THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, March 11, 1843.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 53, 11 March 1843, Page 210

THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, March 11, 1843.

Lea journaux deviennent plus ne'ceMuires a mesure qne It* hommes sont plus ignuxy et l'individumlutme plus ft craindre. Cc lerait diminuer lenr importance que de croire qu' ill ne servent qu' « garantir 1» liberte": iU suaintiennent la civilisation. De TocaorrtLLi. De la Democratic en Amerique, tome 4, p. 220. Journals become more necessary v men become more equal, and individualism more to be fared. It would be to underrate their importance to suppoie that they serve only to secure liberty : they maintain civilization. ■ ♦ Ds Toc«o*ville. Of Democracy in America, to! . 4, p. 202.

With our last, number ended the first year of the Nelson Examiner. We trust not altogether unprofitably have we la* boured. The theory of editorial infallibility is, it might be imagined, too absurd to have any effect upon the mind of either reader or writer. Yet, after all, we fear these empty etiquettes, these phantasmagoric imitations of reality, do have their influence iv these days of soulless formalities, even over those who nevertheless profess, endeavour, nay, actually have, the profoundest contempt for them. If we have sinned in this wtee t we have it only left us to regret the folly, to determine on amendment ; and not apologise, just because we shall have only injured ourselves. If we contemplate tbe

work of our hands with satisfaction, it is not, we trust, from an idle c aceit of our powers or these samples of their exercise^ since a strict self-criticism would probably leave but little cause for gratulation on that head. Of much that we have aimed at, of the many ends we have endeavoured after, we know one, at least, which we have attained — truth to ourselves without injustice to others. If the motto which we have selected speak truth, the position of no journalist can be an unimportant one : the individual may be contemptible, bu^te office suffers not with him who fills it. jBJ self unchanged, it acts only as a test ; anc^ whom it cannot dignify it damns. Evanescent in themselves, lasting in their effects, the fate of our labours concerns us but little • this time six months, very probably, there will not be a complete copy of them in existence. The influence they exercise however, remains ; and we Would watch ourselves the more anxiously, because in the far future, where the results actually lie, there will be no evidence against us. We did not intend to, write a profession -of fait!), yet have been led into something very like it : as it is, however, let it go, being rather inclined to declare the wholesome intentions of the future than to deliver self-gratulatory announcements of the successfcfl endeavours of the past.

/^Th\ following letter, containing such a fearful account of the distress and misery of the " starving thousands," most of whom we have had the pleasure of meeting during the past week, looking remarkably plump and comfortable under the circumstances — this letter, we say, has so made the bowels of our kind Sydney friends yearn with compassion towards us, that they actually sent us down immediately a vessel having on board 1,600 sheep — fot sale. The vessel which brought this timely relief brought also the account of the distress which made it so much needed* This was most fortunate, as without it we should not have been aware of the pitiable condition we were in, and could not, therefore have properly appreciated the disinterested exertions of such staunch friends. " DREADFUL DISTRESS AT NELSON. ■ r " To the Editor of thb Colonial Observer. " Sir — The alarming distress which for some time past has prevailed at Nelson induces me to address you, Having witnessed the terrible scenes of misery which are at present raging in that illfated colony, and being somewhat acquainted with the causes which have, mainly contributed inbringing them about, I feel called upon, however reluctantly, to state that which has come under my own notice. This I do, in the hope that some measures may be instantly adopted to alleviate the sufferings of 'our unfortunate countrymen at present in that colony. Feelings of humanity prompt me to undertake the task; and I feel persuaded that similar feelings will induce you to give publicity to my statements. " The deception which has been practised, intentionally or unintentionally, upon those who have been induced to stake their all in emigrating to Nelson (and to other portions of New Zealand) by the New Zealand Company, has led to the distress to which I have just alluded. Premature to a fault, they have disposed of land which was not, nor at the present moment is, ready to be placed in the possession of its purchasers* In a strange' country, and among a strange people, these unfortunate settlers have been led to place themselves, expecting to procure the property immediately on their arrival, for which they had ptid^ they consequently were not prepared to suffer th\ bitter disappointments' and to encounter the awful difficulties which have met them at every step. Thrown upon their own immediate resources — without a shelter for then* wives and families — without a friend to assist them, with barely the means of providing food necessary to sustain nature — and without any definite prospect of bettering their condition—it cannot be a matter of surprise that they should now be found in so deplorable a condition. In some cases the little capital which they were able to embark with had been expended in the erection of a house, and in providing fcr a time the means of existence: still their land was not forthcoming, and a life of inactivity, together with its natural and deplorable consequences, have rendered those callous and indifferent who, but a short time previous, were so anxious to apply themselves to the laudable pursuits of industry. To men of imaginative minds a far more dreadful picture will present itself; too likely, alas! to prove correct, unless coercive measures be instantly adopted to put a stop to the growing evil. " Iv those instances where parties have succeeded in procuring some portion of their land, it has been incapable of cultivation— chiefly being either swamps or stony mountains. In many places the tide washes over some twenty acres out: of the fifty, in those sections said to contain that ex tint of land ; the only mod ground being that situated in the woods; the expense of clearing which would far exceed the means e7en of many s of the noble lords composing the New Zealand

Company. For the first year the ground is incapable of producing scarcely Anything. This lam willing to attribute to the sourness of the fernroot. But, I would ask, how can it be expected that settlers can afford to allow their ground (when they have procured it) to lie in furrows for twelve months ? It would require a far greater capital than they are possessed of to enable them to do so ; and yet this is the only means of removing the acidity so fatal to growth. 11 Had the New Zealand Company been prepared to putthe immigrants in possession of even the mostcontemptibleportion of their land immediately upon their arrival, much of the present disI tress might have been avoided. But how different was the case! On landing upon the shores of Nelson, every person was in doubt of even the localities of his property. That it was in the mountains somewherq, he was readily informed by those who should in justice have instantly placed him in' possession* The ruinous consetuences of this shameful neglect on the part of the Company is not obvious at the first glance ; but, on a minute inspection, it will be found that it has acted, and still does act, in augmenting the distress which at present prevails in that ill-starred place. It rendered abortive the principal object for which N men had emigrated. No man would occupy property which, perhaps, as soon as it was in a state of cultivation, might be claimed by another; and hence they have been living in a state of doubt, suspense* and inactivity; expending the small capital brought with him, without any prospect, as I have before stated, of bettering their deplorable condition. Since the colonization of Nelson, not one grain of wheat has been produced from its soil ; all flour, and other necessaries of life, having been imported from Sydney, Hobart Town, and South America. And when we consider that, in several instances, £45 per ton has been paid for flour, we cannot be surprised at the ruination which has overtaken most of the settlers. " The high rate of wages paid to mechanics and labourers on the first formation of the colony accelerated also the ruin to which I have just been alluding. And, indeed, had the land, for the possession of which settlers had traversed about 16,01)0 miles, been ready for them, still the enormous rate of wages — 12s. per day to mechanics, and 6s. per day to labourers — which had been given, and which the Company had led the emigrants to expect, would have swallowed up all the remuneration to the settler, unless the rate charged for his flour was a considerable advance upon what it might have been procured for from the adjacent colonies. In addition to this, the 150-acre sections — which are not to this day given out, nor all surveyed— being chiefly at Massacre Bay, a dis-'r tance from the settlement of about seventy miles by water, and scarcely .to be reached by land, would also make the price necessary to pay the growers still higher than what I have just alluded to, in consequence of the expense of carriage, &c, and therefore less likely to be purchased. " In emigrating to a colony where all were led to expect that their fortunes were ready at their hands — that distress and starvation were words entirely obliterated from its vocabulary — we natu- * rally expected to meet with a reasonable chance of prosperity. But, after making allowances for the puffing usually resorted to in similar cases, and; being prepared to encounter the many difficulties naturally attendant upon such a step as emigrating '-' * to a distant colony, we had yet to undergo the most bitter disappointments. Every honest means '" was tried to repay ourselves, in ever so small a degree, for the enormous expense to which we had' been subjected — in vain ; until at last hope itself gave way before the many heart-rending scenes of misery and distress continually presented to **jpr-i sight ; and we were compelled to fly from a place X ' which, although preached up as a paradise, was found to be quite the reverse. Had many other settlers, in conjunction with myself, known that at the time of leaving Britain the localities of Nelson had not been fixed, we should in all probability have tried our fortunes in some other hemisphere. " The distress which prevails at Nelson is made sufficiently palpable by the numbers which continually arrive by every vessel leaving there for this port, tt is no visionary matter. The distress is actually in existence, and colls loudly for alleviation. Every British heart is interested, and will cordially respond to the sentiment that something should be done, and done quickly. A petition to his Excellency Sir George Oipps is now in Sydney, from the starving thousands of this ill-fated place, praying that the Governor will be pleased to send /* some vessel to bring them to Sydney, and- save* •- them from the starvation which now assumes so threatening an aspect. His Excellency carinot refuse. Every feeling of humanity loudly demand . that some straight measures be speedily adopted. The present case will not-admit of -procrastination, and I feel persuaded that those humane feelings which dwell in the bosom of Sir George Gipps, as well as in the breast of every Englishman, will ■lead him at once to alleviate their sufferings and distress. " This letter is not intended to reflect upon the . merchants and others who have lately emigrated to Nelson, and who, like myself, have been most wofully deceived; but, on the contrary, to holdup ' to the severe reprobation of every honest man the many shameful schemes which are almost daily contrived by men under the plausible name of companies, to aggrandize themselves at the expense of their suffering fellow countrymen. Nor will I reflect in any manner, at least at present, on the singular measures adopted by the . New Zealand Company. The situation of their affairs is indeed sufficient to prove the truth of the old proverb — ' Hmeity is the best policy.' " I have been an eye witness, of what has taken place at Nelson, and vouch, not only for the truth of the assertions contained in this letter, but also for the sincerity and honesty of the motives in which those assertions originate. " Yours most obediently, "A Rbsibbmt atNslsoh rom. sou* Months." When our readers shall have finished their ; half laugh and half yawn over this tedious lie, we should like to ask the editor of theColonial Observer a question or two touching newspnper morality. In the first place, does he consider that he it properly performing the important

duties which he has undertaken, when he allows so slack a scrutiny to the correspondence which he publishes as should let pass a letter so palpably malicious in its design, and which, if examined as it should have been, would have been found to contain such strong internal evidence of falsehood : and, secondly, as. we have reason to believe jwe know the name of the person upon whose authority this letter obtained insertion, we iwould venture to ask whether he considers such a name sufficient to authorize the jublishing of such a communication ? Had name itself been published, it would' have done but little honour to the columns of the Colonial Observer ; too disgraceful a notoriety already attends it to allow of ,the possibility of credit attaching to such a signature.

Mn Tuckett and Captain England returned from the Wairoo plain on Sunday last, having proceeded overland from the j mouth of the river. The route which has 1 been taken by these gentlemen, as well as by Mr. Cotterell, opposes such difficulties to the formation of a cart-road, that it is intended, by exploring in another direction, to endeavour to discover a path which shall avoid the ridge of hills where the barrier to communication presents itself.

The Posthumous (nine days from Sydney), with 1,600 sheep intended for Port Nicholson, ran in here on Sunday last. The greater part of her cargo is the property of Mr. Bid well, the brother of the author of a well-known book on New Zealand. This" gentleman, we believe, intends to settle in . the neighbourhood of Wellington, and import largely from New South Wales. The suitableness of this district for grazing will doubtless, when more generally known, induce the breeders of stock in New South Wales to send some of their flocks to depasture in this neighbourhood. A portion of the cargo was offered for sale on Wednesday, but a short notice only having been given, our country friends did not reach town until the sale had closed, which, In consequence, i was not so brisk as could have been desired. Andther check to the sale was caused by the sheep having been landed on Fifeshire Island, where, being without fresh water, they drank salt, and, as might have been. ! exacted, died in large numbers. This naturally alarmed those who intended to buy, and the sale was consequently dull. The prices realized were from 15s. to 17s. each.

■ A dreadful accident occurred on Wednesday last, by which a man named Keats lost his life. The party of men engaged on the Haven Road were digging down a portion . of the hill near 1 the Custom House, for the purpose of getting materiel for the surface of this excellent work, when a slip took place which completely buried Keats, and fell also on two Others named Sharman and Mansell. Nearly ten minutes I elapsed before Keats could be extricated, when life was found to be extinct.- Sharman had the small bone of a leg broken, and Mansell escaped with a sprained ancle. The deceased has left a wife and one child. —————— —^——s—

The letter of our correspondent, " A Settler," which appeared in our last paper, has induced us to make some inquiries as to what is doing in the settlement towards the preparation of flax. We find that our correspondent's com- • plaint was uncalled for, as, so far from nothing being done to forward this valuable article for exportation, there is every probability that in a couple of weeks we shall have a machine capable of effectually dressing half a ton a week. This machine is now being made, under the I direction of a man named Rider from Leeds, who appears to be an excellent mechanist, and thoroughly to understand his business. He was long accustomed in England to flax machinery, and possesses therefore some prac- , tical knowledge of the subject. Mr. Rider 1 is very sanguine as to the result of his labours, I and, as far as we can judge, we think not with- , out cause. The machine is simple in its construction, and capable of being worked at so 1 small an expense as will give a handsome profit to those who may engage in the speculation. Al- : though at present intended as a hand machine, jfiteatn or water power can be applied readily, the IJbrce required being about half horse. The inventor willingly allows his work to be inspected, but we are not aware how far he might object | to a published description of it, and on that account we shall not attempt one. We believe that, in addition to the above, a fiaxdresser, who came out in the New Zealand, is erecting a water-mill at the top of the Waimea Road. We have not been able to learn

what machinery this is to be applied to, but of course something has been prepared for it. There has been so much talk of flax and flax machines, connected with New Zealand, and so little has hitherto been done, that we were at first half disposed to think the machine we have seen must, like all that have been tried, for some reason or other, turn out unserviceable, and this pkormium tenax, which abounds in; every direction, growing in the swamps and on the hills, in moist ground and dry, prove a worthless encumbrance of the earth. We confess to now having hope of better things, particularly from the assurance of Mr Rider that the brittleness of New Zealand flax, the only drawback to its being the finest in the world, is a property that can be got rid of. t —^ — — — — m