THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, June 14, 1845.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 171, 14 June 1845, Page 58

THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, June 14, 1845.

Journals become more necessary «s men become more equal and individualism more to be feared. It would be to underrate their importance to suppose that they lerve onl r to secure liberty : they maintain civilization. De TocacßYiLiß. Of Democracy in America, vol. iv., p. 20! \. The Governor's habitual neglect of the Southern Settlements of New Zealand is matter of notoriety. One reason is, no doubt, that the great majority of British settlers are located there; and as all iis prejudices and sympathies are on the side of the natives, his attention is of course given almost exclusively to the north, wh ere the latter are most numerously congregat ed. He paid one visit to Wellington on his first arrival, and one of two or three days to Nelson. This was in February, 1844. It is now June, 1845; and during these sixteen months he has paid one other fly ing visit to Wellington, promising to return immediately and discuss various matters referred to him, but vanishing for good the moment the promise had been given. To Nelson he has never returned since his first departure. The principal settled districts of either place he has never set eyes upon ; the Hutt is a terra incognita to him, and the Waimea an imaginary picture of [the brain. j This personal neglect of the aoutkjern settlements would he a trifle ; nay, perhaps under all the circumstances of the case a matter of congratulation. We in fact doat on his very absence. But, unfortunately, all the advantages attached to the existence of any Government at all have been put at the disposal of this stranger, and he (aket

in his evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Lords, He says there that " he considers the whites would he too strong for the natives in the northern part of the island in five or six years ; hut over the whole of the islands it might be perhaps more than fifty years (before such an event), because little or nothing had yet been done in the southern island." As if the " doings " which civilized the natives would not of course render them stronger instead of weaker ! He has had his five or six years, and " the doings " have led to the destruction of one British settlement, and a great increase of the strength and confidence of the natives.

But if the natives to the south are so much more difficult to manage, why does he keep all his troops up in the north, and leave us to the protection of three constables, though ever so Horatian and Curiatian ?

We learn from the Rev. Mr. Aldred, that the missionaries at Hokianga and Kaipara have written to Mr. Lawrie, superintendent of the Wesley an mission in New Zealand, requesting him to charter a vessel to remove them and their families, as the natives with whom they are living cannot guarantee their safety during the present excited state of their countrymen.

Exports. — Messrs. Hooper and Co., of the Nelson Brewery, have chartered the cutter Lively to convey to Auckland a cargo of their very excellent ale. The superior quality of this beverage will be sure to command a ready sale. The Bandicoot will be loaded by Messrs. Fell and Co. with timber for Hobart Town.

Militia. — We understand that commissions have been received appointing our Police Magistrate captain-commandant of the Nelson battalion of militia ; Messrs. Fox and Greenwood, captains ; Messrs. Bell and Marshall, lieutenants ; Messrs. Thorpe and Campbell, ensigns ; R. K. Newcome, adjutant; and H. Seymour, quarter-master.

The following particulars of the attempted journey of a man named Heaphy, from Otago to Nelson, overland, which we have copied from the Wellington Independent of the 28th of May, will be read with interest. Our readers will recollect that we announced the intention of this man to attempt the journey in January last ; and we subsequently heard that he had failed, and returned to the farm of the Messrs. Deans, at Port Cooper ; but, until now, we were not aware of the particulars :—: —

" When orders were received for discontinuing the New Edinburgh survey, Mr. Tuckett, on leaving Otago, left a man named Heapby, who had belonged to the staff, with orders to endeavour to proceed to Nelson, through the interior of the country; and gave him directions to keep a N.N.W. course. Heaphy was nearly three weeks in making Mr. Deans' house, at Port Cooper, and on leaving that place, was about a fortnight longer in reaching the range of hills adjoining Mount Cotterell, named after that unfortunate and lamented gentleman. A few days more, and Heaphy would have arrived at the place of his destination, when he was brought up by a most unfortunate accident. Proceeding along a steep ridge, his foot slipped, and he fell off a precipice, and, in his fall, received some severe contusions. Heaphy, on recovering a little from the shock, was compelled to retrace his steps, as it would have been madness in him to have proceeded on his journey, the dangers and difficulties of which were unknown to him. in the state he then was. After twelve days of acute sufferings, during the whole of which time he had nothing to 6ubsist upon except wild cabbage, he contrived to reach Motu-How, or Haims' Island, where he was welcomed, and received every attention and kindness from the whalers.

"Heaphy discovered two extensive plains, previously unknown to the whites, and which are laid down in the map as hilly land. He crossed several rivers during his journey, two of which are navigable, but only for boats and small schooners. The extent of country that Heaphy went over he estimates at between three and four hundred miles. The land, generally speaking, is covered with grass and fern, with Bcrubby black birch in the gullies. The difficulties he encountered were almost incredible. He had no companion ; and he took no gun, thinking it would prove an incumbrance. Heaphy did not see a human being, with the exception of the residents at Mr. Deans', the whole of the distance; and the only quadrupeds he encountered were two wild native dogs, who, not relishing his appearance, attacked him ; but he succeeded in beating them off. He did not even see any rats — rather a curious circumstance for New Zealand. Pigeons were scarce, but hawks and parrots were numerous. Heaphy passed over an immense extent of excellent land ; but there is a quantity of hilly, broken country. Heaphy states he would not hesitate to make the attempt again, but in a different direction, if be could meet with a companion. He certainly must have had a stout heart, and merits great praise for his fortitude and perseverance. Heaphy's journal will be published at Nelson ; and we intend inserting it in our paper as soon after its appearance as possible."