Original Correspondence.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 58, 12 September 1844, Page 2

Original Correspondence.

To the EdiLor of the Auckland Chronicle. Sir, Altho' I have, on stveral occasions, visited the New Zealand Company's settlements at'Wellington. Nelson, and Taranaki, yet J have not hitherto been able to discover any reasonable cause tor the hostility evinced, fi time to time, by the Editor of the Southern Cross against that Company, unless it be mere prejudice, or a wish to fill up a column or two of his journal by abusing a respectable body of persons, whose dista«ce. rendem him safe from proceedings which might, under other circumstances, be adopted. But, he ought to recollect that the dissemination of such illiberal re* marks respecting the Company must, in some degree, tend to retard the general prosperity of New Zealand, and render unhappy many members of respectable families, who have shares in that Com« pany; or, whose relatiw * sue settlers .on the Company's lands.

1 believe that the Editor of the SmUhem Cio-s' does not pretend to publish his remarks as to:;c!us Eions drawn from personal observations, and if tie had bad an opportunity of doing so, he would, per* haps, assume a tone less severe ; for it is evident to anyone who has been at the Company's settlements, that the measures adopted, and means (of no trifling amount), spent by the Company, have hitherto tended wholly to the advancement of the land we live in.and without benefit, as yet, to the Committee or share-holders.

The Company was established,- and is still managed by gentlemen of high character, extensive influence, and great Wealth, and who would not lend their names to a visionary or bubble speculation. At the formation of the Company, its objects "Were, in the highest degree, philanthropic —the relief of distress in England, by giving free pasSages and employment, at good wages, to families suffering from poverty at home; and the improvement of the uativs. How far those objects have ; I>een carried into effect can easily be observed by persons on the spot, in the improved condition of the majority of poor labourers who have been introduced into New Zealand at the Company's expense; and the natives are every day deriving benefit by trade, and instruction in agriculture, through their intercourse with the residents at the 'Company's settlements. Moreover, the regulation which gives the natives every tenth town allotment, and country section, will, in the course of a short period, through the improvements of the Company and its settlers, render the comparatively wealthy.

Before the Company began to colonize New Zealand, its Regulations were folly and fairly explains ed to the Government and the public of England, and no one, who felt disposed to make the necessary enquiry, could plead ignorance of the tenure on which he purchased his land ; and the Com? mittee has hitherto arranged that every promise or engagement made by the Company, should be hons ©urably fulfilled. Those geotlemen residing in London, could not hasten the movements of the Government Commissioners in New Zealand, so that legal titles should at once be given to the purChasers of the Company's lands, but the agents were directed to pay whatever amount the Commission" «r» might award to the natives, so that no blame should be attributed to a delay in settling a pecuniary claim. Indeed, in all pecuniary transactions wherein the Company is concerned, the agents at the different settlements are particularly prompt in payment; the Company cannot, therefore, be fairly accused of raising money by the sale of lands Which have -not been equitably purchased, and afterwards breaking faith with the settlers, in converting that money to a different purpose, than that which was originally proposed. The Company, at the commencement employed a numerous and efficient corps of Surveyors—so that the sections might be ready for the settlers as early as the arduous nature of the duty would permit, after the 1,100 town allotments and country Sections were surveyed at Wellington, every one disposed to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, could have done so —but the majority of capis talists preferred a residence in the town—when they could) speculate in town allotments as well as country land. These gentlemen anxiously watched the arrival of every ship from England, and eageily ascertained the circumstances of every cabin pas_ senger, so that they might sell him a great bargain at a sufficient distance to prevent inspection. Th e purchaser frequently paid 3 or 400 per cent, upon the original purchase to his obliging ftiend, and after finding out the land, that it was not according to his expectations, consequently liecame discontented, and upon the suggestion of the disinterested jobber, blamed the company for his disappointment. Secondary purchasers were fre. qnently disappointed, because the representatives of the 6ettlers induced them to give high prices for land, of an inferior description in <a remote''neighs bburbood, but the Company could not be responsible for such fraud. The original purchaser obtained his sections at a reasonable rate —if he impose,! upon others —it was not the imposition of the Company. However, the explanation of these and many other matters connected with the Company's towuship and settlements, would lead to a greater length than piobably can be spared in your paper. I shall therefore, on another occasion, state a few facts to shew, that Companys like individuals, may frequently suffer from unmerited prejudice. A COLONIST.