THE "Wellington Independent." Saturday, January 6, 1849.

Wellington Independent, Volume IV, Issue 337, 3 January 1849, Page 5

THE "Wellington Independent." Saturday, January 6, 1849.

So much has been said about the Go-

vernment expenditure; so many crude ideas are afloat respecting its appropriation, that we deem v few more remarks on the subject called for.

In the first place we would remind his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, that the Government grant, both here and at Auckland, is exclusively devoted towards the formation of roads. In fact it is intended to bring the interior under British control, and to enable her Majesty to hold the country not merely in name but in deed. The war at the North, and the disturbances in this district, and at Wanganui, incontestibly proved the urgent necessity of forming lines of communication. It was found that a few hundred natives, owing to the impracticable nature of the country, were enabled to sit, for months together, the authorities at defiance, and ultimately after an immense sacriOce of blood and treasure on our part, the natives propounded their own terms, or made a false submission. Commander after commander pointed out the absurdity of attempting to follow up the natives through the pathless forests of this island, and it is mainly owing to these representions, backed 'by the appeal of Sir George Grey, that the British Government seeing the folly and injustice of permitting its settlers to live at the mercy of the New Zealanders, resolved to open up the conntry; and hence the Government Grant.

In the next place, it is scarcely necessary for us to state that the Grant, annual though it be, does not impoverish the British Treasury. But, we would remind Sir George Grey, that though the money is sunk, in the payment of those employed on the public work, it is not so literally, inasmuch as we shall prove, leaving out of sight the real benefit achieved, that interest must ultimately accrue to the parent state. As the Roads ere completed, and new districts opened up, so does population extend into the interior, and occupy and subdue for tho wants of man, the wilderness around.— The implements of husbandry, and ninetenths of the clothing; the cooking and farming utensils must be procured somewhere. To obtain these articles, the marine of Great Britain is employed, her commerce extended, and so indirectly the mother-country reaps advantage by an expenditure, which, at first sight, may appear to be irretrievably lost to the Imperial Government.

But there is yet another point to which we. would call the attention of Sir George Grey. The very Natives, the main cause of the commencement of Road-making in New Zealand, are converted from implacable foes into steady and industrious citizens. The lloads draw them together; ftcy collect from all parts; leavo their pahs, forget their ancient habits, and raPitlly become English in their ideas; as labourers they attempt to emulate tho skilled Europeans, and a generous spirit °f rivalry springs up, which must end in universal good to the Natives Gradually the blanket is laid aside, and the wants ?f the Maori imperceptibly increase.— Aho Natives also communicate with thoir countrymen, and as civilization extends around, the good work prospers. And is tkisall? Not by any means.. Again the ttariae of England is brought in requisition, and. her commerce augmented,—

The Government Grant, • apparently town away ie producing c Maori, matead of a blanket, requires from the Merchant princes of Great Britain all the paraphernalia which is comprised * the dress of an Englishman. And could wenotextend this picture ; could we not show how every man removed from the crowded streets of British cities to he unoccupied plains of her Colonial territory; how every pound laid out in uenencent works, returns again with interest, and add to that state of which we cherish and all are proud Knowing all this, and more, his Excellency held out a threat of withdrawal, m order to carry his purpose —a nominee council. It requires no great skill to expose the paltry nature of the same ; but it requires words of scorn and contempt to express ihe sense of this community at the conduct of-the Nominee six in being cozened over. We can assure them that the British Colonial Minister, and the British Parliament, will as little anticipate the imposition of a nominee system in the south of New Zealand, as what the great body of the colonists did.

Odd Fellows, M. U.—On Monday last, January 1, a Lodge belonging to the above Order was opened at the llutt. It was named the Rose of the Valley; to be held every alternate Monday, at the Rose Inn, Mr. Welch's. As these associations are based on truly philanthropic principles, and are capable of conferring a grent deal of good upon society, we wish' the new lodge every success.' This is the third of the kind in the Wellington District. In Adelaide Odil-felluw.sh.ip has been carried out on an extensive scale :

several members of the Legislative Council, aud many of the leading genUeiucii of the place have their names enrolled in its books.

Weather and Chops.—The present season has certainly been the finest for agricultural pursuits that has bwn experienced by the .settlers since ilu-ir arrival in New Zealand. in till directions the crops bear the fim-si appearance, the corn being tall, thick, and heavy, aud the barley and oats being more than a general average. The potatoes, in some places, are sufsYring from the continuance of dry weather, and the grub has made some ha\oc ihv barley on the Him; but wi- auticip;.uthat a shower or two of rain, vo;i!<l t-r-t them all to rights again. The berries and currants have beru very prolific this year, niu! it is asioimiiuitj u» witness the quantity of new wood which the trees have made.

By the schooner Dophin, Hats, from Otngo nnd .Akaroa, we have brt-u put in possession of the first number of ihc OUujo Sews. It is printed on a Orvs«-» size paper, in three columns, ami ha* « very neat appearance. Parties wishing to become subscribers to the Otago Xctri, or to purchase single numbers, can «lo ho by applying at the office of the Incirpmdent, us a limited number has he. n £>r> ■warded to us for thnt purpose. The Calypso had not arrived at cithrr of the ports, previous to the sailiup of the Dolphin for Port Xichokon. T!k brig Calypso, 10.5 tons. Captain Lr.wn. sailed from Sydney for ibis por? <>n xhc 13th November; but it was thnt she was going round l»v xvav < f Ota* go. The A'Uoyving nre the pavseng! r>. i\ her;— Mr. M'Donald, Miss Collins. Bishop, and Mr. A. (Jell.