New Zealand Colonist. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1842.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 22, 14 October 1842, Page 2

New Zealand Colonist. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1842.

Mr. Spain, the Commissioner of Land Claims, accompanied by Colonel Wakefield, left this place yesterday for Auckland, in the Schooner Elizabeth. The main object of this journey is, we understand, to arrange, at the seat of government, the terms of settlement with the natives for their yet unsatisfied claims ; and to procure, for the Commissioner, the requisite powers to enable him, not merely to investigate and determine titles to land, but also to decide and to carry out the means by which titles otherwise imperfect may be completed. The result of this journey may be of the very utmost importance to this settlement. Difficulties that might otherwise press upon us for years, may be at once removed, and disheartening doubts, and harassing delays, may be altogether prevented. We have never had any fears as to the ultimate adjustment of all the questions that have arisen or may arise, between the settlers and the natives, upon terms which should he just to the New Zealander, but at the same time should give to the colonists the lands they have purchased. But, as government would neither violate the rules, nor anticipate the decision of the law, we did sometimes fear that the inevitable imperfections in the titles acquired by Colonel Wakefield might be felt as a very serious obstacle to our progress. These imperfections may now be remedied, and the work, which was necessarily left incomplete in the first instance, may, under the ..auspices of the government, and with the aid of the Commissioner, be brought to a final and satisfactory adjustment. For this expectation there is more than one ground. Up to the present time the natives have felt that they have had no one of authority with whom to treat. The vague ideas of power and dignity with which at first they invested

the Company’s Principal Agent have necessarily been dissipated, as they have had opportunities of seeing the working of our system. Nor have they as yet been brought into contact with any person whose apparent station was backed by real power. They have, consequently, been but too apt to disregard or to violate their agreements, which they have regarded as wanting in the essential elements of all valid qpntracts—a sanction acknowledged, and coercive. This sanction, they will feel attends any bargain which they may make with the Commissioner, to whom they have been already taught to look with confidence, as specially appointed to do justice between themselves and the settlers in this matter, and whose power they recognise and respect. And besides this, any contracts made under these auspices will be conducted with due deliberation, and guarded by all needful precautions. The natives will be made to feel what is involved in any agreed ment they make; and all interested in the question will be made parties to the discussion as well as to the completion of the sale. There will be no hurry, and no concealment. The natives will be induced by present payment and prospective advantages, to part with what is to them but a barren and fruitless title, and they will learn that this title once solemnly relinquished cannot be again resumed. They will be told that the same law which has hitherto protected them against the unauthorised intrusions of the settlers, will equally oppose any attempt on their part to resume what they have thus deliberately and intentionally ceded, and will guard the Europeans against violence on their part.

This mission therefore, if successful, will save the necessity of many appeals to England, and will, without delay, accomplish that which otherwise might occupy years in giving an imperfect fulfilment. We have great confidence in the abilities and tact of Mr. Spain, and we are quite certain that nothing which he can do will be wanting to bring his labours to a speedy and prosperous close.

We have repeatedly been asked the question, whether by cultivating and manufacturing the tobacco plant, in New Zealand, a most valuable article of export might not be obtained, equal to that supplied to New South Wales, by the settlers on the Hunter, and in other districts. In our other columns will be found a communication from a Mr. Walthale (extracted from the Sydney Morning Herald) affording explicit directions for planting and growing tobacco. In the interior of this country, near lake Taupo, on the banks of the Wiapa and the Waikato, and about Otawao, the plant is grown in small quantities, and flourishes luxuriantly, although, from the ignorance of the natives, as regards its treatment; the non-removal of the suckers i its not undergoing the indispensable processes of sweating, drying, pressing, and other courses pursued in its manufacture; nothing but a coarse weed is produced, possessing but little strength or flavour. The plants themselves, however, are strong and healthy, showing none of the sickly appearances which almost invariably present themselves in New South Wales, occasioned by excessive heat, and want of moisture. On the banks of the Hunter, it occasionally happens, that during a drought, water has to be carried a considerable distance every morning and evening for the plants, which, during the day time, are required to be carefully covered over to protect them from the sun. In this country, the land on which the high fern grows, is admirably adapted to the culture of the tobacco plant, being composed generally of a fine, rich mould, with a clay bottom. The moisture of. the ground is sufficient to obviate the necessity of watering the plants by artificial means, and the heat of the sun is not so strong as to require their being covered up during the day time. These two circumstances alone would considerably decrease the expenses of growing the plant ; and its manufacture, after cutting, would, to a person of experience, cost but little trouble. We trust that the attention of some of our settlers, who are already in possession of gardens, may be drawn to the subject, with a. view to discover how far the cultivation of the plant might succeed, as we are confident that tobacco may be grown and manufactured here, equal, if not superior, to the best produced in New South Wales.

We understand that the Victoria Brig which returned on Wednesday evening last, has made an extensive seizure of spirits at the different whaling stations at Cloudy Bay. The quantity is said to exceed one thousand gallons.

We ai e happy to learn that the infant settlement at Manakau Harbour, is progressing rapidly. Upwards of ninety people are now

established there under the directions of L. Me. Laughlan, Esq. J.P., the acting manager of the company, in the room of the late Capt. Symonds. A water saw mill of great power is nearly completed, and the spirited proprietors, of whom Mr. Lawlor J.P. one of the first emigrants from Scotland and. a large shareholder, is one, entertain the most sanguine expectations of its success. The Company certainly could not have selected a finer Kauri forest on which to commence there operations. With perhaps the exception of Kaipara, where the most valuable land is strictly “tapu” the timber is larger and more valuable than in any other part of the island. It is within a very short distance of the water, and in one tide can be conveyed to Oneonga, within six miles of Auckland, The natives resident at Awito on the opposite side of the harbour are peaceable and willing to work on moderase terms. Although not perhaps available as an agricultural country, as a timber district we know of none finer in New Zealand, and wish the infant settlement every success. .