PORT NICHOLSON.

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

PORT NICHOLSON.

We received last evening, by the Katherine Johnstone, the New Zealand Gazette of May 1.

Our contemporary, in an article on " Cheap Cabin Passages," exposes at some length the ill-treatment received by the passengers by the Teresa, " whose statements are so descriptive of monstrous injustice that a full and complete inquiry is demanded, in justice to the passengers and in vindication of the character of the captain and charterers of that vessel." That serious blame attaches somewhere there can be no doubt, for while the inducement of a cheap passage was held out, so badly was the cabin table supplied, and 90 abundantly was the vessel furnished with both eatables and drinkables for sale, that it proved a most expensive passage to all who had money to spare. The sum of thirty-five guineas ought to insure abundance of all actual necessaries — luxuries may well be dispensed with. The sufferers, in this instance, ought to represent the matter in the proper quarter.

The following paragraph is the only one of sufficient interest to extract: —

Land Question. — We have two reports about Mr. Spain's progress. The one to the effect that Mr. Spain and Colonel Wakefield were at Ohou, and that the natives had refused all payment, and that no progress had been made in settling the land question ; the other is that the party were at the Manawatu, and that the natives had taken compensation, and that all the titles were settled so far as the Manawatu. We suspect that though tbe latter report will not be found quite correct, that it will prove far the nearest to the truth. It is further stated that some quarrel has arisen between Rauparaha and Ranghiaiata, connected with the settlement of the land question, and that there is spine probability of hostile proceedings amongst the natives in consequence.

The Stoney Botanical Gardens. — I have just returned from the most beautiful spot I ever saw — the Botanical Gardens of Sydney. It was literally a walk through Paradise ; the only difference betwixt it and Eden being, that here every tree was forbidden, and death and destruction awarded, by man-traps and other means, to those that touched their fruit. These Botanical Gardens in position are the finest in the world. The situation is a beautiful slope down to a " lovely peaceful bay," and is surrounded by the Domain encircling the Government house on the one side, and Nature, in her wildest aspect, on the other — the Bush. This is also on a hill, and sloping down to another bay on the opposite side. But the splendour of the plants, the trees, the flowers ! Every production of the East is here ; every plant, every fruit, every beautiful flower is to be seen in these gardens in the highest possible perfection. — Hood's Australia.

The French and the Marquesas. — The National says — " Looked at as a political advantage, the occupation is a nullity. Every one agrees in this, and we require no other proof of the fact than the disdainful indifference with which the intelligence was received in England. What is it, in fact, to seize on two little islands without productions, without extent, without good harbourage ? There is not a single European Power which cannot to-morrow seize on other neigbouring islands placed under the same condition. Besides, it must be borne in mind that, in case a war should break out, the conquest could be lost as rapidly as it was acquired. In a commercial point of view, the advantages are not a whit more valuable, for there is no cultivation, nothing to be given in exchange, and consequently no resources. Besides, of the innumerable islands of Polynesia, there is only a single group, the Sandwich Islands, that is on the direct line from America to China. The Marquesas and Tahiti are far from that direction, and cannot, therefore, serve any great commercial interests. Their utility is then simply reduced to this : — They can offer a place where our vessels may put in ; and French industry, knowing that it possesses an efficient protection there, may be stimulated to new enterprize. The number of whalers may increase ; and the state will, find at need in our merchant shipping a greater number of experienced sailors. But i* there any necessity, on that account, that the Government should all at once give way to extravagant expenditure ? Is it prudent to desire to colonize the' Marquesas, when we are barely attempting the colonization of Algeria ? Can it be maintained that it is reasonable to demand nearly 6,000,000f. for the first expenses of the taking possession? Is it necessary to send out 1,200 men, and to appoint an expensive staff and an administration like that cf Pondicherry ? And ought the first step to be to give to the Governor the sum of 300,000f. as secret service money ?" Accounts have been received in Auckland by the Neptune from tbe Fegees, where the intelligence had been carried by the Currency Lass from Tahiti, that the natives at the Marquesas had fallen on the French by surprise, and killed the greater part of them. The few who escaped, fled to Tahiti.

In Dublin, to be a municipal elector, a man must pay about a dozen local taxes within a specified time. The result is, that one out of about 22,000 householders, the new burgess list contains only 3,000 names.