COLONIAL GOSSIP.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, 21 June 1845, Page 61

COLONIAL GOSSIP.

[From the John Bull.'] An arrival from the Cape of Good Hops brings more peaceful tidings from the eastern frontier. The Caffres had given up the murderers of the last Boer that had fallen a victim to the Stephen-policy, and had restored a few of the last herd of cattle stolen. But so little confidence had Colonel Hare, the LieutenantGovernor, in any permanent amendment, that the troops were to retain their hostile position in the neutral territory. The truth is, that under the existing arrangements the Caffres find it more profitable to exhibit repentant symptoms when thus pressed than to resist; but no sooner is the pressure on them mitigated, than all the inherent vices of the Stockenstrom treaties are in full play again. Sir Peregrine Maitland, ws are glad to see, continues to be popular. The West Indian packet brings intelligence that the Jamaica House of Assembly had reduced the number of Coolies, for the cost of whose immigration, to the extent of 5,000, the leading West Indians at home had become responsible to the Imperial Government, to 2,000 for the first year. If more than the latter number have embarked in India, or will embark before this news reaches the Indian port of embarkation, this restriction is most unfair and ungenerous to the gentlemen who, in a moment of doubt, clenched the hesitation of the Colonial Office by assuming a heavy responsibility; and is anything but creditable to the honour of the Jamaica Legislature. However, either Trinidad or Guiana (in which latter colony, by the bye, the agents of the London Missionary Society are behaving very ill) will be most happy to receive and pay for all the Coolies Jamaica rejects. It must not be supposed from this " self-deny-ing" law that the Jamaica Legislature it opposed to immigration. To African immigartion, to any possible extent, it is most favourable; but of Coolie immigration it has hitherto had no experience ; all that it knowi about the latter is its heavier cost. Now, taxation in Jamaica is most oppressive ; complaints of its weight were general at the last election ; and the new House of Assembly meets, resolved to economise. Hence the disinclination to go to great expense in Coolie immigration before better acquainted with the capacities of the Coolies for Jamaica cultivation. It is African, not Indian immigration that the West Indies want ; and that they would have, were it not for the Anti-Colonial, Office, in Downing Street. Now for the gossip. At home there is some talk of a city movement on the general state of the colonies — either in the shape of a public meeting, or, what would be much better, in the form of a permanent association to watch over colonial affairs. Public opinion is fast ripening for a formidable campaign against the Colonial Office. Lord Stanley's elevation to the peerage has raised a suspicion that his lordship thought the prospects of a Colonial Secretary in the ; Commons were becoming cloudy; and to escaped to the Lords. A very good summary of the condition of the principal colonies appeared in the Globe of Thursday evening. And the faith of the Herald in the office begins to waver. Rumour, too, says that the unpopularity of the Colonial Office has come to the ears of Royalty itself; certain it is that in Court circles it has more than once been lately remarked "that every one speaks ill of that man Stephen 1" The general opinion amongst well-informed personß is, that there will not be any changes in the Colonial Office before Parliament meet*. The more's the pity. There is a report afloat that the New Zealand

Company and Mr. Stephen are again going to " kin and be friends." There are some people on whom all experience is lost ; and the Directors of this Company Seem to be of them. A cunning old Scotchman, who was formerly the injurious advocate, and is now the harmless enemy of the West Indies, is again reviving hio precious scheme for " colonising " Africa ! But in spite of his praises of Major Harris, and the Major's praises of him, his project falls like lead on the public ear ; and therfe is little chance of his finding flats to " colonise " Africa. The best thing lie and his friend the Major, accompanied by Dandeson Coates, can do, is to depart and plant their tents in the much be-lauded Siberia, or squat themselves down at what the scribe of the schemers calls "the Court of Shoa, in Southern Abyssinia 1" They can be spared at home.