New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 23, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 146, 23 December 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 23, 1846.

H. M. Steamer Driver arrived on Saturday from Auckland with his Excellency Capt. Grey and a detachment of troops of the 65th Regt., under Capt. Johnston; Ensigns Barton and Thelwall, and Dr. Prendergast have also arrived in the Driver. His Excellency is accompanied by two chiefs from the North, Moses Tawai and John Hobbs, who distinguished themselves very much in the campaign at the North against Heki and Kawiti, by their gallantry, and fidelity to the British Government. His Excellency's health appears to be re-established, and we hope his stay in this part of the island may be of some duration. The Steamer made a quick passage, having

left Auckland on Wednesday afternoon; the Racehorse was to sail on the Friday following for Wellington with another detachment of troops.

Yesterday there were three arrivals from Sydney, the Velocity, the Columbine, and the Ariel. By the last mentioned vessel which made a quick passage of ten days, English news has been brought to the 24th August, and Sydney papers to December 10. Through the obliging attention of Mr. Hoggard, the postmaster, we have obtained our- papers in time to give a hasty summary of the news contained in them.

A report is in circulation that the New Zealand Company is dissolved, the Directors having entered into an arrangement with the Government for surrendering to them their rights and privileges ; but not being in possession of particulars, we mention this merely as a 'report-

" Port Curtis has been selected by Colonel Barney for the first settlement of North Australia, but the precise position of the township has not been fixed. The bay is described as being a splendid and capacious harbour, with good country down to the shore, but the party were unable to find water, although there is no doubt from the signs of it that there must be a supply in the neighbourhood." — Syd. M. Herald.

In addition to the brevet promotions of the officers serving in New Zealand previously given in the Spectator, it is stated in the Sydney papers that Colonels Despard and Wynyard iiave been raised to the Companionship of the Bath. Captain Graham of the Castor has also been made a Companion of the .Bath, and Commander Hay of the Racehorse has been promoted to the rank of Post Captain. The Army. — 99th Foot. — Alexander McLean Frazer, gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice 'Blackburn, promoted in the 6th Foot : August 7.

Preparations are making lor celebrating, with the accustomed festivities, .the Seventh anniversary of the establishment of this settlement, and we have no doubt that the altered circumstances and improved condition of the colony, and the presence of his Excellency and the number of military and naval officers now ; in Wellington will give an unwonted impulse to the rejoicings and amusements incident to the occasion. It was anticipated at one time that Mrs. Grey's presence would have graced our annual festivities, and we hope that an opportunity may yet occur to allow this anticipation to be realized.

The return cricket match which was fixed for yesterday, was postponed in order not to interfere with the exhibition of the horticultural society, and will take place to-day at Te Aro.

We are informed that Mr. Forsaith, formerly Sub Protector of the natives in this district, and whose pig jobbing and landsharking we had occasion to notice, when commenting on his interference with the land question at Taranaki in Capt. Fitzroy's time, is the present editor of the Aew Zealander. This fact sufficiently accounts for the miserable manner in which that journal is conducted.

Manawatu. — A letter was received yesterday from Manawatu, which mentions that Thompson and Martin had gone to see Rangihaeata : the object of the visit had not transpired.