New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 16, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 327, 16 September 1848, Page 3

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 16, 1848.

" Another such victory, and I shall be ruined," was the exclamation of Pyrrhus in answer to those who, after a hard fought battle with the Romans, congratulated him on his success. And the faction have as little reason to congratulate themselves on their late short-lived triumph. We will not attempt to give any detailed report of last Tuesday's meeting, for the clamour and excitement occasioned by the factious opposition raised to its proceedings, renders this an ungrateful task. But it may not be without its use to contrast the two meetings, and to notice, for the purpose of condemning them, a few of the objectionable proceedings on Tuesday which have created so much indignation against the authors of them. The first meeting was called by an anonymous placard to which not even a printer's name was attached. The meeting, however, was numerously attended, and an address was moved, which, although the mover of it professed his desire to show all possible respect to the Governor, was thought by many grievously to fail in this particular. And yet, for the sake of unanimity, some of those present sacrificed their opinions as to the tone in which •it was expressed, and signed the Memorial for the sake of the principle it advocated, while a- still greater number, who felt themselves, by its harsh and imperative tone, precluded from signing it, refrained from offering any opposition and walked away in silence. Now mark the difference — When those parties, who, seeking the same end but differing from them as to the manner of seeking it, attempt to claim the same liberty which they cheerfully conceded to their opponents, the liberty of expressing their sentiments on a subject of great public importance, meet for the purpose of adopting a respectful address to the Governor, evincing their anxiety for Representative Institutions, they are attempted to be put down by clamour and violence. The Thersites of the evening, half bully, half buffoon, could exult in his appeal to physical foree — " We had**a trial of strength and we beat you :" — Who would envy such a boast! who would wish to share in such an ovation ! We were told the Governor did not disapprove of the first address, because the deputation were not shewn out of the room, and his Excellency's courtesy, like the mantle of Charity, was supposed to cover a multitude of sins. But let any one read his grave and dignified rebuke to this attempt " to produce strong prejudices and rouse hostile feelings," this attempt to carry by clamour would ought to be decided by reason — and say if those who have mistaken coarseness for vigour, and dictation for independence have any reason to be satisfied with the answer they have received. By the late meeting those persons in this settlement who entertain moderate opinions have been taught the lesson that the exaltSs, who affect to be the dominant faction, claim the liberty of doing as they please, and allow to others only the liberty of adopting their opinions. But we very much question whether this dictation will be tamely submitted to, whether their violence has not already provoked a reaction so strong as to o'ermaster any future ebullition of this spirit. One effect already apparent is, that the intemperance exhibited seems in some degree to justify the delay of Representative Institutions, and affords an excuse for withholding them from those who cannot agree to seek them in a " calm and unimpassioned manner." And many of those, who study to be quiet and do their own business, who seek peace and ensue it by avoiding the bitterness of political contention, have reason to cling more strongly to their indifference to these Institutions, and to rest still more satisfied with the " despotism" of Captain Grey's Government, since they are convinced that he has always exercised the extensive and extraordinary powers with which he has been entrusted for the benefit of the Colony,

and with a due sense of the heavy weight of responsibility under which he labours. They prefer reposing under his wise and judicious government rather than be^obliged to submit to the irresponsible tyranny — it may be — of many masters ; — they desire " rather to bear those ills they have " Than fly to others that they know not of."

We have heard that the new settlement of Canterbury (the prospectus of -which we published last week) will be carried on with great vigour, certain influential parties who take great interest in its success having pledged themselves to raise £250,000 for the purposes of the undertaking as soon as information is received in England of the land being acquired from the natives. The settlement of NewPlymouthisto be separated from the Northern Province and re-united to the Southern Settlements, to which it naturally belongs. There is also a report that a Roman Catholic settlement will shortly be formed at Akaroa. From all these circumstances it appears to be certain that immigration will once more be directed in a steady and continuous stream to the Southern settlements, and the absurdity of attempting to continue the seat of government of this colony at Auckland becomes every day more apparent.

The Catherine arrived from Nelson yesterday morning. She brings the May mail received by the Despatch, which arrived at Nelson from Sydney. The latest English dates are to the 21st May, via Port Phillip, by a vessel which had made the passage in 88 days. The most important extracts will be found in another part of this paper.

i When the folks of a house fall out, if their violence leads them to break cups and saucers and to damage chairs and tables, they usually repent on cooling down ; and, wisely making the best of a bad job, they collect the things still fit for use and throw the ' others away. After the late storm in this settlement opportunity may be taken to preserve some useful things in danger of being lost, and to throw away the fragments which are likely to obstruct progress if retained. Of notions worth keeping there are — Ist. The general desire for Representative Institutions (damaged by the unreasonableness of violent seekers of them). 2nd. The " Cup of Liberty" (a little chipped by contact with the teeth of persons unprepared for it). 3rd. A caution to withhold assent from any public document, not strictly formal or complimentary, unless first printed or moved as an amendment upon one printed. Of things to be thrown away ai*e — Ist. Maxims. — To be rude is to be firm. When your friend has put you in a seat, kick him, but first be sure the seat is safe. 2nd. Definitions. — Liberty, political. — The right to do what you like and to make every one else do what you like. Liberty, of address. — The right to compare the condition of settlers with that of convicts and the position of a Governor with that of a head gaoler. Liberty, of speech. — When a Governor has said he does not know what you mean by such comparisons, to affirm that he did not consider them insulting. Words. — Unkimmon — crawlers — and the like, addressed to an intelligent audience. Rights. — To support any motion without knowing what it is — or, to urge the adoption of an address one day and condemn it the next. To get in a passion, or shew fists or shake sticks over people's heads at a Public Meeting. When all the useless notions are thrown away, and all the good folks happy, they may join hands and sing in chorus " I know a Bank, &c.''

It is reported to be the intention of the Governor- in- Chief to constitute a Legislative Council for the Southern Province, and to nominate thereto five non-official members to be selected from the colonists of Wellington. His Excellency returns, it is said, to Auckland in H.M.S. Dido in the course of next week, and the appointments will be made on his return from Auckland, which it is expected will be in six weeks time.

The section at Te Aro (No. 211 on the plan), next to the {spectator office, has been recently purchased by the Government for the Ordnance Department, and we understand that it will be immediately inclosed, and a wharf erected in front for the purpose of landing Ordnance stores.

The following is extracted from the Melbourne Argus, August 18th : — Knights of the Bath. — Some important alterations have been made in the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, civilians being now admissible to this rank which has hitherto been confined to the army and navy. In accordance with this alteration an official notice appears in the London Gazette signify-

ing a number of appointments by her Majesty, among which we notice the following connected with these colonies: — George Grey, Esq., Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, appointed an ordinary member of the Civil Division of the Second Class, or Knights Commanders ; Lieut.-Col. Frederick Holt Robe, administering the Government of South Australia, to be an ordinary member of the Civil Division of the Third Class, or Companions of the Order.