New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, October 14, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 126, 14 October 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, October 14, 1846.

It is nearly two years since the overland mail between Wellington and the other settlements to north of it, in Cook's Strait, was discontinued. This alteration, we believe, ■was made on the score of economy ; it was alleged that the cost was more than the amount of postage received, and consequently directions were given for its being discontinued. We know not whether the alteration was made at the suggestion of Captain Fitzroy, but it was during the time he was Governor. It is no doubt very proper that a due regard should be paid to considerations of economy in regulating the expenses of a young colony, particularly when, from the difficulties and adverse circumstances which have impeded its progress, great judgment and prudence are required to restore prosperity, and insure a revenue adequate to the necessary expenditure. If the question regarded the establishment of some useless or expensive office, where the advantage to be derived by the community was in no degree commensurate with the amount of the salary to be paid, the plea of economy might be urged with great effect. But in this case the principal point to be considered is the public convenience. Next to good roads one of the most powerful inducements to promote the speedy occupation of the country districts is the convenience of being able to communicate by post with certainty and regularity with the principal town of the district, where the produce is to be disposed of, and whence supplies are to be obtained. If the overland mail between Wellington and

Wanganui were re-established, it would connect the intervening points where settlers have located themselves, forming at each point the nucleus of a community, which would insensibly increase in size and importance, until eventually the whole coast line would be occupied, and the land be brought under cultivation. At Porirua the beginning is made of a prosperous and thriving settlement; at Ohau a few settlers have established themselves, and a trade is opened with the natives, which is likely to increase rapidly. At Manawatu the nucleus is formed of a settlement, which promises to speedily become of considerable importance. Cultivation is already carried on to some extent both by Europeans and the natives on the banks of the river, which offers the means of easy communication ; cattle stations are established; and that prime element of success to a young community, an excellent mill for sawing timber and grinding corn, has been built tnere. At all these intervening points a good beginning has been made ; the settlers only require adequate protection from the Government, and that good roads and the means of communicating by post should be established ; the rest may safely be left to time and their industry. When it was attempted to establish the penny-postage in England, the principal objection urged against the scheme was, that the Post-office revenue would be injured by the reduction. To this it was answered, that the Post-office should be conducted for the convenience of the public, and not regarded as a source of revenue, and this consideration ultimately prevailed. We hope the same rule may obtain here ; the effect of a more perfect system of intercourse would be powerfully felt in the increased coasting trade which would naturally result from it. Let us take the latest dates from the different settlements ; from Auckland, the present seat of Government, the latest is September 12; from Nelson and Taranaki, previous to the arrival of the Ralph Bernal, the same date. If the overland mail were re-established, and arrangements made for preventing delay at the different ferries, a communication once a fortnight would be maintained between Wellington and Taranaki, embracing Wanganui, and the other intervening points to which we have previously alluded, which, with a little trouble, might be extended to Auckland. A regular overland mail is established between Sydney and Port Phillip, where the distance is much greater. We hope, while his Excellency is engaged in forming roads, and extending the means of communication with the interior, that, so far as his influence or authority may prevail, the advantages connected with a frequent and regular communication between the different settlements in New Zealand by means of the Post-office, which Wellington would be the natural centre, may be secured to us. We believe the Postoffice is not subject to the control of the Local Government ; but a recommendation to the Home Government from his Excellency on so important a subject would receive every consideration.

We are informed that the late flood in the Hutt has done considerable damage in the district. The south-western corner of Fort Richmond, where a detachment of the 58th regiment are stationed, has been thrown down ; and the house recently erected has been so much injured, owing to the earth being washed away from beneath it, as to be rendered uninhabitable. The crops have also been more or less injured, both on the Hutt and the Waiwetu, from the effects of the flood. We do not hear that the Hutt bridge has suffered much damage.

Considerable anxiety is entertained about the schooner Lotcestoft, which left this port a short time since to bring away the oil and bone from Mr. Fyfe's station at the Kaikoras. She left the Kaikoras about a week since, and it is hoped she may have either put into Cloudy Bay or Queen's Charlotte's Sound, intending to wait there for a favourable wind.

A Couht Martial was held at Porirua, Major Last, President, on Monday last, on the rebels taken at Wainui during the late disturbances. The result of its proceedings has not transpired. The Calliope has gone to Kapiti to water; she is expected to return to Wellington in a few days.

P. D. Hogg, Sub-Collector. Custom' House, Wellington, 12th October, 1846.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. Robt. Waitt, Mr. D. Wakefield, Mr. John Wallace, and Capt. C. Sharp, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 17th Oct., and at the Union .Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 19th October.

XNO. n wards from beyond seas direct 13 coastwise 86 2172 824 123 106 Total inwards 49 2996 229 )utwards to beyond seas direct 10 coastwise 41 1582 1691 75 133 Total outwards 51 3273 208

An account of the number and tonnage of vessels that have entered inwards and cleared outwards at this Port for the quarter ended 10th October, 1846 :—

Head of Receipt. Total. £ *. a. Spirits, 3375 45-60ths galls at 55... 843 18 9 Tobacco (manufactured) 6875 Ib. atls 342 17 0 „ (unmanufactured) Ib. at 9d. Cigars and Snuff, lb. at 25. .... Ad Valorem duty 778 11 4 Total amount of duties. ... £ 1965 7 1 Settlement of the foregoing collections with the Colonial Treasurer :—: — 1846. ' £ s. a. July 13 223 16 11 „ 20 118 14 10 27 205 4 8 Aug. 3 105 9 3 „ 10 r 55 19 7 17 21 3 O 24 US 6 0 „ 31 105 15 0 Sept. 7 182 15 6 „ 14 , 249 6 2 „ 20 123 12 0 „ 28 303 2 1 Oct. 5 70 18 7 „ 10 83 3 6 Total £1965 7 1

Statement of all monies received by Peter Dods Hogg, Esq., Sub-Collector of her Majesty's Customs at the Port of Wellington, from the 6th July to the 10th October, 1846, both days inclusive : —