[From the Auckland Times, Sept. 20.] MR. MOLESWORTH, MR. JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD, AND THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 59, 22 November 1845, Page 3

[From the Auckland Times, Sept. 20.] MR. MOLESWORTH, MR. JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD, AND THE GOVERNOR.

The inconsistencies, indiscretions, and eccentricities of Governor Fhzroy (to use the mildest possible terms) multiply upon us with a rapidity truly astonishing : they give no repose to surprise; they come like successive flashes of the tropical lightning, each surpassing the last in the fearful brilliancy — the startling rashness of its coming and itsconsequences. What have we now P Everybody who is of equivalent residence in the colony will recollect the gross and ungentlemanly treatment which Mr. E. JerningHam Wakefield received from His Excellency at his first Wellington levee. The details of the affair are in a letter of Mr. E. J. Wakefield's, published in the Wellington Spectator of the 21st of February, 1844, written at the time in well merited indignation at His Excellency's fury. (Ira fur or brevis est.J They are no doubt fresh in the recollections of our readers. This escapade of Captain Fitzrtiy's was of so remarkable a nature that it could not fail of course to become one of the topics in the recent parliamentary enquiry, and Mr. Molesworth, then in London (but it seems in a feeble state of bodily and mental health), was called before the Committee of the House of Commons to detail it. Th:she does correcly and accurately enough; except that, in the confused state of mind consequent upon his disease, he describes that as a matter of absolute persona] knowledge nhich to him was only matter of hearsay, — but, at the same time, * matter of public and undisputed notoriety; and it is to us a thing of very little consideration whether he spoke from his own personal observance, or from the indelible records of his memory. It was very pardonable in Mr. Molesworth, afflicted -with the want of health described, to make such a mistake. At the first moment of re-consideration which returning health permitted, the following manly retraction and apology was proffered by Mr. Molesworth and his family : — (The Editor here inserts Sir William Molesworth's letters which we published in the 52d No. of the Spectator.) There is an example of respect for sincerity in this letter which we think might have prompted, to an honest mind, some better use than is now attempted to be made of it. Will Governor Fitzroy venture upon a denial of the truth of Mr. Molesworth's testimony? No; he dare not do so here. Why then publish it, as if it went to disprove the accusation ? It only accumulates the disgrace of the whole business ; for it puts the manly respect foi veracity of the Molesworths in direct opposition and contrast with the equivocation and perversion of truth indicated by this indiscreet publication. The substance of Mr. Moleiworth'f evidence is true, unless his Ex-

celleucy can hoodwink or extinguish the senses of ear and eye witnesses. I If we had been in the Governor's place, we should have written a letter to Sir W. Molesworth somewhat after the following fashion — instead of parading this publication of his, and provoking a contrast between upright truth and shuffling equivocation. % Sir— l cannot too warmly acknowledge the Christian and honest earnestness with which you express your desire "to atone, by every means in your power, for the involuntary error of Mr. Molesworth." My " generous indulgence" in the affair (which you claim) can scarcely be requested ; for, though the manner of Mr Moleswort's testimony, was irregular by reason of his disorder, yet, as it was perfecly corre.tin substance, I have nothing to complain of. I have only turther to express my thanks for your open and manly candour in this matter, whereby you uphold an example which, as .in English gentleman, I hope I shall never be negligent in promoting the observance of. I have the honor to be, &c, &. ., &c. P. S. — I fear to w.Me a postscript though I havi' a deshv to do so ; I would nut rashly venture upon temptation. To Sir William Molesworth, &c.

The Auckland Times, after some general observations on Capt. Fitzroy's recall, speaks of the Chief Protector in the following terms :—: — * Let every colonist who has a desire to remain in New Zealand, petition for the removal of that monster of mischief, Mr. Gunsmith Clarke, the pente- cephalic minister of His Excellency's unwise selection. The removal of the Governor will prove no measuie of redress to our grievances, unless we get ri 1 of this hypocritical meddler, who is even to the present hour endeavouring to effect a hollow peace, and thereby to produce the certainty of iuture war. Our readers in England will hardly believe the possibility of the mischievous effects of the interference in state policy of sucii an uneducated, irresponsible man as he is ; but Capt. Fitzroy in his reverie on his retirement at home, may look back upon Clarke, his fiveheaded prime minister, as the principal cause ot his own downfall. We view the departure of Capt. Fitzroy as the sun-rise of a better system, but the fog, confusion, and wilful misinterpretation of Clarke, must roll away before that sun can shine. Every one who has lived in New Zealand has felt the effects of the excessive folly of Captain Fitzroy's government, and if his Excellency stays sufficiently long in Auckland, he will receive from the southern settlers a monster demonstration of their opinion ; but the evil will never be removed ; the sun of prosperity will never rise upon this miserable country till Clarke, and with him, the whole of the Protectorate establishment are J swept away from the page of our recognition. The pandering which at present goes on at the northward, even in the seat of war, by some of these hypocritical people, is well known to us, although the documentary evidence is withheld by official fear. It will hereafter, notwithstanding, come to light, and our exertions shall not be wanting to produce so desirable a result, nor shall we hesitate to make the Government at home sensible of the reality. Mr. Clarke, first and foremost, has been charged over and over again with the frequent and unauthorized practice of traffic with the natives. Neither he, nor any one connected with his department, has ever yet been able to contradict this accusation, and even had they done so, the resid -nts of the coast from Hobson's Creek to Official Bay, would have been quickly able to tell a different story. The fact is incontrovertible that the Protectorate system is a dangerous humbug ; that its prevailing influence in every brauch of the Government is a still more dangerous and destructive humbug, but Clarke himself, the five-headed head of the Governor's conception, is himself the most dangerous and superlative humbug of all. We say not this of ourselves alone, but are content to ask the question of every colonist from one end of the territory to the other: Is not this true?

We have been not a little surprised lately at seeing some genuine documents of the Church Missionary Society to the following, or to an equivalent, effect: — Mr. P . Bought of the Church Missionary Society. 1 Cwt Flour 3 Ditto Biscuit 1 Barrel Beef 3 Gallon* Brandy 2 Ditto Bum 1 Dozen Spades

We shall return to this subject. We pledge ourselves to prove the praccice, startling as it may appear at the present moment; but that a raonoply of trade has been the chief object of the missionaries we have no more doubt than we have of our own existence. Hinc ilia lachryma; hence our present disasters.

The two Fitzes that don't fit at all. — Mr. Fitzgerald, the Registrar of Deeds, &c. — There has been great political excitement in Auckland this week upon the subject of the dismissal of this gentleman from office, and his dogged refusal to quit ; he has been expelled vi et amis, and they say bis office is

tabooed and sealed up with red tape. A Government Gazette was promised in which a detail of the whole affair should appear, but, as it is delayed by authority, it would seem that some adjustment of untoward things may yet be brought about. We forbear making any furthet observation till the promised exposition makes its appearance, except that parritch bailed by hasty judgment «n one side, and hasty temper on the other, is apt to become too he< for baith.