New Zealand Colonist. TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1843.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 77, 25 April 1843, Page 2

New Zealand Colonist. TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1843.

The departure of the Clydeside direct for England, affords an opportunity of laying before our friends at home the most recent and accurate information of the condition, progress, and prospects of the colony. It is by means of such information that we can alone anticipate any well directed and persevering exertions on their part to forward our views, and to assist, in our development. So long as the statements which we may furnish are vague and undefined, or, as may often happen, contradictory, the efforts made to assist us must necessarily be uncertain, and may even be useless. We cannot, in fact, too strongly impress upon our minds the conviction, that unless we supply the requisite materials for a complete and accurate view of our condition and wants, it is vain to hope any thing from the mother country. No stronger illustration of this truth could be furnished, than is supplied by the proposal for founding a new seaport settlement on the Middle Island, in the place of filling up the unoccupied ground in the vicinity of the older settlements. It cannot be imagined that such a scheme would have been formed, but for the impression so generally prevalent, that in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson there are no extensive districts available for agriculture, upon whieh an emigrant might at once establish himself. For a long period we appeared to acquiesee in the truth of the statements which were made by disappointed speculators, and caught up and echoed by rival settlements, that impassable hills encircled the port, or at least, that when the encircling barrier was passed, we had no district upon which to establish ourselves, excepting the coast line, already to a considerable extent occupied by the natives. While this was the prevalent opinion in England, it was natural that the New Zealand Company should look to the successive foundation of a number of new settlements as the only legitimate occupation for their capital, and the best, if not the sole, method of rapidly colonizing this country. Recent discoveries, confirming the reports of the natives, have, however, disproved entirely the statements thus made. So far from the fact being, as has been represented, we may fearlessly assert, that Port Nicholson is the only first class port in New Zealand connected with an extent of available land practically unlimited, and combining every requisite for the most rapid prosperity of those by whom it may be settled. A.road of 35 miles, crossing the eastern spurs of the Tararua range, carries us into the heart of a district connected by three important streams with three different points of the coast—by the Rua Mahunga with Palliser Bay; by the Abridi with Hawke’s Bay; and by the Manawatu with the Western coast: while at the same time lateral valliesof

from 20 to 30 miles ift breadth extend towards the Taupo country', and the East Cape. Within this district there are millions of acres of fertile land, well watered* abundantly but not densely wooded, and in 'the open parts covered with a luxuriant growth of natural grass upon which countless flocks and herds may find nourishment. These large tracts, by the continual testimony of all by whom they have been explored, some of them altogether unconnected with this settlement, realize whatever has been written of the genial climate and productive soil of this country. They are what we expected to find in emigrating—and so soon as the road up the Ilutt is carried over the farther range of hills, the emigrant may reach this tract in a shorter time, and with far less discomfort, than has been experienced by many of the first settlers in attempting to settle themselves upon the land which they had chosen. This is only one of the points upon which more accurate information may be expected to direct into safe and beneficial channels the activity which has been hitherto in a manner debarred from exerting itself in this settlement. We have selected it as the most prominent and perhaps the most important.

In our last paper we gave an account of the escape of six convicts from the gaol, and of the measures which were taken for their recapture, but which at the time of our going to press had not been attended with any success. On Friday morning the Sheriff returned in the Imp, the schooner before referred to as having been employed by him in the pursuit, and soon afterwards the Government brig, in which was the Police Magistrate, came into the harbor, both vessels having been unsuccessful. The Police Magistrate, shortly after his return, offered a reward of thirty pounds for their apprehension. In the evening it was reported that the convicts had been brought back by some Maories, which upon enquiry, proved to be correct. It appears that their boat having struck upon a reef, they were obliged to swim ashore at Capt. Rhodes’ station, near the Heads, where they were captured by some of E Pouni’s people, who, having bound them with flax, brought them to Wellington in a canoe. On Saturday afternoon they were, with the other transports, put on board the Government Brig. There are twelve altogether, eight for ten, and four for seven years. The convict Nugent looked extremely wretched. Their removal, though they only receive the punishment due to their crimes, could not be witnessed without some pain, and we trust it will prove a warning to those of their companions who remain behind. The spectacle of their associates in irons, torn from their wives and children, to spend a long period in misery, should make them feel—that honesty is the best policy ! Great credit is due to the natives, and we are glad to be able to state, that the five Maories who brought the convicts back, have been rewarded with 51. each.

The unexpected appearance of the Clydeside on her way to England from Sydney, after three months absence, will give the inhabitants of Wellington an opportunity of sending letters to their friends, which will probably reach them in the course of three months or so, the Clydeside being a fast sailer. Her visit is purely accidental, as she had passed through the Straits and was to the southward when she sprung her fore-yard, and the Captain put back here to repair the damage, and sails again this day. The Mayor of Wellington gave a dinner to the Aldermen, and gentlemen on the reserved list, last night. There were also present most of the magistrates of the district. We are unable to give a report in this publication, but shall do so in our next. We have received the Nelson Examiner of the 15 th, from which we have given some extracts. Tha Ship Robert Pulsford had arrived there on the 9th of this month, from Boston vid Hobart Town with a cargo of “American Notions,” having spoken the brig Union, from London to Auckland, about 200 miles to the eastward of St. Paul’s, and may be daily expected here. The Lady Leigh was to have left Sydney the latter end of last month, and is. consequently due. W have heard that Mr. A. Perry’s store at Nelson has been entered by thieves, and the ironsafe containing his account books, papers, and cash to the amount of about 120/. stolen therefrom. We understand that during the temporary absence of Mr. Jones from his shop, on Fridy last, some person took the liberty to enter it and take three pounds in silver he had in a box behind the counter. We hear thst the Schooner Richmond has changed hands, and that she will shortly be put on as a constant trader between Port Nicholson and the Chathams.

THE CdMEf. Sin,—This plienoiiiendn, which has been for some time visible, has now nearly, if not completely vanished. Its appearance has not been foretold in the Ephemeris for the present year, But it was first seen from Wellington, I believe, on the night of the 4th March, travelling away from the sun in a north-easterly direction. The following observations were taken by a sextant, the best instrument at my command, and will enable some of your numerous readers to trace its route on the celestial globe, or on a planisphere which may easily be constructed on a Mercator’s projection from the right * ascensions and declensions of the principal fixed Jjk stars, given in the Nautical Almanack. On Wednesday, Bth March.—The comet became visible about three quarters of an hour after the sun had set. The angular distance from Rigel, a large star in the foot of Orion,, to the nucleus, was 60 deg. 30 min., bearing 17 deg. south of west, or nearly W. by S. \ S., from Sirus to the nucleus 81 deg. 48 min. The length of the tail about 36 deg. taking a direction from the nucleus a little to the south of Sirius. On Friday, 24th March.—The distance from Sirius to the nucleus 48 deg. 27 min. The length of tail about 36 deg., Rigel and nucleus 24 deg. 43 min., a Eridani or Achonar and nucleus 55 deg. 51 min., a Argu or Canopus 56 deg. 5 min. On Thursday, 30th March.—The distance from Sirius to the nucleus was 49 deg., the length of the tail still about 36 deg., from Rigel to the nucleus 17 deg. 18 min., from Achonar to the nucleus 58 deg. 8 min., Canopus to nucleus 53 deg. 41 min. The tail of the present comet appears to be much greater than that of any other comet, which has been seen from the earth within the present century; but from the following table, extracted from the Edinburgh Cyclopedia, which gives the length of several comets, it appears that the length of the tail of a comet, may appear to differ very much in length, when seen from different parts of the earth; and I am told that the comet’s tail as seen from Wanganui, which is distant in a right line from Port Nicholson about 80 miles, measured 45 deg., while from hence it only subtended an angle of 36 deg. The comet which appeared A.C. 371, measured GO deg. A.C. 130, .. 45 .. 1744, .. 30 having several branches like a fan. .. .. .. 1769, 2 or 3 at Paris, 25 at Montpellier, and much greater at the Isle of Bourbon. .. .. .. 1769, 60 at Paris, 70 at Boulogne, 97 at Isle of Bourbon, 90 at sea between Teneriffe and Cadiz. I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant, W. M. Smith, Capt., 11. P., Royal Artillery. April 17, 1843. The Nationelle announces that M. Laugier, a young astronomer attached to the observatory of Paris, discovered about 7 o’clock in the evening of the 28th ult. the existence in the constellation Dragon of a comet, extremely weak, and without the appearance of a tail. At 10 minutes past 10 o’clock, Paris time, the right ascension of this star was 16 hours 41 minutes, and the boreal declension 68 degrees 44 minutes. The right ascension increased in six hours by 3 minutes 33 seconds time, and the declension diminished 20 minutes in the same interval.