PORT NICHOLSON.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume V, Issue 344, 15 May 1844, Page 2

PORT NICHOLSON.

The barque Tvne, commanded by the sincere and highly esteemed friend of the settlement, Captain Robertson, will sail in two or three days for London. The settlers are indebted to Captain Robertson for affording them such an excellent opportunity of communicating with their friends. The brig Gannett, we believe, may be expected here in about a month, from Newcastle, New South Wales and we hope that by the end of July, a vessel with a cargo of oil will be ready to proceed to England from this port. We ha7e therefore the prospect of maintaining a very good direct communication with England throughout the year.

We have no particular information to furnish the friends of the settlement with at home, on the j. resent occasion. Accounts have been received from Mr. Spain, at Manawatu. He was then in company with Col. Wakeneld about to proceed to Wanganui. The state of the land question we cannot furnish, but we believe we are justified in stating it is tolerably satisfactory. Each day convinces the settlers that we have numerous resources, and that the state of the land question and the deficiency of capital are our main drawbacks. The settlers are most anxious that their friends in England should not be led by the complaints made respecting the defects in the Company's plans, and the management of their affairs, to believe that they are disappointed in New Zealand. We believe that the settlers generally are well satisfied with the climate and capabilities of New Zealand, and feel that if the Government and Company at home would only foster this young colony for a short period, all would have reason to be well pleased with, having selected this as the site of their operations. We are glan to find, by. the November numbers of the New Zealand Journal, the editor of that paper evidently feels that the New Zealand Company are as. likely to become useless and apathetic as any Government ever was, if not urged on by the remarks of the public press. Our contemporary censures Lieut. Wood for begrudging Colonel Wakefield his salary, stating that the labourer is worthy of his hire. We have no doubt Mr.. Wood is ready to admit the same, but he is, and nineteen - twentieths of those who reside in the Company's settlements are prepared to show that the saying is not applicable when made in relation to the Company's Agent. One and all begrudge him his salary, because they feel-he has been the main cause of the chief evils from which; we suffer-

A careful review of the Company's Agent, in .his relative capacity as Company's correspondent and. Company's manager,- which will be 'forthcoming in due course, will make our London contemporary satisfied that Mr. Wood has not been a particle too severe in his censure, so far as Colonel Wakefield is concerned.