THE COLONIST.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 358, 29 March 1861, Page 2

THE COLONIST.

NELSON, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1861

We copy the following intelligence relative to New Zealand affairs from the Home News of January 26th :— Major-General Cameron has been nominated to the command of the troops in New Zealand, and has already appointed his staff. The Army and Navy Q-azette says, • that it is doubtful however whether recent despatches may not render it unnecessary to send the Major-General on his mission, which was no doubt intended to make up for certain shortcomings on the part of those now in authority in New Zealand.' [In spite of this prediction however we are able to announce that the General is now in Nelson.]

A deputation of New Zealand colonists had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle, on the 21st January, relative to the present state of affairs in this colony. The deputation consisted of the following gentlemen :—Sir Charles Clifford, Wellington; Messrs. Newman, Brodie, Nathan, Auckland; Messrs. Ward and Fell, Nelson; Mr. Sweet, Marlborongh; Mr. Bra)", Canterbury ; and Mr. John Morrison, agent for the New Zealand Government.

On the following day a deputation of the Committee oi* the Church Missionary Society had an interview with his Grace. The deputation consisted of the Earl of Chichester; Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P.; Hon. Captain Maude, R.N., Major-General Alexander ; Messrs. J. F. Thomas, A. Lang, J. Fairish, J. M. Strachan, and W. Dugmore ; Revs. J. Ridgeway, S. Gedge, and the Secretaries—Revs. H.Venn, W. Knight, T. Chapman, Major H. Straith, and Colonel

Dawes; and was accompanied by Mr. C. J. Selwyn, Q. 0., M.P. They presented a long memorial of thirteen clauses. The Duke received the deputation with much courtesy, and declared that ' there was not the slightest intentibn on the part of the Government, either at home or in the colony, to depart from the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi.' ;

The Times has an article, in which it is stated that • those who take an interest in the colony of New Zealand will rejoice to hear that, in the opinion of the settlers, the late battle of Mahoetahi has probably not only ended the war, but given the natives a lesson which will prevent them from lightly entering on another.' After indulging, editor-like, in sundry suppositions and throwing out hints, it plainly tells the settlers that ' it is the duty of colonists to fight their battles with as little assistance as possible from the Home Government. They should not be always demanding troops, and more troops, and still more troops irom the mother country.' And cites the backwoodsmen of America, the Greeks, and Seminoles.

The Times has also a very long article on the celebrated despatch of Sir G. Lewis, while the Duke of Newcastle was absent from England. This unique but savage despatch received so much attention from the colonial press at the time of its publication here, that anything the Times says about it can now possess little interest. About five tons and a-half of Nev. Zealand Flax have been offered in the London market. A lot of dressed was taken in at £22 10s., rough £18, and loose £16 10s. per ton. Under the head of City Intelligence, in relation to the Union Bank of Australia,. it is stated that * the progress of New Zealand has rendered it necessary to enlarge the agencies there. No loss has been incurred througa the native disturbances there.'

The Lord Ashley arrived on Wednesday night, the 27th, having left Sydney on the 21st March. The English mail only arrived there just previously to her departure. She brings a large general cargo for this and adjacent ports. Major-General Cameion and staff are noticeable in the passenger list en route for Taranaki, where he will succeed the present military commander. While the change may be considered favorable for a chance of striking out a new and more successful method of proceeding in this protracted struggle, many may be expected to rejoice in the substitution of a new element, affording the opportunity, though antecedents have been far from inducing very sanguine or buoyant anticipations of an early iuture of tranquillity.

We have from time to time given those Acts of the General Assembly having a general interest. The Arms Act is a very long one; and as any chicaning and pettifogging lawyer for a paltry fee can put any construction he likes upon almost every Act that is passed, the filling of our columns with legal verbiage and sophistical tautology would be oT little benefit to most of our readers. We are indebted to the Wellington Independent for the following biief and clear exposition of the mum points of the Act.

THE ARMS ACT.—IMPORTANT NOTICE. In compliance with the desire of several traders, who are solicitous to know their position under the above Act, we proceed to state the conditions imposed on all classes in the colony, by the Governor's proclamation bringing the Act into operation from the 20th February last.

Although all the clauses of the Bill as first introduced, compelling the public to register every arm or part of an arm, &c, were, thanks to Mr. Brandon's expose of their intolerable hardship, struck out; yet there are most stringent penalties imposed upon all persons contravening not only the letter but the spirit of the Act, as well as upon those who are merely dealers—the term " dealer including all who make or repair, as well as those who buy and sell.

There are three kinds of licenses—to sell to a particular person; to make, repair, amend, and deal generally for a given period; and to import, tranship, land, or dispose from a ship. These licenses are issued under the authority of the Governor, at the present time by Mr. Carkeek in Wellington, aud, we believe, by Captain Sharp in Wanganui. The Governor is authorised to issue regulations for stamping or marking of arms, when first imported, or in the stock of a dealer, and also for the registration of their sale or transfer; but as such regulations have not yet been issued, we do not allude to any of the conditions thereunder.

Any person di siring to become licensed to sell, make, repair, &c, must apply to the Licensing Officer, accompanying such application with a list of all arms, ammunition, &c, in his possession. The Licensing Officer, or any one authorised by kirn in writing, is at liberty to enter the premises of such applicant to search and compare the statement with the actual stock. Incorrectness on the part of the applicant involves him in a fine not exceeding ,£IOO. To sell, make, repair, &c, import, or land from a ship without a license, constitutes a misdemeanour, —all misdemeanours under this Act being punishable with imprisonment not exceeding three years, and to a fine not exceeding i>soo, at the discretion of the Judge. To make, repair, &0., at any other place, than the place of business mentioned in the license, is also a misdemeanour.

All persons who shall do any of the following things, without first obtaining a license are liable to the penalties above mentioned as attaching to a misdemeanour:—

(1.) Removing or assisting to remove from one place to another, either by cart or vessel, any arms, ammunition, &c. (except for personal use). Carters, carriers, and masters of small craft should especially note this. (2.) Having more than ten lb. weight of gunpowder ; or, being dealers, having more than fifty lb. weight or a greater number of arms than allowed by their licenses.

(3.) Anything to contravene the spirit of the Act.

All persons selling or giving away arms, gunpowder, <&c, to any one whomsoever, without obtaining a license, are made guilty of felony. The punishment for a felony under the Act, is penal servitude for any term not exceeding Eix nor less than three years. This clause affects the public most seriously, and requires all persons to be upon their guard, as no discretion is given to the judge to allow ignorance of the law or other extenuating circumstances as an excuse for any unfortunate offender being let off with less that three years' penal servitude. Ship masters are to report arms, &c, in their possession on.arrival, and if at any time they have a less quantity than they ought to have, are liable to a penalty not exceeding £6*oo, Any one be-

longing to a coaster—master or man—receiving arms, &c, while in harbor, or from a ship at sea, without being licensed to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanour.

Any Justice of the Peace, on information on oath, can grant a warrant to enter and search any house, ship. &c, and any person may seize or apprehend any person committing any offence under the Act; but all prosecutions for felony or misdemeanour must be commenced by an officer authorised for that purpose.