New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, August 27, 1851.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 633, 27 August 1851, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, August 27, 1851.

The Town Roads Ordinance has been brought into operation in the Town of Wellington by the Governor, in compliance with a requisition signed by the majority of the Magistrates of the district, and this has afforded the Faction a pretext for much empty declamation. The Independent of last Saturday attempts to make this a political question, to consider it a deep laid plan on the part of the Governor to impose additional burdens upon the settlers, and proposes a scheme to defeat it by electing “Commissioners pledged to render the Streets Ordinance null and void,” with much more to the same effect. The answer to all this is plain and simple, whatever “ artful dodges ” may be resorted to by the opponents of this measure to mislead or misinform the settlers, the question is not a political but a social one. It is for the inhabitants of Wellington to determine whether, at the bidding of the Faction, they will continue io submit to the serious discomforts and inconveniences caused by the present state of the streets in the Town, which has now become almost intolerable, whether, at the dictation of a clique, they will still be content to wade knee deep in mud, or whether they will -avail themselves

ef the means provided by law to remedy these evils. The Governor’s share in the matter is purely that of official routine. The Magistrates, believing the enforcement of the provisions of this measure would conduce to the improvement of the town and the personal comfort of its inhabitants, require him to proclaim the Ordinance; in obedience to the law, the Ordinance is proclaimed. We imagine, as far as the Governor personally is concerned, it is a matter of indifference whether the settlers avail themselves of the advantages offered to them or not; he has done his duty, it is for them to do theirs. Again, this law does not tax the settlers, it provides them with the machinery for making local improvements, it confers on them the power of managing their I local affairs. All houses, lands, and tene- | ments, will be liable to assessment; the absentee will now have to contribute equally with the settler; and a general and comprehensive plan of improvement can, for the first time, be carried out, with infinitely less cost to the settlers than that to which they are at present subject in individual but ineffectual efforts to improve the roads in the immediate vicinity of their houses. It is worthy of notice that those who affect to be the advocates of liberal measures, the self constituted champions of freedom, are the strenuous opponents in this case of universal suffrage, that those who are most clamorous for the management by the settlers of their local affairs doggedly reject the boon when offered to them. But what shall we say of the morality, the honesty of those who would deliberately undertake an office only for the purpose of betraying its trusts, who are ready to pledge themselves to conspire together to evade and defeat the law ? This may be and. trust will prove to be a mere empty threat of the Independent; we hope for the credit of the settlement five such persons cannot be found in it.

To those who, acknowledging the measure to be liberal and necessary, profess to sacrifice their personal comfort and convenience for the sake of a political principle, and conceive by joining in this opposition to the law they are hastening the introduction of what they call Representative Institutions the following story may not be uninstructive. In the year 1601 when the Spaniards were besieging Ostend, the Archduchess Isabella wishing to encourage the troops, and thinking that success was near at hand, made a vow of never changing her linen before she entered the town. Unfortunately for this Princess, the siege lasted three years longer. “It may be conceived,’’ says the historian, “ that during this time her linen lost something of its original brightness ; and her ladies, to console her and to follow her example, had their linen died of a colour which afterwards became the fashion, and which was called Isabelle” L'tdvi these Gentlemen who wear the colour Isabelle, and see every thing through a jaundiced distempered medium, who have registered an “ oath in heaven” forthe attainment of certain political objects, so far from being on the eve of obtaining their desires, by the course they are pursuing, will find themselves mrther than ever from the accomplishment of them ; and it is too much to expect that others who do not agree with them are to suffer from their folly; that because they like to stick in the mud, those who entertain different opinions must also be dragged through the mire to keep them company. The course they are pursuing furnishes their opponents with the strongest argument of their unfitness for tive Institutions, for if they refuse to prove themselves faithful in small things, how can they suppose that they will be intrusted with the exercise of more important privileges ? Such an unreasonable and unreasoning coursewill be justly considered, not an opposition by “constitutional means,” but a resistance to all constituted authority. We also, in conclusion, call upon the settlers to register their claims ; we repeat the cry, Register I register 1 register ! and hope they will shew, by the judicious exercise of these newly acquired privileges, that they duly estimate their value.

We recommend to the good sideration of the inhabitant, the following observations wit? the proposed introduction of tk of the Town Ronds Ordinan4‘ Mr “'S “ The Settlers of Wellin repair the town roads by raised and expended by ComX’S their own appointment. The st ners »f roads during some months past to of taxed every one having occasi? them, or to pay for carriage of ? ? them It is idle to expat thsyS"* paired by voluntary contributions I? 6 be unjust to apply the general’r 0111 this purpose. It would be robhin habitants of the other settlemenf heia ’ matter is in our own hands, and m pletely so than local rates made fa-"” 1 ' purposes are in the hands of Our men at home. It will be our the work is ill done, or left undon J the money raised be misapplied t out this object, Commissioners must pointed. Every owner or occupier-p perty may vote. As a first step nJ? real self-government, let us honest], out the measure.”

An account has been received by the p from Ahuriri, that the barque been driven ashore on the East Coast K news was brought by maories overlandU Poverty Bay ; it was reported that all hl. were saved, and that there was a proto lity of getting the vessel off again Ik Eudora left Port Phillip for Lyttelton A stock, which she had landed, and was her way back, the Captain intending call at the East Coast for the purpoteol trading.

The Gazelle, from Port Cooper on the IM instant, has brought the Labuan’s mail. By this opportunity we have received NewZ®. land Journals to the 25th March, in them we find a list of fifteen vessels adverfised to sail for New Zealand, but by far the greater portion of them are intended forthe Settlements in the Southern Province. 0! these vessels, the Steadfast and the Uia had already arrived at Lyttelton, the .Vor/01l 500 tons, for Auckland, New Plymouth an Nelson, was advertised to sail the oh March, and the Thames, 550 tons, for Aucb land, Wellington and Otago the 15th Api The Dominion, 584 tons, for Canterbun, and the Bangalore, 877 tons, for Canterbun, Wellington and New Plymouth wereadvertised to sail the Sth May. The other vessel named are the Simlah, 750 tons, Columbu, 650 tons, Lord William Bentinck, 600 to® Barbara Gordon, 500 tons, Sir EM Paget, 700 tons, Victory, 700 tons, tewell, 700 tons, a new ship of 700 to®, and the Clara, 600 tons, all of which han been laid on by Messrs. Willis & Co. to si at regular intervals for the various settlements in New Zealand.

The Bangalore was spoken by the herdess (from Taranaki on the 24th instant in the Straits having been out a hundrd days, so that the next arrivals from LyltdtH may bring English Intelligence of a te date. A large vessel, from the East™ was also entering Port Victoria as ® Gazelle was leaving which may be os of the vessels above mentioned -expected 6 arrive. In looking over the New Zealand Pm* we find a suggestion seriously change the name of the Colony, on the p that those who are on the eveofenngw to Canterbury, “the superior colonists, the men of rank and family about to make the country of theW®’ their future home, contemplate with sive dislike the idea of their called New Zealanders and express desire to see the name changed to on „ suited to a land inhabited by b Those who have been living -° r twelve years in the Colony, ha dreamed of a difficulty of this sort pose the proposal to be a quiet P ie ® e w a little “poking of fun” at the CanterW Dilerrims, but it nevertheless seem sober matter of fact. As for the r eration in this our land of ’s”' ~;|! itj by the training and education 7 J ceive they will so illustrate by tn and virtue the land of ie ' r p ir L]. e name 0 ] they never need be ashamed 0 ver baf| New Zealand, New Zealand w I reason to be ashamed of them. The following judicious re qiiiij political Agitators in WeW yj no comment. They furnish farm to those who require it, . or . jt o which such conduct is calcul a j out of the Colony, and of the which the Agitators themse . “At length the from the colony has arrive . I

is no very prominent subject to attract attention, the general information from every quarter is of the most satisfactory nature. The colonists are mostly engaged in the wisest occupation —cultivating the soil for their own thereby increasing the prosperity of their adopted country. A few political agitators, however, are at work, who, unfitted by nature for the honoured character of true colonists, expend their dissatisfaction in enacting on their miniature stage the parts of so called patriots, impeding the advancement of the very result at which they pretend to aim. They remind one forcibly of a party of strolling actors representing in a barn, decked with tawdry hangings, the dramas which artists only of first-rate talent should attempt to represent, unless they wish to make themselves ridiculous. The firm and experienced hand of Sir George Grey is gradually bringing the heterogeneous communities over whom he is placed in order, and all sensible and disinterested men aeem to acknowledge the wisdom of his rule, and the benefits he has conferred on the colony. On looking over the subjects of the complaint urged against him, their justice is n the first place not--proved, and they are of to trivial and often ridiculous a character that ye cannot help arriving at the conclusion that hey are made from mere factious motives by jersons jealous of those who enjoy the sweets >f office which they themselves are so anxious o taste.”

In another place the Editor observes—- ' “We regret that any body of men should be bund who, for selfish ends, would employ heir energies, their time and talents, in inuring a man who has given every proof in lis power of his devotion to the welfare of the Colony—time, energy and talents, let us aslure them, which would be 'much more probably employed to themselves as well as to he community at large in increasing thecomnerce, improving the agriculture, and educaing the natives of this adopted country —in ittending to the thousand objects which they nust neglect while occupied in this political igitation. We shall be glad to see the coloties wisely governing themselves, but such conduct, let us assure our countrymen in New Sealand, does not prove that they are yet able to to do. We have no wish to see Sir George Srey continue as Governor if a better man :an be found, but, as an old colonist remarked o us the other day, if an angel came down rom heaven to rule over the colony, there rould be always a party formed to complain if his measures. All we desire is to support he ruler who is most ready to bring peace, irosperity, and happiness to the colonists of New Zealand.”

Cue following remarks in the New Zealand Journal refer to the issuing of land tiles—

“ Letters have been received from Wellingon communicating Mr. Fox’s determination iot to comply with the instructions sent by he Directors of the New Zealand Company o complete the conveyances forwarded to him, y the Poictiers, for execution and delivery u the respective agents of the non-resident iurchasers of land in the Company’s Settlements. The reasons assigned ate the unertainty of the Company’s existence, and ome informality in the deed prepared as reards the local ordinances for the conveyance f land. After mature consideration, for the iterest of all parlies, he prefers waiting for he result of the proceedings at the annual reneral meeting of the Company in London, isually held in May, which, in all probability, rill determine whether the Directors’ powers ontinue in force, as in the event of the Comany’s dissolution, the duty of giving legal onveyances will then devolve on the repreentative of her Majesty’s Government, withut any risk to such claimants. Whether the directors are disposed to comtunicate these facts remain to be seen ; in te meanwhile there attaches to these proceedtgs considerable doubt and uucertainty as to ■hat the Government may do in the matter of these titles, to issue crown grants i lieu of the company's form of conveynce.”

n the Lyttelton Times of August 16th is the eport of the proceedings of a public meetof which Mr. Godley was chairman, eld the previous Thursday, to take into tonsideration the offer of His Excellency the he Governor-in-Chief to erect Canterbury nto a separate Province, should it appear tonsistent with the well ascertained wishes ** the settlers. The report occupies four-r-cn and a half closely printed columns r the Lyttelton Times. The following resolutions were adopted :— iipnf; lhat °P iniosi ‘‘his meeting the Innij n 0 into a separate province ma tenally promote the welfare of the i n ‘’ securing attentionto its local inlemlh.L "y c . on fim n Bb as far as possible, the exIbnvn 11 !?, 0^lt ? ! oca * revenue to local objects: [j nn V t - * . “y giving to its people a direct partiI on in political affairs, and thereby supply-

ing them with worthy objects of ambition, interest. and action.

2. That by a strict economy, by the avoidance of pageantry and display, and by the provisional combination of offices (whenever such combination shall be possible) this change may be effected without any material increase in the public establishments. 3. That it is no part of the business of this meeting to point out the boundaries of the proposed province; but that it distinctly disclaims any desire to encroach on territory to which other settlements may have a fair claim. 4. That this meeting, while urging its claim to a local government for Canterbury, desires to guard itself carefully against being supposed to imply assent to, or approval of, the measure for establishing provincial councils which has lately been enacted, inasmuch as that measure does not give to the people of this country any real or efficient control over the management of their own affairs, and the expenditure of their own revenues. 5. That the thanks of this meeting be conveyed to His Excellency Sir George Grey for the gracious and constitutional manner in which he has referred the decision of this question to those whom it mainly, if not alone concerns. 6- That a memorial founded on the above resolution be drawn up and circulated for signature among the inhabitants of the settlement, and that the magistrates be requested to form themselves into a committee for that purpose.

(CommunicatedJ Extract from the Letter of a Young Collegian, dated Oxford, Ist April. Young Canterbury is now up at Christchurch, a Gentleman-commoner with a short allowance, and a very slow coach he appears to be. He swears by his Tutor, who is an excellent man out impregnated with strange notions, to give you some idea of this Mentor, I must copy the title page of a book written by him and attentively studied by his pupil, here it is :— ■ An entire new Version of THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, WITH ORIGINAL DESIGNS BY THE AUTHOR. Canterbury does nothitit off well with the Governor ;* not long since he refused to stay a few days with him; of course he drew upon him when .he first eame up, and he is now actually repaying him ! He will have a good fortune when of age, but in the simplicity of his heart he requests to have the control of it now. Only fancy him arguing that a landlord has no right to appoint his own Steward but that the tenants ought to elect him ! Then imagine a chum of his coolly asking the Governor to let him the Britannia farm rent-free to try a new system of farming—don’t you wish he may get it 1 Canterbury was in a boiling rage when the Governor sent him an old servant of his own for a flunkey: he says that he has no fault to find with the man but he must appoint his own servants.

One blunder that he made is too good to be omitted. It was agreed that part of his income should be devoted to forming a library—well, what the devil do you think he did ? Why! instead of building a room full of shelves and buying a few yards of books at an Auction, as you or I would have done, he at once appointed a Librarian. The Governor insisted upon his giving the librarian an ad equate salary, and the consequence is that he has no tin left to make the library; After all, he is not so very soft; for the other day an Attorney—one who makes more friends by his words than his actions— -recommended him to go to —somewhere else. Hewill'bea dutiful son and a good fellow, I am sure, when he comes into his property. At present he is living within his means, (which signifieth within his rooms,) or in other words he never comes out; he is out of all fun, he has not even had a row with his tutor yet; he is out of debt, without so much as a dun to keep him lively. By the way my duns are becoming perfectly rabid, and either my Governor or I must soon come to a settlement. If I must, New Zealand shall be my point.

“The Governor’ is a term of filial reverence by which a Father is designated in College parlance.