The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND LUNATIC ASYLUM.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 556, 13 August 1851, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Be just and fear not : let all the ends thou aims't at, be thy Country**, Thy God's, and Truth*.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 1851.

The friends and supporters of the project for the establishment of this much-needed Institution will have observed with gratification (from the advertisements which have appeared in the newspapers of the last few days) that the building is likely to be immediately commenced, — His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor having notified to the Committee that the work will be proceeded with so soon as the promised subscriptions are realized. We understand that a considerable portion of the amount has within the past week been paid into the Union Bank, and we anticipate that during the current week most of the stili outst'nding contributions v, ill he obtained. We unaffectedly regret that our contemporary the Southern Cross &hould have

attempted to throw hindrances in the way of thi? project of necessity and mercy. There is, however, a naive ingenuousness iv his acknowledgement, — '• We beg to state our profound ignoiance of the subject" — thatat once disaim s criticism, and must go far to render his opposition powerless. A reference to his own file for the month of April last may supply the information which he lacks. He will find it in the Report which the Deputation that waited upon the Governor-in-Chiff piesented to a General Meeting of Subscribers convened by Public Adveitisement. As lespects the " interest subscribers may expect to possess in the arrangements. " Sir George Grey expressed a willingness that the Committee appointed by the Subscribers should confer with the Government on the site and details of the building. It is to be borne in mind that it is to the erection of the building alone that their money is given ; the contributions being not annual subscriptions towards the maintenance of the establishment (which is to be provided for by Government endowments), but strictly and simply donations towards the cost of a suitable building. His Excellency's pledge on thi3 point has been redeemed under the direction of Lieutenant-Governor Wynyard, the plans of the edifice having been submitted for the consideration of the Committee, and various modifications suggested by them having been received with attention and acquiescence. The Governor-in-Chief did not, indeed, concur in the proposal that Trustees chosen by the Subscrbers should have a share in the future management of the Asylum j but he withheld his assent from it only in order to subject the establishment yet more completely to popular control than might be the case if this request were granted, by including this amongst the institutions which, together with the propert y granted for their support, are to be handed over to the Corporation, whenever one shall be formed here, — an event now most probably very close at hand. And again, as respects the Site, it was agreed, for reasons which appeared sufficient both to the Deputation and the meeting of Subscribers, that it should be, at present, in the Hospital Grounds. These matters were fully and distinctly laid before the Meeting, and approved of by it ; it was on a definite understanding of them that the existing list of contributions was made up ; and it can answer no end of expediency, charity, or justice, to attempt now to re-open questions which at the proper time were considered and decided upon. From the spirit which both the Gotcrnor-in-Chief and the Lieutenant-Governor have manifested throughout, no reasonable doubt can be enteitained that the Government will in good faith carry out the undertaking in the manner which shall be deemed most conducive to the safety and advantage of the public, as well as most beneficial to the deeply unfortunate and deeply interesting class of sufferers for whose reception the Asylum is designed.

By the Overland Mail we have Wellington papeis to the 12th of July. They continue to to be mainly occupied by the proceedings of the Legislative Council. The Provincial Councils Bill had passed thiough its final stages. We follow up the ample report of the debates on it which was given in our last, by an unabridged copy of the concluding discussions as they appear in the Spectator. It will be observed that Sir George Grey took occasion once more to vindicate his liberal intentions in bringing forward the measure, observing that " the remarks which had fallen from the LieutenantGovernor had raised an unjust prejudice against the Bill." We apprehend, that Mr. Eyre's remarks did not create the prejudice ; they only gave expression to a prejudice which the Constitutional Associationists had already formed, and strongly declared especially, in a Resolution moved by Mr. Godley at their meeting on the subject, on the loth of November last. Undoubtedly, however, that prejudice would be deepened by the support given to the objectors by the sympathy of an officer in ! the Lieutenant- Governor's high position j ] and Mr- Eyre cannot now evade the responsibility which he has brought upon himself by his inconsistent and indiscreet speech. We also add to the special report of the debate on the Marriage Amendment Ordinance which appeared in our last, (and which was both fuller and clearer than that given by either of the papers), the discussion on the Bill in Committee. No doubt the measure has hecome law, as the various clauses had been agreed to, and the third reading was fixed for the 11th ultimo. We further transfer to our columns the final proceedings on the Customs Duties Bill. It turns out that the abolition of the Duty on Flour, &c, ivas made complete and permanent. On the first division on this question, the numbers were equal, the Governor declining to vote ; but next day, the total repeal of the duty was carried by a majority of one.. . .The ultimate stage of the Bill had some cuiious interest connected with it. The increase in the duty on Spirits had made it a matter of importance to the Wellington merchants to be informed accurately as to the day on which the Ordinance would come into operation. In the printed Bill, the 7th of July was specified ; but on a Memorial from the parties concerned, the Council had agreed that an interval of a month more should be allowed, between the passing and the piactical effect of the Bill. At the last horn, however, the Council not only ufi.iud Us steps in this paiticular, by bunging the duties into opeiation the veiy day after the meagre passed, but actually suspended

its standing oiders to huny the Bill through the third ieading,—it being then, the Independent asserts, four o'clock, when the Custom House was closed. What renders this more remarkable is that Sir George Grey himself advocated delay, and the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand condemned the step as unseemly and piecipitate. Adopted it was> however, by a majority of nine to four. The full discussion will be found in our other columns, and our leadeis will be able to judge for themselves whether the Council acted in this matter with the good faith and honour which the mercantile community had a right to expect from them. Many will probably think with us that, unless something more can be said in vindication of their procedure than appears in the Report, ihe majority, however good their intentions might have been, took a step which had too much of the character of the haste that is not consistent with good speed, — if, in order to good speed in such matters, rigid adherence to engagements and integrity be essential. . . .Mr. Hickson, who had previously conducted the measure through the Council declined to retain charge of it after the vote by which the standing oiders were Suspended ; and, the Independent informs its readers that that gentlemen '• has resigned his seat in the Council on the express ground that he can neither be a party to such a fraud upon the public, nor continue to sit in a Council capable of perpetrating such dishonest and eccentric acts," The New Zealand Company's Land Claimants Bill had been referred to a Committee, who were to collect information and to leport to the Council. Sir Geoiige Grey, in supporting this proposition, threw the onus of having ! rendeied it necessary chiefly on Mr. Eyre :—: — | " One of the most impoitant features of the Bill was the scrip system, and it stood on lecord that the Lieuthnant-Goveknor had made a motion that the clause authorizing the issue of scrip should be struck out of the Bill." Mr. Eyre pleaded in extenuation that he " had no other object than to direct the attention of the Council to the subject more particularly ;" but Sir George was not willing to accept the plea ; " It would be supposed that the Lieute-nant-Goverxor made his motion from serious objections to the clause, and this would be the view taken of it by the Home Government." The Committee was accordingly appointed; it had not reported at our last date. The alleged attempts of the Canterbury Association to encroach on the Nelson settlement had induced Mr. Cautley to move for a committee to prepare an Address to the Crown on the subject. This was carried. The Colonial Secretary of New Munster thought there should be two seperate Addresses, one referring to this peculiar injury, the other of a more general character. This proposition also was adopted, and the Mover was requested to prepare the Address. The discussions on the topics started in connection with these motions were interesting, and we copy them in our present number. Apropos of this subject, we observe that Mr. Godley had addressed a short letter to the Wellington Spectator publicly declaring that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the Canterbury Association never attempted, nor have they the slightest intention of attempting, to get Nelson included in their settlement, or to extend their regulations respecting the Sale of land to Nelson." The Spectator, with reference to this denial observes, " it is not sup- ! posed an attempt is being made to get the I town of Nelson, the sold and settled lands of Nelson, &c, included in the Canterbury block, but to extend the Canterbury block, notth wards so as to include those unsold pasture lands which form the extreme southern portion of the Nelson Settlement." The real question is, — Is the Canterbury Association endeavouring to obtain any part of the Nelson Settlement to be united to its own block ? If ii is, then Mr. Godley's " public declaration" is rather ingenious than ingenuous. A Building Societies Bill, introduced by Mr. Bell, had made considerable progress, and promised to be a measure of much utility. We shall, transfer to future numbeis the substance of the discussions on this, and on the other subjects which, have engaged™the attention of Council, but to which we have not space to-day to refer more particularly. We have received no late numbers of the Lyttelton Times, but there is news from the Settlement to the 28th of June in the Wellington papers. The shipping had suffered severely from a gale which swept the coast on the 27th of June. The Torrington was made a total wreck ; the John and Charlotte, and Salopian received considerable damage, and the Pauline was driven on shore. Some particulars will be found in our Shipping column. Mr. Ward, one of the first and most active of the Canterbury Settlers, and bis brother Mr. Henry Ward, of Quail Island, had been ; drowned, while out in a boat to bring home firewood. The melancholy occurrence excited general and deep regret. Agricultural operations around Lyttelton were carried forward with energy, and the appearances of the country in this respect were promising. The Steadfast had brought 130 passengers to Lyttelton, so that 1640 souls had been landed there within six months. The actual population of tho settlement piobably amount: to 2000.

The Wellington papets contain a few items of local news which are woith noting.

f It was intended lo bring into operation in Wellington the provisions of the Towns Roads and Streets Ordinance, passed by the Legislative Council of New Munster, in 1849, which authorises the levying of yearly rates, uot exceeding sixpence in the pound, and the imposition of a licenss-tax, of from £3 to £4, on owners of carts for the purpose of repairing the streets and making other local impiovemenls; the management of the whole to be vested in Commissioners to be annually elected by the rate-payers. It is stated that the inhabitants are generally in favour of this course, as being preferable to voluntary subscriptions, in which the willing pay for the unwilling ; and as relieving the resident owners of property by extending the taxation to absentee proprietors. At a meeting of Magistrates on the 7th ult., seven out of thirteen ?oted for requesting the Governor to issue a proclamation bringing the Ordinance into operation ; but as it is necessary that the requisition shall be from a majority of the Magistrates in the dis" trict (who are twenty-eight in number), the "Resident Magistrate was to ascertain the views of those who were not present ; which, however, it was expected would be, for the most part, in accordance with those of the majority at the meeting. The Provisional Committee of the recently formed Church of England School Society had adopted suggestions embodying an exposition of the principles on which the schools are to be conducted. They chiefly relate to the I denominational character of the plan. None but membeis of the Church of England can be members of the Committee ; no master will be eligible who is not approved by one of the clergymen on the Committee ; and, in addition to general education, specific religious instruction, according to the doctrines of the Church of England, is to be imparted under the direction of the clergy. The Governor-in-Chikf had intimated to the Hon. Secretary that he hoped shortly to be able to give a favourable answer to the application for land as sites on which to build the schools. The total amount of donations towards the project was £203 35. ; — of annual subscriptions, £54 13s. 6d. At a meeting held at the Athenaeum, on the 2nd ult., it was agreed to form a "New Zea land Society/ 1 for purposes and on a plan resembling those of the Royal Society of Van Dicmen's Land. Its proposed objects are :— 1. The development of the physical character of the New Zealand group, its natural history, resources, and capabilities, 2. The collection and preservation of materials illustrative of the history of its native inhabitants, their language, customs, poetry and traditions. 3. The publication of such papers on these and other subjects as may be deemed by the Council of sufficient importance. 4. The formation of a library of standard works, and of a museuia in illustration of th# abore subjects. 5. The establishment, in the Sister Settlements, of Corresponding Societies in furtherance of the above oU jects. The formation of the Society is attributed mainly lo the exertions Mr. Man tell. Sir George Grey was elected the first President, "not so much,* 1 (Mr. Mantfix observed in proposing him to the Meeting) " in his capacity as Governor, as for the reputation he ha s deservedly acquired as a man of science and an explorer, by which his name is very generally known in Europe." The annual subscription is One Guinea, and the Society already numbers about eighty members. W. Swainson, Esq., F.R.S. (now absent from the Colony) was elected an Honorary Member. At the Annual Festival of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (On the 24th of June), Sir George Grey was present. The health of «• Brother His Excellency" was received with all honour and cordiality ; and in returning thanks Sir George " exhorted the brethren to persevere in promoting the true and benevolent interests of Masonry." According to the last Market-note, Flour was £35 per ton ; Bread, Bd. the 21bs loaf ; and Potatoes 6s. per cwt.