NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, May 7, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 810, 7 May 1853, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, May 7, 1853.

Br the Overland Mail we have received Auckland papers to the 12th ult. The principal topic of discussion in them is the reduction of the price of land effected by the Governor's recent land regulations. The measure appears to have received unqualified approbation in the North, where it is justly regarded as a great boon which secures the benefit of cheap land, as the New Zcalander observes, "immediately, without the delay, and without the uncertainty, that a postponement of it until the meeting of the General Assembly would involve:" while even the Southern Cross is compelled to give, however reluctantly and ungraciously, its testimony in favour of the measure, and to, admit that its operation " cannot fail to exercise an influence for good such as Auckland has never experienced since the hour of her foundation." An unqualified approval of the land regulations may be regarded* as the prevailing sentiment throughout the colony, against them we have only the underhand intrigues- of a clique working for their own selfish ends, and regardless of any interests which may come in competition with their own. But il is hardly possible that these intrigues will much longer avail to keep the settlers from the enjoyment of the advantages conferred upon them by the Governor's regulations, and ' the coming elections" will give the electors an opportunity of marking their opinions on this subject. The only movement at Auckland with reference to the elections under the New Constitution, as far as we observe in the papers before us, is a requisition to Mr. Bartley to allow himself to be put in nomination as Superintendent. j

In our present number will be found a report of the proceedings at the half yearly meeting of the Mechanics' Institute, and an account of Thursday evening's conversazione ; we may further briefly state in connexion with this subject that the number of members is greater than at any former period ; one of the best proofs of the usefulness of the Institution and of the high estimation in which it is held, as well as of the general appreciation of its good management ; if further proof were required of its popularity it is to be found in the subscription list for completing the building by the erection of the remaining wing which was opened at the half yearly meeting and which by the efforts of Mr. R. J. Duncan in twentyfour hours amounted to £120. The whole amount subscribed is £137, several of the subscriptions ore of £2 2s. each, and Mr. Alzdorf, as an agent for absentees, has set the iberal example of subscribing on behalf of himself and his clients the sum of £8.