New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 30, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 157, 30 January 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 30, 1847.

We have great pleasure in publishing in our present number the first of a series of papers on pastoral agriculture, from the pen of William Swainson, Esq., who is eminently qualified to treat on these subjects, and who is entitled to the thanks of his fellow-colo-nists in thus conferring on them the results of his valuable experience. The subject is of great importance, from its bearing on one of the leading interests of the Southern Settlements. It is impossible to overrate the influence, on the progress and stability of this settlement, of the sheep and cattle stations at Wairarapa. They were commenced at a time when, from the unsettled state of

the land claims and the opposition of the Local Government, it was extremely difficult to find a secure and profitable employment for capital. The land in the immediate neighbourhood of "Wellington was all occupied, and from its limited extent was onlycapable of keeping a quantity of stock perfectly inadequate to the wants of the community. This was severely felt until the settlers by their energy availed themselves of the extensive pastoral capabilities of the Wairarapa district, and thus laid the sure foundation of future prosperity. Mr. Swainson forcibly points out the practical difficulties under which the holders of stock runs labour, and which are severely felt in a dry season like the present, when the natural grass is parched and dried up by the continued summer's heat. To improve his run the settler is obliged to incur a heavy annual outlay, and this risk under his present uncertain and precarious tenure is a serious discouragement. The number of stations is progressively and rapidly increasing. Several stations were formed last year, and there is little doubt that in the course of the present year there will be a great increase in the number of stations both at Wairarapa and also at other parts along the coast. The effect of this increase on the settlement is obvious and important. It encourages the introduction of capital into the colony ; by the increase of stock the price of fresh meat, one of the most important articles of food, is kept within a moderate limit ; and the wool from these stations which is rapidly increasing in quantity promises at no very distant period to be one of the most considerable of our exports. All these considerations ought to operate in the framing of the proposed Squatting regulations, so as to afford every encouragement, consistent with the general welfare, to the formation of sheep and cattle runs.

Since the publication in our last number of the New Zealand Government Bill, we have received a Ne-v Zealand Journal of August 29th, in which the Bill is printed in its amended form, as passed; we have carefully compared it with the copy published in last Wednesday's Spectator, and find the following amendments and alterations have been made :—: — In the sth clause, after the words, " to the laws of the United Kingdom aforesaid," the following words have been added, " or to the laws oj the general assembly hereinafter mentioned." In the 7th clause, instead of " secondly, &c," to "Provinces as aforesaid," read, "secondly, for the establishment of a supreme court, to be a court of original jurisdiction, or of appeal from any of the superior courts of any such separate provinces as aforesaid:" instead of " course and manner of proceeding of such general court of appeal," in the same clause, read, " course and manner of proceeding of such supreme court." In the Bth clause, after the words, " her Majesty's decision," insert the words, " in council." At the end of the 9th clause, after the words, " New Zealand Islands," insert the following, "provided always that the number of members so appointed shall never constitute a majority of the said house of representatives of the said general assembly of the New Zealand islands." In the 10th clause, instead of " should be maintained," read, "should, for the present, be maintained,"

On Wednesday evening a ball was given at the Assembly Rooms, Barrett's Hotel, by the Gentlemen of Wellington, to which the Military and Naval Officers in Wellington were invited as guests, and which proved a very gay affair. Dancing commenced at ten o'clock, and continued until supper time, after which dancing was resumed, and the party did not break up until daylight. A great number of officers were present, and the entertainment appeared to give very general satisfaction. The arrangements for supper were in Mr. Suisted's best style.

Another hurdle race is arranged to come off on Wednesday next, for the balance of the anniversarysubscription,towhichwillbeadded the entrances, and subsequent subscriptions. Several horses are expected to run, and the race is exciting a good deal of interest. The entrances will be made on Monday evening.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Rev. J. Watkin, Major Baker, Mr. J. Blyth, and Mr. J. H. Wallace, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight

o'clock on Saturday evening, the 30th January, 1847, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the Ist February. We are also requested to give notice that the monthly meeting of the Superintending Committee will take place at Barrett's Hotel, on Monday evening, the Ist Feb., at Eight o'clock.