New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, February 24, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 372, 24 February 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, February 24, 1849.

Before entering on the rapid sketch we are now about to take of the proposed plan for the government of New Zealand, it can scarcely be necessary to discuss the advantages derivable from representation. All parties are so agreed on that subject, and we ourselves have so repeatedly stated our opinions concerning it, that the only question now remaining is, the time and manner of its introduction, bo that those delays and disappointments may be avoided which are likely to arise hereafter from hasty and in considerate legislation. A government is a means to an end ; and what is best suited to attain that end is the best form of Government, But in a colony,

more especially such a one as New Zealand now is, in an infant state, that end is a complicated one, involving the three following objects : — the interest of the Mother-coun-try, that is, the preservation of New Zealand as a field for emigration, and as an important post essential to the interests of her neighbouring colonies ; — the well being of the present and future colonists ; — and the preservation, progressive improvement, and well being of the native inhabitants. Now it would be absurd to suppose, that the solution of so complicated a problem could be accomplished by permanently entrusting the whole power of the country to any one of the classes whom these interests more immediately concern ; and it would tend equally to retard the progress, and impede the. welfare, of the colony to exclude any one of them. But just as the interest of any one of these classes predominates, so ought the power of that class to predominate, or admit of being extended ; and to attain this a system containing within itself a principle of expansion according to advancing circumstances would be evidently the best. For example, to give the whole power and management of the colony, its waste lands, &c, at the present time, when the colonists do not probably exceed 20,000 persons, into their hands, and permit them to order all things for their own immediate interests, when, — leaving out of the question the native population — these islands are evidently capable of maintaining a hundred times that amount, would be the height of folly. Doubtless a time will come, when a colony shall have become so populous, its concerns so vast, its interests so distinct from, nay adverse to, those of the pother-country, that its well being may absolutely require an ! independent government, and consequently i an amicable separation from it may be necessary ; but a condition implying such a necessity, as respects this colony, is at present very remote. It has been the fashion to cite the AngloAmerican colonies as an unanswerable instance of the beneficial effect of leaving, from the beginning, an almost unlimited control over the management of the affairs of the colony in the hands of the colonists themselves. But this is rather a specious assumption than a legitimate deduction from the facts connected with the establishment and history of those colonies : it is a sort of general assertion by no means borne out by a comprehensive and attentive consideration of the whole question ; and cannot, even so far as it involves a truth, be fairly adduced as a case analogous to this, or indeed any modern colony. In the first place, the condition of the Mother- country was very different from what it now is, at the time when those colonies were established. The emigrants who then left their native land to found a home in the wilderness, did so, not because, as at present, it was overpopulated and the means of subsistence were beginning to fail ; but because those principles of freedom, which from before the conquest had been firmly rooted in the race, had, after the emancipation of the human mind in the sixteenth century, produced a body of men who, in the age of a Hatnpden and a Cromwell, a Milton and a Sidney, could no longer brook the arbitrary doctrines of the Stuarts, and therefore went forth" like heroes, determined to leave all that was dear to them, and breathe freedom in the wilderness. Men going in such a spirit, and animated by such principles, were not likely to be daunted by any difficulties, or have their energies damped by any discouragements ; but the country to which they migrated was, happily for them, one of unequalled fertility, and of unbounded extent. But are the circumstances which now bring colonists from their homes at all analogous to those we have just been considering ? Are they driven out by persecution, or the want of civil and religious liberty ? Are they a set of heroes actuated by a grand idea which binds them together making them for action as one man ? Or are they not persons of all sorts and shades of opinion on both political and religious questions ? i Are not many, and some of those the most noisy and prominent in advocating changes.

availing themselves of the modern conveniences of transition from place to place, ready to go anywhere* in quest of any advantage? I» not, even now, Californian gold dust oc* cupying the day dreams of some among us ? — Or is Great Britain now not alive to the importance of possessing colonies for the reception of her ever superabounding population ? Or is she unmindful of the importance of having markets for her manufactures which her ever increasing power of machinery produces in excess ? The settlers in New Zealand have nothing to fear in any comparison with the population in other colonies ; but to attempt a parallel between ourselves and the " Pilgrim Fathers " — the great men of the 17th century who founded the North American colonies ; and to endeavour to attribute their success to one peculiarity- connected with" their form of. government, excluding all the other-numer-ous circumstances differencing the two cases, and conduced to this, and to infer, that with this one peculiarity, we could follow their giant strides, would be, we fear, only to arrogate to ourselves what none but the most ignorant would acquiesce in, and to render ourselves ridiculous. But to return from this apparent digression. The principal object to be aimed at, is, so to secure the balance of these opposite, but not really contrary, interests, that the colonists should possess as much control over their own affairs as they enjoyed in England, — as is essential to their welfare, — and as is consistent with those of the Mother- country to which we have already alluded, and without which the colony would be to her altogether valueless. In addition to the relative position of the Mother-country and the settlers, there is another interest which none but the most ignorant, careless, and short-sighted statesman could overlook. It is impossible to shut our eyes to the fact that there is a native population — the original masters of the country — amounting according to the most moderate estimate to 90,000 persons, remarkable not only for their shrewduess and quick sense of justice, but for their warlike habits, and determination not to suffer themselves to be oppressed, — remarkable, moreover, for their capacity for improvement, and for having already made a rapid advance, and fairly entered on the race (,f civilisation. To claim for ourselves the right to legislate for the colony, and to deny it to the natives, is a palpable injustice and contradiction : for Great Britain to sanction such a claim would be as unjust as it would be "foolish and disastrous in its consequences. Let us now take a glance at the course pursued by Sir George Grey in approaching a question of such magnitude as that which we are endeavouring dispassionately to consider ; for, that laying the foundation of that which must, more or less, influence the future prospects of a country, destined, as this unquestionably is, to be inhabited by millons, is a matter of magnitude, none can doubt. Has he servilely followed the dictates of the colonial minister when that minister, through well-intention-ed, but mistaken zeal, promulgated an impracticable system of government ? Or has he sought ephemeral popularity among the settlers, by sacrificing their future welfare and that of the colony in order to gratify their. immediate wishes and their vanity? By no means. But though encompassed by difficulties and encumbered by the complicated and distracting nature of the question before him, he has, so far as the instructions received from the Home Government have left him free to act, endeavoured to lay the foundation of a system of Government which should secure the interests of all* An outline of this he has already made public. According to this plan the interests of the Mother-country will be maintained by excluding from the pale of colonial legislation all those subjects concerning which it is essential that there should exist a uniformity throughout the colonies ; by reserving, according to Earl Grey's plan, a civil list for the payment of those officers who should be considered more immediately responsible to the Home Government ; and by a Legislative Council nominated by the Crown, which,

should serve as a check on any hasty legistion on the part of the General Assembly. The real interests of the whole body of colonists will be secured by the Legislative As- ; rembly composed of representatives from all the provinces, convened from time to time to legislate for all those matters requisite for the maintenance of uniformity in the colony itself, and correct any mistaken provincial legislation. The more immediate interests of the settlers will be secured by the provincial legislatures, where every thing of a strictly local nature may be managed according to the wants of the particular province. Added to which the broad and popular basis — unlike the narrow oligarchical one suggested by the agents of the New Zealand Company — on which Sir George Grey proposes that the elective franchise ißhall rest, will ensure to the most humble , bond fide settler the guardianship of his freedom and of his rights. Nor will the interests of the natives be endangered, for as legislation on questions peculiarly relating to them will be exclusively subject to the General Assembly, where representatives from the various provinces, free from local influences and prejudices, will meet together to act in no narrow minded spirit, and as they themselves will, moreover, be admitted to the elective franchise, these will be amply secured. But on this last head we think Sir George Grey's proposed plan will admit of some improvement. We think the qualification for the native franchise too high, as well as too inquisitorial. Why should the native franchise be higher than that of the colonist ? It may be said that he is not able to form an opinion on political subjects ; but in truth the elector is not called on to decide upon these subjects, but merely on the fitness of the representative candidate, that is, on his apparent integrity, honesty, and respectability, and this electors of both races are equally competent to do. It may be further objected, that he will be liable to undue influence, but this will equally apply to many of both races, and, although an evil,, 'would only be partial, and would decrease with increasing knowledge. A preferable plan, we think, would be to make the qualification the same for both races, to apportion the number of the representatives to the number of the population, and allow all, natives and whites who should reside in a district sufficiently populous to be entitled to a representative, to vote ; but to make the extension of this system over the country, where the native population preponderated, dependent on their advancement in civilisation, that is, on the decent and respectable appearance of the houses generally, the extent of the cultivation of grain crops, the amount of flocks and herds, or any other criteria of civilisation which might be thought advisable, such as the number of schools, &c , in the district containing the requisite amount of population, thus excluding the apparently invidious distinction of race, and avoiding an inquisitorial system, •sure, before long, to give offence and meet with opposition. Nor need any danger be anticipated from this plan, as though too .much weight were allowed to native influence, for the intellectual superiority of the European race must, under any circumstances, maintain a supremacy ; and as the franchise would only be extended to new districts, in proportion as they were civilised, .there could be no fear of this influence predominating or becoming pernicious ; in addition to which, as the white population would be rapidly increasing by immigration, such an anticipation would be only imaginary. Lastly, with regard to the temporary and preliminary measureintroduced by Sh George Grey, while the details of the permanent plan for governing the country are being ► prepared and matured, and with a view to their preparation, — as such a measure, we must give it our unqualified approbation. It is a decided improvement on the former Auckland Council ; both by its affording means of local legislation in the Southern Province, a privilege hitherto denied us, and because its constitution is much more liberal, from the large majority of unpaid members, who, being once appointed to seats in

the Council, are entirely free from all influence, and are quite independent, and at liberty to act according to their own unbiassed judgments. Moreover, Sir George Grey's manner of introducing it into this province was calculated to impress all reasonable men with a strong conviction that he was endeavouring to act in the most liberal aud conciliating spirit, for he at once offered, in accordance with the recommendation of the Lieutenant-Governor and the Colonial Secretary of the province, seats in the Council to men of all shades of opinion, however adverse some of them might* have previously shown themselves to himself and his admirable and successful policy. And those gentlemen, both here and at Nelson who, acting under a high sense of duty, have undertaken the onerous and unremunerated duties of the Legislative Council, being men respected for their independence, integrity* and freedom from factious views and motives, are likely to promote the real interests of the colony, and deserve the cordial thanks of all its well wishers.

Embarkation of Troops. — Yesterday afteruoon Capt, D'Arcy's company embarked on board the Government Brig to proceed to Wanganui to relieve Capt. Wolfe's company which returns to Wellington. Lieut. Meyler and Ensign Dudgeon also proceed in the Brig to Wanganui.

Town Clock. — We are glad to learn that our fellow- colonist Mr. Mackay, who has returned in the Duke of Portland, has brought with him a large turret clock, with bell for striking the hours, and every thing complete. The clock is of Liverpool manufacture, and we are informed is exceedingly well made. The Rev. R. Cole has opened a subscription list for the purpose of secur* ing it for the benefit of the Town, and we are satisfied we have only to notify the fact to ensure the subscription list being rapidly filled up, as the want of some common standard by which to regulate^ the time in Wellington is very generally felt. The amount required, we believe, is fifty pounds, It is intended to place the clock in the new church at Te Aro.

Death by Drowning. — We are sorry to state that a man of the name of James Edwards, in the employ of Mr. Drummond, was drowned in the lake at Wairarapa on Monday the 21st*inst. It appears that Mr. Drummond was returning to his station at Wairarapa, and on arriving at the lake he found that the canoe used for ferrying passengers across was on the further side. He alighted from his horse, and proceeded to kindle a fire as a signal to the natives, and while thus employed his horse ran away, swam across the lake, and returned to Mr. Drummond's station. Edwards, fearing some accident had happened to his employer, on seeing his horse return without him, immediately went down to the lake and found, on his arrival, two persons of the name of Cameron (brother and sister) preparing to cross the lake in a canoe. He joined them, and when about half way over, the canoe upset, and all three were immersed in the water. The Camerons were with difficulty saved, but Edwards was unfortunately drowned.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Messrs. Blyth and Brandon, Managers in rotation, will attend at the Union Bank on Monday next, the 26th inst., from 12 till 1 o'clock.

Programme: of the performance by the Band of the 65th Regiment, at Thorndon Flat, on Tuesday, the 27th February : — 1. Orerture — Norm* Mohr 2. 2nd selection — Maid of Honor .... Balfe 3. Zanrpa Quadrille Jullien 4. Selection — Bohemian Girl Balfe 5. Gabrellen Waltz — Strauu 6. German Aria Walch 7. Galop Walch 8. Polk* Linter

The following account of the storm to which the Sisters was exposed (alluded to in our last number), is extracted from the Hobart Town Guardian: — The wind had increased so much, and the sea got so high, that the captain, who came on deck, took in every sail of the vessel except the fore-topsail, close reefed, and the foretopmast staysail, under which we hove to, and the helm was lashed a lea. The gale increased as the morning advanced, and the sea rose very high, but the weather was beautifully clear; the sun shone, and the schooner was snug and strong, and she breasted every succeeding mountain wave gallantly, and rose and rode over them almost without wetting her decks. The barometer was stationary at 29 5-10 inches ; the wind steady at W.S.W. : and the Bchopner heading S, on starboard tack.

At 3 o'clock p.m. a sea 'like a wall/ as the bands on deck called it, 'without a break in it,' came broadside on the ship, heeled her over, and broke upon her. With the exception of the second mate, one roan and a boy, and the cook in his galley, all hands were fortunately below. The second mate took shelter in the companion, the boy under its lea, and the man under the lea of the round-house. The first got severely braised and crushed in the wreck of the companion, the second was ' heard no more,' the cook was bruised in the crash of his galley, and the man at the round-house alone escaped injury. As soon as the deluge of water in the cabin permitted, the captain and other hands went on deck. The vessel was found to be on her beam ends, with every hatchway and skylight open, the water within a span of the combings of the main hatch, and liable at every surge to rush in ; the ballast had shifted, and the vessel could but settle more and more on her side at every sea. Captain Clarke was equal .to the emergency — with a cheerful voice be encouraged, and with resolution and calmness he commanded. The laniards of the foremast shrouds were cut, the mast went overboard, and the vessel righted so far as to leave her lea scuppers out ot the water, and for the moment she was saved. With an hour the wreck of the foremast was cut away, and all hands then turned to right the ballast, and by sun down the ship was in tolerable trim, the hatches were battened or covered as well as means would allow, the peak of the mainsail was hoisted a few feet to help to keep the ship's head to the sea, the helm again lashed a lea. The wind, the sea, and the weatt.er, continued uucbanged till 4 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, 17th, when the gale first began to moderate ; it was nevertheless, very boisterous the whole day ; the barometer rose and fell about 2-10ths, remaining at 29 7-10. We bad now time to examine the extent of our damage. The bowsprit was clean gone, with all attached to it. The starboard bulwarks were all gone, stanchions and all, broken off flush with the deck all the way from forward of the fore chains to after part of the quarter deck. The larboard bulwarks were saved because they were under water when the weight of the sea fell upon her. The cook house was demolished, and vanished. The long boat and the gig, which were lashed over the main hatch were carried overboard, and finally carried away with the wreck of the foremast. The erin winch under the mainmast was bent almost down to the deck and broken. The skylight of the main cabin was cut off flush with the deck, four stancions only being left. Of the companion hatch not a wreck remained. The after skylight was demolished. Two little round-houses near the taffrail were uninjured ; one harness cask, lashed to one of these houses, remained, while the other went. The tool chest and a large water cask lashed under the mainmast were gone. The maintopmast was broken in the middle. In spite of the sea, which continued almost as high as ever, the energy of the captain, assisted by the good will of officers and men, succeeded in erecting a jurymast in place of the lost foremast before night, and having it well secured with chain shrouds and stays. Thursday, 18th. — Nothing remained of the late storm but an uneasy sea — the weather and glass were changeable and threatening. A jury bowsprit was ringed out this day, and a jib fitted, and the first mate cut away a heavy square spar for the yard of our new foresail. The second mate was able to lend a hand to-day, but the cook was still laid up. Friday, 19th. — At three o'clock, exactly three days after the catastrophe, we set foresail, jib, main-staysail, and close-reefed mainsail, and wore ship, and were running five knots an hour N. W., and hoping for a slant which would enable us to steer west. The trimming of the ballast was completed this afternoon. Since Thursday all hands have been put on allowance of one quart of water and lialf-a-pound of biscuit daily, with as much meat as they liked ; but having been without fire we eat no meat to-day. The Sisters spoke the barque Auriga, and the captain promised to send assistance, but fortunately a fair wind sprung up and she was enabled to make this harbour on Saturday evening.