New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 9, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 151, 9 January 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 9, 1847.

We have received numerous complaints lately, of the mysterious silence which has been preserved by the Company's Agent on the subject of the contemplated alterations in the Government of the colony. It is argued that on former occasions there was always an appearance of anxiety to inform the settlers of any changes likely to affect the rising fortunes , of _ the colony ; but that on the present occasion, although the information received is of sufficient importance to induce the Governor to return to Auckland, there to await the communication of the Colonial Minister, the settlers who are deeply concerned in ,any change are left to their own conjectures. Others again are desirous of being informed of the nature land extent of the powers to be entrusted tcithe New Zealand Company as a Proprrwary

Government. It is impossible to say what Lord Grey the present Colonial Ministermay feel disposed to grant, but it may be fairly presumed the Company would not ask for less than they did of Lord Stanley, when they proposed in 1845 Mr. Buller's scheme of the Province of Victoria. The principal stipulations then proposed were, that all powers of Government, within the province, except the power of making treaties, should be conceded to the Company ; for at least one year the Company should have the power of making laws and imposing taxes, and during the first year would have to determine the constitution of the representative body ; tl^ the Company should have powers to raise troops and militia and equip vessels, as in the old charters, and that if the Company required the presence of any regular troops it should defray their whole pay and expenses while stationed in the colony, or employed in its defence. The capital of the Company was to be raised to £500,000, and as it was proposed to limit the dividend to 10 per cent, (which the Company seemed to think unobjectionable, provided any surplus should be invested in a sinking fund to replace the capital stock ;) it would at least £50,000 per annum to be wrung from the colony to pay the dividends of the Company/ besides finding a sufficient sum ta defray the current expences of the Company in England and in the colony. To read these proposals in New Zealand, it would appear as if they had been written in burlesque of the Company's pretensions. Even if it were possible for the Company in its present circumstances, and in the present state of the colony to raise a capital of £500,000, where would sufficient funds be found by sales of land, or other resources in the colony available for the payment of the dividend ? It is usually remarked in such cases c'est le premier pas gui coute, and we may safely leave the Company to fulfil the first condition of the agreement, namely to raise the required capital. The cool way in which the ready acquiescence of the settlers and the -natives in these arrangements is taken for granted is another feature worthy of observation. But in this as in other matters the Company may find they have reckoned without their host.

His Excellency previous to his departure for Auckland, gave the very liberal sum of Ten Guineas to the Wellington Horticultural Society,

We are informed that Rangihaeata's pa has within the last few days been accidentally burnt down, and most of the property contained therein, including several muskets, were destroyed. He and his followers have taken to the beach, and have divided themselves into small parties, occupying about three miles along the coast, and interrupting the communication between Manawatu and Wellington. Mr. Cook's pigs were driven back, and several natives who were bringing^ their pigs to Wellington have been stopped by them, and forced to return. The most active man in these proceedings is a chief named Te Ahi. Rangihaeata is described as taking little interest in them. He appears very miserable, and is almost bent double.

"We understand that the subscription for the Anniversary Fete is rapidly filling up, and will be quite equal in amount to that of former years. Besides the usual races, the. Hon. H. Petre has liberally offered the sum of twenty pounds in addition to the entrance., money, as stakes for a race for four-year old colts or fillies bred in the colony. ' •

A short time since a fine vessel of about 22 tons, built by Messrs. Scott- and Walker, was launched at Kaiwarra. She was named, the Edward Stanley, in compliment to the Captain of the Calliope, who by his exertions during the late operations against the rebels, and the anxious desire he has on all occasions evinced to promote the interests of these settlements has secured the grateful, esteem of the settlers The vessel was laid down after a modelof Mr. K. Mathieson, and is considered by competent judges to be very well adapted to the purposes of the coasting trade. •

Military Arrangements. — Capt. -Johlii*stone, 65th regt., relieves Captain O'Corihell at Porirua, who takes the command of the detachment at the Hutt. relieving Captain Hardy, 58th regiment, who returns ' to Wellington.

There will be a Cricket Match between two elevens of the Britannia Clab, on Tuesday, the 12th inst., when players are requested to be on the ground at 11 o'clock, a.m. It is expected to be a very interesting game.

Date. Amount. T846. Oct. 19 :0165 2 0 „ 26 169 17 3 Nov. 2 199 6 10 9 279 2 2 „ 16 204 8 8 , -23 :. 125 3 8 „ 30 247 15 11 Dec. 7 402 7 8 14 152 10 6 21 110 13 8 28 248 11 1 1847. Jan. 5 232 10 9 Total £2537 30 2 P. D. Hogg, Sub Collector.

Spirits 4128 59-60 gals, at ss. 1032 4 Cigars & Snuffs 267(cigars)lbs.at2s. 26 14 223&.:}* 1 " Ib-atl,. 70S 9 Do. unmanufactured Ibs.at9d. Ad Valorem Duly » 770 2 Total amount of Duties.. £2s37 10

Statement of all Monies received by P. D. Hogg, Esq., 1 Sub-Collector of Her Ma- [ jesty's Customs at the Port of Wellington, New Zealand, from the 11th Octofcer, 1846, to the fifth day of January, 1847, both days inclusive :—: —

Settlement of the foregoing collections with the Colonial Treasury :—