AUCKLAND versus NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 72, 22 July 1843, Page 286

AUCKLAND versus NEW ZEALAND.

In the .Southern .Cross of May 27/ttare is a long address. " To the Germans wW intend emigrating to New Zealand," from a resident countryman at Auckland, a Mr. Philip K^inst. The "writer commences by stating the .universally admitted fact, that the climate and 1 spjt^ of New Zealand fit

it in an eminent degree for .the habitation of " the Tine, the olive, and the fig;" but, strangely enough, he concludes by endeavouring to show that Auckland is the only spot where the cultivation of the vine can be advantageously pursued ! How very

modest ! Our readers, we doubt not, will duly appreciate the disinterestedness and sincerity which could dictate such a statement, when they learn that its author is interested in the success of a speculation which can prosper only by the increase of the population of the " capital." As we have no desire to dispute the competence of Mr. Kunst to judge of what he has seen, we shall pass over his description of the Auckland district, preferring rather (after making 'some deductions on the score of partiality) to believe that what he says of it may be true to hazarding a denial »f jits boasted advantages in the absence of •ptuthentic information on the 'subject; but 1 we cannot suffer to pass unnoticed his gross ignorance or wilful perversion of facts, we know not which, when he volunteers his opinion on the capabilities of other portions of these islands. Akaroa is first mentioned, and is briefly dismissed as of little value, " its situation and climate being the south* ernmost, it is the coldest and least desirable of all the settled portions of the country." This may be true ; but as Akaroa is eight degrees nearer the line than the best wine district in Germany, we have little doubt

put that even there the grape may be successfully cultivated. Nelson next receives his consideration ; and to enable our readers to judge for themselves, we give the paragraph entire : — " Proceeding northwards, the next settlement is that of Nelson, which belongs to the New Zealand Company, and though in many respecta more eligible situation than Akaroa, contains ing much good and rich land for agricultural purposes, there are still several serious objections to this settlement. The harbour of Nelson is far from being a good or a safe one, and the country in the vicinity of Cook's Straits is subject to such strong gales of wind, as to render it greatly inferior to other parts for the cui(Rvation of the grape**'

Persons residing here, and also occasional visitors, will at once perceive that the principal objection does not apply to this settlement ; for if there be one spot on the coasts of New Zealand beyond all others exempt from strong winds it is assuredly this. Of "the qualities of our harbour it is almost supererogatory to speak : we can, however, conscientiously say that we have never spoken with a master of a vessel on. the subject who has not commended it for its jrreat security* The objections against Port Nicholson are high winds, want of level land, and the great expense of clearing wood lands. By some singular oversight, New Plymouth is not mentioned 1 perhaps the place is uhJcnown to Mr* Kunst even by name* The Bay of Islands is " decidedly preferable to any one of the other settlements of New Zealand ;" but Mr. Kunst resides at Auckland ; and, although he admits the superiority of the climate and soil of the former, yet, for " various other reasons," such as " nearness of markets, fitness of the country for other agricultural pursuits, cheapness of living, means of education, &c," Auckland is still the spot for German immigrants : >n"d if, notwithstanding these " various x>ther reasons," any one should remain sceptical on the question of its preeminent&dvantages, Mr. Kunst will inform him that " within a circuit of not more than seven or eight miles no less than the remains of twenty extinct volcanoes may be seen." _ ____ __ A report was current here yesterday that •the papers brought by the Sir John Franklin contained intelligence of the appointment and arrival of a new Governor for this colony. We have looked^carefully through our file, but the following paragraphs are all that we can find that has any relation to the subject : — Naw Zealand. — A Major Macdonild, late Governor 1 of Honduras, has suddenly and unexpectedly arrived at New Zealand, with authority to receive the reins of Government. — Cornwall Chronicle, June 10. , The Governor of New Zealand, Major Macdonald, is a brother of the Adjutant-General, and the maternal uncle of John Nicholson, Esq., of the ordnance department in this town.— Launceston Examiner, June 26. As we have Auckland papers to the 27th May, in which there fs no mention of such an arrival, and as there is a gentleman now in Nelson who left Auckland as late aa the first week in June, but. who heard nothing

of this pretended arrival whilst there, we presume the above extracts are founded on some idle rumour ; and we are strengthened in this opinion by the fact that there is no allusion to the subject in the English extracts, which are given up to the 15th of February.

The schooner Sisters, which sailed from Manukau on the 25th of May, arrived at Hobart Town on the 19th of June. A letter has been received from Captain Clark, in which he states his intention of making a voyage to Sydney previous to paying Nelson another visit.