NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 573, 29 January 1851, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

j [From the 2t/>-»can Journal, September 19.] “ Zed, thou unnecessary letter.” —Lear. ; For the first time, a small file of New Zealand journals has reached us, containing the news of that remote colony, from February to April ; but we are not quite certain whether i it be not too remote, to entertain our readers, with .either its Sayings or its Doings,— or whether it may not prove as “ unnecessary” aS fllP IpftPF t lx b nroonJac if ♦ — •- .wlww. avtUlUlU£ LU tbe judgment and exclamation of Kent to ; Steward in King Lear. Yet must not Africa ■ lag behind New Zealand either in courtesy or I sentiment :—for since the latter has not been j forgetful of the former, but has had its “Special Meetings” to congratulate it on the removal of certain imaginary troubles that threatened to overwhelm it; it would show too great an indifference to such distant—and consequently disinterested — regard, to treat it with silence or neglect. lhe papers for which we are indebted for the intelligence given below, are called “The Wellington Independent,” and are published every Wednesday and Saturday at Port Ni-cholson-—arc cleverly edited, and respectably got up,—barring an unsightly flying Scroll, I on which the title is written, and two odd : looking Bee-hives, from which a Bee seems j ashamed to escape, notwithstanding the pro- ; fusion of Roses and Posies, that are temptI ’ n gly planted near the entrance of the citadel. On examining the pages to mark bow Civilization and Impiovements have progressed, we find that they have their Jockey Clubs, Aglionby Races, Cricket Clubs, Raffles, and jockey Club Pocket Books. And higher up the scale we perceive, that “ Her Majesty’s 65th Regt, plays in tbe valley in the rear of Government House, ’ and very properly gives the programme in print to the world, the day before. Music forms a prominent feature amongst the amusements, and they have so far advanced in it, as to be able to unite in one harmonious band, and to get up an occasional Ball and Supper, with the euphonious title of “ lhe Loyal Apollonicon Society.” Commerce does not appear to create much bustle, or if so, they lack judgment in not making the most of it by Advertising,— an omission, and error, which ought never to be pardoiicu ; and without the observance of which grand secret of success, who can expect to prosper ? We make an exception to the following gentlemen in Port Nicholson : who for their wisdom and consideration to poor Authors and Editors, we feel disposed to immortalize ; at any rate their names shall be known as long as these pages are in existence ; and before five months have elapsed will be heard of and read, from “The World’s End” Stepney, to “ Pipiiea Point"— (where Pickering had a “ Quiet Boarding House” and boats in attendance to convey news to Her Majesty’s Navy.) lhe best friends to the Printer then, in the above section of New Zealand, are Messrs, Bethune & Hunter, W. B. Rhodes & Co., J. Varnham, J. Smith & Son, Hervey’ Johnston & Co., S. Robinson, R. Waitt, Mawby & Higgins, W. Lyon, and Mr. Lighterman,— who is very properly connected with boats and barges. Nor should we forget J. Charles R. Wood, (d.a.c.g.), who so liberally distributes his Annual Contracts, and Commissariat Notices, without any bread and cheese paring, and niggardly suppression,— which Her Majesty neither wishes nor recommends. At Port Nicholson they have also their Registry Office, and Kai Warm Brewery,— “ Where Charlie (Cameron) brews a peck o’ malt.” They have also their Commission Sales

and Livery Stalls, represented by Messrs. Lyon, Mawby & Higgins. And better still Literature has its protectionists, and devotees. There is a “ SouthernProvinceAlmanack —and a “New Zealand Magazine” just commenced ; the subjects in which, are happily varied, and denote a research and intellectuality. There is also a more serious periodical already in its 20th Number, entitled, “ The New Zealand Evangelist and from its ‘ Table of Contents’ may be presumed to carry weight and influence. Descending to other matters we find “The Odd Fellows” have planted “A Britannic Lodge” There is also “ The Wellington Atheneeum and Mechanics’ Institute”— opened on the 11th April 1850, at an expense of nearly £soo—when the wings are added. The principle is similar in point of limitation to the Glasgow Class and School of Arts—that is, all but Mechanics are excluded ; and those Sciences only are encouraged which are useiul to Mechanics. But we find no Poet's Corner; — perhaps this is limited to higher ground—the Magazines. We must not omit one particular, although our limits aie fully occupied, and we cannot give the subject in detail. On Tuesday, February 12, 1850, there was a Meeting of the Settlers' Constitutional Association, Dr. Dorsel in the chair. The object was to express a cordial sympathy with the Colonists of lhe Cape, in their opposition offered to certain proposed innovations and introductions, adverse to their interest and morality. The condolers and speakers, were Messrs. Ptevans, Fox, Featherston, M'Kenzie, Lyon, Flyger, Vincent, Joseph, and Davis. A hint for Dr. Dorset and “ The Settlers’ Constitutional Association,” at Port Nicholson :— We have somewhere seen a print, by the cunning hand of George Cruikshank, which represents the Debtor’s Prison of the King’s Bench. An “ unfortunate” is peeping through the Iron Bars, —outside, in front of i whom, stands the receiving ‘ Bor,' on which is written, “Remember the poor Debtors.” . The petition gives rise to a stronger sympa- ; thy in the mind of the artist, who paints on- , derneatb, “Remember the poor Creditors !” \ When sympathy and congratulation thereI fore are expressed on behalf of the Cape, for what is gained and avoided, let it also be re- : membered what is lost, and how it was occa- ; sioned.