The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1874.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 2171, 28 January 1874, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1874.

At the banquet given to Mr. Yogel in the city of Dunedin, that gentleman spoke in a very earnest manner of the urgent necessity of preserving the forests of New Zealand from wasteful and wanton destrnction. If we for a moment contemplate the possibility of this Colony being entirely divested of its valuable- forest trees, the magnitude of the question becomes apparent. A country destitute of timber, however valuable its other resonrces might be, cannot be contemplated with feelings of any pleasurable character, as it would be deprived of one of the most beautifal of nature's adornments, and, at the same time, wanting in a natural product essentially necessary to its progress and the comfort and convenience of its inhabitants. In this Colony, and especially in this Province, nature has been very bonntifnl in rearing valuable forest trees for the use of the present and futnre generations, and we at least ought to appreciate the gift by the moderate enjoyment of it, and the exercise of a little consideration for the necessities of our successors. But it is difficult in a thickly timbered country to impress the occupiers of it with a respect for these venerable giants of the forest whose infancy perhaps dates back centuries, when New Zealand presented physical characteristics not now apparent — before the Maori urged his adventurous canoe to these shores ; or perchance before Mount Egmont's topmost cone was moulded by the agency of her subterranean fires. It seems almost criminal to lay these ancient settlers low with the conquering axe ; at least, there should be the excuse that the timber is devoted to the necessities of a growing population or required as an article of commerce, and not dissipated by means of fire to their constituent elements of gas and ashes. Yet that will be the ultimate fate of our noble forest if suitable means are not taken to prevent such a suicidal course. Waste is unavoidable in a forest district when the timber cannot be conveyed to market, owing to want of suitable roads. Under those circumstances, if the land is utilised at all, it must be by destroying the forest by fire to obtain a plot of grass. This is indeed exchanging old for new lamps. The question then is, how is this evil to be remedied ? How shall we act so as to make the most of the magnificent crop of timber growing on our waste lands ? The answer is, penetrate the forest by a railway, and only dispose of the land within an easy distance of the line to ensure the timber being devoted to some of the purposes which civilisation demands, and which a rational form of government, acting in the interest of the present and future population of the country, would insist upon being carried out. In new countries there is a splendid field for far-seeing stateman. ship in conserving and utilising the natnral wealth of the country for thegood of the whole of the people. In dealing with matters of this sort on a large and comprehensive basis, unity of action is ouly possible with governments. The old world prejudice that govern, ments should confine their functions to a narrow sphere of administrative duty, is the most arrant nonsense, especially as applied to a new country teeming with natnral wealth, but which requires for its development the concentrated energies of its whole population. It is this conservative principle which is at the present moment operating so injuriously in Great Britain on her swarming population. Wealth is accumulating in the hands of the few, while the poverty of the unskilled population is increasing, and darkness like unto that of Egypt dims the intelligence ; while the absence of hope brutalises the minds of that unfortunate class whose avocation is crime, and that larger class which oscillates on its borders, and invades its dotnajn when remorseless want drives it across the debatable ground which separates yet links together poverty and crime. The Government of this Colony has done well, and is travelling in the right direction when it assumes for the benefit of the population the management of snch works as telegraphs and railways. We do not see why its attention should not be devoted to an' industrial scheme for the utilisation of our forest and its occupation by a suitable class of settlers, who would make the timber trade their ohief occupation. The last acquired blook of land in this Province is said to be about to be handed over to the Provincial Government for its administration. The first thought that occurs to us is, what will it do with it? It si of the character of a conundrum, and we are almost inclined to give np the attempt at a solution. Is it possible for a government that as a government barely exists, that is always in a state of pitiable impecunosity ; is it possible for snch a government to undertake with any hope of success the colonisation (

of this land, utilising to proper purposes the timber ftnd gradually settling on the cleared land a suitable population. We think the Provincial Government would utterly fail in doing anything of the sort. It might raise money on mortgage to make a survey. It could not raise enough to make roads, that is roads serviceable in winter, for the conveyance of timber to a port. If it could not do this, it would fail in providing the very elementary conditions of settling a forest population on the soil. We may therefore dismiss from our minds the possibility of the Provincial Government administering these lands as they ought to be, that is, utilising the timber preparatory to devoting the land, on whioh it grows, to grazing or agriculture. But with the promised railway and a rational system of administration by tbe General Government, the solution of the question is possible, and our forest land be made the happy home of a busy population. The railway is the indispensable basis on which the settlement of this land is practicable, and the attempt to make a settlement without it only means devoting a noble forest to utter and profitless destrnction. Mr. Yogel spoke in strong and earnest language to his entertainers at Dunedin of the melancholy fate of the forests of this Colony unless the Government (that is the guardians of the peoples' estate) stepped in to arrest the ruinous waste going on. If his eloquent words were only meant as a variety in his speech to raise a momentary sympathy for the beautiful in nature, — a passing sentiment to adorn, by the play of fancy, the grosser elements of the entertainment, he will j make some practical attempt to give effect to his feelings on this important subject. The opportunity is not wanting — the General Government can at least attempt to cure the evil. The settlers' fire has only in our forest singed the outskirts, the bulk remains unscathed. This forest is being gradually acquired by the General Government from tbe nominal native owners. The most accessible parts are confiscated — are in fact Crown lands. The legislature has authorised a line of railway through it. Were it not for the timber which covers and adorns it, this country would seem to be a vast plain, pierced in its centre by the graceful cone of Mount Egmont. Mr. Yogel is premier of the Colony — the bead of a ministry who are in his hands oh great questions like clay in the hands of the potter. If the ministry adopt a scheme for conserving this forest and settling a population on it, the Assembly would no doubt assent to it. The Government have got the land — they have got authority to open it up by railway. Then we say to Mr. Yogel, "If your remarks on the destruction of the New Zealand forest are ouly the utterance of & melancholy sentiment, practice what you preach. Tonr government holds in trusts in this Province hundreds of thousands of acres of forest growing on land rarely equalled for fertility; utilise this magnificent estate in the direction which your sentiments point, for the benefit of tbe Colony." We feel assured that tho statesman who succeeds in colonising this forest land on rational principles, will achieve a noble work, and will deserve well of bis country ; and we hope that the initiation of this important work will at least be attempted by the General Government during the next session of parliament.

Mustard is an article of such daily use in almost every family (hat we are surprised it has never struok Borne small capitalist to grow and convert it into an article of commerce. At present, all the mustard used in the Colony is imported from England, and on wbioh a duty is paid. The annual volume of statistics published by the Government does not specify the exaot amount of money sent away for this arfciole, but considering the constant use made of the prepared mustard at the table of every family, and the purposes it is often put to by medical men, the quantity imported, we feel sure, must be large. The price of Column's Durham mustard, in tins or bottles, is about two shillings a pound ; but even that is not pure, for it is found that when mixed it has noc that pungent taste it should possess, and, after n short time, becomes mosty. If a pure artiole was manufactured in the Colony, it woold meet with a large sale, and a considerable profit might be made from the sale of it. There are two sorts of mustard — the white mustard which is grown for oil cake for sheep feed, and for green manure to be ploughed in for wheat ; and the brown mustard, which, is grown for use as a table condiment. From an English paper we gather that on the marshy and unearned coast soils of east England it is common to take three or four crops of brown mustard running, and in that way to pay for the fee simple of the land (from £60 to £100 an acre), when the opportunity is presented. The tillage required is next to nothing— a bnshel of seeds an aoro, a shallow furrow is ploughed, the seed is sown broadcast in April, and is ready for harvesting in June or July. The land is generally sufficiently seeded to prodaoe another crop, which may perhaps be gathered ie the autumn of the same year. In England brown mustard often makes from 15s. to £1 a bushel, and forty bushels is no unoommoD crop. White mußtard is less remunerative aud less speculative ; and, although it might be cultivated with advantage here likewise, we shall not speak of it on the present occasion. A bnshel of seed, or abont 601ba., would prodaoe at least 501bs. of fine flour mustard, which at, say, Is. per lb. (the English wholesale price for the adulterated stuff), would be equal to £2 10s. ; and after deduoting, say, 15s. per bushel — the prioe given to the farmer, would leave £l 15s. for the manufacturer. This sum, even after deducting the neoessary expenses for grinding, packing, &0., would leave, we should say, a very fair margin to the manufacturer. A bushel of seed would sow au aore, and, a>l« though a yield of forty bushels ia England it no nnoommon thing, still taking the average at, say, twenty.five bushels to the aore, the seed sold for 15s. per bushel would girt a

farmer a return of £18 per acre for his labour. We have but briefly referred to the subject, but this, like other neglected indußtriei, should be fostered and enoouraged.

His Honor the Superintendent, we under* stand, is about to proceed to Wellington to see tbe Ministry with respect to several important matters connected with poblio works in this district. We have no doubt that the occupation of onr forest lands, by means of tho Waitara-Wanganui line of railway, will oooupy a chief plaoe in his interviews with the Government. The survey of this line has now been promised by the Minister of Pablio Works, on two occasions, daring tbe session of 1872 and daring the session of 1873 ; on the last occasion the surrey was promised to be completed before the session of 1874. There is a possibility of this promise being yet fulfilled if it is proceeded with at once, otherwise we shall have to record another broken vow. His Honor will, doubtlessly, see to this. Daring Che last session a promise was made to the Members of the Provinoe that £5,000 should be given to the Provincial Government for the construction of roads, as an acknowledgment that the Provinoe was entitled to a portion of the revenue arising out of the sale of waste lands in the Patea District. This snm has not yet been banded, over. We are of opinion that it shonld be appropriated to tbe construction of pressing pablio works by the Superintendent and Provincial Council, the General Government having, of oourse, avoioe in tbe mode of expenditure. The completion of the line of telegraph from Opunake to Stony River shonld also be borne in mind. The making of proper reserves for education in the blook of land about to be sold by the General Government, in the Patea Distriot, should be insisted on ; also the judicious selection and reservation of first-olaas blooks for cottagers sites, to be sold, on deferred payments, to labourers, in lots of from five to twenty acres, to provide a supply of labour for the large holdings surrounding. The subjeot of immigration shonld also olaim his attention. Ibese subjects, in addition to others whioh, no donbt, will ooour to his Honor's mind, will fall oooupy his time, and exercise his ability daring his stay in the Empire City.

Mb. Hulks, the Provincial Immigration Agent, returned from Patea by the coach on Sunday night. We regret to hear that he has not been so successful there as it was hoped be wonld be. The Patea correspondent to the Wanganui Herald writes regarding Mr. Hulke's visit — " It ia a pity that he did not advertise his intention of visiting this district ; as it is he has oome unawares, the people have not had time to think the matter over j however, Mr. Hulke is not the man to let the grass grow under his feet, and he is visiting every settler in the district, and I hope he will meet with that amount of success whioh he unquestionably deserves. I believe I am correot in saying that Mr. Hulke has done more for the welfare of the Provinoe than any other man in it. It was he who first suggested the railway at the back of the moan* tain, and many other works which, if undertaken, would materially enhance the progress of the Provinoe. He has always taken a most prominent part in the all important matter of immigration, and that without any remuneration. He has been very successful reoently in and near New Plymouth. I believe he has about 350 nominated there, and I hope the settlers will embrace tbe opportunity while he is here, and scud for their friends." Although Mr. Hulke has not been successful on the occasion of his visit, it may be that beneficial results will yet accrue from it.

More Natives abb to be Sent into this Province — as if we had not enough here already. This information we gather from the Wellington Evening Post, whioh gravely tells us that the Native Minister has managed to kill two valuable birds with one stone. That not only has he settled the long Btanding Horewbenua dispute on what appears to be a permanent and satisfactory basis, but he has also negotiated and completed the purohase of a blook of 23,00(1 acres of most valuable land at Waikanae, and that the late owners and oooupiers were abont to remove to Taranaki. Thiß we presume means that Wellington has scoured through the late native dispute, a valuable addition of territory, whilst we are to put np with the doubtful acquisition to the Provinoe, of an additional tribe of natives. It is time the settlers made a stand against onr Provinoe being made a reoeptaole for all the natives of the Colony. What we want is the addition of European population : but if we permit natives to be drafted here whenover it suits the Government's purpose, we may never expect to be anything elae than a native settlement.

Visit of Hon. Mb. Vogel.— We learn that his Honor the Superintendent has received a letter from Mr. Yogel, intimating that he will shortly visit this Provinoe.

Promenade Concert. — The fourth of the serioß of concerts being given by the Amateur Band w ill be held in Mr. Weston's grounds this evening, weather permitting.

Our Portion of the English Mail arrived most unexpectedly on Monday last, in the colonial steamer ' Luna.' It was not a very large one, being only a fortnight's mail.

Death of Mhs. John Ltb. — One by one the pioneer settlers of this Provinoe are passing away. Of late we regret to say that we have had to notice many of their deaths, and now onr obituary contains another. Mrs. Lye, with her husband and family, were passengers by the first ship that came to this settlement, the ' William Bryant,' whioh arrived here in 1841. This venerable lady has raised a large family, and has lived to see her grandchildren's obildrea. She was known to all our old settlers by whom she was muoh regarded. She died on Saturday evening! and yesterday a large number of persons followed her remains to the grave.

The Good Templars. — The current quarter of the Good Templar lodges having, all over the world, expired, and, oonsequently, the term for whioh the officers were elected having also expired, an election of officers for the ensuing three months took plaoe on the 24th January, at the "Olive Branch" lodge-room, Freemasons' Hall, when the majority of the retiring officers of the above lodge were re-elected. The following are the names of the newly elected officers :■— W. Courtney, W.M. ; J. Kenyon, W.0.G. ; Sister Courtney, W.R.D.S. ; Sister Appleyard, W.L.D.S. ; J. Allen, W.A.S. ; Sieter Barton, WJ>.M. ; Sister Collie, B.A.

DELAY IN FORWARDING TELEGRAMS. A deputation, consisting of Mr. T. King (of the Bank of New Zealand), Mr. F. Cook (of the National Bank), and Messrs. F. U. Gledhill, Hulke, F. L. Webster, W. D. Webster, and H. Weston, waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, yesterday afternoon, relative to the delay that has occurred lately in forwarding, between Stony River and Opunake, the telegrams Bent from this place. The deputation stated that, hearing he was about to proceed to Wellington on business conneoted with the Provinoe, they had waited upon his Honor to impress on him the importance of getting the Government to connect New Plymonth with the wire ; and, if that oould not be done by way of the coast, that it should be taken at the baok of the mountain. Until it was accomplished, the deputation considered that a delivery of telegrams twice a day shonld be instituted, as was promised to his Honor, daring the session, by the Native Minister ; but whioh had not, as yet, been put into force. At present, the manner in whioh the service was performed by the natives who carried the telegrams between Opunake and Stony River, was most unsatisfactory ; so muoh so, that telegrams which were placed in the office at New Plymouth on Monday last, at noon, did not leave Stony River till Tuesday, when they were taken on by the coaoh as it passed. Some of these telegrams were of tbe utmost importance, and the delay in their transmission had been the means of Beriouß loss and inconvenienoe to some of tbe gentlemen present. Mr. T. King said that telegrams were so long in reaohing their destination, that it was quicker, when steamers were in port, to write ; if it was otherwise, he wonld often transmit money by telegram. Mr. Cook suggested that the arrivals and departures of the Australian steamers should be posted at the station here, as was done in other places, for the information of the public ; co that any one could telegraph a letter to Australia. He asked the Superintendent if be would see to it. His Honor said that if they wonld only give him over the Province to manage but for three or four years, they wonld see the native mystery disposed of, roads made, and the telegraph connected. As it was, he was helpless. All tbe available land was taken and disposed of by the General Government ; yet he was expected to make all the trunk roads without funds. He asked them if this was fair ; if it was just or honor* able ? When he went down to Wellington, he wonld ask the Government to connect the wire by way of the baok of Mount Egmont, if it oould not be done by way of the coast. He thought that, if tbe deputation put in writing their wishes, it would strengthen him when pleading their request to the Ministers. With regard to the matter of return telegrams the same day, his Honor said that, since his retnrn from his legislative dntieß, be had communicated, in private letters to the Native Minister, btß dissatisfaction that the promise made to him had not been carried ont. He (the Superintendent) was told by Mr. Lemon that it could not be done ; but they knew it oonld. His Honor asked those gentlemen of the deputation who represented the commercial interests of the plaoe, whether they wonld object to pay something extra if the accommodation was afforded thenrt Those present intimated that they would have no objection to paying an additional Bam for 1 telegrams, provided they could depend on getting a reply the same day. The Superintendent said that, when he arrived at Wellington, he would do all that lay in his power to get the wißhes of the deputation carried out ; but, at tbe same time, be thought it wonld be advisable if the gentlemen waited upon Mr. Yogel (who was expected here shortly), and represented the matter to him, as they had that day done to him. After a few further remarks, the deputation thanked his Honor and retired.