Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 118, 17 July 1847, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

STEAM NAVIGATION.

To the Editor of the Nexo Zealander. Sir, — It was private enlerpu'se that first brought New Zealand into notice, — private enterprise which brought civilized men to reside on these slioies, and to private enterprise we owe most of what has been done for the development and improvement of the countiy, A new and most important enterprise has been risked at private cost, to which we may owe results of the greatest consequence. We have now within our harbour the first Merchant Steamer that ever visited this country, and most fortunately for us the "Juno" is heie under the auspices of a gentleman, whose ardent spirit is not likely to be overcome by difficulties, or the fear of present expendituie. As one of the eailiesc friends of New Zealand, I feel a deep interest in all that is likely to forward the great end for which so many, like in > self, have settled in these remote regions. The farmer requires cheap cattle to enable him to cultivate the soil; a»d by extensive cultivation, and large and constant importation of horses, cattle, and sheep, can we alone hope to add materially to oui exports, and to do somethiug towards our future commeicial prosperity. The navigation to this harbour is so much longer than it would be to Mdnukau, that it should be to the latter that the cattle trade should te directed from New South Wales. It is true that iWdiiukau has not been sufficiently surveyed, and that the passage is little known, but the buoying | of the channel could be effected at little cost, and on the daikest night a steamer or other vessel could safely steer its couise by placing two posts, (lesembling lamp-posts), fioin which would hang in chains, baskets made of hoopiron, in which a coal lire would be kept burning at night. These fires, 60 placed as to appear but one when Bteeiingin the proper direction, would prevent the possibility of accident, in making the channel ; and the expense of keeping a steady man to keep up the fires, and oc- | casionally acting as pilot would willingly be defrayed by ship masters, by a small tonnage due, of a penny or so per ton measurement. The great objection to Manukau as an efficient haibour for sailing vessels is, that the prevailing winds render it difficult for them to get out ag;iin ; but steamers have nothing to fear in that respect, and the neighbouiing ports of Kaiparaaud Hokianga, to which a steamer could inn in so few hours, as to render the chances of bad weather exceedingly small, v\ould often offer full cargoes of cattle and piodiice, and even spars which could be easily drifted down the l'amaki for shipment at Auckland. But it is not in respect to the \\ hite population alone, that steam navigation between New Zealand and the colonies would prove 60 impoitdiit. It would be ci great promoter of pacification, as the natives would be sure to purchase large uumbeis of horses, cattle, and sheep, if they could be procured at reasonable prices,— and they would be induced to bring fat beasts, wool, &c, to market, as they now do every tiling they can produce. Five days might be called an average passage for a good powerful steamer from Sydney oi Two fold Bay to Mannkau, and if the slock were well managed, the losses would amount to a mere trifle. To enlarge on all the advantages which must inevitably result to this country in an agiicultural and commercial point of view, would be too lengthened an attempt for the limits ot this communication. The gentleman who has risked this first vo>age, has too much experience, not to see the advantages u Inch must result to himself, and to the country, fioin his spirited undertaking, and it is to be devoutly hoped that the government and the community" in general, will second him in such a signal manner as to allow us to rank the Juno, as we do the Maukin, us one of our own best mid trustiest friends. 1 am, Sir, &c, &c, B. Auckland, July 12, IS 17.