enable me to congratulate you on the cordiallity, and truly kind disposition, which are so prevalent. To devise means, and to frame laws, which may tend to meet our present difficulties, and and promote future stability, is now our particular duty, and I will ask you, in the course of this session, to give your full consideration to the following measures, namely :—: — A bill for amending the Property Rate Ordinance. A bill for licensing general dealers in imported goods. A bill for authorising rates or tolls, to be paid for the construction or maintenance of roads, or other public works. A bill for levying a charge on deeds of lands not taken up. A bill for appropriating the disposable revenue of the colony. A bill for abolishing imprisonment for debt, and Two Naturalization bills. And now, gentlemen, in the hope that our real endeavours to do our duty may be blessed, I will move the reading of the rules of Council. The Clerk then read the Standing Rules and Orders of Council, which were confirmed. On motion of the Governor it was ordered that a Bill to amend the Property Rate be read a first time, on Thusday, this day, also a bill for licensing General Dealers, be read a first time, on Thursday, this day. The Council then adjourned till eleven o'clock on Thursday, this day. In the Judicial establishment, important and economical changes have taken place by the consolidation of the offices of Commissioner of Court of Requests, Sheriff, and Police Magistrate, both at Auckland and at Wellington, by which a sum of £565 will be saved to the public. Percival Berry, Esq., at Auckland, and Richard Davis Hanson, Esq., at Wellington, are appointed to these combined offices. — Southern C ross t

The Bishop. — That this respected prelate means well no man can doubt, but that his interference at the Bay was attended with the most unfortunate results to the settlers, all persons from that place loudly pioclaim ; but for his untimely interference with the natives the town would not have been plundered. Sixteen guns of the Hazard might have been brought to bear with great effect upon the natives while commencing to plunder the town, and driven them off. But the fact of the Bishop being there of course prevented Mr. Philpots from using his guns in that way, and thus the natives were left to the undisturbed plunder of the settlers. That Dr. Selwyn was kind and attentive to the wounded, no one who knows his kindness of heart can doubt, but even our best friends sometimes mar our fortunes. Much of the success of the natives is to be attributed to the Bishop's desire for peace. By the way, this gentleman, on a former occasion, said he would take a broom and go all through the colony, the natives being so easily awed. What says his Reverence now ? — Chronicle.

H.M. Ship Hazard, Auckland, March 17, 1845. Sis, — I cannot allow the It. Louis to quit this harbour without returning you the most sincere thanks of our officers tind ship's company for the assistance you rendered us in taking off the sick and wounded from the beach at Russell (Kororarika) on the 11th inst., while exposed to a heavy fire from the Maories, and also for the general attention you have evinced towards us. I must further offer you my personal thanks for having relieved me of the responsibility of bringing here one hundred and fifty inhabitants of Kororarika. Before concluding this letter, I feel bound

to allude to a statement which has gone abroad, of your having declined rendering me assistance when requested to do so. At the same time I applied to you for aid, I was under the impression that you had promised to land one hundred and fifty men, should we be hard pressed. That impression was formed merely from what I had casually heard in the stockade and on the beach, had I had time to weigh the matter maturely, I should have perceived the impossibility of you? acceding to my solicitation, as it was clearly contrary to the principles of international law. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Geokge Phillpotts, Lieutenant in command, during Commander's illneis. To Captain McKeever, U.S. Ship St. Louis, Auckland.