New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 16, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 144, 16 December 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 16, 1846.

The last Session of the Legislative Council has been of unusual importance in many respects. Its proceedings have been marked by a business-like character in which most of the previous Sessions -were greatly deficient, and the measures which have been passed are likely to be more permanent than .previous Ordinances which have generally been either disallowed, or amended or repealed within twelve months of their enactment. But its proceedings possess -a peculiar importance in having given his Excellency an opportunity, in his remarks on the various measures before the Council, of intimating the general policy of his government. This policy, particularly as regards his Excellency's method of dealing with the land shark speculations entered into under Captain Fitzroy's penny-an-acre proclamation, seems distasteful to many of the northern settlers, but appears to have given general -satisfaction here. It would be impossible in a single article to do more than notice imperfectly some of the measures brought before the Council, and point out a few of the changes which have either been made or are in contemplation. The alteration in the Customs seems Jikely to answer the end designed, namely, to produce a gradual in-, crease of the revenue without being burdensome to the settlers, and to ensure the general contribution of all the inhabitants of the country. But in the imposition of new duties it should ever be borne in mind that the great object of taxation is to raise the greatest amount of revenue without giving encouragement to smuggling, and whenever the duties are so high as allow smuggling to be profitable, the revenue loses, and the fair trader is exposed to an unequal and ruinous competition. This is more to be guarded against in a colony like New Zealand, with such an extended line of coast and such numerous 'harbours as to render it difficult to prevent smuggling in any other way than by a system of moderate duties. The proposed changes are all of a useful practical character. Thus, in the debate on the Estimates, we find a native " secretary is "substituted for the obnoxious and mischievous Native Protector, an officer under the control of the Governor, instead of, as in the case of Mr. Clarke, one thwarting, and interfering with him at every step. His Excellency's suggestion of a Government Surveyor and Office in each settlement where every information respecting the lands in the neighbourhood can be obtained, and where all crown grants ought to be prepared, instead of, as at present, referring every thing to Auckland to be referred back again, would be if carried out, a most important and beneficial alteration. w C * But the principal feature in his Excellency's poKey, and one for which he is peculiarly entitled to the gratitude of the southern settlers, is" his intention of opening the country by means of roads and bridges, so as within a few years to connect Wellington and Auckland by a good road, along which detachments of the Police force will be stationed to prevent ihterruptioh or violence, and ensure the safety of travellers. We have often alluded to this subject and from its importance and influence on the prosperity of the colony, shall often have occasion again to recur to it. This, in fact, appears to be the key to all future improvements. In opening up the country, and in rendering it easily accessible, his Excellency has thrown down one of the great barriers that separated the two races, and prepared the way to future extensive immigration. A large expenditure in roads, in fact, becomes true economy, from its beneficial effects in promoting immigration, in increasing trade, and in improving and civilizing the natives, and from the ample returns which these consequences of improved communication are sure to produce to the revenue. The several Ordinances referring to land, and particularly to its irregular acquisition by private individuals from the natives, of themselves would form the subject of several ar-

: tides. It may be sufficient for the present to observe that while his Excellency is decidedly opposed to the system of land-shark-ing which flourished to such an unhealthy degree under his immediate predecessor, it appears to be his intention to respect the rights of the squatters who have invested their capital in stock, for whose benefit as soon as he can mature the necessary regulations, he proposes to introduce a depasturing system, similar to that which obtains in Australia. The same' reason induces us to pass over the different bills relating to the Administration of Justice of which we -shall be better able to speak when printed copies of them are received in this settlement. But however brief and imperfect our notice, as public journalists we should be wanting in gratitude were we to omit averting to his Excellency's remarks on the restrictions placed by the Post Office on the transmission of newspapers. His Excellency has truly observed that it was a system that existed in no other colony, and one that required immediate alteration; and we hope by his Excellency's efforts this reproach may be removed from the colony, and the department placed under the control and direction of the Local Government.

Sheep fob Wanganui. — A 'flock of two handred and thirty sheep were sent off on Monday for Wanganui by Mr. Dun. "We are glad to record the fact, and hope we shall hare frequent occasion, as the season advances, to chronicle fresh importations of stock, and the formation of additional stations along the coast between Wellington and Wanganui.

Importation op Stock. — The Eagle arrived on Sunday from Alberton, Gipps' Land, with a cargo of forty head of cattle and seventy two sheep, which were landed in excellent condition. She lost twenty sheep on the passage. The cattle were landed at the head of the Bay, and some of them taking a wrong direction, knocked down a soldier, and ran along the Beach ,towards Thorndon to the serious inconvenience, and danger of persons who were passing at the time. We have alluded to this subject before, and think some regulation might be made by the local authorities by which the recurrence of these accidents might be prevented. If they were landed about three hundred yards to the east of Mr, 'Rhodes' store, all danger from any accident would be obviated.

The next Horticultural Exhibition will take place at the Aurora Saloon on Tuesday next, when we trust all the supporters of the Society will endeavour to make it as attractive as possible, by eendjng the produce of their gardens. We have been requested to remind the Subscribers that their subscriptions for this year are due, and also to give notice, that in consequence of several of the Exhibitors at the last .two or three shows having complained that the fruits were taken away, and the plants exhibited .considerably injured by the visitors, the Committee will feel themselves .obliged rigidly to enforce the rule of the Society, that all subscriptions must be paid before admission, and that no non-sub-scriber shall be admitted except on payment of the admission charge of one shilling. Although at the institution of the Society six years ago, the annual subscription was fixed at five shillings for the express purpose of enlisting the support of all classes of the community, -still the Committee have hitherto relaxed the^rule respecting admission — and have after a certain hour generally admitted all without any charge ; but as they now find, that, in, consequence of the practices above adverted to, there is an unwillingness on the part of many to exhibit, they have no other course left but to insist upon a strict observance of the rules of the Society.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. N. Levin, Mr. J. Macbeth, Mr. J. Macarthy, and Mr. W. Lyon, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 19th December, and at the Union Bank' of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 21st December.