New Zealand Gazette. Saturday, May 2, 1840.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 4, 2 May 1840, Page 2

New Zealand Gazette. Saturday, May 2, 1840.

It is reported that His Excellency Captain Hobson, R.N., is unable to determine upon the proper harbour for the seat of British Government in the New Zealand Islands. This want of decision evidently arises from Plis Excellency's having from illness unfortunately not been able to inspect Cook's Straits and the Southern Island. Were he well acquainted, with Port Nicholson, from all we have Heard of the other harbour* in these Islands, we are he would at once decide that this is the proper place.

The Bay of Islands, is stated to be considered unfit, because situated at the northern extremity of these islands, and on that account, in our opinion, as improper as any harbour in the neighbourhood of Stewart's Island. The Thames river has been thought likely to afford a good site, and is being examined. It appears to us, however, to remove to the Thames river would be leaving an excellent for an indifferent harbour ; and from its being within a few miles of the Bay of Islands, equally objectionable on the ground of position. But Port Nicholson contrasts with the Bay of Islands to immense advantage. As a harbour, it may be said to possess nearly every thing which is desirable ; and in this respect is quite equal, if not superior, to the Bay of Islands. It has an exceedingly fine site for a town, capable of containing hundreds of thousands of inhabitants. It has a beautiful valley, through which the Hutt, a moderate sized river runs, and which in all probability will be found to afford' passage into an immense portion of the Northern Island ; and to the north of us is situated, what has been called by common consent, the "garden of New Zealand." Port Nicholson is situated immediately on the Eastern 'en--' trance of Cook's Straits, which are form&d alike by the Northern and Southern Island. We have heard it has been 'Stated that the latter is worthless ; but from." all we hear, we think there is reason for believing that in a few years it will be found only second in value to the North Island.

The native population here are Avell behaved and useful, — the happiest relations having been established between them and us, through tlie mild and judicious conduct of Colonel Wakefield ; and to our credit these relations have been most perfectly maintained to the present moment. From all appearances, we tliiillc these natives bid fair to become civilized rapidly. We estimate their numbers in Pitrt Nicholson to be about eight hundred and forj/.

Were we to make any comparison between four and the Bay of Islands European population, it would be attended with the belief that we sought to disparage our neighbours, — we will therefore merely say it would prove necessarily greatly to our advantage. The number of Europeans here amount to fully one thousand three hundred ; and of this numbers not less than two hundred and thirty were cabin passengers. The total population here then is now two thousand one hundred, which by the close of the year will have increased to from six to eight thousand. A government is organized, and in peacefu operation. We have as permanent residents, an Episcopalian and a Presbyterian Clergyman, and a Dissenting Minister. We have the branch of a Bank, and by the advertisements in our columns, will soon have a Local Bank. We need not say we have that great element of power and usefulness — a Newspaper and Printing Office. I Arrangements are made for Churches, a Miiseum, and an Infant School, open alike to the native and foreign child. In a few months after the town surveys are completed, all the institutions belonging to a civilized community will, we trust, be in full operation, and in a flourishing condition. All these good things are consequent upon the adoption of the Wakefield system of disposing of waste lands. Without it, or the aid of Government, Port Nicholson would not have had an European population thirty years hence equal to that which it already enjoys. This system the Colonists will do all in their power to maintain, because it is alike useful to them and their mother country. Living under a Constitution which England will be bound to respect, should any disputes about land aris^they must be referred to our own tribunals ; for the commision to enquire into titles to land, to be composed of the disinterested folks of Sydney, cannot exercise its endless functions at Port Nicholson. It can have no jurisdiction here, which ought to be a subject of congratulation to our fellow Colonists. The Colonists of Port Nicholson would be willing and pleased to receive His Excellency among them, provided he would recognize their rights, which he is bound most sacredly to respect, and which could only be infringed in defiance of all justice, under the feeling that the people here have not the power to resist oppression. His Excellency may plead he has not the power to recognize the constitutional rights we have acquired from the Sovereign Chiefs of this Port. Two things, however, are in His Excellency's power ; — the one to come and satisfy himself of the suitableness of Port Nicholson for the British seat of Government; and the other is to abstain from selecting until he has communicated with England on the propriety of his agreeing to be here, and with a Representative Government.

We greatly doubt if the Colonists have made any estimate of the quantity of building materials which will be required immediately "the' town acres are in the possession of their proprietors. If only one hundred small .wooden houses are to be built, from five hundred thousand to a million of feet of plank, boards, and scantling will be required. From present appearances we do not think one hundred thousand feet will be prepared by that time.. How are we to obtain the rest ? where is it to come from ? and at what price is it to be had ? are questions of serious import to this Colony. Added to these wants, we shall require thousands of shingles, bricks, and tons of lime. It will be a fine opportunity for neighbouring Colonists to enrich themselves, by supplying us with all these articles. We would, however, be better pleased to see our fellow Colonists more energetically at work, preparing so much of as maiw of these arti-

cles as they have the power to do. With our boundless forests, we ought not to have to seek supplies of wood from without the Colony.

It will have been seen by an advertisement in our last paper, that the Surveyor-General purposes immediately giving out contracts for cutting roads up the valley of the Hutt. We hope the tenders will warrant these cuttings being made with great rapidity. - The execution of extensive cuttings forthwith would be productive of good in two respects; — they would add much to our information about the river, and character of the land upon its shores ; and they would enable the surveys for country lands to commence and be carried on with rapidity, directly the town acres are delivered to their purchasers. We hope and expect that in three or four months, if the cuttings are carried on with spirit, that many thousand acres of country land will be open to selection.

A post route up the valley of the Hutt, and across the country to the Bay of Islands, is much to be desired, and we believe could be discovered at a small outlay. It may be found by a white man — but to be turned to account as a means of periodical communication, must be traversed by the natives. Till lately there was an insuperable difficulty in the way of getting natives to go up the valley. The tribe of this place was and had been long in open hostility with a tribe up the valley called the Natti-kauni; and even since our arrival hero, members of each tribe have been killed by those of their enemies. Happily, last week reconciliation took place, and some of the Natti-kauni tribe might be seen about our beach in fellowship with the resident tribe. Were a small subscription raised, we doubt not an energetic European would be found to volunteer the attempt. His reward should bear relation to his success. When success had been the reward of the attempt, arrangements might be made for sending a mail periodically overland to the Bay of Islands. Till lately, the mail, if it is not now, was carried by men, the greater part of the distance (700 miles) in the winter season over an almost impassable road between Quebec and Halifax. ■ The distance between this place and the Bay is not above one third of seven hundred miles, and we doubt if the other difficulties will bear a greater proportion.

The Rev. J. Macfarlane, of the Kirk of Scotland, will perform divine service at halfpast ten o'clock ; and the Rev. J. G. Butler, of the Church of England, at twelve o'clock, every Sunday, in the Council House, in front of the Bank. At the adjourned meeting for the establishment of the Local Bank, the prospectus prepared by the Committee appointed for that purpose was read and adopted. The institution is entitled the " Port Nicholson Bank," with a capital of £50,000 in 2,500 shares of £20 each. We understand that four hundred and fifty shares were subscribed in the room. From accounts by the "Bolton," we learn a paper to be intitled the "New Zealand Intelligencer," was to appear on the Ist January, IS4O. It was to be published semi-monthly ; and would further the best interests of this Colony by the strenuous advocacy of the Wakefield principles of colonization. It was also in contemplation to establish a New Zealand Association, with rooms for the use of persons interested in this Colony. Police. — We are happy to state there are no cases to be reported this week. The following is a copy of the vote of thanks adopted by the cabin passengers of the barque " Bolton," which we have been requested to insert : — • To John Percival Robinson, Esq., Commander of the barque " Bolton," from London to * NeAv Zealand. We the undersigned, being the cuddy passengers in the above ship, proceeding to New Zealand under the auspices of the New Zealand Land Company, as Colonists or Settlers there, &c, cannot disembark from the vessel in which we have sailed together for twenty weeks, without offering and presenting to you as captain and commander our testimony and united thanks for your uniform kindness and urbanity, as well as for the liberal manner in which we have been supplied. At the same time we desire to acknow-

ledge the kind and gentlemanly conduct of the officers under your command, and the good behaviour of the crew. R. G. Lowe, Surgeon Superintendant. J. G. Butler, C.L.X.P. J. F. Churton, Chaplain of the Episcopal Church. H. S. Harrison. J. E. Collet. J. MINET. R. J. B. Harrison. S. Wadeson. Captain Robinson's reply : — To the Rev. Mr. Butler. Dear Sir, — In behalf of myself and officers, I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the very gratifying testimonial of the passengers, conveyed to me yesterday through you, and feel much pleased that my endeavours to render the passage as comfortable as possible to them, have met with approbation. I beg you will convey to them my sincere thanks for the honor done me, congratulating all on the successful termination of the voyage, and wishing that every possible success and prosperity may attend this new and grand undertaking. Believe me, my dear Sir, Yours very truly, JOHN PERCIVAL ROBINSON. "Bolton," April 11, IS4O. Married. — On Sunday last, "by the Rev. Mr. Mac Farlane, Mr. James Stratford, to Miss Anne Hodnett.