NATIVE ENTERPRISES.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 42, 21 March 1846, Page 2

NATIVE ENTERPRISES.

In our last number, we gave some account of the progress of the natives in civilization, by the combination of some chiefs and tribes, to erect a water mill near Aotea, for the purpose of grinding the wheat grown by native cultivation. We have much pleasure in stating, that we have received information that this example has been already followed, in the neighbouring districts to Aotea, and that there are three more mills, now in erection, under the same mill-wright, that erected the mill at Beecham Bale. The Rev. Mr. Morgan, of the Church Mission, has prompted the chiefs and natives in his district, to obtain sucli useful auxiliary to their agricultural pursuits, and the three places, determined on for the mills, are, Otawao, Maungatautcre, and Mata Mata. The intelligence of this mill at Beecham Dale, as is usually the case among the natives, has spread far and wide among them in the ! interior ; and besides the three mills in progress, whicfy we have mentioned, the natives at Pehiakura, in the Waikato district, are extiemely desirous to possess the same advantage. Mr. H. H, Lawry, who has lately relurncd from that part of the country, has been commissioned by the chiefs at Pehiakura, to ascertain full particulars in Auckland, as to the expense of material, and superintendence of erection. These natives possess some horses, and are very desirous to add carts to their farming stock, to convey their produce to the water side, to which from their own pa, and cultivation grounds, they are about to make a good road. That their exists a prevailing desire among the natives to improve their social condition, there cannot be the least donbt. In every district and in every tribe, opportnnity is eagerly seized to possess implements of husbandry, as well as stock ; and the moment one trijbc obtains any such advantage over their neighbours, the latter are immediately anxious for the same benefit. There cannot be more certain means of promoting the comfort, and corresponding advancement of the natives, than these projects. They practically illustrate to them the advantages to be derived by the dwelling of Europeans among them, and how much their own individual happiness and daily comforts, are to be seemed by habits of peaceful industry and social intercourse with the settlers.

Militia. — During the week a list of persons liable to serve in the Militia, has been affixed on the Post Office, exciting anticipation, with many persons, that that force is again being called on active service. — -But, we presume, that the proceeding is merely in fulfilment of the Militia Ordinance, the eighth clause of which enacts — that the Police Magistrate of every distiict or county, which shall contain an European population of above one thousand souls, and upwards, shall, in the month of March, in each year, summon the Justices of the Peace, to prepare a list, &c. &c. As the Militia Ordinance has never been repealed, the Police Magistrate acts in accordance to its instructions, as far as they point out hi s duty.

New Shells and Grenades.— Captain Riilette, of the Fienchnavy, has recently invented new shells and grenades, which are said to have greater destructive poweis than any hitherto known. These projecules,when fired at a ship, do not pass through her side, making a simple hole, but evplode in the act of striking, and cause a large rent, and spt ead a combustible matter in every direction which it is impossible to extinguish, and the ship struck cannot escape Irom being burnt. Captain Billette has been appointed to the command of the Mdeaycr, in which ho t> to go into all the ports of France to i'oini depots of his shells and grenades, and Jo give instructions as to the mode of using them to the maune aitilleninen.