The New Zealand Advertiser,

AND

BAY OF ISLANDS GAZETTE.

KORORARIKA :-OCTOBER 15, 1840.

SINCE our Paper of last week, we have been under the necessity of publishing a SUPPLEMENT to it, containing as an advertisement, a Memorial to her Majesty Queen Victoria, and a Protest against the Commissioner's Act of Sir George Gipps. The originals are now ready for signatures, and will be forwarded to England as soon as possible. In our judgment these documents are the most important we have yet seen on the subjects to which they refer. We have heard of some slight difference of opinion on the wording of one part of the Protest, but we do not apprehend there is any difference of opinion as to its general correctness in statement and argument. We have never heard any doubt expressed as to the absolute necessity of this plan of proceeding, as to the object to be attained, namely, the causing her Majesty to withhold her consent to the Commissioner's Act, and to separate the Colony altogether from being dependent on New South Wales. We do, therefore, most earnestly hope, that, restraining any minute verbal criticisms under circumstances so urgent and peculiar, the Colonists will, as one man, affix their signatures. By so doing, the appalling consequences of this piece of Legislation may, perhaps, yet be checked. If, on the contrary, the Colonists hesitate, we can only tell them that they will have only once to repent of their vacillation. There is not a person in the Bay of Islands who is not suffering severely from the suspension of Commercial enterprise and general pecuniary distress. As proof of the truth of our statements, we might mention, that the Auctioneers are suspending their sales - the reason they assign to us being, that it will not do until the Land question is settled. We are not apt to use strong language, but we may say, we do most conscientiously believe that we know nothing yet of the mischiefs that Act will produce - even by the mere suspension of business, and restlessness of mind which, it causes - except as a drop out of an ocean. Let every man, then, hasten to sign the Memorial and Protest, laying aside every private or personal feeling as too paltry to be thought of on such an occasion.

We are not able this week, to pursue our analysis of this Bill; but we must repeat our conviction, that it is calculated to bring the Maori and white population alike into confusion, and no one can say where that

[...]

mention is made of improvements on the lands and one person told us, he has roughly and inadequately estimated the houses and other improvements in Kororarika alone, at not less than £30,000 according to the present price of timber and other materials, which is at one view far too low an estimate.

We perceive from the Sydney Monitor, that our Brother-Colonists of Port Nicholson, are labouring to press their own claims, separately, on the attention of Sir George Gipps. We know not whether this plan will prove politic or not - it is not the plan we prefer. We object to Sir George's Act in toto, for reasons already before the Public. And moreover, we think, that in strict justice, the Act must be rescinded or applied, not partially, or with regard to particular localities, but in reference to the whole country.

We would suggest to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the propriety of including Kororarika, as the principal place of business, in the Russell Mail to Hokianga, and of letting the public know the times when it is made up. Also, of having a regular mail-bag forwarded on a certain hour every day or every other day, from Kororarika to Russell and back again; this would save much trouble. Also, of publishing the charges for postage to England and to the neighbouring Colonies, as there has been a most inconvenient degree of uncertainty about this matter.

In reference to the last-named point we would observe, that we have written many letters of great importance to Van Diemen's Land, South Australia, and elsewhere since we have been here, and we have invariably paid 4d. which was the sum charged us for ship postage. We never had a hint that more was required. The other day, however, the Post Master told us that letters would not pass through Sydney to other Colonies, unless 7d. were paid with them here. Hence, we are altogether in doubt whether our letters ever reached their destination. This is a very serious matter, and the Government itself becomes morally responsible for the consequences of their detention, when its own officers do not understand nor fulfil their duty.

We call attention to a very important Extract on the Independence of New Zealand, in another part of our Paper.

On Wednesday evening, a man named Fraser, who had been discharged two or three days from the Bolina, leaped from the deck of the Coromandel schooner into the water, and was instantly drowned, there being no boat at hand to pick him up.

For the Thames.
To Sail in 7 days,

The fine, fast sailing schooner
HARLEQUIN;
Has good Accommodations for Passengers. For Freight or Passage apply to
SIMMONS, WESTON & Co.
Kororarika.
14th Oct., 1840.

FOR SALE,
On Sale, at Messrs. NOBLE &
WEEKS'S Store at the North end of the Beach —
Manilla and Coir Rope
Pit, cross cut and other saws
Locks, bolts, sprigs and screws
Tin ware
Coffee, mustard, pepper, &c.
Starch and blue
Balance candle knives and forks, in sets
Raisins, dessert, and others.
Biscuit, &c., &c.

FOR SALE,
8 HHDS. superior strong Jamaica Rum
PETER MOODY,
Accountant and Ship Broker.
N. B. - Unadjusted Accounts adjusted, &c.

THE MEMBERS
of the old Kororarika Association are requested to attend a Meeting at the Royal Hotel, on Saturday Evening the 17th instant, at 7 P. M., on important business relative to the said Association.
(By Order of the Chairman,)
PETER MOODY,
Hon. Sec.
Kororarika, 14th Oct., 1840.

FOR SALE,
THAT desirable Allotment adjoining Mr. Smith's, fronting the Beach.
Apply to
WM. WILSON.
Sept. 23rd.

TO BE LET OR SOLD,
THAT desirable House adjoining Wood's Hotel, together with the unexpired Lease of the Land.
Apply to
WM. WILSON.
23rd Sept.

FIVE POUNDS REWARD!
STOLEN from the Club-House between the hours of 8 & 10 o'clock on Sunday morning last, a Gold Curb Guard and Silver Hunting WATCH. The above Reward will be paid to any party who may

We beg to repeat our request, that persons indebted to this establishment, will discharge their bills without delay.