New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, May 9, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 393, 9 May 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, May 9, 1849.

Bt the -Adelaide and other Australian papers recently received, we observe that a strong and sustained stream of immigration is -setting in to those colonies. At Adelaide one German and seven English vessels* ~some of them of large tonnage, arrived with passengers and immigrants in the course of one week, adding thereby considerably to the population of the colony ; while the Sydney Morning Herald contains a long list of vessels which had either sailed or were about to sail from -English ports with emigrants for the Australian colonies. In Canada the numbers continually arriving from Great Britain and Ireland, particularly the latter country, were so great as to be almost overwhelming, and to occasion the most serious depression throughout the colony and the utmost embarrassment to the Government. Perhaps at no former period has so strong a desire existed for emigration from the Mo-ther-Country to its dependencies as at present, and this feeling is fostered and promoted throughout the country by Colonisation Societies. The only colony which fails to receive its due share of attention in this": general movement, and where perhaps an accession of numbers would be most beneficial to the Government and to the new comers, is New Zealand. This settlement is, in ; this respect, peculiarly situated ; for while extensive and fertile districts are acquired by the Government from the natives, and are ready for the reception of immigrants, the Government is precluded by the arrangement entered into with the New Zealand Company from doing anything, and there are no indications that the Company are taking any steps to discharge the duty which has been delegated to them. And yet the rate' of wages for all kinds of labour, whether agricultural or mechanical, is as high, as \% b,aa ever been in this settlement, certainly much, higher than in any of the neighbouring cot lonies, while the working-day is much short-, er. As the renewal of immigration formed one of the. principal topics of Sir George Grey's opening address, and as his Excellency the Lietttenant-Governor.has especially directed the attention of the Council to : this subject, we hope that it will engage their serioui consideration and that they vilUaako-

such practical recommendations as will have tjie effect of promoting this desirable object. The present tranquil state of the settlement holds out every inducement of success, while the introduction of more settlers, by increasing the amount of the European population, would give an additional guarantee of the permanence of that tranquillity. The suggestions of the Council would have an authority and weight which would insure attention, especially when the subject has previously been so strongly recommended both by the Lieutenant- Governor and the Gover-npr-in-Chief, and we hope they will not separate without proposing some plan which will secure to the settlement that additional supply of labour of which it stands so much n need.

Bt the Adelaide papers received by the Augustine 'Heard we find that „•=. thejafcejjst dates received in that colony from England, direct were to the sth of January, being nine days later than by previous arrivals. The English ' funds were steady at 88^. * Wools -were firm at former quotations with a tendency to advance. All was quiet in France, and better hopes of trade generally throughout Europe were entertained. H. M. S.- Havannah with Sir Charles Fitzroy^ on board, left Melbourne for Fort Adelaide on the 25th March.

The sum of one thousand pounds in silver was last week conveyed from Wellington to Waikanae, under the charge of A. M'Donogh, Esq., Sub-Inspector of Police, from whence it would be forwarded by Major Durie to Wanganui. This sum is the first instalment of the purchase money of the district between Wanganui and the Rangitikj, just acquired by the Government from the natives. The conveyance of this sum overland has obviated a good deal of expence, delay, and inconvenience, besides the risk of crossing the bar at the mouth of the . Wanganui river. It has also had the good effect of demonstrating the, peaceful state of the district, and the good feeling which the natives now have towards the Government; since- there can be little doubt that such an attempt twelve months ago would have been very hazardous. Rangihaeata, we under- - stand, intends coming to Forirua with the -view : t>f disposing of his claims' to land in - -this .district, after which he intends going to ; .live at Mokau.