NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, July 16, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 830, 16 July 1853, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, July 16, 1853.

It is generally Understood that it is the .intention of the Governor "to leave Wellington in about a fortnight to proceed , j overland 1 by way of the East Coast, Wanganui and Taranaki to Auckland, with the view of using his personal influence with the natives of those districts in which it is desirable to acquire additional land for the convenience of the settlers. His Excellency will proceed by WairaApato Hawlce's Bay, where he will meet the Wairarapa ' natives, and make arrangements, with them for the purchase of that, district; ? Itis;expected*also that there will I be a large assembly of native* at Hawfce'B Bay, and. that they wiU take advantage of his Excellency's presence to dispose of i considerable tracts of land in that district

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in addition to tho9e'they have already., sold to Government. -From thence hi* Excellency will cross the country, and after visiting Otaki, go on to Wanganui and Taranalti, at which latter place he will arrange for the purchase of fresh blocks of land for the -use* of the settlers of which they are greatly in need, and thence continue his journey to Auckland, r His Excellency will ibe , accompanied by Mr. Commissioner M'liean, by whom, the ar- \ *angements for the purchase of land will be made. The settlers will not fail to appreciate' his Excellency's exertions to forward the best interests of the colony, in undertaking at this most inclement season of the year a long and toilsome journey, at a considerable sacrifice of time and personal convenience, and that too just at a period "when the introduction of Representative institutions demands »so much of his time, . and when he is desirous of availing him- . self of his leave of absence to visit England after an absence of twelve years. But however beneficial the, operations of the new Land .Regulations "may be,' however universally popular throughout the colony,' unless* there be an abundance of land to dispose of in the different provinces in the hands of the Government thgy, would remain comparatively a dead letter — they" would keep the word of promise to our ear, and break it -to our ' hope*" Sir George seems therefore determined to carry out his engagements to their fullest possible .extent, to unlock the lands, to throw open .to the settlers an ample field for the development of the resources of the colony, and having offered them every facility in his power, having "done his part, he leaves them to. do theirs. - Since the dissolution of the New Zealand Company, in about twenty months the Government has acquired a million of acres in this Province from the Natives; the arrangements now contemplated^will probably add another million acred to the Crown lands, and ■the purchases already made will, with those about to be effected, possibly obviate those difficulties ' that might otherwise have arisen ' with reference to < the purchase of land in this Province. Wlien we remember, that the_ New .Zealand.-. Compa^f%^dragging lm & wretched "' existence during the previous three years, not only did nothing itself but absolutely prevented the- Government from" acting;, we may form some .idea -of the loss the colony has suffered by. this, forced, inactivity on Che part of Government by what has been done since- that period:

The Governor's approaching departure appears to have called forth .the hearty sentiments of good will and regard which' the settlers entertain towards him. t We alluded an our last number to the testimonial in preparation from the. working classes of Wellington; The execution of the medal which iti is intended by them to present fo his Excellency is confided to Mr. Marriott, and judging from the design which we have-seen, will -be a very neat and chtsto production. In addition 'to that from the members of the Mechanic^ Institute, an address ,to the .Governor and Lady Grey, expressing in general terms the respect and esteem which the settlers entertain for their private worth, and their approval of His Expediency's prudent and vigorous administration df the Government of this Colony, is in course of signature, and during yesterday, a very rainy and unfavourable day, a considerable number of signatures were obtained. •A 'third' substantial mark of the regard and good will of the settlers to His Excellency remains to be ' mentioned, as honourable to them as it will no doubt be gratifying to him. A 'subscription has beeaseton foot among the merchants and others to present His Excellency with jft handsonVe piece ,X>f plate, as an [ enduring memorial of their appreciation of his public services, and - although it'is as yet known to comparatively few persons; the.subscription already amounts tp.l 00 guineas, and we dare «ay will in a^. Jew days be 'more thati double that sum. The. subscription list is in the hands of J. Varnham, Esq.. Hon. Secre-, tary, with whom and n few other friends' we' believe it originated: '-'• • " ?: ""'*;' • ThdioHo.wingis the Address, now in course signature, above referred to. '_, , .• •r. To His Excellency Sir Gboroi Ga*r, X.C.8., Governor and Cdmmander-in-Chief of the Islands of New Zealand, &c, &c, &'c.' We, the undersigned settlers of the Province, of Wellington, beg to offer to your Excellency the warmest assurances of oar respect and regard on yottr temporary departure from New Zealand. In referring to. the present prosperous state of the colony, the contentment, the greatly improved condition, and rapid advancement in civilization of its native inhabitants, we ! acknowledge with feelings of satisfaction that it» progressive improvement; and the growing development of it* resources, which offer so marked a contrast to the state of depression and' confusion that- prevailed on the arrival of your Excellency in New Zealand, are in a great degree owing, under Divine Providence. ( to your vigorous and prudent administration of the.. Go-, vernWent/ Weindulgelhe hope that the fin tare advancement of pur, adopted coantry may] be farther identified with your name, and may: offer fresh illustration* of your acknowledged ability and reputation. .. % ... -. , < <\' r - r \

We desire at the same time to avail ourselves of thit opportunity to express to Lady Grey oar appreciation of 'the urbanity and kindness which have on all "occasions marked her relations with the settlers, and to offer to her our grateful acknowledgments for the wafrm and personal interest the has always shewn in promoting the cause of education in Wellington, and for tier active sympathy in the relief or distress and misfortune. We sincerely trust, that the kindly feelings which your private worth and intimate intercourse with* the settler?, and the desire so uniformly manifested by you to piomote their social welfare have established, may be. strengthened by renewed intercourse on your return to the seat of your Government ; and we beg you will accept our most sincere wishes for the > health, happiness, and future prosperity of yourself'and Lady Grey,

From the Nelson Examiner, July 2, we observe the nomination of Superintendent of that. Provindeis appointed to take place at Nelson, on Friday, 15 th July, and the Polling on the Ist August. The choice we understand, will lay between Mr. Stafford and, Mr. Jollie, who appear to .divide public opinion. Four candidates are in the afield for ,the Provincial Council,, and Mr. .Weld is, a candidate, on a requisition of the settlers of the Wairau, for the representation of that district in the General Assembly. We learn .that extensive purchases of Land are likely to be made at Nelson under the New Land, Regulations. The Nelson Examiner is enlarged, being double its former size; it is ■ still, as before, a weekly paper. .

The election of members for this Province to serve in the General Assembly and Provincial Council may be expected to take place very shortly. It is understood that the writs have been . issued! • and the official . notification of the ;days of nomination for the several districts no doubt will [shortly be published in the Government .Gazette. It is supposed that the , day. of nomination for the City of Wellington will take place about the Bfeh August, that for the Country District of Wellington and the Hutt District, the 9th and lO.th, and the nomination day for the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay district the 15th of August ; the day of, .election in the respective- districts will follow closely, on the day of nomination. The nomination of the candidates for the City of Wellington., and the polling, it is said will take place at Mr. J. Smith's Auction Store, or i as it is called Noah's Ark, which from its convenient position and other facilities 'it offers will be well adapted for the occasion. , !

W* understand "that- Carey's Wairarapa paßpage boat,' after landing the passengers was upset in the surf near Orongogo, a short distance from the shore,on Thursday. The two men who vrero in her clung to the hoat, and were'picked up by another boat, but the cargo was all lost.