The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-30 00:00:00

'HE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, 1846.

other class of our citizens. They constitute a large majo-
rity of our population ; and i- is well known that when they
prosper, all other pursuits prosper also. They have hereto-
fore not. only received none of the bounties or favours of go-
vernment, but, by the unequal operations of the protective
policy, have been made, by the burdens of taxations which
it imposed, to contribute to the bounties which have en-
riched others.

When a foreign as well as a home market is opened to
them they must receive, as they are now receiving, in-
creassld prices for their products. They will find a readier
sale, and at better prices, for their wheat, fiyur, rice, Indian
corn, beef, pork, lard, butter, cheese, and other articles
which they produce.
The home market alone is inadequate to enable them to
dispose of the immense surplus of food and other articles
whi. h they are capable of producing, even at the most re-
duced prices, for the manifest teas in that they cannot be
consumed in the country. The United States can, from
their immense surplus, supply not only the home demand,
but the deficiencies of food required by the whole world.

That the reduced production of some of the chief articles I
of food in Great Britain and other parts of Europe may have
contributed to increase the demand for our bread-stuffs and
provisions is not doubted; but that the great and efficient
cause of this increased demand, and of increased prices, con-
sists in the removal of artificial restrictions heretofore im-
posed, is deemed to be equally certain. That our exports of
food, already increased and increasing beyond former
example, under the more liberal policy which has been
adopted, will be still vastly enlarged, unless they be
checked or prevented by a restoration of the protective
policy, cannot be doubted. That our commercial and
navigating interests will be enlarged in a correspond-
ing ratio with the increase of our trade is equally certain •
while our manufacturing interests will still be the favoured
interests of the country. and receive theincidental protection
afforded them by revenue duties ; and more than this they
cannot justly demand.
In my annual message of December last, a tariff of revenue
duties based upon the principles of the existing law was
recommended, and I have seen no reason to change the
opinions then expressed. In view of the probable bene-
ficial effects of that law, I recommend that the policy esta-
blished by it be maintained. It has but just commenced to
operate, and to abandon or modify it without giving it a fair
trial would be inexpedient and unwise. Should defects in
any of its details be ascertained by actual experience to
exist, these may be hereafter corrected, but until such defects
shall become manifest, the act should be fairly tested.
It was submitted for your consideration whether it may
not be proper, as a war measure, to impose revenue duties
on some of the articles now embraced in the free list.
Should it be deemed proper to impose such duties, with a
view to raise revenue to meet the expenses of the war with
Mexico, or to avoid to that extent the creation of a public
debt, they may be repealed when the emergency which gave
rise to them shall cease to exist, end constitute no part of
the permanent policy of the country.

DEM/LT FISH ENCOUNTEL—The other day, an unusual
commotion was observed in the Findhorn, at one of the
spawning beds, by a party of men. It was soon discovered
to be occasioned by the fighting of two salmon, both
large males. After a long struggle the water be-came
still, and one of the combatants floated to the surface, dead.

COLONIAL.
NEW ZEALAND.

[The Charter and instructions under the sign manual, of
which an abstract is here subjoined, were officially published
in the Gazette of last night. They are now, therefore, in
virtue of the act for the government of New Zealand, the
constitutional laws of that colony, although they will not
come into operation until they have been proclaimed there.]
The CHARTER consists of twenty-five clauses or sections.
Clause 1 constitutes and establishes municipal corporations in
New Zealand, with such powers, qualifications, and restric-
tions as are enumerated in the iorructions under the sign
manual. 2. The extent and boundaries of these munici-
palities, the elections, and qualifications of the members of
their corporations are to be as directed in the instruc-
tions. 3. Two separate provinces, the " Province of
New Ulster" and the " Province of New Munster,"
with separate assemblies, consisting of a governor, legislative
council, and hou-se of assembly, arc constituted: the limits of
the provinces and the time and manner of convening the
assembly, arc to be as set forth in the instructions. 4. The
appointment of members of the legislative council, and the
election of representatives, are to be as set forth in the in-
structions. 5. Constitutes a general assembly for the islands
of New Zealand, in terms of the instructions. 6. The
general assembly is to be constituted, to deliberate and legis-
late, and i:s enactments are to be sanctioned or disallowed,
as set forth in the instructions. 7. The stun of 6,000!. per
annum is set apart out of the revenue of each province by
way f civil list, to be applied, appropriated, and accounted
for, as set forth in the instructions. 8. No grants or appro-
priations of public monies are to be made by the assem-
blies, unless they are first recommended by or in behalf
of the crown, with a view to some specific public
service within the provinces. 9. The letters patent
of 4th Victoria are revoked all laws and ordinances made,
or acts done, under them are valid and effectual, so far
as they do not interfere with or prevent the operation of the
present charter. 10. The course of proceeding in the gene-
ral assembly and provincial assemblies is to be as set forth in
the instructions. 11. The governor of each province is to
summon as an executive council for each province the
persons designated in the instructions, or who shall hereafter
be appointed under the sign manual. 12. The governor-in-
chief and the governor of each province, respectively, is to
keep and use a public seal. 13. The governors of the pro-
vinces are empowered, with advice and consent of their re-
spective executive councils, to divide the same into counties,
hundreds, towns, townships, and parishes, and to appoint the
limit's thereof by proolamatiun. 14. The governors
have power to make grants of waste land under
the public seals of tneir respective provinces to
individuals for their own use, or to bodies cor-
porate in trust. 15. In making such grants the governors
must conform to the instructions. 16. The governors are
authorised to appoint (and in case of need suspend) judges,
commissioners of oyer and teratiner, justices of the peace,
end other administrative officers. 17. Provided that in such
appointments and suspensions they conform to the instruc-
tions. 18. The governors are empowered to administer the
necessary oaths to all officers, civil and military. 19. The
governors are empowered to grant to convicted criminals
free pardons, respites of executions, or total or partial, con-
ditional or unconditional remissions of tines, penalties, or
forfeitures. 20. In event of the death, absence, or incapacity
of the governor-in-chief, his functions shall be discharged,
during the vacancy, by the governor of New Ulster;
failing him, by the governor of New Munster ; fail-
ing him, by the chief officer in command of the
forces in the islands fur the time being. 21. Lieutenant-
governors of the provinces are to be appointed by
commissions under the signet and sign manual. In
case of their resignation or incapacity the governor-in-
chief is empowered to make interim appointments. 22. The
lieutenant-governor exercises and enjoys all the authorities
and powers vested in the governor of the same province,
with these exceptions: in the case of the office of governor-
in-chief becoming vacant, the governor of New Munster
succeeds before the lieutenant-governor of New Ulster, and
the officer in command of the forces before a lieutenant-
governor whose commission has only been issued by the
governor-in-chief. 23. Power is reserved to the crown to
appoint the same person et the same time governor-in-chief
and governor of one or both of the provinces ; and to appoint
the same person at the same time lieutenant-governor of
both provinces. 24. Power is reserved to the crown to
amend or repeal the charter and instructions. 25. The
charter is only to take effect in New Zealand after it has
been proclaimed by the person commissioned to be governor-

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
We have papers from this colony to the Ist of
August. The accounts of mining operation' continue fa-
vourable. Considerable excitement appears to have been
occasioned at Adelaide by Mr. Morphett's motion in the
legislative council, to appropriate a sum out of the public
revenue for the promotion of educatien and religion; the
money to be apportioned to the various Christian sects in the
ratio of their numbers, as shown by the government census.
A petition against the propoesl, subscribed by most of the
dissenting clergymen in the colony, and upwards of a hun-
dred other persons, was presented to the council. Mr.
Morphett's motion passed by a majority of 4 to 3. One of
its opponents, however, only asked for delay, intimating
that ultimately he would, in all probability, vote for the
grant. There was no other public movement of consequence.
Among other gaieties, we observe in our files of Adelaide
papers, repeated meets of the Adelaide hounds, and alum-
nae ball given by the governor.
PROGRESS OFDISCOVERY.—The followingparagraphs from
the South Australian Register, indicate the progress of settle-
ment and discovery in the colony :—The expedition under the
command of Mr. Horrocks, the object of which is to explore
the hitherto unknown country north-west of the ranges
of Mount Arden, started from Adelaide on Satur-
day morning, the 11th of July. Whether policy
or a proper carefulness swayed the legislative body
in refusing to vote the sum of 801. in furtherance
of this new attempt at useful exploration is now of little
moment, since the public has evinced a proper appreciation
of the objects by subscribing towards the outfit a sum rather
above 1401., within the short period of ten days. Mr. Hor-
rocks has taken with him rations for five months, and is ao-
companied by Mr. Theakatone, the friend and fellow-travel-
ler of the late Mr. Darke; Mr. Gill, the artist ; Martin
Mann, a veteran soldier, late of the 96th ; an aboriginal
native who has been some time in Mr. Ilorrocks service, a
man named Bernard Koiing; and last, not least, the camel
(notpar excellence, being the only one in the colony), but
the one of which Mr. Horrocks is esteemed the distinguished
or by the wondering natives, and which will doubt-
r=ove a valuable appendage.
LAND SALES.—Monday, July 13, was the day for pay-
ment of the balances of land purchases made on the 13th of
June, when thirty lots around Kapunda, the entir: number
offered, were sold; and the aggregate sales amounted to
30,0811. Is. Various rumours were prevalent since the
sale, and diligent local examinations were made by the re-
spective buyers, but none of the confidently expected forfei-
tures of deposits have occurred; all the money, in hard cash,
having found its way into the colonial treasury where the
balance in hand amounts to upwards of 70,0001. The
sales, constituting the 30,0811. Is. referred to, were (in
effect) the following:—To the Grand Junction Mining
Company, 10,718; Captain *.Bastot, 6,3581. Is.; and '.' lessrs.
Stephens and Aston, 3,0051. Not only will the 20,0001. for
the Mount Remarkable special survey be forthcoming in a
few days ; but it is confidently asserted that " the needful "
for another " special " has been provided ; and although
the parties concerned seem to think that all they
can do is to bespeak, iii the teeth of the Lieu-
tenant-Gurcmor's avowed intentions, this they ar4 re-

solved to do, in order to establish the best claim
to priority in respect of a most valuable locality.
So that we have daily proofs of the zealous ac-
tivity of colonists in attraisting hither large funds for in-
vestment, and only to be met by arbitrary determinations on
the part of the local government. Viewing the late conjoint
expenditure in addition to the large outlay for special sur-
veys, we see no great cause for garm ; but the greatest
alarmist may take consolation from the fact that no mineral
lands will be likely to come into the market for a period of
three months, and there is no saying what the extent of im-
ported capital may ba before that time. Meanwhile the
expenditure by the different mining concerns and the
government will put an extraordinary amount of money into
circulation.