AUCKLAND. [From the Auckland Times.]

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 113, 11 May 1844, Page 39

AUCKLAND. [From the Auckland Times.]

Nothing has given us greater pleasure than to hear that the head-quarters of the Wesleyan Mission have determined generously and wisely to take up the interests of the natives, by educating their children in the English language, and weaning the people as a body to habits of constant industry and personal cleanliness — to make them, in fact, a civilized people. Their present Half-conversion to European habits tends only to degenerate their nature, health, and strength, and is sowing the seeds of disease and death among them so rapidly, that among the adults around Auckland almost every one is more or less afflicted with pulmonary disease, of which they are fast dying. Attempts to translate the Scriptures into Maori, and teaching them the outward forms of religion, without insisting upon those habits of life which ought to result from the profession of it, is only " sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal." This movement of the Wesleyans, if industriously carried out, is worth more than all that has hitherto been done by Bishops, Missionaries, and Protectors. Instead of learning their barbarous language — discourage it — teach them ours, and let their young men and maidens adopt European costume and habits of life. Thus, and thus only, shall we benefit and befriend them.

It is reported that William Brown, Esq., has accepted, at the hands of his Excellency, the vacant seat in the Legislative Council of New Zealand ; and we think it would have been difficult for the Governor to have chosen better. Mr. Brown has always manifested intelligence, circumspection, and industry, in the affairs of the colony — and he is an independent man. The Bolina, from Twofold Bay, with cattle, arrived this morning, and, we regret to hear, has touched upon* the Teef near the Heads. It is expected, the weather being mild, she will float securely again with the flood tide. The Governor has granted the allotment next to Mr. F. Matthew's, upon which the SurveyorGeneral's and other offices formerly stood, to the Bishop of New Zealand; and upon this ground his lordship intends immediately to build a parsonage-house, a parish school-house, and to enclose a play-grpund and other appurtenances. We must say that we feel unusually refreshed by this indication, late though it be, of his lordship's consideration for the Pake^a interests of Auckland ! — for by reason of his lordship's zeal for Maori interests, we cannot help feeling that our own people have been too much neglected. His lordship arrived in May, 1842 — we have heard him only about six times since then in Auckland : it is not our fault that we have not heard the Bishop more frequently, for we have neglected no opportunity — and when we have heard him, it has only been in what may be called occasional addresses — such as his personal advent — Confirmation — Consecration of the Burial-ground, or the Church. Two years have elapsed— and we have not enjoyed any opportunity of bia

lordship's exhortation or instruction that we might consider of a pastoral character, if we except his rather gratuitous lecture lately upon " blood-guiltiness towards the native population." It surely was little required. His lordship may be assured that the good feeling of the people of Auckland towards the Maories is as perfect as he himself could wish, if a jealousy as absurd as unnecessary be not provoked.