WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 984, 16 April 1862, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

The past month, like many of its predecessors, has passed noiselessly away without the occurrence of any event of importance. Our last communications from Auckland were devoid of news of public interest, with hardly any reference to native affairs, thus giving strong evidence of their improved aspect, and of the great change which has been effected during the last six months. We believe the change will prove to be permanent, and that after a short time native affairs will settle clown into a quiet routine, so as hardly to occupy public attention. The formation of native districts, and the appointment of civil commissioners and native magistrates in different parts of the country, shews that no time is lost in bringing into operation bir George Grey's new institutions; among the latest appointments are those of Colonel Russell to be Chief Commissioner, mid Mr. G. 8. Cooper to be Resident Magistrate at Haw Ices Bay. At the beginning of the month an entertainment was given by the Superintendent to the chief natives of Wellington and the adjoining districts, which was very interesting from the cordial feeling evinced by them towards; the Europeans, but we ' need not do more than refer to the meeting, a report

of the proceedings of which will be found in another part of the paper. The departure of the Wild Duck for London, with a full and valuable cargo from this port, has been the chief topic of commercial importance during the month; the John Banyan, the last vessel of the season, is loading rapidly with wool, and will probably have- completed her cargo by the end of this month. We are glad to learn that the exports of wool from this province are likely to be considerably on the increase, that in the districts near Wellington and on the West Coast, many who have sold off their cattle to be shipped to Otago are purchasers of sheep. We shall find sheep farming prevail more extensively through the province, and with it the more generalcultivation of the English grasses, so as to enable the land to carry a larger amount of stock—thus adding materially to the value of our principal export. The Provincial Council is summoned to meet-on Friday, the 25th instant. There are three vacancies, one in the city and two at Wanganui. Mr. W. Spinks has come forward for the city, and Mr. Harrison for Wanganui; we have not heard the name of the third candidate for the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Fox's resignation. There has been no arrival from England during the month, though the Oliver Cromwell is now due. The ship Wild Duck sailed on Sunday last for London, with 40 passengers and a full cargo, valued at £30,295; she is the second ship of the season. The ship Asterope left here on the 19th January, with a cargo valued at £33,887, making a total of .£63,182. The ship John Bunyan is fast filling up, and will sail for London about the end of the month. The cattle trade between here and Otago continues brisk, five or six vessels leaving every month with full cargoes of stock and timber, and our local steamers, Wonga Wonga and Storm Bird, each make a trip a month to Otago and Lyttelton.— Spectator, April 9.