THE PROPAGANDA.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 547, 8 January 1851, Page 2

THE PROPAGANDA.

We hear many enquiries, as to what has become of the Report of the Executive Council on the subject of the charges brought against this institution by the Rev. Mr. Taylor. The whole transaction looks queer and suspicious. Mr. Taylor prefers charges in writing to the effect, we believe, that advantage had been taken of the hole and corner system upon which the Institution is conducted to make unjustifiable attempts to proselytize the patients, and that this had been carried on to such an extent, that in one instance, compulsory baptism was actually had recourse to. Tho Executive Council not daring to pass these charges over in silence, determined to investigate them ; but in what manner do they conduct the inquiry? They coustitute themselves Judge and Jury—they call upon ihe accused to make his defence— allow him to bring forward his own witnesses, and then, without any notice to Mr! Taylor that the investigation was gob" on—without giving him the slightest opportunity either of bringing evidence m support of his charges, or of _ros«examimng the witnesses on the other side, this Court of Inquiry, having conducted tho whole investigation with closed doors, and without the slightest intimation to the public that they were anxious to have evidence on tho subject tW% (S 'r W , 6 ! ea '? ) t0 the "Elusion that Mr. Taylors charges are frivolous vexations, unfounded, &c. Now can a greater farce or mockery than this mode of proceeding possibly be conceived ? Was there ever a more glaring instance of the violation of every principle of justice and common sense » Can the Executive for one moment imagine that the pubhc W ,ll attach the slightest weigh

or importance to a decision come to, after merely listening to the evidence and ex parte statement of the party accused ? Is Governor Grey so thoroughly ashamed ofthe whole transaction that he declines to allow the report and. evidence to bo published ? Be this as it may, we ar e sadly mistaken if the matter is allowed to drop here, —it may like most other jobs be burked for a time—but the whole will shortly be brought to light.

Our friends at Nelson have been full v occupied in discussing the principles and details of tho Constitution for the Colony to be suggested to the Home Go" vernment. And they appear to have gone about tho good work both con. amore and iv a very practical business like way. First they had discussions in the Settlers' Constitutional Association —then they held meetings in the various country districts—and lastly they held a great Meeting at Nelson on the 27th of last month. At this, fully three hundred persons attended, and manifested the warm interest they took in the question by prolonging the discussion from, one o'clock till after midnight. The propo. sals of the Committee seem to have been ultimately adopted with some immaterial alterations. The chief ground of contention was the ballotbutit was carried by alarge majority. It is amusing to observe the ultra liberalism of the late Nominees They all professed themselves staunch advocates of uuiversal suffrage, and Dr. Monro urged the omission of the proposal to give certain Civil Officers seats by virtue of their office, insisting strongly upon our demanding Responsible Government in the fullest acceptation of the term. It is gratifying to observe the similarity that exists in the propositions of the Nelson settlers, and those intended to be laid before the public meetiii". We trust the settlers here will give up some minor points and adopt some of the Nelson suggestions, especially those with regard to the term for which Metubers are to be elected. By the next Nelson mail, we hope to have a full account ofthe Great Meeting.

The ship Oriental, 507 tons, T. Taylor Communder, arrived here on Sundaylast from Sydney via Twofold Bay, after a passage of 22 days, having to beat against a head wind nearly the whole way. The Oriental left Sydney early in December and proceeded to Twofold Bay, where she shipped 17G2 sheep, 25 well bred horses, and sixty head of cattle, out of which she lost 1100 sheep, (that died of a disease called catarrh) two of the horses, and three head of cattle. The Oriental is, we might say, an old visitor, having been here twice before. She was the second ship that brought emigrants to this settlement, now nearly 11 years ago, and her late commander Captain Wilson, we are sorry to bear is now dead. The brig Torrington also arrived on Sunday, bringing with her Sydney papers up to the 6th December, but not so late English news as we had hitherto received via. Port Cooper. The Torrington caikd, at Nelson on her passage here. The barque Robert Sogers had not sailed from Sydney when the Torrinqtou left. J

The schooner Twins, Captain Davis, came into harbour on Saturday last from Poit Cooper. By her we. hear that the Cressy from London had arrived, about five hours before the Tioins sailed—that the cutter Fly, Cemino, had also arrived there, but not the Government brig Victoria. The Crcssy's mail was not forwarded by the Twins.