Original Correspondence.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 42, 23 May 1844, Page 2

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Auckland Chronicle. Sir, I have been somewhat surprised, (and agreeably too) at the absence of official jargon, in several of the late notifications of the Government, that bad been attempted by the late High Lord. One of the 26th ultimo, states that a knowledge of the Maori language is a necessary addeuda to the qualifications of official gentlemen. But, Mr. Editor, how is such knowledge fo ba obtained. The old method was residing with the natives, but a change has come o’er tbjg formerly approved method of “ talking made easy.’* Is it not somewhat surprising that the Church mis* sion has been established some thirty years in the land, yet notwithstanding the influx of Europeans at various periods, no grammar or dictionary should have been published during so prolonged a period ; though the two missions have possessed presses and typographical materials for years past. An old work by Professor Lee of Cambridge, appeared many years ago, but -was of so limited i nature., as to be early out of print., and the farcical trash of Mr ftiaunsell is a mere waste of paper, that for some time past has served to ac* commodate purchasers of small quantities of tea, sugar, and butter, His Excellency’s wish could, be accomplished quick enough,, if a small useful compendium of the language were published, with och aid, you may be sure that a number of selftaught students would be able wi’hin three months, to out lcorero the present defective speaking Protector of Aborigines, and the gie portion of his satellites. Captain Fitzroy is desirous that a “ general good feeling towards the Aborigines’* should pervade the Euro peart population, the wish. :s th it of a good man, and bait a similar feeling pervaded the missionaries, the long wished for manual, to enable ns to learn the Maori, would not have been withheld thus long. Were ihe missionaries fearful of instructing rivals in private land dealing ? His Excellency is to be applauded for his wishes, and it is to be hoped Shat, his Lordship the Bishop will cause a publication of the sor t to be issued, Had this been done years gone past; how many quarrels would have been prevented between the two races, as the pi in iple cause has beep a defective knowledge of th- language. An Old Resident, To the Editor of the Auckland Chronicle. Sir, In your paragraph of last week’s paper, respecting the improvement in the character and general behaviour of the Parkburst boys, you say “ the system of keeping them altogether in one house h;.d a bad effect on their morals; unless a very strict surveillance was kept over them ” That strict surveillance, you must be aware, teas kept over them, and to that strict surveillance can only be attributed the qu:et and happy change which has taken place in their character. But the next question that suggests itself, is—to whose agency must we trace the origin of this strict surveillance 1 and, answering this question myself, as a candid and disinterested mao, in common justice, I am bound to reply, to that of the late Guardian, Mr. Daniel Berry ; whose conduct, I am assured, has met with tire entire approval and commendation ot the Emigration Agent. Captain Rough. Mr. D. Berry is now, I believe, out of a si>nation, but I feel confident, in common with others, that his Excellency will not overlook him, nor forget the meritorious manner iu which be lias conducted himself in h.s late appointment, supposing his qualifications to have been represented to him. Now, I well know, Mr. Editor, that some of your readers may pronounce this communication as too flattering, and perhaps, even fnllsome, but I honestly assure you agaiu. that it emanates from a person entirely and wholly disinterested; (at least personally so), and that a conviction of the giert benefit and security which has accrued o the inhabitants of Auckland, through the conduct and able superintendence of Mr. Berry, lias alone dictated it. Trusting you will favor me with a corner f I remain, Mr. Editor, yours’respectfully, “ Vox PoTulj,”

To the Editor of the Auckland Chronicle. I Russel], Bth May, 1844*. Sir, It is with feelings of deep regret that we have heard here, of the intention of the Government to introduce into these Colonies, a series of vexatious 4a*ea that will finally put a sure stoppage to any future emigration to these -settlements. One of the bills about to be introduced to the Legislative Council is to tax every room in a house beyond three. In this township, many of the houses are either untenanted, (some have been in this condiliou two years past), or tenanted by persons who pay no rent; under such circumstances pregnant with ruin, is it likely the proprietors can afford to pay taxes? the consequence that will riaturally arise, will be the demolition of all taxable partitions, and the reducing of all future erections to the aboriginal primitive model. The bill to tax all cattle, ?sheep, &c. about to be introduced into the Colony, is another piece of legislation so suicidal to the growing wants of these new settlements, that probably much less ill would have arisen, bad a heavy penalty been demanded at every marriage or recent birth. The most powerful enmity t*> the future prosperity of New Zealand could never have devised more •destructive measures for its ruin. If we must be taxed, if we must support a Cusdepartment, why in the name of reason, are the duties to be lowered on the luxuries of spirits and tobacco, which are optional to any man, either to indulge in or refuse, but to tax the introduction of cattle, sheep, &c. would only provoke from the exporting sister colonies, similarly vexatious taxes od our produce, until the result will be utter ruiu and loss.

m The proposed tax on land may appear exces. sivelv small to holders generally, but one of the late Legislative Counsellors will have to pay above per annum, and we doubt but few farms clear that amount of piofit each year. We do believe that Captain Fitzroy has the good of the Colony at heart, hut he may be assured that the min of New Zealand will be consummated when Systematic taxation shall be laid on the colonists. To avoid this evil, many of us quitted our mother country, and Heaven knows, this country in its present and probable state for some time to come, affords but few sources of pleasnrable satisfaction, for the abrupt termination of our earlier associations, and the loss of relatives and friends.

-We long and fondly awaiti d the arrival of Captain Fitzroy, but we never imagined that his political experience could have advocated a system of taxation in the latest formed Colony of the Crown. The taxes now proposed, could never have been palmed on any of the elder colonies, for €ven the odious imposition on newspapers, that is no gain to the revenue, wtien attempted to be introduced in New South Wales, some ten years back, was finally abandoned, from the popular commotion that arose in cousequeuce. We cannot but bitterly feel the profuse waste of wealth in England, that Induces our rulers to impose taxation on our infantine exertions, but can lavish in a foreign lap, a sufficiency per annum to maintain three such colonies as this. Notwithstanding the ■preponderence of Governs tnent members in tile council, we cannot expect that any of these bills should pass. Vf Mr. Sinclair we know nothing, Mr. Swainsonis known too well, by his forint*!- opposition to every liberal measure; bin. a promoter of those injudicious bills which were even protested against by Lord Stanley, unfitness for an enlightened community.