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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 674, 17 January 1852, Page 3

The following extract from the Australian and Neto Zealand Gazette, referring to local topics of the last twelve months, will no doubt be perused with considerable interest by our readers. There generally exists a feeling of curiosity in colonies, similar to that which prevails in America, "to know what is said of us,” to know the reflex of opinion in the mother-country on questions of passing interest in the colony; to learn what judgment dispassionate persons, who take an interest in our progress and who are uninfluenced by prejudice or party feeling, form of questions affecting the well being of the community, after having heard both sides of the question. As our extract is of unusual length we shall not say much more at present, as a convenient opportunity may shortly occur, in noticing Mr. Fox’s publication, of referring to some of these topics. We cannot, however, forbear pointing out how soon Mr. Fox has found his natural level, and what an insignificant object a shallow unscrupulous colo-

nial demagogue really is when removed from the narrow field of his hustling activity. The Faction may also learn, if indeed they can learn anything, the value of all their labours. They excite more laughter than sympathy, and the display of virulence on the part of their leaders has produeed'flfi effect either in or out of the colony, since it is obviously the result of disaffection and personal animosity towards the Governor, and is not prompted by any real grievance or supported by public opinion : — L.

“ We are in receipt of files of papers from the 12th of February-Jo th?lsth of March, inclusive. In one of the loCa'Lpapeis is contained an account of a dinner given to Sir George Grey by the settlers on the Hutt, who appeared io have assembled en masse to welcome his Excellency. The proceedings at tliis dinner strongly negative the assettions of a colonial digue, who are making strenuous endeavours to run down the Governor—a very common colonial amusement in the absent e of more rational recreation. But when we find the whole cf the inhabitants of the only agricultural district — worth calling one —in the settlement, openly stating that before the arrival of Sir George they were starving, as-far as such a condition is possible in New Zealand, and now eagerly asciibiug to bis efforts and forethought the mure pleasing fact of then basing j leuty of money in their pockets, we cannot set down the conduct, of Str George’s opponents to anything but mere di-affection. We like fair play, and, in common with all our brethren of the press, are liable to he mi-led by onesided statements; but with such occurrences as these before us, we cantiii but feel that we have at times done injustice to Sir George’s meiits; simply from tn? absence if countersta'ements like the present. We regret that we cannot give the whole of the sentiments expressed at this dinner, hut they redound highly to his Excellency’s credit, whilst their unanimity is the best proof of their sincerity. The Governor's speech on this occasion will be found elsewhere. It is but right to add that the entertainment originate I with, and was under the entire management of, the small proprietors and culuva’ors of land who are in possession of nearly the whole of the fertile valley. These form precisely the class, to exclude which from the p- ssession of land Mr. Wakefield has invented his latest scheme of extraordinarily high prices. What a comment on that scheme is the present happy condition cf the Hutt settiers! It is curious that Mr, Wakefield should have closed twenty years of theory by anything so ridiculous! In order to renuer his crowning theory wotkable, he must find out a race of colonists who possess a strong aptitude for being kept down. W-ith those who will be kept down, such a theory can only end as the rest of his theories have ended—in moonshine. We noticed, a few numbers back, the ret fusal of Mr. Fox to s- upply the Gcverntnuit with the requisite documents ‘or issuing Crown Grants. The Government, wth praiseworthy energy, lias commence f a tte-v survey of [ the town —tills delay and t xt.’iice to the co- : Sony having, by the course Mr Fox has pursued, become necessary Truly the last act I of the New Z aland Comp .nv in the colony has, by the conduct of their agent, been an ungracious one ; and that body to lose no time in repudiating such t.juiy to colonists who have been willing to shaie their fortunes. Her Majesty’s Government, in common justice to the colonists, should deduct these ex • pauses from the Company, ami the latter body I aliould be the first to proffer such an ar- , ranuement. We are in receipt of Nelson papers up to ! the 25:h February. The papeis are roundly accusing Mr. Fox, the New Zealand Company’s late Agent, of unsatisfactory conduct relative to certain land transactions in his capacity of agent, which transactions certainly cal! for explanation ; and we do not see how ihe Colonial Office authorities can avoid asking for that explanation from Mr. Fox previous to their final settlement with the New Zealand Company. Vve nave recently’ given an outline of this matter, and make some further extracts relative to it in our present issue.

Sir George Grey has paid a visit to Nelson, and has been enthusiastically received. His contemplated measure with reference to the new constitution for the colony appears togive sa-isfaction to all but a clique ot which he has evidently made use and then thrown overboard, as having no further occasion for their services. To judge from the ridicule which they meet with from their fellow-colonists, their fate excites more laughter than sympathy. The Nelson Examiner, an excellent paper, which had taken up aims manfully against Sir George, now says, “Why did not the Governor tell us al! this three months ago, and thus prevent the agitation which has occurred ?” It is by no means requisite that a Governor should occupy himself in going from settlement to settlement with his plans in his hand, asking all kinds of opinions from

all sorts of persons. Uuder such a system government would become impossible ; and it is rather the part of the colonis's to place confidence in the wisdom and forethought of their Governor, at any rate till he prove himself unwirthy of their confidence. All is, however, bidding fair to become right. The local papers are laying the blame of disaffection to the account of Mr. Fox, who is stated to have been the author of the agitating arti- < les both in the Wellington Independent and he Nelson Examiner. How far this is so, we know not. The articles alluded to have produced no effect in this country, from their disp'ay of virulence rather than of cool judgment or good sense. An outline oi Sir George’s measure will be found elsewhere.”