New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, September 6, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 324, 6 September 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, September 6, 1848.

The correspondence between the Government and the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, published in Monday's Gazette, which we have transferred to our columns, will be found unusually interesting. - From* this correspondence it appears that the Company, desirous of existing in cordial harmony with all its settlers, and of recognising in a spirit of justice and liberality all claims against them (" even those resting on moral obligations") on the part of their land purchasers, have referred the decision of these claims- to his Excellency the Governor-in- Chief. As we anticipated, when we previously alluded to this ques-

tion, the Governor declines undertaking these duties in person, but is prepared to appoint persons to carry into effect the proposed arrangements, and with this vilWayiU^ receive any settlers interested in this ques*- 1^ tion, at Government House on Saturday next, at 12 o'clock. The question appears to resolve itself into classes, — the legal and the moral obligations of the Company to its Purchasers. Respecting the legal obligations of the Company, the right of their purchasers to the full quantity of land purchased and to the' particular piece of land selected by them is too clear^ to admit of any dispute. 1 This is the least the land purchasers are fairly entitled to demand of them. But we may question if any compensation in land only will- meet all the difficulties of the case. To refer to an example which from^the legal proceedings connected with it has become familiar to all, the case of those purchasers either direct or intermediate from the Company whose titles are affected by the Crown Grant issued to Mr. Scott. After the assurances conveyed to the land purchasers in Capt. Hobson's letter, and the representations made to them, on the faith of which these purchasers have been encouraged to invest their capital in buildings, the least they are entitled to expect is the beneficial occupation of the particular piece of land originally allotted to their purchase. The land purchasers at Wanganui, who have suffered so much from the effects of the disturbances in that district, .and many of whom were never able to obtain possession of their land, are also fairly entitled to compensation. The general right of the settlers to compensation for the ruinous losses entailed upon them by the delays incident to the settlement of the land question is also, we imagine, clearly established. These claims, as occasion served, we have always advocated, and we would fain hope that a favourable opportunity now presents itself for their satisfactory and amicable adjustment. We would therefore suggest to the land purchasers the adoption of such measures as are likely to secure the objects they have in view, and would repeat what we have so often urged, that the object to be sought in the adjustment of this question, and which will best meet the merits of the case, is not individual compensation, but some arrangement by the Company on a liberal basis which may have the effect of contributing to the advancement and general prosperity of the settlement. We cannot but regret that this conciliatory spirit has not been evinced at an earlier period ; we feel confident that if the Company, instead of insulting the settlers with Mr. Commissioner Cowell's report, had adopted this tone, it would have been more graceful on their part, and have tended effectually to restore harmony between them and their settlers.

On Monday morning his Excellency the Governor in Chief left Wellington on a visit to Otaki. His Excellency was accompanied by Mr. Blackmore his Private Secretary, Captain Maxwell of H. M. S. Dido, and Captain Oliver of H. M. S. Fly. The party proceeded to Otaki on horseback.

A hand-bill wa3 circulated yesterday, without any signatures attached, calling a public meeting of the inhabitants of Port Nicholson at the Britannia Saloon to-mor-row evening "to claim from the .Governor-in-Chief Representative Institutions." '

The Raymond arrived on Sunday with a cargo of cattle and sheep after a run of' twenty-one days from Twofold Bay. She has also brought a few horses, and has been fortunate in landing her stock in excellent condition. H. M. S. Havannah arrived at Sydney on the 7th of August, after a quick passage of ninety days from Plymouth ; the latest accounts contradict the former warlike rumours, and represent England to be at peace with all the world. Ireland still continued to excite uneasiness from the se-. ditious and inflammatory proceedings of the demagogues of that unhappy country, which the Government' were adopting vigorous measures to repress. Upwards of 30,000 troops were stationed in Ireland. It is not unlikely that the Havannah after' calling at Auckland will proceed to Port Nicholson,, as"

she will no doubt be the bearer of important jdespatches for the Go vernor-in- Chief.

A detachment of the 65th regiment under the command of Lieutenant Turner and Ensign Williams, proceeded on Friday to Porirua to relieve the company under the command of Major Johnston and Ensign Ewen, which returned to town on Friday afternoon.

Wellington, September 1, 1848. Spirits and Tobacco under bond this day : Brandy 7418 gals. Rum 15,728 „ Gin 2328 „ Liqueurs 16 „ Whisky - •' H4 „ Tobacco, manufactured 41,788 lbs. „ unmanufactured 2725 „ Cigars 1132 „

Quantity of rain fallen daring the month of August 1848 — lin. 4tenths.