HAWKE'S BAY. (From the Haioke's Bay Herald—December 17.) Stxam Communication.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1285, 6 January 1860, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY. (From the Haioke's Bay Herald — December 17.) Stxam Communication.

Wo are happy to be able to communicate cheering new* on thi* all-important question. The owners of the "White Swan" have agreed to the propoial made by the Superintendent. That veuel will in future leave Auckland immediately upon the arrival of the Coleman steamer, bringing on the Engliih mall, and conveying goods from Sydney at 60i. per ton, without expenie of transhipment. The owners also guarantee that present rates of passage money between Napier and Wellington will not be raised, and that the steamer will remain in port not less than 24 hours each time. The General Government, upon being apprised of the state of the negociation, promptly and generously took upon itself the payment of the required sum of £1000, demanding only an auuranca from the Provincial Government that the money will lie refunded in tbe event of the General Assembly refusing to ratify the arrangement. One difficulty atone remained, and that lay in the trips of the " Wonga." This the Government got over by declining to subsidize that steamer after the present year, and by guaranteeing £500 a gear to the " Swan," payable only so long as the " Wonga" may continue running against her. While sorry that the little "Wonga" should thus be ignored, all must admit that a highly advantageous arrangement has been made — one that will rapidly redound to the prosperity of the Province. W« are happy to be able to add that, next trip, and, it is to be hoped, all sbsequent ones, the "Swan will come inside — the Provincial Government having ordered to be put on board at Auckland the necessary anchors &c.

The Town Election came off very quietly. Mr. FitzGerald wm proposed by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Garry, and declared to be duly elected. Dr. Hitching* read a letter from the Superintendent, expressing regret that, from a severe cold, he was unable to attend, more particularly aa he wished to explain that although for tome time past he had almoit given up buiiness, he wm so circumstanced, from having previously made arrangements for a mill, &c, that he could not entirely relinquish mercantile pursuits ; nor would he wish to do no were it in his power, seeing that the office he held was a purely political one, and that he would not attempt to retain it should he at any time find that he could not conscientiously agree with the majority of the gentlemen who placed him in it. It would, however, be his endeavour, 10 long as he held office, to perform its duties satisfactorily, i The Bishop of Wellington, we are glad to learn, is expected in town this day. He will conduct service in the school-room, to-morrow, and will meet members of the church on Tuesday evening.

(From the Hawke's Bay Heiald—Dtc, 24.) The time of next meeting of the General Assembly now rapidly approaches. Need we say that at that meeting a question of vital importance to the Province of Hawke's Bay will come on for discussion : or need we ask what preparation is now being made for so momentous a crisis in our infant existence ? AH are surely aware that the voices of the representatives may adjudge us to pay a large proportion — possibly one-half —of the £100,000 borrowed by the Province of Wellington — that a preponderating " aye" in the body of the House, or even the casting vote of the Speaker, may have the effect, not only of sweeping away, for arrears of interest and sinking fund, the w.hole of tha balance at the credit of the Province, but of crippling its means and its energies for many years to come ! Yet how few by their actions shew that they really are cognisant of this : or, at least, that they are fully impressed with the very critical position in. which the Province now stands. The Council, it is true, have requested the Superintendent to prepare a statement of facts in connection with this matter : upon which it purposes, during next session, to take action. But something more than that, and at an earlier period, should be done : there is far too much at stake to permit of procrastination. A very heavy claim is made against this Province — a most unjust one, it is true, but one in support of which the Wellington members, at least, will join with one accord. It behoves us, therefore, at once to set about preparing our defence — to decide upon our course of of action during next session of the Assembly. A preliminary step, we think, should be a public meeting. In connection with this subject, a very remarkable document has appeared, in the shape of a memorial to Dr. Featherston, dated 2nd April, 1857, and emanating from the committee of the Settlers' Association. We remind our readers that at -this period the loans were unexpended — only one of them, indeed, that for £50,000, from. Messrs. Gladstone having been negociated. How. clearly was the future shadowed forth in that document,; and how strong an,' argument do its contents n6t afford in support of the case of this province! "* l£sf\ ;