THE AUCKLAND TRADE AND SHIPPING.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 736, 4 May 1853, Page 4

THE AUCKLAND TRADE AND SHIPPING.

(From the “Maori Messenger .”) Another important addition has recently been made to the list of shipping sailing from the Port of Auckland. Captain McPhee who, some short time since, arrived from California, on his way lo Sydney, was induced lo put injp Auckland to repair his vessel and refresh his crew and passengers. His ship has since had several new spars, and her rigging has been overhauled and newly set up. She is again about to resume her voyage; but, previously lo doing so. Captain McPhee has obtained a new register from the Auckland Custom House, and entered his ship as belonging to this port. The vessel, which is called the “William," is a large substanti 1 ship of 390 tons. Captain McPhee intends placing her in the colonial trade which, commencing upon an enlarged scale in 1831, may now be said lo be established on a broad and successful basis. A few years back our, traffic with Australia was almost entirely a one sided one; —that is lo say, we received goods from thence; importing flour, wheat, butter, cheese, bacon, beef and pork; but sending back little in return except coined gold, of which we possessed little enough for our own necessities. The discovery of gold in Australia has changed all this. For the immense and still increasing influx of population thither has aroused us to the knowledge of our true riches , and has impelled our yeomen, both native and European, to test the productive capabilities of New Zealand to the utmost of their power. The success which has attended the industry of the New Zealand farmers affords the best assurance of the prominent position that this country is speedily destined to occupy in the estimation of the civilized world. The people and immigrants congregating in Australia cannot behold large and stately ships following each other, in quick succession, and filled with provisions, and other valuable supplies, from the port of Auckland, without inquiring into the character and capabilities of the country that can yield those supplies. In the very articles, which four years since we were wont so largely to import, lie the strength of our young and growing exports;—viz.: flour, wheat, butler, cheese, bacon, and pork. All these commodities, moreover, have acquired a reputation for excellence calculated at all limes lo insure a steady and remunerative sale. Cheese is an article of what may well be termed the manufacture of yesterday. Rut, nevertheless, so highly is it prized, and so good has its quality been proved lo be, that it promises to be very largely produced and to become one of the most available of our Auckland exports. With respect to Bacon and Pork, a few of the earlier samples sent from this had raised a prejudice against the New Zealand curcrs which nothing but the extraordinary demand for food of all sorts would ever have enabled them lo overcome. This prejudice was not an unfair one. It arose from the filthy and pernicious practice of feeding hogs with fish and other marine garbage. The excellent bacon that has since been so largely exported has fortunately washed out the memory of that prejudice, and we trust that every native Pig keeper who has a regard for his own interest will see the necessity of restraining his hogs from feeding upon fish. The export of potatoes during the first three months of 1833 has been, comparatively speaking, immense. In money value, we believe it has exceeded 4000/., and it is still actively being carried on. Onions also have been in great demand. And Oats and Barley would command ready sales and eager purchasers. We trust that next harvest will tell its tale of an extended culture of those valuable and productive grains. Every operation of rural industry is w r cll calculated lo cheer the heart and gratify the desires of the New Zealand farmers. By them the country is springing into a speedy and merited importance. Contrast the list of Shipping belonging to the port of Auckland in April 1830 with that which belongs to it in April 1833, and the powerful effects of successful husbandry will at once be apparent. Nay, compare the tonnage of the vessels in January last, 3904 tons with the tonnage at this present 21st of April, 3092 tons, and it must be obvious to the dullest capacity that a prosperous system of Agriculture is the infallible means to insure a large and flourishing commerce—a profitable and extensive Shipping. The trade of Auckland, however, is as yet but in its infancy; and its progress and prosperity must entirely depend upon the energy and industry of the tillers of the ground. Now is the season to put forth that energy to the utmost advantage. Had there been twenty times as much for sale and export this season it w r ould all have been gladly taken and abundantly paid for. As a proof of this look to the advertisements in the Auckland newspapers in which several of the Merchants invite the farmers lo offer for sale Wheat, Oats, Barley, Salt Butter, Potatoes, Onions, Sawn Timber, and other produce. All these should be strong incentives to acliveindnstry; since, whatever thedemand for New Zealand produce and provisions this season may have been, it cannot fail to be very much greater next year; and that because, however vast the emigration from England lo Australia has hitherto proved, it sinks into utter insignificance in comparison with the prodigious emigration that had commenced with increased activity in the month of December. The reason for this feverish desire to emigrate arose from the report of the extraordinary discoveries of newer and richer gold \ fields in Australia. The English newspapers teemed with descriptions of their vast wealth; : and ships, large and numerous enough, ! could not he found lo convey the people , eager to participate in such treasures. Population in thousands will therefore pour continually into Australia. That popti- 1 lation will require immense supplies of all sorts of food to sustain them. New Zealand js the especial country for the production of .that food. Seed time is now upon us. A

large and fertile breadth of land lies open lo the plough. Now is the moment to cause it to grow bread enough and to spare. If our native yeomanry be but stirring, the means of abundant wealth is at their command. This year we have looked upon fine and stalely ships departing from our harbour by ones and twos. Next year, if we be but active, we shall find them loading by lens or twenties. If ter can only furnish the supplies there will be no lack of a large, a liberal, and a continuous' demand.