SUMMARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 496, 1 June 1861, Page 4

SUMMARY.

Since our last Summary we have received news from Taranaki, though not to a very recent period. It appeared in our columns two weeks' since, but we have republished it in our present issue for the information of our readers at a distance. From the tone of some of the journals published in the home country, it appears that they anticipate that the war is concluded, and that the troops will shortly return. The nature of the latest intelligence leads j us to believe that the war is by no means terminated. The; hostile position .assumed by a large portion of the natives, the stopping of the mail and other hostile acts, and the general spreading q£ the > Maori-King movement, indicate that the struggle is not by any means &t an end; ; war at Taranaki may be concluded, but there is undoubtedly, a smouldering fire which ."will break out sooner or later, unless the first 'indications should induce' prompt -and vigorous measures, and the natives- by being thoroughly beaten be convinced that it is useless to oppose- the, Government. In. such a country as New Zealand* and with a race like the Mapriesi it-is, f^sier ta that they shquld be tjarashed thaa ,fo do it,, and it is therefore a'wiatb^.of ctau [gratulation for the settlers/of .OtigO^ that they are so, entirely removed frpmTfthe~pos,--;sibility of having to.take.a&y/acitye^jyctm* the war. ' " ' ' '*"•" *•*Jr * - -. •***-*

"Tile" General" Assembly" -to mee v t on Thursday last, the 30th ult., and our Members with one exception have left for the scene of action. The four Otago representatives are new men, and it is a, source. of sincere regret that Mr. Gillies, who so ably fought our .battles in the last session, should hare been prevented by unavoidable circumstances from again attending. The constant change of members of the House of Representatives which is unavoidable from, the peculiar circumstances of New Zealand, weakens very much the effectiveness of our central Legislature, and renders any positive prediction of the course of events impossible. Our local political institutions have undergone a severe trial, but have come through the ordeal satisfactorily ; the election of Superintendent has resulted in the triumphant return of Major Richardson, by a majority of 103 j over Mr. Macandrew, and of 186 over Mr. M'Master, or within- three of a majority ovei^the other two candidates jointly. It is,. however, a source of regret that the province should have been subjected to the disgrace of having so many of its electors recording-* their votes for so unworthy a candidate as the late' Superintendent, and that too, without one word of explanation having been offered of his malversations, and in* the face of the most conclusive evidence against him. The large majority ovjfc ? Mr. M'Master is too as highly satisfactory*, as showing the determination of the Otago electors to adhere to the principles upon which the colonization of Otago was founded, of maintaining its lands for the oonajtde immigrant, and of affording every possible encouragement to the class of ipall : "farmers; ajj $. yeomanry. Mr. M'Master naoT eVery personal advantage in his fevour, jfcid,' excepting that he was represented '.by Vcombiittee rather injudiciously there was nothing but his political \;iews to tell against him. That one or two ' t Australian traders . recently . arrived amongst us should have taken upon themselves to. represent the mercantile community'o£ Otagp, and to lecture the electors, was certainly gross presumption* and . no doubt did Mr. M'Master's cause an injury^ ' This slight' circumstance does not detract materially from the fact that Major Richardson's; return >h :to. be looked upon as ; *he triumph of a * great principle ; one which our neighbours in the Australian country have been long struggling; >to deyelope — viz., that population is the source *of wealth, and that sheep must, qiake * way ; for human, beings ; and we trust-that the lesson will not be lost upon our squatters — that they will be content With the enormous advantages they enjoy, without seeking any. further exclusive privileges. Tfye { cloud which lately hung over our political jnslitutioVs having passed away, we jnay ; anticipate the bright sunshine , consequent upon a vigorous and honest , administration' of <• public affairs. The" Provincial' Council '-is to meet on the 19th of, June; land although the early meeting of that body "after, the recent struggle will preclude the possibility of laying before it . many measures of importance, - the occasion will not be lost if arrangements are made to : carry on immigration in a manner which the wants of the <?ommu'hlt^ tfallfor, an^a^gtifwe" fearwill fee "found to have satferMuom inattention during .the past twelve monthsi Beyond this disadvantage, and, the sacrifice of a few. thousand pounds of public money applied by the late Superintendent to his private use, the public will have sustained no material loss. The innate vigour of the Provfnee has strikingly displayed itself, fpr, notwithstanding the confusion which r^cessa,rilyyarpse K fr,oni the difficulties, we have just overcome, our progress has been ex trendy : the public works have;, progressed with unabated vigour; road-making and public works have been carried oft to this late period of the year ; and' the road to the Taieri is fast approaching completion. To do this It was necessary" •& aniicijpate funds,, and the overdraft upojii^the jOwental Bank; has exceeded £10,000; but the recent land sales, together with the constantly improving receipts from' thefCusttfms, 7 have riot only replaced this ampuriVfciit at' the, end of tne f month there ivas affair balance to the credit of the Government. The land revenue for the month, yields to the Provincial Government upwards of £18,00.0,. whilst the gross Customs revenue amounts to £2756. The subjoined table of the comparative returns of and Otago for the past year, ; evinces jtjje rapid progress we have made and are nahkihg; as the present year's return will show a, considerable' increase.