SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 45, 11 April 1846, Page 2

SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

In our preceding number, we discussed the present exciting topic in the public mind, of the seat of Government,— with reference to the justice due, and good faith that ought to be kept, towards the settlers in the Waitemata district, by the Government in not removing from Auckland ; and we likewise incontestably proved, we conceive, that if the population, European and Native, is to be the criterion to decide the question, — the capital must remain fixed in the Waitemata. But exclusive of the great numerical majority of population, in this district, in comparison to the number of Europeans and Natives on the northern shores of Cook's Straits, — there exists other, and equally powerful reasons to determine, that for a capital the site of Auckland is superior to any other that could be selected, for the emporium of the Agriculture, — the Natural products, — the Mineral resources, and consequently,— the commerce of the country. Instead of being, as Port Nicholson, quite in a corner of the island, the position of Auckland is most central ; with facilities of communication,by Jland,or by^ wateivalLaround ! it. Such are its attractive advantages to the farmer, to the grazier, and to the flock-master. By the head of the Waitemata there is easy access by land, in less than two daysto the Kaipara district, which is most beautiful, as well as the very richest in New Zealand. It is traversed by two splendid and navigable rivers for many miles into the interior, on the banks of which, are found not only the richest description of alluvial soil, but also the most available and largest forests of Kauri in New Zealand- The beautiful vale of Kai-u, which is about six miles in length, and three in breadth, is on the banks of one of the rivers, and is celebrated for the productiveness of the soil, as well as for the gigantic Kauri trees which, by the river are easily transported to Kaipara, for shipment, That port and district is, at present, the busy scene of profitable labour to the natives, as well as of lucrative trade to the Europeans. There are now nearly four hundred natives actively employed by Mr. Webster, in felling timber in the forests, and hauling them to the creeks and rivers, to be floated to the harbour for shipment. No less than six vessels are obtaining cargoes of spars, timber, and plank, — viz.: the brig Portenia, the schooner Lowestojfe, the barques Strathisla, Cecilia, Haidee, and Mary Catherine. These vessels all clear out from Auckland, it being the only port of entry of the Waitemata district. Vessels likewise, with cattle for Auckland, from New South Wales, land them at Kaipara, as they can be driven in less than two days, overland to their destination ; which obviates the necessity of continuing their voyage round the North Cape, and down the east coast to Auckland. Still less distant, on the southern side of Auckland, is the harbour of Manukao, which is virtually, from its proximity, the southern harbour of the capital. On the high ridge of land from the northern head of Manukao, to the Kaipara district, the Kauri abounds ; and the Janet, barque, on her arrival there, will load with an entire cargo of sawn timber, for Hobart Town. i The harbour of Manukao connects Aucki land with great facility, with the harbours on the western coast, and vessels now frequently, bring there, cargoes consigned to Auckland. Of equal, evident importance, is the position of Auckland, in connection with the future agricultural products of the vast inteiiorof the Northern Island. The natives aie now erecting mills in the interior; therefore their cultivation of wheat and other grain, will immediately be greatly increased. By cutting of a canal, of little more than a mile, between the Waikato and the Awaroa, which debouches

into Mannkao harbour, direct communication and transit by water, would be obtained between Auckland and the whole of the western interior, and the entire agricultural produce, from the banks of the Waikato and the Waipa, would be brought to the capital. The formation of two great trunk roads, to the southward of Papakura; one, diverging to Mata-mata, and thence to the river Wanganui, so as to obtain direct access to Port Nicholson :— the other, to the west coast, down to New Plymouth ; — will, we trust, be one of the earliest measures of the present Governor. The natives would also quickly clear routes; that will give access, for flocks and herds, to that beautiful pastoral country, (nearly one hundred miles in length, and from twenty to fifty miles in breadth), between the Waikato and the Thames ; while by the latter splendid river, the settlers on its shores, can cheaply and quickly transport their produce to the' capital. Cattle and sheep are fast pouring into the Waitemata, from various quarters , and in such numbers, that they must proceed progressively, further into the interior for pasturage, and the exploration will induce capital and enterprise to be engaged in such pursuits; by the excellence and abundance of food, as well as by the great rapid increase of their herds and flocks, and large product of wool. Our southern cotemporaries ( in their incessant detraction of Aucldand, have been continually vaunting of their agiiculture-and live stock ; and have jeeringly called on us to publish a statement of the real quantity of land under crop, as well as the number of cattle, &c, within the Waitemata district We have quiescently perused their journals, from time to time, waiting for facts, and official returns ; which our readers are aware, are only attainable at certain periods : but, we were well assured in our minds, of the steady, wholesome progress of the agricultural, grazing, and commercial pursuits of the enterprising, energetic, — though notboasting — settlers, in the Waitemata district. It is our maxim, as well as determined purpose, not to mislead. Assertion is not proof ( and when it is not in our power to put forth facts and figures, on matters so vitally important and deeply interesting, to our readers, as those on which we are now treating, we prefer silence to unwarrantable assertions or erroneous statements. However, recent arrivals have put us in possession of the statistics of the settlements in Cook's Straits, for the year 1 845 ; and without further observation, we present to our readers, figures, showing the c~omparativestate~6f "agriculture, and number of live stock, in the settlements of Auckland and Port Nicholson. Number of acres in crop, in the settlements of Auckland and Wellington, 1845-6.

With regard to commercial resources, as articles of Export, we would remark, that some of the most valuable, that exist in the colony of New Zealand, are confined exclusively, to this northern district : — Copper, Sulphur, Manganese, Kauri Gum, and Kauri Timber. The\exclusive possession of Kauri timber to this district is of the highest importance, and will, until the immense forests of such valuable wood are exhausted, render Auckland the most favorable and cheapest place, for ship building, in the whole colony. In addition to Kauri, — the timber equally desirable and essential for the durable construction of vessels, — the Pohotukaua, — abounds along the shores of the Waitemata. Vessels of all sizes are daily being launched at the surrounding small harbours ; at the Great Barrier there is a vessel of 400 tons building ; and in the harbour of Auckland, in 1845, there were built fourteen vessels, measuring 462 tons : and there were registered at Auckland, in the year 1845, sixteen vessels, measuring 675 tons. As to Minerals, the Copper mines at Kawau, and the Great Barrier, are daily becoming more richly productive and profitable. Theii success will prompt the opening and working of other mines, already discovered on the eastern shores of the Gulph of Houraki. As soon as peace with the natives is permanently established, and there is certain security for persons and property, capital will, we have no doubt, be largely embarked for mining operations in this district, from England, and other countries. In proof of the steady commercial progress

of Auckland, and its present cheering state, we again have reference to figures, and subjoin the comparative number of vessels entering the harbours of Auckland and Wellington, in 1845 ; premising, that the returns for Auckland are only for three quarters of the year, the Customs' not being re-established until the 11th April, preventing any correct return for the first quarter; while, that for Wellington is for the whole year. Number and tonnage of Vessels that have entered Inwards at the Ports of Auckland and Wellington, in the year 1845-6.

An additional instance of the gradual progress of the rising commerce of Auckland, and the northern district, as the various valuable resources, and products become developed and available, is the increase of the revenue, derived from Customs at the port of Auckland.

If the proposed new settlement at Otakou, of New Edinburgh, should be successful, — which, we consider to be very problematical, — the population there will be wholly European, the natives there and around, being only about five hundred, — therefore easily regulated by municipal institutions. On the northern island, the native population will ever require the most strict vigilance, and incessant, serious consideration of the government : and among them must be the chief seat of authority and power. However powerful the influence of the New Zealand Company, in England, — the Home government, we should imagine, will never succumb to them, or sacrifice the interests and welfare of the majority of the European and native population in this colony, to the speculative schemes of a few individuals. Therefore, we conceive, that the seat of government will remain fixed permanently at Auckland.

{ biom bth J annary 1 8*5 >,1 to 6th January, 184 Foreign,— beyond seas . Coastwise Vessels. Tons. 35 5,101 190 6,46* Total 225 11,565

Wellington.

(From the 11th April, 18 Foreign, — beyond seas . Coastwise 34 [5, to 6th .1 Vessels. 51 252 January, 1 Tons. 8,502 5,470 Total 303 13,972

Auckland.

Auckland. Port Nicholson. [nclusive of the stock at ;he Barrier, MotuTapo,&c. Inclusive of the stock on the Wairarapa. Horses .... 330 battle .... 2,870 Sheep .... 5,460 aoats .... 750 Horses .... 270 Cattle .... 2,429 Sheep .... 11,880 Mules .... 40 Asses .... 10

Amount of Live Stock in the settlements of Anckland and Wellington, J 845-6-

Auckland. Acres, Port Nicholson. . Acres < Vheat . . . Jarley . . . /laize . . . »otatoes . . . rrass . . . lops . . . 604 194 202 423 479 43 Wheat .... Oats Barley .... Potatoes. . . Garden .... Pasture .... GIG 8C 67 144 193 277 Total 1,945 Total 1,371

!n 1841 1542 1843 1844 1845 the receipts were (three quarters) do. do. £. s. d. 2,297 0 0 5,496 0 0 4,052 0 0 3,069 0 0 ' 7,575 0 0