New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, November 29, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 347, 29 November 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, November 29, 1848.

Our extracts from the Auckland papers recently received are unusually long, but they are of the greatest interest. The intelligence of the destruction of property occasioned in Wellington by the earthquakes has awakened in our fellow colonists in Auckland a degree of generous- and heartfelt sympathy which, we are assured, will be fully appreciated by the inhabitants of this settlement. We have, therefore, as far as we could, endeavoured to give full effect to their feelings by republishing from the New Zealander the report of the • Public Meeting at Auckland, and the kindly expressions of good- will of our contemporary which, we have no doubt, will call forth a suitable and grateful manifestation of similar sentiments from those towards whom they are directed.

Our Auckland friendshave not confined themselves to mere words, they have given a sub* . stantial proof of their solicitude for our wel- * fare, of the deep anxiety they feel in our misfortunes by promptly subscribing the munificent sum of Five hundred pounds which has been forwarded by the Havannah, the Bishop of New Zealand heading the subscription list with a contribution of One hundred pounds. The subscription is still going on, and, it is expected, will amount to One thousand pounds. How is this money to be appropriated ? An opinion is generally entertained that we shall evince the most just and delicate appreciation of this sympathy byreturning the gift unused. The subscription has originated in a great measure from the impressions conveyed by the LieutenantGoverrior's despatch which gives an overwrought and gloomy picture of the effects of this visitation. In saying this we do not mean to concur in the censure which some are inclined to bestow on this document. It is but fair to remember, that it was written immediately after the most severe shock and under the strong impressions which it was calculated to produce. If his Excellency had confined himself, in his official despatch, to a narrative of the facts, reserving his opinions, and anticipations for a private communication to the Governor-in-Chief there would have been but little room for criticism. We regret this was not the case, and we think as great an error has been committed in publishing the whole of the despatch as in writing it. The loss sustained by many inhabitants in this settlement, though severe, may still be made good by a few years of earnest industry and exertion, and while we acknowledge to its fullest extent the benevolence of our fellow colonists we are sure they will be rejoiced to find that it will not be required. Some individual cases may exist in which a little timely assistance would be of material service. Fortunately there is a fund from which this might be supplied. We believe a sum of eighty pounds, the balance of the subscription for the relief of the sufferers by thefire which occurred six years ago, is lying in the Savings' Bank, and though this was set aside by the subscribers at the time towards a Colonial Hospital, as this institution is supported by the Government, it would be competent for a Public Meeting under these peculiar circumstances, with the concurrence of the trustees, to appropriate this fund to the relief of those who may require it.

His Excellency Sir George Grey arrived on Sunday from Auckland in H.M.S. Havannah. His Excellency landed privately in the evening 1 , and the next day proceeded through the town to examine the damage occasioned by the recent earthquakes; we are sure he will rejoice to find that the amount of loss which has been sustained by the settlers will fall greatly short of the estimate his apprehensions must have led him to form of the extent to which we had suffered from this calamity, We believe his Excellency intends visiting Otaki to morrow.

It is reported that, in pursuance of instructions received from the Home Government, the 58th Regiment is about to be withdrawn from New Zealand, and that half of the 65th Regiment will be removed to Auckland, and the other half will remain at Wellington, and that the erection of the Barracks at Mount Cook has for the present been countermanded. We hope this report may prove to be incorrect, as this is certainly the worst time to think of reducing the force stationed m New Zealand. We shall take an early opportunity of returning to this subject.

We regret to learn that General Pitt, , the Commander of the Forces in New Zealand, is in a very precarious state of health.