The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 680, 20 October 1852, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Be just and fear not • Let all the ends thou aim'st at, be thy Country's, Thy God's, <uirt Truth's.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, OCT. '20, 1852.

IMPORTANT ENGLISH NEWS (to the 3rd of July). — PASSING OF THE NEW ZEALAND BILL. -PROROGATION AN]) DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.— THE OUEEN' SPEECH.

The Abyssinia, which has called at our port on her way from Newcastle to California, has brought no mail, but by the kindness of Captain Gordan, and Mr. J. J. Soulhgatc (of the firm of Southgalc and Co,, San Francisco), we ha>e received several Sydney and Melbourne newspapers. They do not form anylhing like a connected file, but we arc enabled to gather from them some most important matter,— especially j the fact flitch is plainly to be inferred from j Her Majesty's Speech, that the New Zealand Constitution measure had passed through Parliament and received the Royal Assent. As we cannot find any other information in our colonial contemporaries on this subject of (to us) paramount interest, we are left in entire ignorance of the particular shape in which the Bill ultimately became law; but that, in 'some form, it now is law, seems to be placed beyond all doubt by the terms in which the Queen referred to it,—" the representative native institutions, which, in concert with you, / have sanctioned for New y calami:' To have to wait now for an indefinite time before we can know its proVisions, will be a trial of patience more severe than many of which on former occasions we have complained : but there is no help for it. With respect, however, to the most practically urgent matter— the infliction of the New Zealand Company's debt— we can scarcely venture to hope that we have escaped thai; and the interval which will elapse before we learn the details of the arrangement finally adopted, need not be lost. Consultations and preparations may take place—to be promptly acted on so soon as a copy of the measure shall arrive, so as that such representations as may be practicable to procure the release of New Ulster from the monstrous impost may reach home early in the Session of 1855. Parliament was prorogued on the Ist of July in person. The following is a copy of.

Him Majesty*. Speech. My Lords and Gentlemen, — I am induced by considerations of public policy to release you at an earlier period than usual from jour legislative duties. The zeal and diligence, however, with which you have applied yourselves to your Parliamentary labours have enabled me in this comparatively short session to give my assent to many measures of high importance, and, 1 trust, of great and paramount advantage. I receive from all foreign powers assurances that they are animated by the most friendly disposition towards this country, and I entertain a confident hope that the amicable relations happi y subsisting between the principal European states may be so firmly established as, under Divine Providence, to secure to the world a long continuance of the blessings of peace. To this great end my attention will be unremittingly directed. „ . 1 rejoice that the final settlement of the afl.-uis ofHoistein and Sehleswig, by the general concurrence of the powers chiefly interested, htis removed one cause of recent difference and futuiis anxiety. - ... The amicable termination of the discussion-, which have taken place between the Sublime Porte and the Pacha of Egypt, affords a guarantee for the tranquillity of the East, and encouiagcmcnt for the extension of commercial enterprise. Tho refuoal, on the part of the King of Ayr., of redress justly demanded for insults and injuruv-. offered to my subjects at Rangoon, has necessarily led to an interruption of friendly relations with that Sovereign. The promptitude and vi-

gotir with which the Governor- General of India has taken the measures thus rendered unavoidable, have merited my entire approbation : and I am confident that you will paiticipnte in the satisfaction with which I have observed the conduct of all the naval and military forces, European and Indian, by whose valour and discipline the important captures of Rangoon and Martaban have been accomplished, and in the hope which I entertain that these signal successes may lead to an early and honourable peace Treaties have been concluded by my naval commanders with the King of Dahomey, and all the African chiefs, whose rule extends along the Bight of Benin, for the total abolition of the slave trade, which is at present wholly suppressed upon that coast. I have had great satisfaction in giving my assent to the measures which you have wisely adopted for the better organization of the militia, — a constitutional force, which, being limited to purposes of internal defence, can aflbrd no just ground of jealousy to neighbouring powers ; but which, in the event of any sudden and unforeseen disturbance of my foreign relations, would at all times contribute eventually to the protection and security of my dominions. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, — I thank you for the liberal provision which you have made for the exigences of the public service. The expenditure which you have authorised shall be applied with a due regard to economy and efficiency. The recent discoveries of extensive gold fields have produced in the Australian colonies a temporary disturbance of society, requiring prompt attention. I have taken such steps as appeared to me most urgently necessary for the mitigation of this serious evilI shall continue anxiously to watch the important results which must follow from these discoveries. I have willingly concurred with you in an act which by rendering available to the services of those colonies, the portion arising within them of the hereditary revenue placed at the disposal of Parliament on my accession to the throne, may enable them to meet their necessarily increased expenditure. My Lords and Gentle nen, — I have gladly assented to the important bills which you have passed for effecting reforms long and anxiously desired, in the practice and proceedings of the superior courts of law and equity, and generally for improving the administration of justice. Every measure which simplifies the forms and diminishes the delay and expences of legal proceedings, without introducing uncertainty of decisions, impairing the authority of the courts, or lowering the high standard of the judicial bench, is a valuable boon conferred upon the community at large. I hope that the measures which you have adopted for promoting the extramural interment of the dead, and for improving the supply of water, may be found effectual for the remedy of evils, the existence of which has long been a reproach to thi& great metropolis, and may conduce to the health and comfort of its inhabitants. The extension of popular rights and legislative powers to my subjects resident in the colonies is always to me an object of deep interest ; and I trust that their representative native institutions, which in concert with you I have sanctioned for New Zealand, may promote the welfare and contentment of that distant but most interesting colon3 r , and confirm their loyalty and attachment to my crown. It is my intention, without delay, to dissolve this present Parliament ; and it is my earnest prayer that, in the exercise of the high functions which, according to our free constitution, will dey volve upon the several constituencies, they mabe directed by an all -wise Providence to the selection of representatives whose wisdom and patriotism may aid me in my increasing endeavours to sustain the honour and dignity of my crown, to uphold the Protestant institutions of the country, and the civil and religious liberty which is their natural result — to extend and improve national education— to develope and encourage industry and .science, and to elevate the moral and social condition, and thereby promote the welfare and happiness of my people. Preparations were being made for the Royal visit to Scotland. The celebrated case of the "Queen v. Newman"—being the charge of libel preferred by the Rev. Dr. Achilli against the Rev. Dr. Newman —had been tried before Lord Campbell and a Special Jury. The trial, which occupied four days, and engaged the highest legal talent, terminated by a verdict for the Crown, and of course against Dr. Newman. The Prospectus had been issued of a New Banking Company for Australia, to be called the "Royal Australian Banking and Gold j Importing Company." John Macgregor, Esq., M.L\, was Chairman. News from Paris of the 2nd of July states the discovery of a plot against Louis Napoleon's life. The conspirators, who were in correspondence with London refugees, were engaged in the construction of an infernal ! machine said to be of great power and certainty of effect. Twenty-four persons had been arrested. The Sydney Herald of the 29th nit., gives the following summary ;— "By the bhamrock we have English news to the 3rd July. . "The emigration mania continued, but the principal stream was directed to Port Phillip. It will be seen by our shipping intelligence immense numbers of people were arriving at Melbourne. Great distress prevailed there from the impossibility of procuring any kind of shelter. Thousands of people, many of them women and children, were exposed to the weather, which unfortunately was most unpropitions. There was also much fear of food rising to something like famine prices from the general neglect of the ' crops and the vast influx of population. The Melbourne Herald says that intimation had boon I received by the Government that ninety thousand people were to be sent out to the Australias in the months of July and August ; hut we feel confident this must be a mistake, as it would require an expenditure of at least X 1,000,000 which is about three times as much as the Government had at its disposal for emigration purposes. A private letter, dated London, June 24th, says, that on the previous two days there had been upwards of 30,000 applications to the Commissioners for free passages. Not only were many additional large ships laid on, but the Great Britain, Sarah Sands, and Cleopatra, steam-ships, all to sail in August, and all due therefore within the next four or five weeks. "Parliament was prorogued by the Queen on the Ist July, and dissolved directly afterwards. The elections were to take place about the end ot July. It will be seen that the discovery of the Australian gold fields is prominently noticed, and that an Act of Parliament had been passed giving up any eLiim for royalties on the part ot Her Majesty. , . " There had been a discussion in the House ot Lords on the Grievance Petition, from the Legislative Council, when Earl Grey expressed his opinion that the grievances of the colony were exaggeinted." The Legislative Council of New South Wales had adjourned from the 2nd instant, to Ihe 23rd of November, to afford time for the remodelling of ihe Estimates rendered necessary by Sir John Pakinglon's Despatch placing ihe gold re\enuc under the control

of the Count il. The form of ad ourumcnl inslead of pn rogation was adopt fid in order 1 that the Select Coiniiiiltecs might be at liberty lo continue their sittings in ihe interval. The last Act of the Council before adjourning was to affirm ils agreement with messages from the Governor-General recommending thai provision should be made for the pay and r insistence of the additional troops expccled lo arriso from England, and that an augmentation ofallowanccsbegranfed to the officers and pi hates serving in the colony. The Colonial Secretary's motion to this effect was carried by a majority of 24 to 9. The Daniel Webster had arrived in Sydney on (lie srd instant. Amongst some paragraphs of Auckland Shipping News, the Empire has the following :— The Jos ph Fletcher, barque, Captain Foster, fiom London, arrived nt Auckland on the 30th of August, with a general cargo and passengers. Air'ong theiatter were David Rough, Esq , and staff, the former gentleman having been lately appointed Superintendent of the Northern Division of New Zealand, under Sir John Pakington's Bill Our Sydney contemporary might have known, from statements prcuously given in his own columns, that this story could not he true. For— passing by the improbability that an appointment would be made under a Bill which might never become law— by the last accounts Sir John Pakington proposed that the office of Superintendent should be elective; and even had this alteration been negatived and the original scheme enacted, the Superintendents were to be appointed, not by the Colonial Office, but by the Governor of the colony. Indeed, Sir John d>\elt forcibly on I his very point in his first speech on the subject. The Melbourne Argus of the 7th ult. contains a long and elaborate article on the condition of liie colony, written with a view to its transmission by the steamer Clmsan. Gold necessarily forms the loading topic, and, ■with all our previous information on the productiveness of the gold-fields in Victoria, we cannot but be startled at the assertion that the total of the yield of the precious metal up to that date amounted to 2,552,422 ounces, or 105 tons, 10 cwt., 52 lbs. 2oz. Astounding as this total is, the Argus gives figures which go a considerable way towards piwing it beyond dispute,— by adding to the amount actually shipped (1,240,528 ounces) and the amount actually deposited in known places, (as the Treasury, the Banks, the Private Escort Company, and the Adelaide Assay Office) the probable amount exported in private custody, remaining in private hands in Melbourne and Geclong, or still in the hands of diggers, * c. But there is another and a darker side to this picture, which should be steadily contemplated by those who are in danger of being dazzled by these glittering representation. The Argus proceeds to describe the "Social condition" of Victoria in language to which no comment of ours could add any force:— Deeply interested as we are in the welfare of the Colony, and naturally tenacious of its character, it is with the most sincere sorrow that we confess that its present condition in a social point of view, is almost as bad as it well can be. Apart from the natural effects of a rich gold country in drawing together a population of at least a very adventurous character, our near neighbourhood to the island into which Great Britain so recklessly persists in pouring the criminals from her crowded gaols, lias very seriously affected the composition of our community. From this source many thousands of the greatest wretches alive have reached our shores, and the tone thereby imparted to our society is one which every good citizen must painfully deplore. Added to this, a negligent, feeble, and incompetent Government has by its laxity, its parsimony, and its absolute imbecility, so complicated aid fomented the evils around us, that the social constitution of the Colony is in the mest wretched condition. Crimes of the most fearful character and degree abound on all sides ; the roads swarm with bushrangers ; the streets with burglars and desperadoes ot every kind. In broad daylight, and' in our most public streets, men have been knocked down, ill-used and robbed ; and shops have been invaded by armed ruffians, who have " stuck up" the inmates and rifled the premises, even situated in crowded thoroughfares. # At night, men dare not walk the streets, and thieves appear to be so thick upon the ground and to be so unceasing in their operations, that we feel certain they must often rob each other. Murders of the most frightful character have become so numerous that they scarcely excite attention for a day, and such is the inefficiency of our police system that scarcely, since the foundation of the Colony, has any one perpetrator of premeditated murder been brought to justice. The police are cowed, or leagued with the actors in the outrages ; witnesses and prosecutors are bribed or intimiditated from appearing ; the administration of the law is fast sinking into contempt ; case after case is so confused with perjury and cross-swearing that the facts' ave entirely hidden; jurors are so scared with' the condition of things around, that they are only too eager to return unfavorable verdicts, but this disposition is so complicated by the gross incapacity of one at least of the principal law officers of the Crown, that the results are most disastrous. It is a shocking thing to say it, but we really believe that in many of the cases adjudicated upon in our criminal courts, what with perjury, the absence of witnesses, the fears of panic-stricken jurors, and the blunders of those who conduct the prosecutions, no m<^resubstantial ju&tice is administ^r^,^TOTi^vTraia-TJc-TiroTm u cases were left to the chance decision of a tossup." We have all the evils of Lvnch-law without its vigour and its promptitude, and a very considerable portion of the community makes no ceremony of advocating the introduction of that barbarous and sanguinary practice. This is doubtless a painful picture. It is, alas, too true a one : we wish that we could soften its tints, or colour it a little more brightly. But we have shown the advantages of the Colony ; we cannot honestly suppress its evils. We write to inform; not to mislead ; and whatever the aspect of the Colony, our duty at present is simply to describe it.

GOLD, The arrival of Mr. Ring, on Saturday, from his prospecting lour, and the fact that he has presented to the committee specimens of ourifcrous quartz, and of gold dust said to have been discovered by him in the vicinity of Coiomandel Harbour, in the estuary of the river Thames, ! has raised the particular excitement hitherto I prevailing amongst our colonists on this subject 1 (o fever heat. His claim has been duly recorded I bv the committee and his statements have had sufficient weight with that body lo induce them to send a deputation ol inquiry to the locality indicated, in order thai the pnblic anxiety may be, as soon as possible, set at rest upon this mo"^rhrMhoJiicrVwrfMie, *liich lias Avith much public spirit been placed at the disposal of the

Committee for this purpose by Mr. W. S. Grahame, sailed for the " diggings" on Monday evening, and by the end of the week we may expect a report of progress. The samples produced were small in quantity, which is accounted for by Mr. King from the fact of his wanting proper tools to prosecute a more complete search, and from a natural anxiety to lodge, with Ihe least loss of time, his tlaim for the promised reward. Sir. Ring is an old colonist, well known in Auckland, and although the fact of the existence of a gold field in our vicinity rested almost solely upon his testimony, sufficient reliance seems to have been placed upon his credibility to induce the belief amongst the majority of our townsmen (hat the discovery is mi fait accompli. Mr. Thompson, of the Osprey Inn, returned )asl evening from a prospecting tour, bringing with him a small specimen of native gold, said to have been found in the same neighbourhood as Mr. Ring's. The Native Secretary, Major Nugent, with his Chief Clerk and Interpreter, Mr. Johnson, have been despatched by the Lieu tenant-Governor to the scene of operations, and utmost anxiety is shewn by the Executive to be prepared for a crisis of which it would be impossible to exaggerate the danger and the importance. Before we enter upon a description of what ought or ought not to be done under contingencies which may never arise, we await the report of the Committee winch, in all probability, before our next issue will have been given to the public.