New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, January 19, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 258, 19 January 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, January 19, 1848.

It may be supposed now that the Governor -in- Chief has at length arrived in Wellington, that no time will be lost in bringing^ the new constitution practically into operation by formally installing the LieutenantGovernor into office, and relieving him from the anomalous position in which for the last six months he has been placed. It may indeed be presumed that this is one of the principal objects of Captain Grey's visit to the Southern Province. It is rumoured that this ceremony will take place on the anniversary of this settlement, which is about to be commemorated as an annual holiday, and should this be the case the opportunity will be judiciously chosen. It would add additional interest hereafter to the associations connected with the day on which the settlement was founded if the anniversary of that day should also be selected as the commencement of a new order of things from which so much is expected, and which may be considered as a fresh starting point. But that our second beginning should be prosperous, it is absolutely necessary that all former impediments to our success should be removed, and that a fair course should be open to the settler. The issuing of a Crown Grant for this district so as to prevent any further disputes on this subject will be a very important step towards this end. It is imperative that thisquestion, which has been so fruitful a cause of embarrassment and disappointment should be put an end to and a title at last granted for lands which have occasioned so much trouble and bloodshed. There can be little doubt that Crown grants will be issued for the districts immediately surrounding Wellington during the Governor's present visit, as all disputes with the natives have been arranged, and there is no longer any pretext by which further de-. lay can be occasioned. But we hope that not only will Crown grants be issued for these, but that all the other districts included in this settlement, in compliance with Lord Grey's pressing instructions, will be obtained from the natives and thus any excuse

for further disturbances be altogether taken away. We allude more particularly to the district of Wairarapa, the speedy acquisition of which is not only in justice due to the settlers established there, but is necessary in order that some general rules may be framed to regulate' and protect the interests of stockowners, and to encourage the formation of new stations. This has long been promised, and the acquisition of this district by the Crown would allow the promise to be fulfilled and place the stock-own-er on a legitimate footing. Great as have been the recent importations of stock, such an act would give a still further impetus to this trade, as there is a very general inclination to employ capital in sheep and cattle stations* and in keeping stock, which is looked upon as one of the most profitable pursuits in the colony.

On Monday morning the Inflexible and Racehorse returned from Wanganui with the Governor-in-Chief and. suite and the Lieu-tenant-Governor, The- Racehorse reached Wanganui on the 7th" inst., and the weather being fine the Lieutenant- Governor was preparing to disembark when, owing to a sudden •change of the weather, the vessel returned to her anchorage at Kapiti. She arrived off Wanganui again on the 11th inst., when the Lieutenant- Governor landed and had an interview with some of the chiefs belonging to the taua. Here he was subsequently joined by the Governor; who arrived in the Inflexible on Thursday. Te Pehi and Ngapara had *n interview with the Governor and made their submission, expressing their desire to live is jpeace, and their intention of giving up all further thoughts of fighting. Mamoku, who was staying some miles up the river, in answer to a message sent him on the arrival of the Rzcehorse, returned word that if the Governor came he would see him, but that he would not have anything to say to the Lieutenant- Governor. He did not come down while the Governor was at Wanganui and his Excellency on his departure appointed a general meeting of the tribes to take place at Otaki, at which he promised to attend. The two vessels then left Wanganui on Saturday evening, and arrived the following morning off Otaki. Here T^Jtauparaha, who for the last eighteen mohths has been either a prisoner, or under suiveillance, was at length set at liberty. Te Whero Whero, Taraia, and other chiefs from the North, also landed to have a korero with the natives at Otaki, who had mustered in great numbers to meet them, and to welcome back Te Rauparaha. The Governor went on shore at Otaki, and was very well received by the natives, who seemed very much pleased to see him again. Thompson, Te Rauparaha's son, gave an entertainment to the Governor and his suite in the European style; the table was covered with a table-cloth, and the guests were provided with knives and forks, and a very substantial repast cooked in the English fashion was served. Te Whero Whero and the other chiefs were left with Te Rauparaha at Otaki, where a general meeting of the tribes will take place to morrow, at which Rangihaeata and Mamoku are expected to attend ; this meeting will be preliminary to another meeting at which the Governor intends to be present, and which it is expected will take place next week.

Inspection op 65th Regiment. — Yesterday morning that part of the 65th Regiment stationed in Wellington were inspected on Thorndon Flat by General Pitt, the Com-mander-in-Chief -of the Forces in New Zealand, accompanied by Lieut.-Colonel M'Cleverty, the officer commanding in this district, and Lieut.-Colonel Gold, commanding the regiment. The troops were first inspected in heavy marching order, and afterwards having laid aside their knapsacks they formed in parade order, and went through the different manoeuvres with great precision, and in admirable order. Owing to the shortness of the notice, there was not a very numerous attendance of spectators. It is currently reported that a general review will take place this day at Te Aro.

We have received the following letter from an Old Subscriber in answer to a communicated paragraph in our last number, which promises to become a subject of controversy, and into the discussion of which our correspondent's question of our good tact and taste compels us to enter, Our correspondent evinces more zeal than discretion in the advocacy of his cause, and in effect admits the justice of the animadversions he desires to repel. Without adopting the sentiments of our first correspondent, we must remind an Old Subscriber that this is not a question of the extent in which the Company's Principal Agent may participate in private amusements, but has peculiar reference to his position as Founder

of the First Settlement formed in New Zealand. This act is most intimately connected with Col. Wakefield's reputation, and in his position as Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company it was not an unreasonable expectation that he should feel an active interest in the celebration of the anniversary of an event to which he chiefly owes his celebrity. It is a public act, and one which is a fair subject of discussion. If the Principal Agent of the Company had appeared to enter into the spirit of the Popular Sports, had given his usual subscription and had attended usual meetings of the Committee of the Anniversary Fete, we venture to assert that no question would ever have been raised on the subject ; but it can hardly excite surprise if, by pursuing an opposite course his conduct should become the subject of observation. > ( - . '