LITERATURE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 2, 19 March 1842, Page 8

LITERATURE.

Copies of Mr. H. W. Petre's book, published shortly after our departure, have arrived from England. It is an octavo volume of 87] pages, entitled "An Account of the Settlements of the New Zealand Company, from . personal observation during a residence there," very well got [ up, and embellished with a map of the islands, and two engravings, one of a portion of the town of Wellington, and the ' other of -New Plymouth. . It. contains a great deal of valuable information as to the' prospects and state of Wellington, during the author's residence there and at the period of his leaving it. Just such a book was required in England at the time it appeared; and, had it been a less creditable production than it is, the modest yet sensible apology for authorship of the introductory pages, together with the evident desire to give an accurate statement of facts as they were, would disarm criticism. As might be expected, the largest portion, indeed almost the whole of the book, relates to Port Nicholson; commencing with a sketch of the difficulties experienced and overcome by the first settlers, and proceeding to describe what has been already achieved, and to prognosticate whafr is likely to be achieved by the energies of the Anglo-Saxon race when brought to bear upon the resources of New Zealand. Mr. Petre does not omit to take the opportunity thus afforded him of giving Captain Hobson some severe rubs, and he also inserts a letter from Colonel Wakefield, addressed to the Secretary of the New Zealand Company in February, 1841, in which Captain Hobson's attempt to remove labourers from Port Nicholson to Auckland is stigmatised as a blow struck "at the prosperity, and even existence of the settlement, which was as little sanctioned by the Governors of the neighbouring Colonies as it was consistent with justice and fair dealing. On this subject our views will probably not long remain a secret ; but for the present we leave it to refer to one somewhat more relevant though not more agreeable — that is, to remind Mr. Petre — and with him almost all who have written, whether in journal or in book, on the subject of New Zealand, or of any colony in which they may be interested-*-that it is particularly advisable to avoid everything that may subject them to the accusation of puffing. This remark may appear somewhat .^contradiction to a previous one;,but we are- now speaking not of actual statements, but of a certain undefinable tone of partizanship and over advocacy, which we are satisfied has a bad effect on the minds of" the reflecting portion of home readers, and gives a handle to detractors more efficacious than any acknowledgment of deficiency in the resources of a settlement. Mr. Petre's intended return to New Zealand, the announcement of which we hail with great pleasure, is the. clearest proof that his own hopes are at least as high, and appear as well grounded, as those he would raise in the breasts of his readers

Tl c remedy for the slipping of the covers of newspapers, whether by accident or otherwise, is writing the address of the party, &c, on the paper itself, which is allowed by the Post Office authorities. The removal of Sunderland Light-house from the north 'pier in an entire' state to the eastern extremity of the pier, a distance of nearly 500 feet, was safely and succesfully completed. It is contrary to law in France to take even a pitcher of water from the sea, lest it should be evaporated for the sake of gaining an ounce or so of salt, and avoiding to pay the salt duty. A servant who was taking a pail of water from the 6ea, at Briarritß, a short time since, for a batb for a child .who was ill, was perceived by a custom-house officer, who instantly compelled her to throw it back, and return with the empty pail.