THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, July 19, 1849.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 1, Issue 15, 19 July 1849, Page 1

THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, July 19, 1849.

All the world is on the move for California. The fame of its gold has gone abroad into every land. Throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and America it lt has caused a moral convulsion. The thirst after its acquisition has deranged men's minds. And, from the North and from the Soutli, from the East and from the AVest, thousands upon thousands arc impatiently flocking to join in the golden /■jranible. That gold, and in large quantities, abounds in Ca'ifornia, we do not pretend to dispute; but, however flattering the accounts, hitherto received, it must be remembered that these were of a date when there were comparatively few to gather it, and that the field which was, then, large and productive to two or three thousand people, would become of ■very limited value to ten, iifty, or a thousand times their number. It is not our intention to waste time by any attempt at dissuading wilful pco-

pie from the example that lias been set. They may be fortunate or they may bo miserable. Our object is to point out how the industrious Maories may glean some of that gold which Europeans lmve goii", and are going, so far away to gather. Gold is merely valuable because mankind, on account of its comparative scarcity, have constituted it a means of exchange wherewith they may barter food, clothing, and various articles, essential to life and its comforts. Of itself it is infinitely less serviceable than iron and ninny other mctii's and ininerals. It cannot furnish implements fur house or ship building like iron,—nor ican it supply the blessings of warmth, nor [the means of preparing food, like coal, jit is but an agent to purchase these ; and they that exert sufficient industry to produce food, fuel, anil other requirements of man, will have an infallible means of commanding a supply of this universally coveted agent. "A poor Arab," according to an Instructive Eastern tale, crossing the desert, became separated from the caravan with which he travelled: he was lost in the pathless waste; and while wandering about, overcomo with hunger and thirst, lie saw, at some distance, a wellfilled bag lying 011 the sand. Full of the most pleasing anticipations, he hastened to the spot, and eagerly tore it open, but he suddenly threw it from him in bitter despair, exclaiming, ill melancholy accents, ' Gold—only gold 1 1 thought they were dates!' Yet, twelve hours previously, he would have preferred that small bag of gold to twenty camels' load of his favourite dates." Dates, it may be necessary to tell you, are a dried fruit of which the Arabs are said to be extremely fond, and their superiority to go'd, in a starving wilderness, is thus clearly exemplified. The Cnlifornian gold Seekers will require many'dates, or, if not dates, such food as New Zealand may readily nnd largely grow, nnd exchange for gold. Now is the time for this country and people to demonstrate the great natural fertility of their ami to profit by the position in which these is'ands are placed with reference to California, of which tliey may be made the granary anil the purveyor. Let us narrate a fable, told by a wise man of the ancient world, nnd point its application for your especial advantage. " A certain husbandman being at the point of death, called his two sons into his presence, and thus addressed them. *My sons, I have little to bequeath you save the garden I possess, but in that lies hid n treasure suflicient to enrich you for life. Search well, and you will deserve it.' The father died; and the sons, eager to obtain the treasure of wlii-li he had acquainted them, diligently and perseveiingly dug up the garden in every spot. No treasure, however, was to be found, But the pains bestowed in turning and loosening the earth caused an extraordinary production of its fruits—so mu -h so, that when the young men computed their gains, they had suiricient sense to discover the nature of the treasure their father pointed at, and which by their succeeding industry they did not fail to turn to good account." Your fathers, oh Maories, have bequeathed you a garden, in wfibh oxhaustless treasures lie hid, and you have on'y to follow the example of the two lads of our ta'e, to become possessed of an equal recompense. It is matter of heartfelt [satisfaction to those who take an interest in your moral and material improvement, Ito behold how rapidly you profit by the I suggestions and instructions imparted to Iyou. You have done much, in. the way | of advancement, in a few years—but much, very «nuch, stilt remains to be

done. Lt-t your attention be earnestly turned towards agricultural pursuits. Be diligent in the clearing and cultivation of your lands. Tliey will yield you, not only an abundance of the finest grains and fruits, but, at a very small cost, nn:l with a very trifling exertion, they will nlFord excellent pasturage for numerous herds and flocks. Why should you (ontir.tic to grow wheat and potatoes in isolate;! patches, in limiti; I quant ities, and with inferior skill? Why not ncld field to field, and build barn after barn ? Then, indeed, the flour mills, which you liavo erected at so much expense, will never be at a stand sti'l for the want of corn to griiul; nor will your putses be unfilled with that gold which so ninny are forsaking home and kindred to acquire. You have had the good sense to employ the Europeans in the construction of your mills—why not exhibit a further instance of wi.doni by imitating' and acquiring a knowledge from them of ploughing, sowing, and nil tlie oilier farming operations by which a'one grist ran bo adequately brought to the mills yon have built? AI any of you arc in possession of the means by which much wealth may bo created; —is it not, then, a matter of deep regret, that a country so blest by nature should continue to yield so little return to its inhabitants? Get rid of fern and scrub, that vegetation may take place, and grass may grow, to feed the horses, sheep, and cattle.which are so largely imported from Australia, and which are annually increasing here. Meat, here, might be not only of the finest quality, but so abundant in quantity as to become an invaluable means of export to California, and other countries. Pigs co.ild be reared in immense numbers, and their flesh might be turned to large and profitable account, whether as Fnlted pork, or cured ns ham utid bacon. In place of importing flour, beef, buttir, cheese, candles, soap, and many other articles which take away your gold, you should be able to produce so large a quantity of those very commodities that not only your own necessities should be supplied, but that yon might have a largo amount to exchange for the gold or oilier goods of strangers. All this might be very easily accomplished. There is nothing very difficult iu the manufacture of butter and cheese, and with enclosed and well cultivated lands, fat cattle and sheep, and and an unfailing store of other provisions would be readily obtained. Dairy Husbqxidry,—as that which is comprised in the production of buttcraml cheese, together with the breeding and fattening of pigs and poultry is called,— is a description of farming that demnnds a great amount of care, cleanliness, and perseverance; so much so, that many may smile at the idea of its being suggested as a system for you to adopt. Our reply, to those inclined to object, is, that we cannot conceive a people who have showed themselves more tractable than yourselves in acquiring many, branches of civilised art, or who have more sagaciously turned their knowledge to better account, by purchase and possession of property such as mills, shipping, and the like, desired by mankind in general —Wf cannot deem such a people incapable of mastering the details of Dairy Farming, or unequal to submit to the duties which the reaping of its prolits impose. On the contrary, we feel assured you have only to be convinced how much money you might make by giving your attention to such pursuits fo adopt them eagerly. At all events t':ev are pursuits well «orth being brought under consideration. Vi'e shall, therefore, in our ne:;t jap; r, transcribe a few plain instruction.?," shewing t.'ie land best suited for such purposes, and how si-ch products may he successfuly ciiiUvric l. Labour, in some shape or other, i» the lot of al\ "In e: : .r y life," ti;c 11 v. T. Pyemvr.' IX?vi>i k.-.i: futlxv's s .-.op; Ins was a life of i.: hi.-;.ry ; i;ml l-.'ougii foolish men ihia!; it ii< 'vjri.iiinglo t'erionn any useful ir.liour, yet In I' f. i\e; of wi e men indiutiy is truly i.onouraiA', and the most, useful man is the !>ap,>i'. 5,i. A life of labour is man's natural concision, an.! nitst favourable to mental hereto ;:nd buddy vit-rour. liisliop Mil l says, ' Sweet is the tie-tiny of a'l trades, w.iellicrof the brow or of the mind. Got! never al'otveil

any man to do nothing.' From the ranks of industry have the world's, greatftst been taken. Rome was more than once saved by a man from the plough. Moses had been keeping sheep l'or forty years before he came forth as the deliverer of Israe'. The Apostles were chosen from amongst the lmrdy and laborious fishermen. From whence I infer (that, when God has any great work to perform, he selects as his instruments those who, by their previous occupation, had acquired habits of industry, skill, and perseverance ; and that, in every department of society, they are the most honourable who earn their own living by their own labour."