New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, June 9, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 402, 9 June 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, June 9, 1849.

AFJERagood deal of discussion the estimates for the present year have been voted by the Legislative Council. The total reductions, after allowing 1 for the increase which has been voted in some few of the departments, amount to £719 19 4. Of this sum £605 16 3 has been saved on the Wellington estimates, £28 6 5 on those for Nelson, and £85 16 8 on those fur Otago. The principal reductions have been in the departments of the Police in each of these places, the saving in this department in Wellington (effected chiefly by disallowing the items for mounting a part of the corps) amounting to £406. Considering that most of the items, in which any considerable reduction might be made, are included in the civil list, this is perhaps as much as could have been done consistent with a due regard to the efficiency of the Government. But we do not value the saving so much as the spirit manifested by the Council, who seem to have been desirous of establishing the principle of economy, as far as is consistent with the efficiency of the different departments of the Government. Owing to the deficiency of the revenue this saving has really been made in the Parliamentary Grant, so much less being required to defray the expence of the Government than was originally set apart for that purpose. Now though we are aware that, this grant having been given by the British Government lo the Colony, the sole disposal of it rests with the Governor-in-Chief, who alone is accountable for its appropriation, we think it would be desirable that the Local Government, in preparing the estimates, should inform the Council of the manner in which it was intended to apportion the grant to the different settlements. Such a plan would furnish additional motives for economy, by holding out the prospect of the beneficial employment of such savings in public improvements. After the present lines of road are completed there are still several objects of great importance to the settlement required for the public good, and the more these are delayed, the more sensibly their want is felt. There is not at present a single public building for the use of any of the departments of the Government, the arrangements being for the most part of a temporary kind. A Custom House, Court House, Resident Magistrate's Office, Post Office, &c, have yet to be provided J in addition to these, a Light House, Public Market, and other buildings, of a similar character are also greatly wanted. We have

frequently since this journal has been established directed attention to these subjects, and shall not fail from time to time to revert to them until something is done. The erection of a Light House at the entrance of the harbour is imperatively called for by the increasing commerce of this port, and the additional number of vessels that yearly pass through Cook's Strait, and the establishment of every new settlement furnishes a strong additional reason for it, both in the increased coasting trade between this port and these settlements, and also in their trade with the neighbouring colonies. And if the Light House were erected a moderate scale of harbour dues might be established, and the proceeds devoted to the purpose of maintaining it. Such works can only be executed at the expense of Government, and the sooner they are carried out the more the prosperity of the Province is promoted.

An adjourned sittings of the Supreme Court was held yesterday ; the number of prison, ers to be tried was more than usu .lly numerous, and the offences were of a very grave character. The Grand Jury found true bilis against the prisoners, and afterwards made several presentments which, together with the observations they elicited from the Court, we must defer to our next number, when we shall take occasion to make a few remarks connected with them. In deferring also the publication of the trials of the prisoners, we will at present merely state their results. William Brown, the sentinel on duty at the Treasury, wasfound guilty of robbing Mr. Telford, the chief clerk, and sentenced to fifteen years' transportation. John Ashley and Edward Lavender were found guilty of an attempt to murder Mr. Christian, and sentence of death recorded against them. Edward Neal was found guilty of stealing a telescope, the property of George Young ; the same prisoner will be tried on another indictment for the robbery at Mr. Christian's storeJohn Whitens was found guilty of stealing the Comfort, a schooner of ten tons, fronx Auckland.

Wellington, Ist June, 1849. Spirits and Tobacco under Bond this day: — Brandy 84 19 gallons Rum 17807 „ Gin „ Whisky 617 „ Liqueurs 28 „ Tobacco manufactured 499 3 pounds Do. unmanufactured 1617 „ Cigars 799 „