The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, September 2, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 114, 2 September 1846, Page 2

The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, September 2, 1846.

The Coaxer arrived on Saturday from Sydney, which she left on the 13th inst., with sheep and cattle and a general cargo. News from England had been received in Sydney by the Penyard Park. to the 18th April.

The House of Commons had met on the 1 7th of April after the Easter recess, and was engaged on the first reading of the Irish Pacification Bill, the debate on which was adjourned to the 20th. The House of Lords had adjourned for the Easter recess to the 28th April. The accounts from Ireland were of a very distressing nature ; famine, and disease in consequence of famine, prevailed in many parts of the country. Riots and disturbances had occurred from the attempts of the starving people to obtain food, but they had been suppressed. Bakers were selling bread made partly of maize meal, which was readily consumed by the middle classes of society, but had been refused by the paupers in the workhouses. Government agents were also selling maize meal in small quantities at a penny a pound. | The news of the Indian victories had cr,eated the liveliest satisfaction in England, and honours and rewards had been liberally bestowed upon the officers engaged in those hardly contested battles. Extracts from the Sydney papers of all the latest English news will be found in this day's Spectator. The life of the King of the French had again been attempted by an assassin, but providentially without success. At the Oape of Good Hope serious disturbances had broken out among the Kafirs, who had committed great havoc on the eastern boundary of that colony, plundering the farmers, driving off their cattle, and setting fire to their houses. They had defeated several detachments of the military, but in a general engagement with the British forces, the Kafirs were compelled to retreat with very heavy loss, while the loss on our side was comparatively trifling. A special message had been sent to the Senate by the President of the United States, urging an increase of their naval and military force, and especially of their steam navy, as necessary to place that country in a suitable state of defence, and stating 'that he has seen no reason to (change <<ar modify •the recommendations of his annual message in regard to the Oregon question. After alluding to the unsettled condition -of the relations of the United States with Mexico, he concludes by-declaring it to be his settled purpose ti) pursue such a course of policy as may be best calculated to preserve, both with Mexico and Great an honorable peace, which would most effectually be promoted by unanimity in their councils, and a firm maintenance of their just rights. Earl Cathcart has been appointed the successor of Lord Metcalfe in the office of Go-vernor-General of Canada. The most interesting news from Sydney is the arrival of the new Governor Sir C. A. Fitzroy in H.M.S. Carysfort on the 2d August. His Excellency landed the following day with the customary honors, and proceeded to the Government House, where he took the oaths of office, and afterwards held a levee, which was very numerously attended. The Legislative Council had been prorogued to the Bth September, then to meet for the despatch of business. The Sydney papers are, full of discussions on the railway schemes now in agitation in that colony. It appears that an accurate survey of the principal line was determined on with the view of ascertaining the particulars requisite to a correct estimate of its cost.

The Militia proceeded about nine miles beyond Taita on Saturday but they found no traces of the rebels. The detachment under Captain Dorset returned to town yesterday, and the detachment under Capt. M'Donogh, having returned from Porirua the previous day resumed their old station at Taita.

Letters have been received from Waikanae dated Sunday last, which state that Rangihaeata had gone to Wanganui.

It is reported that the rebels who were taken during the' late operations (10 in number) will be tried by a Court Martial this week: Rauparaha, Charley, and the others taken at Porirua are not included in this number.

On Monday the men on board H.M. Steamer Driver were exercised at the guns. The sound of the discharge from the 68-pounder was very loud, and the reverberation from

the hills surrounding the harbour had a tety magnificent effect. The men were exercised with small arms on Tuesday.

Labour. — From various causes labour has become very scarce in this settlement, and labourers readily obtain from 3s. 6d. to 4s. a-day, with every prospect of a steady demand for labour continuing. The Militia and Armed Police have taken away many of the labourers from their ordinary occupations, and if circumstances should render the speedy disbanding of the Militia necessary, the men would all be required on the new lines of roads which are about to be commenced. Unless we have a speedy influx of labourers, the agricultural operations of the country settlers will be seriously impeded for want of hands. ;

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. S. Revans, Major Richmond, Mr. T. M. Partridge,, and Mr. W. Fitzherbert, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits. at Mr. Ross's office, from , seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the sth Sept., and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock .on Mondayforenoon, the 7th September. We are also requested to give notice that the monthly meeting of the Superintending Committee will take place at Hotel, on Monday evening, the 7th inst., at 8 o'clock.