New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 15, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 309, 15 July 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 15, 1848.

The parties employed on the Horokiwi and Wairarapa roads have this week been suddenly and considerably reduced, about a hundred men having been discharged) from either line. The following is the current (and we believe the correct) account of the cause which has led to this sudden reduction. For the last twelve months, agreeably to the regulations of the Local Government, the duty has been paid by the Commissariat on the spirits supplied to the troops, instead of their receiving them (as by Taw they ought) duty free, This was all very well while it lasted ; it helped to swell the annual amount of revenue in both provinces, and shewed, by its rapidly increasing amount, a degree of prosperity in the colony which was quite encouraging. But, (as has been wittily observed by a late Statesman) there is nothing so deceptive as figures, — excegt facts.T^aud so it has proved in' this instance; the mis,ta.kq has been discovered,' -and the money" ocdere'd to be refunded ;_and> < it is said, pressing instructions: for iinme-'j

diate retrenchment in the Southern Province have been received from Auckland by the overland mail. The sum to be refunded is stated to be about £4000. *It is to be regretted that this mistake has been made, it serves no useful end, and refunding, at so short a notice, is always very awkward and inconvenient. Such a mistake might have been naturally expected from Captain Fitzroy, but net from Captain Grey, who has the reputation of being an able financier. In the mean time a considerable ls?dy of .natives who hate from long employment been trained to the use of European implements, and had become useful labourers, are sent home at a moment's notice to their several districts discontented, and possibly not disinclined for mischief. Their confidence is shaken in a Government that seems to act by, caprice, and they may feel reluctant, ou a future occasion, to engage in 1 these works, when they find themselves liable to be turned away without any previous warning. The completion of the coast road, a most important work, is seriously retarded, and whenever the strength on the roads is again increased, additional expense must be incurred in training the new and unskilled hands to the labour required of them, These are some of the obvious consequences of the mistake, others of a different kind will no doubt suggest themselves to our readers.

By the Fidele, which arrived on Thursday from Kaikora, we learn that the fisheries there have made a good beginning this season. Thirty-five tuns of oil have been caught at Fyfes station, and eighteen tuns at Mr. Fitzherbert's station. A fine right whale had been caught at Mr. Fitzherbert's station, but she sunk, and the attempts made to raise her proved unsuccessful.

The schooner Queen, which vas recently launched from Mr. Mathieson'sbuilding yard, has been got off the mud flat in the Wuiwetu river, and sailed over from Petoni on Thursday. When completely fitted up and ready for sea, we understand her first trip will be to Ot'akou.

Mechanics' Instituie. — We are glad to find that an attempt is made to revive the Mechanics' Institute in this place, and hope the Institution will meet with the encouragement and support it deserves. From the advertisement in this day's Spectator, it will be found that the Library and Reading Room will be opened on Monday evening next.

We regret to announce the death of Archibald William Dumbreck, Esq., of Ceylon. The deceased gentleman arrived in this colony about three months since from Calcutta, with Captain Mitchell of the 84th regt. ; and they, with the Hon. Arthur Petre, had nearly completed an inland tour from Auckland to Taranaki, when Mr. Dumbreck was unfortunately attacked with inflammation of the lungs near Mokau, at which place he died and was buried.

Shaksperian Festival. — A reunion of the friends of the Drama took place at the Britannia Saloon on Thursday evening, being the close of the season. A very excellent and substantial dinner was provided, and on the cloth being removed, the usual loyal and appropriate toasts were drank; the evening's enjoyment terminated with dancing, the festivities continuing tp an early, hour the following morning. The Corps Dramatique have closed a successful season,, in which it is but justice to them to say that they have strenuously exerted themselves to deserve the patronage they have received, by the production of several novelties, the last not the least— a drama from the pejx/of Mr. Marriott, the Manager, which on its first representation attracted a very full house, and was very favourably received.