[From the Southern Cross, Feb. 5 and 26.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 277, 25 March 1848, Page 3

[From the Southern Cross, Feb. 5 and 26.]

We regret exceedingly that the return of our respected townsmen, Messrs. Carlton and Lewis, from Sydney, has been attended with such a heavy misfortune as that which we are about to record. The Orwell, the vessel in which these gentlemen were embarked, with 160 head of cattle, was totally lost on Wednesday evening off the north head of Manukau harbour. It seems that this disaster is not to be attributed to any want of care or precaution on the part of the officers of the vessel, -but must be regarded as one of those events over which we have no , control. The Orwell had been for some days on the west coast, unable to get round the North Cape, and as the provisions for the cattle were ran- < ning short, it was- determined to run into Manukas, Mr. Carltpn having a chart of the

.Port. It is said that this chart, constructed according to the survey of Mr. Orrasby, is utteily incorrect : at all events, whether this is the case or not, the Orwell, in taking the north channel, notwithstanding a boat was sent ahead to sound, got set by the tide on to the bank, and there being a considerable surf, and not sufficient wind to take her off, she soon went to pieces. The crew were all fortunately saved, but the cargo was totally lost. This disaster is peculiarly distressing, as Messrs. Carlton and Lewis had been compelled to put back to Sydney when more than half way to Auckland some few weeks back, owing to the loss of almost all their cattle by death ; and now, when a most favourable passage, with scartely any loss, afforded tha chance of retrieving the first ill snccess, to have their expectations crushed by a loss still more sweeping. It is deeply to be regretted that the Government should not have had the harbour of Manukau properly surveyed, as it is well known that this harbour is perfectly safe if a proper chartfof it were constructed. If the Government would only spare a small fraction of the enormous expenditure, for this purpose, which they are literally burying in the roads near Auckland, and at Faparoa, the expenditure would prove p. saving of many thousands of pounds a-year to the colony, not to mention the security to life and property, which a proper survey would afford. Progress of the Natives in the PoriTE Observances op Society. — The aptness of the New Zealander for imitating the manners and customs of those with whom he is brought into contact, has often been remarked, but perhaps has never been more strikingly exemplified than in the fashionable message sent by Heke to an official gent., whose acquaintance he did not wish to cultivate. Ensign Symonds, the native secretary, when travelling lately on some as yet unknown mission, sent a messenger to the noted chief Heke, announcing his approach, and requesting the honour of an interview. The reply was — " Not at home."

The New Zealand Company, if we may judge from the tone of their organ, the Net.? Zealand Journal, are not very well pleased with the policy of Governor Grey. The fact of his having agreed to pay £3000 for the Wairau, especially excites the indignation of the Directors. The shoe appears to pinch in two places. They find fault with the payment, because it undermines the visionary hope they appear to llave been indulging, of being able to obtain possession of the Middle Island without payment at all — they naturally conclude that if so large a sum is necessary to obtain only the Wairau district, the acquisition of the whole island would involve an immense expenditure; — and they also censure this just and imperative proceeding of Governor Grey's, because it indirectly confirms the righteous character of Captain Fitzroy's policy, and condemns the conduct of those who by their rash and intemperate proceeding brought on the first fatal collision between the natives and the settlers. The following quotation will serve to indicate the state of feeling in Broad-street : — " It would be absurd, not to foresee, from this arraugement, that Captain Fitzroy has cause to rejoice in the confirmation of that fatal portion j of his policy, which first alienated the settlers from him, and that he will point to it, as an ! admission of the justice of his policy. This is so self-evident, that we at once give him the benefit of it ; at the same time expressing our opinion, that Captain Grey has not acted wisely by the step he has adopted. It is even inconsistent with his own views. — We regret, now that the facts of the case are for the first time before us, to be compelled to qualify our constant praise of Captain Grey's administration by such a drawback. The settlement of the land question is a great point, but we should hesitate to receive even such a boon as this, at the expense of the reputation of our slaughtered fellow-colonists. It is impossible not to foresee the difficulties which will arise out of this false step, and we are in great doubt whether her Majesty's government can justly confirm it. Much as we admire the wisdom evinced by Captain Grey in his other acts, and in his promptness in carrying them out, ours is not a blind admiration ; we cannot conceal from ourselves the consequences of a false and inconsiderate step, and there is little question but that this portion of his policy must be so regarded."