“THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTE.”

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1722, 10 September 1862, Page 4

“THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTE.”

Wc have received copies of the first two numbers of this journal, printed and published on board the good ship Matilda Wntlcnhach; and have much pleasure in laying the subjoined apposite and interesting extracts before our readers, WE ARE ONE. A sublime event was that which came to pass on the memorable 29th of May ! Well nigh a thousand souls, ingathered from every corner of the land, impelled by the one purpose and for the one commonweal— a people brave, manly and bold—launching forth for their far-off homes, was a spectablc to be written in history and never to be forgotten. It was by the oneness or unity' of our plan, by oneness of aim and action, that all this was made possible ; and it will be that same oneness that we shall earn for our movement a name and place upon the records of the age. We arc one, and must needs be ; for we have bound ourselves by the charter upon which we set forth—the charter of individual freedom, but united and consolidated action to work out the grand result expected of us by our countrymen at home and by the friends who await us in the land which is yet very far off. God give us the one heart and the one will, that our eyes may behold, in due time, the hoped for consummation. We are One ! Be that our Watchword evermore. Inscribe it on our banner. Let is pass through our ranks, that all but the basc-hcarled and the craven may shape their future in common accord with a sentiment so grand and ennobling. May many an illustrious example be recalled to bind us yet closer and render onr union more indissoluble. And be this lesson at once our guide and warning, that a house divided against itself must fall, for so it ever has been in the history of all peoples, all commonwealths since the world was. And moreover be this word graven yet more deeply still, that there is no higher human virture than that which binds hearts together ns the heart of one, and no spectacle grander than that of a nation or community sacrificing for the “ Good Estate,” [as our fathers called itj all their self-seekings and bitternesses, and standing out before the world, welded together, through toil, through suffering, through adversity as well as prosperity, an example of patience, fortitude and great heartedness, lor aye. Bo it said, then, “We arc one !” Onr best instincts prompt us to say, “So it shall he.” And self interest speaks like words, saying “ Let this be our law.” What matters it if one hero or there question or defy the law '< The one strong instinct, the one necessity is sovereign ; and he who feel not, acknowledges not tins teaching, 1 let him be an alien.

We must bo One in the fullest and deepest sense of the word, as we think of the work to be done. There must be no divided councils, and happily we have none to deplore or dread. Eye to eye have we seen, so far—in all essentials ; and so may we see ever. The work indeed, in its smallest detail, preaches to us the same great doctrine, bespeaking a ready, dignified and generous devotion to the one cause. It is a good thing, and speaks well for our future, that we weigh thoroughly in the balances the necessary plans ami preparations for the performance of this work. See what we have before us ! We have a task which demands calmness and judgment in grouping the people giving freedom of choice to all who seek to join this hundred or that, and at the same time observing the strictest principles of fairness and justice. And for oaelv leader of the people so grouped, there will >'9 ffi'

duons and honourable work in conducting that almost unparallellcd march inland on which we have thought and speculated so often, and which will be, if wisely arranged, a really glorious incident in our cnterprizo. And there will be work to be done in landing, in stowing away our baggage and in sheltering ourselves during our brief sojourn at the Capital. And what shall we say on the grave question as to the conveyance of our wives and children and all the immense cargo of personal effects wc have? The fathers and young men of our “ Colony” may form their marching parties, and happily some of the strongfooted women and children. But what of the fainting ones and the tenderlings ? The answer is plain. “All things arc possible to .hem that have faith in one another —to the true-hearted the onc-hesrted.” The fixing of the route by which we arc to reach the Settlement will prove another test of unanimity. In this department of our work each leader ought to be implicitly followed. Particularly shall wc do well to act conccrtedly in reference to the question of conveyance of luggage from Auckland, agreeing with common consent to such plans ns the judgment of the leaders may suggest for its removal, whether by drays or coasters. Possibly our Agricultural Board may bo able to convey most of the women and children, and at moderate rates; but to secure a cheap transit for luggage doubtless much of it will have to bo sent by sea.

And so might we go on indicating work, work, work, for hand and brain, for many days. W c might anticipate the measures to be taken for disposing ot our Town-lands, for securing the right kind of labour, or finding that labour really employed. Wo might describe in detail the probable working ot our Ballot Distributions, and suggest modes for organizing our Bee workers. And last, but not least, we might speak of the coming Election of a Board, and describe its powers adding thereto some words of counsel touching the different social, educational and religions institutions required to make up a community such as wc have built up in our day dreaming hours for months past. Enough however, for the present that wc bespeak the earnest heed of all concerned to the one thought before ns. What say you, good friends, to all this ? As you assemble erewhile, to talk on these things, let the response be, “Wc will be one. God helping us.” And then shall Albcrtland bo a name for ever.

“GOD REST THEE, WEARY TRAVELLER.”

So spake a worn pilgrim, days bygone, as be passed a pilgrim-brother bound for Palestine. And so may wc, pilgrim-friends that wc arc, say one to the other, as wo tread these decks, counting the slow moments which bear us away toward the land of our future homes. Rest thee, O father of sous and daughters, after thy days and nights of cure ! Rest thee, O anxious mother, after thy many tears ! God rest yc, brothers and sisters all, now that the burden of your first great resolve is lightened—now that your first wave of sorrow is overpast. But this rust-season will be, to the wise, a tranquil preparation-time for noble and manly action, days hence. For God hath so ordered our work-a-day life that flesh and spirit should ever find employ; and whatever interlude he given is but to renew them for fresher effort. Else, why the blessed intermissions of sleep, the seeming blanknesses of the chamber of pain, and the whole catalogue of pauses which break in upon our activities, often when least expected ? There is meaning and purpose then, in this rest time of onrs. Would wo hear a voice speaking to us the while ? Hear then ;—“ Ye arc not, as yet, come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you. . . .But when yc go over Jordan then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there. . . .And there yc shall cat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that yc put your hand unto, yc and your households. . . .The Lord God hath set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers hath said unto yon : Fear not, neither be discouraged.” Nevertheless, as in the days of old, there must needs he many sighings and murmurings ere the promised land be sighted. God give us quiet hearts, patient hope, lofty faith, and the calm enthusiasm of the past to look on and await “ the day of Jubilee” which is yet to dawn. Let the strong fortify the feeble knees. May the leaders of onr people he themselves foremost in all the works of endurance. Far he the thought that any of our number should he bowed down with present privations, or fall into listless indifference concerning the labours, the sweet content, and the path of glory which lie beyond. Like men we wait, and if need bo wrestle, for the sake of the joy to come. “ The inheritance and the rest” arc sure, if we stand fast and bear all things. “ Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh iu the morning.” And then, by and by. when the chapter of life is 1 ended, a still more glorious rest remaineth ; a rest j serene and everlasting iu God’s holy paradise. FATAL ACCIDENT. A frightful accident took place on Monday, June | 23rd about six o’clock, when through the hreakngof a | chain a sailor lad named William Robertson, and ! about 16 years of age, fell from the height of SO feet I or more to the deck. Although the fall was broken by some of the rigging the report of the concussion, when he reached the deck, heard in all parts of the vessel, was fearful. The body was much mangled, especially the hesd and feet ; and after lingering in j great agony for more than four hours, he expired at about half-bast ten. The circumstance called forth much serious and sympathetic feeling, and a most unusual and mournful silence prevailed throughout the vessel bill ing the whole of the evening. A very general desire was left among the passengers, while Robertson j was still living, to hold a prayer meeting; and accordingly at 8 o,clock, upwards of 200, as far as could be judged in the darkness of the evening, assembled on the forecastle, and for an hour and a quarter uttered in brief prayers and responses to them, all spontaneous and heartfelt, their deep sympathy and Christian desire for the poor lad. Rarely, if ever, have wc witnessed a more impressive scene. The night was very calm and the stars supplied us with onr ouly light. Prayers full of feeling, occasional pauses, that made audible the groans of the sufferer, a few verses solemnly sung, the gentle murmur of the waves, and a serene sky, all combined to create it feeling profoundly serious, and not soon to be forgotten. The next morning (Tuesday) at seven o’clock, tlic body was committed to the waves. A service of about half an hour was held, attended by nearly all the passengers and officers and crew. By the latter Robertson was much esteemed lor his general behaviour, CROSSING THE LINE. This event, with many of its obsolete ceremonies, came to pass on Saturday the sth instant. As the crossing took place very early in the morning, our reporter has been unable to tell us much about it, but we have heard that “ the line” was not disccrnahle this time, and that it seldom is at this season of the year. This loss however was compensated for by the visit made to the ship by Father Neptune and Mrs. Neptune [alias Amphitritc] with their grotesque train of attendants. The ceremony" of hailing the ship took place on the previous evening the letter-bag brought by bis godship being handed to the Captain iu the saloon. What these letters contained, and how Lord Neptune took possession of all on hoard, will he remembered by the screaming young ladies as long as they live. And then the next day! O that horrid shaving tribunal! That tar pot and excruciating razor! That terrible souse beneath the turbid waters ! Ho there ! Fetch the F. D. and drop the curtain. [F, S.—The horrors of this great occasion were almost entirely confined to the sailors and a lew passengers looking on.]

OUR OWN RIVER —OUUAWHARo! There was heard a song on the chiming sea, A mingled breathing of hope and glee ; Voices unbroken by sighs were there, Filling with gladness the sunny air; Of fresh green lands, and of pastures new, They sang, while the bark thro’ the surges flew ; Oruawharo! Ortiawlniro ! They sang, they sang, those voices so glad and free, And the sound rung aloud o’er the chiming sea. Away, away, o’er the foaming main, This was the free, and the joyous strain, 'There tire plains whose verdure no foot has prest And whose wealth is till for the first brave guest, We will give the names of our fearless race To each bright river whose course we trace. Oruawharo ! Oruawharo! They sang, they sang, those voices so glad and free, And the sound rung aloud o’er the chiming sen.