The New Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 362, 3 October 1849, Page 2

The New Zealander.

Be just and fear not: Let all the' ends thou aims't at, be tby Country's, Thy God's, and Truth's.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1849.

Whatever may be the ultimate fate of California itself, or the effect produced, by the influx of gold which it seems likely 10 pour into the market, on the monetary condition of England and other nations, we instinctively look at the subject primarily in its relation to our own colony. Our first question naturally is, — What will be the result to New Zealand of the discovery of this terra incognita, — (for, with regard to its amazing mineral wealth, a terra incognita California had previously been) ? It would le premature to speak confidently on this point ; but, without dogmatism or rashness, we may already anticipate as probable some contingent consequences, which, like most other human transactions and combinations of worldly circumstances are of a mixed character, partaking of good and evil blended together in proportions the relative qualities of which only time that tries, and proves all things, can determine. An immediate result will undoubtedly be the drawing away to the gold regions of a greater or less portion of our population. It would have been surprising indeed if it had been otherwise, — if an epidemic with which the atmosphere of Europe and America is so surcharged, had not spread to our shores, and had not found here some pre-disposed to be affected by its influence. The spirit of enterprise, the restless love of change, the praiseworthy desire to better one's circumstances, or whatever other motive or impulse dictated the original emigration, may, generally speaking, he expected to prompt likewise to re-emigra-tion, especially when the field originally chosen does not yield — (and what field of emigration dots yield ?) — at once and fully all that sanguine hope had promised of prosperity ; or when apparently stronger attractions in some strange field present themselves in a dazzling,

though distant and frequently deceptive light. It is not to be denied that both these causes operate here. There are difficulties to be encountered in every new settlement, which must be overcome by the labour, self-denial, and perseverance of the settlers ; and New Zealand has not been exempted, and is not now exempted from such difficulties, — although, as we firmly believe, it has been its lot to bear them in smaller number and more mitigated form than most other colonies. The reality, however, has been vastly magnified by the representations, or ww-representations, of some whose object (judging from their conduct), would seem to have been to foment discord, and keep up perpetual dissatisfaction amongst the colonists, by persuading them that they were the worst used people in the world, and that their prospects were blighted by a course of policy on the part of the Government which was either ignorant and infatuated, or reckless and unprincipled. Instead of encouraging a cheerful and hopeful disposition to turn to the best account whatever of good was to be found in the state of affairs, — (which, we need not say, would be quite compatible with the employment of all proper means to remedy whatever was evil), — the tendency of many of the speeches and writings of some of our politicians has been to create and nurture discontent ; so that if the puolic had not been guided by their own good sens j , or some other better influence than that of men who aspired to be their monitors and teachers, it would have been no wonder if many of them had before now either risen in rebellion, or quitted the colony in disgust. On the other hand, California spreads out its gorgeous treasures to court those who, from whatever cause, real or imaginary, are despondent as to their present or future prospects here. It is the gold region ; and although they do not know much more about it, and what they do know is calculated rather to deter than to invite, that magical fact embodies a temptation too potent to be resisted. \ The gaunt forms of disappointment, danger, disease, and death, are not seen in the distance, or, if seen, disregarded — buried from view beneath the glittering gold-dust of the Sacramento. We confess we see many of the departures from our neighbourhood for California with regret, partly on account of the emigrants themselves, and partly on account of the colony. On account of the emigrants, because the reasons which we formerly adduced why a prudent man should pause before he engages in the enterprise have been rather strengthened than enfeebled by such intelligence as has since reached us. To put the adventure in it,s best light, we can only regard it as a doubtful one — a lottery in which if there be prizes there are also blanks and worse than blanks, and in which even the prizes are often too dearly paid for. Even those who enter upon it admit that it is an uncertainty — very much " a plunge in the dark." We venture to say that few of them have any clearly defined plan or prospect, — anything beyond a vague notion that in a country where gold abounds, the opportunities of getting rich must necessarily be abundant also. We would not be prophets of evil to them : we would not cast a needlessly gloomy shade over their anticipations: we wish them all prosperity, and, if we should ever hear of their success it will afford us unaffected pleasure. But we cannot close our eyes to the perilous nature of their undertaking, — even as regards the wealth which is the immediate object of pursuit, — but still more as respects domestic and social relations, where there are families ; and moral and religious opportunities and influences, the presence or absence of which is everywhere vitally important to all. Much might be urged on these points, but we only glance at them now, and we do so chiefly for the purpose of suggesting them to the more serious consideration of those who may be yet undecided, and who know that riches (supposing for a moment that they could be sure of acquiring and keeping them) are not the sole or even the principal essential to the true respectability and happiness of their wives and children. As respects the bearing of the movement on the interests of the colony, it is undoubtedly matter of regret that any portion of its men of intelligence, integrity, commercial spirit, manufacturing skill, or agricultural industry, should thus be drafted away ; and it would be unjust and untrue to assert that some having one or more of these characteristics are not to be found amongst those who have gone or are going "to seek their fortune" in California. But it is equally undeniable that not a few are of a different character. To say that in a large and mixed community there are worthless persons, who ' are little gain while they stay, and little loss when they leave, and that such persons are generally the most ready to rush into new fields of adventure, without troubling themselves overscr-upulously about either means or consequences, is but to repeat truisms of universal applicability. There is no want of charity in the supposition that their voluntary transportation will, on the whole and in the long run, prove rather an advantage than an injury ; and nothing uureasonable sanguine in the expectation that their places may soon be better filled by some of ihe emigrants who are pouiing out in thousands from the home country, and who, we are satisfied, will

bend their steps in increasing numbers to New Zealand in proportion as its capabilities and resources become more fully known, and its attractiveness is seen — not through the distorted medium in which certain professed patriots present it — but as it really is. Meanwhile those who remain here (comprising as they will the immense bulk of the better class of colonists) — undaunted by lesser difficulties, after they have struggled through and oveicome greater — desirous rather to improve than to desert their adopted coun fc ry — will, we are persuaded, — as in after years they reap the sure though slow harvest of, it may be, a laborious seed-time — have no reason to regret that they escaped the Calif orniari gold-fever, or to repent of their adherence to the steady pursuits of quiet and safe industry. We may add that California itself presents a promising market for some of our produce here, which may probably yet be availed of with no inconsiderable profit. Nearly five years ago, Lord Stanley, in a despatch to Governor Fitzßoy, observed, " the great deficiency of New Zealand is the want of articles of export, without which no colony can long or greatly prosper," The justice of this remark finds ample attestation in the history of the rise and progress of Colonies ; and even England may date the dawnings of its commercial prosperity, from its exports of tin from Cornwall, and wool. In addition to other indications of the approaching establishment of a beneficial export trade from this Colony, we look with expectation of benefit on the opening in California, where we may hope to supply such articles as timber, potatoes, bricks, &c, on terms which would enable us to cope with other countries, and at the same time prove satisfactorily remunerative. This is assuming no more than the accounts <ye have already received lead us to believe. The subject merits and no douht will receive due consideration from enlightened and spirited merchants and agriculturalists, and, indeed, we are informed, has already excited attention in some quarters. It is very possible that some of the Californian gold may thus be procured here, without running into the privations and hazards of " the diggings."

Such of our readers as have resided long in j this part of the colony, will not need to be informed that serious disputes have existed between two native tribes,— the Ngatiteata and the Ngatitemaoho — arising out of their respective claims to certain lands at Manakau, and its neighbourhood. 1 1 will also be recollected that fatal collisions took place some three years ago between the contending parties, in which the Ngatiteata and their allies the Ngatipou lost several men. We regret to learn that the hostile feelings engendered and exhibited on the occasions referred to, still operate on the minds of some of the natives, and that they have led to acts which might before now have issued in deplorable results, had it not been for the good sense and right principle manifested hy the chief of the Ngatitemaoho, Jabez Bunting. It appears that Kaihau, the principal chief of the Ngatiteata is bent upon obtaining utu for his tupapakus, (satisfaction— revenge — for the death of his friends who were killed in the conflict.) The loss of his son, in addition to the mortification of total defeat, seems to have made a lasting impression on the old man's mind ; and he, like many other of the old chiefs, retains so much of the heathenism of the aborigines, as, (especially under the influ* ence of the angry excitement thus kept up,) to cleave to the native usage which stimulates him to seek " satisfaction " by procuring the death of some of the opposite party, who may be equal or superior in rank to the relations he has lost in battle. Jabez Bunting has received several intimations that Kaihau was meditating evil against him. We believe he was warned to this effect by persons who were likely to know the old chief's secrets,— even by Katipa,Ms near relation and principal fighting man. Kaihau, has lately taken |a course, which no doubt was both intended and expected to bring on a conflict, in which he might have some prospect of attaining his object. He has gone accompanied by a number of his people, to Pehiakura, which is one of Jabez Bunting's most important places, and taken possession of the land, which he has proceeded to cultivate as if it were his own. This is regarded by the natives as clearly a tono whaxohai (the seeking of a quarrel), as such resistance to this usurpation as was anticipated by the aggressors could not fail to give occasion for the fight which it is believed they desire. Under these circumstances, Jabez has held a consultation with his tribe ; and, although if he were to follow the promptings of some of them, (including his friend Wetere, who, as most people think, has no great objection to a squabble now and again,) he would meet this invasion of his rights by force, the language of Jabez himself has been, — " No, let us withdraw from Pehiakura, and leave it to him at present. Let us sit down now at Ihuraatao. I intend to sit here. I will do so quietly unless they attack us here." Some of his men argued that there was danger of their being waylaid and shot ; but he firmly maintained that they should refer the matter to the Pakeha (the English) and let the Kai-whakawa (the Magistrate) settle it. In accordance with this determination he came to this town, we are informed, to lay the case before the Resident Magistrate. It is hoped, however, that his people will be

guided by the advice of their chief, and adhere to the pacific policy he has thus urged. We regard the affair, so far as Jabez Bunting is concerned, as presenting an additional and gratifying evidence of the genuineness and strength of those principles of Christian civilization which, mainly through missionary efforts, have been extensively inculcated on the native population. There was a time when Jabez Bunting would have been himself as eager as any of his tribe for a fray which would have inevitably produced confusion and bloodshed; and there is little doubt that he would be as well able now, as he proved himself before, to drive his adversaries from the field. But he has learned a more excellent way ; and in his disposition to waive a right rather than maintain it by violence, and his confidence that British law, as administered by British authorities, will be available for his protection, and sufficient to secure for him that justice, for nothing beyond which he seeks, — there is a cheering manifestation of a spirit which, in proportion as it spreads and operates, will fortify the best interests of the colony at large, as well as reward the exertions of those who have laboured with enlightened zeal for the improvement morally, socially and politically, of the aboriginal inhabitants.