AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 452, 1 December 1849, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

It would be another added to the thousand and-one evidences of the proverbial uncertainty of the law if the decision of the Judges of the Supreme Court in some of the cases of the Crown grants made by Governor Fitzioy — elaborate, closely reasoned, and undoubtedly conscientious as those judgments confessedly were — should fventually be reversed by the final Court of Appeal — the Privy Council. And yet, we are informed, on what we are warranted in considering better authority thau rumour, that such may not improbably prove the fact. Indeed, we have heard that the highest Law Officers of the Crown at home were of opinion that it would be so. To the land claimants — or, we may now more correctly say, the landowners — in those cases, such a reversal of the judgments pronounced here would be practically unimportant, as their titles are quieted and their possessions secured by the Crown Titles Ordinance of last session of Council. But it would confute, though it may not silence, the cavils oftho'se whbhave sedulously laboured to deprive the introduction of that measure of any character of grace or liberality on the part of the Colonial Government, by representing it as coming too late for any useful purpose, nod no more than a subtle attempt to make a merit of necessity, by appearing to do volun--t.nily what the inexorable and unalterable fiat of the law bad declared must be done. To the large number of holders of Crown grants, whose individual claims have not been made the subject of legal investigation or adjudication, the Ordinance is yet more important; as the issue of proceedings in their cases would necessarily be invested with the greatest hazard, if other cases substantially identical with them in their main features, had previously been determined adversely by the Privy Council. At all events, it is not too much to say that the holders of such Grants in the Province are, as matters at present stand, relieved by the Ordinance from doubts and uncertainties, as well as from delays and expenses, which, but for its enactment, must, in a greater or lesser degree, have harassed them ; and that it would not be becoming in them at least to join in or countenance aspersions on the motives which prompted a measure from which they derive some certain and immediate benefit, and to which, it is more than possible, they may at no distant day, owe the entire of their legal right to their possessions. — The New Zealander, Oct. 20. H. M.'s Steam Sloop Aclieron, Captain Stukes, took her departure on Tuesdiy evening last, for Sydney, to undergo sundry repairs rendered necessary from the time she has been on surveying service on our coasts. Our townsman, Mr. Tucker, who has for some time honorably filled the office of Purser, has, we learu, retired invalided, and has been succeeded by Mr. Stiles, formerly clerk under him. — Ibid, Oct. 26. H. M. 58th Regiment. — On Tuesday last, the 18th inst., the Serjeants of the 58th Regiment entertained at their messroom, Hospital Serjeant James Stafford, on being discharged from the Corps, after an uninterrupted service of 24 years ; on which occasion he was presented by Serjeant-major Clifton, in an appropriate speech, with a handsome snuff-box, as a token of the regard and esteem he was held in by his comrades, and as an earnest of their wish for his future welfare and happiness. — Netp Zealander, Sept. 22. H.M.S. Fly arrived on Saturday evening, with the Governor-in-Chief, Lady Grey, and his Excellency's suite on board. Since his

Excellency's departure, lie visited the Bay of Islands, Wangaroa, and Monganui ; and, on bis return, called at the harbour of Wangaruru. — Ibid, Sept. 25. The Lord Bishop of New Zealand returned on Tuesday la3t from New Caledonia in his schooner Undine, after a tine run of nine days. H. M. S. Havannah met his Lordship at the Isle of Pines, on board which vessel he remained six days, visiting the different stations on the coast. The Havannah then proceeded to Sydney and may be expected here shortly. Five native children from New Caledonia were brought down by the Vndine, and are now at St. John's College to be educated under the superintendence of the Lord Bishop himself. — Southern Cross, Oct. 9.

Feejee.— H.M.S. " Havannah."— The following communication from the Rev. James Calvert, Wesleyan Missionary at Lakemba, will be read with interest. It contains some very suggestive notices of the present state of Feejee, and of the beneficial influence of missionary exertion in civilizing-as well as christianizing its degraded and cruel inhabitants. It also exhibits in a very giatilying light, Captain Erskine's soundness of judgment in dealing with those with whom his duties bring him in contact, and bis kindly disposition to effect real and abiding good in his station : — Feejee, Sept. 7, 1849. Reverend and Dear Sir, — On the ]3th of August a large boat from H.M.S. Havannah arrived at Vewa. Captain Erskine, R.N., Captain Jenner, Lieutenants Pollard and S^aiivand Dr. Tunibull, vi&ited us, and remained with us two nights,. The ship had d\ chored ai Ovaiau, where she remained to idke iv wood and water. About eight o'clock in the evening Nga Vnwle ariived from Ban to enquire what ship had anchored at Ovaiau. On the following morning we went to Ban. At Lord Feejee's house we had a twenty gallon pot of boiled pork and yams. At Nga Vinde's a large pig was baked for as whole — the native oven being just opened on our arrival. Captain Erskine spoke very plainly to Lord Feejee about the folly of continually fighting, and the abominable practice of killing human beings for the purpose of eating, as well as of the bruushness of cannabalisra generally. Many had been lately killed fot the express purpose of being cooked for some strangers who were visiting Ban from another part of Feejee, so that Captain Erskine's remarks were well-timed. It was with difficulty Lord Feejee could bear these remarks ; at last he broke out, sayng, "Yes — you Englishmen have cattle. You salt them down, and eat them. We have not — and human beings consequently are our cattle." However, this was only a temporary remark made by one who is well convinced of the folly, wickednpss, and disgracei'ulness of these practices. Aftei wards he said, "Our forefathers have been accustomed to these evils. We have followed, noc knowing but they were right. You missionaries have arrived and instructed us. Ships also come and confirm your statements. We shall give up the practices of our forefathers." Lord Feejee urged me to accompany him to the ship. We went to Ovaiau in the boat. On the 16th a target was put on the face of a rdck, which was at once torn to pieces. The rock was terribly shattered, and many pieces were thrown with force some distance^into the sea. The firing was very good indeed — being precise and quick, and no random shots. After dinner, 130 went on shore with muskets — 30 of them being marines. Two field pieces with the carriages were also taken on shore. After exercising some time firing commenced. The bush was ranged, the way being cleared by the two cannon. On the following morning a 24-pound rocket was fired from a machine (or- rocket gun) fixed og shore. The rocket passed over two iiigh mouutaius, and then fell and bur-t. The chief and his attendant, Nga Vinde, saw all well. He was fully convinced of the impossibility of their standing before English arras — and it is not unlikely but this exhibition of English power may prevent the necessity of a real attack. The more he .--aw the more urgent he became for the ship to go to Bau, that all the people might see what he and his friend had seen. Captain Erskine was exceedingly kind to us, and was very de&irous to avoid saying or doing anything that would be likely to make an unfavourable impression — and to*- say and do anything calculated to benefit Feejee, and to promote the interests of the Mission. He pressed the chief to attend promptly to the instructions of the Missionaries and become a Christian, and to abandon at once and for ever all treachery and meanness in war, and cannibalism in all its forms. The Captain investigated the case of two Englishmen of whom he had heard unfavomable reports. He also cautioned the Chiefs against the murder of British subjects. He kindly offered to send his diver to see the

John Wesley's keel, should sha arrive from Lakemba before his departure — and also 10 make any repairs he could. Being at Nandy on the Sabbath, Captain Erskine and Doctor Turuboll attended Divine Service in our Church; and Captain Erskine addressed the congregation affr the service through the Rev. D. Hazlewood. He was much gratified with the devout appearance of our large congregation there, and urged the people diligently te follow the instructions of their Minister. We are very thankful for such a visit, and hope we shall again be similarly favoured, as such visits are doubtless needed, and will result in good. I am, Rev, and dear Sir, Yours affectionately, James Calvert. To the Rev. W. Lawry.

Influenza. — So prevalent has this malady, in its various distressing symptoms, become in Geelong, that scarcely a resident bijit is more or less affected by it. The disease is not confined to the town, but from what we learn, has extended throughout the remote parts of the districts. Children and adults, male and female, are alike indiscriminately seized with the complaint. — Geelong Jldverlizer.