COLONIAL SKETCHES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 201, 28 August 1867, Page 2

COLONIAL SKETCHES.

111. — THE CAPITALIST. In our former articles we have traced the career of the working colonist from the time he left England until he has become settled iv his new home; and it will be our pleasure to describe him as the capitalist. No spirit is more rife in the colony of New Zealand than that of speculation. Let it but be seen that there is a remote chance ofjlarge returns being realised upon capital, and we find men willing to expend it. Iv every path of life this spirit is displayed. The miner who speculates. upon obtaining gold, and spends years of health arid his little all in search of it, is admirable for his enterprise. The chances are many against his success, yet, though ill luck may follow him from place to place, through penury and privation, he clings to his pursuit, and embarks in it what is more precious than gold- — years of his life. For it must be admitted as an evident truth that the hardships a miner undergoes shorten his existence. No. one is more - buoyant or more hopeful of success in his , undertaking;' than the -mining capitalist. Let theehance of gold but determioeitself,*; v and straightway He sets to work, and 'should

*!a-rftoe be required- to bring water upon the mine, or ah engine to aid : in clearing it of v the. same,, patiently he will work for , raonths or speucT every shilling un til the '-■'aesired object has beeu accomplished. Should.- success crown his efforts, it is ' quietly appreciated; but should failure 1 throw her chill mantle over ; him, he will turn ~a"nl&' bravely seek another field.Associated with the miner aud undergoing almost similar vicissitudes are those who act as it we're-the part of canip-followers and provide-JaU^that is uecessary for food and enjoy •oiie.&ti •' And no small capital ia thus expended. In a month br less from the establishment of successful gold mines there is gathered round them a township, which represents a very large amount; of wealth. For instance, witness Hokitika, Greymouth, or the Pakihi, where in less than six months, towns numbering a population of 15,000 souls with all their accessaries of wealth, were created by capital thus employed. Considerable enterprise and endurance are required by this class in pursuing their vocations, as not unfrequeutly they gather large stores, under calculations which cannot be realised, and therefore have to suffer loss. No sooner is the word "rush" heard, than they are on the alert to establish their stores or shanties on the new diggings, and it is astonishing the amount they will pay for central positious. The capitalists from whom they purchase their land form the largest class of speculators iv the colony. It is their particular province to expend capital in purchasing laud, . and calculating npon the advancement of the colony, allow it to remain until it has greatly increased in value. They make, and pretend to make np use of the ground; but trust to the amount to be realised upon it in tlie future for payment; both of interest and capital. Such speculation, though of profit to the capitalist, materially hinders general progress. Large blocks of land are frequently locked up in this manner, not one tithe of which is occupied, and which properly used would support many families in comfort. They acquiie these blocks at a nominal price from the Government, aud compel the legitimate colonist, in order to accomplish the aim for which he left England, to purchase from them at many times the original cost. Capitalists of this class grow rich, through no effort of their own; but by the necessities of the colony. Similar instances are found of men in. Euglaud whose immense wealth has been amassed by means, as it were, of a special tax upon their fellow countrymen. It has however been proposed by several able writers, that as the number of actual land possessors in Eugland amounts ouly to 20,000, their iuterest should be bought by the Government. The vast sum required and the many thousand clashing interests render the accomplishment of this scheme almost impossible; but in a new colony like New Zealand, it would be found advantageous that all freehold property I should rest in the haDds of the GovernI ment, the colonists occupying their lands ! upon long leases. A pleasing contrast to the former class of speculators is to be found in those men who come to the colony with capital to be expended iv commercial pursuits. The field spread, before them is ample aud comparatively unoc^ffpied. In the first days of the settlement, when this class was dependent upon other markets to consume the surplus produce, their task was much harder than at the present time. Now all their trade is to export our two stapleswool and gold — aud to supply the local market; and the smartest ships and the most excellent steamers are placed at their service. Men who twenty years: ago with a little capital traded about Jin small, crafts, acting at the same time the parts of skipper and merchant, among the various harbors of New Zealand, now command a large trade, and daily freight vessels to all parts of the colony. In a colony where the population is ever increasing at such a large ratio as we find it does here,- there is always room for the employment of extra mercantile capital. Similarly aud equally well employed is that capital which provides us with the present excellent steam service. No power has been more active in raising the colony of New Zealand to its preseDt proud position - than -the steamers and fleet of sailing vessels which ; carry on trade between, its several ports. Nor can we commend too highly the wisdom - of the legislators who : have by means of subsidies supported the efforts of their proprietors." Before the advent of '_ . steam: to;,! these shores Otago eouaded to th 6 ihhabi tants of Wellington or Nelgoh y

like a word from far' across the sea, only to be realised by a long aud dangerous voyage. To carry on trade with it was quite out of the question. Npy< there are few places so remote that.- they cannot be communicated with speedily and safely. And amply remunerative to the capitalists who have created this service, has it been. The New Zealand Steam Navigation Company started with a little steamer called the Stormbird, and so profitably was she employed that her earnings produced two others, aud as the necessity a rose j an excellent fleet was placed upon the water by the same company. It .now but requires capitalists to exert themselves to provide the colony, with an inland communication as good as that existing on the seaboard. There is great inducement for J ts. being thus employed. And there can be no doubt but that in a few years, railway communication will be established in many parts of the colony. Then will come a state of prosperity as far superior to the present, as this is to that which preceded it. Holloway's Pills— Healthy Homes — Nine-tenths of our ailments might be altogether prevented or directly cured if the first faulty action were set aright. This great end is accomplished with wonderful certainty and safety by Holloway's Pills, which are adapted to the stout as well as to the frail, aud are equally suited to every constitution and climate. They purify the blood, that seat of life and source of health, and in its revivifying streams diffuse regularity and vigor throughout the system, and give every organ its proper natural function. Holloway's Pills have done for the bilious and low-spirited what no wealth or wisdom had previously achieved — they have put it in their power to conquer their miserable feelings. 3085