CAPTAIN FITZROY'S OPINION OF AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 90, 20 February 1847, Page 3

CAPTAIN FITZROY'S OPINION OF AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON.

We had resolved to allow the question concerning tho removal of the Scat of Government to rest, as far as we were concerned, for the present ; but during the discussions and uncertainty concerning the reform in the local administration of affairs, and its consequent changes, we feel we should not be doing justice to the public, if we were to omit to lay before them the opinion of Captain Fitzßoy, as lately published, since his arrival home, in his "Remarks on New Zealand/ on the relative advantages of Auckland and Wellington. Of Auckland, he says :— " Auckland has many advantages in point of situation, but it wants more wood and running water. A better position might, perhaps, have been selcoted, in the same part of tho Island, and one loss exposed to wind and rain would have been more agreeable j though, possibly, not So capable of defence as that of Auckland might be made. If Auckland is not now in the best position for the Capital, the only one superior is within twenty miles of that place. The harbour is very good ; the land around is not high : and there is a spacious outer roadstead, land-locked from prevailing, or, indeed, from almost all winds, where fleets might anchor in safety. The adjoining coast is usually 'a weather shore, with smooth water. Within the harbour, which is long, but narrow, there are more than four square miles of good anchorage. Any chip may enter or depart under sail." Of Wellington, he says!— " Words could not express the surprise and disappointment with which Port Nicholson, and the Town of Wellington, were seen for the first time. The Port is too large to bo sheltered, even from prevailing winds ; , and it has a long narrow entrance from the open sea, ' 1 between threatening and really dangerous rocks, making it almost a blind harbor. It is nearly surrounded by high hills, covered with forests ,• and appears to have but little level, cultivable land in its immediate neighbourhood. 'I ho stormy climate, the straggling, exposed, and indefensible nature of the town, and the depressing prospect for the future in such a locality, during, at least, the present generation, might well cause sorrow that such a situation should have been chosen." Now, it is a singular thing after all the efforts made by the New Zealand Company, and its supporters, both at home and abroad, to vaunt the superiority of Wellington over Auckland, that every one who has had an opportunity of judging, and who gives an unbiassed opinion on the subject, should confirm " Hobson's choice." Captain Hobson knew full well that Wellington wanted what Auckland possesses, and which is essential for the prosperity of a large commercial town — an available country around it, and a harbor safe and easy of access— for it is the country which makes the town, not the town which makes the country. Now, when we "look on this pictuieand on this,' 1 as given us by Captain Fitzßoy, we feel that we have in him considerably strengthened our cause. ' Heisun officer of deservedly high standing in Her Majesty's Navy, and one who has spent most of his years in active service m that branch of his profession, which eminently "qualifies him to be a judge on such questions* His opinion, therefore, is not likely to be treated as careless or prejudiced—prejudiced it cannot be ; he has nothing to lose in Auckland, and nothing to gain in Wellington, by any change that might take place : and we feel confident, that if all who have spoken or written about the townships of Auckland and Wellington had done it as conscientiously and as faithfully as Captain Fitzßoy, the question as to the removal of the principal Seat of Government from hence lo Wellington, had long since been settled — in fact, it would never have been mooted.