CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 81, 9 May 1843, Page 3

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

(From the Southern Australian.) This delightful country must and will progress in spite of any previous or adverse circumstances ; it will very speedily force itself into notice as one of the most safe depositories for capital throughout the globe, and for emigration it is unequalled any where. The little war there the other day was soon brought to a termination, and the boors taught to eat humble pie. We are led to the following remarks by having seen in the public journals that Mr. George Robins (a tolerably good judge, it may be inferred, if experience be worth anything) has recently purchased the estate called Slabbert’s Poort, with foity-three thousand acres of pasture and arable wheat land, at the Cape, on the river Traka. His ultimate intentions we shall see presently in respect to this immense demesne.

It is said there are upon it five permanent Springs, and that it is capable of depasturing at least 20,000 sheep annually, and from which the finest wool, equal in quality to merino, is constantly sent to England. This is quite independent of the arable land. The intention of Mr. Robins (as we have been told, and it is among the on dits of the day) is to let it in farms of from 1,000 to 5,000 acres each, or more if it be required; selecting, and especially from Scotland, the best practical men he can find) with moderate capital, plenty of industry, and a good character. These farms it is intended to let free from rent the first year, and for the next seven years at Is. per acre per annum> for rich pasture and arable land. If thirty or forty such men embark in the enterprise) they must and will get on, and get rich even beyond their utmost sanguine expectations; indeed, it is “believed, more Vapidly than in Australia, where such tremendous fortunes have been made by means of the enormous return from sheep, wool, and cattle; but at the Cape, wine and other profitable sources of wealth are to be added to the cheering prospect.

We have a letter before us from the Cape, that has inclined us to feel a very lively interest in this genial climate. We will give an extract, in order that our wary, cautious friends in the North “ may mark, learn, and inwardly digest” this enterprise well, before they embark in it: for ourselves, we entertain, no doubt and if we had previously, why, the name of the purchaser sets this 1 very quietly at rest. Besides the present and prospective advantages seem not be confined to sheep or wool, since we learn from good authority that the best wheat that ever came into England was grown at the Cape; and we know that the Madras cavalry are entirely supplied from thence, and that the Mauritius, as well as St: Helena, are all, in fact, supplied from this fertile source. Then, again/ the wines: the Cape furnishes a large quantity, and /very fine; .and upon the estate under review we are told there are already 30,000 or 40,000 very, fine vines, and abundance of fruit, and five permanent springs, a most important consideration to a farmer, beside live and dead farming stock, to commence operations; but we find We are extending our original intention, which was merely to authenticate a doubtful pointi viz., that Mr. Robins is the proprietor of this fine property, which, in extent, approaches “ the demesne of a German prince.” The observation upon the exceedingly great, advantage of the new tariff will, we suspect, not escape our friends in Scotland, who are all famed for travelling hy the safety coach in aU their Undertakings, and, it may be added, are the best farmers in Europe. A short extract from a letter, written at the Cape.on the 15th of last May:— “ Slabbert’s Poort (the estate under review) was selected by an old Dutch ‘ Vee Boer,’ or cattle-grazing farmer, very many years since, whose experience may be reckoned worth something ; he was very successful, but, owing to some real or fancied oppression of the English government, he joined the emigrant Boers, and went to Natal, disposing of his estate previously to the late owner; its size would admit j

of its being divided into sections, as its extent (43,000 acres) is beyond the means of most persons singly to cultivate or stock it; The homesteads of Dutch farmers are generally of rude construction, but yet Well adapted to their wants and coihforts. An English farmer is always improving his pfojjefty ; a Dutch farmer is a slothful animal; that adopts an old adage, and ‘ leaves well alone/ never Seeking by additional activity or enterprise to increase his means or comfort. Slabberts Podrt is a most improveable estate, and, in the hands of an Englishman, or thore especially a few first-rate Scotch farmers, Would sodn become invaluable, as its position is ohe of the first importance, being oh tlie direct road to the frontier, and in a position where a profitable business might be carried on, independent of farming. It is near the forests of the Knysriai, and the ports of Massfel Bay and River Knysna: the latter port will, probably, soon be opened by the completion of a projected road from Beaufoft district to it; this port is desirable, and Very eligible in many respects; vessels of 400 tons burthen can enter at all times, and take cargoes on board four miles lip the river. “ The present season was unusually dry. and it did not exhibit the country to its usual advantage ; still I was altogether much pleased with my trip to the country districts. There are a great number of English sheep farmers, with moderate capital, say from 1,000/. to 3,000/. each* who have, within the last two years, located themselves in the colony; and is it not gratifying to behold the fine docks of well and cross-bred sheep so abundantly (compared with former times) scattered about; it is surprising to see how well the animals look, sheep as well as cattle. This is a convincing proof that the grazing qualities of the land are adapted for cattle as well as sheep. The wool flocks are fast increasing in all parts of the colony, and it is said from the frontier alone one million of pounds, at least, will be exported this year; and a corresponding export from this end of the colony; the Cape will eventually, and ere long, force Itself into notice for the investment of capital and introduction of labour* in spite of all opposition. Emigrants here* with moderate capital, mhst be certain and successful. “ Slabberts Poort is situated, distant from Beaufort 70 miles ; three hours on horseback from that fertile and beautiful district) Zwartland ; eighteen hours from GeOrge* and to Swellendain still nearer.

'* The new tariff is most important to the Cape colony, as it Will now be enabled to export large quantities of salt provisions to this country at a Very moderate rate. Fat oxen may be prociited, to weigh 7 lb. and 800 lb., for 41. and 41. 10s. each, which is and per lb., the hide being worth 20s. “ We are now in correspondence with our colonial government on the subject, of a road from the River Knysna to the Langb Klook, which opens to the sea the whole district of George, and will ihake the Knysna the central port in the colony, and from it woiild proceed the high road to Beaufort and Graf Reinet. If you refer to one of the Arrowsmith’s maps, you will find the road marked out nearly in a direct line to Beaufort, distance not quite two degrees from the mouth of the Knysna* which is navigable for vessels of 400 tons ten miles inland; the projected road would pass over the end of the Swart Berg Mountains, and come out on the river Traka, on the Beaufort side of those mountains, from whened the distance to Beaufort is' about sixty miles. Major Mitchell has surveyed the country, and has estimated the expense at 1,700/. sterling. An offer has been made to advance 2,000/. sterling* at 6 per cent, per annum interest, and capital to be secured to the lenders by the tolls and forest licenses, till such time as this Small sum of 2,000/. is paid off. ,l I know generally that the colony is advancing in wealth and productiveness* and, with good roads* and the several seaports of the colony made accessible to the produce of the interior districts, quite a different state of affairs must be produced, and the result to the inteUL gent farmer beyond compare to any other part of the world.”