Original Correspondence.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 1, Issue 37, 27 May 1843, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

Slß,—The departure of 11. M. S. “ Tortoise." direct from this port to England, carrying as it does the Widow ot onr late Governor, and some of our most influential colonists, suggests an opportunity of sending home by a quick and an observed channel a true statement of the affairs of this settlement. The New Zealand Journal, and the Colonial Gazette, have both bpen so ni'icb under the influence of the Company,—and the utmost exertion of that powerful body to exalt their own settlements at the expense of AucklandMtas been so constantly kept in action, that we know much injustice has been done to the seat of Government, and you will not do your duty, if you neglect so desirable an opportunity of placing a fair statement of the present progress, and futTne prospects of this place before the British public.

Auckland has safe anchorage for any number of vessels, and being accessible

from the eastern side of the Island by two separate entrances, the port may be made with almost any wind ; and yet the place may be considered inland for every useful purpose, tor the harbour of Manakau on the west coast is only eight miles distant, while from four different rivers branching in various directions, we have the advantage of upwards of four hundred miles ot inland navigation, a consideration of inestimable value to a capital city, and one of which Wellington is entirely destitute :—that place is utterly inaccessible by road or river, the only approai h it possesses being from the sea. It is remarkable that no serious naval accident has yet occured at, or near the port of Auckland. Auckland is situate in 37 : SO .south latitude, and has the incomparable ad vantage of a climate alike exempt from the extremities of cold nr heat; of continued drought or excessive rain. During the present month of May, which answers to November in England, we have no fire hut in the kitchen, and the open balcony is the favourite sojourn during the day time, for those who are engaged in sedentary pursuits. The winter seems reluctant to approach us, and everv field and garde'll wears the aspect of springs The average rate of the Thermometer forthe last month was Matins 59, Merid 65, Vesper 57 { Barometer averaging 30.

An Agrictltural and Horticultural Society has just been founded, indicating in its movements, a degree of unity, intelligence and earnestness of purpose, which must eventually draw forth the Capabilities of the place ; samples were producerl at the meeting, of first ciops of wheat, oats, and barley,—produce raised from land only partially cleared of the fern root, —and which would nevertheless disturb the equanimity of many a sanguine exhibitor at the shows of the midland counties in England. Mrs, Hobson from the paddocks around Government llotise raised a crop of maiden oats this year, which startled the Scotsmen from the banks of the Ayr, —and there is little doubt, (the hop having been tried by Mr. Mason, Mr. Cleghorn and others, with perfect success,) that “ Old Father Thames,” is not the poly river so called, that will pour forth •■is exports of Brown Stout,- Mr. Terry, recently returned to us fiom England, is now nearly ready to ship the first produce of his flax dressing machinery, and says that lie will ship it with a positive assurance’ of a ready, steady and lucrative market.

The town is spreading into the country every day, and it is a sure sign of the reality of the intention that those who have.been longest among ns, are the most desirous to enter into these legitimate pursuits.

It hus been prt-supposed that the soil of New Zealand was unsuitable to the purposes of grazing and pasture ; but, recent experience has proved that imported cattle and sheep, find in our native spontaneous herbage a constant pabulum which the parched plains of New Holland will only afford to them as occasional matter of rumination and sometimes even then, but as a remote “ souvenir."

The enormous sum of money (speaking in reference to the number and means of the Colonists) poured into the lap of tire Government by the speculators, iii the early purchase of town land here, made it a matter of certainty, to the friends of this place that we should have a speedy supply of population; and that the government at home would have given some sagacious, if n t some generous, assis lance to a place, the early settlers of which had been so liberal and so earnest. We cannot boast of any such demonstration ;on the contrary, every thing that has been done here, has been effected by private sacrifice and perseverance, in opposition to the injudicious measures of local imbecility, and Downing Street avarice.

I will not now, Sir dwell upon these topics, which are only mentioned at all in this communication, for the purpose of observing upon our reception of the emigrant vessels, and the provision hitherto made by the colonists, notwithstanding ihe want of corporation on the part of the Government for the people who have ‘come amongst us. At the end of this month in the last year, our supply of independent immigrants direct from home without governtnent assistance did not certainly exceed <Vhe hundred persons, and when the Jane Gifford and the Duchess of Argyle arrived in October last biinging 561 government immigrants from Scotland, our population wbs certainly not more than sixteen hundred and fifty persons ; and yet our townsmen and settlers immediately absorbed th 3 new comers, and in a very few weeks they were all in comfortable and steady employment. Since then we have received ninety two lads from the government establishment at Parkhurst, for the reformation of Juvenile convicts. The propriety of sending us this species of import has been warmly canvassed pro and con; and as usual in

hot and hasty the truth perhaps lies between the opposing parties. It is hardly to be expected that there should not have been some few relapses among so many professed repentants ; but 1 believe that at least nine tenths of these are ivell “and permanently provided for; that they will be useful to the colony ; and unquestionably for those among them, who are disposed to do well, their arrival in Auckland will prove to be a mercy and a blessing. A second arrival of government immigrants was made here in the last week of March, front the Union and the Westminster, biinging a further accession of three hundred to our population.

These persons have been distributed almost entirely among our recent agiiculimal settlers, and aie a I well provided for at liberal wagesi To those among the people of England who have an eye to emigration, without seeking an entirely free passage, and whose means are of such a nature as might (wiihout impeeliment,) serve their ultimate object, but could not hear an immediate heavy outlay ; you may suggest, in the first places that a partial reduction of the passage money may in future he obtained upon application to the governmeut emigration agents; and thar land may be very desirably leased here, with a right of priority of) purchase, af.er occuj anry and improvement; by a prooess of so simple and equitable a nature as will speedily drive Lord Stanley’s pound an acre act, hkrel cash scheme, oyt of the market.

Car eiamptar. His Lordship says nothing shall he sold at Ipss than £1 per acre, without apy credit, and every acre shall he put up to auction, so that if one locality be better than another, the utmost competition shall be excited ; and •’fie buyer whoever he may be, shall almost inevitably he bitten. But some of the old settlers who have at last obtained a small portion of their original c'a nifj disappointed though they he, eschew the dog in the manger principle of Lord Stanley’s act, they have the wise generosity to discover that by encouraging immediate location upon part of their lands, they will hereafter establish a permanent value to the remainder, and they offer such terms as these.— Price 20s. per acre, not to be paid in hard cash t but by a deposit of 10 per cent., the bu\er having the right to pay off any portion of the debt fiom year to year, as it may suit his convenience. Such terms as these, with a little assistance towards the passagemoney, we are of opinion, would induce many a hard working, intelligent farmer, who is pinched at home, to come out here, bringing with him his family, his attached servants, his habitsof unflinching industry, and his share of practical information. These are the people we want; but although the interests of England most peremptorily Remand the judicious removal of a portion of her superabundant people, yet will she not understand that her requirement is the most prominent part of the necessity ;—but acting upon the advice of that arrant quack, Dr. Wakefield, she persists in putting a tax upon, instead of lending her assistance to, those who are active inidevising measures for her relief. We want a steady yeomanry and peasantry to give heart and reality to the project of New Zealand colonization, We are endeavouring to reverse the picture of Goldsmith’s deserted village : instead of dispersing a settled population, we are striving to bring together a new one. We feel, therefore, that a virtuous, hardy, industrious peasantry is what we require, 111 fares the land to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay; Princes and Lords may flourish or may fade ; A breath may make them as a breath lias made. But a bold peasantry, their country’s pride, When once destroy’d can never be supplied. ’

Lord Stanley’s Bill is built upon the monstrous fallacy of making the waste lands of the Pacific a source of instant revenue to the perplexed Chancellor of England's exchequer, instead of recognizing them as a mode of relief, that should supersede all the heart-breaking miseries of the parish unions, and the hulks of “ Merry England! ! The lowest sate of wages known here is 2s, 6J. per day; and the price of provisions is not higher than at home flour, 18 to •21s. per cwt., potatoes 3s. per cwt., pork, qnal to dairy fed in’ Berks and Wilts, 3d. per 16., beef and mutton sd. to 6d. ; tea, sugar, and coffee half the English prices, and house-rent in Auckland is uow almost nominal. Farm servants, of course, are housed and fed, and have wages iu proportion. o Will not the Colonial 1 Department at home, and the Emigration Committee ponder over these things; will not my Lord Stanley see, that his bill for the At st a irn Colonics is a direct prohibition upon all the blessings which Providence, in these Colonies, has so abundantly spread out. If you think it worth your while, Sir, 'o publish these remarks, you shall hear from me again. Yours, &c, M. D.