The New Zealand Spectator. AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 66, 10 January 1846, Page 2

The New Zealand Spectator. AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1846 .

We this week submit to our readers the official return of the amount of land in cultivavation in this settlement and at Wanganui, and have added the amount of live stock in this settlement (including the stations at Wairarapa), and at the stations to the southward, which we have been at some trouble to collect from private sources, aud which we have endeavoured to render as accurate as possible. We have also added such other information within our reach as will enable our fellow colonists to judge what has been done during the past year — a year of the most severe depression the colony has experienced. On these returns we shall indulge in a few remarks, which may serve to put the subject in a clearer light. From the return of the oil caught at the different shore stations this season, published in the 61 No. of the Spectator, it will be seen by a comparison with the two former years, that the deficiency has not been so great as was anticipated. In the coasting trade an improvement has taken place which, under a judicious system and a change in the policy of the local Government, promises to lead to gratifying results ; and it may be safely affirmed that the present number of vessels engaged in the trade is not equal to the requirements and growing wants of the settlements in Cook's Straits. This improvement has been gradual, and unobserved by many, and may be attributed to several causes. The extension of cultivation along the coast and in the diffei'ent settlements in Cook's Straits is one principal cause. In New Plymouth alone the amount of flour exported during the last season has been ninety tons, and the amount for exportation from that settlement after the next harvest is estimated at 250 tons. The quantity of maize brought coastwise is very considerable, and from the constant demand which exists for it in this settlement is the source of a trade between the settlers and the natives which is profitable to both parties. The trade in provisions is also steadily increasing, and promises to become of first rate importance. Since the colonization of this country, New Zealand pork has risen greatly in character, and commands an advanced price ; the h,am and bacon also is of superior quality ; the settlers have only to continue their efforts to maintain this superiority by care and attention in the preparation of these articles to render this trade lucrative. The neighbouring colonies and the ships which frequent their ports, the whalers engaged in fishing in these seas, will always insure a certain market, and will be the means of establishing a trade in which the advantage will be on our side. Most of the ships that visit our port from the neighbouring colonies, on their return are now loaded with timber, provisions, flax, and other indigenous exports, and this trade which is fast increasing will, at no distant period, turn the balance of trade in our favour. It will be remembered that the provision and lumber ti ade was the beginning of the prosperity of the North American colonies, and at this time constitutes an important part of the exports of the United States, and of the Canadas. In many respects this colony possesses advantages which they wanted in the commencement of the trade. The trade in flax with the natives is also daily increasing from the increasing demand for it in Wellington for the manufacture of rope, sacking, &c, and for exportation. Wool is another article among our exports which is increasing every year in amount, and which will shortly become one of the staple exports of the colon/. It will be observed that the number of sheep in this settlement is more than double that of last year, and the number of those to the southward has increased in a proportional degree. The quantity of wool exported from the settlements in Cook's Straits this year, according to several careful estimates that Jiave been made, will not, it is believed, be less than 70,0001b5. If we value this at an average of Is. 4d. per lb., this will be worth

in round.' numbers £4,700. We may here notice the effect which the climate of New Zealand has in improving the quality and increasing the weight of the fleece. We are assured on respectable authority that the fleece of sheep newly imported from New South Wales weighs only 2§lbs., but after the animals have been two years in this colony, the fleece, from the same sheep is found to weigh 51bs., or in other words, the climate and pasture of New Zealand, besides improving the quality of the wool, increase the length of staple so as to double the amount of produce. The employment of capital in sheep farming is so profitable, that several new stations have been formed during the past year, and several more are in progress of formation. Besides the extensive districts between the Manawatu and the i Wairarapa, the Middle island offers a boundless extent for the employment of capital in this manner, as soon as peace and confidence shall be established by our new Governor. The agricultural return shews a progressive increase in cultivation. There appears to be an increase of 177 acres in cultivation, and 305 acres have been cleared since the previous return of 1344. But another table, which we publish this week, and which has been prepared from authentic data shews in a satisfactory degree both the progress of cultivation and its beneficial effects on the settlement. We allude to the amount of flour imported into this settlement from Aug., 1841, to October, 1845. From this table it would appear, that the greatest importation occurred in the year 1842, since which time the importation has rapidly diminished owing to our increased ability to supply ourselves with this first necessary of life. We are sorry, however, to observe that the number of acres cleared during the past year has been less by 200 acres than in the year preceding. According to the official returns, there were 500 acres cleared in 1544, and only 305 acres in 1845. This check to cultivation has been caused by the unsettled state of the land claims, the want of roads, and the confusion and anarchy which have been the consequences of Capt. Fitzroy's mad career. It may, also, to a certain extent, be attributed to the prejudicial effect which the debentures have had in cramping the industy of the settlers. This evil it is impossible to overrate, it has been in effect a tax ruinous to all classes in its operation, and pressing with the greatest severity on the poorest part of the community. The debentures have always been a depreciated^ they are now a debased currency :" on their first introduction in this settlement they were at five per cent., they are now at twenty per cent! discount. They were a prominent feature of Capt. Fitzroy's administration. Their history is instructive, and may be told in a few words. They were issued by Capt. Fitzroy against the instructions of the Colonial Secretary and against the instructions under the Royal Sign. Manual which expressly prohibited any such issue. In defiance of bis own Ordinance, limiting the amount to £15,000, Capt. Fitzroy issued debentures to three times that amount. Folly and dishonesty could hardly go further : — there was but one step more for this dishonoured gentleman to take — and it was taken. It is confidently reported that Lord Stanley's despatch, dated 30th April, 1845, disallowing the debentures, and ordering their immediate withdrawal, was allowed by Capt. Fitzroy to remain a dead letter. He treated it with contempt. On the arrival of his successor, however, it was immediately acted upon to the serious injury of the colonists who had been forced to receive this miserable substitute for a legitimate currency. We shall be greatly mistaken if Capt. Fitzroy be not called to a severe account on his arrival in England for his conduct on the debenture question. These three evils, then, a depreciated and debased currency, the want of lands, and the want of roads, we sincerely hope will occupy the immediate attention of our new Governor on his arrival in this settlement. By Lord Stanley's agreement we are to expect that the intruding natives will be compelled to abandon the district of the Hutt ; that a handful of rapacious savages will no longer be permit-

ted to deprive the settlers o( the gifts of £ Beneficent Creator. Unable to use these gifts themselves, they prevent them from being available to the. industry and intelligence of their civilized neighbours, and through the weakness of the local Government have used them as a pretext to obtain the means of gratifying their cupidity. The way in which his Excellency shall deal with these questions will serve as an index not tobe mistaken as to the future policy of the Government.

A meeting of Sunday School teachers and others interested in religious education, was I held in Thorndon Chapel on Tuesday evening last, the Rev. J. Watkin in the chair. Mr. Woodward, having read the correspondence which had passed between himself, and the Secretary of the Sunday School Union of London, and having shewn specimens of the very liberal donation of books and school requisites received from that body, it was unanimously resolved to form a Sunday School Union for New Zealand. . - Three of the ministers resident here, the Rev. Messrs. Watkin and Ironside, Wesleyan, and Mr. Woodward, Congregationalism took part in the proceedings, and we hope the time may be hastened by this and similar means, when " all who profess and call themselves Christians" will unite heartily in " every good word and work." — Communicated.

Karobi. — We understand that the settlers in this district, propose to celebrate the approaching anniversary of the colony, by giving all the children of their school a " treat" on the afternoon of Thursday, the 22d inst., and holding a social tea meeting in the school room in the evening. Mr. Justice Chapman has provided with his usual liberality for the children, and the Rev. J Watkin and Mr. Woodward have engaged to assist at the meeting in the evening. Those who would like to spend that day in quiet enjoyment, cannot do better than visit our fellow colonists at Karori on that occasion.

The brig Nelson oa her passage out to New Zealand, met with the following curious accident, the particulars of which have been communicated to us by her commander, Capt. Sedgwick. While crossing the line, September 23d, 'in lat. O deg. 27 mm. South, and long. 16 deg. 16 mm. West, at 9h. 30m. p. m., the Nelson was struck by a large, sword-fish in the counter, about 10 inches from the-stern post, the vessel then going at the rate of 6 knots per hour. The sword passed through her copper (which was new) and a four-inch plank. The size of the hole was about three inches. Some time elapsed before the hole was found out, and they were assisted in the discovery from the unusual noise made by the rushing of so large a stream of water through the side of the vessel. After moving several tons of stores, &c.,' they fortunately succeeded in stopping the leak from the inside. Had the fish struck any other part of the vessel, from the accident occurring at night, and the difficulty which would have been experienced in getting at the leak, the Nelson would most probably have foundered.

We publish this week, a Table of the Moon's rising and setting, and a Table of High Water for this port, and propose to contiuue the publication throughout the year. The calculations for the time of High Water are formed from the PortE&iablishment given byCapt.Chaffers. In the opinion of many persons however, the time of High Water occurs rather later than as laid down by this authority. We shall be much obliged to any of our nautical friends, who will take the trouble of making observations for a few days during fine weather, and furnishing us with the difference (if any) of their observations with the tabular dates. By this meaus we may hope shortly to determine with accuracy, the Port Establishment of this harbour.

We are glad to find that arrangements are in progress for celebrating with due festivities, the sixth anniversary of the establishment of this settlement. A meeting of the committee is fixed for Monday next, at Barrett's Hotel, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements connected with the days sports, when it is hoped there will be a full attendance of the members.

Ik one of the New Zealand Journals for August, received by the Nelson, it is stated that the Calliope frigate would shortly sail for New Zealand, to which station she had been appointed.

It is now nearly three months since we noticed the completion of the wooden bridge, and the other improvements effected, by .private subscription in Wellington Terrace, The money then raised has been judiciously and economically expended, and a few pounds more only are required to complete, what has been so well begun. Cannot his Honour undertake, the serious responsibility of completing at the