New Zealand Gazette.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 11, 20 June 1840, Page 2

New Zealand Gazette.

Saturday, June 20, 1840.

It is of the greatest importance that I2e Colonists should be in possession of their lands so soon as possible. Until they are* there will be little activity in Port Nicholson. Possession will give new life, and all will then go energetically to work. Nearly five hundred acres of the town are surveyed, arid could be delivered in a fortnight from this period ; while the weather at this season of the year must cause the time at which the survey will be completed to be uncertain. 11l is not necessary that the survey should be completed, to ascertain the boundaries of tne" town. The plan of the town is plain, for the character of the ground leaves no room fox choice ; it compels us to make the survey in a certain direction. It so happens, that the portion surveyed is that which is most valuaable, and there can be no doubt that all who can will take land within its limits. Fortu.-

nately, nearly all the proprietors here, as well as those who are absentees, have some choices which will enable them to. obtain land within the most desirable portion of the town. But the proprietors here who haye not been so far favored by fortune as to be placed within the desirable range, if they purpose engaging in town occupations, will find it their interest to tent or purchase some of this land ; other.

wise they will find themselves out of the limits of the seat of business. The sooner they can do so the better for them, since there can be little doubt that the business portion of the town will advance in value very rapidly during the early portion of our colonial existence. It is, therefore, plain that all are alike interested in having the land, now ready, possessed by those who will select it.

We, therefore, suggest that it would be acting wisely to commence selecting immediately. Of course it will not be obligatory, and may cease whenjselection from that which is now surveyed has taken place to an -extent to make it doubtful whether land in the other part of the town be not more desirable. But we hope by that time the remainder of the survey will be completed ; in which case, there will be no cessation in the work of appropriation, until the whole town be allotted to its rightful owners.

We dare say few persons have attempted to form any estimate of the time required to appropriate eleven hundred town acres. Allowing five minutes for consideration previous to each selection, and six hours a day to be devoted to this purpose, sixteen days will elapse before the whole town is allotted ; and as two Sundays must intervene, the time is_further extended to eighteen days.

Another advantage arising from commencing to. select now is that more time is obtained for deliberation, which is the consequence of its being optional. Each proprietor or agent can now take his time, though we suspect the relative advantages of the several acres will be found so apparent, that the first two or three hundred acres would be appropriated in three or four weeks after selection had commenced. Thenceforward more time would be required to come to a decision, and could be taken. If however we wait till the whole survey is complete, after a few days notification, the choosing will be obligatory, and must take place at a very rapid rate.

""—Since • writing-lour' article Upon the appropriation of town lands, we have received tlie following letter, which we publish with pleasure, as it cannot fail to be agreeable news to the landowners of the place. We are still convinced that the most prudent course, and that which in the end would prove the most satisfactory, is to allow selecting to commence so soon as parties will name the land they purpose taking.

" Port Nicholson, "June 18, 1840. " Sic, — I have very frequently been asked, ' when are the town acres to be given out ? ' which, though a very natural question, I have found it very "difficult to answer ; but I have now proceeded so far with my operations, that , I beg to inform the land-owners and settlers, | through the medium of your valuable paper, that unless some serious natural cause arises which I cannot foresee or provide against, I think I may safely say that I shall have my plan of the town ready for .public inspection on Monday, 13th July. I will give further notice as to the time and place at which the plan will be exhibited. t - 4 " I have the honor to be, Sir, I " Your most obedient servant, "W. M. SMITH, " Capt. Royal Artillery, " Surveyor-General." " To the Editor of the * " * New Zealand Gazette.' "

We:^^informed that Mr. Deans, one of .the gentlemen who have contracted to cut the roads, has discovered that the several rivers in the valley of the Hutt have a common source, at about nine mileg up the valley. The river there is described as about fifty yards broad, deep, and with a current running at the rate of about one mile an hour ; and the land upon its shores is stated to be nearly clear of heavy timber. If this be confirmed, it will le the most valuable information the colonists will have received since they arrived in Port Nicholson.

The British Government have, in the spirit of Mr. "Ward's resolutions, created 'a Board

of Commissioners, whose duty is superintending the management of all lands in the Colonies. The Commissioners are Colonel Torrens, chief commissioner of South Australia, Mr. F. Elliott, emigration agent, and Mr. F. Villiers. Two of these gentlemen have long been connected with the Colonies, and have much information on the subject ; we may, therefore, anticipate in future something like principle and uniformity in the management of what may be made the most important source of British prosperity.

Since the "Tory" first entered this port, we have had forty-four arrivals ; and there were thirteen vessels in harbour at one time this week.

It is reported that three whaling vessels are coming in here to refit, and two vessels with oil for sale.

The "Hannah" has brought plank from ." Kiapara, and reports that a brig is loading there with plank for Port Nicholson.

We hear there is to be a town at Hokianga, to be called " Churchill;" another at Bay of Islands, called " Russell ;" and another on the Thames, called " Auckland." Thus there will be four recognised towns in New Zealand, all requiring the machinery of local Government. New Zealand bids fair to make a heavy demand upon the Sydney purse.

Passengers in the " Hope " to this port : — Dr. Taylor, Mr. Bidwell, Mrs. Bradwell, Captain Coulson, and Mrs. Coombs and children.