Colony of New Edinburgh.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 25, 24 January 1844, Page 3

Colony of New Edinburgh.

(From the Colonial Gazette.) Our readers can scarcely have forgotten a plan for forming a colony in New Zealand, developed in a series of letters by Mr. George Rennie, which appeared in the Colonial Gazette about a year ago. The sequel of that correspondence is subjoined. Mr. Rennie’s views have been in so far matured, and the claims of the New Zealand Company to their lands in New Zealaud have been so satisfactorily adjusted, that an arrangement between these parties has been rendered possible, and the result is to be—the colony of “New Edinburgh.’’ There are various circumstances which lead us to augur well of this projected settlement, and take if possible, a greater interest in it than any of the others to which out attention is daily directed. In the first place, the projectors of the Colony have given more than the customary evidence that they are sincere in their piofessioiis of helief that it must turn out well for the Colonists. They go out themselves as settlers. Nor do they take this step without mature deliberation and inquiry ; it is no act of a headlong, unreflecting enthusiasm. More than a year ago Mr. Rennie and his associates formed their plan. Unforeseen obstacles intervened to prevent its execution. They did not abandon their purpose, but waited fot more favour able auspices, and tbe moment they appeared, re' newed their efforts, They have given up none o»

tbe essentials of their first scheme. Indeed, the only material change is the abandonment of the preliminary preparations they at first contemplated* The reasons assigned for this alteration are per* fectly satisfactory. The New Zealaud.Company has established three distinct settlements, comprising- a population of 10,000 persons, who have suffered no serious privations in conquering tbe first difficnlties of a new Colony. The Company have a large surveying establishment ; its surveys are in advance of settlement ; it has a sufficient force of pioneers at its disposal. The New Edinburgh settlers have judged rightly that, under these circumstances, it is wise in them to leave the pre liminary arrangements to the Company’s experience. In all these transactions the of the Colony have evinced a resolute spirit, capable of overcoming or evading difficulties—-not to be diverted from its purpose by difficulties or delays —that establishes their capacity for the arduous task of founding a Colony, while their determination to emigrate themselves, is the best guarantee that could be given for their good faith. In the second place, we expect a good deal from a Scotch Colony. Exclusively Scotch it will not be but the majority will be Scotchmen, —the colony will be essentially a Scotch colony. It will be an agricultural colony, for the settlers in request for it are agriculturists of small capital. The success of the small colony which the late Mr. Pringle, Secres tary to the Anti-slavery Society, was the means of founding at the Cape, shows how much may be expected from such a settlement. The el-ven or twelve families of the Glen Lynden settlers were as advantageously placed as can well be conceived, They had an adequate supply of labour ; they were isolated from the rest of the colony—placed in a remote district, to which there were no roads. But they were from Ettrick, they combined the scientific skill of tbe Scotch farmer, with the habits acquired by residence in a difficultly accessible and primitive district. They bote and overcame, with greater ease the inconveniences of a frontier settlement than English colonists could have done j they laboured indeiatigably,—and the consequence was, that when the Albany settlers (near the coast, and in a more accessible district,) became dependent on the charity of the mother country, the Glen Lynden settlers supported themselves. Scotch agriculturists are admirably qualified for colonial pioneers. In the third place, we have especial confidence in a body of Scotch settlers who rally around their minister. Of tfoe purchase money which the New Edinburgh colonists are to pay for tbeir land, £SOOO is set apart as a church-building fund, ,£IO,OOO as a provision for ministers, and <£lo.ooo as a fund for school-building and masters. * We have heard it objected to this plan of making clergymen and schoolmaster, church and schools, the nucleus of the colonizing body, that it encourages sectarianism. The existence of sectarianism in this conntry is a fact to which we must reconcilejourselves in the best way we may, for it cannot be helped, and the same must necessarily be the casein the colonies. Tbe great problem with regard to them is, how to render this inevitable toleration of different sects most secure and most consistent with the peace of society. There is no other way but by tbe establishment of what Mr. Renuie in bis letter to the Directors of the New Zealand Company happily calls “ not exclusive colonies butspecial ones.” It is desirable to keep in view the distinction between the colony proper or settlement, and the province. The province of New Zealand will consist of all the colonies or settlements, —Wellington. Nelson, Auckland, New Plymouth, and New Edinburgh. The provincial constitution will be adapted to the common requirements of all these settlements. What is required for the prosperity of the province, is equal rights for all sects ; What is required to give a fair start to ~a particular settlement, is general conformity in the views of the settlers io moral and religious questions. The first conquerors of the waste, wish to have provision for tbe education of their children in their own faith : the inhabitants of the colonial province are each anxious that no preference should be given to any seet over his own. Both requirements are reconciled by found, ing “ special” colonies. The alienating influence of polemical discussion is thus escaped at the outset ; adequate moral and religious instruction for the children, and the administration of the consoling rites of the Church for adults, are thus ensured at the time when it is of most consequence that a high standard of education for the young, and the preservation of faith ii* the minds of adults should be cared for. On the other hand, by the establishment of special colonies, the hands of the various sects of Christians are so strengthened, that, when they come to merge into one province, eaoh is in a assert its own rights. The demands and religious education are thtlFrenWrecf compatible. Resting upon the grounds now enumerated, we regard both the members of the projected colony and their organization as eminently qualified to ensure success to tbe undertaking. And our confident anticipations for the future are strengthened by the economical arrangements which are making for facilitating the commencement of the colonist’s labours. Out of £216,000 of purchase money, £30,000 is set apart for surveys and other preliminary expenses ; £BI,OOO for emigration (of which £II,OOO will be reserved to make allowances to purchasers towards tbe cost of cabin passages for themselves, their families, and servants) ; and £26,000 for roads, bridges, and other improvements. In respect to labour and the means oI communication, and transport, tbe settlers will find themselves as well-off, as, ip an. old country. Viewed in every light, this “ New Edinburgh” is one of the most interesting and promising experiments in colonization that has yet been made. Its arrangements indicate a decided advance both in the theory and practice of colonization. We shall watch its progress with deep interest Operations may be considered as having by this time commenced. A number of actual settlers have already announced themselves j a judicious, energetic, and respectable clergyman has already thrown in his lot with them ; the New Zealand Company have announoed that the register of applications will be opened ou Tuesday, August 22 ; and Mr. Rennie expresses his confident conviction that a sufficient body of colonists, ‘‘being purchasers,” will be ready to leave this country in October.