A PATTERN FOR ABSENTEES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 116, 25 May 1844, Page 46

A PATTERN FOR ABSENTEES.

In the New Zealand Journal of December 9, there is a letter signed " W. H. Burnand," called forth apparently by some remarks in a previous number, reflecting on the conduct of the New Zealand absentee proprietors. Whatever may be the sins of the absentees as a class, Mr. Burnand successfully shows that he does not participate in them. Although Mr. Burnand's section in the Porirua Valley may be all that could be desired as regards fertility of soil, it is notorious that the Maories have not permitted Europeans to settle there ; and hence the reason why that gentleman's liberal offers have not been accepted. But we must let our readers see what Mr. Burnan d's offers have been :—: —

" In 1839, my agent was appointed to select the land, and instructed to let or sell the land on any terms recognized as reasonable on the spot ; but to be liberal in treating with a useful tenant j one that would go to work and clear the land in earnest, should have the use of the land free for a number of years, and be rewarded for every acre got into approved cultivation, at the rate of £400 for every 100 acres of the forest land, and assisted to build a dwelling thereon for his family. The country sections are, lam informed, favourably situated in the Porirua Valley, distant eight miles from Wellington, with a good road passing each of them. With, all this I have the land unoccupied. I last year changed my agents for more active persons ; they have been instructed how to proceed, and all necessary papers delivered over to them more than eighteen months without having a single advice on the subject! lam served much in the same way at New Plymouth and Nelson ! ! All my liberality has ended in disappointment, vexation, and disgust at such enterprises. After some consideration, I am of opinion the first and chief cause of all the disasters may be attributed to the New Zealand Company, in not directing the disputed question of title with the natives to be settled. This uncertainty of title and possession of die land has ruined the small capitalist by the delay, and driven many active families altogether away, cursing emigration, and those who recommend it, as a refined system of humbug. These obstructions would not justify the agent to stir, and thus, the whole undertaking got into confusion. • • • * • I should even now be glad to find an industrious family of practical agricultural experience, to enter on fifty or one hundred acres in some of the best parts of the Company's settlements, on the terms before recited, which, if they please, may eventually become their own, and I have reason to believe there are many who follow my example in safe hands."

The Countess Colonne and Madame Mazarine, on their way through Aries, went and paid a visit to Madame de "Sevigai?, with each a casket of jewels, but in foul linen. This lady sent each of them, in the evening, a dozen of shifts, with a jocular billet, beginning thus : •* My dean, you are like the heroines in romances : jewels in abundance, but scarce a shift to their back*," 4