NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 12, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 40, 12 July 1845, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, July 12, 1845.

We are greatly concerned to be obliged this week to record the total loss of the barque Tyne, Capt. Robertson, off the Riina Ripa rocks, between the entrance to Ohiro and Terawitte. The Tyne left Gravesend on the 24th Februarylast, and had a favourable voyage : the only casualty that occurred previous to her arrival in Cook's Straits was the loss of one of the apprentices, who fell overboard, and was unfortunately drowned. On Thursday morning, the 3d instant, at daybreak, Stevens'. lsland was seen, which was the first latfd in New Zealand made by Capt. Robertson, and at 6 p. m. he was off Cape Terawitte. Early the next -rooming it blew a gale from the S. E., which increased during the day, and was accompanied with rain and a thick fog that rendered it impossible to see more than a short distance round the vessel. At 5 p. m., the gale still continuing, land was seen on the weather bow, and the ship was immediately put about ; when the rocks were discovered, and immediately afterwards she struck : the main and fore masts were cut away, and in this state she was driven further in shore. The after cabins were very shortly under water, and the bulk heads were washed away. The afflicting intelligence was not received in Wellington until Saturday afternoon, when every effort was immediately jnade by the inhabitants to render all the assistance in their power. The 96th, under Capt. Eyton, and the militia under the command of their respective tfficers repaired to the spot, and every exertion was made during Sunday to save the lives of hose on board the devoted vessel. For a long ime the efforts to establish a communication rith the shore were ineffectual, the chief mate nth a crew of four men left the wreck in the

cutter for this purpose, but she had proceeded but a very short distance before she was dashed to pieces on • the rocks, the crew being saved with great difficulty by those on shore. At length they happily succeeded in accomplishing their object, and by God's Providence they were all safely landed ; Capt. Robertson being the last man to leave his vessel. As soon as he reached the shore he returned thanks to Almighty God who had so wonderfully preserved him and those under his care from the imminent danger by which they had been surrounded, and shortly afterwards he proceeded j to Wellington. Such is a brief but correct account of this lamentable misfortune. The Tyne was the first vessel which" had renewed our communications with England since the arrival of the Caledonia in February last, and she was anxiously expected y by many who hoped to receive by her, consignments and packages from their friends in England. We are also informed that a considerable sum of money in specie, was on board belonging to the Captain and also to Mr. Selby the only passenger, which would shortly have been put into circulation in this settlement, and have greatly relieved the colonists from the pressure they now suffer from the Governor's depreciated paper. The Tyne would also have immediately received a cargo direct to England, the produce of the shore stations belonging to the merchants of this settlement. J3ut however severe the calamity, we are thankful it has not been attended with the loss of life ; we are thankful it was not an emigrant ship loaded with those who had -embarked their little all for a distant land, and who might have been wrecked almost in sight of the Haven where they desired to be, with the total loss •of their property, which probably would have been uninsured. But we take this opportunity to -remind Capt. Fitzroy that this 'is the "first vessel which has arrived from England since his withdrawal of the miserable pittance allowed for a pilot. While the colony has been reduced under his rule to extreme inanition, our efforts paralysed, and our hopes blasted by his withering and blighting influence, the settlers have heard with disgust of his babblings of Marine Surveyors, and of his provision for harbour establishments at Auckland, where there is no trade, while no thought is taken of Wellington or Nelson. They have witnessed the clamorous rapacity of the Official Members of the' Council, struggling for the uttermost farthing of their salaries; but have looked in rain for any effort on their part which might indicate a desire to promote the general good. If his Excellency re-establishes the Customs, (and the greatest amount will be levied in this port) at -least allow us a competent Pilot, and in return, if he wishes it, we can make him a present of an incompetent Superintendent. The efforts of the settlers to Tender assistance were above all praise, and without wishing to make any invidious distinction we may mention Capt. Unthank, Messrs. M'Donogh,>Park/Capt. Eyton, Messrs. C. Mills/ Wallace, Hawkins, and Fitzherbert, Capts. Salmon and Rhodes, as having been particularly active on the occasion. In conclusion, we may be allowed to observe, in the calamity that has befallen him, it must be some alleviation to ' Capt. Robertson to receive the heartfelt sympathy of the settlers, to feel assured that they are witnessss of his having done all that mancoald do in the trying circumstances in which he was placed; and that all classes are anxious to shew their respect and esteem for an old friend who is suffering under so severe a misfortune. Since writing the above, Capt. Robertson has issued a notice of his abandonment of the wreck, so that those who save any part of the cargo will be entitled to salvage, amounting to one third the value of the articles saved. Out of fourteen boxes containing the mail we believe thirteen have been safely brought to shore, including among them, despatches to the Governor of New Zealand. A body of the soldiers and militia have been on duty since Sunday to assist those who have been trying to save the cargo, and to take care of any articles that may be washed on shore.

Ouu English news is encouraging but not of a decided character. The most important is the probability of Captain Fitzroy's recal, which we

receive from so respectable an authority that our readers may consider it as certain. His financial freaks have alarmed the Minister, but he has only learned the "beginning of the end." The following extract from a private letter, with the extracts we have made from the "English papers will show the estimation in which he is held in England :—: — " As the time approaches for the meeting of Parlia1 ment, public indignation against Captain Fitzroy in1 creases ; all the newspapers, both London and provin- * cial are full of charges against him ; Petitions are * getting up against him, the cunning of the Colonial ' office cannot save him. One calls him an idiot, another 1 a madman, and all more universally condemn him than * any Governor of modem times. It is doubted whe1 ther he -will escape with a simple «r«cal ; if the public ' voice continues to swell at the rate it has lately — it is 1 -very probable that whatever proceedings the law allows ' will be taken against him." Rumour speaks of Sir George BaGk as his probable successor. We know little as to the capacity of this gallant officer for making such a governor as the necessities as the colony require ; but we do know that the lolly and imbecility of three naval officers in succession (particularly the last) have reduced -the fortunes of the colonists to so low an ebb, that they would gladly try a man of any other profession. "What we want, to be effectually relieved, is a clear-headed man of business, able and willing to 4;hink and act for himself, and who will determine to surround himself with able and efficient subordinates.: but above all there must be a complete reform in the Colonial Office ; — and the British public appear so convinced of this necessity, that we may reasonably hope so desirable a result may be shortly effected. We may expect important intelligence by the Louisa Campbell, which may possibly bring the decision of the House of Commons. It is also rumoured that the Scotch settlement will be immediately established at Otago, with the sanction of the Home Government, and that three ships may be shortly expected out with emigrants for New Edinburgh. In the debate on the Government financial plans, it was stated by Mr. C. Wood that the importation of lard into Great Britain in 1841, before the alteration of the tariff was only 57 cwt, and in 1844, after the alteration, it was 76,000 cwts. o

We are informed that an assemblage of the natives of the different tribes in the Southern District will be held at Porirua this week, for the purpose of taking into consideration the different questions affecting their interests ; when ■the question of the occupation of the Hutt is expected to be fully discussed. It is supposed that the meeting will be more numerously attended than any that has taken place for the last five years in this portion of the Island. Rauparaha does not intend to take any part in the meeting. A long letter from Heki will also be submitted to the meeting explaining his plans, and inviting the southern tribes to make common cause with him.

The furniture woods sent home in the Bella Marina were selling to advantage, and the New Zealand woods were evidently rising in value, and in the estimation of the public ; but we fear Sir R. Peel's abolition of the duties on foreign fancy wood will have an unfavourable effect on this article as an export.

New Zealand Staves. — The oil shipped in. the Bella Marina, in casks made from the Tawai, by Messrs. Gunn .& Murray of this town, have fully answered the expectations that were entertained of them. We are informed by a gentleman experienced in these matters, who inspected them, that the leakage from them was not more than that from the best English casks. This, with the present demand for New Zealand staves for beef and tallow casks in Sydney, will we hope prove a great encouragement to this branch of industry. We are glad to insert the following letter from Captain Asbridge, of the Bella Marina, to Messrs. Guun & Murray-. — " London, 14th February, 1845. " Messrs. Gunn & Murray : " Gentlemen, — According to your request for 4 me to report on the ton butts made of New Zealand ' wood, and sent to London on board my ship with oil, ' I beg to state that they have turned out the best casks 1 in the ship, and are said to be so by the Surveyors of 1 the Docks. We have had a little leakage, but nothing lof moment ; one cask, from a cork at the end, which 1 you had not seen, as it was not headed. I also find, • the Stividor had been careful in .stowing. " (In haste), I remain, your's sincerely, " Thomas Asbuidge, " Ship Bella Marina." We have also seen other letters from merchants of high standing in London in the oil , trade, who give a very favourable opinion on ; these casks.

The following resolutions relating to sperm and southern oil and bone, is proposed to be moved in Committee on the Customs Acts :—: — Resolved, that from and after the dates specified against the articles undermentioned, the duties of customs now chargeable upon such articles imported in the United Kingdom, shall cease and determine, viz. : — Spermaceti Jan. 1,1849 Sperm oil of foreign fishing . <• „ „ Train oil, or blubber of foreign fishing „ „ Whales'nnsofforeigntakingandnotprohibited 1847

We wish to direct the attention of our agricui--tural readers to the fact, that flour is steadily rising at Sydney, with every prospect of its continuing to rise ; and that the price at Adelaide^ is now about eleven pounds per ton, instead of seven. These facts hold out an encouragement to the cultivators of wheat, as there is a reasonable prospect, under such circumstances, of a rise in the price of wheat here, which is likely to be maintained : and we hope they will stimulate our farmers to increase the amount of wheat in cultivation for the season.

As we believe there is an impression abroad that any person taken in execution under a judgment obtained in the Court of Requests is released from the debt, and from all liability, upon his discharge, after imprisonment for the period mentioned in the warrant ; we subjoin, for the information of the public, an extract from the 29th clause of the Court of Requests ordinance : " When any prisoner shall have been discharged from ' custody under the provisions of this ordinance, he shall • not be liable at any time thereafter to be taken in cxc- ' cution for any debt or sum of money with respect to ' which he shall have been so imprisoned as aforesaid : 1 Provided that, as against the estate and effects of such ' prisoner whatsoever and whensoever, the judgment ' under which he shall have been so imprisoned as afore- ' said shall be «f as full force and effect as if the body of ' such prisoner had never been taken in execution by • virtue thereof."

Extract of a letter from London, dated 20th February 1845 :—: — " The advices which I can give you to-day will be of ' less value when they arrive out, as our Government is 1 mating one step more in advance in the system of free • trade, and until we have a note of the articles to be ' affected, we cannot tell the course they will take. " The principle adopted by Sir Robert Peel 'is to abolish all import duties on raw materials , used in manufactures, and producing but a small ' sum towards the revenue; and he has given notice that ' 430 articles will be at once swept from the tariff, — ' amongst them are cotton wool, staves, furniture woods, 1 most minerals, oils animal and vegetable. Export dv- ' ties altogether to be abolished, also the Excise duty on ' glass, and the duties on sugars to be reduced 10s. per ■* cwt. on colonial, reserving the differential duties on fo- ■* -reign and slave grown. Amongst the articles to come 1 in free, I ought to have mentioned, silk, hemp, flax, •* and yarn or thread, dye stuffs, and all drugs, with very 4 few exceptions. " American lard is here worth 40s. to 41s. per cwt. ' duty paid : it has been bought at New York by last ' accounts at 6f to 6£ cents.per lb. for raw lard, and 1 considerable demand for it. " Tallow— St. Petersburg 38s. to 40s. 9d., South ' American 345. to 405., East India 38s. 9d. to 425., ' Cape 40s. 6d. to 425., Australian 40s. to 41s. 6d., ' North American 355. to 415., Italian 40s. to 425. The 1 duty on this article is 3s. 2d. per cwt. ; it is as yet un1 known whether it will be abolished. " Fish Oils — Our market, is a little moved upwards, * in consequence of the duty being condemned ; and we ■* quote as follow ; sperm j£S2 to jgB3, South Sea i?2B ' to jg3l, pale seal £32 to £52 : 10s."