WANGANUI

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2096, 27 August 1864, Page 3

WANGANUI

ARRIVAL OF THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONERS.

(feom oub. own coreespondent.) Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1864. The Commissioners arrived here on Saturday last, quite unexpectedly, much to the chagrin of many who did not expect them till Monday, when they would have met with a more fitting reception. His Honor remained at Manawatu and has not vet put in an appearance. Although it was after midday when they arrived, they found time before night to visit the heads for the purpose of inspecting the bar — various and amusing were the canards in circulation that evening concerning the Commissioners' impression of Wanganui — Everbody telling everybody else what they had heard (in confidence of course.) One report in particular, was " that although thebar was an incontrovertiblefact,stiilitwas no har to Wanganui'a claim to bo the seat of

Government," which report, no doubt, caused many of our worthies to think something of the New Province, now that the " only " bugbear was pronounced to be bosh. The Commissioners are stopping at the Rutland Hotel, (or, as I think the Chronicle once termed it, the Mivart's of Wanganui) and must have been very glad to have rested from their onerous duties on Sunday. A few weeks ago, the Magistrates addressed a memorial to them, setting forth the various and important benefits that would be conferred on New Zealand by Wanganui being made the seat of Government ; so on Saturday they intimated to the memorialists, that they would be happy to meet them on Monday morning, to hear any remarks that might be made'on the subject. Accordingly, they met on Monday, just a private meeting ; and I am told that, although the memorial was couched in such glowing terms (some infatuated people characterise it as so " extremely modest ") that when I heard it read, I sighed for a few spare hundreds to speculate in town sections, one of the J. P.'s present, contemptuously pooh-poohed the whole affair, and crushed all budding hopes by assorting, that Wanganui could never be made into a safe harbor.

I believe that the Commissioners were invited by the Magistrates to ride out into the country yesterday, but the invitation was courteously declined, on the score that they had agreed to wait for his Honor previous to making any further excursion. Why the Magistrates did not enter a respectful protest against it Ido not say ; but it does seem rather odd that his Honor should make such an agreement and leave them for four days in Wanganui without showing himself. However, it does not much matter perhaps, for I think Wellington is pretty sure of the prize. Their visit will contribute much to the advancement of Wanganui, as it is in some measure a good advertisement, and will proclaim the existence of the place, if it does nothing else. The various events of the past week or two have helped to cause a little more life than, usual in this quiet district. Foremost in importance stands the Separation question. The Committee met on Monday for the first time since the public meeting, and were in high glee at finding that they had got over 260 signatures otbonafide electors, they confidently expect 300. To-day large placards have been issued by the Chairman, informing the public of the fact. They look upon the Rangitikei laud sale rather suspiciously though.

The first meeting of the shareholders of the Wanganui Steam Navigation Company was held last week. It was rather a warm one. Both Mr Watt and the shareholders fancy each other wrong, and themselves right. The whole affair lies in a nut shell—* Mr Watt was at first the leading man in the whole concern, and no douht made some sort of pr©mise concerning the withdrawal of the Tyne. At the first election of Directors, Mr Watt was not elected, and he looked upon. such non-election as a want-of-confidence vote ; as he had been one of the main supporters of the movement. This, coupled with the giving the agency to a comparatively new comer, caused him to lose all interest in the affair and stick to the old Tyne, and because he will not withdraw the latter vessel, the shareholders do not like it. I suppose we will have a fresh election of the Town Board soon, for there is no question but that the last one was illegal, whatever the learned Provincial Solicitor may say to the contrary. The Wanganui goes atl o clock, so I must stop, infact I do not think there is anymore news to tell you. The natives talk about having a set-to amongst themselves up the river, and I do not dispute the fact ; but it will be amongst the flour, sugar, &c, nothing more. The Ngatiruanuis talk of fighting the minute that we attempt to cross the Waitotara — which may be possible, as they are a set of mad, treacherous devils. The Rangatira is just coming in.