MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 1, 12 October 1844, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS.

Growth of Tobacco in New Zealand. — We have sever once doubted the adaptation | of our soil and climate to the successful cultivation of the above staple article of consumption ; but we are happy to furnish the public with something more than mere conjecture-on, the subject — having just seen a very finesample of tobacco taken promiscuously from a field at Wyaki, of about an acre, which hasjust been gathered in. It proved an abundant crop, above the average giown in NewSouth Wales ; and is pronounced by connoiseurs to equal in quality to the best Havannah or Virginia weed. Of course a great deal of the success must depend on the after process of the manufacturing ; and we understand the gentleman who *is making this experiment is acquainted with the usual system adopted in America. It is of great service to a young colony like New Zealand to diminish our imports in every possible way, by raising the necessary articles of consumption from our own soil ; as by so doing, we effectually seal up those channels that drain her of her wealth. We have heard of several farmers, who intend to cultivate tobacco extensively next season, and.we hope for the benefit of thecolony. If any gentleman is acquainted with the best method of manufacturing it, he will furnish us with it that we may publish it Pro bono Publico. — Auckland Chronicle. The ""O. C. Raymond." — Our Port Nicholson readers will recollect the arrival of this American brigantine in New Zealand ; and also of her abduction of a person againstwhom a writ of ne exeat colonia had been issued ; together with her threat of firing on the Police Magistrate when demanding the restitution of the runaway. The late advices from India mention her having taken 40,000dollars on freight horn Macao to Singapore, forgetting to deliver them. Intelligence had been received of her Captain having arrived., at Valparaiso, where he sold the Sycee silver, and left the vessel for the United States. — New Zealand Journal.

Fish-curing in New Zealand. — It is surprising that this most profitable occupation has not been taken up, as furnishing a considerable article of export to the various portsof the Pacific. In no place can fish be moreabundaut than on the coasts of New Zealand ; they swarm even in the harbours themselves ; the climate is admirably adapted for the purposes of during, and the expenditurenecessary to carry on a successful trade is not greater than can readily be commanded, by an enterprising person. A good seine--net and a whale-boat being all that is necessary, the cost of which would not exceed twenty-five pounds. Empty flour casks for packing may be had in abundance for a merenothing. With regard to markets for the sale of salt fish, New Zealand is unrivalled. 'Australia^ Manilla, Valparaiso, Lima, with. their vast Catholic population, are within, easy reach, each place furnishing return cargoes of the necessaries and luxuries of life,. The colonists in New Zealand should bear in, mind that many of the American states had their begining in this trade, without the advantage of such certain markets as Nchf Zealand possesses. Fish, ior instance,, was for a long time the only staplearticle of the state of Massachusetts^ conducing most rapidly to its prosperity. ThougU the greater exports of !*ew Zealand are nu-^ merous, the lesser should not be neglected.. One great advantage of such an occupation as we are here advocating, is, that bad" Go*, vernment cannot affect a fishery, neither have the land-claims any power over the finnytribes. Pursuits of this n iture would render the colonists independent of Government, Wellington, in particular; should not leave a stone unturned, that would add to its commer-. cial greatness, by which, it must, for the most part, hope to prosper. — New Zealand Jour-* nal.