Probincial Aelus.

Colonist, Issue 7, 13 November 1857, Page 3

Provincial News.

WELLINGTON. By the Burnett, we have received papers "to the 4th instant; but the only item of intelligence is the following, f;oin the Independent: — Declaration op the Poll For the Superiktendency.—Monday last being the day appointed for the declaration of the poll, a large gathering took place in front of the Resident Magistrate's Court. At twelve o'clock the Returning Officer announced the final state of the poll to be— For Dr. Featherston 830 Mr. Welch 404 Majority. 430 and declared Isaac Earl Featherston to be the duly elected Superintendent of the Province of Wellington. Provincial Council.—The following is a list of the names of the candidates who were to be put in '■ nomination on the 4th instant:—Charles Clifford, William Fawcett, William Fox, Joseph Godfrey Holdsworth, John Johnson, William Lyon, James May, John Plimmer, James Smith, William Waring Taylor, John Howard Wallace, Jonas Woodward, John Daniel Fitzgerald, William Spinks, William Allen, William Bowler, Richard Barry, Robert Holt Carpenter, George Hunter, John King, John M'Laggan, Robert Stokes, Edward Tooraath, John Varnham, Thomas Kemmis Warburton, and Edward Jerningham Wakefidd.

THIS GOLD FIRLDS. (From the Southern Cross, October 16.) A rumor has been circulated in Auckland for a few days past, that, intelligence of an unfavorable nature had been received from the Nelson diggings—in fact, that they had proved a failure. We have not succeeded in tracing it up to an authentic source, but think it possible thut the surface gold may be rapidly disappearing. For it is nnly upon the deep dicing, not yet in full operation, that continued reliance can ever be placed. To judg^ from the tone of an article which we lately reprinted from the- Independent, a journal which has always used its influence to check the tide of-emigration from. Wellington to Nelson, we should say that no material difference conld have taken place in the weekly amount. Still we think that it would be wise for those who intend leaving AnekWinil for the Nelson diggings to delay their departure for a short while, until the receipt of further itreiligence. This may be expected most probably in about a fortnight, the General Government having sent to Nelson some whi'e since for official returns of the number of diggers at work, the yield of the

go'dlnlds, as nearly as it can be ascertained, and all other statistical information obtainable upon the subject. Whatever we are then able to learn we shall faithfully lay before our readers,, whether the prospects of the diggers j n that Province be cheering or the reverse. For ho-vever anxious we may f>e to check the rapid emigration of valuable settlers from the Province of Auckland, we'consider it our first duty to snppiyaccurafe and precise information to our readers, leaving them to form their own judgment themselves. Thure is another reason for not rushing- to Nelson without a little more deliberation. Wo have reason to believe that the prospect of obtaining land from the natives at Coromande! is brightening* The little end of the we !ge has at all events been got in. The General Government have lately succeeded in purchasing about 300 acres, including disputed places in old land claims, together with some fi'ash land, continuous from the northern head, along the northern and western sides to about the middle of the harbor of Kapunga creek. This 1.-.nd is lioiisilifc. we believe from Peter, and a relution of Pau', by name 'Kami tana. In addition to this, the natives have agreed (o relinquish their claims to Mercury Island, and have alieudy received a payment on account. The late arrangements concerning disputed claims have cleared away many difficulties which natives have always desired to see brought to a settlement before entering into further negotiations for the purchase of land by Government. We are aware that much impatience is being; manifested at what are supposed to be dilatory proceedings ef the Government in regard to the acquisition of land in the Coromandel diguing. An impression appears to prevail that there is a desiie to check the influx of diggers as long as possible, through apprehension of rh^ir coming into hostile collision with the natives. We liuve Ourselves ample opportunity of obtaining information on all such points, and are convinced, through personal communication, that such is not the ousts. We beiieve that all connected with the Native Department^ are sin^ cerely desirous of aree'erating the acquisition of that d.strict. The General Government, for some while past, have had an agent on the -spot, with orders to lose.no opportunity that may prosi'iif; itself. But much tirri^ and patience, as every Auckland man will knows, are required in dealing with Natives. And if extreme ur^ get'ey be manifested by Europeans—if t>o much "pressure from witl'-duL" be exerted upon the land purchasing department, it will operate most injuriously against success. The demands of the natives rise in proportion to our own impatience. When they be^in to think us indifferent about purchase,'then, and not till then, will they manifest anxiety to sell. ' . It should bu thoroughly explained to them thnfc GoroiTHnciel is not the on!y au-iferous district in New Zealand ; and that if that portion (if the European pdpu'ation which alone is likely to enguge in digging be once driven away to Nelson through Maori perversity, the present owners of the land will have overstood their market; and that the Government will have ho inducement to purchase at all, unless on the usual tvrras, for pastoral and agricultural purposed. The argument would be a convincing one to them, because they would perceive it to be a real one. We take this opportunity of observing that no greater difficulty could be thrown in the way of extinguishing the native title to those^ lands, than by the introduction of a system which has been lately proposed, and in one instance, as we are informed, carried into effect. We allude to the renting of diggings from the natives by individuals—the paying them a certain sum.per week for leave to work; If once the native owners be allowed to derive a regular income from their property (though we really, upon principle, are unable to see why they should not, as well an ourselves)—if once they taste the sweets of a rent-roll—is ctuinot, be expected that they would be so UMwisa to sell* They are not likely to fail into the error of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. _ - . . We should advise intending diggers to be cautious of investing capital in any arrangement of the sort, as the General Government have the power, at all events of quashing it, by enforcing the penalties of the Native L.md Purchase Ordinance. Whether they would use that power is more than we can say ; but it is not impossible that in* so doin=c they might be supported by tlit< voice of pnhlio oninion

*%* The article tiutitled " Inch by inch upwards," and which appsars in our fourth page of this morning's piper, is taken from Dickens* Household Words, of IBth July.