THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, December 30, 1852.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 105, 30 December 1852, Page 2

THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, December 30, 1852.

We once more resume our treatise relative to the benefits derivahle from an extended system of Sheep Farming in the Northern Island of New Zealand. Having furnished a detailed account of the manner in which Sheep are managed in Spain—once the wealthiest wool-producing country in the world—we will take a passing glance at the oilier great wool countries of Europe. As early as the commencement of the Christian icra, the wool of the Spanish sheep was in great request for the production of the most costly dresses. Its quality continued to be sedulously looked after and improved, until the far-famed Merino (locks became unrivalled throughout the world. The Spanish Sheep arc reported to have, been materially improved by means of a flock sent from England, some five hundred years since, as a present from the Duke of Lancaster to his son-in-law the King of Castile; and as the most stringent laws were in force to prevent the exportation of wool from England, it is naturally to be supposed, coupling the improvement which took place iu the Spanish (locks with those Jaws, that the English wool was possessed of some peculiar quality. Subsequently, a few of the Spanish Merino Sheep were introduced into Saxony; from, whence they came to bo gradually distributed throughout all the countries of Europe; and exported to all the colonies of J Australasia. The fleece, instead of suffering by these transportations, by careful management increased in fineness and in usefulness. In the year 1834, the prime wool produced iu Spain found a ready 'sale at from 3s. Cd. to 4s. per 11). In Saxony, it reached to Bs. 3d. per lb, and in some parlsofllurigary to Ss. Cd. The highest prices obtained for Australian wool, may, we imagine, be stated under 3s. per lb; but if the greater cost attendant upon the keepingof sheep in Saxony, —where the flocks are housed and hand-fed during winter—be taken into account, in all probability the farming of sheep in Australia i willbe found to be much the most profitable ; especially if it be further considered that Australian wool has since taken the absolute command of the London Market, and reduced the value of the German and Spanish staple to nearly its own standard. This is conclusively shown by the returns of the wool imported in 1840 which are thus slated

So that Australia supplied very nearly one half of the whole quantity. Todemonstrato ilicexlraordinary resources derivable from Sheep Farming, we copy the following remarkable returns of the export of Australian wool and Us value to the farmers, estimating it too at the lowpriccof Is. In IB<JO the export was 1,838,042 His., whirl), alls, per lb., amounted to 01,0152/. 2s. In 1830 to 10,128,774 lbs., amoimling to M)0,4.~8/. Ms In 1819 lo 3"i,879,171 lbs., amounting to 1.703,058/. lis. Even without estimating the great additional value of the carcase of the sheep, as a choice article of human food, —the worth of the skin, and the benefit conferred upon the land from folding the flocks upon it—surely a creation of wealth has been established in Australia by menus of sheep which will render her great and prosperous long after her gold mines shall have been forgotten or exhausted. The enormous sources of wealth which Have thus been opened up by Australian Sheep Fanning, may be quite as successfully, if not even more successfully, prosecuted in New Zealand. The alleged principal objection to successful sheep running in the Northern parts of the Northern Island is because of the absence of natural grasses and the prevalence of fern and the lea-tree scrubs. This, however, can be no valid or insurmountable objection; inasmuch as natural grasses are not everywhere deficient: whilst, even among the fe:n and the tea-tree, herbage is to be found; and it is well known how, even without other means, the disappearance of the fern and the tea tree and the substitution of pasture will naturally follow the introduction of sheep. But, even were it

not so ; and assuming that it were nrcessnry (as it would unquestionably be most desirable and profitable) to root out the fern and the lea-tree, and to scalier grassand clover seeds upon the soil, the rapidity with which the land around Auckland has been converted from an unsightly and unprofitable waste of fern and lea-tree scrub to a Country of exceeding beauty and luxuriant pasture, such as is capable of fending from six to eight sheep an acre, should prove the strongest incilcincnl to the native propricta-y to clear their lands and to abundantly slock them with gold producing sheep. The facilities of successful Sheep Farming are infinitedly greater in New Zealand, than in any part of Australia or Tasmania. In Australia, an immense scope of land is required for the depasturing of slock; the runs ifcing nalurally so poor, and so subject to devastating floods and long and exhausting droughts thai the average estimate has been calculated at more than four acres of land for the sustenance of a single sheep. Now, wWviut actually convening the waste lands of iJew Zealand to artificial paslurage, we are convinced that wilh a very moderate degree of industry, and by the sprinkling of grass . seed and clover seed the race of the country would speedily be clothed wilh ihc most nutritious pasture, and that at least two sheep would find ample sustenance on a single acre of ••round. If we be correct in this opinion,— Aliilst two hundred sheep might be depastured in New Zealand upon one hundred acres of land, it would require eight hundred acres

;of the Australian bush to supply food for 200 Sheep. Even supposing that the New Zea-1 land soil would maintain no more than a Sheep per acre, it will be seen to be at least four limes more productive than that of Australia, whilst by the annual disappearance of the fern and the tea-tree and the consequent spread and improvement of the sward the pasture would become more and more rich and capable of carrying a heavier slock. The reason of this superiority is entirely attributable to the climate, which is singularly favourable to continued and uninterrupted Vegetation. Hence the richness and the succulenoy of the pasture* of New Zealand. And hence the security of seed time and harvest which in Countries subject to periodical floods and droughts Is corttparatirety unkuown. There arc other singular advantagescertnin to attend the prosecution of Sheep Fanning in New Zealand which should not be overlooked. For example whilst the Australian flocks are ravaged by the Dingo, (or Wild Dog), and whilst those of Van Diemcn's Land are despoiled by the animal called the Devil, and by the Native tiger—whilst the lambs arc pounced upon by eagles, and torn by myriads of carrion crows,—New Zealand is entirely free from every description of heusts and birds of prey. This, therefore, will be found to be of vast importance in calculating the annual increase; and will remove no little weight of anxiety from the mind of both flock master andshepherd. It is only singular that the great gain derivable from Sheep Farming should have so long escaped the inquisitive research of the native mliul. It is a branch of such simple and such profitable rural industry that, wc feel (irmly persuaded, it cannot fail to ho speedily, successfully, and largely prosecuted ; and to afford every inducement to such a course, -having now presented an outline of the general history of ilie Sheep, —we shall, in our next, endeavour to show by a few tabular statements how largely Sheep farming may be rendered conducive (o individual and Colonial prosperity.

*V" lbs. tfrom Australia .... . 33,879,171 427.S59 Germany .... . 12,7.10.011 Other European Countries 11,452,334 South America. , • . 6,014,52o Cape of Good Hope . 5,577,495 East Indies. . . . 4,182,835 All other parts . . 1, 004,079 Total . . . 70,768,047