WELCOME TO THE IMMIGRANTS PER "MATILDA WATTENBACH."

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1723, 13 September 1862, Page 2

WELCOME TO THE IMMIGRANTS PER "MATILDA WATTENBACH."

i K A public meeting of the people of Auckland, con. vencd to welcome the Immigrants of the Albertland Special Settlement who had arrived by the " Matilda ! Wattembach," was held on Wednesday last in the open i space in front of the Council Chamber. The Immi. "grains were taken from the ship to the Queen-street I Wharf by the steamer " Tasmanian Maid." A verV large number of the citizens were on the ground; the Band of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers was also present, and greatly enlivened the proceedings. At the appointed hour the chair was taken by the Deputy Superintendent, when the proceedings were opened. The Chairman said the object for which they had assembled was the presentation of an address of welcome to the emigrants who had just arrived by the "Matilda Wattenbach." He would leave to the gentlemen who had been deputed, to make such observations as would best express the feelings of the citizens of Auckland. He would take the opportunity his position afforded him to say that the Superintendent of the Province had, from the commencement of this movement for the settlement of emigrants in Kaipara, taken the deepest interest in it. He regretrtfifc&s Superintendent was not there in person that dajQh take part in the ceremony, which he was certain wodJ have afforded him a great deal of satisfaction. Inv ilg absence however the duty devolved upon the Government of doing all that could possibly be done to promote the success of this settlement and facilitate the location of the settlers on their lands in the first instance. Those who had watched with anxiety, as he had, all the steps of this project—those who were acquainted with the intelligence and labour which has been bestowed in England upon its devolpment—will feel satisfied that but little is now wanted to secure its perfect success. What was wanted on this side the Government hail endeavored to do. Large blocks of land in one of the finest districts of the province had been set apart. It had been said the land was not good. He would take the opportunity of denying that statement, and would say, without hesitation, there was not better land in the Province of Auckland. The blocks were of fair average quality, while in quantity there was neatly four times as much set apart as would be necessary for the location of the whole body expected to arrive. Supposing all the land not good; a large proportion was, and some of it was equal to the very finest land in the whole colony. The first element of success had been provided' in this way; it remained with the settlers to do the rest, and there was no doubt that it would be well done. He had no doubt that the special settlement movement

wouldbe a most successful one. He should say no more, the time to be occupied being necessarily limited, ard he must take up no more than the share assigned to him. Mr. Whitaker, who bad !«en deputed to present the address, would say all that was further required. It must be a satisfaction to that gentleman, whose name had been associated with the land regulations under which these emigrants had come out, and who had laboured for so many years to establish that system, to be placed in the position of welcoming so large, respectable, and promising a body of settlers. Mr. Whitaker said he had been deputed on behalf ot the cTfficeTis. of Auckland to present to those who had just arrived the address which had been voted to them, and prepared by the inhabitants of Auckland. He felt t-'reat pleasure at being placed in his present position. And, connected with Auckland before a house was built, he felt satisfaction that day to see that so many had come out under the present land system to settle amongst them. The Address was one of congratulation; an address holding out the right hand of fellowship, and expressing desire that those who had come to join them in this land might succeed in their undertaking. It was an undertaking to civilize, to make the wilderness into a home, and would require both energy and perseverance. No doubt they had met friends" who ha J tendered them a great deal of advice; it was generally those who had least to do that had most to say, and those who knew least were ever most ready to offer their opinion. Such advice was of •verv little worth. Every man spoke in accordance with his own success or failure. The successful man excites glowing expectations, while the unsuccessful throws a dark colour over all he says. The opinions of such were of very small value. What he (Mr. W.) desired them to do was to look around and judge from general results. (Cheers.) Some had been more successful than others. He might show the straggles of some but time would not him to do so. He would just refer to their own *£ gamW liat did they now see? Less than twenty yS| pami a gentleman was living on that very spot; and, IrHj »n a tent at the lower end of Qucen-"street, he useiL-to call it going into the country to visit that locality ,\ind he perfectly recollected losing his way one dark night while returning home. They had no lamps, none of those appliances of the present moment. What did they now see? He would refer them to the town, to the streets—although they were not v ry good ones—and ask whether they had accomplished anything or not. They had a fine harbour, and many advantages. Other places also had advantages, and wherever they went thev found settlements springing up. Why then should not Albertland succeed? To secure prosperity required energy and perseverance, without which nothing could be done. In his early days he had many times looked round and thought whether it would not be better to abandon the place. But they had persevered, and you now saw what had been produced by the early colonists. There was not a place or a house in Auckland which he had net seen erected. He said then it was a success here. Go down to the settlements of the South, there would be found the same success. Surely their new friends can do the same things. They had greater advantages. They had a Government willing to assist them: we had not. They would have a settled country to live in. They would have steam communication," while the early colonists had a vessel every two months from Sydney and very few from Enghml". What did they" see now? Immense ships bringing hundreds of people. Instead of being in a country with no one to assist them, they would have settlements around them in everv direction, and many ready to hold out the hand of fellowship. He thought, under such circumstances, they might well be expected to be successful, and they appeared to him to be the right kind of people to* cany civilization into the wildernesSiJEhey welcomed them. They were engaged ,in a great *vork; perhaps laving the foundation of a future mighty empire. New* Zealand, he had often thought, was" destined to become a gi eat empire and to take a high place among the countries of the world. We had the privilege of laying the foundation of this empire, and rejoiced that "others had come to assist them in the work. He would refer to what had been done in a short time, and just ask them to look at mc progress of the colony during its first ten years. In 18« the revenue was more than £20,000 and in 1 So 7 about £30,000 ; it was now £400,000, nearly half-a-million. That had been done in twenty years. What was to prevent Albertland from doing the same? He couia say it was bis firm conviction that with patience, energy, and perseverance thev would be as successful as those who preceded them ; and would have tne reflection that they were taking a part in laying tne foundation of a countrv which would one day assist l ruling the destiny of the world. cheers.) XVWhitaker then read the following Address: — •' Friends,—Wc desire to express to you our congratulations on your safe arrival in Auckland, and in conjunction with vourselvcs to offer thanksgiving' » God for his protection and guidance, during your IWg voyage. • " We hail you as fellow colonists, and feci assurw that in casting your lot amongst us, you have loim no visionary ideas of a future unlaborious success, that you expect, and are prepared to meet, the tn and hardships incident upon settling in a young col I like this. We, who have been long resident in W» land, would assure vou from experience, that wm the Divine decree, "in the sweat of thy brow snai* thou eat bread," requires its fulfilment here as incurably as in the land that you have left, yet a sure sut cess awaits the labour of the diligent. _ . . • " May God grant you prosperity, both spiritual . temporal; and rest assured that in pursuing}"" onward course, you will find among the u "*™?s whose names are hereto appended, those who sustain you by their counsel, their friendship, and tn prayers." Mr. Thomas Macfarlane would not make a spe£ } in support of the address, but instead would j s meeting to signify their approbation by three cheers. [Three hearty cheers were then given. J \s Mr. Lamb then came forward to address the sett Being a settler living near the special tet*Js~Lblock, he felt inclined to say a few words. « " J went to their work with the determination to living by the bone and sinew they possessed, tnc £ ro ffo would return them what they "desired. One or things must be attended to. The sanctity °J_ Sabbath must be observed. Nothing pave bun g« satisfaction among the Nova Seotians than their re.] _ for the Sabbath. You would never see among tni the felling of trees or the splitting of firewood on w» holy day. When any man was too lazy to *<**' the week but commenced on the Sabbath he p""° ?", expect to prosper. Those who succeeded best - kept from the drinking shops. (Cheers.) DO »»«£ afraid of the bush; go to work with vigor, and "J"' bye vou will be surrounded with your own g paddocks. You must get some good tame cattle; vw would not run away. A friend of his three years t% want to the hush. He bad a few hundred pounds. +h

a little time his money Was all gone, and ho (Mr. L.) told him he had gone to work in the wrong way, and gave him a cow to make another start with ; lie never lost lier, and had now seven head of cattle, Lnst year he was able to fell two cows for £9O. lie had 'purchased another cow j had four acres ot land in grass, four in wheat, and was about to clear twenty acres more, lie would not now exchange his home with anybody. Itc had to carry his food seventeen miles, and on one occasion he had not hesitated to carry his sofa seven miles. (Laughter.) This was the Way their new friends must work, and they would not rue the day they came to New Zealand. „Mr. Brame felt he was privileged in being allowed to thank the people of Auckland for the kind and generous manner with which they had receivd them He was sure he was speaking the mind of everyone of their [tarty when lie said he never expected anything like the generosity and warm hospitality they had received during the last few days. They did expect to find enemies, but never such warm-hearted friends. He was sure it was the wish and would be the effort of all to show themselves worthy of the kindness that had 'been showered on them. The address would long be preserved and the sentiment it contained long remembered. No doubt the old colonists felt as they should feel when they once took root in the settlement, that reciprocity was the soul ot all social and national existence and ought to be carried out on both sides. He meant reciprocity in matters of trade and other things, by which you maintain yourselves and by which they hoped also to thrive. He might say they had not come out with any extravagant expectations. lie believed there were few amongst them, if any, who had been dreaming as to the realities with which they were about to come in contact during the next few years of their lives. If there whs one thing above others about Which they had been incredulous it was when their pioneer friends wrote their description, it was of those little touches about the luxuries, and the high culture and the rich fruits which were here and there found scattered about. If there was anything about which they had been incredulous it was those little touches of word-painting ; so that they shall not be surprised if they had to encounter difficulty. He believed the majority of them were prepared to face those trials and difficulties right through, because they saw what the early colonists had accomplished in the sight now surrounding them. He did not say that in twenty years they would accomplish as much; neither did he say that in ten years they would I not accomplish more They would have many advantages over those possessed "by the old settlers. They had a settled Government who had cleared the raid and removed multitudes of obstacles which lay in the way of early colonization. It would be their own fault if their city was not so large as Auckland in a much less time. He would be very sorry to indulge in any fanciful illusion as to the future in saying that much. But he did believe that with those regulations under which they have come out, carried out faithfully, with

some little Improvements which had occurred to some of them, the special settlement scheme might he more. ftflly developed. He did not wish to dictate as to what those regulations should he, for the old settlers were better qualified to understand what was required than themselves. But he apprehended the setttlers regarded the scheme as they did, in the light of an experiment; and if the experiment now making should succeed, it would be to the advantage of all to consider whether anything could he done by which the scheme might be still more largely carried out. He would say without hesitation there were tens of thousands of people in England waiting to hear about the progress they made that they might follow in their steps under some such similar plan. It would be for tj»e Government and people of the province to say whether any additional security could bo afforded to those who had come out to form new bauds by which they might he able to realize the plans they had commenced. H«i hoped too much would not be expected of them from what little had been seen. Do not expect they were going to carry everything before them, or that every one was capable of success. They would bear him out when he said that, however judiciously people, were selected in England, it was impossible always to choose those suitable for colonial life, and it would have been quite impossible for them to have brought out an entire party altogether qualified for the task before them. At the same time be believed there were a sufficient number of determined, energetic, active, high spirited men amongst them to carry out in its integrity the great scheme they were all looking to, and the good results of which they all hoped to enjoy during the next few years. He begged to thank the citizens of Auckland on behalf of his fellow-settlers both for the address and the hospitable mauu*rin which they had been received. (Ch<> -r*.)

7 ;c Chairman said it had just been intimated to him JSjß' t ' lo "ative chief, Honiara, wished to say a few \\\ rds. He resided at Mahurangi, and would be a neighbour of the new settlers. He would request Mr. Buddie to interpret the speech. Tfi llkmara (a native assessor): Listen to me Europeans. My heart is glad for you who are going to take up your abode at Kaipara, that you may fill up nil those places the Governor has purchased over there. Those of you who are coming to live with us do not take up the plan of some Europeans who have gone bfforeyou. Let there be one law for all, for settlers and Maoris. Let all live under one law, that the word which the Governor has spoken to us may bs fulfilled, that the two races become one. The Governor has already declared to the people in that part of the country that it should be so, —that the l'akeha and the Maori of that district should be one. It is for you to fulfil and keep this promise. This is all I have to say. It is my desire that that part of the country should be settled by Europeans. Mr. Newman wished to make an appeal on behalf of the settlers. Arrangements had been made for 150 of them to leave the next morning for Oruawharo, and some of their cargo as well as their luggage would have to be transhipped. He bad not been authorised to in ike the proposal, but knowing the circumstances in which the emigrants were placed, he had made a request to the ministers of the several religious denominations that the thanksgiving to have been held that afternoon should be given up, and that he thought it would be more in accordance with the feelings of the bulk of the people to waive the proposed service It would not therefore be held as was intended. To give the sanction of religion to this movement and supplicate the blessing of heaven he thought it would not be out of place to call upon Mr. Buddie to engage in prayer. Without God's blessing nothing could be successful, and they should not be ashamed to supplicate heaven's blessing on iheir labours. Ho was sure they would like to hear a few words from Mr. Edgar before they parted. Mr. Edgar is well known in England, and in a few years would make himself well known here. lie was a man that did not move in the dark, and would reflect credit on himself in his new sphere. He augured great results from Mr. Edgar's efforts, and they would have an opportunity of witness- ;, v ' i Q o those efforts in years to come. I Rev. S. Edgar then addressed the meeting. He .thanked Mr. Lamb for his plain, straightforward, intelligent advice, and was happy to receive such instruction, lie would say to the chief who had addressed them, that he earnestly desired to sec the Maories treated as the Europeans, and if there was to be any partiality at all. he hoped it would be given to the Maoris. They desired no unfair advantage for themselves. He agreed with his friend Mr. Brame in saying that the kindness they had received surpassed all j that could have been expected. He had always trusted his fellow-men, and had not been without confidence in his fellow-colonists, but the cordiality with which they had been received exceeded his expectations. He was sure that the whole of their party, whin they meet with heavy showers and stiff breezes, and felt rather uncomfortable under their tents, would bead the better for the encouragement they had received; that what had been said that day would so warm their hearts as to make them forget little annoyances. They had not come here with high notions ofconferr'ng any benefit on the settlers, or on the other hand of being pensioners on their kindness (hear), but with the feeling that the colonial spirit was one of manly pride ami mutual brotherhood. They expected to do good and to be well dealt with, and saw no more humility in accepting the kindness of the good people of Auckland than in giving their own assistance to the general weal of New Zealand.'-; The reason they had come out was |liat they felt there was a nobler spirit of liberty and independence here than at home; a wider field of action; more room for the exercise of their talents, and to escape the evils arising from the preponderating influence of large capital among a dense population. He would just touch on a point which had been raised by { Mr. Lamb, although, as Mr. Brame had already said, too much must not be expected of them. You would not expect to find them all as christian as they should be; but he believed that the great bulk of those who would go out wit!-, them were true at heart socially, politically and religiously. He would express his hope that what Mr. Lamb had said would be remembered, and that. there would be no felling of trees, or shooting birds or catching fish on the Sundays. He was afraid, bowever, that this would be "done by sonic few among fneiii; but iio not put it down to the whole body, and if it be done it will be in violation of the feelings, spirit and intention of the colonists. fGnc word further: they j had been called Non-conformists. He was not ashamed I of being so in many respects; their principles being to (•oiitorin to nothing that was bad but to all that was good, ibey did not wish to take any sectarian name, but desired t<> live without those sectarian distinctions winch had hampered them at homo. He believed bo tnight speak for nine-tenths of the emigrants when bo ■; f 1 *" 1 that the only name they wished to bear and to J honor was thnr of their great I&V\ RWI M'\?ter— Jesus.

Christ./"He hoped there would be between Albertland and the City of Auckland no petty jealousy, no rivalry, but one hearted cordiality, each living for the good of the 01 her. In such a spirit they could not be Without success (hear, hear). It was impossible to read the hearts of all, but he could speak for some and say that they would be always ready to accept the friendly offices of their fellow-colonists, and that if they Were shown a better way of cutting down kauri trees, they would not be above such advice. He thought it very likely that what an historian had rather fancifully predicted would yet take place, and that when some of the old c mntries were going down the hill, New Zealand would be rising to take its position as one of the leading kingdoms of the world. It was for each of them to do a little, perhaps in the sweat of their brow and amid trials and privation, yet to do a little towards laying the foundation of this promising country. From their hearts they all reciprocated the kindly feeling shown to them —and he concluded by hoping that nothing would ever arise to mar the good feeling preserved that day (applause). The Rev. T. Huddle then engaged in prayer; the Doxology was sung ; and the benediction pronounced by the Kev. T. llamer, after which the meeting separated.