New Zealand Colonist FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1843.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 84, 19 May 1843, Page 2

New Zealand Colonist FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1843.

In our last number we published a letter from a settler at Wanganui, who, though included among the grumblers, e.mces, certainly, anything hut a grumbling or dissatisfied turn of mind. Nothing could be more hopeful than the tone of his letter. The writer obviously looks at the bright side of *is disposed to excuse rather than to exaggerate a defect as a grievance. With such a temperament, if he does grumble, we may be assured that he has good cause for it. And to whatever cause the difficulties of the settlers oh the Wanganui may be traced, there can be little doubt, that beyond any settlers in this Colony they have deep and aggravated grounds of dissatisfaction.

There are, we believe, few districts in the Colony that can surpass that of the Wanganui in the productiveness of the soil, and the extent of available land within a practicable distance from the harbour. In climateit may challenge comparison with any. The settlers are of the same description as those who are now subduing the forest in opr vicinity, not, we believe, inferior in enterprise, in energy, or in perseverance. And yet witb all these advantages, they have accomplished comparatively have been theto regards the most important branch of industry, they have created a small 'trade in salted .provisions. But they are waiting impatiently the time when the New Zealand Company shall fulfil the provisions it has made, and shall give them, in re-

j turn for the large expenditure they have incurred, something more than the barren satisfaction of being able to point '©n the map to a spot ;which represents the land nominally their property. This is especially a case which affects the Directors of the New Zealand Company in their personal vcapacity. They have but the sanction of 'their names, their station, and their character, to representations which have proved delusion. They have unintentionally, no doubt, involved numbers in an undertaking which has proved ruinous, only because the Company has failed to perform its part. We accuse them of no delusion with regard to New Zealand. Mistakes there were among the statements they promulgated : but these were inevitable. The soil, the climate, the natural advantages of the country satisfy, and often even exceed, our reasonable anticipations. But in that part of the statements of the Company for which the Directors were particularly responsible—in which ignorance was culpable, and deceit disgraceful—there has been a grievous and bitter disappointment. The Company professed to possess land, and to have the means of trans- - that possession to the settlers. We' neither anticipated, nor asked for a title which should be valid as against the Government. The risk of being deprived of land actually possessed under such circumstances, was not one to alarm persons who knew anything of the principles or practice of Government. Such, however, as the risk was, we were prepared to encounter it. Upon this head we require no guarantee. But we did expect, and we have a right to demand possession under a title which the Natives themselves will recognize. We expected this, because such as Lord Durham, Francis Baring, Sir William Molesworth, and the original Directors of the New Zealand Gompany, told us that they had acquired land which they could sell. And, relying upon their statement, tens of thousands was paid to them for the possession of this land. We now ask for a fulfilment of their part of the bargain—and are told —the natives ask too much; if we pay what is necessary to put you in possession we shall get no profit out of you. Incredible as it may seem, this is in truth the substance of the reasons which are alleged. And the settlers are exposed to ruin because the gentlemen to whose word they trusted, cannot keep their promises and the settlers’ money at the same time!

It is difficult to restrain the indignation which this view of the subject necessarily excites. Fortunately, however, it is sufficient to state the simple facts to expose the transactions in its true light. The settlers ask possession—and the New Zealand Company, in the face of its pledges, refuses to procure for them this possession,' because they cannot afford it. They could not, in such case* perhaps, have paid their 10/. per cent, dividend—and they had only to choose between that and maintaining inviolate their character for veracity and integrity.

We would beg to remind our readers of the report of the meeting of the " Wellington Mechanic’s Institute,” contained in our last, for the purpose of informing those who have not had an opportunity of reading it, and to impress on the community at large, and the working men in particular, the vast benefits, and in truth, blessings which an institution like this, properly supported, is so well calculated tp confer.

The first, thing that must force itself on the consideration of every one, in viewing this society, must be, the great good resulting from persons of all classes mingling and associating with each other, for the sole purpose of increasing their knowledge of scientific facts, and obtaining rational and intellectual amusement, wsch,<:3Ylij|e it inssrpcl;|, aa4 toftens ‘!>e |j^^^^^^^^^^^^Sobjects!.' ; tban thosl this institute are earnPlpStptrwbg and straining every effort to effect; but we are compelled to add, unless firmly and heartily supported by the working and other classes, their exertions must from necessity be useless. | We mention ** Working Classes” advisedly, being, firmly persuaded, that unless that important class of this settlement enrol themselves among its members, and enter heartily into its great objects, we again repeat our belief that

this institute will be all but useless, and will never prosper as it deserves. We call emphatically then on the “ Working Men” of Wellington to come forward and show their appreciation of intellectual enjoyment, of which it has been said, we believe by some, (who barely deserve to be called their countrymen) they are not desirous or capable of partaking. We have one word to say as to the " other classes,” which is, that they may continue,we hope,as they have most honorably commenced, to foster and aid by all the means which they may think best calculated to ensure and increase its usefulness and prosperity. We conclude at present with the excellent and admirable words employed by our esteemed and patriotic Mayor, ont he evening of the anniversary meeting:— “If the advancement of civilization; if the moral progress of society; if the cultivation of intellect, and the improvement of industry; cannot interest a people so recently divided from all they held dear in their native land; if an institution, such as that in which they were now assembled, and which especially contemplated these objects, was to flag, then God pity us!”