NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOK AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, July 10, 1852.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 724, 10 July 1852, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOK AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, July 10, 1852.

We reprint, to-day, from the Blue Book on New Zealand, recently received, the despatches of Sir George Grey in answer to the statements contained in the resolutions passed at a meeting of the self-styled Settlers' Association in August 1850, — on which occasion Mr. Godley made " his first appearance on the stage" as apolitical agitator, and, to use a New Zealand phrase, c rubbed noses' with the, Faction, — and refuting the assertions contained in a letter subsequently forwarded by the same parties to Earl Grey through thej Governor. We have also extracted a despatch of the Lieutenant-Governor's in reference .to , the same subject. We intend in our next number to republish from the same source the very able letter of Archdeacon Hadfield, referred to in the Governor's despatch, in which the statements contained in Mr. Dorset's letter with,reference to the Natives are thoroughly examined and demolished. As far as

the Association itself is concerned it were a mere waste of time now, to drag their «* I miserable remains again to light; the ,-public has long since forgotten their absurd resolutions and equally absurd letter ; the insignificant body from which it emanated has also, like their resolutions and letter, passed mto contempt and oblivion, j — having, at their last meeting, been unable to rake together a sufficient number of members to move and second their long string of • resolutions, which fell to the ground a mere abortion ; while the Association, so to speak, politically committed suicide with a bowie-knife, — and a verdict of felo-de-se was formally registered on the occasion by an overwhelming majority of the settlers. Most of the statements contained in the resolutions and the letter have since been hashed up and republished by Mr. Fox in his recent work on New Zealand, who has put in his claim as putative parent to the spurious production that "so many fathers — and, in our examination of his work, we exposed the , falsehood and dishonesty of tjios'e statements. His Excellency's despatches so completely answer the assertions and statements in the productions referred to as to satisfy any unprejudiced person, and render them perfectly harmless.

In our last number we reprinted an article from theSouthern Cross, (aj ournal generally strongly opposed to th"c Government) approving highly of the machinery established by the Provincial Councils Ordinance for the election of members, to which it declares Kno reasonable objection can be urged/ and calling upon the colonists of the Northern Province in the most emphatic and earnest terms to register their claims to vote. Since then, by arrivals from Nelson and Lyttelton we find the same views as strongly advocated in those settlements. In a long article which we have republished, the Examiner in equally earnest terms counsels the settlers of Nelson to lose no time in registering their claims ; and at Canterbury Mr. Brittan in a plain sensible^ letter gives the same advice to his fellow colonists of that settle-, ment. It is true the letter was so unpalatable to.Mr. Godley's organ that strong symptoms were manifested of a design to burke it, which induced Mr. Brittan in a letter to the Canterbury Guardian, to observe — " Our little gods of the Press here are, it seems, very fond of hearing their own thunder, but nobody else's. And we poor mortals must be content, if we will not echo the Editorial thunder to be mmn" — and farther to remark that such conduct " may give our opponents a handle to say that we have no independent organ of public opinion amongst us, and that the apparent unanimity on public questions, hitherto so remarkable and gratifying in this settlement, is rather referable to the fact that all difference of opinion is carefully suppressed, and that any one who has the audacity " to criticise the remarks of our editor is banished for ever from the columns of his paper." These remarks strongly confirm what we have on several previous occasions expressed with reference to this subject, and with a really unfettered press it would be found that the opinions advanced by Mr. Brittan are entertained by a great majority of persons in that settlement. Passing however to the general question, the opinions expressed in so many different settlements by those who are for the most part opposed to the Government, indicate theviews generally entertained on this question- Ithat whether the Provincial Councils Ordinance is brought into operation, or any other ■ form of representative institutions established by Parliament, the Governor, by endeavouring to secure by these arrangements iC the formation of an electoral roll," and by giving "all persons in each settlement entitled to sicch a privilege an opportunity of having their namesplaced upon such roll in time for the approaching elections" has shewn that, as far as lays in his power, no delay shall occur in the introduction of Representative Institutions. It only remains for those to whom this power is offered to shew by registering their claims and qualifying themselves to vote, that they are equally in earnest, and that riojdelay shall^ occur on their part, to avail themselves of ? the privileges offered them.

We understand that the report in last Wednesday's Independent, about the removal of the 65th Kegiment from this Colony, like the other reports and statements usually made in that paper, is wholly without foundation.

It is reported that .the Gwalior has arrived at the Bay of Islands, after a passage of upwards of 200, days, short of provisions and water. This is the longest passage, we believe, of any vessel to New Zealand since the formation of the Colony.

The Ball at the rooms of the Athenaeum, on Tuesday Evening, spite of the wet night and muddy roads, was a most successful and happy re-union. It originated, "we helieve, in some surplus funds from the subscription for the late evening's entertainment at the Theatre on the select night ; and certainly those gentlemen who undertook the management of the two evenings' enjoyment deserve many thanks and great praise for their exertions ; they have most satisfactorily demonstrated that we can combine economy with our hitherto expensive social' recreations, without losing one tittle of • their enjoyment. Dancing commenced about ten and continued almost without intermision until about half-past four, and if we may judge by the vivacity and quick .succession of" the

dances, as much pleasure as -possible was enjoyed by the votaries of Terpsichore in these six rosy hours. The music was admirably selected and it is needless to say well performed by the excellent baud "of the 65th; the refreshments were of the- best kind, and most liberally supplied by Mr. Laingr altogether the whole affair appeared one of perfect enjoyment.Most of the principal settlers; and a good num- ' ber of the military including Colonel and Mrs, Gold were present, and we were glad to welcome many new faces, as adding to the spirit and beauty of the scene. — The company numbered about 100 persons.