HANDBOOK OF NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 40, 16 July 1874, Page 4

HANDBOOK OF NEW ZEALAND.

We gave the other day the contents of this handbook, of which Mr Vogel is the editor. We now make some extracts from the introduction :

In order that this handbook may be fairly estimated, it is necessary to explain the manner of its preparation. Most of the works about New Zealand have been written either by those who have made only a short visit to the colony,or who, possessing an acquaintance with some particular part or parts of the two islands, have been still unable, however much inclined, to do jn=t ••<•/> to the several provinces into which New Zealand is divided. The colonisation of New Zealand has been conducted by several communities, which, as organised and initiated, weic perfectly distinct in their character, their objects, the bonds that held them together, and their plans of operation. As might be expected, the isolation in which these communities dwelt assisted for some time to intensify the distinctness of their characteristics. Of late years the isolation has yielded to the intercourse consequent upon larger facilities of communication. At first, some of the provinces occasionally heard news of each other more rapidly from their communications with Australia than from their direct communications. But for many years past steamers have abounded on the coast, and there has been much intercommunication. The consequences are that the provinces know more of each other ; they have in many cases exchanged settlers and residents ; and the old exclusiveness has assumed rather a character of ambitious competition for preeminence in the race for wealth and material advancement. The railways and roads which are being constructed will much increase the inte cjmmunicatiou between different parts of the colony, and will tend to further re-

duce the provincial jealousy that still survives. But uot for a long time to come, if ever, will the characters the settlements received from their early founders be entirely obliterated.

The object of this Handbook is to give to those who may think of making the colony their home or the theatre of business operations, an idea of Now Zealand from a New Zealand point of view. To do this, it was necessary to recognise the distinctions which have been already explained. No one man in New Zealand could faithfully interpret the local views of the various provinces. It was therefore determined that the book should consist of a number of papers, some devoted to the colony as a whole, but most of them independent accounts of separate localities. In editing these papers, the difficulty arose of deciding whether to permit a certain amount of overlapping of narrative, some little discrepancy in statement of facts, and yet larger difference in elaboration of views, or to so tone down the papers as really to frustrate the purpose which led to their separate preparation. The decision was in favor of preserving the distinctness of the papers, even at the risk of affording grounds for carping criticism. In some of the papers, extravagant exhibitions of local favoritism have been much toned down, but enough has been left to supply clear evidence to the reader that there is hardly a province in New Zealand, the residents in which do not consider it specially favored in some respects beyond all*the other provinces. To ignore this feeling—the legitimate and in some j’cspccts valuable outcome of the original system of settlement —would be to fail to convey a homely view of New Zealand, It must be clearly understood that when, directly or by implications, comparisons are instituted between different provinces, they are the writer’s, not the editor’s. Not that it should be supposed the provinces of the colony are uniform in their conditions. A long line in the ocean, trending nearly north and south, New Zealand for its area extends over many degrees of latitude, and possesses ranch variety of climate. There is also wide variety in natural and physical features, and in resources, whether mineral or agricultural. In “ specialities,” therefore, there is no doubt much difference in the capabilities of the provinces, and, perhaps, to some extent, it would be well if this were more generally admitted, and efforts were made to develop in each province its own proper capabilities. Success naturally induces imitation, and hence, perhaps, the existing industries may have become too deeply grooved. The fact that sheep and wheat have been so successful in the South, docs not make it a necessary consequence that they are the most suitable productions for the North. Amongst the benefits an influx of population will bestow on the colony, may be anticipated that of an impetus being given to new industries, suitable to the circumstances of the several parts of the colony, but which in the early days were overlooked.

Those who incline to make New Zealand their home should not form extravagant anticipations of it. It is not paved with gold, nor is wealth to be gained without industry. Our countrymen of the United Kingdom may form an idea of it if they suppose it to be a very thinly peopled country, with numerous points in common with the Islands of Great Britain, but possessing on the whole a much better climate, free from pauperism, more free from prejudices of class, and. therefore, opening to the industry and ability of those who have not the adventitious aid of family connection to help them, a better road to advancement ; a country in which there is a great variety of natural resources. and which, therefore, appeals to persons of much variety of taste; a country which may boast of some of the most magnificent scenery in the world; a country in which the natural wonders of many parts of the globe are congregated, Norway, for example, would not be ashamed of the fiords of the West Coast of the Middle Island ; the glaciers there would also respectably contrast with glaciers elsewhere. The hot springs of the lake district are more marvellous than the geysers of Iceland. It is a country with an immense extent of seaboard compared with its area, with splendid harbours, many, if not extensive, rivers, fine agricultural land, magnificent forests, and lastly, one which, besides possessing in abundance the key to manufacturing wealth—coal—has alluvial and quarz gold deposits, in working which, those whose tastes incline them to mining may always find a livelihood, with the possibility of attaining large wealth by a lucky discovery. Though sparingly populated, it is not denied the benefits which science has opened to' modern civilisation. The telegraph penetrates its length and breadth, and railways arc being constructed throughout it. In course of time, it must carry a population of millions, and every acre of available land must become valuable. Yet, with the knowledge that this must be, there is so little capital not required for industrial uses, that millions of acres of land are open to purchase at prices which, a generation hence, will probably represent their yearly rent. There are not many instances of vast accumulations of wealth in individual Ipinds. It would be as difficult to find a millionaire in New Zealand, as it would be in England to find alaborer enjoying anything approaching the advantages enjoyed by the New Zealand laborer, Money is more widely distributed. The small tradesman, the mechanic, or laborer, in short any one who is fitted to make New Zealand his home, and who is not incapacitated by ill health, may, with ordinary frugality and industry, and without denying himself a fair share of worldly enjoyments, save money, and become, if his ambition point in that direction, a proprietor of acres.

in the pages of the Handbook, frequent reference is made to the various land laws in force in the colony. The natural disadvantage of many varieties of laud laws is, to some extent, compensated by the larger range of choice of conditions presented to the intending settler. Without giving an epitome of the different systems, it may be observed that the object of them all is to promote settlement, their framers holding in many cases, distinct views as to the circumstances |and conditions rnqst likely to promote that object. It is important to remember this, because from it follows the fact that the tendency of all amendments in the land laws, or modifications in the mode of applying them, is in the direction of making the land more available for settlement. For example, an arrangement has just been made between the General Government and the Provincial Government of Wellington, whereby the latter agrees to four blocks, of not less than 20,000 acres each, being selected out of the best land in the province, to be surveyed into sections of from 00 to 500 acres each. It is agreed that

every other scetion of these shall bo open to the free selection of any purchaser, at prices to be fixed in advance ; the purchase money to be paid in instalments extending over live years. Under this plan any industrious person possessed of good health may become a freeholder. Borne of the differences in the land laws arise only partly through opposite opinions as to what is most likely to promote settlement, and are principally to be set down to the different nature of the lands and the circumstances of the provinces. In Otago, for instance, where the desire is to make the land laws in the highest degree liberal, a new system is being adopted of deferred payments, with conditions of cultivation. In Canterbury one simple plan has been adopted from the first. Any one may select from the Grown lands throughout the province, at the price of £2 an acre, cash, without condition of cultivation and residence. In Auckland some extent of land is given away in the shape of free grants of forty acres to persons who fulfil the prescribed conditions of cultivation and residence. Other provinces have modifications or varieties of these several plans ; in all, the desire is to sec the land cultivated, and from that desire will probably, sooner or later, arise a nearer approach to uniformity of system. The Assembly last year passed an Act, under the provisions of which every person approved by the Agent-General, who pays his own passage to the colony, may claim a free grant of land to the value of £2O for himself and for any adult member of his family, whose passage is also paid. Two children are reckoned as an adult. The Crown grant of the land is to be conditional on occupation and use,but the immigrant is to be allowed to remain five years in the colony before selecting his land, and he may select in any part of the colony where land is open for sale.

Let it not be thought that for all persons New Zealand is a suitable home. It is a land of plenty to the colonist who can do work such as the colony requires, or who can employ others to do such work for him. But it is no suitable home for those who cannot work or cannot employ workers. The mere ability to read and write is no sufficient justification for a voyage to New Zealand. Above all, let those be warned to stay away who think the colony a suitable place to repent of evil habits. The ne’er-do-well had better continue to sponge on his relations in Great Britain, than to hope he will find sympathy for his failings and weaknesses in a land of strangers ; strangers, moreover, who are quite sufficiently impressed with the active and hard realities of life, and who, being the architects of their own fortunes, have no sympathy to throw away on those who are deficient in self-reliance. This warning is not altogether uncalled for. It is astonishing how many people are sent to the colonies to relieve their friends of their presence, no heed, apparently, being given to the fact that these countries are not at all deficient in temptations to evil habits, and that those who are inclined to such habits had much better stay away. An instance not long since came under the writer’s notice. A wealthy settlor received a letter from an English gentleman of whom he had not before heard. The writer explained that his acquaintance with a mutual friend induced him to write and to introduce his son, the bearer, who was visiting New Zealand for the purpose of settling there. He was sorry to say his son had not been successful at home in anything he had tried. lie had had to give up the army, and was so very weak and easily persuaded, that it was hopeless to put him to anything in England. The writer would, he said, be content if the gentleman he was writing to would give his son a home and £IOO a year till he could do something better. The young gentleman who presented this letter at once intimated that a loan of £lO would be acceptable. He received it. The day was Saturday; on the Monday following he called again for a further loan—the first £lO was gone. He was naturally denied, and the next intelligence of the young hopeful our settler received was an order for the payment of a considerable debt. Such prodigals are not suited to the colony. It would be better to kill the fatted calf on their account, without any intervening absence. Young women of good character, and who are not disinclined to domestic service, need not hesitate to venture to New Zealand. The demand for servants is such that employers are only too glad to obtain respectable young women, and to teach them in part their duties. That demand —for the information of the unmarried daughters of Great Britain, we may observe —is occasioned by the difficulty that exists in keeping servants for any length of time, on account of the readiness with which they are able to get married. The single young man who comes to New Zealand is not long in finding the means to comfortably furnish a house ; and naturally, he thinks that she whn shows fierself well versed in discharging domestic duties, will be able to make his home a happy one. A short courtship, a brief notice to her employer, and another home is set up in New Zealand ; another notice appears in the local papers, “ Wanted, a nurse,” or housemaid, cook, or general servant, as the case may be. This is all very homely ; but the romance of the colonies is of a very domestic nature—“ to make homes” is another mode of expressing “ to colonise,” It would not be doing justice to New Zealand to avoid mentioning one other circumstance, though to do so might the appearance of a desire to praise the colony. All, however, who have a knowledge of New Zealand will corroborate the statement that this colony gains a singular hold upon those who for any time have resided in it. There are very many persons who have realised a competency, who havepothingto bind them to the colony, and who yet prefer remaining in New Zealand to living elsewhere. The pleasures and advantages the old world offers appear to weigh as nothing with them, when compared with the enjoyments and freedom of life in New Zealand. The climate and the scenery, together with the intimacies which rapidly spring up in colonial life, are no doubt the reasons for this strong liking. For health restoring properties, the climate of New Zealand is wonderful, There are numbers of persons enjoying good health in the colony who years ago left England supposed to bo hopelessly alllicted with lung disease, their only hope—that in New Zealand the end might bo a little longer deferred. This is not written in selfishness, for it is by no means desired to make New Zealand a sanatorium. But this Handbook is not prepared with a view toils consequences. The design, as has been said, is to give a New Zealand view of New Zealand, and it is hoped that in its pages the merits and demerits of the colony will alike be apparent. The order in which the provinces are dealt with is from south to north, and quite independent of their relative size and importance.