THE NELSON EXAMINER. Saturday, May 5, 1855.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 5 May 1855, Page 2

THE NELSON EXAMINER. Saturday, May 5, 1855.

Journals become more neceuarjr at men become more equal and individualism more to be feared. It would be to underrate tbeir importance to suppose that they serve only to secure liberty: they maintain civilization. Di Tocooevill*. Of Democracy in America, vol. T., p. 230, By late arrivals we are in possession of news from Taranaki to the 18th ultimo. Affairs there seem in a most unsettled state^ the natives becoming every day more outrageous and less amenable to control. His Excellency the Officer administering the Government has paid a visit to the Province, but his presence seems to have been of little avail, and all attempts at reconciliation appear to have been treated with contempt. Nor do they now confine themselves to quarrelling with one another, but the settlers are beginning to come in for a share. Mr. Chilman, one of the members of the Provincial Council* in a debate upon the subject,, remarks, "Only the other day, the taking of a few peaches from the natives by some children was replied to by entering a house and seizing a gun, which they had in vain tried to purchase. §} Another case, of horses travelling from New Plymouth to Wanganui, £20 was demanded, for pasturage through a certain district, and a threat held out that all horses passing through that district would be seized. They lay down the law and do what they like, nor is there any chance of redress against such proceedings." A hill near the centre of the]town, called Marsland Hill, has been inspected by Colonel Baddeley, of the Engineers, with a view to its being fortified for the protection of the town. His Excellency, in taking leave, has promised to send, if possible, 300 troops, supported by guns, and recommends the formation of a volunteer corps from among the settlers, to whom he promises to furnish arms and ammunition. Since his Excellency has left the settlement, 120 sheep belonging to a settler have been seized whilst on their way to Wanganui, and every description of imposition and threats are used. Meetings had taken place under the Public Works Ordinance, to raise rates for the repair of the roads. In the town district a rate of five shillings on each section (the town sections are a quarter of an acre), or part of a section with a tenement thereon, was agreed to. The rural lands are divided into eight districts, and in all, with the exception of No. 5, rates varying from 3d. to Is. 6a. per acre have been agreed upon. No 5 refuses to pay anything, thinking ;the funds ought to come out of the general revenue. The TaranaJci Herald says, with reference to this meeting, " the result is much to be regretted, as it will leave one of the most important thoroughfares to and from the town in an impassable state|for the next twelve months. The voluntary system has been weighed and found wanting, and it did not want the experience of this meeting to test its worthlessness. It has not, nor ever will, effect efficient repairs or management of the roads." From Wellington we have but little news. The columns of the Independent are filled chiefly with violent letters between the Denominationalists and Antidenominational ists upon the Government scheme of Education ; they have however sunk religious differences and come forward

nobly in the cause of charity, the subscription list to the Patriotic Fund amounting at the present to £1,487 4s. 4d. A heavy rain, which fell on Saturday and Sunday last, had caused a severe flood in the Hutt valley, destroying property to a large amount. Nearly 300 sheep had been swept away, and large quantities of hay and potatoes were also lost. The river rose two feet higher than has ever been known before. Instructions had been received by the officer commanding the 65th regiment, to hold in readiness at the shortest notice two captains, four subalterns, eight sergeants, two drummers, and 200 rank and file, for the purpose of occupying New Plymouth. Two artillerymen, and two six-pounder guns with the requisite ammunition, &c, are also to accompany the detachment. The following officers accompany the detachment : — Major Murray, Captain Mayler, Lieutenants Blewitt, Buck, M'Gratbj and Bailey, and Assistant Surgeon White. The barque Monsoon, Captain Turnbull, took in her mails and passengers, and sailed on the 27th ultimo for London direct, with a full cargo of wool, &c. The state of affairs at Otago seems very satisfactory ; they have had an abundant harvest and have shipped away a considerable amount of produce. The Gazelle has just sailed with a cargo of the estimated value of £1,859. The Thomasand Henry, of 234 tons, lately left for Sydney with a full cargo of wool, and another cargo of equal amount is waiting her return. The Sea Snake, direct from London, had arrived there on the 19th ultimo, having sailed from London on the 6th of January.

His Honor Mr. Justice Stephen arrived here in the steamer Nelson on Wednesday last. The session of the Supreme Court will commence on Tuesday next ,• and, we are happy to say, so light is the calendar, that the Court will sit for the despatch of Civil business on the same day.

Ali-ben-sou-Alle gave another Concert, in the School-room, Bridge-street, last evening, which was numerously attended, there being no standing-room left. The audieuce appeared delighted with the entertainment, if we may judge from the rapturous applause and the encores which they demanded. M. Valere was encored in several of his songs ; and Ali-ben-sou-Alle kept his hearers in a roar of laughter in the song, " Les Canotiers de Paris," and received a similar compliment. The Concert was announced for repetition this evening.