New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 22, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 276, 22 March 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 22, 1848.

About twelve months since we took occasion to notice the threat of a few factious individuals to bring over the Examiner from Nelson, and establish it in this settlement in opposition to this Journal. The way in which we met their threatened opposition at the time effectually silenced our opponents, who, convinced of its hopelessness, finally abandoned the attempt. But we find we have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it, after a year's interval again it rears its sibilant head, again with impotent malice it threatens to cross our path. On the occasion to which we allude we reviewed the state of public opinion, and the course pursued by this Journal. We shewed that the opinions we advocated were those entertained by the majority of the settlers, and the continued and increased support we have since received has fully confirmed our assertion. Has any change occurred either in our sentiments or those of the community which justifies this fresh attempt, or which promises to render it more successful? We think not. The current of public opinion still flows in the same direction, and our sentiments continue to be expressed in accordance with it. If we were asked the difference between our opponents and ourselves on many of the questions which form the subject of public discussion, "such their partitions do the bounds divide," so nearly do we agree, that we should be rather at a loss to explain it. They profess the same opposition to the proceedings of the Company, but they wish to go further. Not content with advocating public questions on public grounds, they wish to mix up in their discussion the bitterness of personal malignity — a malignity partly directed against ourselves. The concoctors of

this scheme boast of their power to crush both the Journals now in circulation in this settlement, and to establish on their ruins an organ of their own. They seek not so much the opportunity of expressing their own opinions, for this they know they have already, as of establishing a species of despotism which would allow no other opinions to be expressed than their own. Insufferable arrogance ! to suppose the community will tamely submit to their dictation, or contentedly bear the yoke they would impose upon them. The two persons who are the reputed leaders of the present movement are the same who on the occasion to which we refer, were conspicuous in their hostility to this Journal. Perhaps their inordinate vanity was piqued by the slight notice we took of their lucubrations, perhaps we committed the unpardonable offence of valuing them at their real worth rather than at their own estimation. A man's true merit 'tis not hard to find, Bat each man's secret standard in his mind ; That casting weight pride adds to emptiness, This who can gratify? for who can guess? Be it so ! to their threats as to their persuasions, and they have not been sparing of either, we are equally indifferent, and are as little to be moved from what we believe to be the path of duty by one as by the other. As long as we continue to conduct the Spectator we shall fearlessly and honestly advocate those views which we believe will promote the best interests of the settlement, our columns will always be open to the discussion of all public questions, as long as the discussion is carried on in a fair and temperate spirit, but our supporters may be assured we will never suffer this Journal to become the tool of any faction, or to be the vehicle of those personalities which are sought to be introduced in public discussions. We rely confidently on the good sense and moderation of the community, and are persuaded they have no desire that the Press should i be disgraced with those virulent personalities which are the reproach of the Journals of neighbouring colonies. We will never sacrifice principle to personal advantage, and are prepared to resist to the utmost the spirit of dictation and intimidation attempted to be exercised by a few individuals who greatly over estimate their position and influence in the community.

The Julia arrived on Suuday from Auckland, which she left on the 4th inst. We have received our usual files of Auckland papers, but they contain very little news of interest. A discovery had been made of the murderers of Lieutenant Snow and his family through the confession of one of the persons implicated, of the name of Burns, who had been tried at the last sittings of the Supreme Court, for attempting to murder Margaret Reardon, a woman with whom he cohabited, and sentenced to be transported for life. After conviction, he attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat ; and believing his end to be approaching, he made a full confession, and named his accomplices. He is since much better, and it is thought will recover. The writ of mandamus, applied for in order to try the validity of the suspension of the Court of Requests by the Governor-in-Chief, had been refused by the Chief Justice : its refusal appears to have caused a good deal of excitement. It was thought that the Government Brig would not leave Auckland so soon as reported by the New Zealander.

Supreme Court. — On Monday, the case of Scott versus Grace was tried before Mr. Justice Chapman and a special Jury. The trial lasted the whole of the day, and the Jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff £200. From the length of the trial we are obliged to postpone the report of the proceedings to our next number.

His Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor has sanctioned the formation of a library at the Colonial Hospital for the amusement of the convalescent patients of both races, and has promised to contribute some books. Mrs. Grey gave Dr. Fitzgerald, the Colonial Surgeon, a few of such books as she could procure, with the promise of a further contribution : the Governor-in-Chief has also promised some native works. As this library is intended chiefly for the amusement of the patients, it is considered better that it should consist entirely of works of general reading,

leaving religious works to be supplied to the patients by their respective ministers of religion on their visits to the Hospital.