The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, JAN. 29, 1853. DEATH OF THE REV. J.F. CHURTON.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 709, 29 January 1853, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, JAN. 29, 1853. DEATH OF THE REV. J.F. CHURTON.

Be just and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim’st at, t>e thy Country s, Thy Con’s, and Truth’s.

[lx is with sinccpc and regret that we • record ihe death of the Rev. J. F, Churton, 1 [Colonial Chaplain, and Minister of St. Paul’s,| [Auckland, which look place at his resilience, Little Sutton, on Wednesday last, the [27 th insl. Ills illness was short, as he olli- ( [ciated so lately as the evening Sunday [week, although in Hie opinion of his pUysi-. feians, pleurisy —the malady which germinated [so fatally—must have been going forward in' *an incipient stage longer than was supposed, [by himself or his friends. jUcs. Fox, Mpt[thews, Philson, and Davies were in attend-; [ance, and did all that unremitting care and professional skill could accomplish. But [their efforts were unavailing to avert the [event which we, in common with the cemrasmity at large, now deplore. [ The Rev. John Frkderick Churton was. porn in London on the Ist of Sept., 4797, pud was consequently in his sClh year. He was originally brought up -to the legal profession, and practised in London for a shaft [time. Having subsequently devoted himself ito the work of the ministry, be was appointed Chaplain to the New Zealand Company* and arrived at Wellington in May, 1849. Towards the close of that year, he was appointed by the Bishop of Sydney (in whose [diocese New Zealand then was) to the pas-' ; toral charge of Russell, at theßay of Islands; but on his passage thither he touched at ■Auckland, when, at the request of Governor [Hobson, and with the sanction of the Bishop, he consented to lake the office of Colonial [Chaplain. To this was added the ihcnm-| ibeiicy of St. Paul’s; while with the Colonial Chaplaincy was connected the charge of [ministering to .the Troops, as well as to the' [Hospital patients, and the prisoners in the 'Gaol. All these duties were performed with fidelity and efficiency by Mr. Churton from that period to his final illness. It has [been noticed as a coincidence not unworthy of remark, that the last Sunday morning on [which he preached in St. Paul’s (the 9th instant) happened to be the Anniversary of bis arrival, on which he exactly completed twelve years of ministerial service. To this circumstance he feelingly and .impressively referred in bis sermon. ;] The death of Mr. Churton cannot be regarded as less than a public calamity. As a Minister of the Gospel he was ear-nest, devoted, and indefatigable. Mis dis.[courses were rich in evangelical truth, cip[bodying and exhibiting with uncompromising •faithfulness* lire genuine doctrines .of the [Church of England. But he was mot merely [a Preacher; he was also in the best sense ctf [the term a Pastor , ministering from house [to house, and generally most sure to be found [where he was needed most. 'ln tho cham'bcjr [of sickness and in the bouse of mourning he [was a constant and welcome, because a [sympathising and comforting Visitor., Jt is [no small tribute to his worth that the poor [are the class w ho will most severely feci this [bereavement. Turn where you wjR, .there [are anecdotes to be told of 'his -unwearying benevolence, which knew no sectarian distinction or party limitation. Jt was enough hat the case was one of undoubted distress,[to secure for it all the aid that lie could | himself afford, or by his justly-extensive influence obtain from others. It seems a wise ’and gracious dispensation that such a man was 'not laid aside by a long and lingering illness •from the exercises which were to him so fully a labour of love, hut that he almost liberally | His body wilh his charge 'laid down, - > I Ami ceased at once to work and live.” The consolations of the vital -evangelical [.truths which lie had preached to others sustained his own spirit at the last, and, we are informed, that even in the delirium •which preceded death, the bent of his mind •—the channel in which his dearest thoughts .and deepest feelings ran—was indicated by the flict that his language, in its greatest incoherency, turned to texts of scripture, 'psalms .and -hymns, | The sorrow’ expressed on the occasion is universal, and there is scarcely a shop in town without closed shutters. His Excellency Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard .has directed that the following Brigade Order be issued to the Garrison : f I | “ It is with deep and sincere regret y His Ex-* eellency the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding {he* 1 Troops in New Zealand announces the demise] of the Rev. Mr. Churton, who has so Jong, and! Isoindefaligahly ministered lolhe spiritual wants] [and comforts of (he troops as Chaplain of the] •Garrison. 'I I “ By them his loss must he deeply, and scverclly felt, for whether in the ordinary discharge of [his duties—by tiic side of (he sick or dying, -J [this excellent man has ever evinced himself the [Soldier’s friend. * Ever ready with spiritual cora[fort, and advice, and ever attentive to the wants [of the military,—even to the youngest child. |Hc listened with calm attention to every subject [placed before him by the men, and with truly [Christian, and parental kindness tendered them fat all times the necessary explanation. I “ He exerted himself for them as a zealous [Minister, and interested himself for thcm ,(collleclively, and individually), ,as ah anxious friend, tand as such the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding [feels assured his loss will be lastingly, and deeply! I fell by Ihe troops, who have experienced his Efaithful Ministry.” I The funeral is to take place on Monday [next, at three o’clock. Meanwhile the body [has been placed in a leaden coffin,—attired ([(according, we believe, to an expressed |wish of the deceased) in a surplice which 1 fsonic lime since was presented by Mrs. | Wynyard and the ladies of St. Paulis congregation as a token of affectionate esteem' i to their Minister. ■ ~ " I

Tins Day we celebrate the Thirteenth Anniveusauy of the Foundation of the Colony of New Zealand ; and although the time which has elapsed since the sagacious and minded Governor Hobson formally declared the connection of these Islands with the cm-, pire of the British Crown is but short—as, years arc ordinarily counted in national records*—yet we cannot contemplate the ex-, isliiig slate of the country, or look forward to the prospects opening up before it* without emotions in which a measure of gratify-* tug surprise mingles with the thankfulness, that we trust is, as \ye are sure it ought to. ho, the predominant feeling. A few weeks smcc, (in our first number ftn* the Now Year) wo reviewed several ofthe principal features in the history of the CoUmvduring the last twelve months,—such gs our altered political circumstances by theImperial enactment of the new Constitution. Ae-t, and the addition to our material resources in this Northern Province which is prospectively held out By the discovery of Gobi at Coromandel. We also adduced . facts •demonstrative of the agricultural and commercial advancement of .the Auckland District, which we followed up in onr last issue by comments on the information supplied by Returns published ;in Tuesday’s Government Gaelic AV c.. have thus par-, liallv anticipated what we might otherwise have fell called to enlarge upon to-day.. We. can still, however, present the subject in a somewhat varied form, including a few particulars not noticed before, and rendering a few others more complete to the close of the year. The Gommeucia-e ' affairs of Auckland present an encouraging reality, and a still more encouraging promise-. On adding up the Quarterly Returns published in the Ga.ette , (for the Return for the year collectively has not yet appeared) we find that the declared value of .the Exports in 4832 was 34,27W--Jliis amount can scarely be said to have been swollen from, ony merely adventitious or temporary source, as was the case in 1840 when the exportation of Kauri Gum produced g-remarkable advance on 4843, however, was followed by a more than counterbalancing decrease in 1847, or in 1830 when the opening of the Californian Market excited -an unprecedented spirit of speculation. The chief articles of export during the -last year were not only such as the district can continue to supply on a scale of increasing magnitude* but, for the most parh such as are certain of a steady sale at remunerating prices. Timber, for instance, ■formed a prominent item, and this our widespread forests can supply in any quantities. It will not be put of place to notice heip -that one most important article—Kauri spars, which -the-French Commission, appointed to test the strength and flexibility of various timbers, pronounced superior to American or Baltic fori* ships ..masts—can onjy be obtained in the Northern districts of New Zealand; and thus a growing trade, the value of which coidd scarcely L\c exaggerated, is likely to enrich fldktanga and Kalpara. So, again, with respect to Grain, Flour, l*o tildes. Pock, and various other articles: the .is capable of fwodnci.ng them In ahftndancc, and the number, means, and enterprise of both Settlers and Natives it re capable of further and still further developing its productiveness. In connection with this branch of the subject ihc.Shijyyny of Auckland obviously claims alien lion. Within the last year seven .hundred and forty-one vessels of all sizes, foreign and coastwise, were entered at the Custom House as arriving in this Port. - We transfer -to our-ecduinns an “Auckland Shipping last* 1 which has been contributed 10 oui“ contemporary-- the Southern Cross , and boars internal evidence of having been prepared erne diligence. From , this it appears 3 tli;U the imimber of vessels belonging to the Port of' Auckland, employed in the Foreign or Colonial Trade on the Ist of January, 1835, was twelve, with an ag* gregato tonnage of 4757 tons, and the number employed in the Coasting Trade was one hundred and eighteen, .w:iih a tonnage of 2,! 07; making a total of .one hundred and thirty vessels, of ,5,004 tons. This Cist includes only vessels of JO tons and upwards, and therefore ,lo present a complete view the numerous class under- that tonnage should be added to it. In the remarks which ac compafificd Us first publication it is observed that live excess of tonnage —250 tons—above that of the preceding year, is themoro remarkable, seeing that we have had three barques of 657 tons, two brigs of 103 tons, twelve schooners of 790 tons, ami between 100 aud 500 tons of smaller vessels,—being an aggregate of 1870 tops, or more than half the to imago of 1831 —sold out of port, or lost within the year. Keeping this calculation m view, thoTucrease may well afford nlatter of congratulation, i But the survey would be defective indeed if we. overlooked or lightly regarded the fart, borne by .the Natives in our Coasting fade. Of the vessels enumerated in the List to which we refer, it will be seen that no less than thirty seven belong to Native owners; and it may be noted that, of the coasting craft trading between Auckland and the Bay of Islands, there , is not one that ! commands the preference of passengers, beyond the cutter Napi, whose ; James Tautari (a relation or the celebrated [ Chief Thomas Walker), is, in the course of 1 his trading between the Bay and Auckland, \ entrusted with properly and money which in the year amount to thousands of pounds I sterling, while his nautical skill is as fully ■ confided in as that of any navigator •on our coast. This is a rapidly increasing trade also, for within the year several vessels of considerable value ■ have been purchased by Natives, to be paid ! for with their own Produce, and we are informed that, within the last two years, considerable sums have been advanced by the Colonial Government by way of loans to the Natives of the North to assist them in procuring small vessels.. Then, there is the Native Canoe trade, which is of the utmost moment to the commercial interests of Auckland. The Gazette issued this week contains the interesting Returns, compiled under the direction of the Commissioner of Police, showing that, during 1852, 4792 canoes arrived ip Auck-

laud, with crews numbering 8,777, and Produce of the estimated value of 5,504/. 1 Is. Od. The Returns (which wc copied on Wednesday) state the quantity and species of produce brought by ilium, comprising details strikingly illustrative of what may be called the business progress of the Natives. Thus, we observe amongst the particulars, 6863 kits of potatoes, averaging about 75 lbs. each, 02 cwt. of flour, 1-427 kits of onions, 4 770 kits of maize, 1212 kits of peaches, 5700 bundles of grass, 47£ tons of fish, 12.99 pigs, 4289 fowls, besides goats, ducks, kumeras, nax, shell-fish, Ac. At the adjoining port of Onehunga, according to another Return, similar importations went forward, only to 0 smaller extent. Onehunga was visited during the year by 524 canoes, with cargoes of the estimated value of 704/. ffs. Od. To that port also natives brought in the cutter Harry Bluff , in 4832, wheat, flour, bran, (Sc., to the value of 2491/. 475. is important in judging of those Returns to bear in mind that tfiey do not include the produce brought overland by the Natives, as back-loads. The quantity thus supplied cannot, for obvious reasons, be calculated with even an approximate accuracy, but it is certain that its tptal amount is very great. Thus these once terrible Queries arc not only powerful auxiliaries ip the cultivation of our lands, but steady and diligent purveyors for our markets, and, we must add, large contributors to our revenue, and buyers in our shops and stores ; much of the money which they receive in lieu of their produce being laid out in the purchase of articles of European manufacture, of which their advancing civilization necessarily gives them an increasing appreciation. So far from the fact of their great numerical preponderance in the Northern Province exercising a repulsive effect on the minds of intending emigrants, it must, if fighfly understood in its practical effects, rather be considered a most attractive inducement to this part of the colony. On the Agricultural progress of the district we have lately spoken repeatedly, and jt may suffice for our present purpose to observe that, whether as regards the extent of land under cultivation, or the rich abundance of crops—for the saving of which the recent splendid harvest weather has been most propitious—that our farmers, both Euro-: pean and Maori, have tljis season been unprecedentedly energetic and successful. Year by year we have hjld the pleasure of observing a steady advance in tlm development of this resource of a country (lip soil and climate of which seem to mark out agricultural prosperity as pre-eminently itsprovidonlial destiny. In 4 847, the total number of acres cultivated in the Auckland district w'ii s only 2,091; in 1849, the number was 6,01tU acres; in 1851 it had increased to 10,597 acres. As the official Returns for 4852 have not yet been published wo, cannot slate the exact number with certainly, but we venture to predict fhat —so great and general lias been the, attention turned to farming—the total in crop will be found little', if at all, below’ 17,000 acres. In that most valuable crop— wheat-** we have no doulit a more ibau pruporlioi)ale increase w ill appear, - Im the next year we are warranted tq look for greatly accelerated progress in this respect, by the quantities of lands which have within the last few months |ficen typiglu up. Roth at the Pubbe Auctions and in the Private Sales of Crown Lands, purchasers have manifested an avidity to obtain farms and allotments which, of itself, most significantly shows the agricultural advancement of the district. A circumstance 4oe important to )>e overlooked, is that some of the most recently arrived settlers are experienced farmers, who have brought with Ibcnj capital and skill from the Mother Country, the employment of which here, we confidently tigst,. will prove largely and lastingly beneficial pot only to themselves but to the land .of fheir .adoption. . . .. With the growing agricultural and commercial prosperity which the foregoing stafeRien.tSj and many others which might be added, indicate, with peace in all our borders, and with means of sound education including both intellectual and moral culture established for live rising generation, both European and Native, there surely is much reason for gratitude as to the past, and lively encouragement as to the future. While as respects tho- progreas of this Settlement as compared with others, we jpay well experience a satisfaction which implies no illwill or jealousy towards our fellow-colonists in other parts of New Zealand, in view ol the consideration that the Revenue, the Exports, and the Shipping of Auckland alone exceed those of any three other Settlements hi lire Colony’taken collectively. We would not show a boastful or exaggerated tone, but it is right to advert to such conclusions, based upon undeniable statistics and facts, as may assist intending emigrants and their friends in forming some just estimate of the inducements which Auckland holds out to Settlers.