New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, April 21, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 180, 21 April 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, April 21, 1847.

By H. M. S. Racehorse, which arrived on Sunday, intelligence has been received of the arrival at Auckland of the Louisa Campbell, after a passage of four months. She is reported to have brought important despatches for the Governor, so that by the next vessel from Auckland we may probably learn the exact nature and extent of the changes which have so long been contemplated in the government of the colony. The rumour of Mr. Eyre's appointment as Lieutenant- Governor of one of the two Pro- j vinces into which New Zealand is to be divided appeai-s to be confirmed, and it is stated that gentleman may shortly be expected on the scene of his future labours. | It is reported that two regiments are to be stationed in New Zealand, and that the force in this district will shortly be increased by the addition of six hundred men. A regiment is also expected to be raised in the country, and it is reported that an extensive emigration will shortly take place from the Mother Country to New Zealand. Such are the reports now current ; if correct they serve to show the increasing interest felt in New Zealand, and that the present Ministers are more than ever convinced of the necessity of adopting a vigorous policy. The additional force to be introduced into the country is to be ascribed to the recommendation of Captain Grey, who according to the New Zealand Journal has written for a force of two thousand men. Such an accession of strength will greatly increase the power of the Government in the opinion of the well-disposed natives and establish its authority throughout the islands. The recent outrage of Rangihaeata does not affect the general tranquillity ; the number of his followers is inconsiderable, and it is not probable that he will receive any addition to his strength ; we may feel assured also from his savage nature that he will always continue to be troublesome whenever he finds an opportunity. Measures must therefore be taken to break up his party, and either to capture him or drive him into the j interior beyond the boundaries of the present settlements where he may be prevented from doing further mischief. But this question will doubtless shortly receive the personal attention of his Excellency, who may be daily expected, as it was reported he was to leave Auckland in the Inflexible for Wellington a fortnight after the departure of the Racehorse.

A disturbance occurred on Monday at Te Aro pa, which at one time threatened to be attended with serious consequences. The origin of the affair may he dated some months back, when Moses a native of some influence was discovered to have had an illicit intercourse with the wife of another man belonging to the pa. This was a subject of great scandal at the time, and an investigation was made by the natives into the circumstances of the case who disposed of it according to their customs. Recently, however, the native (E Meri) who had been wronged by Moses revenged himself by retaliating on this Lothario a similar injury to that he had formerly suffered from him. Moses was by no means patient under his disgrace, and having given his wife a good beating, he and his friends proceeded to active measures against the culprit, the whole pa was in a state of great excitement, and but for the timely interference of Major Dune who with a party of the armed police proceeded to the pa at daybreak, there is little doubt the natives would have resorted to actual violence. One of E Meri's party who appeared bent on mischief was disarmed of his spear by Mr. Duncan the interpreter, and eventually the affair ended by Moses and his party, who were the strongest, pulling down three houses belonging to E Meri and his friends and expelling them from the pa.

Rangihaeata. — Information was received in Wellington late on Monday evening, that Rangihaeata, who, for the last few months has remained inactive, had been committing fresh outrages at Kapiti. It appears he crossed over early on Sunday morning from the main land in a large canoe with a party of thirty followers, all armed, to Mr. Brown's station at Kapiti, and proceeded to search for powder. He obtained about half a keg of coarse powder, and a small quantity of finer powder in cannisters, which was used by Mr. Brown and his son for shooting birds, &c. His followers then rushed the place, plundering Mr. Brown of all he possessed, taking away with them a considerable portion of the property, and destroying all they were unable to remove. The property taken or destroyed by Rangihaeata and his followers is estimated at upwards of four hundred pounds, as Mr. Brown (who keeps a store for the supply of the whalers and others) had recently laid in a fresh stock of tobacco and other goods to a considerable amount Previous to their departure they destroyed one of the boats, a dingy, to prevent any one at the station from giving an alarm, and on leaving took the whaleboat with them. The news of the robbery was brought to his Honor the Superintendent by one of the armed police on Monday evening, and Mr. Brown and his son arrived in Wellington the next day, and gave information of the circumstances to the proper authorities. In consequence of this outrage Major Durie, Inspector of Police, left Wellington yesterday to proceed to Otaki : it is also reported that the Racehorse will immediately proceed to Waikanae with a detachment of soldiers.

Beehive Chairs. — In the admirable papers by the Rev. W. Cotton, on the management of bees which appeared a short time since in this Journal, mention was made of the proficiency of the natives at Otaki and Waikanae in the construction of straw hives. They have since turned their newly acquired skill to account in the production of other useful articles, and having through the kindness of Mr. Justice Chapman obtained the loan of a " beehive chair," they have succeeded in making some excellent copies of this model, which we dare say will shortly be brought to Wellington for sale, and we make no doubt will meet with ready purchasers. These chairs are described as being very comfortable, and last a long time ; we are not aware what price the Maories intend asking for them, but we believe that under all circumstances about twelve shillings would be a fair remunerating price, and we hope the demand will be sufficiently extensive for this new article of native manufacture, to give ample employment to those at present engaged in it, and to encourage other natives to imitate their industrious and skilful fellow-countrymen, who have shown such an aptitude for acquiring a knowledge of this useful manufacture.

In the last Net? Zealand Journal (Nov. 21, 1846) which has reached us, is an advertisement of a new company to be formed for the revival of the British whale fisheries, under the title of the British Whale and Seal Fishery Company. The capital of the company is to be £250,000, in 2500 shares of £100 each. T. Baring, Esq., M. P., is to be the Governor, and G. F. Young, Esq., the Deputy Governor of the company ; among the directors we notice the names of Sir J ., Lyon Goldsmid, Henry Barkly, Esq., M.P., and other persons who have taken an interest in New Zealand affairs.

A trial commenced yesterday before Mr. Justice Chapman, the Queen on the prosecution of William Wakefield v. D. Scott, to tiy the validity of a certain Crown Grant issued by Captain Fitzroy on 29th July, 1845, to the latter party. The proceedings are likely to occupy the attention of the Court for some days. We shall endeavour to publish a comet report of the whole.

Wellington Savingsßank — Mr.Schultze, Mr. James Smith, Mr. Spinks, and Mr. Bethune, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Messrs. Johnson & Moore's store, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 24th April, 1847, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 26th April.