The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1854. THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.

be just ami fear nut; Let all tn« ends tliou aim’st at, be thy Country’ll, ' hi Con’s, ami Truth's.

Wkdnksday last being the Anniversary of Her Gracious Majesty’s Birth, was, as usual, set apart as a holiday, and every preparation was made for its observance. The day, however, proved very unfavourable. Bain descended with slight in ermissions from early morning, and in the afternoon it came down in torrents,—the weather thus contrasting unfavourably,—and, for the many who had resolved to pass the day in out-door recreation, unfortunat* ly—with the fineness of the preceding and following days. Still, none of the accustomed d monstrations of loyalty were wanting. The Public Offices and most of the shops and other places of business were dosed. The vessels in the harbour were decorated with flags—the Government Brig Victoria claiming particu'ar notice on account of the multitude and gaiety of her adornments. The Royal Artillery discharged a salute of twenty - <>ne guns from Point Britomart at noon, which was immediately followed by a feu do joic by the oßth Regiment, which bad previously been assembled in review order in the square of the Albert Barracks. At two o’clock, His Excellency Colonel Wynyard, as Officer administering the Government, held a Levee at the Council Chamber, where His Excellency on his arrival was received by a Guard of Honour of the 58th Regiment, under the command ol Captain Cooper, We subjoin a List of tbe presentations, from which it will be seen that the Levee was one of the most—if not absolutely the. most—numerously and respectably attended ever held in the Colony including the Members of the General Assembly recently arrived from the Southern Provim es, as well as representatives of all classes, and ot both races, of Her Majesty's subjects in the Auckland district. Puivatk Entry.—The Chief Justice; Bight Rev. Dr. Pompallier, It. C. Bishop; tin* Colonial Secretary; the Attorney-! icncral : the Colonial Treasurer; Lieut. Colonel Baddelcy, B.E. ; the Auditor General; Yen. Archdeacon Abraham; Commander Drury, R.N.; Captain Travers, R.A.; Lieut.-Colonel Jlubne; M ajor Coekraft. (Private Secretary); Major Kenny ; Major Richmond; Major Lloyd; Mr. Whitaker; Mr. ,1. A. Gilfiilan; Mr. St. Hill; Mr, Salmon; Lieut.-Wynyard (Aid-de-Camp to His Excellency). Bartlev. Mr.; Bar,stow, Mr. ; Bateman, Mr.; Bain, Mr. John W. ; Beckham, Mr. ; Barry. Mr. Edward ; Brathwaife, Mr. E.; Boylan, Mr. J. T.; Bnrtt. Mr. James: Bennett. Dr.; Brine, Rev. David ; Burn, Mr.; Baber, Mr. James; Busby, Mr.; Bealcy, Mr. John: Buddie, Rev. Thomas; Balneavis, Lieut., 58th Regiment; Burgess, Mr. J. L; B laden ey, Mr. Win., R.N.; Bay!is, Mr. ; Cargill, Mr. John : Campbell. Captain F. E.; Cooper, Captain, 58th Kegt.; Cooper, Lieutenant. 58th Regt.; Clery, Rev. E. J. ; Curloton. Mr. Hugh ; Connell, Mr. ; Chamberlain, Mr. Frederick; (Bitten, Mr. W. H. : Camming, Mr. J. IL. R.N. ; Chamberlin, Mr. Charles; Crompton, Mr. William M.; Clifford, Mr. Charles; Deck. Mr. Philip; Davis. Mr. Henri; Dyer, Mr. William; Dover, Mr. William; Dignan, Mr. Patrick; Davies, Dr.; Davis, Mr. Charles; Dickey, Mr. A. J.; Dilworth, Mr. James; Donovan, Mr. P.; Eliott, Mr. CL Eliott; Ely, Mr. T. H.; Fischer, Dr.; Filder, Mr. J. Wilson; Eyries, Rev. H. J.; Fitzgerald, Mr. James Edward ; Finlason, Mr. W. R.; Forsaith, Mr. Thus. Spencer ; Grahame, Mr. William S.; Graham, Mr. David; Graham, Mr. John; Groser. Mr. W. J, ; Grace, Rev. T. S,; Gledbill, Mr. F. W.; Gisborne, Mr. W.; Gillingham, Mr.: Giltillan, Mr. Henry; Holt, Mr. James; Hamer, Rev. T.; Hansard, Mr. ; Hill, J. C.; Heywood, Rev. Edward IL; Hargreaves Mr.; Hart, Mr. Robert ; Heaphv. Mr. C.; Howard, Mr. Frederick; Hill, Mr. C. 11. J.; Halse. Mr. Henry; Hay, Mr. William; Herring, Captain, F. late 87th Royal Irish Fuselicrs ; Henderson, Mr. James; Hickson, Mr. J. G. S.; Hallamore, Mr. 'l'. C.; Jones, Lieutenant 'l'. Morton, R.N.; Johnson, Mr.; Janie, Mr. Jamieson; Jollift’e. Mr. J., surgeon R.N,; Kissling, Rev. G. A. ; Keesing, Mr. Henry ; King, Mr. Thomas; Keesing, Mr. R.; Kerr. Mr. Thomas, K.N.; Kelham, Mr.; Kelly, Captain; Kempthorne, Mr. Sampson; Kaye. Mr. Alick Lister; Lee, Mr. W. ; Lewis. Mr. Francis Charles; Lonsdale. Mr. E. ; Lush. Rev. V.; Lcehe, Charles IL IL, B. N. : Llovd. Mr. J. P.; Lloyd, Rev. John Frederic; Mason. Mr. W.; Mayne, Mr. E. ; Mitchell, Mr. Robert; M’Eean, Mr., Native Lauds Commissioner; Macdonald, Rev. Alexander; Mahon. Dr. Henry, R.N.; Macdonald, Captain A.; Maekny. Mr.; M’Ehvaine. Mr. George; Morley, Mr. John G,; Moir. W., Quarter-master 58th Regiment ; Maelarliiue. Mr. John; M’Duitald, Very Rev. '['..VicarGeneral ; Macdonald, Mr. A. (; M’Jnfosh, Mr. C.

!!.: Alalson, Major; Murchison, Mr. Kenneth, jStli Regiment: Murray. Mr.; M'Andrew, Mr. .fame*; Mcrrinian, Mr. F. AY. ; Monro, Dr. David; Matthews, Mr. K. d. ; McDowell, Mr. ('.; Nathan, Mr. David; Outhwaife. Mr.; O’Neill, Mr. J. ; O'Neill. Mr. Allan C. ; Oke, Mr. Philip AY. W.. R.N. ; Ormshy, Mr. Arthur S. ; O’Brien, Mr. Loughliu : Ortnsby, Mr. George Owen ; Porter, Mr.; Pollen, Dr. ; Pctley, Captain J. C.. 58th Regiment ; Plummer. Mr. ; Picard. Mr. A. C.; Purehas, Rev. A. G. ; Piercy. Mr. ; Powditeh. Mr. Win.; Porter. Mr. 11. F.: Phillips, Mr. P. A. ; Porter. .Mr. AY. F.. junior; Ro-s Mr. d. R.; Richardson, Dr. Ralph; Rhodes, Mr. AY. H.; Rochfort, Mr. Singleton ; Rough, Mr. D. ; Roberts, Mr. Edward; Rich. Mr. Edward ; Rich, Mr. George; Sr. Hill, Rev. H. AY.; Stewart, Mr. F. E. ; Stanley, Air. d., R.N. ; Styak, Mr. d. ; Shalders, Mr. R. B. ; Somerville, Mr. T. ; Somerville, .Air. At. : Smith, Mr. John Alexander; Spicer, Mr. Arehibal I IT. ; Shipley, Mr. AY. 1).. 58th Regiment; Seymour. Mr, It. ; Sunders, Mr. Thomas; Siminoiids. Mr. G. AY. 1).. R.N.; Sinclair, Air.; Taylor, Mr. Allan K. ; Taylor, Air. (’. d.; Thatcher, Rev. F.; Thomson, Dr., r>Bth Regiment; Tam Miami AViremn; 'Tonies. Mr. John, D.A.C.G.; 'Turner. Mr. Win.; Timbrell, Mr., ssth Regiment; A r idal, Air. Robert; Volkncr. Mr. C. S. ; Vaile. Ah'. G. 10. ; Wollaston, Air. Henry N. ; AVeld, Air. Frederick ; Wood. Air. S. A.; White, Mr.; AVood, Air. Reader; Warner, Mr. It. N. ; AVortley, Mr. d. Stuart; Wakefield, Air.; AVakefield, Air. 10. derningham ; AVireinu Maihi 'Te Rangi Kaheki ; AVhite, Mr. George, late 44th Regiment, ; AYoodhouse, Air. dohn ; Wilson, Mr. C. J.; Williamson, A!r. dohn.

In the evening a Dali was given by His Excellency she Officer Administering the lilt* Government, which was on a scale of large and liberal hospitality. Upwards of four hundred and twenty persons had been invited, but many, especially of those residing in the country, who had accepted the invitations, were prevented by the unfavourable state of the weather from availing themselves of them. Notwithstanding this, however, about two hundred were present. The ante-rooms were decorated with Hags, including those of 11.M.5. Pandora ; and in the Dall-room, pictures, mirrors, and other adornments were arranged with great taste and a brilliant effect, The Supper was provided by .Mrs. .Martin, and the wines wen* supplied by different merchants in Auckland, the, hole, in these not unimportant departments, being in a high degree satisfactory. After supper the health of Her .Majesty was proposed in appropriate terms by liis Excellency Colonel Wynyard, and responded to v ith loyal enthusiasm. The Band of the 08th regiment performed with their wellknown excellence, introducing several new polkas, galops, Ac., and the Company kept up dancing until a late hour.

Although wo bftvc oii some former occasions received as large an accumulation of journals from (lie Soe'hern Seiilemeiils as ihul which now covers ouriahle, il has never before been our Ini lo have papers of such rccciii deles Icon 1 , them all at once. As respects mini hers. the mail by the Government iirig has contributed its full quota; but in the important feature of rcrcnnj , we need scarcely sav that we are almost entirely indebted to the steamer Arison. Our latest dales are as follows:—Wellington, May 13; Nelson, May 20 ; Lyttelton, May 6 ; Otago, April 8; and New Plymouth, May IT. The Wellington papers abound with opinions on public topics, especially on those connected with the meeting and probable legislation of the General Assembly; but they do not contain much news of more than local interest. The Independent stales that—with the single exception of the “Superintendent’s Absence Act” —the whole of the measures passed by the Provincial Council have been allowed by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government. Messrs. Uevans and Pell who bad resigned their seats in the Provincial Council on their being appointed members o( the Executive Council—were both re-elected by the Wairarapa constituency on the loth insl. It had been expected that Mr. Pharazyn would have come lo the poll as an opposing; candidate, but he withdrew from the contest.

The Wellington magistrates had manifested a most praiseworthy strictness on the Animal Licensing day. The licenses of eleven public-houses in Wellington and the Hull were suspended, chielly on account, of their having supplied spirituous liquors lo the Natives, and two of them were ultimately refused. All the new applications were rejected. The Provincial Secretary had invited applications from persons desirous lo assist in bringing mil them friends or acquaintances from (ileal Britain The lan is not one of free immigration, or of 11 assisted passages” in the sense in w hich the words are usually understood ; but the Government undertake to secure the passages on the condition that two responsible residents guarantee re-pay-ment of the passage money by two instalments, covering a period of two years, or in special cases a longer time. The Independent of the (ill) instant devotes a long leading article to an exposition of the necessity for an amendment of tbe Marriage Law of the Colony. We are happy to find that the views advocated In onr contemporary on this important and pressing question are substantially in accordance with those which we have ourselves from lime to lime maintained in this journal. A main feature of the plan recommended by our eontemporary, little, if at all, differs from that which, as we have reason to believe will be prominent in a Bill about lo be introduced by an Auckland member of the House of Bopresenlatives—namely, “to require that befnretho marriage is solemnised, public notice should be given through an officer of the Slate; that the certificate authorising the marriage should be issued ; and that after the solemnization the fact should be duly registered by the Stale officer.” “This,” as the Independent justly adds, “has nothing in il arbitrary or inquisitorial. Nor is there anything unjust in requiring that the contract should be entered into before some person for the respectability of whose character the Stale possesses some sort of guarantee, such as the Ministers of religions sects, a Magistrate, or the Registrar himself.”

We regret to find the Wellington Press reviving the question of a removal of tbe Seat of Government, —probably the apple of most inevitable discord that could be thrown into an Assembly, the prevalence of harmony in which, during its first Session especially, is, for reasons too evident to need enumeration, an object of the most dial importance to tbe Colony. Ye may notice, as a curious illustration of the onc-sidedncss ol view resulting from prejudiced adherence to a pre-conceived opinion, that lb nlndependent actually presses the advantage resulting from the rapid trips of the \cl.-on into the service of this claim. “If there is one fail more than another.” says our contemporary, “which would convince the most prejudiced

person licit Wellington ought to be the Scat of the Generiil Government, it is this — that, the whole of the Southern members, not even excepting those of laranaki, will have to come here previous to their going to Auckland.” Now, the assumed “fact” happens not to be a fact at all. The Taranaki Herald of the 17lh points out the error, and observes that “the Taranaki members will not have any such unnecessary waste of lime to contend withand we all know that they really had not. The truth—apparent even to a child’s understanding—is, that the regular establishment of steam communication between the Provinces would deprive Wellington of its single really forcible argument on this question, by rendering its more central geographical position a matter of vastly diminished practical consideration. The Independent , however, evidently cheers itself with the anticipation that—“ Ministerial Responsibility’’ once secured, and annual sittings of the General Assembly therefore rendered “absolutely necessary,” the change of the Seal of Government could not fail to follow as matter of course. The idea is a suggestive one, and would deserve to he thought out in its various bearings, if (w hieli, we trust, may not be the ease), any conflict on this question should be forced on. Captain Rhodes, as lion. Treasurer of the New Zealand Society, had given publicity to an interesting communication from London on the subject of New Zealand Flax. Last year the Society forwarded to England a ton of the Plr rmium Tcnax in its rough stale, with a request that the Society of Arts would lake charge of it, supply it to anv person wishing to make experiments on its preparation, and award, as a premium for any machine or process by which it might be made a profitable article of export, the sum of fifty guineas forwarded for the purpose. Mr. McLaren writes from London, slating that—although the premium was insnfTicient to originate efTori — yet the object itself had engaged much attention, and experiments were in progress with apparently great success. lie says, “Samples of the article in its dressed stale I have seen, wonderfully soft and line ; some Dundee spinners have examined them, and have been astonished ; and 1 hope we are on the eve of seeing accomplished that which has been so long desired, your llax dressed cheaply, and made

equal to anv Belgian.” He adds that the process would most probably be patented “as si o.i as one or two more satisfactory experiments bad been made. Captain Rhodes further states that an equally encouraging communication lias been received from Mr. Trent, of London, who has succeeded in working up New Zealand Flax into various fabrics. The price of Flour in the Wellington market, on the 15th Inst., was 55/. per ton; Bread, per 2 Ib. loaf, Bd.; potatoes, 11 1. per ton. Tuk Nklson Provincial Government Gazette of the 10th lust , (which the Ezranuncr—being driven by want of paper to the necessity of publishing only a single sheet—has enclosed as a compensation to its suberibers) —contains a number of Abstracts of Statistical Returns which afford a large amount of information respecting the Province,— especially when examined in connection with an article expository of them in the Examiner of last Saturday. The Bellinis of Population, of Slock, and of Land Fenced in and Cultivated, all extend over a period of five years,—viz. from 1849 to 1855 inclusive. The European Population of the Province in 1855 was 5,1 48 • in the preceding year it was 4,587 : in 1849, it was 5,272. The Bellini of Slock for 1855 shows 154,859 sheep; 8,(585 cattle; and 1,018 horses. The Examiner regards these numbers as very satisfactory, considering that, within tin*last two years, 20,000sheep, and several large herds of cattle have removed from Nelson to Canterbury. The Keiiirn of Land Fenced in the Province shows for 1853 a total of 15,250 acres, being an increase of 2,255 acres on the previous year; but, says the Examiner , u this is met by the shilling fact that there were 574 acres less in cultivation in 1855 than in 1852, while in grain crops there has been a falling off of 1,0(52, of which 840 acres come under the head of wheat alone. A more foicible illustration of the urgent need of the Province for a fresh supply of labour could scarcely be adduced.” The Registrar General's Return reports, for the year 1855, 210 Births,—viz, 115 Males and 95 Females; and 41 Deaths, of which 19 occurred under 7 years of age. The Causes of Death are not reported. In 1852 there were only 24 deaths registered ; and the Examiner attributes the increased mortality in some measure to the large number of accidents which occurred during the lasi year The Customs Revenue for 1855 amounted to 5,551/. being an increase of 1.744/. over that of 1852. The gross receipts of Customs duties for the March quarter of the current year were 2,14(5/. while the Revenue from Crown I amis for Lliesame Quarter amounted to 5,470/. The Exports in 1855 amounted to 5: ,225 1, but the Examiner thinks it, would be fair to add to ibis at least 10,000/.' for wool sent across the Strait to Wellington, and 15,000/. for the sheep and cattle driven down to Canterbury from the Wairau, — thus making virtually a gross income of 59,255/. The value of the Imports had increased from 22,058/. in 1852 to 51,448/.in, 1855. On a review of the whole, otm contemporary remarks, — “ The returns of the Comparative State of Ihe Province for a series of years, show that its progress, if not rapid, has been steady and unmarked by fluctuations. Such, however, isc now the scarcity of labour, that unless vigorous’ measures are taken to supply this great and crying want, we fear that a very serious check to (he progress of the province will he the result. Our local authorities, we believe, are alive to this, and are actively engaged in the endeavour* to organise a system, which we hope will prove efticien I; for, givens hut a sufficiency of labour, and New Zealand cannot fail to rise to I lie first rank among British colonies.”

John Povntcr Esq., ii:ul hc<*n a; pointed Resident Magistrate, in place of Major Richmond, resigned. The latest Market Note we can find is that of April 20, when the prices were. Wheat 10s. ; Hour (which was very scarce owing to the long cnnlinned dry wcalhei) 50s. per 100 lbs.; Potatoes 1 2/. to 1-i/, per ton.

The Second Session of the Provincial Council of Gamt.hhlt.y, which commenced on the 15t.1t of February, closed on the I2lh of April, when the Superintendent prorogued the Council to the 3rd of October, 11 is Honour expressing his anticipation that a meeting would probably be necessary shortly after his return from Auckland, “to deal with questions which will have arisen out of the laws passed by the General Assembly.'’ The principal business of the Session- in addition to the Estimates, which were augmented in consequence of the financial prosperity produced by the large sales of land was the passing of a Cattle Trespass Ordinance, (the working of which was looked forward to with considerable anxiety and mingled hopes and fears as to its effects' on the agricultural and pastoral interests) ; the adoption of a Bill appointing Ttustecs to manage the Ecclesiastical property held in trust by the Association ; —and the discussion of a plan of immigration, which was about to be brought into immediate operation by the appointment of Mr. Harman as a special agent to proceed forthwith to England to conduct the Emigration. The offer to persons in the colony of facilities in enabling their friends to join them, had been so acceptable as to render T likely that Mr. Harman would be able immediately on Ins arrival in England to despatch the first emigrant ship under the system. . . . The Council had agreed to guarantee a sum of 2000/. towards the bonus of 12,000/. required by Messrs. V\ il l is for running the steamer \rlson as a trader between the Settlements. . . . The District Commissioners Rill (which included the principle of local taxation fo" local improvements) wa. 'brown mil upon tin third reading. . . . The promised Education measure was postponed, the stun « 1000/. being voted, however, for the pro-\ motion of the object, to be expended iiq accordance with die previsions of the Education Ordinance. The Executive Council bad passed a minute, arranging the mode of its distribution; and the Superintendent staled in Ids closing Addn' c s, —•• 1 have arranged v ill) Mr. Sewell for fa:;: lei ring 1 ho schools established by the Canioromy Association to the Government, and for placing them on a heller fouling as regards inspection ; seven additional schools aro in course of establishment, and will, t hope, shortly be in operation.” The Church at Lyttelton had been so dilapidated from high winds acting on its origi-

nally defective construction that it Wa<! judged necessary to lake the building down altogether, and to erect a new Church. In the Christchurch Market, wheat sola for 10s. to 12s.Potatoes 81. to 10;. p er ton ; there was a general complaint that the yield was short of the average ;—Flour f roni this year’s wheat was described as remarks, bly fine in quality, but the price is not stated in the latest Note. The length to which our summary has already extended, and the other demands on our space, prevent our adding anythin*** to-day from the Otago and Taranaki? They do not, however, contain any news of pressing interest.