CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 127, 11 June 1853, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir,—ln my letter of the 21st of April lastj I merely stated that, "the Settlers in the Wairarapa Plains can only avail themselves of a small harbour which can seldom be approached without serious risk, situated at the mouth of the river, which, after flowing through these, in many places, marshy plains, empties itself into the sea in Palliser Bay. Whereas the fine Plains, undulating and hilly country, most of which can be appropriated either to agricultural or pastoral purposes, extending to the Northward from the Canterbury Block, embraces not only anchorage for large vessels on either the North or South sides of the Motunau Island, but also a harbour fit for coasters at the entrance of the river. It is there that land was some time ago reserved for a town." I also stated that, "on both the North and South sides of Kaikora Peninulay there is good anchorage for any sized

ships; and in the Peninsula itself, there is a small but excellent harbour, into which the largest coaster can enter at any time of the tide. Land for a town has also been reserved there."

Having, as a private individual, and with the best intentions, given the above information to the inhabitants of the Canterbury Province and others, and which I did on good authority, you may imagine my surprise at observing in the Lyttelton Times of the 14th May, a letter to you from Mr. Hamilton, in which he says, " certain statements to which you have allowed admission in your last paper should not pass uncorrected, because they are calculated to mislead grossly, and most unwarrantably, those unacquainted with the coast northwards of this place." >. Whatever may be Mr. Hamilton's object in writing this letter, or however influenced by political views, I feel I have a right to look for common courtesy from him, particularly as it was from himself, in the first instance, and when I arrived at Lyttelton in 1851, that I received information as to the coast from Port Cooper to the Kaikoras, and it was, as advised and guided by him, that I reserved for Government purposes certain extents of land in and around Kaikora Peninsula, at Motunau, Amuri, &c, as from their embracing small ports they were considered well .calculated to be sites for towns, &c. Mr. Hamilton, most obligingly, did this in writing, and my having—as being then unacquainted with the country and native names, &c.—copied, perhaps, incorrectly, I at the time afforded you scope for a little amusing criticism at my expense. I think I have still Mr. Hamilton's writings. I shall, however, treat his unprovoked attack upon me the same as any other; and beg to forward for publication with this, a letter addressed Xo me by Mr. Hempelman, and shall leave it to the world to judge how far I have attempted " to mislead grossly and most unwarrantably, those unacquainted with the coast northward o£ Lyttelton." I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, James Campbeii. June 6, 1853.

Akaroa, June Ath, 1853. To COL. CAMPBEIiL, &C, &C Sik, —Having been shown a letter in the Lyttelton Times of the 14th of May, signed "J. W. Hamilton," who dates his letter the lith, I beg, in several respects, most respectfully to contradict that gentleman's statements as to there being no Harbour between Port Cooper and Cape Campbell, or any Harbour for coasters at the entrance of Motunau River. I have known the whole coast, as an old master whaler, for 18 years, and I was the first person who went into Port Cooper; and with regard to the Port at Motunau, I,have been frequently into it in whale boats. I have seen several coasters of different sizes in it, and consider it perfectly sale for them in all winds. I know, from having long frequented them, the anchorages on both sides of Motunau Island ; and both are fit for vessels of a large size. There is a narrow, intricate, and sometimes dangerous passage between the Island and mainland, but it should only be attempted by those well acquainted with it. On the north side of the Island and opposite to the mouth of the river, there is —I may call it —a port within a reef of rocks, extending towards the mainland, in which vessels of 500 tons can lie in perfect safety, except in strong north easterly gales; and when such a gale prevails, a ship has only to shift round the reef to the westward of "the Island to be again in perfect safety. At half-tide a vessel drawing six or seven feet of water can enter the river with

safety. There is seldom any difficulty or danger in making the coast; and the only thing to be attended to when a gale appears to be setting in, is to shift in time to the Westward of the Island. It is necessary in this case for a vessel at anchor to the North of the Island, to stand sufficiently out to sea to avoid the reef situated at the South-east end of it. Here North-easterly gales-—and these generally only in the summer months—seldom br ever prevail. The prevailing winds are Northerly or from the South-westward, All this can be proved by my log books which are now in Wellington. With regard to Kaikoura, the anchorage in the roadsteads both to the Northward and Southward of the Peninsula, is excellent for vessels of all sizes; and the same attention has only to be paid here, as to gales setting in, as at Motunau. Here also North-easterly gales seldom or ever prevail, and there is rarely any difficulty or danger in approaching the coast. As to (he small Port in Kaikoura Peninsula, which Mr. Fyfe has for many years occupied as a Whaling Station, a vessel of even 200 tons, provided the master knows the Port, can enter at any time of the tide"; and when once in, and moored stem and stern, is in perfect safety from every wind. Into this Harbour I know the. Brig " Nelson," of 300 t tons, has gone for a cargo of whale-oil; and there are several persons in Lyttelton, who came from Wellington, who are acquainted with the circumstance. I myself went into this Harbour with a vessel of 45 tons, and there was abundance of room for another of the same or larger size. I had to remain there for ten days on account of a gale from the North-eastward, which prevented me from going out. There is also to the Northward of Port Cooper, as is now well known to every one, a bar Harbour fit, in favourable weather, for Coasters, at the mouth of the Sumner River. There is also a Harbour at the mouth of the Waimakariri River, in which T have often been in whale-boats, and up which coasters can go six or seven miles. Theie is a small Harbour fit for large boats, only, at the mouth of the Waipara River, which forms the Northern boundary of the Canterbury District. And I believe there is likewise a Harbour fit for small Coasters at'the mouth of the Hurunui River, but I never was in it. I think that I have now shown clearly that along this Coast there are several small Harbours which Avill be found hereafter of the greatest benefit to this fine and fertile country. I am, Sir, Your obedient humble servant, G. Hempeiman. P.S. I have omitted mentioning that there is also the Harbour of Ainuri, about 9 or 10 mile's to the Southward of Kaikoura Peninsula, into which I have been in whaleboats, and which I know to be perfectly safe in all winds. lam aware that a vessel named the " Susanna Anne," of 85 tons, has frequently gone into this Harbour for limestone and whale oil. At least four vessels can lie perfectly well in it.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sib, —As there is a report in circulation that the address of Mr. Davis was submitted to his Committee and approved of by them, I beg leave to contradict it. I never saw it before it appeared in the Lyttelton Times; and I shall therefore feel obliged by your inserting this letter, as I do not wish it to be supposed that I could sanction such a performance, at least without remonstrating with its writer. I remain, Sir, your's respectfully, One op the Committee.

To ike Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sib,—lt may be expected that I should notice in some way the article, reprinted in your last number from the ' London Times,' with the Auditor's Report, and Lord Lyttelton's letter. I first saw these documents in your paper. I have been expecting the accounts by the last two ships from England. My letters by the " Tasmania" informed me that they were not closed at the time that ship sailed. My letters by the "Hampshire" were to the effect, that they were then under inspection by the Government Auditor, and would be forwarded by the next opportunity. With respect to the attack made by the " Times" on the Association for applying its Ecclesiastical Fund towards Land Endowments, I understand the objection to be that such investments are worthless. As to that, I can only at present state my belief to the contrary, adding that I am in communication with the Church Committee, and though no definitive opinion has yet been expressed by them, I do not think they will agree in the views of the " Times." As to the statement about the worthless nature of land in the Settlement generally, and its unfavourable prospects, I have no doubt some colonists, of higher authority than myself in such matters, will not suffer them to pass uncontradicted. I have to complain of your own comments upon what you term the silence and impolicy of the Association, to which you attribute the attacks made on them. There has been no silence; that is, no intentional keeping back of information from the colonists. So far as I am concerned, your own columns will sufficiently refute .the remark. With respect to the charge of impolicy, I cannot guess as to the matters you specially refer to. I have heard a great deal of misrepresentation about the so-called impolicy of the Association upon various questions ; snch as the publicationjof Accounts, Pasturage, Ecclesiastical arrangements, Constitution of Local Authority, General Relations with the Colonists, and with their Agent. I attribute the prejudice which prevails on these matters to an ignorance of the true state of the case. I shall be glad to see the charges made against the Association reduced into a specific form, in order that I may have an opportunity of vindicating it. I am, Sir, i Your obedient servant, H. Seweiii. Lyttelton, Juna 6, 1853.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sib, —I will venture to answer a letter from " A Recent Colonist," asking what are the most prevalent terms on which sheep are farmed on thirds. A short time since, I had an opportunity of seeing most of the sheep owners, and sheep farmers, in the Nelson and Wairau districts, and the arrangement of letting sheep on thirds, which there appeared nnfversal, was this :— The farmer takes a flock for a period of three, five, or seven years, according to the number of sheep, and the capabilities of his run, and in each year, at the time of weaning, he takes a third of the increase, and at shearing a third of the wool. I spoke to one _ gentleman in particular, living in the Wairau district, and told him that I believed some of the sheep farmers at Canterbury had taken sheep for a term of years, upon the agreement that they should have a third of the wool yearly, and a third of the increase at the end of" the term. Upon which, he said that it was impossible that sheep farming could pay under that agreement ; that they had tried it in the Wairau and found it not to answer; that the pro-

prietors were very well satisfied with their present agreement, knowing that they received a very good interest on their original outlay, and although, at the end of a term of seven years, the flock of the farmer would be larger than that of the proprietor, still allowing for risks of disease and incidental losses by dogs, &c, the receiving a third of the increase, yearly, was no more than a fair compensation to the sheep farmer. Should your correspondent wish to know any further particulars, I shall be most happy to give him any information that I am possessed of. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, J. H. Wabd.