THE HAWKE'S BAY HERALD. Napier, Saturday, Oct. 3, 1857.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume I, Issue 2, 3 October 1857, Page 3

THE HAWKE'S BAY HERALD. Napier, Saturday, Oct. 3, 1857.

We could not,perhaps, more appropriately introduce the second number of the Herald than by saying a few words upon the "uses" of a newspaper. As illustrative of the value of the newspaper, and of the estimation in which as a great moral and political engine, it is held by the inhabitants of old countries, we might point to England, where the influence of the press has earned for it the proud title of the " fourth estate." But a better illustration, so far as our own circumstances are concerned, is to be found in its effects upon new countries — upon communities whose position more nearly resembles our own. In America and the Canadas, not merely the "uses," but the indispensable necessity of a newspaper is so universally recognised, that hardly is a site for a township laid out — hardly have the "reserves" for the future town hall, market-place, churches of various denominations, and the public school, been marked off on the Town Map — and hardly have a score of houses been run vp — than a small folio sheet, printed in large type and with a few boldly displayed advertisements, makes its appearance, with an opening address from the editor, prophesying the coming greatness and wealth of the "City of Pines," and bespeaking the support of his readers and fellow-citizens on the ground of his being certain to be a leading agent in building up the future of the city just born into the world. And this has been no vain boast. Cities planted not a quarter of a century back in the midst of vast forests, or on a plain surrounded by seemingly never-to-be-drained swamps and morasses, have in the course of that short time sprung up into magnitude and population, rivalling many of the busiest lives of industry in the old world. For this rapid progress they have been largely indebted to their "Advocate" or "Herald" or "Morning Star." The very fact of a paper being published in the infant city or settlement, has been a guarantee that, with all the drawbacks incidental to the life of the pioneer of civilization and commerce, the new settlement will not be out of the world. His neighbours may be miles off and he himself many a day's journey from the nearest store. But the little newspaper enables him to exchange ideas with the one and to learn, without having to make a special voyage of discovery, what the storekeeper may have on sale. In this way a newspaper is of vital importance to a young and scattered settlement; and were it upon this ground alone, the journalist who has the enterprise and resolution to leave a populous city and cast in his lot among. the "advance spirits of civilization," may fairly claim the cordial support of his fellow-set-tlers. But further : the establishment and regular publication of a newspaper in a new settlement, is a guarantee to intending immigrants that they are not breaking up their homes and making voyages of many thousands of miles, to find themselves at last landed in an imaginary "Eden." Private letters reaching England can never do fora new settlement what even a small weekly newspaper, if carefully and honestly conducted, can do. They never carry so much weight with the distant reader as a' printed record of the sayings and doings of the aggricultural, pastoral, commercial, and maritime progress of a place. The private letter speaks but the experience of one ; the newspaper embodies the opinion of many ; and even though its columns be occasionally occupied by controversy, political or other, that very circumstance is of use as affording an indication of the intelligence and character of the people — while its local news columns furnish the means of forming a tolerably fair judgment as to the inducements offered by the country and its port to intending settlers. Is the new settlement sought to be depre- , ciated by parties interested in a rival settlement, or to be deprived, in any shape, of its fair share — its " Advocate" steps in to its defence. Is a new road wanted 1 The Her-

aid opens its columns to correspondence on the best line to be taken. Does the port or harbour require dredging or embanking to enable ships to lie in safety, and load and discharge with ease and dispatch ? The local paper takes up the question, and, by shewing the importance of the improvements suggested, as regards the advancement of the commerce of the settlement, enlists the support of the country settlers — equally with that of the agent, the factor, and the storekeeper. As population increases, more frequent information as to what is going on in the little world of the new community is felt be necessary ; the paper has to be published twice a -week ; perhaps a rival starts up ; competition then takes place among the store-keepers and merchants on a more extensive sale ; and by keeping its readers informed on these matters — either through its advertising or general columns — and so enabling them to avail themselves of advantages ever consequent upon legitimate competition, the newspaper becomes an active agent in promoting the prosperity of a young country — in which prosperity its conductors of course share in common with their neighbours. Considerations such as the foregoing have, among others, weighed largely with the proprietor and conductor of the "Hawke's Bay Herald and Ahuriri Advocate," in determining him to commence a newspaper devoted to the advocacy of the interests of these fine districts, in this early stage of their history. That which has taken place elsewhere he confidently anticipates will do so here likewise. Before many years elapse he has no doubt that, while its flocks and herds and consequently its exports of wool, shall have greatly increased, — Ahuriri will also have acquired a large agricultural population — producing cereals for home consumption, with a surplus for other markets ; that the island (as we are accustomed to call it) of Scinde will be inhabited by a numerous and thriving population, under whose fostering care it will be a spot of exceeding loveliness ; that, participating to the full in the blessings of selfgovernment granted the New Zealand colonist under the New Constitution, the interior will have become intersected with good roads — the public buildings, now existing but on paper, will have become realities — the harbour — improved from the public purse — will have become a port of extensive trade, and will be thronged with shipping. Such is the not very distant future we predict for our newly adopted settlement ; and in aiding to bring abotit this "good time coming," we shall be at least earnest and stedfast. To be frank with our readers, we have the best of till reasons for so doing — that we hope to share in the advantage of that "good time." We trust that on their part, our subscribers and readers "will do their utmost to back up our efforts in bringing about a consummation so devoutly to be desired.