The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 28, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 77, 28 March 1846, Page 2

The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 28, 1846.

By the latest accounts received from Wanganui, it would appear that the disputes connected with the Land Claims in that district are at length in a fair way of being speedily settled, and that the proposed arrangements are satisfactory both to the settlers and the natives. We cannot but contrast the conduct of our present Governor with that of his predecessor in connection with this important question. From Capt. Fitzroy the settlers received many professions of his intention of settling this question immediately, if it was in the power of man to do so, but all his efforts, particularly during the latter

part of his career had a contrary tendency, and at the period of his recall -the, land claims were in a much-more embacras-^ sed and unsatisfactory state <than when ,he assumed the Government. Capt. Grey, on the other hand, without making many professions of what he would do, has set himself earnestly and vigorously to the task, and has shewn that the -question in itself '■ was not so difficult, when approached in an honest spirit, as had been represented, and that the chief difficulties had been in a great measure industriously produced by those who ought to have smoothed the way to its final adjustment. How different the position *of -the settlers at Wanganui now, aad six months ago, when in answer to their repeated and earnest applications to the Local Government for protection and assistance, they were contemptuously told to go - to some other settlement if they wanted ■ protection, for none could be extended to 'Wanganui by the Government for twenty i years to come. Now, the Governor of New Zealand has himself visited the district, and •inspired the settlers with fresh confidence by assurances of the personal interest which he feels in their progress. The natives also find they have a man to deal with, now that he who was " all the same as a child" is removed. Before, when they entreated Capt. Fitzroy that he would not "be'Jong in visiting his children at Wanganui, that they might see the face of their Governor," they were told that the affairs of the North «o engrossed'the Governor's care that he had no time tobestow on the concerns of any other part of the Island. Now, they find in Capt. Fitzroy's successor a man willing to attend to the wants and wishes of all who are placed under his Government, one who is anxious to remove the difficulties which have hitherto prevented a cordial union of both races, and possessed of sufficient power to overawe the turbulent and disaffected. The comparison we have instituted between Capt. Grey and his predecessor naturally suggests itself in connection with his Excellency's recent visit to Wanganui ; but when we couple with his efforts to settle the land claims, the abolition of the protectorate department, the contrast becomes still more strikingand complete. Rythe removal of these persons from office, the settlers have the most , effectual - assurance that the measures now adopted are likely to lead to a permanent settlement of this important question. Where>ever these persons have interfered (we speak of the Protectors in the Southern district) the effect of their interference has ge- • nerally been to create fresh embarrassments, (until at length they are regarded with contempt and aversion by both races. From this description, .however, we must make honorable exception of Mr. M'Lean the native protector of the New Plymouth district, who, by an opposite course, has secured the confidence both of the settlers and the natives. To this gentleman we believe the arrangements of the details of the Wanganui land question will be committed so far as the interests of the natives are concerned, and they could not be placed in better hands. If we could apprehend any disturbing cause to a final and favourable arrangement, we confess it would be in the superintendence of his Honor, and his recent interference in the Hutt question would sufficiently justify the apprehension. But where all the other parties are so heartily desirous of a final settlement, there appears to be hardly room for the operation of this disturbing cause, and we hope we may ere long be able to congratulate .our fellow settlers at Wanganui, in having overcome one, of the most material obstacles to the progress of their settlement, and that prosperity may attendtheir efforts, and compensate them for the losses and difficulties they have had to contend with.

On Thursday evening a ball was given by Captain Stanley and tbe officers of H.M.S. Calliope, to their acquaintances among the settlers of Wellington. The quarter deck of the Calliope was covered in with sails, which were lined throughout with the flags of different nations arrayed in a most tasteful manner, so as to produce the appearance of a magnificent tent, and being brilliantly lighted up, the contrast of the different colours had a most striking and agreeable effect. The company began to arrive soon after six o'clock, and quadrilles, waltzes, galops, &c, for which the length of the ball room was particularly favourable, followed each other in quick succession. .The supper was laid out on the main deck, in a space which was also inclosed and lined with flags. The guests appeared to be highly gratified, and the entertainment passed off with the greatest eclat, the party not separating .until between 4 and 5 o'clock on Friday morning. The number of persons present, including the naval and military officers was nearly 200.

The company of militia now on duty in the Hutt district, have been employed during the greater part of this week, by the direction of

yh\s Honor the Superintendent, in bringing down the river the canoes which the natives have left behind them, and which we believe are to be given up to them.

During the early part of the week a number of pigs were brought to Wellington for sale by natives from Waikanae, and other parts along the coast. As Rangihaeata still persists in preventing all communication by way of Porirua between the coast and Wellington, the natives embarked their pigs in canoes, and landed them at Ohariu, and from thence drove them over to Wellington. They also brought with them for sale several baskets of -peaches, theproduce.of ungrafted trees growing at Waikanae.

On Monday evening last the usual halfyearly meeting of the Subscribers to this was held at Barrett's Hotel, for the purpose of electing the Committee for the next six months. Dr. Dorset was called to the chair, when the following resolutions were passed unanimously: — ' Moved by Mr. Macdonald, seconded by ? Mr. G. Baker— That the thanks of the Subscribers to the New Zealand Spectator are due to the Committee for the able manner in which they have conducted • the paper for the last six months. Moved by Mr. Moore, seconded by Dr. , Featherston — That the following gentlemen be requested to act as a Committee for the next six months : Mr. Clifford Hon. H. Petre Mr. Fitzherbert Mr. Stokes Mr. Lyon The thanks of the meeting were then voted I to the Chairman, after which the meeting broke up.

Coroner's Inquest. — An inquest was held on Monday last before Dr. Fitzgerald, the Coroner for this district, and a respectable Jury, on the body of Sarah Fisher, who was found dead in her bed at six o'clock on that morning. On the examination of the body by the Jury some bruises were observed which appeared to be of some standing, but there were no external marks to shew that death had been caused by any act of violence. The evidence of Dr. Featherston, who made a postmortem examination of the body, went to shew that there were no external bruises except of a trifling nature, and the majority of these were evidently -of old standing. Upon examining the brain a large effusion of blood was found, and all the vessels of the head and membranes were much congested. He believed the cause of her death to have been from apoplexy. The evidence of Dr. Ross of H.M.S. Calliope, who assisted at the post-mortem examination, agreeing with that of Dr. Featherston, the Jury returned a verdict ** died of apoplexy."

Theatre — Britannia Saloon. — The performance for Mr. Marriott's first benefit formerly advertised for Wednesday Ist April, to suit general convenience will take place on Tuesday 31st March. We understand that the Manager has been most sedulous in his endeavours to improve and add to the respectability of the Drama in this city, in the full hope that a discerning public will appreciate his exertions; and nothing will be wanting on his part to add to the entertainments of the evening. Considerable additions have also lately been made to the stage, which must add greatly to the effect of the pieces.