New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 10, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 299, 10 June 1848, Page 3

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 10, 1848.

Wb understand that a proposal has recently been made by the New Zealand Company to the Noble Secretary fot the Colonies to refer, with a view to their final adjustment, the different questions and disputes still pending between them and the land purchasers in theft different settlements to the arbitration of his Excellency Captain Grey. In the fate arrangement of the land claims with the natives in this district, several sections, as those included in the pa Te Aro, and sixteen country sections on the Forirua Harbour, were excluded from the Crown Grant to the Company, and remain the pro. perty of the natives. Whether this proposal has reference only to a plan of individual compensation to meet the cases we have alluded to, and others of a similar nature at Manawatu and Wanganui, where the land which had been selected remained in the possession of the natives ; or whether it is intended to embrace a comprehensive measure for the adjustment of the claims of the land purchasers to general compensation, we are unable to determine; as it is intended to be a final measure, and is proposed with a view of restoring peace and reestablishing those friendly relations which previously subsisted between the Company and their settlers, it may possibly include both. The next arrival from England will probably bring Lord Grey's answer to the Company's proposal, and more exact information as to the nature of the arrangements in contemplation. Whether his Excellency will be disposed to accept this gratuitous addition to the other embarrassing and difficult questions which already occupy his attention and engross his time, and consent to undertake the task of arbitrating on these conflicting claims, may admit of doubt, but we can readily believe that the Company are desirous of regaining the confidence of the settlers, and of securing their cordial co-operation, as an indispensable preliminary to success in their future undertakings. Unfortunately the steps which they have previously taken, have not been calculated to conduce to this desirable end. The reference made to Mr. Commissioner Cowell of the representations and claims of the Land Purchasers of this settlement, with the report of that official, has tended rather to increase than to allay the feeling of discontent which existed. Mr. Cowell's determination to find the Company right and the settlers wrong on every occasion, his gross and unprovoked insults, the spirit of partisanship he has so unbecomingly exhibited, and his implicit reliance on Mr. E. J. Wakefield, as his "guide, philosopher, and friend," in the intricate labyrinths of New Zealand claims, have excited a degree of irritation and disgust which it will not be easy to overcome, and have greatly added to the difficulties in the way of reconciliation. Still these difficulties are not insuperable, if the Company are really in earnest and are prepared to act in a spirit of justice and liberality to their purchasers. That there are many cases of individual hardship, in which the purchasers have a right to compensation, appears to be admitted by the Company in making this proposal. But we maintain further the right of the purchasers to share in the compensation granted to the. Company by the British overnment, chiefly in consideration of their

sufferings and misfortunes. Their claim to the land awarded to the Company, in respect of the 75 per cent, of their purchase money, which they (the Company) engaged to lay out for the exclusive benefit of the purchasers in giving value to the land sold, by defraying the cost of emigration to the first and principal settlement, has been so often urged by us that we deem it unnecessary to do more, on the present occasion, than briefly to refer to it. But the way in which the emigration fund has been expended by the Company gives additional strength to this claim. Before the land claims were decided, roads made, or the country in a state to receive so large an amount of labour, the whole of the emigration fund was expended ; and consequent* ly the greater part of those sent out, from want of employment subsequently left the colony. Now that these harassing questions are settled, and roads are made in every direction, the settlement is ready to receive a large accession to the number of its inhabitants, and the great want is additional labour of all kinds. If a portion of the land so awarded were given to the Corporation to be constituted under the New Charter, the rental to be devoted to purposes of public improvement, and the money received from the sale of the remainder, were spent in sending additional labourers to this settlement, we believe an arrangement conceived in this spirit, for the general good, would contribute effectually to efface the remembrance of former disagreements, and promote that union which appears to be desired by the Company.

State of the Beach. — Owing to the heavy rains which have fallen lately, and the increased traffic on the beach, the road along Lambton-quay is such a mass of mud as to be nearly impassable. We do not know whether the high-ways and bye-ways of Wellington are under the superintendence of any department of the public works, but it would greatly promote the comfort and convenience of its inhabitants if the necessary steps were taken by the local authorities to put this thoroughfare in a better state of repair. That part of Willis- street opposite the new Church is in a still worse condition.