HAWKE BAY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1338, 14 June 1859, Page 3

HAWKE BAY.

June Ist 1859., [FEOM Oim OWN COEHESPONDENT.] You will naturally expect that as a new comer here, I should give you my opinion ofthe Province and people among whom for the present my lot is cast, and to speak impartially the climate here is delightful and far superior to' anything I have yet experienced .in New Zealand. But the inhabitants suffer from a great disadvantage in the want of Wood and Water, the latter of which forms a serious obstacle to all those desirous of leasing or buying property, while the former want is supplied in a great measure by coal which can be ob . tain ed at a cost varying from £4 to £5 per ton. New comers in the absence of. better accommodation ate compelled to; resort' to the public houses. Another great want in our social history is the total absence of any ordained ministry amongst us (with the exception of the Roman Catholics who in this respect are ever foremost); like the Macedonians of old the cry of those who here profess to have a respect for the religion of.their forefathers, must be— and addressed to you and others placed in happier circumstances'than ourselves. Come over and help us. I cannot refrain while alluding to this subject from expressing my warm admiration of the conduct of Captain Newman, who has the moral courage to perform Divine service every Sunday, thus proving to the world at large that there are some even in this heathen land who call the Sabbath of the Lord a delight tlie holy of the Lord honourable. The formation of a Building Society is decidedly a great improvement in our social character, and I trust will only be a precursor to other societies equally advantageous in every respect to our new cornmiinitv.

I am almost afraid as yet to say anything of our political status, being so lately arrived. I am and have ever been decidedly opposed to a separation, which I am firmly persuaded is entirely antagonistic to the Spirit of our Constitution Act; still we must take things as we find them, and I believe- the members collectively speaking are individually actuated by a sincere desire of philanthropy and amor propria. June 10th 1859 ', The White Swan sailed on Tuesday last,for your port with a full complement of passengers among whom were their Honours Messrs. Gresson and Johnston, the-Pusine Judges, on their return from Auckland. The Wonga Wonga arrived yesterday from Wellington after a quick run nf forty hours, and leaves to day on her return trip. Great regret is experienced at the approaching departure nf Captain Kennedy, who we believe is about to have the cs-mmand of one ofthe Inter Colonial Mail Company's Boats. While congratulating him on his well deserved success, we shall keenly miss a 'gentleman, whoj from his thorough seamanship, gentlemanly demeanour and courtesy in both his public and private life, has merited and won the esteem of all who have been fortunate enough to come into contact with him. To the. Wellington community especially he will be: a great loss and one not easily supplied.

As you may well imagine, in a place of such ; - narrow limits as Napier and so newly sprunginto existence, there is little of local importance '■' • worth chronicling. The Provincial' Council I; believe draws its sittings to a close to day pi tomorrow; they have not been distinguished by ,■ •-' any great act of Legislation, this their first. ses- ■ sion being little, more than .bringing .their .'i machinery of state into working order. The estimates however have been framed in what a cynic might call an extravagant spirit ; out of an income of *£25,000 their expenditure I should say is not far short of ,£22,500. Whether succeeding years will enable them to continue public expenditure in this liberal spirit remains to be proved. I think however ihny are somewhat too sanguine, public works are however progressing in a rapid, sfady, and efficient •manner, and I suppose there is hardly a finer line of lload in the Colony than that called Shakespeare, from one end uf this town to the other. The cis however an antagonism in the Council to the money already expended on this work.. Aud not only on th's but on work-! iv the town. Generally the country members look with jealousy on Napier, and demand that the public money should be spent on that pint of the Province Ihat contributes tho must to tho public revenue (in the country). The edutatii n Bill although coiisideiably altered and modiliid

ir. its transition through tha Council, is still a good one and could it be carried out in its rxi ity, will no doubt be beneficial in its working in a new community us this is. The White Swan brought the Rev. Peter Barclay of the 'Presbyterian Church who has been appointed to minister here: While grutelully welcoming him as in a great measure upplying the spiritual ds'.iUitioti under which wo labour, ilcmiuot but be regretted that the Church of England and the VVosloyaiis should not ns yet have 'boon tempted to send, out Labourers into this vineyard; for there' are many, very vmiiiy here whoso constant cry is " Who will sho,v us.auy,Good?" " With "a"spirit and energy worthy of all commendation tho settlers here haye 1 started'a Building Society on the sanie principles as those which have been worked so'snccesfiilly in Wellington,,and already One, Hundred and Twenty shares have been taken and I have. no doubt under able management it will prove a great boon to this community. .1 am also in hopes of shortly seeing a Mechanics Institute established, and such •is much needed as a pleasaut and safe resort for the young amongst us. lam warned that the Mail will close in half an hour so I must draw this present gossip to a close. I will preserve -as far as possible regularity in my communications though I am afraid they will ut times be but very short and unimportant, but as an old friend of mine in Wellington would say. ' It is not iv mortals to command success Though tliey may deserve it. Junius. In my letter just posted I forgot to mention that the Provincial Council have in the course of their Session passed only two bills viz., an ' Executive Act' professedly based upon that of Wellington but in my opinion avery faulty one, in one clause leaving it permissive and not incumbent on tha Superintendent to appoint a Provincial Solicitor, and!the)other the Education Act to which I have already alluded. Mr. McLean is still here* and his lime is fully occupied with the natives, his negociations will doubtless, result in large acquisitions of Land to the Crown. There are few servants oi the General Government who is more thoroughly qualified for his office oi so universally respeetsd as the gentleman in question.