AND WELLINGTON SPECTATOR.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 49, 20 March 1841, Page 2

AND WELLINGTON SPECTATOR.

Saturday, M.uicii 20, 1841. The New Zealand Journal, of the 10 th October, has au excellent article upon the port which should be S2lected as the s?at of the Government of New Zealand. A»'t*:r a careful review of the relative merits of the respective places which have claimtd public attention, the writer concludes that Eort I Nicholson combines the" greatest number of | the circumstances which should govern the ; person whose duty it is to make a selection I without regarding personal feeling or private I interest. We make the following extracts on this important subject : — But that which has been done ought further to weigh with his Excellency. An orderly population has already been established there — an admirable understanding with the natives prevails, so that the Governor would, by fixi -g his headquarters at Wellington, rally round him a body of people of an extent and character, calculated to give weight and respectability to his Government, which elsewhere it will certainly want. Moreover its establishment in a spot where for many years it must languish, will even draw upon it invidious comparisons by no means complimentary to the Local or Metropolitan Government. It is not always deemed necessary that the commercial metropolis and the capital are one and the same. In America, it seldom happens that they are. New York, for instance, admirably situated for commerce, is not central, and therefore yields to Albany as a proper site for the State city. But Port Nicholson unites the necessary qualifications of a seat of Government and of a commercial emporium ; and if it be not chosen for the first, nothing can prevent its becoming the commercial metropolis, not merely of New Zealand, but of all the southern colonies. We know of no forcing process — no "royal road " by which a city can be made to grow into importance at an ineligible spot ; and should Captain Hobson be smitten with the small ambition of originating the seat of Government, he will assuredly meet with bitter disappointment by reason of the struggling, ricketty growth of his offspring. We hope, however, he will have the wisdom to take advantage of existing circumstances, by establishing his Government where convenience and good policy dictate. Under any circumstances, we happen to know, the Company's officers are instructed to afford the Governor every possible facility in carrying out the views of the Government ; and we do think that he would neither consult the interests of the colony and the mother-country, nor the convenience of the Government, by "going further " and, according to our view, " faring worse." Our contemporary has fallen into a great error. He innucently imagiaes that Cupt. Hobson aims at being the impartial ruler of her Majesty's subjects in these Islands. We earnestly hoped so for a considerable time. Indeed, long after we felt there was no further ground for hope — disliking to show the suspicions which, had arisen in our minds — we continued to abstain from evincing the conviction f oread upon us, — that we were and should be dealt with by Capt.

Hobson's Government, as a community unentitled to the support or sympathy of a British Governor. And it will be seen, by our journal, that silence was preserved until 'a most hostile attack was made upon our prosperity, b)* using, to deprive us of our fellow-colonists. Government promises, and a portion of a loan which will not be chargeable upon Auckland, but upon the general revenue of these Islands, the greater portion of which, without doubt, will be raised by customs upon the trade in. this settlement. It is hardly possible to magnify the wrong done us in this proceeding. By it we were first deprived of services introduced to the settlement at our expence ; next we have before us the repayment of the loan with which the act of injustice was committed ; and, finally, a conviction is created that we have to maintain a Government which will avail itself of every opportunity of injuring a community from which it must obtain the greater part of its pecuniary support. Before this will arrive in England, our contemporary will have had but too much reason for acknowledging an error into which he has very naturally fallen. Capt. Hobson's conduct will have convinced him that he has no desire to be regarded as the Governor of New Zealand. And we may and, as further evidence, that no other conclusion could be drawn from the language add conduct of every person — with one honorable exception — in any way connected with Captain Hobson's Government ; they have uniformly exhibited the mo.«t paltry-ill-will towards, and contemptible jealousy of the settlers introduced under the auspices of the New Zealand Company. We owe every thing to Sir George Gipps' generous interference; without "his manly and energetic conduct, all undertakings would nave remained suspended, which we know was the purpose aimed at by the Auckland rulers. Sir George Gipps' decision put every thing in motion, and we have now a large and promising town arising. That this has been gall and wormwood to our opposing Government, expressions used at that time by its members, respecting the interference of Sir Gaorge Gipps, as it was called, are sufficient proof.

Captain Hobson appears in two characters — as Governor of New Zealand, by the appointment of her Majesty, and as Governor, by selection, or from choice, of Auckland. Such is the inverted order of his ambition, that we greatly question whether he vould not prefer being addressed as His Excellency Captain William Hobson, Go^ ernor of the mighty and promising province of Auckland, to being merely designated Governor of tb^e Islands of New Zealand ; though our contemporary refers to the possibility of our Governor desiring to have a town of his own, only to refute it. The fact is, Captain Hobson is inspired with that desire — he, too, would be a creator. Be it so. The union of the power of his Excellency, and the interest, energy, and menns of the New Zealand Company was most desirable ; and the Company and their Ageut backed by the settlers, did their best, though unsuccessfully, to bring it about. The settlers of Port Nicholson will, however, use their best endeavours, not only to prevent attacks being made upon them by a Government of which they must become the main sup port, but to obtain those advantages which they had a right to anticipate upon the assertion of British authority. Of the result, if there is to be rivalry between the two settlements, we have no doubt. Capt. Danlop, of H. M. S. Fuvourite, we have been informad, has reoorted, in bis quarterly return, that Port Nicholson is the finest harbour in New Zealand ; anrl though our Governor has located the Government at Waitemata, without visiting this central position, or sending a competent person to report upon its merits, we would rather be here, aided and encouraged by the merchant princes of London, than at Auckland, with no other than the feeble support of an infant Colonial Govdrnment, rendered more feeble by having a dispersed -and divided population, while a condensed an,d unanimous CoLny was within its power, had the Governor been possessed of the wisdom requisite to manage the important interests confided, at an unhappy hour, to his charge.

The barque Lady Nugent, Captain Santry, arrived on Wednesday last, with two hundred and thirty-eight immigrants, and a considerable quantity of cargo. She left Gravesend on the 21st and the Downs on the 25th October ; having made a very long passage, she put into riobatt Town on the 27th February, to obtain a supply of water, and sailed again on the sth of March for Port Nicholson. On the passage here, four adults and twelve children died, and seven children were born. She couse-

quently lands nine less in number than she embarked. While at Hobart Town, every argument which could be thought of was used to induce the emigrants to abandon the expedition, but without success, even in a solitary case.

The Lord Sidmouth had recently arrived, and, it is said, did not hesitate to add to the iniquitous falsehoods so freely circulating in Van Dieman's Land concerning this place. Doubtless their author was the worthy super-cargo, Mr. Hall, who left this, for* getting to return a new suit of black clothes wh'ch he borrowed from a gentleman here to go to a ball in, and to pay a large bill he incurred at Barrett's Hotel, not to mention sundry other trifling unsettled accounts. Lady Franklin will, however, do us justice ; and no better testimony can be offered of her opinion, than the fact that previously to leaving us, she requested a gentleman here to make a purchase of land on her behalf.

The Lady Nugent was spoken to on Christmas-day, by Captain Tate. of the ship Parland, bound to Calcutta. Captain Tate left Glasgow on the 10th of November, and seated that news had been received of the dismissal of Thiers, and that Louis Phillippe had, without any difficulty, formed a Ministry quite to his satisfaction. Our files of English papers are to the 1 8th of October, and lead us to apprehend war was about to happen among the civilized powers of Europe. Throughout, Louis Phillipe seems to have steadily determined to maintain peace, while his Minister was equally determined the other wav , and we feared success would attend the terrible excitement his proceedings had occasioned. This has been a victory of the King over h»s Minister, in which all who love peace upon honourable terms may rejoice, for we think we may rest assured that, in this triumph, all occasion for anxiety respecting the relations between France and England is dispelled.

Capt. Hobson's ProjUmition, asserting the Queen's sovereignt over -ill Ninv Zealand had been published in the Lond'm Gazette, and had iriven great satisfaction. Since then the New Zealand Company hadb^enin communication with the colonial ministers, and it had been hoped that the tesultof the friendly relations now existing between the Government and the Company would have been forwarded by the last arrival. Private letters we have seen are of the most satisfactory nature; their authors are quire conident ih.it the Company would immediately be granted a charter, under which they would become (he grand directors of tie col mization of New Zealand. The advantage of a body of lersons superintending v particular interest has been recently made manifest to Lord John Ri-se'l by the state of South Australian affairs. That Colony Has by mis-smanagemeut received a check in its prosperity from which it w.ll, we fear, take some years to recover. And we arc assured that it is not improbable a special South Australian Commission will be again created as the best means of re-inspiring confidence and relieving that Colony from its prese it overwhelming embarrassments. The Company's Charter, it w,is expected, would be granted early in November, in which case a vessel would be dispatched to bea* the glad tidings to this settlement at the earliest possible moment, and the most vigorous exertions made to advance our prospects by all legitimate means in the power of tha Company.

Extract from a private letter dated London October 9 : —

'" You will have seen in the papers advertisements and proceedings respecting the Church S >ciety, with reference to a Bishop for New Zealand. The missionaries do not like this; Dandison Coates and Stephen have done every thing in their power to thwart the scheme, but to no purpose; for I have just heard privately that Lord John Russeil has written to the Archbishop of Canterbury to recommend a fit and proper person of learning and piety to fill the see of New Zealand. The Archbishop has requested that the matter may remain in suspense a few days until he returned to town, as the New Zealand Company having made so liberal an endowment are entitled to be consulted, and to have the Bishop resident at their principal settlement. Now this is very important, as it makes Wellington the metropolis (an ecclesiastical term) of New Zealand. There can be no doubt but that it will be t.h&grea r commercial emporium, and if in the face of all this, Captain Hobson makes the seat of Government at the Thames, it must be a little place, and therefore a great laughing stock "

Private letters from London state that John Hutt, Esq., is to leave the Government of Western Australia, and succeed Colonel Gawler at South Australia. Mr. Hutt appears to have had the good fortune to introduce to Wesicrn Australia a sound system of colonization, opposed in the early stage of its reformation by nearly all the settlers who were until recently desperately blind to their own interest; and at the same time to have advanced in favour at the Colonial Office. While we are glad that so valuable a public servant is meeting with reward, we regret that Western Australia, at the moment a new an i bright career was opening to her, should be deprived of bis valuable services, and protection. It appears that Governor Gawl.T has been recalled for Iviving overdrawn some £200,000, of which the Treasury have thought it proper to allow .€30,00J to be protested for non-acceptance. The same private letter.* regret the r<ig:> with which land speculations have been carried on in the other colonies, and express a hope th.it the colonists of Port Nicholson will have shown more moderation

in their desire for wealth. It will be most gratifing to our English friends to find that this settlement has abstained from all speculation, and has been taunted for being patient, prudent, and painstaking. Indeed it is plain to us that the general conduct and tone of this community will meet the warmest approbation of our English supporters. Had they laid down a plan of their views, the conduct of the settlers could not have more completely corresponded.

E. Halswell, Esq., F.R.S., a gentleman long known to persons taking an interest in the proper colonization of New Zealand, has arrived in the Lady Ntigent, as Protecter of the Aborigines, and it was expected this appointment by the Company would shortly be confirmed by the Government.

The road from Wellington to Xi Warra Warra is nearly completed, and is a credit to the Colony. Sufficient improvements having been made from thence to Petoni, to enable foot passengers and horses to pass conveniently at all times of tide, the road party are now engaged upon the road from Xi Warra Warra to Porirua. This is as it should be, and we hope in a few weeks to be able to announce that the road is thoroughly practicable the whole distance. One step more, and the country, from this to Taranaki, a distance of two hundred miles, mostly through fertile districts, will be practicable the whole distance. That step is the survey and completion of the road from Porirua twelve miles onwards. From what we hear, this is ah undertaking which, fortunately for this young Colony, will not require much outlay.

We perceive that the building for the Library and Exchange, near Thorndon Flat, is nearly completed, and hope in a few days to be able to announce that it is open for the use of its subscribers. Sufficient money having been subscribed, an Exchange Room, for commercial purposes, is about to be erected on Taranaki Sq'iare. We believe it is the intention of the subscribers, at no distant date, to connect therewith a Club House for the general accommodation of gentlemen resident at this cad of the Bay. In the meantime, Mi. Waitt has kindly placed a portion of his new store at the disposal of the members of this Institution; who having arranged for an immediate simply of papers and periodicals, will open it on Monday next. Members and subscribers have the power of introducing any number of strangers.

We believe the Steam Mill Company will erect their mills upon fin acre the property of Mr. liiddiford, adjoining the acre upon which th<- «.fnre of Messrs. Rhodes and Co:np;iny and the Gazette Office stand. It is a vi-ry suitable 1 uul fur the purpose, and we doubt if a better site could be selected.

Captain Rhodes, of the firm of Rhodes and Company, has erected a whin f in front of his 8 .'iv, in the rear of Muiners-street. This is the iiist wharf built at Wellington ; it is substantial, and has four feet at low ami nine feel at high water. Captain Rhodes has been so liberal as to stiite that the public are at liberty to make use of it, free of expence. This is a privilege for which many will "be thankful, and of which wp ibt not most persons resident at this end of the Bay will avail th 'mseJves. Messrs. Ruigway, Guyton, and Earp are preparing to erect a substantial wharf opposite their premises; and we understand Messrs. Waitt and Cuiline have, in conjunction with Msssrs. Partridge and Co., in contemplation running out a jetty opposite tlieir premises. A wharf is also about to be run out near Barretts Hotel, at the expence of several pnterprir.ing gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Thorn don Flat. The moderate expence at which these several important works cm be completed, will prove that great value may be given to property in this harbour at a trifling outlay.

An able correspondent, under the signature or Homo, has answered through the columns of the Courier, the appeals made with such noble sympathy by the Launceston Advertiser, in favor of robbing Port Nicholson of its population. In this letter, which will be found in tinsupplement^ Homo supports our opinion of the impropriety of inducing our population to remove themselves from a Colony untainted by felonry, to the only Colony now retained in a penal state by the mother country. Homo justly doubts the extent of the sufferings described, as the lot of persons resorting to this place, by those who have left us. He may be assured that the testimony of the class is of all, the most doubtful. Such detractors always feel it necessary, as a vindication of their own folly' or unreasonableness, to abuse the place which for their own interest, through fickleness, they have been too easily induced to abandon. We are convinced if Homo could look in upon the settlement, he would agree with us in the statement we have found it necessary to reiterate, that privation has not been known here to the extent experienced by settlers daily arriving in all the old Colonies without exception ; never indeed have a body of settlers suffered less than tne colonists of Port Nicholson. Many would believe it had been established some years, instead of having just witnessed its first anniversary.

. All the cabins or the several vessels loading m England for this port, are said to have been engaged prior to the sailing »f the Lady Nugent.

Many complaints have arrived by the Lady Mugenttf not having received letters and papers, and it has been therefore assumed that they nnve n«t been forwarded. This is not the case — "s tar as the paper is concerned ; it has been sent by every opportunity, and frequently in duplicate and triplicate. For some time we even sent it to many strangers who had not oecome subscribers, but have now ceased doing so ; and have determined not to send another Paper out of the Colony, without the payment i«r the same is ,-irranged for at this place.

Nt m! ??Y 1D me do 1t '~ a "ingular arrest has been made Mi. h?ii i ans ' ,n, n . ame 'y' that of a good-looking man, n tmed fnv, I , ' dressed «> female attire. He liad officiate'" d arinjr tcvtrai voyages as chambermaid in the ladies' ca! in of a th,,,,! beIWL ; e J n Havre and New Orleans.— [What a book ws man could write.}