THE NELSON EXAMINER. NELSON, OCTOBER 12, 1850.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 449, 12 October 1850, Page 130

THE NELSON EXAMINER. NELSON, OCTOBER 12, 1850.

Journal* become more neeeuwy v men become more «ou*l and indiridntHam mon to be feared. It would be to underrate their importance to suppose that they aerre only to s*cur« liberty: they maintain ciriliiation. DB TOCQUBTILLS, ft Of Democracy in America, rol. iV.. § . 300.

We have received from Mr. Greenwood a short note, which we publish, in reply to the inquiry we made a fortnight ago, whether the Nelson Examiner wai includeo\in the censure which, in his .letter to Mr. Godt ley, he appeared to apply indiscriminately *• the press of the whole colony, or at least *We underßtand Ulat lnt ell.gence has been to that of the Southern portion of it. Mr. re(Jefved fa Welli ton of t jf e intentson of Greenwood's note is satisfactory, a. far as the Canterbury Association to proceed at we are individually concerned ; he exempts, .h , / olonisins undertaking. The us from his chargeof being" utterly forge^^ bo(J f cmi an f 8 were e3t betedb cted t0 fulof the language generally in use among "^ i/ AugUßt> Bfor8 for which we may say gentlemen," and tf dealing in " reckless September, but at all events, itisprobaWi imputations of base and dishonourable ' n QD their way , and am >l motives and palpable misrepresentations Mm the / nd of the of the words and actions of our political i J opponents. Still, however, we are -not wholly, blameless in Mr. Greenwoods eyes; and are viewed as particeps criminis, because we at times reprint from the Wellington Independent what he conceives its offensive articles. We shall not now enter, into a discussion of what is fair or unfair criticism, as it is very likely that on this, as well as on some other subjects, we should not agree with our correspondent. He who criticises, and he who is criticised, will always, we apprehend, disagree on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of remark. In language used by ourselves we are, of course, answerable for each word; and our object has always been, id commenting on the public acts of public men, never to overstep the amenities which good taste everywhere prescribes : and if, in the heat of political strife we have ever done so, we regret it exceedingly. In extracting from other journals, however, we are not, we •conceive, responsible for every expression contained in the articles transferred to our columns. That we approve of the general principles maintained in such articles may fairly be presumed ; but beyond this, no journalist can be considered identified with the political or other treatises to which he gives a place in his paper. Were it otherwise, a newspaper would consist of nothing but the lucubrations of the editor, and the record of dry facts. But we are well content to allow the matter rest as it stands, more particularly as, by Mr. Greenwood's own showing, the articles he most complains of we had passed over, and were only noticed by us at his own request.

Among the devastations committed here by the flood of the 11th of September last, mi the destruction of all the remnents of bridges across the Maitai. In days long past, the New Zealand Company (by its Agents), with more money than understanding, erected across this river three or four bridges, at a cost of many hundred pounds. Such was the engineering ability of the officer, under whose superintendence these erections where made, that a few months sufficed to demolish the greater part of what it had cost bo much money to construct. In one of the first floods, the upper bridge on the stream took leave to depart on a voyage of discovery, and not wishing apparently to go alone, carried with it in its progress towards the sea three'of its fellows. Since then, by sundry contrivances more or less complete, a communication across the river, which runs through the heart of our town, has been maintained by means of two foot bridges. Now and then these have been damaged or destroyed, and so a constant drain on the pockets of the public has been kept up in replacing what the floods carry away. The flood of the 11th of September did not however do its work by halves, but made a clean sweep from where the river enters the town to where it discharges itself into the harbour, and refused even to leave behind it the piers of one of the old original bridges, which had served as buttresses for a foot bridge up to that time. Seeing how futile it is to longer trust the caprices of this stream, which, though insignificant enough at ordinary times, becomes truly formidable at seasons, it has been proposed to throw an iren suspension foot-bridge across it, to stand beyond the reach of the treacherous current, and the huge trees it brings down with it. To erect sneh a structure, with that degree of stability to warrant it permanence, will cost about £80, at the span necessary -will be 100 feet: But unfortunately, to erect snch a bridge at the most eligible spot, will be to take it out of the line of thepre- 1 aent streets, as, in the line of Bridge-street, the span necessary would be 150 feet \ and

we need not say that this additional length j would add greatly to the expense, as the I iron work would require to be much heavier. 1 It has been suggested,, that the river might; be natfowed at this srjoirit, and brought within its old limits. This, no doubt, might be done, and, we believe, with perfect safety, but not without expense. To make a good job, it would cost altogether little short of £120; and bow U this money to be obtained? Major Richmond, on the part of the Government, has offered to subscribe £40, and several private individuals have also promised their assistance. If the public will come forward with proper spirit, the work may be done in a manner creditable to the town, and we hope they will not, tail to do so.

. .We have Auckland papers to the 24th of September, brought to Wellington by the" Government brig and Lord William Bentinck. There is little news of a political nature to be gleaned from our Northern x esb temporaries, though we observe with pleasure the evidence of an increasing sympathy with our Southern efforts to bring about a change in the Government of the colony, so as to render it more consonant to the feelings of Englishmen. We hop^e the day is not distant when we shall see* North and South better understanding each other, and working heartily together in the common cause. The following acquaints us of the death of one whose name is familiar

to us : —

It will be matter of little surprise to our readers to learn that Heke — " the lion of the" North"— the fierce, uncompromising, oppo* nent of British supremacy, is no more 1 The death of Heke took place at Tautoroa on the 6th of the present month. He had long been declining, although little beyond forty yearsypf age. To various diseases the premature decease of this enterprizing and chivalrous chief is attributed. By some of our infor-' mants, it is confidently affirmed that to pulmonary affection — that relentless decimator of the Native race — aggravated by a gun-shot wound received during the recent struggles, his early death may be traced. Others, again, insist that he perished the victim of scrofula, which long cared for and controlled, had at length o'erleapt every barrier, and mastered all the remedial devices of art. The death of such a man must naturally be regarded as an event amongst any people — with his own, the sensation it has created will no doubt be intense ; for, although far from being an influential chief by birth, yel his energy and ability in the field, and his alliance by marriage, with the daughter of Hongi — the Napoleon of New Zealand — had made him a man of no ordinary mark. We are told tbat he has been succeeded, in his leadership of the Northern tribes, by his brother-in-law Hongi, but this is a statement requiring confirmation, as we are likewise informed that Hongi is a man of neither capacity nor energy. Pomare — the crafty, scheming Pomare — has also departed this life. His decease took place about a month since : the precise date we have not yet been able to learn, nor who succeeds to the leading of his tribe. His son, it is said, is still too young, and we have been unable to ascertain on whom the dignity is likely to be conferred.

Wellington papers reached us on Thursday by the Torrington, which were very acceptable, our previous dates being a month old ; a few also from the neighbouring colonies came to hand, but none of recent date, nor containing later European news than what we had previously seen. The Government brig had just arrived, without, however, bringing the Governor, as had been expected. What his Excellency is about we are totally ignorant, but are curious to learn the first move in his new game. Something he must do soon we are sure? but as it will soon transpire, it is not worth speculating upon. The Wellington Constitutional Association is actively at work refuting Sir George's disingenuous despatches, and the Independent is also engaged in the like task ; and one of its articles is so well worth quoting, that we shall find room for it nest week.

Literary Ikstitdtion. — On . Tuesday evening last, a lecture was delivered at the Institution by the Rev. T. D. Nicholson, the Presbyterian, minister of this place. The subject chosen, was " On Poetry," and the manner -in which he treated it, gave great pleasure to a very respectable audience. Other lectures, as may be seen, are announced ; and we hope to see our Institution, now that it offers so many advantages for so small a consideration, become the resort of ail the youth of the town.