New Zealand Colonist. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1842.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 28, 4 November 1842, Page 2

New Zealand Colonist. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1842.

The late arrivals from England have brought us papers up to the 13th June. There is little of novelty or interest in the public intelligence; but there are i amours with regard to the New Zealand Company of a very unexpected character. It is stated that the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Somes, and Mr. E. G. Wakefield, with another Director whose name wc have not heard, have resigned. The reports which have reached us as to the cause of this resignation arc vague and not very consistent. It appears that Mr. Wakefield conceived the opposition and coldness of the Secretary for the Colonies would oppose serious difficulties to the progress of the Company, and that he, therefore, proposed to call the Shareholders together, and to dissolve the Company. This advice was rejected, and the consequence of this difference of opinion wa3 his resignation, and of that of the Chairman. We believe, however, that the retirement of these gentlemen will not in any degree check the efforts of the Directors. The arrangements for the establishment of the Loan Company are completed, and a very short time will probably see.it in full operation in the Colony ; and we are also in-

formed that the Company propose to devote an adequate sum to the construction of roads in this district. Should these reports prove well founded, we shall speedily be relieved from the most pressing difficulties under which we have hitherto labored.

Until we are informed more fully of the causes which haVe led to the retirement of Mr. Wakefield, we will not pronounce any opinion upon the subject. We cannot, however, but

feel that it argues a want of confidence either in tlie resources of the Colony, or in the diameter of the Colonists, which could hardly have existed had the Company been fully informed of the real circumstances of the Settlement. Wc fear that this may not be the only nor the worst result of the miserable distractions which were so long kept alive in this place for the purpose of gratifying ii paltry feeling of animosity, or of serving purposes of selfish aggrandizement. If it had been known how very little importance was attached, by the body of the Colonists, to the movements of a few intemperate or designing individuals, and in how very slight a degree the acts or neglects of the Government affected our progress or our prosperity, this could hardly have happened. But to procure, if possible, the recal of Captain Hobson, the friends of the Colony, in England, were taught to believe that our very existence was involved in the struggle ; and in this division in the Councils of the Company we witness the first result.

For the rest, it is gratifying to learn that there appears still a very decided opinion in England in favour of this Colony, and that among the emigrants already on their way to our settlement arc many persons of intelligence, enterprise, and capital.