New Plymouth Spectator.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume 19, Issue 62, 19 June 1841, Page 2

New Plymouth Spectator.

We obtain the following from the New Zealnd Journal. These extracts will be interesting to our Taranaki friends, as showing the latest movements in relation to that settlement. The New Ejlymoutii Settlesient. — Enquiries are frequently made of usi as to the progress of the Plymouth Settlement — where it is likely to be— when we may* expect definite information, and so forth. To these questions we t cannot give answers which are fully satisfactoiy, because nothing can be heard of the progress of the preliminary expedition for some time ; but we can so far quiet the minds of enquirers as to point out when they may expect intelligence. All that is known at present is, that Colonel Wakefield was apprised of the successful organisation of the Plymouth Company, and of their determination to send out a surveying staff. He was, moreover, aware that the Dircctoi's attention had been directed towards the harbour of Looxeii's-on ; and he was intimated in one of his letters that he will turn his attention towards the subject of an eligible locality, so as to be prepared to recommend one or more places to Mr. Carrinjrton for his deciiion. . Our readers are aware, that the information respecting Locker'son is exremely scanty. Cook reported that it bears the appearance of a finu harbour, but, for a place of settlement, more than a mere harbour is wanted ; and tho country around the spot in question may be deficient in some essential particulars. However, Colonel Wakefield is pro-

pared ; and by the time of Mr. Carrington's arrival, (December,) more intbrmatiou may have been obtained. In this country no farther information respecting the site of New Plymouth can be received until April, and it may be later ; but, in the meantime, the satisfactory relations which now exist between the New Zealand Company and the Government have not been lost upon the Plymouth Company, who are neglecting nothing that is calculated to promote the success of their promising Colony. We may mention here, that the Ame ta Thompson, which will sail on the sth March, has already "engaged 25 cabin, and 137 steerage dassongers. These added to the 147 by the William Bryan, and 12 by the London (the surveying staff), will make 321 Europeans in the Colony of New Plymouth, exclusive of births on the arrival of the Amelia Thompson. It has been calculated that the passengers by this vessel carry out capital to the amount of at least 25,0002. ; and so great has been the demand for passengers freight, that the Company will probably be obliged to take up a store ship for the purpose of conveying gouds to the 'Colony. Since the final arrangements with the Government, the Company's land sales have greatly increased. The following appears as an advertisement : — The Directors of the Plymouth Company of New Zealand hereby give notice to parties who have already become or propose to be purchasers out of the first allotment of Double Land-orders expressly reserved for Colonists, that the priority of choice for the suburban and town sections sold to such Colonists, will be decided by lot, at theOJlice of the Company, in Plymouth, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of Friday, the 18th of February next, when all persons ■who have not made the full deposits and payments required l>y the terms of purchase, will be excluded from the benefits of the said allotment. 'J'he requisite paymants may be made to Messrs. Curries, 29, Cornhill, London, durin<* banking hours, on the 16th February, or at the office or the Company, before four o'clock, on the 18th February, when the Books will be finally closed. Purchasers of Double Land-orders, as non-colonists, under the terms dated 22nd December last, are also informed that the drawing for choice of their Town Sections is postponed from the Ist to the 19th of February. T. Woollcombe, Managing Director. New Zealand House, Plymouth, Jan. 19, 1841.

Captain Mercer, of the Harrington, reports having spoken a vessel at night, about three weeks since, the Captain of which stated he was chartered by the New Plymouth Company, and was proceeding to D'Urville Island for orders. Captain Mercer states he was not able to catch the name of the vessel, but it sounded as if composed of two names. This vessel, then, should be the Amelia Thompson, to sail from England, under charge of Capt. King, in the latter part of February.