EUROPEAN NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 233, 2 May 1861, Page 3

EUROPEAN NEWS

f . . To' '26th' February.; Parliament met., as summoned on sth Feb. Major General Cameron bolds the rank of Lieut. General in New Zealand. The Earl of Guildford, the Duchess (Dowager) of Cleveland, Sir J ohn Owen, M.P., Dr. Baley, Dr. J. W. Donaldson, and Lola Montez are dead.

* A rumour.is going about, said to have some foundation, that Lord John Russell intends going into tlie House of Lords. ...; The San /uan difficulty is expected to. be amicably settled. It is proposed to make tram-roadsalong the turnpike .roads of, Scot,lands. . t ' The total revenue of the United Kingdom, for the year ending, 31st Dec. 1860, was £71,967,494, and the expenditure £72,578,o;32 n: >-., v .'■ : The Earl, of Mar and Kellie is on the berth at London for Wellington.

(From our London Correspondent.) London, 26th Feb. 1861

We are now in the full swing of the Parliamentary session, the floodgates have been opened, and the deluge of senatorial eloquence gushes past us daily through endless columns of the morning papers. The Queen’s speech, on the sth inst., though conventionally gracious, was even more unmeaning than usual, and had an easy colloquial tone about it, in which some'people fancied they discovered the jaunty characteristics of the noble Viscount at the head of the Government. Those who looked to it for hints as to.,the work carved out for the session by her Majesty’s Ministers, were disappointed, the measures spoken of being few in number and of a most unexciting character. Law reform, for instance, is scarcely the subject to produce a hot debate lasting to the “ small hours” of the morning, and even the ingenuity of Mr. Disraeli'would be sorely taxed to get the material for a faction fight out of projected amendments in the Law of Bankruptcy. But if the topics named in the’ Speech were not very interesting; those omitted were sufficiently so. . Among those “ conspicuous for their absence” were Parliamentary Reform and the financial plans of the session. Tlie entire omission of allusion to the former pet subject hugely displeased tlie more advanced members of the liberal party, and one of them,.Mr. White, the member for Brighton, went so far as to move an amendment to the Address, de: daring the necessity of a measure being brought forward to reform the representation.' Tins led to an animated debate, the most notable feature of which was a speech by Lord John Russell, in which he asserted that the reason lie did not bring forward another Reform/bill was the utter indifference of the country oh the subject, and the scarcely concealed dislike of even leading liberals in tlie house of Commons, and he specified among those who had given audible vent to their dislike Mr. Massey, the member for Salford, and Mr. Black, the member for Edinburgh. He almost taunted the Radical members with their inability to get up indignation meetings, and expressed, in as decided tones as Ins languid nature is capable of expressing anything,' his disgust at the failure of last year’s bill, and his resolution to introduce no other abortions till he saw the country ready to back. him. Now there is no doubt that; this declaration of Lord John’s conveyed decided though unwelcome truth, and faithfully reflected the opinions of the public. Even Mr. Bright admitted as much; and though individual members are about to propose their favourite measures for a bit-by-bit Reform, the defeat which awaits them is not more certain than the apathy with which the country will receive the news.

It would be unsafe, however, to predict, from the tameness of its opening, an uninteresting or uneventful session. On the contrary, I am disposed to think that on some points the opposition to the Government will be formidable, and that it will require the utmost dexterity on their part to tide over the session in safety. The Conservative Opposition is almost as numerous as the Liberal party, and is much better organized-—elated also by the success they have met with in .detached elections during the recess, even in large burgh constituencies such as Leicester. Strong in numbers, they are still stronger by the divisions among their opponents. The more Radical members are discontented .with the Government for their presumed lukewarmness on the subject of Reform, and on a testing question might even vote against , them or hold aloof in sulky neutrality. Such a testing question may arise on the question of the Budget. The Opposition party may win an. easy popu larity by opposing any further increase of taxation, and there is some fear that the tenacious attachment of our eloquent Chancellor of the .Exchequer to his individual crotchets may put this opportunity in their way. It is feared that Mr. Gladstone intends to repeat his proposal for the repeal of the Paper duty, and that he means to fill up the gap of £1,500,000 annually thus occasioned in the revenue by an increase of the Income tax, or some other assessed taxes. Any such proposal will to a certainty be opposed by the Conservatives, and most likely with success. Public feeling will go with them. The British tax-payer is a patient and much-enduring animal, hut even his broad back cannot bear ar Income tax of a shilling in the pound simultaneously with dull trade and general dearness of the necessaries' of life. Even as it is, his withers are sorely wrung, and he is staggering under his burden and beginning to growl awfully. He does not care, a pin about the paper duties being repealed, but what he wants is a reduction of five or six millions in the expenditure, without thereby impairing our military or

naval efficiency, and a corresponding diminution cf the Income tax. Whatever statesman will do this for him, and at, the same time maintain peace, is the man for his money. Some such sentiment as. this is, /-believe, the essence of most of the scattered utterances and half articulate grumblings which escape from the, public at present, and it is to be ; feared that Mr. Gladstone, whois not. exactly popular, and who is distrusted as an -unsafe though brilliant theorist, is not tlie person-to allay the storm. . - . .

A s yet however all goes on smoothly. The only important (government measure yet introduced is a reform in the law of Bankruptcy. This bill will probably pass, for though not so thorough a reform as the mercantile body desire,; it is still a great improvement on tlie existing system.’ Its principal provisions are —an. abolition of the distinction? traders and non-traders, and, as a consequence, the suppression : ot the /nsol veUcy lCourt; a great reduction of the expences in the Court of Bankruptcy ; facilitating the private, winding up of estates not sufficiently insolvent to deserve the stigma of bankruptcy; while, at the same time giving the debtor as ; complete a release as if lie had passed the ordeal of the Court; abolition of. imprisonment, .for debt, except in case of fraud, and then.the sentence to proceed from, the Chief Judge in Bankruptcy, not from , detaining creditors ; and abolition of classification in the .certificat.es. . There are to be five judges—-one- Chief Judge, whose decision shall be final. , j

The most important measure yet introduced by an independent member is Sir: John Trelawny’s bill to abolish Church rates—an annual subject of debate and division. Last year this bill passed the Commons by a majority considerably less than that of- previous years, owing to the Conservative and Church party having been roused into unwonted activity by a newly-formed organisation. This year ; they announce their, intention to throw out the bill altogether on a second reading, thus saving the Lords the odium of rejecting it. It is just possible they may succeed, parties in the Commons being so nearly balanced, but success would avail them little. The day for ecclesiastical exactions is over, and tlie extinction of Church rates is merely a question ,of a few years more or less. . Meanwhile, in view of the division/and to encourage and reorganize their forces, the Dissenters held an anti-Church-rate Conference at Freemason’s tavern, which was numerously and influentially attended by delegates from all parts of England.' I observe that the Under Secretary for the Colonies, in answer to a question from Lord Churchiil in the House last night, said that the Cabinet had not decided on approving of the Act of your Assembly for the appointment of a Council to- advise tlie Governor In Native affairs, and that it 'was improbable a decision would be come to before the departnre of this mail. _ .

The aspect of foreign' affairs is more peaceable than “was anticipated some months ago. Actual war there is none, the tedious struggle in the Two Sicilies having now closed by the fall of Gaeta on the 13th inst. The lengthened siege of this fortress was mainly .owing to the more than doubtful conduct of the Emperor of the Trench -in retaining his fleet before the place, and preventing its effectual blockade by the; Sardinians. The instant that his fleet was withdrawn the fall of Gaeta became inevitable, though it was defended by the last of the Bourbons with a tenacity which in any other man would have been termed heroism. When, however, rifled batteries and powerful shells had carried destruction within its walls, after one powder magazine and then another and another had exploded, burying hundreds of men beneath falling ruins, after typhus fever had decimated the defenders', thei king’s confessor and many of his principal adherents falling victims, then the tragedy closed, the surrender took place, the flag of Sardinia floated over this Italian Sebastopol, anid the ex-king took a last farewell of. the beautiful realm he had misgoverned, and was conveyed in a French vessel of war to luxurious retirement in Austria. Since'this event,'the southern part of the Peninsula is free, thanks to the romantic heroism of Garibaldi, the statesmanship of .Cavour, and the popularity of Ting Victor Emmanuel. Nevertheless, the present calm is more likely to prove only the lull that precedes a storm than the'harbinger of a lengthened peace. In two quarters the horizon is gloomy, and oppressive with omens of strife and convulsion. Koine and Venetia still remain under \vhat Italians consider an alien rule, and without them Italian- unity is incomplete. The- former question? djay.i perhaps be settled by the withdrawal of the, French army, long threatened, but now to alb appearance on the eve of accomplishment, and 'a consequent adjustment of the dispute between the Pope and the King of .Sardinia, by virtue of which the former* while abandoning his temporal power, may'retain an allowance in the form of tribute ample enough to yield him all the state of a sovereignty, without its cares and unpopularity. That' the Pope’s power, as a temporal prince and the regime of the Cardinals, are hopelessly gone, is admitted' even by Roman Catholics in England,, who distinguish between the essentials of. spiritual power, and the mere accidents of secular rule and dignity. /t is no secret, too, that such has long been the earnest conviction of the Emperor of the French, though a wish to appear 1 as the all-powerful protector of the //ead of his Church has hitherto induced him to J oppose,: the Italian movement in so far as Rome itselfis concerned, 7’his feeling, however, exists lip and the Emperor takes his own way of showing jt. A pamphlet has been published, in Paris, the nominal author of which is M. de Guerroniere, the well know’nliterary alter ego, of the Emperor himself, the purport of which is, by

pointing out-the, forbearance of Louis Napoleon with the Papal government, and the contempt wjtii which the hitter treated his friendly remonstrances, to exhibit the urgent necessity of sohfe speedy change in the system still pre vailing in Rome, and to hint very , unmistakably, that unless this change take place at on.ce, the Emperor .will withdraw 'his army, and leave the Cardinals to their own devices. This pamphlet is universally taken as a revelation of the Emperor’s intentions, it being a favourite mode adopted by the mysterious man of the Tuileries to sound the public feeling and prepare it for important events. \ • Turning from Rome to Venetia, I , find it difficult, within a short compass, to explain fully the state of matters there. Venetia is ripe for insurrection, and is only kept under by Austrian armies, now marshalled behind impregnable fortresses. That the Sardinian Government or Garibaldi will attempt the deliverance of this part of Italy is certain, and is entirely a question of time, but it is complicated by other considerations. That the Italians by themselves can successfully compete with the immense military power of Austria, is doubted—but they will not stand alone. The Hungarians are and more discontented every day, and. are preparing for a rising on the instant when Austria is engaged in mortal struggle with the Italians. The intention of which I advised you in August last still holds geod. That is, to assail Austria from the side of Croatia, landing on the north-eastern coast of the Adriatic, and also from the side of Transylvania, crossing the Carpathians from the Danubian principalities. Already several cargoes of arms and ammunition have been introduced into Wallachia by Galatz, with the unconcealed purpose of arming the Hungarians. Roused to reflection by these ominous preparations, bankrupt in finance, ahd distrusting the fidelity of a portion of their army, the Austrian Government have offered Considerable concessions to popular demands, and have promised representative institutions to Hungary. Unfortunately, however. they have so often played false witli the Hungarians, that they now get no credit for sincerity, and concessions which would at one time have been received with rapture are now made by the suspicious subjects of the .Emperor a ground for claiming further concessions, so large, that were he to yield them, his sovereignty over Hungary would be little more than nominal. As this can scarcely be expected, we daily look for that point being reached when the Emperor will decline to yield anything further, and when the 7/ungarians will refuse to pay taxes or furnish recruits for the army. Then will come the inevitable collision, and tlie spark once applied to Hungary will kindle a conflagration which will spread to Italy, and perhaps wrap all Europe in flames.

The Secession movement in the United States daily acquires strength. Seven States have now seceded—South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Texas. Others are expected. In all the seceded States the insurgents have taken possession of the Federal forts and arsenals, are arming, contracting loans, enacting laws, and performing all the other functions of independent States. They are however without a navy, and therefore comparatively helpless, as the supreme Government at Washington can blockade their harbours, and by completely stopping all export and import trade, either starve them into submission, or force them to adopt such desperate measures as invading the free States, where defeat would be certain and crushing. Nevertheless, serious as things look, it is still anticipated that some compromise will be arrived at in time to prevent the horrors of civil war. Much depends on tl;e action of the Border'Slave States—that is, of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Z'ennessee, in which the Union feeling as yet is strong. If these States adhere to the Union, the Southern Slave States, bluster as they may, will ultimately have to give in, receiving perhaps some slight concession to satisfy their wounded dignity. At present the position of affairs resembles an armed truce ; Mr. Buchanan, the President, vacillates aud evades, while the Southerns await the inauguration of the new President, Mr. Lincoln, as the crisis of their fate. All accounts agree that Mr. Lincoln will not flinch from his duty, but will encounter secession by force, if necessary, and will- suggest no compromise. Ere another mail leaves this I shall have important news to communicate on this head, as the inauguration of the new President takes place at Washington on the 4th il/arch. Anticipating this event, the more furious partisans in the cause of Slavery in the South have formed in secret the wildest and most truculent designs. They arranged a plan to take armed possession of the Capitol, but this promising little conspiracy has been nipped in the hud by General Scott, who has fortified the approaches to Washington and accumulated a military force there. It has also been mooted among qhe bowie-knife-and-revolver-lovihg gentlemen of the South to assassinate Mr. Lincoln, a scheme which lias the merit of simplicity at any rate, and appears not to cause the slightest shock to 1 the moral sensibilities of its promoters. Still « we must not judge Yankees, by the same rule as sober Englishmen. America is the chosen i home of bluster and “tall talk,” and the very men who used to brag that their country whipped creation, fire now the first to declare that that same country is worth nothing unless l the sacred rights of negro slavery are upheld ! : To give you au idea of the tone of some even of their leading men, take the following. Mr,

Floyd, the late Secretary for War, has been addressing his friends in Virginia, to justify the course lie took in seceding, and in the course of his sycepfi qsed Uie following expressions :

“ God in his commandments wrote with his own fingers upon Mount Ainai, * Tliou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s slave;’ and if these fanatics will deal with this subject in a religious aspect, I would have them remember that the first slave-catcher in the history of the world was an angel of God, sent by God to take a lunaway slave—a negro—and bring him back to his master. It is a hallowed institution, and it seems that'in the providence of God it came down through the new dispensation to be preserved and perpetuated in conformity with the will of Divine Providence.” .

A hallowed institution! This is a pretty fair specimen of the phrenetic raving in which the slave drivers of the south indulge.. Can blasphemy or drivelling folly go further ? I have read even worse than this, and yet such language is nothing uncommon in the Slave States, where a reign of terror has, long been prevalent and freedom of speech is absolutely unknown. Men of property are alarmed by the weight of the forced taxes levied for the purposes of this rebellious confederacy, and, while afraid to speak out, are quietly retiring to the north with all the movable property they can muster. As yet there are no signs of the revolted States retracing their steps. A general Convention was held at Montgomery, V., on the 4th inst., at which a southern .confederation was formed, nnder the name of the “ Confederated States of America” (not Slaveownia, as Punch suggests),-and a provisional government aj (pointed for a year. In all the troubles that have now fallen ,on the United States, people of moderate prescience see nothing to be surprised at. The “ irrepressible conflict ” between slavery and freedom could not be much . longer postponed. 2’ho truth is, the .Northern States have fur years been, cowed and humiliated by the fierce passions and threats of the South, and they have now discovered that they must finally grapple with the Slave Power, and restrain it, if they would avoid being crushed in turn. . A. compromise now will merely postpone a little longer the evil day, and* the .signal ■retribution that will yet overtake the advocates and abettors of slavery.

American troubles have reacted somewhat, unpleasantly on business here. The spring; orders to the English and French houses havenot come forward, ami gold has been draiuedi off so rapidly as to produce a very tight moneyr market. The Bank of England raised its rateof discount on the 14th from 7 to 8 per cent.,, to the surprise of most,‘who expected the movement wjuld rather have been the’ otherway. The reason for the step was the expectation of a farther drain of specie not merely by America, but also by India, for behoof of. which the Government here have just'contracted a further Loan of c£3,000,000. Of course,, with money at such a price, speculation is . thoroughly crushed, very few extended businessoperations are thought of, and all the markets are flat. There was a very excited demand, for cotton at Liverpool during the first intelligence of the troubles in the Stales, and tho*first importers cleared handsome fortunes, but.it is now much lower in price, and the fears ofr a'scarcity are almost over. Still the American dispute has had the good effect of turning out attention to some purpose to the question of' Cotton supply. We are now calling on all theworld to supply us with cotton, and extending; our search to most parts of both hemispheres. The East and West Indies, the west of Africa, Natal, South America, Turkey, Egypt,. Queensland, all have advocates to give good acc Hints of them. In fact, to judge from thewide range of the field of controversy, it seems difficult to say where cotton is not grown, //as New Zealand anything to say for herself?' If so, let her speak out; she can have skill,, capital, ami labour 'for the asking, and theblessings of eager Lancashire into the bargain.. Besides cotton, there has been some discussion ; about wool, a short sujply of which is also - feared by the Bradford and Yorkshire manufacturers, but it is a curious circumstance that, the question is raised just on the eve of theLondon wool sales, which commence shortly.

Our intensely severe winter has been followed by an open and balmy spring, very favourable for the work of sowing, which thefarmers are now setting about with vigour. Indeed, some of them have only now cleared; their fields of last year’s crops, if such a term, can with any propriety be apj lied to the s.cklyscraggy vegetation which did duty for oats and beans in too many cases. The corn market* keep high. The price of the best wheat is 70s per quarter, that <f the wont anything you like, for it is nearly unsaleable. Immense-supplies'have,-'however, been received from the Black Sea and the States. The .calm of our mild spring was rudely interrupted during two days by • a hurricane of unprecedented, violence, which swept the coast of. England and part of Ireland, and by its suddenness produced most disastrous effeit.. i/iindreds. of vessels were driven on sln-re near Shields, and on the rocky Yorkshire coast, and smashed, to splinters, their fragments strewing the coast for miles; many were seen to founder with alb on hoard within bail of the dwellings of.men, and many will never more be heard of. Theloss of life i 3 appalling. One of the most melancholy accidents occumd' in the bay of' Dublin. Capt. Boyd, of H.M.S. Ajax, was. rendering assistance, with fourteen of his. crew,, to the seamen of some vessels that had driven on the end of an unfinished pier, when, during a treacherous lull in the storm, an immense, wave swept over the pier, find hurried the whole fifteen into eternity. No less than thirty-one persons, in addition to the above, citizens of Dublin, ; who were on the pier at the time, shared the same fate. Not one w r as suve d—even the bodies of most have not been recovered. Some of those that, were found,,

Were crushed under loose stones of a . tor.j ■Weight. The gale was partial in its operaCo i, though in some places terrible beyond all rtc dlection or experience The funds oscillate between. 9l | and 92; Railway stocks are for the moment depressed'; owing to the severe winter interfering with traffic. Still, if we remain at peace, all these securities may be expected to improve very shortly.

" AUCKLAND., From the New Zealander we have the following information,• Remuera Church Anniversary. On Monday a goodly gathering of people of all ages from town snd country, met in the Wesleyan chapel situated between Newmarket and Remuera. Ample supplies of the usual re freshments were provided by the liberal hearted ladies, and very good speeches were delivered by some of the gentlemen. The speech of the Rev. T. Buddie was particularly gratifying, inasmuch as it assured the people of the good prospect of a satisfactory and lasting peace, of which the Tfev. Gentleman spoke with confidence.

: Rifle TUatch.— Rutland Company A.R.V. v. Onebunga Volunteers.—A spirited contest in rifle shooting took place on the 28th March between the above Rifle Volunteer Companies at the Mount'Eden range. Five shots at 100. and five at 200 yards were fired, which gave 65 as the total number of points scored by the Onebunga, and 81 by the '/Jutland Company, tiie latter winning by 16 points." Waihoihoi Coals.— The operations of the Company at Drury progress, we are-informed, satisfactorily. Several headings and drifts have been fun, and the quality of the coal im proves greatly; whilst the quantity appears to be Without limit. The tramway from the mice to Slippery Creek is being pushed on with vigour; the horseway and trenches are nearly complete down to the Great South Road, that being two-thirds of the Whole distance. The first rail and sleeper were laid on Thursday last. The tramway being finished and the clearing of the creek accomplished, the coals can be delivered in Auckland at about 255. per ton.

CANTERBURY.

During the. half-year ending 31st March, 3 6,470 acres have been sold at the price of £2 per acre, the average size of the sections not exceeding 57 acres. ; -Canterbury, cirtainly, gives promise of .being * a-. first-rate fruit-growing . country, wherever due precaution is taken to provide the first requisite of successful gardening, namely, good shelter.: .In Mr. /Tilson’s shop there are to be seen a number of apples known by the names of the Emperor. Alexander, A/obbs’ Royal, and the ,(Kentish Fill Basket, which measure each one fi.ot two inches round and weigh 14 ounces; whilst Ripston Pippins and other choice sorts are not less remarkable for their colour, size and flavour. Some hives of bees lately taken by Mr. IF. /Filson have yielded so much as 95 lbs each of honey comb. Sixty pounds in England is considered a remarkable yield. The English mail lately arrived, has brought ; the title to the valuable half-acre in front of the White Hart Hotel, on which Air. Barnard and others have long held their auction sales. Th.e property we learn, has been bought for Mr. W. Wilson by his London agent for the sum of .£SOO, and already, as might naturally be expected, for a business position so valuable, remarkable prices have been offered for the freehold, besides one of J 6240 yearly rental on 2L years’ lease, none of which offers, we believe; have yet been accepted.—Lyttelton Times.

KELSOiV.

The Exhibition of. Live Stock and Agricultural produce took place at /Zichmond on Friday last, and the public evinced the great interest taken in these annual shows by a very large attendance.. There was a good show of draught mares and foals, as well as of.homed cattle,: but the pens of sheep were particularly pleasing, the Southdowns and pure Leicesters being as good sheep as could be wished for. The judges gave the first prize to the Southdowns, considering them a more profitable breed to the farmer than the A few very good pigs were exhibited, but-of these animals, as well as of poutlry, tliei’e was not a great show. Mr. Gapper, showed as a curiosity, a fowl with three legs, which attracted a considerable deal of attention. A large tent which had been erected to receive the Agricultural produce was completely filled. Many

samples of wheat, and potatoes were-shown, all of which were as good as could be grown, and received, in consequence, universal appioval. On the whole the show of agricultural produce was very satisfactory, and many articles for which no prizes had been advertised were exhibited'for inspection, such as horsebeans, vetches, ’acorns, bonedust, #c., all of which were of a superior quality. Of dairy produce there were many sumples .of excellent fresh butter, and some very good cheese ; salt butter was not exhibited.— —Nelson Examiner, April 10. Mr. ZuliaS; 7/aast in the report of his late explorations in the western districts of the province, alluding to Sir 11. Murchison’s opinion that gold would be found in Australia says—- “ Had Sir Roderick Murchison received the specimens which he examined from the eastern meridional chain of this island, instead of from Australia, he would have pronounced the same opinion, based upon his deep knowledge of geology, which, although the uewest, is perhaps in many respects one of the most impor

tant sciences; a knowledge of which is requisite for the sound development of the natural ■wealth of nations. It is true we have not yet 'fouml any fossils in these slaty rocks, but I. am cpfivniCed that they will be found, and will detaoustrtite' t-liat these strata are of the same geological age as those of the Ural mountains and the Australian Here, as there, their meridional strike is very little disturbed by eruptive rocks; here, as there, the altitude of the mountains is between 6,000 and 7,000 | feet; here, as there, large quartz veins traverse the slaty rocks; and , nature has here perhaps,' to a greater extent even' than in /Australia, done the work of crushing, in the process of denuding the uppermost parts of the lofty ridges where the vein stones were probably most highly, charged with gold. “ The luxuriant growth, of New . Zealand vegetation, together with the absence of roads, lias at present confined the work of gold mining to the boundaries of the gold fields ; ,bnt it has been proved by a few adventurous men, who have penetrated move deeply into the now inhospitable mountain regions, that the detritus becomes richer in gold, which itself becomes .coarser, as we ascend the river courses. We may therefore infer that, were the. rich tracts lying iu*the depressions or on the slopes jof the. chains' and which cover hundreds of square miles, opened to enterprize, a rich reward would he the result ”

KELSON RACES. This meeting, ou Tuesday and /Wednesday, 2nd and 3rd 'y/pril, exceeded expectation. Only ten horses came forward, but the running was good. Phe Great Nelson Trial Pfakes, of 10 sovs. each, with 50 sovs. added, mile, 19 subs., was won by Mr. Davidson’s b c. Brush ; time, 3 m. 7 s.

The Turf Club Plate, of 40 sovs., added to 4 sovs. each, 2 miles, (3 subs.) Won by Mr. White’s b.m. Wetsail; Mr. Stafford’s Ultima, 2, and Mr. Redwood’s Otto, 3; time, 4m.125. ' The 7/andicap Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. ea., with 40 sovs.’ added by the Turf Club, m. (4 subs.) Mr. Morse’s b. f. Revoke won by a neck, beating Mr. Redwood's Otto and Mr. Stafford’s f/ltima and Pompey; time, 2 m. 57 s.

The Ladies’ Purse, of 30 sovs., added to a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, heats, (3 subs.) Mr. White’s Wetsail walked the course.

Phe Maiden Plate, of 25 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, once round and a distance, (3 subs.) Mr. Godfrey’s hr. mare Cliloe, 1; ‘Mr. Stafford’s Pompey, 2 ; Mr. Morse’s Pey ke, 3. The Town Plate of 50 soysi, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 3 miles, (4 subs.) Mr. M orse’s Pevoke won by a neck; time, 6 m. 2| s.

Match for 50 sovs. between Mr. P. M’Rae’s br. g. Chevaiier and .Mr. Godfrey’s b. f. Surprise. The latter won easily. Phe Scurry Plate, of 25 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of .5 sovs. each, heats, 1 mile, (2 subs.) Mr. Redwood’s b. g. Otto beat Mr. -Stafford's bm. Ultima; time, 1m.53 s. The Consolation Plate of 20 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs. each, (2 subs.) Mr. Stafford’s Ultima won easily.. The /'breed Handicap of 10 per cent of the gross amount, of the public money won. Once round and a distance. 5 horses started. Mr. Morse’s b. f. Revoke won by a head, Mr. Redwood’s Otto being second. Distance, 1 m. 368 yds.; time, 2m.20 s.

OTAGO. the Gold Diggings. — 2'he Otaqo Witness of the 13th April says, the steamer ‘ Geelong,’ on her last trip, took up to Oinaru about 20 persons, who were about to try their hand at the work ; ami as the news of the discovery had reached Canterbury about the same time

that it found its way to .Dunedin, it is not at all improbable that there may shortly be a con- . siderable number of persons up at the Hindis Pass. Under such circumstances, it is most iikely that we shall soon have such evidence of the nature of the field as will afford those : desirous of trying their fortunes some data ■ upon which to base their calculations. The ; locality where the gold has been discovered, is ; not above 70 milas from Dunedin, and about Hn equal distance from Omaru iu a straight «1 ne, but the distance which has to beg meover to I reach the spot is about double. 2’he journey ; is a perfectly easy one in summer, and even in winter ordinarily presents no difficulties to those i travelling on horse-back ; but as the road ■ passes over high country, it is liable in the depth ;of winter to become impassable. With the • exception of a small portion of the way, a dray ■ could be easily taken over the country ; audit

[ was in remedying this diffiemty that the gold , was discovered by some men of the Govern- ■ nient Pioad party. 2'lie discovery of gold has caused much I alarm amongst* the runhoiders, , especially ■ those in the neighbourhood of whose runs the 1 precious metal has been found. The run- ■ li 'hlev must of necessity give place to the f digger if gold is to be found, but we think his : case is a fair one for compensation. t 2’lie Lyttelton Times, Correspondent who t. was at Oiimura up to the 24th March, states , that Mr. Roy, the engineer of the Otago Government, lmd just returned from the Lindis. b He liad seen one map. wash out half an ounce e of gold from a tin dish, and another with a s match box full of gold, obtained in the same x simple manner. Mr. Roy bad seen ore nugget a.quarter of an ounce in weight. He re--0 ports that the whole of the gold had been i found on the surface and that the field was i very extensive. e On the morning when our correspondent f left Oarnaru, twenty-five men were starting - for the diggings. Two drays were also bound iu the same dii fiction laden with implements

and provisions, for the carriage .of . which per ton was being charged. ; Several specimens of the gold produced were to be seen at Oama'ru, allnuggetty and of fine quality. . A great many other persons were about leaving Oamaru to try their luck, and it was probable that in another week the town would be almost deserted., 7t is the general belief that the locality of the diggings will be unfit for occupation during the winter.

NEW ZEALAND EXPORTS & IMPORTS, For the Years ending %lst December, 1859 and 1860.

PREDECESSORS OF THE MAORI.

Some of our . readers may have observed a reference in a late number of the Chronicle to a race that is thought to have occupied Ne w Zealand before the Maoris. We have been favcure.il,with the following communication on the subject from a gentleman who feels much interest in it. 2’he communication will, no doubt awaken a like interest in those who read it.

The real aborigine of these islands is not the Maori, but a . Nigretto, more nearly allied to the African than the Asiatic in color, feature, and hair ; much inferior to the Maori in stature and intellect, and occupying a far lower station in the scale of civilization, and most probably identical with the native of Australia or Tasmania.

From Maori , traditions , it appears highly probable; that, when their canoes arrived from 2/awaiki, this ancient race was thinly scattered over the entile group of the New Zealand isles ; that being inferior to the new comers, they were subdued, and either reduced to slavery or destroyed ;* and from the evident admixture of race seen in the Maori, they may still be traced in the woolly .hair, short stature, and chocolate color, which is not unfrequently met with, especially amongst the Ngatikahua, and to which the derisive name of Poherekahu, “ black kumara,” f is applied. . ~ Some portion of this aboriginal race may have long survived in-the northern island,, and maintained its independence amongst the mountain ranges, where they are still remembered as the maero, or wild man of the mountain ; they are supposed even yet to survive on the Tararua: range, but tlieir existence is imaginary. It is, in the middle island the remnants of this race are to be looked for, amidst the! natural fastnesses of the Maori Alps, where” they are known, as the Nga-ti-mauioe. In former years, such was the dread which this degraded race had of the fierce Maori, that immediately they beheld them approach they fled ;-f- they were, however, occa-

sionally captured and made, slaves, for which purpose they were much prized. The Nga-ti-mamoe do not appear to have cultivatedthe ground, or to have had-any means of support beyond that of hunting'and fishing, and the indigenous fruits and roots of the forest. Since' the' introduction of Christianity it is not improbable that much of their dread of the Maori has disappeared, and that the two races may now he - found less intermingled. . The Ware .Kauri, or Chatham /sland aborigines, still survive, and live amongst the Maori who conquered them ; they are, however, few in numbed, and perhaps scarcely exceed a. hundred. They are called Muri-yri, but are more generally known as the Kiriwakapapa, bare sides ; or Pavahiwara, black fellows. Formerly they went naked, and their houses, if they might be called such, were only made by a few poles set up together oyer a circular pit two or three feet deep, with toeroe or sods on the outside, thus, forming: a cone-shaped hut; in these miserable places they sat huddled together, with their children squatting between their legs for warmth; still it is remarkable that this, miserable people could make canoes in a most ingenious way of rimu , a large kind of broad-leaved sea-weed, which they converted into air-tubes by makiug a small. orifice'through the outer skin, and then inflating it, when one skin separated from the .other ',' this' being done, the hole soon dosed, and they were placed in the sun to dry, and ever afterwards.they retained .their form ; a light framework of flax stalks was then made with a double keel, and ; these airtubes'were lashed on in parallel rows, and the interstices filled with moss, so that the whole was watertight, and so buoyant as to be unable to, sink, thus forming a regular life-boat. These air-tubes, thus dried, were,.likewise used as jars to contain., water or oil, and also their reserves of potted birds for winter use. The young albatross and mutton bird, which are there fallen in great, numbers, mainly contributed to their support.

It appears."evident, therefore, that these islands have received their inhabitants.from three different sources, and that they have arrived at three different times.

1. The blach, a degraded race, incapable of improving itself without foreign aid, ignorant of arts,, and unable to cultivate the soil., 2. The brjtvn, a much superior race, considerably advanced in many useful arts, bringing with it the remains of a higher state of civilization, ami several kinds of food, —the dog, the leumara, taro, hue, and karaka, by the cultivation of which they derived a portion of their support. 3. ' The white, w.liich last of all arrives, and with it all the , civilization known to man, coming not as enemies but friends, importing various kinds of animals, fruits,., and grain, also the knowledge of all useful arts, and above all that of the true <7od, and of his fear and worship. The first comers probably arrived in a rude half-holloWed trunk of a tree, in which they drifted front Australia. The next .came in a double canoe from Hawaii, seeking a fresh home. The last in ships filled with all. the comforts necessary for such a voyage. Thus marking their several states of advancement. May we not. trace in these three diverse races the descendants of, the three sons of iVoah, and the fulfilment of his prophecy ? Has not Ham been the servant of Shem, and is not. Japhet living in the tents of Shem? And ought it not to be our prayer, that as once the three grand forefathers of these races floated together in the same ark, that now their descendants, living in the same isles in this

southern ocean, may dwell together in peace and harmony, and thus form the commencement of a race destined at a future day to .play a conspicuous part in this hemisphere. It is agreeable to learn that the Rev.'Mr. Stack has directed the public attention to the amelioration of these first settlers in. New Zealand, who certainly have an equal claim on our sympathy with the Maori who followed them.

* il/any.years ago, while some of the Ngatiruanui were out catching birds on the sides of Mount Egmont, they noticed some traces of man, which caused them to search about, and in a tree they perceived.a platform among the branches, on which a kind of house was erected ; they climbed up and found a family in it, which they mercilessly destroyed, and, according to the customs of those times, cooked and devoured:

•f Some years ago, a large Maori, canoe drifted to /Jotirua.' • The crew Soon'fput’id out that the inhabitants were a peaceful race, unacquainted with’war, and although few in number, they completely'obtained'the' ascendancy over them, and the better to maintain it., and to strike terror ihto their subjects, they killed'several''and plucked out their hearts, which, they cooked and devoured before, the horrified' multitude. After this they were allowed to do as they liked, and when any traders visited the island, these savages were accustomed to steal their neighbours’ pigs iind ‘property, and dispose of them to their own advantage. : '

Exports. 1859. 1860. ’■ Auckland . 72,012 78,164 Bussell.. :606 .1,102 Mongonui 2,124 ! 2.369 ITokianga . 14,681.. ■. 7,467 Kaipara . 16,935 2,050 Kawhia . 270 ... New Plymouth .8,754 3,520 Wanganui .. 1,734 259 Wellington .. . 139,145 137,307 Napier ........ 390 18,169 Nelson ........ . 78,086 73,566 / Lyttelton ..... .132,986 209,184 ..... 41 270 Dunedin .. 81,578 51,181 Invercargill .. . 2,142 4,345 551,484 588,953 ;' Showing in 1860 a decrease inAuckland Province, of £ 15,47b Taranaki do 5,234 . : Wellington do 3,313 Nelson do 4,520 Otago do 28,194 56,737 \ And an increase inllawke’s Bay Province of £17,779 Canterbury do 76,427 94,206 ’ Imports. Auckland £399,972 £454,311 JTahgarei .— 45 . 883 .Bussell . 3,258 .3,428 . A/ongonu:..... . ' 4,696 4,272 Hokianga ..... . 1,406 1,093 Ivaipara ..... . 2,399 2,043 . ■ Kawhia........ 225 New Plymouth 34,271 36,236 Wanganui ... 19,271 11,640 Wellington .. . 321,818 241,973 Napier ........ .. 18,946 12,208 . Collingwdcd .. 100 ' 140 Nelson^....... . 168,881 151,435 /Pairaii........ . ... 370 Lyttelton..... . 330,966 301,710 Akaroa 905 1,229 Dunedin . 218,845 288,483 Invercargill .. . 25,026 36,679 1,551 030 1 ,548,133 Showing a decrease in I860, in — ■ Wellington province, of £87,476 //awke’s Bay do 6,738 Nelson do 17,036 Canterbury do 28,932 - ........... 140,182 And an increase inAuckland province, of £54,029 Taranaki do 1,965 Otago do 81,291 ; 137,285