REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 33, 28 November 1840, Page 3

REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION

WHICH PROCEEDED TO TARANAKI BY LAND. [Concluded from No. 32.] (The Report was stated in error to be concluded in our lsst number.) N It ia now our duty in conclusion to add a few general remarks on the two districts, and the means of communication between the country just described and Port Nicholson. Before doing so, however, it is necessary to refer to the line of coast as delineated in MrPark's sketch, and as laid down in the maps published on the best authorities-. For this purpose we will select the map published by the Hydrogiaphic Office, from which most of the other maps are copied, and the slightest comparison will be sufficient tojTshew y how little is at present known of this part, of the coast. In this map the whole line of coast from Port Nicholson to Kafia is drawn with a thin line as if from description, and not from actual survey — not a river is shewti, not a name is given of any of the districts between Port Nicholson and Nga Wotu: a large bay called Taranaki Bay, and another called Kgmont Bay. uearer to the Sugar Loaf Islands, are laid down, which exist only on the map. Another imaginary bay is also shewn beyond Kapiti, while the line of coast beyond Rangitiki has a wrong direction, being drawn due north instead of north-west. The position of Mount Egmont is also inaccurate; it is laid down too near the coast; and the Sugar Loaf Islands are incorrect in their number, their relative position to each othery and their distance from the coast, the furthest island being not more than a mile and a half from the shore. The actual line of coast runs from Porirua to llatyitiki in a direction nearly due north, from Rangitiki to a shoit distance beyond Otumatua it takes a considerable bend in a north-westerly direction; nearly in the centre of thh bend" in a bight or open bay is the entrance to the Wangauui river; beyon.l Otumatua to Nga Motu the direction of the line of coast is north easter'y. The principal harbours ibr large vessels are at Kapiti, where there is a safe anchorage sheltered from all winds for ships of any burthen, and the anchorage at the Sugar Loaf Islands, which is sheltered from all winds but the north-west. There are several small harbours along the coast accessible to vessels under one hundred tons ; that at Titai is described as well sheltered and convenient; Porirua is also a good harbour for coasting vessels, it is opposite to Mana, and has a bar at its mouth with twelve feet at high water. The mouths of the Manewatu and Wanganui rivers (which have been already described) are also convenient harbours for vessels of the same description : indeed during the last winter the Wanganui has often been visited by small vessels from Port Nicholson for the purpose of procuring provisions for the colonists. The entrance to the Patea is, I believe, sufficiently deep to admit vessels of tffty tons. There is a harbour also at Mukou, three days' journey from Nga Motu, said to be ve»y convenient and easy of access for coasting vessels such as I have already described. The mouths of the Rangitiki and Waitera rivers may also be considered good boat harbours. The communication by land from Port Nicholson would be through the Porirua valley, and from the information we were able to procure I think we may assert with confidence that a convenient and easy road may be made from Port Nicholson, commencing near Wellington, or the valley of the Kai Wera, to Porirua along the valley, avoiding equally the hills and the river. We are not able to state its precise direction, this can only be done after a- particular examination of the valley undertaken for the' purpose. After leaving Porirua the road might be continued through the valley parallel to that which we traversed to Puki-rua, and thence along the beach to Pari-Pari. The application of gunpowder would be required to the two projecting points of rock described between the places last named, which at present cannot be passed at high wuter ; From Para- Para to Wai-nui the road would be continued along the beach, after which it might be made behind the sand hills to Waikanai. Between Waikanai and Wanganui the road would be along the beach which is very hard and firm and as good as can be desired for all the purposes of general communication. Indeed the most difficult part of the road _is between Port Nicholson and Porirua, and already a herd of cattle have been driven from the former to the latter place, and the natives from Porirua and the coast very frequently drive their pigs to Port Nicholson by the tract. If therefore a road or wide pathway I through the bush were made from Wellington to Porirua, it would be sufficient fox all the present purposes of the colony. To ensure the means of constant communication. along the route (as we found at Manewatu on our homeward journey) it would be desirable to establish ferries, at the principal rivers, at

Porirua, Manewatu, Rangitiki, and Wanganui, an arrangement that might be effected without much expence. With these exceptions, and with the adoption of the above suggestions, there would be no difficulty at any time in securing a regular and constant communication between Port Nicholson and Wanganui, either for persons on foot or horseback, or for driving cattle or other animals from the several districts on the route to the former place. The distance from Port Nicholson to Wanganui may be readily travelled on horseback in two days and a half, and during the summer (the means of crossing the large rivers without any unnecessary delay being always ensured) the foot passenger might travel the same distance in five days. On our return we were six days in walking between the two places. The same may be said generally of the route between Wanganui and Nga Motu, which presents no serious difficulty to the traveller except at Patea, where a ferry would be required to render the means of communication certain at all times. The route from Wanganui to Taranaki is rougher, and more tedious than that from Port Nicholson to Wanganui, and the last day's journey is over a very rugged beach ; but after this district is surveyed and occupied by the colonists this difficulty may be readily obviated. It is not however the means of communication merely between Port Nicholson and any given district that must be regarded ; it is most important and essential to the prosperity and rising importance of this place, to explore the numerous extensive and fertile districts immediately beyond us, to discover the best means of connecting them with this port, and thus by the information we should have it in our power to supply, to direct the tide of immigration into those channels which would be most advantageous to the colonist, and most beneficial to this place. For these reasons I cannot help referring to the information received from the natives relating to the Manewatu river, which if correct must be regarded as most important. It would be of the utmost consequence to be able to establish an inland communication with this valuable and level district, extending as it is said to do from the east to the west coast, without any interruption, and it would be a matter of little dificulty or expense during the ensuing summer to to test the accuracy of their statements by personal examination, and ascertain the practicable nature of such a road leading up the valley of the Hutt, which would thus derive additional value and importance from this circumstance. For the same reasons the informations supplied by them respecting the district of Taupo, and the different routes connecting that portion of the country with the Wanganui and inland districts of great extent and fertility, must be considered as equally important. They seem to point out a very wide tract of open and fertile country available for the purposes of settling or squatting, where colonists might take their flocks and herds, and have the opportunity of readily communicating with Port Nicholson for the disposal of their surplus produce by the Wanganui. The statements of the natives must be viewed in the light of rough sketches or outlines, where all before was indistinct or unknown, in which the details .must afterwards be filled up by patient investigation; they afford useful hints as to the direction and manner in which to prosecute any further researches which have for their object a more intimate knowledge of the country, particularly of the interior. The routes they have described appear to be well established mouri paths, that have been long used by them as the means of communication between the different tribes. Some detailed comparison between the two districts of Wanganui and Taranaki may be expected, but as great care has been taken fully to describe the nature of the soil, the appearance of the face of the country, and all the different circumstances and advantages peculiar to each district, enough has been said to enable any person to form a correct opinion, and without again entering into the subject at great length, it may be sufficient in this place to state that after a careful consideration of all the facts we are both of opinion that the district of Taranaki offers the greatest inducements to the colonists, and is best adapted, from the great extent of level and open country, for the country sections of the Company's first and principal settlement. We have arrived at this conclusion after mature deliberation, and the best attention we were able to give the subject; fully aware of the expectations formed of the expedition, and impressed with a due sense of the responsibility attached to the expression of our opinions. In offering this opinion it is necessary to repeat that we have only seen that portion of Taranaki between the mountain and the coast. That part of the coast between Nga Motu and Waitera, and the district through which that river flows, we had not the opportunity of

visiting; as I have before stated it has been described to us as being the most valuable portion of Taranaki, with the advantage of water communication : but the principal part of the open country or fern district, lies between the mountain and the coast. I may also state in this place, that a road projected from the neighbourhood of Otumatua in a direction nearly N.N.E., over the eastern portion of the base of Mount Egmont, and crossing the district of Waiters, would lead through the best portions of Mokou and Kafia, and connect together that part of the Northern Island of all others the best adapted for agricultural pursuits, from its soil, its climate, its extent, level character and fertility, and the little outlay, as compared with other portions of the Island, required for clearing and cultivation. During our progress our thoughts could hardly fail to be frequently occupied with one of the most important objects connected with the expedition. I allude to the best means of speedily surveying the country, and of putting the colonist in possession of his land. The difficulties attending a survey of land in New Zealand, from the luxuriance of vegetation, the hilly and broken character of the ground, and the other impediments to be met with, are now more generally obvious than on our first arrival. To these considerations must be added the extent of land required for the preliminary sections, the land since sold by the Company, and the comparative inactivity in which the colonists must remain, until he can obtain the land he has purchased. Nor must the small numerical strength of the Surveying Staff, or the double duty they have to perform in exploring or finding the land as well as surveying it, be forgotten in taking into account the different causes which operate in delaying the progress of the survey, and the distribution of the sections to the different proprietors in their order of selection. For all these reasons it is impossible to conclude a report of this nature without referring to a point of such deep and general interest, and on which the prosperity of the colony so mainly depends, or attempting to offer some practical suggestion which may conduce to this desirable end. It appeared to us that if the general direction of many of the roads could be determined, a great number of sections may be selected in different parts where the colonists might without further delay commence the great work of clearing and cultivation, and the exact boundaries of the respective sections could be afterwards ascertained at a more convenient season. Some plan of this kind would be peculiarly adapted to Wanganui ; as on the banks of that river, and in its vicinity, the available land is in detached portions only, as has been previously described : if therefore • the preliminary sections should be laid out at Taranaki, those who have purchased country sections only might in their order of choice be allowed to select their land in this manner at Wanganui, and thus profitably occupy the ground which would otherwise remain useless, and while securing their own comfort and prosperity, contribute by their energy and exertions to the general advancement of the Colony. In conclusion, we have to express our satisfaction with the conduct of the men engaged to accompany us, and the general willingness they evinced during the journey to do whatever was required of them. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, ROBERT STOKES. Capt. Smith, R.A., Surveyor-General.

House of Commons, July 6. — Lord Stanley, referring to the nature and degree of the opposition which his Irish Registration Bill had experienced — an opposition which there was every reason to helieve would he continued, felt that further discussion during the present session would be productive of public inconvenience, and would not press it , further; but he would distinctly state, that,.* profiting by the experience of this session, and knowing the opposition he was likely to encounter, he should take the earliest opportunity in the next session of again inviting the consideration of the house to this measure, and should bring it forward at so early a period of that session that he trusted the act would be brought into operation at no later a period than that which he had proposed for" the measure in this session. He should, therefore, move the order of the day for going into committee on this bill for the purpose of its being discharged. — Lord John Russell, after declaring, amidst some laughter, that " the opposition to the bill had been fair, candid, and open," stated that if in the next session any proposition were introduced under the name of registration to obstruct and destroy the franchise which was given by the Reform Act, he himself having been concerned in the passing of that act, he should feel it his duty to give the strongest opposition to that measure. — Times, July 7.