By a recent Visitor to Wairoa and Kaipara. From the 'Maori Messenger.'

Daily Southern Cross, Volume VII, Issue 471, 2 January 1852, Page 4

By a recent Visitor to Wairoa and Kaipara. From the 'Maori Messenger.'

In a fortikdr number of the' '"Maori Messengerj* I wrote a short sketch of Rangiaowhia, and; 'of the progress made by the natives theVe }'iri;Jhe'' 'cultivation of wheat. I wish npit to draw ,the attention of its readers to another district in which the natives are busily engaged in raising another very valuable production. I mean Kauri timber in the district of the Wairoa. Intrust these occasional sketches may prove useful'in indicating the natural resources of the country, and its different capabilities, in encouraging enterprise and emulation, and in recording the progressive advance of Nativ&tribes in civilization and good conduct. The.^airoa falls, after a course of about 150 mses,, into the .harbour of Kaipara. Eor 80 niiles.up its. course, a brig of 80 tons often gails, . Sixty miles from the heads, at Mango-whare, also lie vessels-of an&tpnnage, and take in freight with great facility. Magnificent forests of Kauri'timber gird the banks of this noble river, and strong tides soon sweep the rafts to the place of embarkation. Two European establishments for the timber trade have been already formed there, and, in their employment, the natives are Wily engaged in felling, drawing, and dragging out spars, and rafting and loading. Two of them were recognised pilots, and the entire management, for the time, of large vessels and precious freights, is entrusted to their care. Within the last twelve months, 434,000 feet of timber and 63 Kauri spars have been exported from Kiapara, to assist in the construction of houses, ships, and machinery. Their commercial value is £8,760. Such an excellent commencement leads one^ to anticipate, far more excellent results in the course of a few years. The ; two chief difficulties at present in the way .of the progress of this important trade there, are the unsurveyed state of Kaipara harbour, and the unfrequent communication with Auckland. Both are, however temporary. The first will soon be obviated by the arrival of H. M. surveying vessel, the ' Pandora,' now engaged in surveying Hokianga, but shortly expected at Kaipara. The second difficulty arises from the intervening obstacle of the bar at, the Head of Kaipara, which it is qften dangerous to cross in open boats. [, however, trust that small decked vessels may soon be running along the Wairoa and Kaipara Rivers, as a chain of communication between them and the Waitemate (separate from each other so narrowly >, and I think, as I have heard suggested, an overland road of a day's journey, might be found between the sources of the Oruawharo and Waitemata, and thus avoid the Kaipara altogether. The advantages of facility and regularity of inter-communication are so obvious, that I hope for the sake of the prosperity of a valuable district, these two suggestions may soon be carried into effect. Each is, I think, easily attainable by the Natives themselves. How gratifying it is to see on both sides of Auckland. —at Rangiaowhia and at Kaipara, the Natives so laudably exerting themselves to develope the recources of their country, and improve their own condition. For they are no less industrious than they are honest and well behaved. It may be said these are only small beginnings, bnt, I ask, who can predict the immense conclusions of small beginnings. The massive stem of the Kauri springs from'an almost invisible seed and the enormous ship in which that stem is but an insignificant spar, sails upon a river which you can retrace to a petty rivulet. We can only calculate the future by recollecting the past. Within the memory of the present generation, New . Zealand was so dreaded by mariners, that for years the Rev. Mr Marsden was unable' to procure a vessel to convey him on his; holy mission. Later still, the Native. population,of the". North wa3 decimated by internecine warfare. What liave a few; years done ? In this very district of the North, the Natives are among' the chief producers of colonial wealth,and best examples of morality. The spear and musket are now the axe and plough. The lonely traveller is as safe, and as sure of hospitality at NatiVe hands as at his own fireside. What then may a few more years do ? I can foresee, on the one hand of Auckland, th J e Tallies of the Waipa and Waikato, one vast district of corn, while, on the other band, the valley of the Wairoa yields its abundant supply of timber. What a cheering prospect! Agricultural and natural treasures floating on the streams of Waikato, and on the tides of Kaipara, at the very threshold of Auckland! Gold may attraot multitudes to New South Wales.' L6t them come ; and" as surely a J time, will come, when New Zealand shall be able, out of her stores of plenty, to furnish bread to feed them, wood to house them, and ship's to bear their merchandize.