New Zealand Colonist. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1842.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 35, 29 November 1842, Page 2

New Zealand Colonist. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1842.

The reports which we have heard as to the character of the greater portion of land that will be offered for selection in January, are of a very favourable character. Especially is this the case with regard to the sections in what may be termed the upper valley of the Hutt. The land there is desci ibed to be a rich alluvial deposit, thickly covered with the most valuable description of timber, but comparatively free from that underwood which offers so great an impediment to the cultivator in the lower part of the valley. It is estimated that the portion which will be ready for choice at the next selection, will comprise about 14,000 acres, and it is possible that further discoveries may yet be made.

But the satisfaction which is naturally felt on this account, is very materially qualified by the knowledge that, at the present time, the whole of this land is, and must remain, inaccessible and useless for all the purposes of the settlers. There exist no means of conveying goods to any spot which might be selected, still less of bringing down the produce which the farmer may expect to raise. Until, therefore, something is done to create means of communication with the district, we must still remain confined to our present limits, and endure all the inconvenince of which this confinement has been the cause. It has now, however, become more than ever needful that some steps should be taken to render available the lands which the New Zealand Company are giving out. At no previous period, we believe, has there been so strong and wide-spread a desire on the part of the settlers to establish themselves upon their country land, and commence farming in earnest. For this desire there are many causes; but without pausing to examine these, it is sufficient to know that such a desire exists, to make every one feel the importance of removing all obstacles in the way of its fulfilment. Whatever other sources of wealth this Colony may possess, it is upon its agricultural capabilities that its surest hopes of prosperity rest. To

devclopc these capabilities is consequently the first interest of the Colony, and nothing should he permitted to stand in the way of this purpose. But there are now physical obstacles,

insurmountable excepting by an expenditure of capital which no individual can be expected to command, and with which only such a body as the New Zealand Company or the Government can successfully cope. To assist us in this task we have, however, a right to look for assistance from the Company. We do not here advert to the moral obligation imposed upon that Company to make some exertions, and even some sacrifices, to assist those who emigrated to New Zealand under their auspices, and in reliance upon their continued support. This is a ground which we might take if we did not feel that there were others not higher, but possibly more influential motives, to which we may advert. Not "that we doubt the willingness' of the Directors to fulfil all their implied obligations; but even with the most ready, some additional impulse is given by shewing that their interests point in the same direction as their duty. The six hundred thousand acres given to the New Zealand Company beyond the quantity which they are bound to deliver to the purchasers under them, appear to us to form the appropriate source form supplying the requisite funds for the construction of roads throughout the district. This would be a method of applying this property more beneficial to the colony than any other which could be devised; far more so than the division of these lands among the settlers, even could such a result be contemplated as possible ; which it clearly is not. And it would, at the same time, be the most, advantageous mode for the Company, because such an expenditure would do more to give value to the land which will remain in their possession, than could be done by twice the amount expended in other ways. They cannot expect to retain these immense tracts discharged from all obligation to those by whose capital they have been purchased, and by whose privations and labours the acquiescence of the Government in the operations of the Company was obtained. We are entitled to share in the advantages of the bargain which has been made—and the point having been raised; there is no danger of its subsequent abandonment. But we are anxious that our interests, and those of the Company, should be identified in this matter; and we look to this very question as a means of uniting them more indissolubly than ever. Thanks to Lord Stanley, the New Zealand Company are compelled to take this land within the limits of the territories which they claim to have purchased. They must, consequently, select it in the vicinity of their present settlements ; and the larger portion can hardly fail to be selected in the neighbourhood of this port. To make this land available to them, consequently, they must construct roads; and this, which would be all we require for our share of the profit to be derived from the sale of these lands, would be that which, even were we out of the question, the Company would feel called upon to do for their own sake. To the carrying into effect of some comprehensive system of road-making founded upon these considerations, we see no [objections, except those which may arise from the limited instructions of the Company’s Principal Agent; and we shall take an early opportunity of examining into this point, to ascertain if means may not be devised of removing this difficulty.