New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, January 5, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 254, 5 January 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, January 5, 1848.

At the commencement of a new year it has been customary for us to indulge in a brief retrospect of that which has just closed, and on the present occasion a hasty reference to some of the principal events of 1847, in connection with the natives, the Government, and the New Zealand Company, will be useful in forming an estimate of the prospects of the opening year. The comparative quiet which succeeded the military operations at Horokiwi, the forerunner it was hoped of general tranquillity, was rudely broken by the savage murders and subsequent outbreak at Wanganui, and though the rebels appear now to be desirous of obtaining peace, some time must elapse before peace can be assured in that district so as to allow the settlers to resume with confidence the cultivation of the land. The absence of any further disturbances in this- immediate neighbourhood, and the renewed confidence of the settlers has led to the extension of cultivation which will probably be greatly increased in the course of the present year. The employment of the natives on the roads in the Porirua and Hutt districts has been very beneficial in teachiug them habits of industry, and the use of European implements. In the use of these they were rapidly becoming skilled proficients, when the force on the roads was reduced, and the works continued on a more moderate scale. This is to be regretted, as the natives were becoming daily more accustomed to the usages of civilized life, and the greater part of the money thus acquired, the fruits of their industry,was carefully invested in stock, or spent in the purchase of European clothing. But the reduction of the expenditure on the roads is still more to be regretted on general grounds, as the sooner these are completed the more the general prosperity of the settlement will be advanced. We therefore hope that the roads will engage the attention of the Governor on his arrival and that he will take measures to cause these works to be prosecuted with increased vigour during this the most favourable season of the year. The Constitution which has been granted to this colony in the new Charter and Royal Instructions promises to have a material influence on our future progress. The Charter has been published, a Governor for this Province has been appointed, and nothing remains but to give effect to the Colonial Minister's instructions. But between the promise and the performance a long, an unseasonable interval has occurred, — an interval of expectation which we hope to sco shortly ended by the Governor's arrival and the Proclamation of the New Constitution. How this will operate on our future fortunes will greatly depend on the practical arrangement of the details of the measure which have been left to the judgment and discretion of the Governor ; much will also depend on those who are elected under its provisions to the Municipal and Provincial Councils, upon whom will devolve the responsibility of making the New Constitution in its operation acceptable to their fellow settlers, and beneficial to the interests of the settlement. The last point of importance to which we may briefly refer as affectiug the prospects of the present year, is the re-esta-blishment of the New Zealand Company with the most liberal assistance from the British Government. Six months of the prescribed three years of grace have already passed away without any practical result in the colony ; a short time will serve to show whether the Company will be able to profit by the conditions so liberally granted them, and renew their colonizing operations on a scale commensurate with the expectations which the assistance they have received is calculated to raise. We begin the year with a revenue rapidly increasing, with the native population in the immediate vicinity of this settlement peacefully disposed, and advancing in the arts of civilization, with

the prospect of self-government, and the promise of the renewal of the Company's colonizing operations, so as to be productive of advantage to the colony ; — the events of the year will determine how far these prospects at its commencement will be realized in its progress.

The sports in honour of the first.day of the new year, of which we gave previous intimation, were duly celebrated by the men of the 65th regiment, and attracted a numerous concourse of spectators. An enclosed stand with raised seats was provided for the accommodation of the ladies. The foot races were very closely contested, but the jumping in sacks seemed to afford the greatest amusement. After the different races and sports by the military were concluded, a war dance was got up by some of the natives of Te Aro, and the other pas in the town. The weather was cool, but favorable to the day's sports, which appeared to afford great pleasure to the spectators.

Bt a person who arrived here yesterday morning from Wanganui. which he left on the 31st ult., we are informed that the expected taua under Tauroa visited Wanganui on Wednesday, the 29th ult., crossed over to Putiki, and returned up the river the following day. Mamuko was likewise expected in Wanganui on Friday last. The taua had not been guilty of any acts of violence during their visit. The Governor had not visited Wanganui when our informant left that place, but he saw the Inflexible, which had come north-about, off Kapiti, on Monday morning, so that his Excellency may be hourly expected in Wellington.

A meeting of subscribers to the new race course took" place yesterday at Mr. Allens Commercial Room, when a committee was appointed of thirteen gentlemen, to make the necessary arrangements for the races at the ensuing Anniversary Fete. The committee will hold its first "meeting at 4 o'clock on Thursday (to-morrow) afternoon, at Barrett's Hotel.

Among the stores sent out in the Ralph Bernal by the British Government, is a large fire-engine of a very powerful construction. It is about nine feet long, and appears to be very complete in every respect. This will prove a most valuable acquisition to the settlement; and in the event of a fire in Wellington, if such a calamity should ever occur, we may hope that by its means any serious mischief would be effectually prevented.

Some of the sheep brought by the Comet from Mr. Rhodes' station at Port Cooper, which have been killed, have been of the average weight of 761bs. The largest wa» found to weigh 951bs.

Qttantitt of rain fallen from the Ist to 31st December, 1847, both days iuclusive: —2 in. 1-lOth.

[From the Tasmanian, December 14.3 Hobart Town Markets. — Wheat has had another downward tendency since our last : the highest cash price offered within thi« day or two is ss. 6J., hut holders are demanding 6s. and do not seem inclined to sell ; oats are looking up, and are selling wholesale, at from 3s. 91. to 45. : potatoes are down, £4 to £4 10s heing the highest price offered, although £5 have been offered for tht ensuing crop.

Launceston Markets, December 8. — Wheat ss. per bushel. Port Phillip. — We received this jporning our files to the 7th instant inclusive; wheat was from 4s. to ss. per bushel ; Y. D. L. oats, 4s. to 4s. 6d. ; English "barley, 4s. 6d. Mr. E. Deas Thomson, Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, and whom report names as the future Lieutenant-Gover-nor of Australia Felix, had arrived at Melbou.ne by the Shamrock, and was to visit the colony by the Raven. The fine barque las* man sailed from Port Phillip for London on the 7th, with a large cargo of colonial pro. duce, it is reported that she was spoken with hy the steamer, in the Straits, beating against a continuation of easterly winds, -very unusual at this season of the year. The Adelaide papers say that wheat is now worth from 9s. to 10s. 6d. per 60lbs. at the Cap* of Good Hope. — Tasmanian, Dec. 14.

South Australia. — A new Coffer Mine. — An important mineral discovery ha« been made to the southward. We are not at liberty to mention the locality, but we may state that specimens of copper ore have been discovered within three feet of the surface, which, on.being analysed, yielded 40 per cent, of pure copper. There is every prospect that the mine will be one of the finest in the pro-

rince, and arrangements hare been made to conduct extensive and vigorous operations. Silver O be.— The two men who discovered the lead ore at Pairing*, and got it on tribute, have in four months raised 60 tons. It is calculated that they will make at least £1000 by the speculation. The company (Kanmantoo) have not yet stiuck the lode on their land. — South Australian, Nov. 12.