TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 467, 15 April 1862, Page 3

TARANAKI.

[From the News.)

During the past week, a document purporting to be a memorial from settlers of Taranaki to our late respected Governor, Colonel Gore .Browne— the present Governor of Tasmania—has found publication and circulation here. It is much to be regretted that well intentioned persons should have recourse to indirect means for attaining the object they have in view, when the way in which only the sense of the people can be arrived at or fairly presumed, on questions involving general interest, namely a public meeting, is open to all. We do not desire to impute improper motives on the present occasion; still, we feel bound to say that such proceeding is wanting in propriety and unfair to the community, and that it may not be used against it, and by no means allowed to grow into precedent, should not merely not be adopted, but distinctly repudiated as a public act. We do not repeat the document which id already before the public, and will speak for itself; these observations apply to all memorials affecting public interest or purporting to represent the feelings of the community, for however proper the object may be, it is unbecoming assumption for any one by private action to include the public in such matters. No doubt any person, or set of persons, might without impropriety address Colonel Browne, praying for his advice upon any subject, privately on his or their behalf, and the public would not be compromised ; but (he reference made to the policy of the present Government of the Colony, in the memorial alluded to, is altogether unjustifiable at the present moment, and calculated to have mischievous operation if allowed to pass as corning from a majority of the- settlers. On the other hand, it is impossible to imagine a less delicate compliment to Colonel Browne in his new position, than the matter and manner of the request it embodies. It is scarcely proper to mix up the ridiculous with impoitant questions, with matter which may have hurtful operation upon public interest; or one might compare the present with the attempt made in remote time by the three tailors of Tooleystreot, who, in the name of the people of England, addressed their letter of grievances to the Commons of England, in parliament assembled. I'iiu:.—We regret to Imvc to chronicle the destruction by iin; of the Bull Block Jjrewery, one of tiie fu-^buildings which escaped the tore!) of the Maori during the war. The cause, of the five bus not yet been ascertained, but unfortunately the ruin a:> regards the building \s compile; the building and plant belonged to Mr. Arden, but were lately united by Mr. Donnelly, a retired non-commid-sioned officer of the s»th regiment, who has unr.rtunately merged all his bard-earned savings in the undertaking, which was to make its business start next week. We aie glad to hear that bis unfortunate position has already excited the sympathy of his neighbors and others who recognise

his industrious habits and energy, and that a subscription is already afoot for his assistance. The building and plant was valued at about .£4OO ; the recent outlay so unfortunately bestowed by Mr. Donnelly, about half that sum —tiie whole uninsured. Mr. Wood, boot and shoo maker, has kindly consented to take charge of subscriptions which we trust will set Mr. Donnelly on his legs again. We have received a letter from Mr. .Donnelly, tendeiing his thanks to the officer commanding at i3ell Block, and the non-commissioned officers and men of tho 57th, for their prompt and kind exertions on the occasion. Cottages.—The following has been issued from the Superintendent's office :—Plans, specifications, and tenders are invited for the erection of a row of cottages for the refugees from INelson, on the N.E. side (live chains in lengih), of St. Germain's Square. The materials that will be found by tho Government are—brick chimneys; upright boarding, 10 feet long, 9 by ]£, planed, ploughed, and grooved ; roof boards, 10 feet long, 1 inch thick ; worked flooring, inch; the same for partitions; scantling and joists to order ; weather board for gable ends; the shingling; sashes, 12 by 10 glass; doors, and all other materials. The plans to be made with a view to the economical use of the material hereafter, when the cottages are no longer required, and may be taken to pieces and sold.