PUBLIC DINNER TO J. SEA, Esq.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 29, 26 April 1845, Page 2

PUBLIC DINNER TO J. SEA, Esq.

On Thursday evening, a public dinner was given at Barrett's Hotel, to J. Sea, Esq., of the Union Bank of Australia, on his intended departure to Sydney. Between fifty and sixty gentlemen sat down to dinner. The chair was taken by Col. Wakefield, and R. D. Hanson and C. Clifford, Esqrs., acted as vice-presidents. On the right of the chairman were J. Sea, Esq., his Honor Judge Chapman, Captain Eyton, and Lieutenant Herbert, and on his left Captain Russell, Mr. Halswell, Mr. M'Donald, Ensigns Pedder and Servantes. After the usual loyal toasts were given, the chairman rose to propose a toast which he was sure would be responded to with the utmost enthusiasm. It was the health of our respected guest, Mr. Sea. His liberal support and encouragement of the public institutions of this colony, the excellence of his private character, and his constant endeavours to promote social harmony in this place, have entitled him to the esteem and regard of all the settlers. He came here at a monetary crisis, as the representative of one of the most wealthy and secure banking institutions in the world, and by his impartial administration of its affairs, and his considerate and judicious forbearance, and by leaving the affairs of the Bank in so able hands, he had placed the money matters of the settlement on a sound basis, and won the good will of the whole community. Mr. Sea, in returning thanks, said he was unable to express, in adequate terms, his sense of the honor which had been done him on the present occasion, or of the general regard and kindly feeling exhibited towards him by the settlers during his residence in Wellington. He was about to return to old friends in Sydney, but he should leave with regret those which he had the happiness of meeting here. His heart was full, and he thanked them most sincerely for their kindness. After the healths of Captain Russel, Captain Eyton, and the other officers, and that of Mr. M'Donald, had been drank, the chairman said, it would be idle in him to use terms of praise respecting the exertions of the truly British sailors engaged in the late unfortunate contest at the Bay of Islands, in their noble attempt to redeem the honor of the British flag. He had much satisfaction in proposing Captain Robertson, and the officers and crew of the Hazard. Drank with the utmost enthusiasm. Captain Russell acknowledged the toast on behalf of Captain Robertson and the crew of the Hazard, and begged to propose the health of the Volunteers of Wellington, and felt confident, when the time came, they would shew that one volunteer was equal to three pressed men. Major Baker returned thanks. Mr. Hanson had been requested to propose a toast, in which he was assured they would all join with great pleasure. It was the health of Sir George Gipps. In the early history of the settlement, when in addition to difficulties attending a first settlement, they had to struggle with others arising out of the measures of Government, it had been his lot to form one of a deputation appointed to wait on Sir George Gipps. They had found in him a courtesy and liberality, and an interest in the welfare of the settlers here, which had impressed them most favourably, and had entitled him to the thanks of the whole settlement. And now, when after five years, they were exposed to difficulties greater than their early ones to which he had alluded, and it had become necessary to appeal to Sir George Gipps for assistance, that assistance had been rendered with a promptitude which demanded the admiration and thanks of the community. He would say no more, but content himself with proposing the health of Sir George Gipps, with thanks for his timely assistance. Drank with great enthusiasm. Mr. Sea, in suitable terms, proposed — Prosperity to Port Nicholson and the other settlements in Cook's Straits. Mr. Halswell proposed the health of Colonel Wakefield, which was drank with the usual honors. Colonel Wakefield returned thanks in an excellent speech, which we regret want of space prevents us from inserting : for the same reason we are unable to do more than enumerate the other toasts, given in succession. Judge Chapman proposed the Agricultural Society. Mr. Hanson — The Horticultural Society. Mr. Waitt — Mr. Halswell, on his going to England. The Chairman — Mr. Hickson, and the commercial interests of I'ort Nicholson. Mr. Clifford— The Ladies. Mr. Hart — Mr. Clifford, and the other owners of stations at the Wairarapa. The Chairman — The Mechanics', and other Institutions of the Settlement. The dinner was in Mr. Suisted's best style, and the festivities of the evening were kept up to a late hour.

We insert the following letter from Mr. A. Ludlam to Mr. Jerningham, giving the results of his farming experience in the Hutt district. This sort of information, authenticated by the name of the person who communicates it, is valuable both here and in England, and we invite our fellow colonists to imitate Mr. Ludlam's example, by communicating any fact which has occurred within their experience, in clearing and bringing land under cultivation. The first thing that every prudent man does before he makes

up his mind to emigrate, is to count the cost, and see how he may better his condition by the change ; and then, in collecting information, he is decided as to the particular colony, by the peculiar advantages which the object of his choice may offer. ! The best way to turn the scale in our favour, is, that each colonist, as far as his opportunities will permit, will carefully note anything which has given him experience, or corrected false notions he had previously entertained, or contributed to his success in his operations in clearing and cultivating. By this means insensibly, n r"i«s of valuable information will by degro bj collected, illustrating in the most satisfactory manner, the resources of the colony, and their gradual development by the industry and energy of those who have manfully undertaken the task of bringing the untrodden wilderness into subjection to the uses and wants of civilized man. Such facts soberly related, without any colouring or undue bias, will have more weight than the most elaborate arguments, and we wish to impress upon our fellow colonists, that in making these facts public, they advance the true interests of the colony, and in doing so> promote their own. Before we quit the subject, we may notice with approbation the cheeses, the produce of Mr. Ludlam's dairy, which greatly resemble in richness of flavour the celebrated Stilton cheese. We hope he will steadily persevere in the manufacture of them, to his own profit and to the advantage of the colonists, who, so long as they can obtain so superior an article from Messrs. Deans and Ludlam, and other enterprising settlers, will not require any supplies from any other quarter. The Sydney cheeses are not to be compared to them, and we should fully expect that as soon as the Land Question is settled, and the settlers are allowed fair play, that cheese, hams, and bacon, the produce of the settlements of Cook's Straits, will be among our first exports to Sydney. Newry, River Hatt, March 27, 1845.

My dear Jerningham, I received your note of February 27th, and in reply will give you, to the best of my knowledge, the information you require. Ido not pretend to give you the cost or manner of farming in any other district than this, as my attention has only been turned to this one. 1 will first of ail give you my opinion as to the method of clearing and cropping for the first five or six years, and then the probable cost and returns of each crop. These remarks are made from actual experience, as far as cost of dealing goes. First year, supposing a settler to arrive about September, he will be able immediately to set to and clear land, take him till the following May before he can cultivate it. Therefore, presuming he has some land cleared at that time, I should chip it in with wheat, without giiibbinff the land, as I believe it will grow better on the shallow surface-soil, than if new land were grubbed ; it is now universally done in this district, and found to answer well by the crops being good. Second year, the land must be grubbed, and all roots burnt off, and again put into wheat, which will produce quite as good a crop, and new soil will be turned up by grubbing. Third year, the plough can now be used, and will turn up a soil which is quite new, and by being mixed with what has been before turned up, will give it sufficient strength to bear a third crop of wheat. This, in some cases, may not be so good as the two first years, but will average, on the whole three years, 40 bushels per acre. Fourth year, potatoes, which will produce a good crop, particularly if dung in the drills is added. Fifth year, barley sown down with grass seeds. 1 cannot speak much of this crop, as the land in this district is too good when first cultivated, to produce a good crop, in consequence of the luxuriant growth of straw ; but after three years, corn crops, and a potatoe crop to clean the htfii, 1 have no doubt it will produce well. The samples grown here are very good. The caterpillar is very destructive to it, cutting off the ears just before it is ripe. Sixth and seventh years, grass hay for two years, then ploughed up again. I have little doubt if the grass layers after harvest was skin ploughed and padled well round the stumps, then set fire to, it would burn them all out ; and Ido not think many sound stumps will be found after the seventh year, except rata and totara, which will burn at any time. Oaten hay is sometimes grown before wheat, but it is a very bad plan. The oats grow up again after being cut, and smother the young wheat. \ found this the case in a large quantity I sowed this year ; the crop is not near so productive, and the heads are small ; for my own part, I do not iutend again sowing oats, unless the land is to be laid down in grass. I will now proceed to give you, as nearly as I am able, the cost of clearing one acre of timbered land, putting it in crop, harvesting, and converting it into one ton of flour, which I consider ought to be the return from it, if well cleared and cultivated. Expense of one acre for first year for wheat.

The land in this district is flooded several times during the year, and therefore the grass land will not require any manure. I have not pnt down any cost first year for weeding, as it is not required ; nor any proceeds the third year for straw, as it is required to turn into manure with bullocks. The flour per ton I have valued at £14 as proceeds ; this is about what it will generally fetch, sometimes it is as low as j£l2, 10s., when there is a large quantity in market, but it has generally ruled from if 15 to £20, and has been cheaper in the neighbouring colonies for some time back than has ever been known. In estimating the cost of clearing and farming, I have put it down as though money was paid for all; but the men who take up a contract', in general draw a quantity of provisions, upon which there is a profit, therefore actually rendering the cost less ; but as the labouring population are fast getting small plot? of ground for producing their own food, they will not then require to buy them, and therefore I thought it better not to abate any thing for profit derived from that source. Clearing may rise or fall in price a little, but in neither way to any extent; the price put down for ploughing is the rate at which a team of bullocks are hired, with a man to drive ; I have my own Learns, and therefore I am enabled to do it much cheaper ; there is no expense in feeding cattle in winter, as grass grows all the year round, although the manure they make when kept up would amply repay the expense ; carrots, mangold wurtzell, turnips, beans, and all sorts of English produce, will grow here well, and are not subject to any failure of crops, if properlyput in and attended to, except one, and that is the grub, which will destroy wheat, if very young at the season they come in ; to prevent this, people must sow early ; it generally occurs with la f c sown crops ; but Ido not think very much damage has been done by them when land is well cultivated. I think I have now given you all the information I posness, and as nearly as possible the cost of farming heie : of course, there are incidental expenses attending it not put down, such as di ainage, &c. I ha\ c no doubt you will see other parties more conversant with farming than I am, who will give you their ideas. As regards implements, it must greatly depend on the money, and size of farm a person is going to have ; in most cases, a person had better only bring out a few good Canadian and other axes, grubbing hoes, haivow teeth, and couplings, and materials for a. plough ; he can before he wants them, send back for any kind of machinery, or get them made here, which he can do very nearly as cheap as those got at hoa<e, after paying freight out. Farm buildings cost but little, wood being so cheap. As regards the success of cattle, I can only say mine do very well, and I have seen, I may say, no disease amongst them ; they were rather liable to slip calf, but I suspect that occurred from their being on a hilly run : the young stock that hare been bred here turn out very fair beef, and pretty heavy ; one four-year-old steer I had killed weighed 780 lb. : we want good English bulls to improve the breed. I cannot give you any opinion about sheep, but it is known to all they thrive well, produce heavier fleeces than New South Wales, and the wool sells well in the London market. I will send you samples of wheat. Yours very truly, A. LiUDLAM.

* Planting and hoeing may be done by plough as soon as some of the stumps are taken out.

Falling, burning off, per contiact . . £5 0 0 Chipping in wheat, and collecting roots . . 2 0 0 1£ Bushels of seed wheat, 6s 0 9 0 Sowing same • . . . • • • • 010 Reaping 1 acre, including beer . . . . 0 12 0 Carting, stacking, and thatcliing, for 1 acre 0 6 6 Thrashing 40 bushels of wheat, 7d. .. 13 4 Grinding, Is 2 0 0 10 Sacks to contain flour, 2s 10 0 £12 11 10 Proceeds. 1 Ton of flour, at present price . . 14 0 0 1£ Tons of straw, 40s 3 0 0 20 Bushels of bran, Is 10 0 £18 0 0 Expense of same acre second year for wheat. G rubbing and burning off roots taken out of "I 4 jq q the ground, by contract . . . . / H Bushels of wheat, 6s. .. .. 0, ft 0 Sowing Is., harrowing ss. . . . . 0 6 0 Weeding 1 acre . . . . . . • • 0 5 0 Harvest expenses as before . . . . 5 110 £10 11 10

Proceeds. 1 Ton of flour .... £14 0 I 1£ Tons of straw, 40s. ... 301 20 Bushels of bran, Is. ... 1 0 I 0 0 0 £18 0 < 0 Expense of same acre for third year for wheat. Ploughing 1 acre . • • • £10' Bullocks pulling out rotten stumps . 0 5' 2 Bushels of wheat, 6s. . . . 0 12 Sowing Is., harrowing 55., weeding sf. 0 11 ( Harvest expenses as before . . 5 1I 1 0 0 0 0 10 £7 9 1 10 Proceeds. 1 Ton of flour .... £14 0 ' 20 Bushels of bran, Is. . • . 1 0 ( 0 0 £15 0 0 No proceeds put down for straw. Expense of same acre fourth year for potatoes. Ploughing and re-ploughing 1 acre . £110 Bullocks stumping laud (as before) . 0 5 ' ,V Ton of seed potatoes . . . 110 ♦Planting 1 acre . . . • 012 ♦Hoeing three times, 7s. . . 11 Digging 10 tons of potatoes, Bs. . 4 0 < Carting and housing, 2s. . . . 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £9 18 ' 0 Proceeds. 10 Tons of potatoes, 50s. . . . £25 0 ' 0 Expense of same acre fifth year for barley. Ploughing' and re- ploughing . . £1 10 ' Bullocks stumping (as before) . . 0 5 3 Bushels of seed barley, ss. . . 0 15 Sowing Is., harrowing ss. . 0 6 Mowing 1 acre, 75. ; carting and stacking, 6s 6d 0 13 Thrashing 45 bushels, 6d. . 12 0 0 0 0 6 6 £4 12 i 0 Proceeds. 45 Bushels of barley, ss. . . £11 5 0 Expense of same acre for sixth and seventh year in grass. 1 % Bushels of grass seeds, 24 lb., Is., sown 1 with barley last season . . J Sowing, Is.; harrowing, ss. . . 0 6 Mowing 1 acre, 75. ; making hay on do., 15s. 1 2 Cartage and stacking . . . 0 10 0 0 0 0 £3 2 0 Proceeds. 2 Tons of meadow hay, £5 . . £10 0 At present it is worth £9. 0