IMMIGRATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3030, 5 November 1872, Page 2

IMMIGRATION.

To the Editor, S lß> _Sincc T last had the honor of addressing you, Mr Birch’s able and exhaustive report has in a great measure corroborated my remarks upon immigration from the West Highlands and Islands. Mr Birch, by the manner in which he has represented the interests of the Colony, has completely refuted the calumnies with which the “drag behind” party assailed this appsintment, and is admirably qualified to act as agent in the North-Eastern Counties. But among the West Highlanders something more is needed. At once simple and suspicious, their confidence is only to be won by one of their own blood, speaking their own language, the graves of whose fathers can be shown amid the humble mounds of the district—God’s Acre. We may be democratic as we like m the Colonies, but at Horae these feelings must be disguised, among a people who have all the pride of race and veneration for rank which characterised their forefathers. They combine the virtues of the savage with the industry and perseverance of civilisation, and can hardly be accused of the vices of either state. While on the subject of immigration, the caeoetkee scribendi cacocihes ! unlucky phrase for a Hielandmau impels me to direct attention to another race likely to prove most valuable colonists, _ A wandering desultory life has made me drink of strange waters, to be almost as familiar with the Theiss, Drave, and Save, as with Conon, Findhoru, and Spey, yet amid all my wanderings I never came across a quieter or more industrious race than the little-known

Wallacha. l!o a stranger they look outri and savage enough, and are, I must confess, inconceivably dirty ; but looks are in their case deceptive, and the filth would soon yield to civilising influences. They are the best miners I have encountered, ingenious in makeshifts, and constantly working mines with about a tenth part of the plant a Cor* nish captain would declare indispensable. As there is a good deal of latent enterprise in their character, I believe a good agent would have no trouble in securing a trial shipload.—Yours, &o M JOHK HIELAKDMAK. Dunedin, November 5.