New Zealand Spectator AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday. January 14, 1852.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 673, 14 January 1852, Page 3

New Zealand Spectator AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday. January 14, 1852.

By the Government Brig we have received two New Zealanders and Southern Crosses, and by the Fly a few of the Lyttelton and and Otago papers. H.M.S. Calliope was at Auckland, with the Pandora and Bramble. The Calliope was to sail Jan. 10th for Wellington with his Excellency Lieut.-Colonel Wynyard, Commander of the Forces in New Zealand, on a tour of inspection of the troops in this Province. The Pandora was to sail for Hokianga to complete the survey of the bar, and would proceed thence to Kaipara; the Bramble was under orders to proceed to Sydney. The Auckland Corporation had entered on their duties, and both papers contain reports of their sittings. Mr. Merriman, who was acting as Town Clerk, having resigned his seat as representative for the East Suburban Ward, an election took place, when Mr. W. Hay, carpenter, was elected by a majority of two i votes, the numbers being,"Mr. Hay—2s. ■ Major Gray—23. A meeting had been held at Christchurch to decide upon the question of an easier mode of communication between Lvttelton and the agricultural and pastoral districts, when it was agreed that the completion of the road from Lyttelton to Christchurch by Sumner was of such importance to the advancement of that settlement that it would be desirable to raise a loan for the purpose, to be charged upon the general revenues of that settlement, and a committee was appointed for the purpose of communicating with his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief with the view of ascertaining whether such a loan can be effected.

The Otago Witnesses as dull and uninteresting as ever. A long correspondence between Mr. Cargill and Mr. Kettle is inserted in one of its numbers, arising out of seme sqabble of Mr. Cargill’s with reference to the maps and plans in the SurveyOffice. That gentleman seems to have an unhappy alacrity of getting into hot water with his neighbours, and of writing interminable prosy letters from which it is very difficult to extract any meaning. As he intimates his intention, however, of submitting the question raised in this correspondence to a court of law, it does not appear to be a very fair mode of proceeding to endeavour by the publication of •an ex parte statement to produce an impression in his own favour. We understand that the following weights have been decided upon by the Hon. H. W. Petre, Mr. Harrison and Capt. Daniell, who were appointed Handicappers for the Jockey Club Plate, at the ensuing Burnham Water Races :—

Programme of the performance of the Band of the 65th Regt., at Thorndon Flat, on Friday, January 16: — 1. Overture—De la Prise d’ Alger.. Brepsant 2. Selection—Lucia de Latntnermoor. Donize tti 3. Le Danois Quadrilles Musard 4. Selection—Maid of Honor Balfe 6. Coronation Waltz Strauss 6. La Carriole Polka Koenig. We recommend the following extract from the Australian and New Zealand Gazette to the Faction in this place, as shewing the estimate (if any heed is taken of them) formed out of the colony by dispassionate observers of their doings. As we intend making a few more extracts from the Australian and New Zealand Gazette, (a publication greatly superior to its older contemporary, the New Zealand Journal ) we must for want of space reserve our remarks to another occasion :— “We havereceivcd a few additional Wellington papers, but they contain little of interest* The chief items are, the intended establishment of a local bank in opposition to the Union Bank of Australia, which has been established in the settlement ever since its formation ; and the account of a visit paid by Sir George Grey to the natives of Waikanai

one of the most extensive native’districts on the island. His Excellency was very warmly received; and appears to have gained the confidence of the natives of every class ; of which he is deserving, for no governor could have striven more than he has to advance thtir civilization and prosperity, whilst the rapid acquisition, on their part, of both, must be to him a source of great gratification. We learn from private letters that the Governor has succeeded in purchasing from the natives, the Ahur'ri Plain, one of the finest localities in New Zealand, forming, with the Wairarapa, a complete chain of agricultural and pastoral land of the finest quality, extending from Wellington to Hawke's Bay on the East Coast. This will place Wellington, as regards pastoral pursuits, on a level with other settlements, and will give afield for providing an export, which will leave the settlement without excuse if it be not extensively raised. We allude to wool, upon which New Zealand most depend for the future, for none ol the exports so much talked of in past years find their way to the home market, though for this we fear that the colonists are more in fault tpao the country or its produe'e, It’is further stated that Sir George Grey is trying to induce the Wairarapa squatters to remove to Ahuriri, andjhere form] a pastoral settlement;

It is something extraordinary, since the departure of one or two unruly spirits from the island, how all opposition tor Sir George has suddenly died away. A few months ago he was one of the worst specimens of his somewhat obnoxious class ; he is now becoming a marvel of gubernatorial sagacity, and people are wondering why they should have been so easily led to vituperate him. Twelve months ago he had ruined the colony past redemption by any measure short of his instant removal; now they address him as the source of all the piosperity they have. The inference from all which to a dispassionate spectator is, that the opposition to his rule has been purely factious, though we, as dispassionate spectators, cannot overlook his notorious official extravagance, except on the ground that he is ordered by superior authority to employ a horde of home-connected people in the truly difficult occupation of doing nothing. This, as we told Mr. Cobden in our last number, is the true bane of colonies, and nothing will remove this bane but the giving to colonies the power of spending their own money, leaving also the amount to be disbursed to the deliberative wisdom of those who have to pay it.”

Lieut. Trafford’s Naenae Mr. Robinson’s Jack Fisken .. Mr. St. Hill’s Harribogine .... Mr. Hickson’s Haidee ........ . 9st. 101b. . 9st. 71b. . lOst. 71b. . lOst. 01b. -- — — Damask . .... 71b. Mr. Armstrong’s Ringcrtevy .. . lOst. 31b.