PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF AUCKLAND. INWARDS. OUTWARDS.

New Zealander, 19 November 1845, Page 1

PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF AUCKLAND.

INWARDS.

OUTWARDS.

"M»rk, now, how plain a tale shall put you down." Shakspeare. That the seat of Government of New Zealand was placed on the shores of the Waitemata, has been source, during the last five yeais, of the ebullition of the most acrimonious feelings, from all the Southern settle-..; ments founded by the New Zealand Company, Even after it was acknowledged that Wellington was neither the most eligible, nor the most accessible harbour, in the Northern Island, for a capital— it was urged, that as there had emigrated to that settlement such numbers, as to far exceed the population of the Government settlement on the Waitemata, in the year 1 840— that the capital should be fixed where the greatest European population were located. Our readers will well remember with what envious exultation our Southern cotempora ries did, for the years 1841, 42, and 43, put forth the number of shipping inwards, as well as the great value of their imports. As soon as the whale-fishery, on the coast and in Cook's Straits, was productive, corresponding publication was made of the great amount aud value of their exports :— -the whole system being intended to disparage the Northern district, with a view to influence the Home Government in the belief, that Port Nicholson was the only place in the three islands fit for the seat of Government. At this particular' juncture of the colony, •we have considered we shall be " rendering the state some service," by accompanying the publication of the narrative of the memorable momentous events, that have occurred since the first outbreak of the natives, with a correct account of the present state of the commerce of Auckland, so as to shew, that the Waitemata is the best district for the seat of Government ; and also, that in despite of the previous drawbacks and difficulties of the settlers, here, and the present native rebellion, their perseverance has developed the rich valuable indigenous products, so exclusively abundant in this part of the North Island. We have been still further prompted to this course, on account of some observations, in the House of Commons, by Sir Robert Peel, in the debate commenced on the i 7th June, in reference to the proper locality for the permanent capital of the Colony. We cannot really consider the Premier was serious : but regard his remark as one of those artful political stratagems in debate, to neutralize wavering opponents, for •which he is so celebrated. We shall only observe, that if the Home Government ever sanction such an atrocious breach of faith, towards the purchasers of land in the town of Auckland and its neighbourhood — bearing in mind also, the exchanges that have been made with land claimants — it will be an act of direct fraud and robbery, unparalled hi the history of civilized nations. But to return to our 1 present purpose. — In an extract which we published in our last number from the Nelson Examiner ; detailing the statistics of that settlement and district, there will be found at the conclusion the following remark :— We have asked befoie, and we ask again, how comes it that Government does n<»t publish statistical returns of its own settlements? Where are vre to find an account of the cattle, sheep and crops of Auckland audits dependencies? The last census in Cook's Straits was taken by Government ; was none taken in the norlli ? and, as the lawyers sa), 1 * if not, why not?" If any was talc 311 •why not published ? Were they afraid of slum - ing the nakedness of ihe land— of giving a beggarl) account of empty boxes- of proving bv comparison of figures, the propriety of Hobson's choice and Fitz Koy's adoption. ? We have no doubt of the enterprise of our northern fellowsetllen had a fair chance been given them of exhibiting it successfully ; but this continued and appaieutly studied concealment does certainly look like a consciousness on the part of Government of the ill-effects of persevering in its oi ijjinul mistake. On this day we respond to onr cotemporary and we think we shall not only prove to him, but to the world, without any ungenerous (]j(s. paraging remarks on other settlements, that tl c harbour and district first suggested by our great circumnavigator, Cook, some seventy years since, is the best for an European settlement, a« it is also indisputably the nucleus of the various valuable indigenous resources of the Northern Island. It must be observed to those not deeply versed in statistical and fiscal accounts, that the total amount of exports does not shew the actual commercial condition of any port or colony, unless distinguished under different heads ; for, British an 4 other foreign goods imported, can be exported — and their declared

value, on importation, is again the amount registered at the customs on exportation. — We merely state this to shew, that unless the Colonial Exports are defined in detail, no deduction can be drawn of the advancement of any settlement — and, therefore, in the abstracts we have made, by the kindness and urbanity of the authorities of customs in Auckland, the Colonial Products are distinguished from the amount of mere re-shipments of previous imports. With these prefatory remarks we now snbjoin a series of figures which we trust will be most satisfactory, as well as conclusive, to our readers that the dawn of prosperity has at length risen at Auckland. The Number and Tonnage of Vessels Inwards and Outwards, from the three principal , Ports of New Zealand.— From 1841 to 1842 inclusive.

On account of the Abolition of Customs, in September 1844, the statement, must commence from April 11th, 1845.

Exports — Distinguishing Colonial Exports from Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson, for the quarter ending, sth July, 18"15.

For the Quarter endiug 10th October, 1845, we can only give the return for Auckland.

In conclusion of these figures, we would add the valuable cargoes of the " William Hyde," about to proceed to England, and of the "Jfofeert Jtx&tfktd," bound to America, — within a few days. "William Hyde." 74 Kauri Spars from 62 to 84 feet in length. 803 Cases, containing about 74 tons Kauri Gum. 100 Tons Maganese 12 Bales Wool. "Robert Pulsford." 250 Tons Kauri Gum. 12 Tons Heckled Native Flax — Sample. 1 2 Tons Dyewoods ditto.

Tons. Copper Ore . . 132 . Value. £2,815 0 0 Kauri Gum . . 109 . Timber— s,7ooo feet . . Sperm Oil & Whalebone . . 1,060 0 . 200 0 . 40 0 0 0 0 Re-shipments of British goods £4,115 0 1,679 10 0 4 Total amount of Exports £5,794 10 4

Auckland — Colonial Produce.

Wellington— Colonial Produce.

Tons. Value. Sperm Oil . . 17 . £350 0 0 Black do 30 0 0 Flax .... 18cwt . 12 0 0 Bricks, . . . 4000 . 8 0 0 Timber, . • . 500 . 2 0 0 402 0 0 Itf -shipment of British Goods 133 0 0 £535 0 0

Nelson — Colonial Produce.

'Rom Ist Jan. to Sept 1844, . 'rom 11th April to 15 Nov. 1845, JMo. 185 204 Tons. 3,238 4,667

Vessels Inwards Foreign at the Port of Auckland, from sth July to 12th' November, 1845.

Coasters Inwards at the Port of Auckland.

Value of Exports and Imports from 1 lth April to sth July, 1845.

Auckland ellington £1,802 £3,953 Melsoi Ixronrs.— £s,794 mports.— £6,732 £17 £2,3

From sth July to 10th October, 1845.— Auckland, Exports.— £7,l3l. Imports.— £l9,oso.

.uckland, . No. SO Tons, 4,828

From July sth to Oct. 10th. .uckland, ..... £2,266 8

uckland, Wellington, felson, No. 11 4 3 Tons, 2066 452 229

Vessels Inwards Foreign, at the Ports of Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson, from sth April, to sth July, 1845.

Auckland. Wellington. Nelson. Year No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage tB4l 17 2,126 J39 9,683 — 1842 48 8,719 |80 17,336 31 9,800 1843 33 6,065 141 9,020 29 6,895 L 844 33 5,010 127 5,250 20 3,630

Auckland. Wellington. .Nelson. Year No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnagi 184-1 8 1,606 26 6,678 — | 1842 51 9,740 75 16,714 15 4,323 1843 34 4,810 57 10,899 19 3.396 1814 34 5,327 24 4,7 dl 16" 2.803

Year 184-1 1842 1843 1844 I Auckland £. 995 5,961 14.9G3 8,150 I Wellington £. 13,986 15,445 29,645 14,988 I Nelson £. 504 994

Value or Exports from Ist January, 184*1, to September, ISM-.

Number and Tonnage of vessels th*t have been Registered at the "different Ports, to 31st October, 1844.

Ports . No. Tons Auckland Russell Wellington kelson I 24 I 21 6 1,160 353 610 96 Total 57 2,219

uckland, . Wellington, [elson, . . 133 Hi 9 2

CUSTOMS REVENUE.— IBIS. From April to July.

Value. Timber . . . 26,127 feet £62 0 0 Flax, ... fi <balea. 20 0 0 Wpol .... 7 bags 20 0 0 £112 0 0 Bc-shipnunts of British Goods 6J 5 0 Total amaunt of Exports £176 5 0

£. s. a. Kauri Gum, 3*l£ tons . 3,237 0 0 Copper Ore, 75 " . . 1,110 0 0 Timber— 50,000 feet . 200 "0 0 Sulphur, 26 tons ... 250 0 0 Tanning Bark, 10 cwt. . 6 0 0 Flax, 18 ton 210 0 0 Wool, 400 lb 20 0 0 Oil. black, 32 tons ... 495 0 0 Whalebone, 15 cwt. . . 80 0 0 £5,608 0 0 British Manufactures Re-shipped 1,529 7 0 Total amount of Exports £7,137 7 0

Colonial Produce.