New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, May 24, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 294, 24 May 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, May 24, 1848.

The late importations of stock, and the numerous cargoes which may be expected to succeed them, point out the necessity of a final adjustment of the native claims to land in this part of the colony. In the adjacent Australian colonies, where every facility has been afforded to the settlers, by the Local Governments, for the occupation of such districts as were adapted for forming stations, stock has increased exceedingly, insomuch that in South Australia, the youngest of these colonies, now scarce twelve years old, both sheep and cattle have become so abundant that establishments have been formed for boiling them down. It is .. true that South Australia possessed a great advantage in its connection by land with older and more settled districts, from which overlanders drove their numerous flocks and herds in thousands, thus stocking the new and rising colony at a very rapid rate. In New Zealand where the stock must be imported in vessels, the process will be slower and more expensive, but the last two years have exhibited a very great increase, which will proceed each year more rapidly from succeeding importations, and the increase of the stock already in the colony. In the colonies to which we have referred there was no land question to impede the increase of stations, which were quickly spread over the face of the country. Here our progress must be preceded by negociation. But the present state of this part of the colony and the inclination of its native inhabitants, invite the Government to enter into arrangements similar to that made for this district, and which has in every respect been so successful. Twelve months have elapsed since the purchase of the Porirua district by his Excellency the Gover-nor-in-Chief, and settlers are now peaceably occupying and extending their cultivations where, before the purchase was completed, they would have ventured at the hazard of their lives. The native claims at Wanganui are under arrangement, and there is every reason to hope that, by Mr. M'Lean's patient and judicious management, they will be finally adjusted. The claims at Taranaki, lately so needlessly complicated, will then be considered ; and so we hope each district in succession will be disposed of, until the native claims to the whole of the land between Port Nicholson and Taranaki will be extinguished, and these districts (except such parts as are reserved for the use of the natives) be in the hands of the Government, thus removing the ground for future disputes, and opening a wide field for the increase of stock, and the extension of a European population.

The John Wickliffe arrived last night from Otakou, which she left on Friday last, The Philip Luing had arrived there after a passage of 117 days, three or four deaths had occurred during the passage out, and three persons had died since her arrival. A dispute had arisen about the site of the town, one party wishing it altogether at the port in the immediate neighbourhood of the shipping, while others were desirous of adhering to the present arrangement. The settlers had experienced a good deal of rough weather since their arrival. The Wickliffe has brought several passengers, both cabin and intermediate, some of whom have formerly been settlers in New Zealand. The Rev. Mr. Nicholson of the Free Church of Scotland, who we believe intends to reside at Nelson, is also a passenger.

In our notice last week of the apprehension of Peel and his comrades by the police we omitted to mention the share which the two native policemen had in their capture. When the men escaped to the bush the native policemen put on blankets, and seating themselves in front of the pa, by this stratagem deceived the runaways, and with the assistance of a maori belonging to the pa, captured two of them ; the third ran away but was pursued by Pirikauwau, who knocked him down with the but end of a pistol. Unfortunately the police had but one pair of handcuffs, with which they secured two of their prisoners by fastening them together, Pirikauwau taking charge of thet hird,and in this manner brought them to Wellington. It was near midnight when they arrived, and instead of proceeding to the police station they went to Pipitea pa, where the prisoner who was not handcuffed contrived to make his escape. Pirikauwau, it will be remembered went to England with Mr. Beauchamp Halswell and returned to New Zealand last year, and is nowan the police force.

[From the New Zealand Journal, Dec. 4.]

The Acheron steamer will sail from Portsmouth daring next week for New Zealand, having been appointed to survey the coasts, of that Colony. She carries out with her I)r>. Forbes, who has been specially appointed as geographer for the purpose of exploring Jhe interior of the country, of which much that is interesting is yet little known. We shall anxiously look forward to the results of the expedition, which cannot but be productive of great advantage. The announcement which we made, in common with the London press generally, of the retirement of Mr. Stephen from the Colonial office, lias turned out to be premature, it having been announced in Parliament that no resignation on the part of that gentleman has taken place, his absence being on account of ill health only. The mistake seems to have placed all parties in an untoward position, but Mr. Stephen will have derived from it the rare advantage of reading his own posthumous official character ; and now that he is really not officially defunct, we may venture to hope that the unfavourable portion of that character will become so altered, that, when his official career becomes posthumous in reality, not a scribe then living will be able to cast a slur ujion it.

Emigration to Otakou. — Our readers, we believe, are generally aware that the Philip Laing has been chartered by, the Court of Directors of the New Zealand Company, to sail from Greenock with these passengers, who have been each selected with great caution, after careful scrutiny, and the production of the most satisfactory testimonials as to character and blameless life. Ample and suitable arrangements for their safety and comfort during the passage have been made by the Directors, who despatched here Mr. Alston, one of their officers, who has spared no pains to render the ship in all respects suited for the important business on which she is employed, and his attention has been studiously devoted to the proper fitting up of the vessel, and to the sufficiency and quality of the provisions. An able and experienced surgeon, Dr. Ramsay, has also been appointed, whose character and qualifications are highly guaranteed, the latter by the certificate of the President of the Royal College of Surgeons. Care has also been taken of the moral and religious interests of the emigrants. The very valuable services of the Rev. Thomas Burns, formerly of Monkton,*Jate of PortobeUo, have been secured, and we have no doubt 'be will be found not only an able and wise instructor, but a judicious adviser, and a friend, the energy of whose character and example will render his counsels doubly valuable. The rev. gentleman is a nephew of our national bard, and son of Gilbert Burns. The fact of the relationship can scarce fail to form a constant and pleasing tie between the new settlement and the land to which one section of its population canuot fail to look back with feelings , of affectionate interest. The only other official to whom we may allude is the schoolmaster, and we were glad to hear that the emigrants are to have the useful and important assistance in the work of training the young and instructing the less informed, of a gentleman in every way qualified for his work. Mr. Blackie takes with him high certificates of bis ability and success. Judging by the appearance of the emigrants, we should say that it cannot fail from want of energy on the part of those who are the pio- - neers of the great work, as a more hopeful body of passengers we have never seen on board any vessel. They go out also well provided with the most perfect implements which this country affords for carrying on agricultural and handicraft operations, and altogether ready and prepared to do their part in the arduous work they have undertaken. The John Wickliffe of Greenock, sails this week from London ior the same settlement, also under the charge of the New ZealandCompany, and may be expected to arrive out about the same time. Captain Cargill, the leader of the colony, goes out in that vessel. He is a descendant of Donald Cargill, well known to the readers of the Scotch Worthies. This gentleman is deeply imbued with the . same spirit that actuated his ancestor. We believe the ship also carries with her a printing press — that important engine of civilisation. — Greenock Advertizerjifov. 23.