New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 29, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 252, 29 December 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 29, 1847.

In one of the New Zealand Journals (June 19) recently received, we find an allusion in general terms to the Letter or Remonstrance addressed by the Resident Purchasers of Land in this Settlement to the Directors of the New Zealand Company. The writer of the notice referred to does not attempt to refute the arguments, or answer any of the charges contained in this remonstrance; that • perhaps he would find rather difficult to do : he dares not even name it, for fear of attracting too much attention to the subject, but prefers misrepresenting the, motives, and aspersing the characters of those, whose names are attached to the Letter, attributing " this movement" to " interested, and in many cases undeserving men," " former proteges of the Company," who, supposing it to be all over with their patrons, evince " a laudable anxiety to come in for something at what they imagine will be the general scramble." -This may be a more easy and congenial task, but is not calculated to produce much effect on the minds of impartial persons. Having at the time entered at length into this subject, we need not do more now than briefly refer to it. In the letter was plainly set forth the claims of the original purchasers on the Company, the Company's x breach of contract towards them in various particu* lars, and the right which they had to claim compensation. Whatever arguments the Company might urge upon the Government for compensation might be used with still greater force by the land purchasers against them. If their claim is if they receive compensation from the Government, they are equally bound to grant compensation to their purchasers ; men whose exertions and energy have preyented the total failure of the enterprise, who have contributed to its success in spite even of the mistakes of the Company, who embarked not only their fortunes but their lives on the issue. While that issue was doubtful, the sympathies of the British public were enlisted in favour of the unfortunate settlers, their fortitude, their patience, their sacrifices were fruitful topics on which the advocates of the Company would expatiate ; but now the reward is obtained, these are no longer heard of, but we are told that the Company's prosperity will be a sufficient compensation to the settlers. What is the compensation received by the Company ?—? — Not only a loan of £236,000 for three ye&rs free of interest, which in the event of their failure becomes an absolute gift, but a grant of 1,048,991 acres of land, which they have a right to dispose of for their own benefit without expending any part of the money on emigration, a great portion of this land having been I awarded by the Government in respect of

the expenditure of the money of the origitnal purchasers. And what is their compensation ? The prosperity of the Company if they succeed — if they fail the loss of three more years, with all the delays and drawbacks consequent on their failure and the adjustment of their affairs; and the repayment out of the land fund of £268,370, the value of the Company's land at five shillings -per acre !

The Fanny Fisher arrived on Saturday from Sydney, after a very favourable passage of nine days. This is, we believe, her first trip, having been recently built at Sydney. She appears to be constructed on an excellent model, and reflects great credit on her builder. We regret to state that the intelligence brought by the Wavarley, of the fatal accident which occurred to Lady Mary Fitzroy, is fully confirmed.-

IJ.M.S, Racehorse returned to Wellington on Monday, hiding taken Major Richmond to Nelson, to which settlement he has been appointed Superintendent and Resident Magistrate. The Racehorse fired a salute and the yards were manned on his landing, and an address of congratulation was presented to him on his arrival by the storekeepers and farmers. The new pilot at Nelson, Mr. Sterling, appears to give general satisfaction, and the appointment is considered a very judicious one. The Racehorse left Nelson on Thursday the 23rd instant for Wanganui, and arrived there on the evening of Christmas Day. She left on Sunday night and arrived at Wellington the following morning. All was quiet at Wanganui at the time of her departure.

Coroner's Inquest. — An Inquest was held on Monday, at the Aglionby Arms near the Hutt Bridge, before Dr. Fitzgerald the Coroner, on the body of George Drake, a sawyer, who was found the previous morning burnt to death in a house about a mile and a half on this side the Taita. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased with some other companions had been spending Christmas Day in drinking ; in the evening they went to sleep in a house belonging to Samuel Burnet about a mile and a half from Hughes's public house at the Taita. Here the deceased lay down by the side of the fire, which during the night communicated with his clothes, and occasioned his death. The next morning at daybreak a person of the name of Betts on entering the house saw the body of deceased lying on the floor all burned, his garments were all burned except a small portion which was still on fire and on which he threw a bucket of water. He then woke the three companions of the deceased who were asleep in the house, (one of them in the same room) but who were not conscious of what had happened. The body was examined by Dr. Taylor, who deposed that the injuries caused by fire which extended all over the surface of the body were sufficient to cause immediate death. The Jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death."

Suicide.—- The body of a native woman was found yesterday near the Waiwetu river ; the deceased, who belongs to Pipitea pa, had been at work up the Hutt, and had been missing from her companions for some days. Search had been made for her, and at length the body was found in a decomposing state and in such a position as to leave no doubt that the deceased had committed suicide. Jealousy is supposed to have been the motive which impelled her to self-destruction.

The Comet sailed on Friday to Banks' Peninsula to Messis. Rhodes' station for a cargo of fat sheep and cattle for the supply of the Wellington market.