THE OTAGO SETTLEMENT. Soiree in Dunedin. [Abridged from the "Otago Witness," of March 8.]

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 528, 7 May 1851, Page 3

THE OTAGO SETTLEMENT. Soiree in Dunedin. [Abridged from the " Otago Witness," of March B.]

A Soirek was held in the School House, on the evening of the 21st January :— The Chair wai taken by the Rer. Thomas Burns, at 6 o'clock, who constituted the meeting by praise and prayer. Tea and Coffee having been served — Anthem— Give Thanks! (Sung by an amateur band, led by Mr. Adam, and j accompanied by grand Piano Forte.) * The Aspect of the Colony' was then announced I from the Chair as the subject of a short address ; and Captain Cargill being called upon, stated in substance at follows ;— (after some remarks on the origin of the Otago Association and the sailing of the preliminary party of settlers, in 1847.—) Since that time nearly three years have elapsed, and now comei the question as to the result of that achievement, or, in other words, ' the present aspect of the Colony.' Be it observed, that the sailing of the first little party could not have restored confidence in a general sense,-— that must depend on the reports of the party, and which, to be satisfactory, would require another three yean or io ; but it had the effect, in the meanwhile, of bringing forward a few, and of thereby encreating our population by driblfti from the 260 souli first landed, to about 1,450, our present population, as nearly as may be. Such, then, being our numbers, the questions to be answered are, what is the character of our people as settleri, and the progress they have made ? what their experience of the climate, and the capabilities of the site ? and what the impreslioa at home, as notified by the last arrival ? As to the character of our people, religious and industrial, and the progress made by them as founders of the Settlement, I will leave it to an experienced onlooker, to a Reverend father who is to address the meeting, to state the impreisions made by his present visit. I will only state, in respect of the progress made, that the harvest now being reaped, will amount to about 100 acrei of excellent wheat, besides oati and barley, together with potatoes and vegetables about equal to our consumption; — that to the 273 houses erected on the 31st March last, at a cost of about jg15,600 there has since been added about 50 more of a greatly improved and improving character ; — that the number of horses, sheep, and cattle have been about doubled within the year, and, what is still more to the purpoie, that at a recent meeting for the purpose [-of reviewing our position, the Settlers recorded their conviction of being now gtrong enough to stand alone, and to progress without further addition from home, if the will of God were so, but of which last, I believe, there ii no indication whatever. (Applause ) I Ai to our experience of the climate and the capabilities of our site, I need only to mention the subject to ensure a reiponse of nearly all who hear me, that these have generally exceeded our best expectations ; and we have the further testimony ol visitors from the other settlements, that, for the extent of our scheme, we have the most compact, attractive, and profitable ■ite that could have been found, regard being had to its combined advantages for tillage, pasturage, and fisheries, together with inland navigations and a useful harbour. I have assumed that the ' aspect of the colony, 'as stated in the programme, had special reference to the I Otago Settlement; but if we refer to the hopeful movement at the Canterbury,— to the partially renewed immigration in the old settlements, and to the fact that whatever contributes to the restored popularity of New Zealand colonisation must benefit the whole and every part of the colony. If we refer, moreover, to the system of representative institutions, the only pledge that had not been made good to vi, bnt now on its way from the imperial parliament, we cannot but admit that the aspect of the colony is hopeful to oui' hearts' content. (Applause.) Anthem— The Earth is the Lord's ! 1 The Duty of Colonists' was then spoken to by the Rev. W. Nicolion, late of London Wall.— Referring to the call which his friend Captain Cargill, made upon him to state the result of his observations as to the character and circumstances of the settlenent, he said that from all he had seen of the people and the place, he was disposed, without going into particular!, to certify generally in very favorable terms. In proof of his good opinion, he might mention two facts, viz. : that since his arrival in the colony be had made himself an Otago laird ; and that had it been consistent with his duty, and had not he been charged with a commission to proceed to another country, (Van Diemeii's Luad) he would have been very happy to have remained among them. He had great pleasure in referring to the industry and enterprise which he had witnessed among the agricultural portion of the community. He had inspected several of the locahtiei where* firming operations were going on, and was delighted toj see the judicious and persevering opera-

tione of such men as Mr. Valpy, of the Foibury, Mr. Todd of Andersons Bay. Mr. Blackie of Caversham Valley ( and others. It was by such operations that the colony was to bpcome self-supporting. Every bag of flew purchased from a ihip took so much money out of the colony, but every bag purchased from those who bed raised it in the colony, was a transaction, not only advantageous to both parties, but retained the money among themselves, as a means of further improvements. Another class of persons useful in the colony like this was hardy laborers. Nor did he forget that, in such a state of things, there would be found among the laboring 1 class many who had not been heretofore accustomed to labor. But it was plain, that the man to be useful in an infant settlement, must be one who either has the money to pay for labor, or is willing to be a laborer himself. The useful colonist is he who, although at home he may have walked erect, and never soiled his hands with toil, is ready, on coming here, to wage war against the manuka-tree and fern-root; and, in doing so, let all such truehearted ones know that they have the means of laying the foundation for the future comfort and independence of their families, which they never could accomplish, at home, lie would, however, caution them to beware of being in too great haste to be rich: the shortest way of doing a thing is not always the best. In all their pursuits, however, he would beseech them, to be harmonious and united. And as they were now about organising a SustenJation Fund in their Church, he hoped they would be united in this matter also, As Free Churchmen, the principles of the Free Church were their principles, and there could be no doubt it was the duty of evciy man to give Impart in providing for the ordinances of religion. Antbem—Si?ig unto God I ' Social Harmony,' by Mr. Justice Stephen. Mr. Justice Stephen illustrated the subject committed to him with great feeling and good taste, and with an impression upon the audience that will Dot easily be forgotten. We regret that want of space prevents our insertion of, or doing anything like, justice to, his admirable address. 4 Intemperance,' by Dr. Purdie. Dr. Purdie having referred to the unparalleled greatnesi of the British Empire, —to the achievements of her navy and army—to her industry—science and wealth, —drew a strong picture of what would appear to be the alone check to her farther glory and influence-—the tarntshing vice of intemperance. He showed the effect of this national eviL upon the mind of foreigners; and still more touching* ly in the squalid misery and crime produced by it ia the crowded streets that surround the palaces of the great and the rich; filling, also, the hospitals for insane and diseased; and landing the victims by thousands in an untimely grave. He called upon everyone to do what he could to eradicate, and, above all, in a young colony, where the temptation was great, to guard against its entrance by every means in his power. Anthem—Miriam's Song ! 1 Education,' by Rev. Thomas Burni.

Thus there are in the settlement no fewer than 297 children between the ages of 5 and 15, who ought to be in school ; whilst the number attending the school of Dunedin is 40 ; the girls' school of Dunedin, 20 ; and the other 3 schools in the North-East Valley, Anderssn's Day, and Port Chalmers, 40 ; in all, 100 children in actual attendance at school, whilst there ought to be three times as many. This, it must be admitted, is a very staggering statement, more especially if we consider the high, national character in point of education which we inherit from our forefathers. Most earnestly it is to be hoped that neit year's statistics may represent the state of education in the colony in a moie greatly creditable* condition. Conclusion— psalm by the meeting, aad benediction, from the chair. The meeting broke up a 9 o'clock, highly pleased with the enteitainment. T.ckets had been issued at Is. 6A., aud the attendance, of all ranks and sexes, numbered one hundred and fifty.

TSio. of Children 1 OtiU ]}et\Vß6ll Names of the Separate District!. Popuia- 7& 15 tion. year 3 of age. 1. Town of Dunedin District 581 100 2. North-East Valley do 158 43 3. Half-Way Bush do 131 39 4. Green Island Bush, Forbury, &c. 11l 35 b. Andersons Bay District 87 23 ' Total within Church-going dis- — — •- — tance of Dunedin 1063 238 6. The Harbour, including Port Chalmers and the heads 231 36 7. The Taieri 108 15 8. The Waihola, Tokomairiro, and Clutha 41 8 Total, 1448 297

The Chairman then rose, and said that he woul<T merely take that opportunity of stating how our Static tics as to Education stand at thii moment, as made up by himself in the course of his annual ministerial visitation of the settlement. The statement is as follows :—