The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, November 14th, 1844. PROGRESS OF THE COLONY.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 67, 14 November 1844, Page 2

The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, November 14th, 1844. PROGRESS OF THE COLONY.

It is at all times gratifying to a Journalist to state opinions of the rise and progress of a young Colony. The most •ceptic colonist in New Zealand must now acknowledge that Governor Fitzroys' proceedings since his arrival amongst us, has removed some of the most formidable obstacles that existed to the advancement of the settlements of New Zealand. He has conferred boons on the colony, not only great and momentous in themselves, but unexpected and unexampled ; although much may be argued as to the way in which some of those boons have been conferred, viz., * Free Ports," and waiving the " Queens'' Pre-emption,'' still they should be welcomed, and welcomed heartily and sincerely, because the benefit we must all individually and collectively receive will not be in the slightest manner affected by the primary manner ia which they were conferred. The Governor has fulfilled his promise of «' doing all the good he could," and it is for the community now, by their joint efforts to make all possible use of the favourable position in which they are placed. All things appear at

this moment working for our good. Free Ports were scarcely declared, (the natural consequence of which will be, that most of the whalers in these seas will seek shelter and refreshment in oar Ports); the proclamation of the Crown's right of pre-emption being waived, scarcely published, when a sudden impetus appeared to be given to speculation, detached exploring parties were out in every direction, and the result has already been, exceedingly valuable discoveries of copper ore, &c, Ac, in such abundance and richness as will, when a competent supply of labour can be procured, put us in possession of a large staple export of an article always in demand in the English market, and should its quality turn out equal to present fair expectation, English capital will doubtless be employed to a large extent in mining here. There is every reasonable prospect of considerable capital being employed aaiongst us from jthj neighbouring colonies, not only in mining, bnt in the purchase of Maori lauds and in mercantile operations.

To these cheering ctions, and reas ;nable calculations we can join the fact of the eucrease of Agricultural pursuits, by which our hills and valleys are now cl the.i with growing crops of grain instead of wild fern. We have a right to suppose that the worst of our difficulties are passed. The cloud of night that has been thrown round us by commercial depression, shared in common with the sister colonies is now fast clearing away, and the brightness of a new coming glorious day is opening fast upon us. Let us then bestirring, and with its first beams prepare or he hi,vest that its sun must bring forward for the la jorer. The time for despair is past, and the lover of this, his adopted land, must rejoice at the prospect opening before him.