ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 199, 26 June 1847, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Colonial Centralization. — " There are," says a new weekly contemporary, called The Weekly Times, " strong grounds for believing that Ministers contemplate extensive changes in the Government of the colonies. We are informed that the following may be taken as part, at least, of the plans now under consideration. That all the possessions in North Americashall be placed under one head 1 — namely, a Viceroy, with Quebec for the seat of Government. The Governors of the different provinces to be located at Toronto, Frederickton, Halifax, St. John, and Char-lotte-town. That the like system of centralization be extended to the West India islands, the Viceroy to reside in Jamaica, and each island to have its own Governor. Each province and island respectively to have its own legisj lature for strictly local purposes, and have the right of sending representatives to general Legislative Assemblies in Quebec or Jamaica, or in our Imperial Parliament. It is calculated that the colonial interests would receive more attention under this arrangement than under the present system, and that the Colonialoffice would thus be relieved of a heavy pressure of business, very inadequately performed at present. A great saving would be effected in the expenditure for military occupation — which now, for the colonies in North America and the West Indies, amounts to about £2,500,000 per annum. It is thought, should these changes be carried out, that Prince George of Cambridge will be appointed to the Viceroyalty oi British North America.

Law Reforms. — It is understood that the Lord Chancellor will shortly introduce two measures into the House of Lords — to separate, the two systems of bankruptcy and insolvency, and to abolish arrest in execution. Imprisonment will only be allowed in cases of I fraud. Captain Joshua Codrington, of the Royal Engineers, Deputy Inspector-General of Railways, has been appointed Government Inspec-tor-General of Railways, vice Major-General Charles William Pasley, C. 8., resigned. It is further stated that Captain Donatus OBrien has been removed; also, that Mr. Estcourt has resigned his post as Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee, and will probably be succeeded by Sir William Hsathcote or Mr. Bernal

United States and Mexico. — The Cambria arrived at Liveipool on the 14th Jan., bringing the usual American mails. Mr. Baker of Illinois had arrived, hot from the scene of war, and, in a speech delivered in the House of Representatives, had denounced the inefficiency of the means at present employed in Mexico, to " conquer a peace." -He said that two thousand soldiers fad perished without meeting an enemy! Means were in progress to raise more soldiers ; but the real difficulty was to raise more money. . An office has been publicly advertised as opened in London for the granting of letters marque and reprisal by the Mexican govern! ment against the United States. By the se-

cond article of the official Mexican ordonnances, such letters will be granted only " to vessels of which the captain, officers, and other individuals appointed thereto, are Mexican citizens, according to the laws of the republic." We believe that letters of naturalization have been issued for delivery with the letters of marque, for the purpose of making all who receive them *' Mexican citizens."

Miss Burdett Coutts's New Church and Schools. — It has already beeu stated, that Miss Burdett Coutts had determined to build and endow a new church and schools for the educatiou of the poor in the city of Westminster, which her late father represented for so many years in Parliament. The sum of £30,000 was named as the cost in the first instance ; but subsequently it was represented that the amount was not sufficient to carry out the design of the benevolent lady, and she gave a carte blanche to an architect to draw upon her'for any amount that might be required for the proper completion of a large church and schools, which would be an ornament to the city of Westminster, and useful in imparting Teligious instruction to the poor, and an education for their children. We understand that no less than £45,000 will be requited to carry out the intentions of Miss Burdett Coutts. The site chosen is in Ro-chester-row, opposite Emery Hill's Almshouses, and about one hundred yards from the Westminster Police-court. A piece of ground has been cleared Lr the new church, the first stone of which will be laid in a few weeks. Adjoining the ground is a chapel, lately belonging to the sect called Irvingites, and three bouses adjoining, including a large ale and beer house belonging to Messrs. Wood, the brewers, in the occupation of Mr. Lee. The three hooses have, been purchased by Miss Burde.t Coutts at an expense of £7,000, and the chapel, which is a remarkably plain one, for £3,000 more. A district has already beeu assigned to the new church, and the Irvingite chapel was re-opened under a license from the Bishop of London, on Monday last, when divine service was solemnized, for the first time, according to the forms and ceremonies of the Established Church. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. William Tennant, M.A., the appointed minister of the district : and divine service will be celebrated every Sabbath morning and eveuing until the new church is erected and consecrated. The cost of the site, including the buildings, will be £10,000, the endowment of the church £10,000 moie, and £25,000 more will be expended in the erection of the church, schools, and parsonage house. — Standard.