New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 1, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 218, 1 September 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 1, 1847.

We have previously recorded the visits of the Lieutenant-Governor to Wairarapa and Waikanae. As these visits appear to have been made for the purpose of acquiring information, and as we suppose that any suggestions which may originate improvements may not be unacceptable, we will take the opportunity of throwing out a few hints connected with the town and also with the country districts : At present we will confine our remarks to the town, and the state of what, in common parlance, are styled its public buildings, though of these there are none, except the gaol, which are not rented by the Local Government., To whichever of the departments we torn, whether it be to

the Police office, the Supreme Court, the Treasury or Custom House, whatever shades of difference may exist as to their relative unfitness, how much worse ,'soever some of these buildings may be than others for the purposes they are made to serve, it will hardly be denied that they are all makeshifts, and some of them very miserable ones. Let any one, for example, whom either business or inclination may. this day lead to the Supreme Court, the Westminster Hall of the Southern Province, say — after considering the amount of business transacted in this building, which is made to do double duty, as a Court of Justice and a Court of Requests, — if it is not time that a more convenient and substantial edifice adapted to the growing wants of the community be provided for the administration of justice. At the commencement of Captain Fitzroy's Government a new Court House was talked of, and we believe a design was prepared, but nothing was done, and the subject has since been forgotten. But as we are about to enter upon a new and permanent state of things, the present appears a fitting opportunity for an alteration in this system, when a judicious adaptation should be made of the means to the end and these makeshifts be altogether done away with. In any plan which may be adopted, it may be found convenient to arrange the public offices in two divisions : those which relate to the administration of Justice, the Registration of deeds, &c, being included in one block of buildings ; and those connected with commerce, as the Custom House, Treasury, &c, in another. Such an arrangement would give greater facilities for the transaction of public business, and the buildings themselves in the hands of a skilful architect might, in external appearance, be made to assume considerable importance, ! which would not be the case if they were erected as separate buildings in different parts of the town. We assume that the buildings would be constructed of durable materials, | and be either of brick cemented, or of stone. S We are not advocating am lavish expenditure : a design of this nature to be effective does not depend so much on the amount laid out in external embellishment, as on its proportions and the skilful distribution of its parts. The difference of expense between good and bad forms, it has judiciously been observed, is comparatively trifling, the difference in appearance is immense ; if good taste be displayed in the design of such buildings as are required for the public service, they establish a standard to which private buildings would assimilate ; and they must therefore be considered not merely with reference to themselves, but to the influence they may exercise on the public taste. By a timely preparation of the designs, sufficient opportunity would be afforded for their mature consideration, and under skilful management these buildings may be made an ornament to the town, and by their convenient arrangement offer increased facilities for the transaction of public business. It is reported that Mr. D. Wakefield has been appointed Crown Solicitor and Public Prosecutor in this Province. The office of legal adviser to the Government is usually the honorable reward of successful ability ; by bestowing the office on the person in the most extensive practice, the Government at once confirm the judgment of the public, and secure the services of the most able adviser. Whether this rule has been observed in the present instance or not, the public will best determine ; certainly Mr. D. Wakefield does not appear to be very prominently engaged in the proceedings of the Supreme Court. The two officers on whom, next to the Governor, the responsibility of the conduct of public affairs chiefly rests, are the Colonial Secretary, and the Legal Adviser of the Government. We hope the appointment to the former office may be more judicious than that to which we have just adverted.

We understand that letters have been written to Captain Stanley by the Lords of the Admiralty, and- the Admiral on the station, publicly thanking him and the officers and men of the Calliope for their gallant conduct during the late disturbances. We have always had sincere pleasure in recording the services rendered by Captain Stanley and those under his command, to the settlers on all occasions of danger and difficulty, and the remembrance of these gallant men will

hereafterbecome inseparably connected with the history of the early struggles and vicissitudes of this Province.

The weekly performance of the Band of the 65th Regiment, which had been prevented by the rain on Wednesday, took place on Saturday afternoon on Thorndon Flat ; and although it was but partially known, there was a numerous attendance of persons. The music was admirable, and as we believe, the performance of so excellent a band will render these weekly promenades a very general attraction, we intend publishing each week the list of pieces selected for performance. Subjoined will be found this day's Programme. Programme. 1 . Overture. . Fra Diavolo Aubtr. 2. Selection. . Maritana Wallace. 3. Prince of Wales Quadrille Glover. 4. Cavatina. . Vi Raviso. . La Sonambula Bellini. 5. Hnmile, or Bridal Valse Jullien. 6. Cavatina Pardona o mia Diletta, \ £ e m n j La Sonambuld J 7. Railroad Gallop Junyle. 5 8. Bohemian Polka Keonig. We would suggest that the presence of one or two policemen would be very useful to keep order among the little boys, who choose this opportunity of playing their gambols to the annoyance and interruption of those who go to enjoy the music. This should be put a stop to, as if the boys wish to play they can easily choose some other playground.

The Ldvard Stanley arrived on Sunday from Massacre Bay, having left Wanganui the 10th August, but later intelligence has been received from that district by a settler who arrived overland on Saturday, having left Wanganui the previous Tuesday. All was quiet there, the taua having gone up the river to plant their potatoes, according to their previous declaration. Trading had recommenced with the natives, several parties of them having at different times come down the river for that purpose. H.M. Steamer Inflexible has been detained in the Strait from the difficulty she experienced, owing: to roush weather, of com-

municating with her boats with Wanganui. She was seen passing by Cape Palliser on Monday on her way to Auckland. The Government Brig which was to visit Wanganui after leaving Nelson may be expected here towards the end of the week.

The Souvenir arrived this morning from Melbourne after a passage of thirteen days. The papers we have received by her do not appear to contain any news of importance.

Death bt Drowning. — On Saturday last a person of the name of Samuel Florence was unfortunately drowned at Okiwi. He had gone over in a boat with Messrs. J. H. and D. Wallace to Okiwi, and after landing, the boat was anchored within a short distance of the shore. On preparing to return Florence waded out to the boat for the purpose of weighing the anchor, but in the mean time the tide had risen and he soon found himself out of his depth. His danger was observed from the shore, and Mr. Howard Wallace, the only person of the party who could swim, immediately rushed into the water to his assistance, and succeeded in catching him by his hair, but before he could be brought to a place of safety, he slipped from Mr. Wallace's grasp and suddenly sunk to rise no more. Mr. Wallace with praiseworthy energy and at considerable personal risk (as a strong swell set in on the shore) used every means to save the unfortunate man, but his exertions were unavailing. It is supposed from his sudden disappearance that the deceased must have been seized with cramp. The whole of Saturday afternoon was spent by Messrs. Wallace in dragging for the body, and Captain Stanley on hearing of the accident sent one of the Calliope's boats, which was employed the whole of Sunday, and the following day went himself in command of the boat, but we regret to say the efforts made to recover the body have not been attended with success. The unfortunate man has left a wife and four children who were dependent on his exertions for their support.