New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 23, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 329, 23 September 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 23, 1848.

Yesterday afternoon the mortal remains of Colonel Wakefield were consigned to their last resting place. The stores and places of business in Wellington were allclosed, the flags of the different merchant and coasting vessels in harbour were half-mast high, and the Go vernor-in- Chief, with that v consider rate attention which he has on all occasions shewn to the feelings of the inhabitants, had directed the Public Offices to be closed to enable the officers of the Local Government to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the departed- Throughout the day, which was exceedingly fine, the natives collected in considerable numbers, having come to Wellington from different parts along the coast, to attend the Funeral. About four o'clock the mournful procession began to move from Colonel Wakefield's late residence and, in order to give sufficient space to the procession to form, proceeded down Kumutoto Street along Lambton Quay in front of the Government Domain, and up Molesworth and Sydney Streets to the Church. The following was the order of the procession : — Pall Bsabibb. Pall Beabers. Honourable H. W.) q f Lieutenant - Colonel Petre, J.P. o I M'Cleverty. H.St.Hill,Esq.,lt.M. ' * "j J.Kelham.Esq., J.P. A.Ludlam,Esq.,J.P. W ITe Puni. J H \

CHIEF MOURNERS F. Diuos Bell, Esq., J. P. His Excellency tht His Excellency the Govebnob-in-Chief. Lieutenant-Governor. Officers -who served with Colonel Wakefield in the PeninsulaMajor Baker, J. P. Major Durie, J.P. Dr. Dorset Major Hornbrook The Officers of the New Zealand Company. Lieutenant-Colonel Gold, and the Officers of Her Majesty's 65th Begiment. Captain Oliver, and the Officers of Her / Majesty's Ship Fly. The Officers of Her Majesty's Commissariat. The Officers of the Local Government. Private Friends of Colonel Waketield. Colonists. Natives. We cannot attempt further to particularize those who were present on this mournful occasion. All ranks, all professions, all classes, all religious denominations, both races, united in testifying their regret at the loss which ■the colony has experienced. Never was any private individual in any colony followed to the grare with a greater demonstration of respect, never, perhaps, was it more deservedly bestowed. It is calculated that upwards of one thousand persons (including natives) followed the body to the grave, while, including spectators of both races, the number of persons present could hardly have been less than two thousand. The church was completely filled, and a considerable number of persons were obliged to

I remain outside for want of room. On leavjing the church the procession proceeded to the grave, the Rev. ft.' Cole reading the [burial service^ and the last rites were duly 'performed. One of the incidents most worthy of observation was the number of natives present and their appearance on this occasion. Nearly all were clothed in European attire, very many of both sexes were clothed in decent suits of black evidently purchased for the occasion, while many of the men wore crape on their hats, and the women crape on their bonnets, and some of them wore black veils. To some these may seem trifling incidents, but they are not without their value. It has been one of the idle clamours raised against the settlers of the Southern Province, that the native race would suffer from the effects of colonization, and a good deal of the opposition offered at an early stage of the New Zealand Company's proceedings arose from the impression that the natives were taken advantage of and unfairly treated. And yet the aboriginal inhabitant and the colonist of New Zealand, unite in one heartfelt and common demonstration of regret and walk side by side while following to the grave the mortal remains of the founder of this settlement. And these men, who in common parlance are still called savages, are seen habited, to all external appearance, like their civilized fellow subjects. This fact speaks volumes as to the treatment they have received. But the best, the most unequivocal testimony, is the conduct of E Funi. This fine old man, whose life is already extended beyond the ordinary term of human existence, is afflicted with a deep and genuine sorrow ; in the loss of his friend and benefactor he appears to have lost all worth living for. We do not suppose that this demonstration will end here. We believe that the feeling which has been exhibited will' seek a further indulgence in some permanent memorial of this mournful event ;" that each colonist, according, to. .hk. inclination and means, will feel disposed to testify his regret by contributing towards a monument to mark the spot where rests the Founder of the First and Principal Settlement, the leader of systematic colonization in New Zealand.

It is reported that His Excellency the Go-vernor-in-Chief and Mrs. Grey will return to Auckland in H.M.S. Dido in the course of this day.

We observe in the Australian Papers that Captain Young of the 65th Regt., at present stationed at Wanganui, has been appointed Private Secretary to Sir H. Young, Governor of South Australia.