EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. SHAND TO A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 7, 23 August 1842, Page 2

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. SHAND TO A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND.

In an “ angel-visit” to our city, I find your welcome epistle; and, before I return again to my “woods and wilds” at Waiwatu, will contrive to answer, or at least acknowledge it, so as to entitle me to expect another. And, failing the due transmission of the present, like many former letters, I will even endeavour to get a portion of it printed for your edification: strange that so many letters miscarry, while our newspapers travel as free and certain as misery itself the wide world over. I am often loaded with what I receive from my brother and yourself. Every true Scotchman, even here, at the antipodes, must grieve, as you do, for the prevailing distress throughout the home of their affections; but, my dear fellow, they have done better than to remain there only to deplore it. Would that not only did those idle folic —the nati consumere fruges of the land—follow after, but also the industrious part of the community, who are treading on their neighbours’ toes in every walk of life. Do you yourself come out by all means. I would not recommend it to you so readily, did it involve a separation from relatives and intimate friends; but as you only refer to a covey of [ordinary acquaintances, with the old delights of dining often in the Fleshmarket Close, and oyster-supping in Shakespeare Square, why, I will guarantee that you will find equal entertainment now in our own city, if you are contented with the sauce to it: your long suppressed spirit for roving and adventure may be gratified also to good purpose.

Your good sense has saved me the attempt to explain between the contradictory reports of our place and prospects. As many erroneous estimates have been made from hasty judgment and observation, as with any improper purpose. While you do not look for an absolute Eden, without a breeze to disturb our “ land-locked lake,” as the worthy editor—- “ That is—ah no ! that was the Gazetteer;”

or he of the Journal at home—l forget which —once characterised our harbour. You need not apprehend that we inhabit a waste howling wilderness, with as much of storm and tempest at all times, as sailors say a parson excites at sea. Such of us who, as astricti glehce, have had most experience of the soil and climate, are persuaded of better things than have been represented by hasty visitors and birds of passage, and since our assurance of the favorable intentions of Government, our prospects are more encouraging.

True it is, that before any manifestation of their purposes concerning us, we were at one time so doubtful and disgusted, that we were very nearly defeating Tom Campbell’s prediction of being instrumental in founding a “ a large ldngdom,” and were almost ready to be content, if we escaped without finding for ourselves, what poor King Richard sought, instead—- “ A little, little grave—an obscure grave.” It was seriously contemplated, then, by some of us, to remove to Chili; and many sold their lands, or exchanged them. Et hinc ilia lachryma , I, too, in the alarm, sold town land of considerable value, and bought country land of less consequence. A pestilent fellow, too, the first who bought a bit of my town land, resold it for ready money, and ran away, nearly defeating me of the whole of the price of it. Another pious worthy, endeavoured only to keep back a. portion of the price. And a third followed, and with more success, the good example of the first; but my land remained to answer for him. To conclude my summary of annoyances, while on this subject, I must add, that I cannot compel payment of my rent for the portion still left, nor oblige my tenants —a club of our great folk—to evacuate, sooner than it is their pleasure so to do. * * * * * Wellington, August 18, 1842.