EXTRACT PROM A PRIVATE LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NELSON, DATED MARCH 25th, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 36, 14 June 1845, Page 4

EXTRACT PROM A PRIVATE LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NELSON, DATED MARCH 25th, 1845.

I believe it is true that the Waikato chiefs are just at present friendly towards us, because their income is pretty considerable from the sale of lands, at from 2s. to 3s. per acre, with a good chance of extorting 1 a second or third payment — the Government having abandoned their own claim to a district designated as Government lands on the surveyor's plan (the district of Waipapa, beyond Papakura), and allows individuals to purchase them of the Maories. I am, however, informed that Te Whero Whero considers that, as John Held will take Auckland if he attacks it, it is his duty to prevent his becoming too ricliand powerful by the plunder of a second settlement?- and therefore, *~\ although the Governor requests the Waikatos ' not to interfere, he shall not listen to him or the protectors, but think it right to anticipate John Heki, by proceeding to occupy Auckland, and there protect the Governor and protectors against John Heki. The only extent of land worth occupying about Auckland is south of the Tamaki, and on the south-east of the Manakau harbour —

the Yapakura and Waipapa districts. Respectable settlers toave already been there plundered and beaten $ and, on applying to the Governor -for redress, have been informed that they have placed themselves beyond the pale of protection-^-being-fourteen miles from the capital by an easy horse or cart road. It is perfectly obvious, and now felt and acknowledged by the disappointed settlers, that an entire regiment, permanently stationed at the capital, could not afford protection to the occupiers of land against the Waikato tribe alone, whenever diminished income or jealousy of the Government, or caprice, shall incite the chiefs of that tribe to act on the aggressive. Such is the legitimate consequence of colonizing a portion of New Zealand already sufficiently occupied by an aboriginal race. This was foreseen from the first by persons of common sense. Yet I had been told that had all the colonists in New; Zealand been placed at Auckland, it would not have alarmed the Maories, because they were so advanced in civilization that they could appreciate the blessings of civilization and British sovereignty. Whereas the great -chiefs resent this usurpation of sovereignty exceedingly, and declare that they were enticed by presents and | misrepresentations to assent to it. But whether it, arrive within five months or five years, sooner j or later the Waikato tribe will follow the example of the patriot- John Heki, and make war \ on the British Government at Auckland. For about three weeks I exerted myself to be able to form a correct opinion of the character I of the surrounding country and its agricultural and mineral resources. It is a very pleasing country to the eye, and most easily traversed on foot and on horseback ; but the fertility of the best land has been, in my opinion, overrated greatly. The bulk of the occupied land is such ; as would only barely repay the capital and industry of an experienced farmer ; and the bulk of the whole surface, especially north of Auckland for thirty miles, including the, surveyed land, is not worth having at a gift. From the great extent of nice surface, had there been any natural pasture, it would have been a pleasant country for stock-keepers. The harvest has been unfavourable; the wheat dreadfully smutty, and discoloured grain and -straw with wet. Agricultural operations are everywhere at a stand-still, for the simple reason that the farmers have not the means of employing labour, and this confirms my judgment of the quality of the land, whatever landowners and dealers may say or swear, I believe almost any estate could be purchased for ss. an acre in the settlement. A man who has a Government salary might afford to spend half of it in improving his farm for his and health ; few others can afford the outlay ; at least till a drought and famine shall occur in Australia.