AND BRITANNIA SPECTATOR.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 29, 31 October 1840, Page 2

AND BRITANNIA SPECTATOR.

Saturday, Oct. 31, 1840. The state of the survey, anJ the prospect of a mv. h larger quantity of land being open to selection than shall at any period be found to have been sold by the Company, are subjects likely before long to become of the most vital importance to this settlement. The town covers eleven hundred acres, and is in possession of its proprietors ; about three thousand acres of country land have also been appropriated, and in the course of a month, in all probability, from four to five thousand acres more will be open to selection. This is a small portion of the land already sold ; but we confess we consider that had we been enabled to obtain on arrival all or the greater part of the lands to which we are entitled, it would have been to our injury rather than advantage. To this hour the supply of labour has been very small, and the fruitless efforts to obtain workmen which would have been made, must have been solely productive of evil ; and it is for this reason we think that the principle of concentration has been by circumstances happily forced upon us. We are aware that among us there are some highly respectable anil capable persons, who feel that the non-possession of their land has been a serious drawback ; in which feeling, for the reason expressed, we cannot agree. We may, however, now fairly look forward to a constant stream of immigration from Europe, and it is essentially necessary that we should be prepared to absorb this labour' or it may be lost to the settlement. The country about Port Nicholson is thrown into small steep hills lying closely together ; and the land yet explored is found to be heavily covered with fine wood, entwined — we may say, matted — with parasitical plants. Persons leally acquainted with surveying, ca estimate the difficulty of finding practicable ; roads, and making a connected survey, in a j country possessed of such features. This land, however, being remarkably fertile, and adjacent to the town, proprietors are desirous of obtaining it at the earliest period, which makes it necessary to prosecute this survey. The Taranaki country has been examined | by a portion of the Surveyor-General's staff, and by other competent persons, and the opinion we believe held without an exception is, that it is a highly fertile fern district, moderately supplied with wood, and of great extent. An agricultural gentlemen well qualified to express an opinion on the subject, who accompanied the exploring party, has further stated that it is highly fitted for the immediate depasturing of herds and flocks, and that having permission, and accompanied by a dozen other Colonists, be wouM be willing to commence the work of settlement there forthwith. It is only necessary to hear these statements, to feel that is the direction to which our attention should be turned. We believe that while twenty thousand acres are being surveyed here,- three hundred thousand, and possibly more, could be surveyed at Taranaki ; and when the settler obtains his land, he can bring it into cultivation immediately, and at much less cost than he could at Port Nicholson. Were this district at once opened to settlers, many would arrange to obtain stock and sheep from New South Wales, and the season and prices are alike favourable to such anenterprise. Possibly many Australian masters would be inclined to introduce stock ; if so, every encouragement should be afforded to persons inclined to provide a source of wealth so great and immediate. Taranaki and Wanganui might be surveyed conjointly with our local survey ; and if a vessel were kept upon the coast to carry passengers at a moderate charge, many would prepare to proceed to that promising territory,

and increased activity and vigour would be given to Port Nicholson. The Company has at all times shown itself alive to our best interests, and we have felt that it is only necessary to convince the Directors of the propriety of any step, within their power, to cause it to be taken. Under this feeling, we some time since alluded to the great good which would result to this settlement if they would purchase and send here some small vessels fitted lor the country trade, for sale or charter. We have reason to believe, if it were known this Port could satisfy all the ordinary wants of a large number of whaling vessels at Sydney rates, that from sixty to one hundred would be found to refresh here in the season. We believe the profit on provisions from Europe is not so great nor certain as upon many other articles ; we doubt not, however, 20 to 25 per cent, might be relied upon, and though this might not be sufficient to satisfy the private trader, it would be an ample return to the outlay of a Company. We would recommend then, if the mercantile interests in England connected with this port do not show a determination to supply us with articles, which by securing the whaling ships to the port, w,ould be the cause of from £30,000 to £50,000 being expended here, that the Company should make this an especial part of their business for some years. The absence of our active and excellent magistrate, Mr. Murphy has been much felt. Many persons, especially connected with shipping, having the knowledge that no warrant could now be obtained, have conducted themselves in a most riotous and unbecoming manner. We doubt not the visit Mr. Murphy is now making on the coast will be highly productive of peace and good order in the Straits hereafter : but as it may be necessary at any moment that asimilar visit must be nWe, it. is absolutely necessary that Mr. Murphy should have a coadjutor immediately. We are aware that Mr. Robinson, who remains at the French settlement, was to have resided amongst us; and if his stay is to be of Jojig duration, we trust His Excellency Captain Hobson will so soon as possible supply our urgent want. i We would suggest the justice and propriety of ' putting some of the gentlemen residing here in the commission of the peace. An extract from a letter written by a gentleman on board the " Brougham," will be found iv our paper, by which it appears that the report of murderous proceedings on the part of the natives at Cloudy Bay is unfound- [ cd. This will disappoint some of our neighI hours, who we notice carefully collect and I record every statement relative to outrages in ! New Zealand. It would be fortunate if the Australasian natives were as intelligent and free from censure as the New Zealanders. We are informed that the French at Banks' Peninsula are busily employed putting in crops; that if our Government allow them \ possession, twenty thousand persons are to ' arrive there from France annually for five years., and that their Port is to be free for twenty years. The streets and quays' have all been named, and were they now correctly designated, it would probably prevent some confusion. The names can be had at the Surveyor- General's office ; and if parties would date correctly from ■ their place of residence, the names would «oon ; be associated in the memory of all settlers. The subjoined is an extract from the letter of a gentleman on board of the " Brougham," 1 dated from Kapiti, 24th October : — [ We arrived here last night, after a stay at Cloudy Bay o; three days. After a full enquiry into the circumstances of ; the death of William Wilton and party, I am glad to say that there is not the slightest charge against the natives. [ There were strong grounds of suspicion, but they were fully cleared up. They arose principally from the people at I Cloudy Bay not fully understanding the language, and confounding the events of two days. I We saw your friend Raupero last night ; he was greatly alarmed, and asked what he had done to cause the soldiers to he brought up with us. We expect to leave this in the morning for Mana, and the next day for the Sound, and hope to be in Port Nicholson on Thursday next. s Another letter from Sydney gives us to > understand that Sir George Gipps will not . apply the New Zealand Bill to the Company's territory, but refer theirs, as a special and most peculiar case, to the Home Government. 1 This is what was to be desired ; for our cfse L being thoroughly good, and our friends unanimous and powerful, we may be assured we may rest satisfied that the Company's conl tract with the settlers will be most sacredly , regarded.