New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 3, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 201, 3 July 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 3, 1847.

We have but seldom had an opportunity lately of reprinting any observations of the London Press on New Zealand affairs. In this day's Spectator however will be found two articles which seem to have been called forth by the publication of the New Charter and the Royal Instructions. The writer in the Morning Herald does not profess an intimate acquaintance with the subject, and indulges only in general expressions' of regret that a colony of such great natural acpabilities and of such bright promise as New Zealand should not have realized the expectations formed of it, and attributes the failure to neglect on the part of the British Government and mismanagement by the New Zealand Company. Few in the colony will be disposed to dissent from these general conclusions or deny their justice. If indeed at the outset instead of such rulers as have been set over us, " one of the best men that England could supply" - had been appointed to the difficult task of governing New* Zealand, and a proper system adopted from the first and vigorously acted upon, much of the mischief that has ensued might have been prevented. But after so many years of confusion and mismanagement, after the narrow policy so long pursued, and from which such

pernicious results have flowed, it would be too much to expect a sudden and instantaneous relief. Improvement must be gradual and progressive, and in some respects the remedy must be applied by the settlers themselves. At least they will shortly be called upon to take a part in the government through their Representatives, and will be able to influence, to a certain extent, its policy by the free discussion of its measures brought forward in the respective Assemblies. But it is not enough to revert to a better system, or to appoint better men, unless the system be steadily carried out, unless the men appointed be allowed a fair trial. The frequent changes, the indecision which has been exhibited - has operated seriously to our prejudice, and can only/, be remedied by an undeviating-perseverance in jL better system. If we cbnsider the evils resulting from the mismanagement of the New Zealand Company, what a fruitful theme for complaint and invective ! — what an Augean stable to cleanse ! —to make that right which is wrong — to apply a remedy to the mischiefs they have occasioned. Too greedy of gain, their only object in founding new settlements has been to create fresh schemes for lotteries, without previous knowledge of the country, or adaptation of their plans to its localities, — without possessing even the land where the settlements have been founded. Can we wonder then at the universal feeling of discontent which prevails throughout these settlements, to such an extent, that at this moment the news of the Company's dissolution would be hailed with the liveliest satisfaction. To all practical purposes they are defunct, and for the last four years from their acts as a colonizing body, the settlers would not be conscious of their existence. But they feel the effects of the forced and unnatural union which still exists, a hateful union of the living with the dead, worthy the tyrant Mezentius where " In loath'd embraces tied "The lingering wretches pin'd avray and died." This union must be dissolved, and a better system resorted to before the southern settlements can attain any vigour. Look at the shores of Cook's Strait — and then say how can it be otherwise. The districts on either side are monopolized by a bankrupt Company, unable to fulfil its engagements | or to carry out any scheme of colonization or emigration ; while the settlers who have trusted to their professions are still without a title to their lands, and in too many instances without being able even to obtain possession, or with land not worth the having.

The Agnes Hay arrived last night from Port Cooper, having been out fourteen days. She had on board eighty sheep from Mr. Greenwood's station, and has lost fifteen on the passage. She called in at Cloudy Bay, but does not report any fish having been caught at the whaling stations there.

Mr. Lovett, whose death is recorded in this day's Speectator, has been connected with the trade of this Port almost from its first establishment. He was the owner of the Royal William and was one of the most successful of those engaged in the coasting trade.

ThbWbathbk. — The present winter hitherto has been the mildest experienced since the formation of the settlement. The long continuance of calm warm weather, and the prevalence of light easterly winds has been the subject of general remark. The Tararua range also, which at this season of the year is generally thickly covered with snow, is without its usual winter covering. We believe the season has been equally mild to the Southward. A change has at length taken place in the weather ; during Thursday night and yesterday the rain fell in very heavy showers, accompanied during yesterday afternoon, with one or two slight peals of thunder. The wind has also shifted to the northwest, so that we may shortly hope for arrivals from Sydney, bringing some of the English mails which are overdue.

Custom House, Ist July, 1847. Spirits and Tobacco under bond This Day : Brandy 804 gallons. Rum 6704 do. Gin .:.. 610 do. Whisky ?:..... 25 do. Cigars 800 lbs. Tobacco 39674 do.

Wklmngton Savings Bank. — Mr. W. S. Loxley, Mr. James May, Mr. J. M'Beth, and Col. Wakefield, 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 3rd July, 1847, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the sth July.