SOIL AND CLIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 1, Issue 37, 27 May 1843, Page 4

SOIL AND CLIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND.

[The follow ing copy of a letter, addressed to W. MiLes, Esq., M. P. for East Somerset, by our respected and successful Settler and Agriculturist Mr. George Rich, did not reach us in time for publication in our last Miimber. — Here are detailed, in language unadorned and modest, but yet most convincing, the opinions of a cautious, prudent, and practical man of high character, as to the surpassing advantages of the soil and climate of this Colony, over several favored ones which the writer has visited. The opinions of Mr. Rich are not merely theoretical, but extensively practical, that gentleman having had the expe rience of two seasons in breaking up the fern, on his estate near Auckland, and obtaining all the products of an English Farm. These plain facts are worth a volume of speculative opinions, however well-founded as to data. Ed. A. C.J

Brockley Vale, Auckland, hew Zealand, April 14, 1843. Honored and Dear Sir, —As I promised, in a former letter, to give you an account of the capabilities of this interesting country, I shall endeavour to do so in as correct a manner as I can. I have been very reserved to my friends on the subject, as I made up my mind to say but little about these Colonies, unless I could speak with certainty. After seeing two seasons here, I hesitate not in saying, that the capabilities of New Zealand are very great. The crops of wheat, barley, oats, pease, potatoes, hops, &c., are very good. As for grazing and dairy purposes, it will be equal to any part of the world I have seen, after it is sown with English grass. We can do without liay-making, as the grass grows better in the winter than it does in summer. We can make excel'ent hay from our English grass, for export; it is generally selling for 8/. or 10/. per ton in Sydney and Hobart Town. I think beer, hops, hay, cheese, butter, and bacon, will be a great export with us. I believe it is the only place in the Australian Colonies that will make good beer. It will be a fine sheep country after it is sown to English grass. Dutch clover does belter here than any place I ha'e ever seen. All grasses grow remarkably well. lam keeping a dairy and have cattle grazing in the bush; it is surprising how soon they fatten on the native grass Cheese is selling at Is. 6d. per lb., Butter 3s. 6d., beef and mutton, Bd., pork sd. per !b., wheat 10s. per bushel. I think the native flax will be a source of profit. We have fine forests of timber, with some of the finest spars for masts of ships in the world. I think this well chosen by his Excellency the late Governor for the capital, as it is a fine and safe harbour, and in a good agricultural and grazing [district; there is a great extent of level country round Auckland.

I suppose there is no country with greater advantages in Navigable Rivers than this. There are good Coal and Copper Mines in work. The climate, I suppose is one of the best in the world, being in 36 south lat. I have never felt an oppressive hot day, or a cold one since my arrival. This cannot fail to be one of the best and most valuable colonies belonging to Her Britannic Majesty; as it is so well situated in the Southern Hemisphere. The Aborogines are a fine race of men, well informed and very peaceable. The greater part of them can read and write; they have a monthly Newspaper published ; and settlers can travel in the remotest parts with the grea’est safety. I have purchased a good estate, 691 acres at one pound per acre, about twelve miles from Auckland. The great road to the interior will pass by the side of it; it is well watered, having a small fresh water river about 16 feet wide running through it, making a good fence. It is subdivided into 8 or 10 pieces of 40 and 50 acres each, by running streams cf fresh water. Nearly the whole of it can be irrigated. There are about 300 acres of woodland on it, with fine spars for masts of ships and building purposes. There is a saw-mill erected

on the river within half a mile of the wood ; a great part of the timber can be floated to the said mill. I have commenced farming operations on it; —it will be a good estate when it is sown to English grass. It is in contemplation to have the capabilities of this Colony represented in England, and to forward specimens of the produce. I have been requested to do so, as I am about to proceed to England in a few wee! s. My sons are capable cf managing the Farm in my absence. Knowing, sir, the great interest you feel in the welfare of the Agriculturists and Graziers of Old England, and being President of one of the largest Agricultural Societies, L think of exhibiting the said specimens at your meeting, and other important meetings in England, that any one may judge for themselves what can be done in this Colony. There is no comparison in my opinion, between the other Australian Colonies and this. 1 have travelled nearly two seasons there. We have no hot winds or drought; and I think this the best opening 1 know for practical Farmers. The society here is highly respectable. This colony is capable cf maintaining a large population. Labourers are to be got at 3s. per day. As there are many respectable families about to emigrate from England, owing to the scarcity of Farms for them, they will be able to judge for themselves after seeing specimens of the produce of this country. It has been reported the expenees in ploughing and destroying the fern-root is enormous. This I must beg to contradict. Three yoke of oxen, or three horses, will plough from half an acre to three quarters of an acre per day; first ploughing, two cross ploughings with less strength; after that the land well harrowed will entirely destroy the fern root. It is then ready to be sown to any grain or grass seed:—working oxen from 39 to £4O per pair, horses from 30 to £6O each.

I wish it to be observed that I have al’uded more particularly to this part of New Zealand in the above statements.

Subsequent to writing the above, 1 have been honored with the receipt of your letter of August last, wherein you gave some account c f the Royal English Agricultural Society held in that ancient and great City cf Bristol. Although in New Zea'and my heart was with you. I have since seen a fuller account from an English paper, and of the Royal and Noble Guests entertained at Leigh Ccurt, the seat of your honored Father. May that royal and great Society go on and prosper, as ail the world are watching its progr ss and benefits, emenating therefrom. I was much gratified on witnessing the commencement of that meeting at Oxford. We are about to establish an Agricultural and Horticultural Society in this our Infant City of Auckland; although it will fie on a more limited s ale, it wil be carried on with equally as good spirit. I remain, honoured & clear Sir, Your humble and obt. Servant. GLO RICH. To W. Miles, Esq., M. P.