NEW PLYMOUTH, FEBRUARY 26, 1859.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VII, Issue 343, 26 February 1859, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH, FEBRUARY 26, 1859.

We took occasion last week to direct the attention of our readers to some matters of local interest and concern which, in our opinion, should be brought under His Excellency the Governor's notice on his arrival. The want of land — open, available, accessible land — when hundreds of thousands of acres lie waste and unprofitable around, is the great misfortune under which we labor, and the source of all our ills, and it would be well if the community could be brought to sink minor differences and unite in the effort to induce the government to try some method other than that which hitherto, after years of trial, has only resulted in failure to bring about a better state of things. It is now more than ever necessary that something should be done or attempted. We are killing the goose for the golden egg. Our choicest cattle and sheep are being shipped away to enrich other provinces, and those yet left to us are threatened with starvation amidst plenty. A glorious summer, which under other circumstances should be cheering in the highest degree, is like ly to prove disastrous to our flocks and herds from want of some of that rich natural pasture which skirts the coast, for a hundred miles, but which the law will not allow of our making use, on the plea that it would impede colonisation. . It is hardly credible that a part of New Zealand, colonised as this was in the year 1841, should literally be without land even to fulfil the engagements of the Association Tjy whom the district was colonised. The fact should, if possible, be an additional incentive to the government to redouble their exertions to procure some, but beyond a paltry block here and there acquired, of I>ack forest land, nothing to advance the best interests of the community ia done, or,

apparently, attempted. The system must surely be faulty which fails to induce the Maori to part with his spare land. For fifteen years the efforts of the several Governments of New Zealand to entice the natives into a second sale of their land have resulted in the uphill purchase of a few blocks which in total area bear no proportion to runs in the South obtainable at a few pounds rental. Bush or forest land forms the chief proportion of the land purchased by the government, and in so little favor' is it held that no sales are effected, even for scrip, at the Regulation upset price of 10s. per acre.

The neglect of the government to buy the land when they had it in their power to do so at a reasonable rate has of course been the opportunity of the Natives, whose cupidity has 'ieen proportionably awakened. It is mere folly now-a-days to bid for the land in Taranaki which has acquired value from being in the vicinity of the settled district the same price at which purchases are made in outlying districts of the colony without local value.

It is common talk that I'naia has offered a valuable block of open land north of Waitara, and Paringa Kingi of an equally valuable tract of country south of the Omata, and these offers invest His Excellency's approaching visit with an additional interest. We are told that purchases can be completed in both instances. Each chief has of course his opponents, but the support of an influential party may be depended on. The real question however will be the price to be got for the land, and on this will depend other offers of land. We are no advocates for giving the Natives a high price for their land, where a low price will suffice — the real benefit they derive from our intercourse is in the introduction amongst them of our laws, institutions, and example. But rather than continue to suffer from the want of it, we should be prepared to advocate that the Natives be offered such a price for it per acre as would just enable the government to dispose of it again without loss to the province.

The Provincial Powder Magazine which was authorised by a vote of Council last Session is completed, and gunpowder is now received in store by the Senior non commissioned officer of the Royal Artillery who is in charge. The Magazine is on the east side of Marsland Hill, immediately under the Barracks, and every precaution has been taken in its construction to ensure safety. The building is of wood. It is desirable that the Provincial Government lose no time in publishing the scale of charges, and the Regulations generally for the storeage and delivery of gunpowder. ,

Early last Sunday morning a hut took fire in the Maori pa in the town, and in a few moments it was burnt to the ground with part of a stack of firewood. The occurrence, for a time, occasioned considerable alarm amongst the townspeople, who hurried to the spot and rendered assistance. The wind, fortunately, was off the land, and there was no danger whilst it lasted of the fire extending beyond the pa, but had it blown in the contrary direction, half of the business part of the town would probably have been destroyed. Taranaki Volunteer Rifle Company. — A Meeting is to be held at 3 this afternoon at the Masonic Hall to decide upon the drill and dress of the Company. Both these subjects will have much to do with the satisfactory organisation of the Company, and a full attendance of members is therefore desirable. The Mining Journal of November 13th, 1858, quotes the price of Indian Charcoal Pigs in London at £7 10s. per ton. Best Swedish Bar Iron at from £17 10s. to £21 per ton. These quotations augur well for a remunerating return for capital invested in the Company which it is proposed to form in England for the purpose of working our Iron Sand ore.