NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Saturday, April 3, 1852.

Within the last fortnight nearly three hundred additional signatures have been received to the Memorial to Sir George Grey, praying his Excellency to suspend the operation of the New Zealand Company’s Settlements Act and to cause the arrangements under the Land Claimants Ordinance to be immediately revived, and have been forwarded by the Deputation to the Colonial Secretary. The Memorial has received seven hundred and seventy-seven signatures, and as all the proceedings .connected with it have been conducted in the most open, fair, and straightforward manner, we have published the Memorial in its complete shape with the names of al! the persons signing it, in order that every one may judge for himself by the respectability of the names attached, the weight and consideration which siilch a document ought to have, and which'; we feel conscious we do not in any Way exaggerate or overestimate, whether/we regard the number of signatures or the various questions affecting the best interests and prosperity of the colony to which it relates, in regarding as the most important Memorial ever presented to a Governor of this colony. It has received the signatures of sixteen Magistrates and of the ministers of different religious denominations in Wellington. It has been numerously signed in the Town, and has been as extensively signed in the country; in the Hutt, the Porirua, the Wairarapa, and Rangitiki districts, the settlers have shewn their sense of the importance of these questions in their bearing on the welfare and prosperity of the settlement, and of the pressing necessity of their being immediately settled, by almost unanimously signing it. It has been signed by persons of different and even opposite opinions, who, however, agree in regarding this question as one involving the most important social interests of the colony.

The Memorial has been left to stand on its own merits, however virulent the abuse, or palpable the misrepresentations and misstatements of our opponents they have been allowed to say all they had to say, almost unheeded, in the full conviction not only that truth would triumph, but that their falsehood would be so manifest that it would, if it had any effect, rather promote the cause of truth by the deep disgust their conduct would naturally excite; and so it has proved. Personal abuse of the most Independent kind (for we are at a loss otherwise how to characterize it) has been heaped both on the Memorial and its promoters. The Memorial was stated to be “a suspicious document which had been hawked about for signature,” and “ had met with a very indifferent reception,” —those who had taken an active part in promoting it were low people —“ individuals of no note or standing in the colony,” “ tools of the Government,” “who had conspired to obtain signatures under false pretences,” and it was said that the affair would prove a signal failure as “ few bona fide settlers would sign it,” with much more to the same purpose.

If the Memorial, as the Independent asserts, has been got up by persons of no influence, it is only the more convincing proof of the deep interest felt in these questions by those who have signed it, and their cordial approval of its contents. The best answer to be given to the “ impudent falsehoods” circulated by the Independent respecting the Memorial is the fact that it has been signed by seven hundred and seventy-seven persons, either landowners, stockholders, or householders, nearly all heads of families, and who may he fairly taken to represent a population of three thousand persons, the great iiiajuiity Oi nicni the oldest and most valuable colonists the settlement can boast of. The “credentials” of the Deputation are to be found in the fact—and they may with confidence refer to it as a proof of the entire approval of their conduct by the settlers, and of their deliberate adoption of the Memorial—that seven hundred of the signatures were obtained after the first interview of the Deputation with the Governor, and the publication of the Memorial and of his Excellency’s views on the questions to which it refers. No Banker, —as was the case with the memorial to which the Faction are in the constanthabit of referring in proof of their representing the opinions of the community,—canvassed the town for signatures, for it is well known that the present Manager of the Union Bank (and it cannot be too often repeated in his praise) studiously avoids taking any part, however slight, in local politics. But it was not so in those days,—in the good old days, no doubt as the Faction would fondly term them, of the former Manager,— every one remembers the great assiduity, the active and personal interest displayed by Mr. M‘Donald in obtaining signatures to that Memorial; and it was no light matter then to refuse the Banker to sign a memorial, the success of which he had so much at heart. We will not institute any comparison between the 1 two memorials, as we have no means of doing so; the signatures were never published of the Faction’s Memorial, or submitted to any public scrutiny (we know how some of them were obtained); we have only the word of its promoters for the number of signatures to it, and their constant habit of gross exaggeration on all subjects in which they are personally interested deprives their assertion, unsupported by proof, of any authority whatever. But we have another and better means of satisfactorily testing the present state of public opinion, and the pretensions of the Faction to be the exponents of it.. On the very same day on which the Memorial was published in the Spectator, a long string of resolutions appeared in the Independent, “drafted,” as we were informed, by Dr. Featherston himself, which had been adopted by the selfstyled “Constitutional Association,” and were intended to represent their views on the same question. After all their exertions in beating up among their adherents for a sufficient number so as to ensure a tolerably respectable attendance, they could only get together about four-and-twenty persons, including the chairman, in the upper parlour of a tavern ; of the sixteen resolutions and one amendment then passed, there were not sufficient persons, as may he.seen from their pub-

lished proceedings, to move and second them, one person moved five different resolutions, while several had each to move or second two resolutions to get through the business of the meeting; even among this little knot of persons there were strong differences of opinion; the undisguised selfishness exhibited by some of these “leading members” was so great as to create disgust even in their own ranks, and caused such angry discussion as nearly led to actual violence; while the resolutions themselves have fallen into such utter contempt, have been so entirely disregarded by the community, that no one has taken the trouble to discuss them or waste a single thought upon them ; they have proved ’ a complete 4 abortion, and have been consigned to merited oblivion. Here then we have the proportion—four and twenty of the Faction against seven hundred and seventy-seven of the settlers ; aid of these four and twenty some are known to regard favourably the question of compensation money scrip, while all of them have signified their assent to the Land Claims Ordinance by sending in their claims for Crown Grants under it. It is not to be supposed that all who have not signed the Memorial are therefore unfavourable to it, some may decline expressing an opinion and prefer remaining neutral while others, especially in country districts, have not been met with or had the opportunity presented to them of signing it, leaving- a very small residue as the proportion of those opposed to it. But if Dr. Featherston believed the settlers had the slightest sympathy with him or his clique, why did he not call ‘ the contemplated public meeting.” It is well known he has expressed opinions strongly averse to the discussion of these questions at a public meeting. Why did he not, if he thinks they have not been sufficiently tested, give all his weight and personal influence, —and in his own estimation they are very great —to his own resolutions by “ hawking them about ” himself for signature? This Memorial not only gives the deathblow to the silly pretensions of the faction,—at least on the questions to which it refers —by shewing most incontestably that they do not represent the opinions of the community—but it also completely annihilates Mr. Fox’s impudent claim to be the Political Agent of this settlement, a claim which was indignantly repudiated, at the time of his departure from Wellington, by a Protest signed within six and thirty hours by upwards of two hundred andthirty Wellington settlers, and which has never been in any way recognised except by the “ four and twenty ” who claim him as their own.

The departure, of the Midlothian has induced us to throw together a few rough notes on the progress of the colony, and to publish such information connected with this subject as we have been able tocollect from authentic sources. The cargo of the Midlothian, consisting chiefly of wool, and valued at upwards £21,000,” of itself affords satisfactory evidence of progress, and when the restrictions imposed by the recent Act of Parliament are removed, and Sir George Grey’s Pastoral Regulations are again brought into forcb, and Crown Grants issued to the Company’s purchasers, the colony will advance still more rapidly, and general satisfaction be established. The Government have purchased from the natives at Ahuriri, through the Commissioner Mr. M‘Lean, three extensive blocks of land, viz., Hapuku’s containing 270,000 acres, the Ahuriri of 283,000 acres, and the Mahaka of 89,000 acres, making together 642,000 acres of first-rate land; on these purchases the first instalment has been paid, on the Ahuriri purchase only another instalment is owing, on the other two the payments extend over three ytears. ATown is laid out at the harbour at Ahuriri, and the preparatory surveys for the reception of settlers are in a forward state. From Ahuriri to Wairarapa the native population is estimated not to exceed 1000 souls to each million of acres, to the north of this the population is more numerous, at the Wairoa the natives are estimated at 3000, in Poverty Bay the native population is 2500, and from thence to the East cape the population is still greater, carryEon a large Coasting trade with Auck- • are also in progress by Mr. M’Lean, and the arrangements almost completed of another extensive purchase jrom the natives of the Ruataniwha Plain between Ahuriri and Wairarapa, containing about 500,000 acres, an J extending inland as far as the Tararua range. All these districts consist of the finest pasture land. About 1,000 acres have been given up by the Natives at Manawatu for the goods paid them by the Company, winch will enable the Government to put the settlers in that district in possession of their laud. T n the Middle Island the finangementsfor purchasing from the nai P art SOU *E of ihe Otago Block, have been completed by the exertions of the Commissioner, Mr. Mantcll;

this purchase embraces nearly a fourth of the Island, and contains some of the finest pastoral districts of New Zealand, while it extinguishes, with a few inconsiderable exceptions, the native title in that Island.

A statement, is printed below of the principal exports from Wellington, for the last three years. The wool shews a rapid increase, and this year’s produce will be much greater than that of 1851. In the articles, flax, cordage (in which is included wool lashing), and timber, there appears a great diminution compared with 1850, but this is accounted for by the fact that in 1850 rope and timber, particularly the latter, were exported to a large amount to California. The flax trade also appears on a comparison with 1850 to have declined. Although the export of timber beyond seas in 1851 appears inconsiderable compared with the previous year, about 306,000 feet have been sent from Wellington coastwise, chiefly to Canterbury. In 1851, the exports were, of wool 442,800 lbs., of cordage and rope 193 tons. In the town of Welhngtop signs of improvement are visible in every quarter. The Hospital at Thorndon is completed and is an ornament to that part of the. Town, while the improvements on LambtonQuay andthe Goal have just been commenced. The School House at Thorndon and the numerous extensive buildings in connection with the Roman Catholic mission add to the appearance and increase the importance of that part of the Town, while private dwellings are springing up in every direction. In the country districts equal signs of improvement are everywhere met with in extensive clearings, a greater breadth of cultivation, and new and commodious buildings the result of the energy and improved circumstances of the settlers, and a judicious and liberal administration of the Government. The greatest wants of the Province are a more extensive immigration and local steam communication, and we hope these wants, especially the last, will be very shortly supplied. The following are the exports referred to: —

The Government brig returned on Wednesday night from Lyttelton, with his Excellency Sir George Grey and his Excellency Lieut. Col. Wynyard. The settlers at Lyttelton are highly indignant at the appointment of Mr. Fox as Agent of the Association in the place of Mr. Godley. Whatever objection there may be to Mr. Godley he is immeasurably superior to such a restless jobbing schemer and demagogue as Mr. Fox, whose only idea of New Zealand is to get as much as he can out of it. The Lyttelton Tinies thinks he may be good enough as a Political Agent for Wellington, but that he is totally un suited to Canterbury, but our contemporary can know little of Wellington if it supposes Mr. Fox is in favour with any here except his own clique. Preparations are making for building the new gaol by Mr. Wilson, the contractor, whose tender for the works has been accepted. Two town acres at the end of Wcllington-terrace, Te Aro, have been purchased by the Government as the site of the building, which will be one story in height, with a frontage of 165 feet 6in., and a depth in the wings of 82 feet. The building will be of stone, and contains on the south side the principal entrance, a debtor’s ward, infirmary, with rooms for the gaoler and his assistants, and the necessary offices, and on the other, or north side, eighteen separate cells for the prisoners, and persons charged with criminal offences, arranged on either side a corridor eight feet wide. The rooms are all ten feet, in height, and due care has been taken to provide for proper ventilation. The principal front towards Te Aro has a simple and massive appearance suited to the character of the building, and the whole design, which is by Mr. Roberts, the Government architect, appears to be well adapted to the objects for which it is intended. Suitable provision will be made in the construction of the building for the safe custody of the prisoners, and every possible precaution adopted to provide against any injury arising from earthquakes.

The Midlothian sails this day for England with a full cargo of New Zealand produce, the most valuable, probably, that has left this Port, the declared value at the Custom House being £21,200 2s. Od. The most valuable item, which indeed forms the bulk of her cargo, is wool, of which there arc 1,555 bales, weighing 419,716 lbs. This affords very satisfactory evidence of the increasing amount of wool grown in this Province, and no doubt in a few years it will form the staple export of the colony. The Midlothian has also several passengers, many of whom intend returning again to New Zealand, and from the excellent sailing qualities of the vessel and seamanship of her worthy commander there is no doubt the ‘ good ship ’ will make a speedy and prosperous voyage.

On Monday afternoon the children of tire New School at Thorndon, built by the Church of England Education Society, will bo regaled by Lady Grey with tea and cake, and it is hoped there will also be a numerous attendance, on the occasion, of the friends and

supporters of the Society, particularly of ladies, who have taken a very active part in promoting the usefulness of the Sunday Schools. On Monday, Mr. Wadsworth the newly elected Master enters on his duties, and we have no doubt that under his direction all the ad van tages will be realized which were contemplated in commencing the building, and that we may shortly have the pleasure of announcing the commencement of tbe School to be erected at Te Aro.

1849. 1850. 1851, Wool £’A,531 £12,918 £22,047 Flax 451 2,019 717 Cordage and rope 15G6 4.344 3.249 Oil, sperm 1511 650 957 Do., black 2515 995 955 Timber 875 3,547 105 Whalebone 1019 38 634 Curiosities 443 91 192