NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, April 20, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 805, 20 April 1853, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, April 20, 1853.

We observe Mr. Gibbon Wakefield has issued an invitation to " real settlers" to meet him on Monday evening next, for the purpose of conferring with him on some plan for the disposal of his land in this Province, and of a large amount of absentee scrip, of which he is a holder. The invitation we suppose is intended chiefly for the working classes, for those settlers who desire to go into the country, and occupy farms of some twenty acres or other limited extent. Whether they will res. pond to his summons and w2l come when ho does call them, or whether justly indignant at the part he has taken in the recent legal proceedings with reference to the Land Regulations, they will pay no attention to it remains to be seen ; in either case perhaps the object he has in view will be answered. If they come he will endeavour to impress them with his desire to sell them cheap land. If no notice is taken of the invitation it will be said that the cry of cheap land in Wellington is all a delusion, and that the desire of obtaining cheap land among the working classes really does not exist. It may be uncharitably supposed that Mr. Wakefield's motive in trying to prevent the Land Regulations from coming into operation may be (raced to the jealousy which exists between rival dealers ; that two of a trade can never agree is proverbial, and the present stoppage of the operations of Government may be thought to facilitate the disposal of his scrip on better terms than would otherwise be obtained. But it may turn out that like other clever persons, Mr. Wakefield may have overshot his mark ; it is just possible, that under the peculiar circumstances of the case, until the return of

the Governor, all proceedings with reference* to the Land may remain in abeyance, bo that as far as regards his scrip he may not be in a position after all to profit by the "artful dodge." The colony meantime suffers by these proceedings from the confusion and uncertainty with reference to the land which will be created in the minds of those intending settlers in the neighbouring colonies who were looking towards New Zealand, and the " constitutional lawyer" who has been the ostensible mover in the affair, having left behind him a voluminous correspondence not intended as a continuation of the " polite letter writer" has started for Lyttelton.

By the Rosebud we have received Nelson Examiners to the 9th inst. Thert appears to he considerable political activity in that Province, and every probability of a contested election for the office of Superintendent under the new Constitution. Major Richmond, the present Superintendent, declines to offer himself as a candidate, and seems to have determined upon retiring into private life. Requisitions numerously,, signed have been presented to three settlers at Nelson, Messrs. Jollie, Stafford, and Saxton, "who in long addresses in answer to them have severally accepted the invitation to become candidates, and have each expressed confident hopes of success. Each candidate has declared himself in favour of cheap land, «n unequivocal indication of the general feeling of the settlers in that Province on this question ; but without entering more particularly into the merits of the respective candidates, or ' into any detailed criticism on the opinions and views expressed in their addresses, we may observe that almost all those persons whose names are known beyond the Province of Nelson have signed the requisition to Mr. Jollie, whose reply is deserving consideration equally for its good sense, good taste, and good style. Mr. Jollie disclaims all sympathy with violent partisans of any shade of politics, it being, in his opinion, " possible to be a sincere and consistent friend to liberal institutions, without being a party zealot," and appears chiefly anxious for the prevalence of moderate views and measures. Such sentiments we should imagine will receive the support of the great body of the electors as they are best calculated to promote the prosperity of the Province. A Horticultural exhibition, being the second of the year, took place on the 17th March, at which there was an abundant and excellent display of fruit, particularly of apples, which are highly praised ; two magnificent hop vines served to grace the entrance of the exhibition. Anymention of ahorticultural exhibition inNew Zealand serves to remind us that the Wellington Horticultural Society has suspended its functions so completely and for so lengthened a period that its exhibitfona have become a matter of tradition.

A Muting of the friends of Dr. Featherston was held on Monday for the purpose of re- * questing him to stand as candidate for the office of Superintendent. * We shall defer any remarks we may make until we have seen in print what he said or wished to say on the occasion, for except the few who were there, no one seems to know or care much about the matter.

By the Rosebud we have received Melbourne papers containing a variety of interesting intelligence, from which we have made numerous extracts. A meeting of the principal Female Nobility of England was held at Stafford House, at which an address to the Women of America on the subject of slavery was adopted. The meeting seems to have been occasioned by the powerful interest excited on this subject by " Uncle Tom's Cabin; a work of uncommon power and ability, which appeals to the best feelings [of humanity in a way that is sure to awaken a responsive echo in every breast.

The HaaJiemy has brought us late numbers of the Lyttelton Times to the 9th inst.; among our extracts will be found a well written letter on the subject of the Governor's Land Regulations shewing a strong feeling in favor of them, and a desire to see the present " impossible" price x>f land at Lyttelton lowered to a reasonable rate per acre which shall unlock the lands and induce purchasers. The feeling in favor of cheap land, in fact, and consequently in favor of the Governor's Regulations, is quite as strong at Canterbury as it is in the other settlements of New Zealand. The writer feas hit the true source of the opposition to this measure; the vexation of the self dubbed patriots at finding that so well done by the Governor from which they hoped to get a little credit by attempting it themselves. He has left them nothing to do, which of course is an unpardonable fault. But these patriots are somewhat sanguine in their calculations, they seem everywhere to reckon without their host and consider their election as representatives as , a matter beyond dispute ; whereas nothing appears to be more uncertain. Pbogiumme of the performance of the Band of the 65th Regt, at Thorndon Flat, on Friday the 22nd April :— 1. Overtone— Da Ballet dc Nina 2. Selection— L» Huguenot. Meyerbeer 3. Rowell QoadriUei Wade 4. C.Tatin.— Mia LctizU— l Lombardi.. Verdi 5. Catherine dc Braganza Vatae de la Cour.Fewv 6. Postilion Polka „ M ..Koenia 7. German Galop ' — ...,..1. Woleh