THE SOUTHERN CROSS. Tuesday, November 13, 1849.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume V, Issue 248, 13 November 1849, Page 2

THE SOUTHERN CROSS. Tuesday, November 13, 1849.

LUCEO HON TJRO. "If T have been extinguished, yet tliere rise A thousand beacons from the spark 1 bore."

Two effects have been produced, iu this settlement by the exciting news from California. One of these, though in some respects only what might have been naturally expected, is nevertheless matter of regret. The other, which was not foreseen — and which in some measure was unexpected, is matter of congratulation. The effect which is to be regretted, is the spirit of emigrai tion which has been, engendered, and this not only on account of the positive injury which must be inflicted on any young colony by the withdrawal of a portion of its population, but also because there is just reason to fear that many who have left these shores full of bright anticipations of a golden harvest, will reap nothing but danger and disappointment. The effect on ! which we congratulate ourselves and the colony, is the opening up of a prospect of a profitable market for many of our articles of export. A brief glance at the recent shipping reports of our papers will suffice to show that our export trade has received an encouraging stimulus ; and that since the conflicting accounts from California have been reduced to something like a certainty of what really is, and what is not, profitably exportable to that place, an unusual degree of activity has prevailed in this important branch of our commerce. Out of fifteen vessels which have cleared at our Custom House for San Francisco, five ships have been loaded and have sailed within a very short time ; six more will soon leave this port freighted with valuable cargoes of indigenous produce for the Californian market. The "Pilgrim," the "Kiwi," the "Maukiu," the" Avon," the"Pembroke," & the "Enterprise," will all convey full cargoes of timber & other commodities. These are encouraging facts, and as there is little doubt but that these speculations will be profitable to those who have embarked their capital in them, we may with reason congratulate ourselves upon the advantage which the colony generally will derive from this unexpected soui'ce. We notice also the arrival of the " Toroa," a new vessel built at the Kawau. This craft brings a cargo of 55 tons of regulus ore for transhipment by the " Moa," another fine specimen of our naval architecture — to Sydney. This also is an encouraging fact, and may well help to cheer our spirits, depressed as they have been by the restrictive policy of our Government, and by the gloomy aspect of our domestic affairs. While contemplating with pleasurable feelings these proofs of the strength and value of our internal resources, and the indomitable energy of our colonists who in spite of every obstacle, are able to develop and make them available, the mind naturally and instinctively reviews with indignant sorrow the paltry selfish policy which would, had it been possible, have retarded, if not altogether prevented these happy events. The " Toroa," in all probability would not at this moment have been breasting the waters of the Waitemata, if the schemes of our considerate and paternal Government had been crowned with success. They would have deprived the Kawau Company of the greater portion of the Island, and diminished their resources by other heavy demands. No thanks to the Government that the Kawau Company are still enabled ta carry on their operations

with increasing vigour. Persons at a distance would really be apt to think that a Government could never be so blind to the interest of the Colony, and that we must have misrepresented them, when speaking, as we have often done, of the impediments which have been thrown in the way of those who were able and anxious to develope the natural resources of the country. How often, for instance, have wo alluded to the obstacles thrown in the way of those who had discovered, and wished to be allowed to work, lime quarries and coal pits. The correspondence, published below, will show, however, that we have not complained of a restrictive, grasping policy, without sufficient cause. If bad Government could hare done it, this Colony would long since have been ruined j but, happily for us, it possesses within itself elements of strength which no Government, however mischievous, can frustrate or render valueless. With California for a market, we shall yet do well ; and though we may not be able to reap all the benefits which under a different policy we might do, yet we shall undoubtedly reap no small advantage from commercial intercourse with the modern Ophir. We cannot close these desultory remarks without expressing our surprise at the supineness and inactivity of our brethren at the South. We do not perceive a single vessel loading for California by their shipping reports. They were wont to be foremost in the march of commercial enterprize ; but that now seems to have given way to party politics and "Nominees." As one of the many obstacles thrown in the way of the development of the resources of the colony, we have placed the following coi*respondence on record, leaving it to speak for itself, without farther comment from us. (Copy.) " Auckland, Sept. 25, 1848. " I beg leave to state for his Excellency the Governor's consideration that I have it in my power at present, to malce au arrangement with the native proprietors, as far as they are concerned, for the purchase of a piece of land where coal exists, and which I am desirous to work and render available for the Auckland and other markets, as well as for the purpose of supplying such of H.M. Steamers as may be on the station. In reference thereto I take the liberty of requesting to be informed if the Government will permit me to carry out an agreement with the natives for the purchase of the said piece of land, and grant me a license for that purpose — and at the same time give me a guarantee that they will not stop my operations so long as they are carried on in conformity with such agreement ; or otherwise be pleased to inform me to what extent the Government will undertake to facilitate my views in the project to work the said coal. " I have the honor, &c, "W. E. Cormack. " The Hon. Colonial Secretary." (Copy.) No. 419. " Colonial Secretary's Office, " Auckland, 2 Nov. 184S. " Sir, — With reference to your letter of the 25th Sept. on the subject of the purchase by you of a coal mine from the natives, and for permission to work the same. " I am instructed by his Excellency tho Governor to request that you will communicate with the Surveyor General, who will then endeavour to purchase the land from the natives for the Government, when it can be offered for sale, or lease, in the usual manner. " I have the honor, &c. (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, " Colonial Secretary. " W. E. Cormack, Esq." (Copy.) " Auckland, 28th Nov., 1848. « s IB) — I regret to find by your letter of the 2nd instant, in reply to an application which I made to the Government upon the subject of a coal mine, that all hope of working the coal is at present put an end to ; for it does seem unreasonable that the discoverer of so valuable a production should not be permitted to derive some benefit more than others who have bestowed no care or expense in ascertaining the fact of its existence. I had hoped that the Government might have sanctioned the purchase or lease by me of the land from the native owners, on terms which might have been prescribed by the Government, and have thus aided, instead of impeding, the development of the resources of ths country. " I have the honor, &c, (Signed) W. E. Cormack. " The Hon. the Colonial Secretary."

fl M S " Fly," 18 guns, Captain Oliver, Ltornedto port yesterday from Wangarei & c recrretto learn that through an accident L of her crew was yesterday removed to L Colonial Hospital, suffering from Lockjaw caused by a splinter running into his foot. _ The genial change in the weather mentioned in our last, still continues, and we lave again been favoured with alternate showers and sun-shine, which are having the most beneficial influence upon the crops and yegetation of every description. A more pleasing scene can scarcely be looked upon than the green verdure in which the rich cultivated fields are now clad on every side, or one of greater beauty than that presented ] to our native flowering plants and shrubs pow in full bloom. The appearance of both the flower and kitchen gardens is also pleasant and cheering — the produce of the fatter is now far advanced — potatoes of considerable size have already been dug up, and ire may now shortly look for a plentiful Jnpply- Of fruit there is also every appearance of an abundant supply this season, particularly in the northern districts, where we .understand the'prospects are most promising.