Steam Communication in New Zealand.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 406, 6 March 1850, Page 2

Steam Communication in New Zealand.

Our Wellington and Nelson contemporaries, (with the exception of the Independent, in which we have not observed any reference to the subject,) were naturally turning attention to this impoitant topic. We looked with special interest to the view which might be taken of the New Zealand Company's proposal at Nelson, where the settlers — in addition to their concern in the matter in common with their fellow colonists at large, — have a peculiar concern in it, as their own Steam Fund is likely to be drawn upon for the maintenance of the communication. We therefore transfer to our columns the following remaiksfrom the Examiner of the 22nd ult.: — "There seems to be good reason for believing 1 that the settlements of New Zealand will not be much longer suffered to languish for the want of that means of communicating with each other which hns so long crippled their best efforts at progresi. The cause of inter-colonial steam communication, which we have 10 zealously advocated for the last two yean, has at

length been taken up by the friends of New Zeal» nd \at home ; and we believe the result will be that we shall see a steamer from England in Nelson haven, intended for our coasting trade, within two or three months from this day, and peihaps even in less time. To the early realization of this our most earnest desire, we are greatly indebted to Mr. F. G. Moore, so long resident in this settlement, who has been in England for six or eight months agitating the question, which we see has been at length taken up by several of the proprietors and ownen of land in this settlement.— Independent of private letters we have received on the subject, and to which we have before referred, several letters in the New Zealand Journal have shewn us that the question was fast ripening at home, but the two following documents— the one an advertisement taken from the Times of Sept. 29, and the other a circular addressed to the owners of steam vesselsshew us that our agitation of the question is really about to bear fruit." (Here follow the advertisements, which appeared in the New-Zealande? of the 13th ultimo.) " We know nothing of the conditions on which the vessel will be sent out, but we hare seen a letter which arsures us that she is coming, and that Nelson is to be her headquarters. Whether the absentee proprietors j may have induced the Company to advance any part of the steam fund, or to guarantee a yearly bonus from that source, we cannot therefore say ; hut no doubt the co-operation and assistance of our trustees is calculated upon, as well as that of the Government, The Governor has pledged himself to assist the introduction of steam into the colony with a liberal hand— and we feel sure that he will be most happy to redeem Iris word." A short time previously to the arrival of this intelligence the Examiner (January 15), had devoted a long and earnest article to the subject, trom which we take an extract in which our contemporary addresses himself to the interesting question, Whether a steam vessel working between the settlements would defray her oivn annual expenses, — answering, as will be seen, hopefully in the affirmative. "The expenses of a steamer of 300 tons, with t\y° 50-horse power engines we estimated at £5,796 ayear, for making two voyages a month, of 700 miles each [about the distance of going the circle of the settlements of Nelson, Taranaki, Manakau (Auckland), Wellington, and back to Nelson]. This, so far from underestimating the expenses, we believe to be in considerable excess ; for, ai our calculations were made for vessels worked upon the old plans, it way reaionably be inferred that the improvements of the last ten years have some of them tended to economy. Assuming it to be correct as it stands, we invite those who dispute its accuracy to convict us of our error. — We do not believe that the accuracy of this portion of our calculations will be impugned, but it is the amount of returns which will be questioned. Those who think we are over-sanguine of success, will, we hope, give a candid consideration to our statements. Look at the map of New Zealand ; see how the different Euiopean settlements are placed ; consider the chaivcter of each — that some are productive, and others only consuming, and that one is the natuia market of the other; be mindful of the native population which line the coast, producers also of food, and in return, large consumers of British goods; recollect the cessation of political troubles, that the differences with the Company are also settled, and the stimulus which th ; s is giving, and will give to extended operations on the soil ; reflect on the renewed emigration which has taken place, «>.id the promise it holds out to ut of augmented numbers and strength ; and then say whether the internal trade and passenger traffic of such a body of people is over-estimated at £5,700 a. year, when the Government offers to paxj £2,800 of it for the mere conveyance of the maiis. — What, supposing this to be done, will not a population of 20,000 Europeans and the like number of Native", living on the same part of the coast, give a traffic of £3,000 a-year to a steamer? Not all the produce which Nelson and Taranaki, and the Natives on the coast, would send by her to Auckland, to Wellington, to Otago, to Canterbury, to Wanganui— not the fat cattle and sheep, and the wool from the Wniiau and Port Cooper — not all the merchandize pa«sing to und from the settlements, and to the coast — not the passenger tiaffic of European and Natives, all become active, and stimulated by increased markets, and the means of reaching them: all this not "suffi cient data to found the probability of working a steam vessel, so as in some measure to pay her a'inual expenditure," when the annual expenditure which has to be met is only something about £3,000 ? Then whaf data is required, and will be considered sufficient." We add the following remarks which we find in the last Wellington Spectator that has reached us, (the 23rd ult ••)) — ■ The recent notices in the London Journals relative to Sfeani communication between the different settlements of New Zealand shew that this question, of such vital importance to the prosperity of the colony, is at length receiving the consideration in England whichitdeserfes. It is almost a matter of surprise that it has not been preriously agitated by the Absentees, who are best able to biing it to a satisfactory issue, The colonists are deeply sensible of its value and importance and are quite ready to co-operate in giving effect to any plan which may be adopted, but they have neither the capital nor facilities for cairying out by their own unaided means a plan of local steam communication. We may be excused if we confess we are not quite bo sanguine as the Nelson Examiner as to the prospect of the immediate fulfilment of our wishes, since we are re* minded by previous experience, of the numeroui plans originated to promote the prosperity of the colony which have never received any practical development. But if the Absentees, who have so large a stake in the colony, will only do as much as has been done by the Local Government, if they will guarantee to any Company willing to enter into the engagement a sura equal to that which the Local Government have promised to give, we may feel confident that the time cannot be far distant, when New Zealand will possess this powerful means of advancement. By the introduction of steam the Absentees will insure the best means of communication at the cheapest rate, and by their voluntary contributions will not only confer an immediate additional value to their country lands, but possibly defer for an indefinite period the imposition of a land tax to defray the expense of internal communication. For the reasons we have before intimated, we reserve any further comments of our own, until we shall be in fuller possession of the character — and the concomitants — (if such there should prove to be) of the plan contemplated by the Nev Zealand Company.

A Meeting which though not numerously attended, (no public announcement of it having been made), was composed of intelligent and

influential inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, was held at the Mechanics' Institute on Monday evening, to consider the subject of the existence of Coal in abundant quantities and of excellent quality in the Waikato district, as stated by the Rev. A. G. Purciias in an important letter which appeared in our columns on the 23rd ult. R. Lynd, Esq. presided. Mr. Purchas was present, and entered into various details explanatory and corroborative of the facts advanced in that communication. Portions of the coal were burned before the meeting with the most satisfactory result, convincing persons who are theoretically and practically competent to judge of its merits, that it is well adapted both for domestic use and for steam purposes. After various opinions and suggestions had been offered, it was agreed to appoint a small committee to inquire into the several points which required further investigation, and generally to take such steps as may conduce to the end of rendering this very valuable product of New Zealand as speedily and extensively available as circumstances may permit. We know that this committee are disposed to set themselves in good earnest to the performance of the duty devolved upon them ; but they can do comparatively little without the co-operation and support of the public. To that support they surely are entitled, undertaking their task, as they do, for objects in which they have no interest that is not common to the •ommunity at large. Mr. Purchas who has been the piimary mover in the matter, of course feels that it would be wholly inconsistent with his position as a missionary minister that he should be, in any form, a trafficker for personal lucre in the land or its productions — whether gold or coal — and is pursuing his praiseworthy exertions with a disinterested benevolence which entitles him to the gratitude of both the Natives and Settlers ; and the same, so far as individual aims are concerned, may be said of all those who have in some degree, acted with him in the matter. But, viewing the case in its proper aspect of comprehensiveness, we are prepared to adduce ample proof, (if indeed any proof be needed), that such an introduction of native coal as now seems practicable would confer benefits on Auckland, not only in the way of domestic convenience, safety, and economy, but also in its commercial and shipping relations, the prospect of which makes it the interest as well as the duty of our merchants, householders, and townsmen generally to lend their ready aid in fostering and advancing the enterprise.

A dreadful affray occurred yesterday, on board the ' Eagle' schooner (now loading in this port for California), which there is leason lo fear may be attended with fatal consequences. The circumstanres, so far as we have been able to collect them, were as follows: — A quarrel took place between the master of the vessel (Captain Winter) and his wife, which rose so high that he struck her repeatedly ; the supercargo interfered to protect the woman, but was not strong enough to overcome "Winter, who inflicted a, beating on him also. One of the sailors then interposed, on which the captain, wrought up to greater fury, seized a knife and aimed a blow at this new antagonist, which slightly wounded him on the breast. The sailor having on this struck the captain with a billet of wood on the face, the latter again rushed on him with the knife and stabbed him in the light side of the chest, inflicting a deep and dangerous wound. Assistance having been procured from shore, the man was conveyed to the Military Hospital, as being nearer than the Colonial Hospital, and was immediately attended by Dr. Maiion, who examined and dressed the wound, and shortly after visited by Dr. Piiilson. It is believed that the lungs have not been penetrated, and so far the case is not as desperate as had at first been feared ; but we understand that the symptoms yesterday evening were such as to leave the issue involved in much doubt, and that the man lay in a very precarious coudition, indeed. The perpetrator of the revolting deed was, of course, taken into custody, and the case will, we presume, be brought under investigation at the Police Court to-day.

The Band of H. M. 58th Regiment, by the permission of Lieut.-Col. Wynyard, C.8., will peiform in the Grounds in front of the old Government House on to-morrow evening from half-past four till half-past six o'clock.

PROGRAMME. Overture Op. " Le Serment " Auber Melange Op •' Haydee" Auber Aria Op. . •• Pro peccatu" (Stobot Mater). . . . Rossini Chorui Triumphal 0p.." La Vestale" .. Mercadante Waltz " Grazien Franze" ..Strauss Quadrille " Les Martyrs" Musard Galop " Der Araber" Labitzky Song " My Beautiful Rhine" Song "The Blue Bells of Scotland"