MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND PROPRIETORS, TO AVERT CONVICTISM FROM THE COLONY. [From the Times, April 28.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 435, 3 October 1849, Page 3

MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND PROPRIETORS, TO AVERT CONVICTISM FROM THE COLONY. [From the Times, April 28.]

A large meeting' of the shareholders of the New Zealand Company Was held at New Zealand House, Broad-street Buildings on the 27th of April, for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting measures to prevent the stigma likely to be cast on New Zealand, by making it a penal settlement. M Aglionby, M. P., presided, and expressed his opinion that the Directors ought to offer no opinion at present, but to hear the views which had led so many of the shareholders to request that such a meeting might be called. Mr. Watson then rose and moved a series of resolutions, expressing the strongest condemnation of the introduction of convict emigration into New Zealand, and urging the Company to adopt, without delay, steps for averting tuck a calamity. He pointed out the following grounds for 'the conclusion that Government intended including New Zealand among the colonies destined to receive convict emigrants: — ;First, that the operation was to be carried into effect with such secrecy that no colony should know of convicts being sent to it till they had arrived. Second, that a pledge of Lord Normanby's that New Zealand should not be subject to this disgrace, had already been broken or evaded. Third, that a des* patch had been received by the Governor from Earl Grey, pointing out New Zealand a* one of the colonies to which the new plan of convict emigration might be properly applied ; and lastly, that this despatch" had been with- " held from the papers relating to New Zealand annually laid before Parliament, while the Directors of the Company, notwithstanding their intimate relations with the Colonial Office, were unable to inform the proprietors whether anything of the kind was in contemplation. Mr. Watson then went on to show how completely the experiment already made in violation of Lord Norraanby's pledge had failed, the convicts having disappeared among the native population, instilled into their ductile minds the poison of vice, and prepared the destruction of those seeds of virtue and morality which had been planted with so much care in New Zealand by the missionary labours. ' The Government might attempt to smuggle convicts into that colony, but as these | were sure to associate with the aborigines, it could not adopt such a course without doing the greatest injury to the cause of civilization. Mr. Watson was followed by Mr. Frederick Young, who, in seconding the resolution proposed, pointed out to the meeting that the Company was not bound to suggest the way in which convicts might best be provided for, but simply to cake care that none should be sent to the colony over the interests of which it had to watch. Colonies were either sinks for the criminal population of the mother country, or outlets for the most enterprising and adventurous portions of her people. It was upon the last plan that the colonisation of New Zealand was undertaken, ami as thousands had emigrated on the faith that this course would be persevered in, a gross breach of public faith would be perpetrated if the system was now changed. 1 The tide of emigration would then cease altogether, and the Company's land would become valueless. Mr. Halswell, a Judge in New Zealand, in supporting the resolutions, stated that in his judicial capacity he had tried three of the body sent out from Parkhurst, and that two of them had been banished from the colony. The meeting was then addressed by Mr. Burnand and Mr. Daws'on. Mr. J. A. Smith, who expressed his full concurrence, in what had been said, did not think that there was any chance of relief from Government, and asked what course Mr. Burnand intended to pursue. The latter gentleman in reply, suggested that a petition should be presented" to. the Legislature, and that the whole parliamentary influence of the Company should tie set in motion. General Briggs moved a resolution, that the best security against the evils of convict emigration would be to grtnt the colony « charter of 'free

government. This resolution, which wts se* conded by Mr. Martin, was considered by Mr. J. A. Smith as a digi^ion ; Earl Grey was more anxious Hv»n any one pise to give a free Constitution to New #palai <1, and he believed that measures for that purpose were in progress, and would he carried into effect as soon as possible. The chairman, Mr. G. F. Gurney, and others, expressed themselves in the same sense, but the resolution wts eventually carried Unanimously. It was then agreed that a petition be presented to Parliament, and, after the Usual vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting terminated*

The QueeK Fired at. — Shortly after 6 o'clock this evening, May 26, as her Majesty and Prince Albert, where returning in an open landau from Hyde Park down Constitution Hill, -to Buckingham Palace, a labouring roan wearing a white flannel jacket, and bearing all the appearance of a mechanic, levelled a pistol at the Queen from within the railings of the Green Park, whilst the carriage was passing the curve on the hill close to the Tri- ' umphal Arch. The Queen and the Prince did not appear much alarmed, and the carriage, on the order of the Queen, proceeded to the Palace. Both were uninjured. The miscreant, who is an Irishman, named John Hamilton, was immediately seized by one of "the park-keepers and by a soldier who jumped' over the rails. The pistol, it is believed, was loaded with ball. He was immediately taken to the King-street station, where, at the time our reporter left, the scoundrel was under examination. The greatest excitement prevails in the metropolis in consequence of the diabolical attempt. The man, who is about thirty or 'five-and- thirty years of age, appears a rational individual. In the above account the " greatest excitement 1 ' is mentioned, and assuredly the attempt was the sole subject of conversation. Of the abominable character of the attempted crime, presuming that murder was intended and that the pistol was loaded, there can be but one opinion. Neither if the matter turns out but one of those morbid attempts to be notorious, which have induced, fellows to do those things, can there be but one opinion of such abominable work. Of the ebullitions of loyal feeling her Majesty cannot but be proud. We are informed that at several theatres the performances were stayed, the attempt announced from the stage, " God save the Queen" sung, and received with rounds of applause. At one theatre, we are told, a man called out, " God does save the Queen !" a remark received with rounds of applause. In the crowd in the streets at the West-end to witness the illumination, nothing else was spoken of, and there was frequent cheering for the Queen. Very many inquiries have been made as to the life, parentage, and education of the man Hamilton, but the police will or can give no clue as to who he is, or what may have been his previous career, so that most of the "facts" may be found " inventions." We understand that the roan gives no reason for his villainy, except that he was out of work and starving. He stood at the time about one hundred yards from the place where Oxford stood. He was taken in the first instance to the Gardener'slane station, and from thence to the Home Office, where his examination was private. He was then conveyed, we understand, to Tothill-fields Prison, and men were to sit up with him all night. There is a general impression that the man is not mad. We give the following particulars from the latest edition of the official paper, the Globe : — " Upon the shot being fired, her Majesty appeared immediately aware of the escape which she had providentially had, and for the moment rose up in the carriage under the feelings of excitement naturally created by such an occurrence. The people, however, loudly cheer-* ed the Queen, and she rose, recovered her presence of mind, and warmly acknowledged their expressions of loyalty and affection towards her person." At the station-house, the inspector on duty, when he received evidence similar to what we have reported, asked the prisoner his name and address. He gave his name, and said that he was not a native of England, but would give no address. — Sun. On the 25th May Mr. Roebuck, in a speech replete with historical details respecting the principles of colonization, moved for leave to bring in a bill for the better government of certain of her Majesty's colonial possessions., Mr. Hawes followed in reply, stating his reasons for opposing the introduction of the measure, which were grounded on no desire to resist a change, when -any change should be found necessary, but on the ground of the impracticability of the plan propounded. The speakers in sneces-sion were Mr. Anstey, Mr. M'Gregor, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Wyld, Mr. Aglionby, Lord J. Russell, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Y. Smith, and Mr. Adderley j after which Mr. Roebuck replied, and the house divided when the motion was negatived by a majority of 43, — the numbers being 73 to 116. The bill tr» to have included the Canada*, Soutk Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The Lords of the Admiralty have sent the North Star with stores and provisions for the expedition under Sir James Ross. The steamer Stromloli was to take her in tow as far as the edge of the ice. The Stromboli left the Downs on the 12th May, to join the North Star at Greenhithe, but had to return to Woolwich in consequence of a bolt, getting into one of her valves. The North Star finally left Stromness on the 24th May, in tow of the Stromboli for her northern destination. The Canadian accounts are more satisfactory. The excitement consequent upon the signing of the Indemnity Bill was rapidly subsiding, and sober, temperate, and calm discussion was taking its place. With the exception of one very slight affair, no more rioting had taken place. Nothing has yet transpired with respect to the ultimate intentions of the Government in the matter of Mr. S. OBrien and his three associates in insurrection ; but the idea of the extreme sentence being carried into effect having been long since abandoned, it is presumed that no less a punishment awaits them than perpetual banishment from their native land. According to the authority of the Freeman's Journal, the sentence of transportation will be carried into execution before the Ist of June. The London correspondent of that paper, writing on Saturday night says : — It is rumoured to day in the Downing Stieet district that an order for the deportation of Smith OBrien and the other Irish patriots sentenced to transportation, will be forwarded from the Home office to Ireland on Monday, and it is added that the Lords of the Admiralty have issued orders to have a vessel in readiness at Kingstown Harbour with the view of giving effect to the Home Secretary's determination. Bermuda is named as their destination, but on this point I cannot speak positively." The Gal -jay Vindictor states as a positive fact that the deaths in the Ballinasloe workhouses amounted in one week to the frightful number of 860. The colonies were receiving much attention by both Parliament and people ; and Sir William Molesworth had given notice of fiis intention to move " that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that her Majesty would be pleased to appoint a commission to inquire into the administration of her Majesty's colonial possessions, with the view of removing the causes of colonial complaint, of diminishing the cost of colonial government, and of giving increased scope to individual enterprise," The Jewish Disabilities Bill was read a second time in the House of Commons, on the sth May, by a majority of 278 to 185. Mr. F. Peel, son of Sir Robert Peel, made his debut in favour of the second reading. His maiden speech is highly spoken of. The Irish Rate-in-Aid Bill had received the Royal assent. On the 24th May, Mr. Hawes announced that after Whitsuntide he would bring in a Bill to give local self-government to the Australian colonies. Some trifling changes in the minor Government offices were announced : — Mr. J. Parker, Joint Secretary of the Treasury, to succeed Mr. Ward as Secretary of the Admiralty : Mr. Hayter to replace Mr. Parker and Sir H. Dundas to be Advocate-General. The wool sales appear to have been progressing as favourably as could be expected. The obituary contains the following distinguished individuals: — General Sir E. Paget, Governor of Chelsea Hospital ; Sir Adam Druramond, Admiral of the Blue ; Lieutenant-General Sir Jasper Nichols ; Lady De Saumarez ; Miss Edgeworth, the popular Irish Novelist; the Bishop of Limerick; and Mrs. Rothschild, mother of the great Baron. The Rev. Dr. Alexander Simpson of Kirk-, newton, had been elected Moderator of the Church of Sco.tland, by a majority of 191 to 76 over the Rev. Dr. Bell of Linlithgow. The Rev. Dr. Mnckay of Dunoon, was the Moderator of the Free Church. The Royal Steam-ship America, Captain Harrison, arrived in the Mersey on the 28th May, with the usual mails. Her dates from New York are to the 16th, and Halifax to the 19th instant. This passage is the most extraordinary on record, the America having accomplished the run from New York, including the stoppage at Halifax in eleven days and ten hours. The disgraceful treatment to which Mr. Macready has been subjected during his professional tour through the United States has been brought to a lamentable conclusion. A riot had taken place in New York, at which 22 lives were lost, and 30 persons wounded. The persons who had instigated this abominable persecution have, however, gained the object they had in view, that of driving Mr. Macready from the American stage. Disgusted and fearing further bloodshed, he had retired to Boston, with the intention of returning to England by the Hihernia, on the 23rd inst. That this consummation has been brought about by a minority has been proved beyond a doubt. Mr. Mitchell left Bermuda in the Neptune

on the 22nd April. The steward's pantry was fitted up as a separate berth for him, in consequence of his failing health. Dr. Murphy, P. P. of Fermoy, was appointed Roman Catholic Bishop of Cloyne and Ross, and Dr. Ross, of Derry, was nominated to succeed Dr. Maginn. Dr. Dickson, Professor of Scripture in Maynooth, is elected the Roman Catholic Primate of Ireland, vice Dr. Crolly. Dr. Dickson had 26 votes, Dr. O'Henlon 12 votes, and Dr. Keiran 16 votes. A most destructive fire had occurred at St. Louis, United Slates, on the 18th of May, which consumed nearly half the business portion of the city before it could be arrested. The fire broke out on the night of the 17th on board a steam-boat lying near the head of the landing, and the wind blowiug a gale at the time, the fire soon spread to other steamboats, and from them to the warehouses and stores. Twenty-seven steam-boats, five banking houses, every insurance office in the place, four printing offices, and at least three hundred houses, were destroyed. • The loss is estimated at several millions of dollars. A letter from Rome, dated the 20th inst., states that the following were the three propositions made by M. Lesseps to the Government of the Roman Republic. 1. The French Republic takes Rome under its protection. 2. The French troops shall be received in Rome as brothers. 3. The population shall be called to pronounce freely on the form of Government by which they are to be ruled. The National Assembly had rejected these propositions during its sitting on the night of the 19th, and had charged the triumvirate to continue the negotiations with a view of arriving at an honourable resolution based on the principles of perfect reciprocity. Garibaldi had attacked the Neapolitans at Velletri at 6 o'clock on the morning of the 19th. A letter from St. Petersburgh of the 18th May, in the Kolner Zeitung states that the Neva is now free from ice, and that a Russian fleet of sixty^sail is preparing to proceed to the Baltic and the Sound. The rumours of an armed Russian interference between Germany and Denmark have of late been frequent in the German papers. On the 23rd May his Majesty the Emperor Nicholas held a grand muster of his troops in the presence of the Emperor of Austria, on the plain of Poworski. ' The two monarchs then repaired to the citadel of Alexander, which they inspected, and returned thence to the Palace of Lazienski. In the evening the two Emperors appeared at the theatre. A new French Assembly has been elected. The following is from the Times of the 29th May :—": — " Five hundred of the members of the new Legislative Assembly met on Sunday, in the Hall of the late Chamber of Deputies. M. Kerratry, who arrived in Paris on Saturday night, occupied the President's chair by right of seniority, and M. M. Boch, Estancelin, Rolland, De Coistin Baucel, and the Serjeant of the Line, Comraissaire, being the youngest members present, were appointed secretaries. The President thpn announced the following orders of the day for Monday. "At 12 o'clock precisely a public sitting, with standing committees to be drawn by ballot. Formation of those committees. Verification of powers. The public sitting to be resumed in case any reports are ready to be presented. " The new members were in general respectably attired, although some of the ultrarepublicans appeared in party-coloured jackets, and heavy broad-brimmed hats of black and white felt, similar in shape to those the Italian brigands are represented as wearing. The three non-commissioned officers Boichot, Ruttier, and Commissaire were also present, wearing an undress uniform, without epaulets. A few of the non-elected representatives, among whom M. Goudcbaux was conspicuous, remained en permanence in the Salle dcs Conferences, until a late hour, in order to be prepared to resist a coup d'etat which it was never intended to execute.