POLICE OFFICE.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 6, 16 May 1840, Page 3

POLICE OFFICE.

May 13. — James King was charged before Geo. Samuel Evans, Esq., D.C.L., and Major Baker, with having violently assaulted William Allen at Thorndon, on Saturday last. Bound over in the sum of £50, and two sureties in the sum of £25 each, to answer any indictment that may be preferred against him in the Courts of this District before any lawful authority, and to keep the peace towards the prosecutor and all other persons for the term of six calendar months.

We have reason to believe that a map of the town will be exhibited by the SurveyorGeneral, in about one month. A few days will be allowed to compare it with the site of the town, when the delivery of the lands will commence, and we hope by this time six weeks will have been completed. Contracts for cutting roads six feet wide up the valley, were taken by Mr. George White and Mr. Deans. These gentlemen have been actively engaged upon their contracts during the last ten days, and in a few weeks parties will, we trust, find they can proceed a considerable distance up the valley of the Hutt. Nearly fifteen hundred shares of the stock in the Port Nicholson Bank have already been subscribed for in this place and Thorndon. The Pickwick Club of New Zealand. — A Club, under the above designation, has been formed, and holds its meetings at Mr. W. Elsdon's Commercial Inn and Tavern. It has already a considerable number of members. To our friends in England, this cannot fail to awaken the most pleasing sensations ; as it tends to prove, that in this remote region of the globe — this land of savages — Englishmen relish the inimitable works of "Boz," and that they desire to spread the fame of the author in this their adopted land.

On Tuesday evening last, the first meeting of

the Club took place, when the rules and regulations were submitted to the members, and agreed to without a dissentient voice. Several toasts were given from the chair, among others — " the health of the Queen of Great Britain," — " Col. Wakefield, and the New Zealand Land Company," — " Prosperity to the settlement in Port Nicholson," were enthusiastically cheered. We must not neglect the opportunity to speak in terms of approbation of the manner in which " mine host " has provided for the comforts of his patrons. The fitting up of his room, — in the present infant state of the Colony, and in the absence of those conveniences so readily I procured in England, — is really a credit to f him.

The Timber Trade. — Within the last six

months, the price of timber has been raised upwards of 30 per cent. And unless the

Government interfere, before six month's more the price of timber will be 30 per cent higher

still. The Squatting Act is the cause of this. By the Squatting Act, it is provided, that no sawyer can cut in any district without a license ; and that if he run away, a new license must not only be taken out, but paid for a second time. By this arrangement, the tax becomes too heavy, and distresses the trade. Upwards of five hundred sawyers have left the Colony and gone to New Zealand and South Australia, in consequence of which, the sawyers who remain, have demanded a rise of pay, and demanded it twice because there is a greater de-

mand for sawn stuff than they can supply, all which might have been avoided by the Squatting Act enacting, that a sawyer running away, his license being endorsed at the license office, should be transferred to his successor without expence, provided the original license had been paid for by a master. — Sydney paper.

The American Squadron reported by the " Vincennes," American frigate, reached as far as lat. 76° 0' S., passed the Island reported to have been seen by the " Antartic," schooner, of New York. Afterwards they pushed as far South as possible, when (in the above latitude) they discovered a Continent ranging from North to South, and we have no doubt had it not been for the accidents which occurred to this vessel and the " Peacock," together with missing the brig " Porpoise," and the schooner " Flying-Fish," they would have tried to discover a Northern passage. The land was very low compared with the height of the ice, which was about 100 feet above the level of the sea. Many persons think that this land is a continuation of that seen by Enderby. Tins will not detract from the exertions of the Squadron, but the discovery will still belong to Enderby.