New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, September 22, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 224, 22 September 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, September 22, 1847.

In ouf last number we indulged in some speculations on the probability of a speedy issue of Crown grants for this district ; besides the considerations to which we then

adverted, there are other grounds which render their issue desirable. The establishment of the new constitution is immediately expected ; the first arriral from Auckland will in all probability bring the proclamations and other documents requisite to bring its machinery into operation. Although in the Instructions under the Royal Sign Manual, other qualifications besides a freehold property are prescribed for members of the houses of assembly, and the qualification for the burgess of any borough (and we presume for the aldermen and councilmen to be elected by the burgesses) is merely the occupation of any tenement within the borough for six months immediately preceding the Ist of January of each year, in which he may claim the exercise of his right as burgess, yet we confess we perceive considerable difficulty in the practical working of the system without the issue of the Crown grants. For one of the main objects of establishing these municipalities appears to be to enable those residing within their limits to impose rates and assessments on property within the borough, for defraying the expense of making and maintainingthe streets, roads, and other thoroughfares, the erection and repair of public buildings for any corporate purposes, the maintenance of the police, and the other necessary charges incidental to the good order and government of the borough. Now it is very possible that a difficulty will arise in limine to the working of this measure. The aldermen and common councilmen after being duly elected, may meet in solemn conclave and impressed with the responsibilities of their office may proceed to impose rates, — but will these rates be paid ? Their power may be like that of Glendower's "to call spirits from the vasty deep" — " But will they come when you do call for them?" It is now just five years since the first corporation was elected under the former Municipal Ordinance, and the difficulty of imposing rates was so strongly felt, that although the property in the town was valued with a view to assessment, no assessment was ever made. The only fund at the disposal of the old corporation was the money paid by each burgess as a qualification, which was spent in defraying the necessary expenses of the corporation. At a subsequent period, when Captain Fitzroy endeavoured to levy a property tax, the settlers in the Southern settlements did not make any return of their lands because they had no Crown title to them, and this was one of the principal reasons urged by that eccentric Governor, in defending himself from the charge of inconsistency, for returning to the system of indirect taxation, because the revenue from the property rate in the Southern settlements was, to use his own words, " perfectly contemptible." The same reasons which formerly prevented the successful imposition of rates onlanded property will probably operate again in producing the same effects, unless Crown grants are issued for the lands. Foi , taking for granted that the settlers are ready to contribute their proportion of local rates and assessments, unless the absentee proprietors were obliged in like degree to contribute (and without a title to their lands there would be considerable difficulty in obtaining tlieir concurrence)the whole burthen of the expense of local improvements would be thrown on those resident in the colony, in addition to their contributions by indirect taxation to the general revenue, while the property of the absentees which has hitherto been relieved from its fair share of these expenses would stiil continue to derive additional value from the improvements effected. It maybe thought that we are indulging in groundless apprehensions. In answer to such objections, we reply we are only arguing from past experience, when as we have seen, the difficulties occasioned by the absence of Crown grants created considerable embarrassment ; — the best way to avoid the recurrence of these difficulties would be to remove the cause of them, and at once issue Crown grants for the lands in those districts in which the new constitution will be put in operation.

Wreck of the " Sarah Jane." — We are exceedingly sorry to record the loss of this vessel off Castle Point during the late south-

caster. The Sarah Jane left Wellington on the 2d ult., with Mr. Perry, with the intention of proceeding to Mr. Fitzherbert's whaling station at the Kaikoras. Shortly after leaving port, the wind proved unfavourable, and drove the vessel out of her course to the northward ; but on the night (Friday) after her departure the wind increased to a perfect gale; the sails were split in pieces, and the waves completely swept the decks. r * Every exertion was made by the master and crew to save the vessel, but the wind blowing so har J on a lee shore, rendered all their efforts unavailing, and at length being within about a mile of the rocks, it was found that the only chance of saving the lives of those on board was to run the vessel on shore. This was accomplished on Sunday evening, about fifteen miles south of Castle Point, and all on board providentially escaped from the wreck unhurt. Mr. Perry walked from Castle Point to Wellington, where he arrived on Saturday evening. The Maories who saw the vessel: from the shore on Saturday, concluded, as she was not driven on shore that day, she had gone down, and that all hands had perished. The master of the vessel has returned to the wreck in the hope of recovering, with the assistance of the Maories, the anchors, chains, and any thing else belonging to the vessel that may prove serviceable. The vessel belonged to Messrs. Fitzherbert & Perry, and is the second they have lost within the last seven months, both of which were uninsured. The loss in itself is a serious one, and occurring towards the end of the whaling season, will be still more severely felt ; it will also prove a serious inconvenience to the coasting trade, as the present number of vessels engaged in it are by no means adequate to its requirements.

On Monday last (being the tenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar) was the fast of atonement, which was observed by the members of that ancient covenant resident in this settlement, by entire abstinence from all nutriment, from Sunday evening at sun- set, until after the appearance of the stars on Monday evening, in accordance with the ordination of the Mosaic" dispensation, Leviticus, chap. 16, rer. 29 to 30, and chap. 23, ver. 26 to 30 ; and by their meeting at the residence of Mr. Hort, at Te Aro, for the performance of divine worship.

Theatre. — Yesterday evening the band of the 65th Regt. attended afthe Theatre, according to the previous announcement, and performed a variety of concerted pieces of music, and although the night was rather unfavourable, the attractions they held out were sufficient to cause the house to be very fully attended.

Programme of this day's Performance by the Band of the 65th Regiment : — 1. Overture, Cheval de Bronze Auber. 2. Grand Scene E'Aria — Giuramento. .Mercadante. 3. The British Navy Quadrilles Jullien. 4. Selection from the Daughter of \ n-i*. St. Mark fJtaffe5. Aurora "Waltz Labitshy. 6. Original Mazurka and Cellarius"! - . „. Waltz j 7. Gallop Hope. 8. Opera Polka Tolbecque.

Wellington Savingsßank — Mr.Langdon, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lardner, 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 25th September 1 847; and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock, on Monday forenoon, the 27th September.