New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, May 9, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 83, 9 May 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, May 9, 1846.

In our columns this week will be found Mr .Spain's Report on the Manawatu district. The Report on the Porirua and Port Nicholson districts, which will follow in due course, complete those relating to the Principal settlement. Having on a previous occasion exposed the inconsistency and dishonesty of these Reports, we shall content ourselves in the present instance by stating the facts connected with the Manawatu purchase, divested of the verbiage with which Mr. Spain has overloaded them, and point out the paltry subterfuges and false assumptions on which his decision is grounded. On Capt. Hobson's arrival in this settlement fn September, 1841, finding that the settlers were in much doubt and uncertainty as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the land question, he addressed a letter to the Principal Agent of the Company, (to which he was permitted to give the utmost publicity J in which it was stated that the Crown would "forego its Right of Preemption to the lands comprised within the limits laid down in the accompanying schedule." In this schedule the boundaries of the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson are described to be " the river Manawatu from its mouth upwards to the parallel of the Wahine and Tararua ranges, from thence by the summit of the Tararua ranges," &c. In other words, the Principal Agent was permitted, on behalf of the Company, to complete with the resident natives those purchases of land he had previously entered into, but which had been interrupted by the Proclamations and Ordinance of Sir G. Gipps. Acting on this permission Capt. Smith, at that time the Principal Surveyor of the Company, visited the Manawatu district for the purpose of making the necessary payments to the natives, and surveying the land for selection. According to Mr. Spain's Report and the evidence therein quoted, a deputation of the resident natives of the Manawatu and Horowenua districts had requested Col. Wake-

field to purchase their district from them, i The purchase was completed with due deliberation, the memorandum of purchase was fully interpreted and explained to the natives, about 300 of whom were present at time of the sale, the boundaries of the land were pointed out by Watanui and Taratoa in the presence of the principal chiefs, who signed the memorandum of purchase without any hesitation ; the intention of the Company to make Reserves for their use out of the land sold was fully explained, and upwards of a £1000 in goods was paid to them as the price of the land. When not under the immediate influence of Rauparaha, " whose emissaries were busily employed in arraying the innate prejudices of the tribes over whom he had any influence against any further cession of their lands to the Europeans," and of whose personal interference at Ohau Mr. Spain witnessed a remarkable instance, the natives readily admitted the sale of the land, and Watanui told Mr. Spain in the presence of Mr. Clarke that he had sold all his land at Manawatu to Col. Wakefield, and had taken the payment with which he was satisfied, and that the Company might take possession of the land. Mr. Spain admits the district to be extensive and valuable, that hundreds of thousands of acres which the natives never have, and left to themselves, never would attempt to use or cultivate, might there be rendered subservient to the wants of a large population in producing food, and that in the surveys made by the Company valuable Reserves have been made for the aborigines. One chief alone, a chief of minor imporance, Taikoporua after having agreed to sell his land, declined to complete his engagement, and from the facts as above stated it might be supposed that " according to the real justice and good conscience of the case" the Commissioner would feel no difficulty in recommending (as he had previously stated he would) a Crown Grant to the Company subject to an equitable compensation to Taikoporua and his people for their lands.. But Mr. Spain has acted very differently. Proceeding on the false assumption on which all his Reports are based, that the original purchase deeds of the Company are so much waste paper, by a low subterfuge unworthy a professional man of any credit or character he affects to consider the completion of the purchase of the Manawatu district as made, not under the authority granted by Capt. Hobson to which Col. Wakefield was permitted to give the utmost publicity but, under a letter of the same date, written for his " private guidance and information," in which it is stated that " the Local Government will sanction any equitable arrangementtoinduce those natives who reside within the limits referred to in the accompanying schedule to yield up possession of their habitations." Now it is notorious that the occasion of this private communication was an unsuccessful attempt by Capt. Hobson to put the Company in possession of Te Aro pa, and that under this authority an arrangement was nearly effected for the removal of the natives of that pa to some reserves in the neighbourhood, but which was defeated by a letter written to the natives by the Chief Protector. The conclusion to which Mr. Spain arrives is in keeping with the rest of his report. He considers the Company by their payments " fairly entitled to the right of pre-emption," which had already been granted to them by the Crown from which alone the right could be derived, and that at some future indefinite period, which at the time the report was drawn up was left to the decision of Captain Fitzroy's caprice, the Company might be permitted to comnlete their purchase.

The settlers at the North appear to be in a state of great alarm and anxiety at the removal of the seat of governmeut. " Until the fears, doubts, and apprehensions," says the New Zealander, " which this rumour has excited and kept in action for some time past, are removed and decided, there will be an universal stagnation in this district of all enterprize, whether of commerce or agriculture." And the above named journal contains two heavy articles, in which, while accusing his Southern contemporaries of " deteriorating and putting forth false statements respecting the Government district,"

the writer of them states it to be his " maxim, as well as determined purpose not to mislead," but to deal in facts. How far he has kept his purpose a cursory examination of a few of his statements will serve to shew. After describing in complacent terms the harbour of Auckland and its freedom from casualties, with the exception of those vessels which " from palpable neglect have been driven on shore in some of the heaviest gales" the writer makes out a long list of wrecks which he states have occurred '* at Port Nicholson and adjacent." It would be difficult in so short a space to meet with so many gross misstalements and perversions of fact, as the following emendation of his list will prove : — Barques totally lost. Vittoria, wrecked in 1840 on Sandy Point to the N.W. of Massacre Bay. The captain had not been able to fake an observation for several days previous, and the shoal on which she struck had not been discovered up to thaf period. # David, whaler, wrecked in 1841 in Palhser Bay, in thick weather, having been taken into that bay by a pulling hand professing to know j the coast. Magnet, wrecked at Ikolaki, south of Akaroa, 200 miles from Port Nicholson heads. Tyne, wrecked 10 miles north of Port Nicholson heads. Brigs totally lost. Black Warrior, a 10 ton boat, which struck on the bar of the Ohau river. Schooners totally lost. Speculator and Transf<r, two brigs lost in 1841, 20 miles south of Akaroa. # _ Jewess, lost her spars in a gale of wind in 1841, and drifted on shore at Wainui, 40 miles north of Port Nicholson. . Elbe, an American whaler, wrecked in Palliser Bay. . Rory O'More, 20 ton schooner, lost in ral-, liser Bay through the ignorance of the person in charge. Kate, lost off Cape'Terawite. Erin, cutter of 12 tons, wrecked on the East Coast. Finetta, bound to Taranaki, wrecked oft Oape Campbell. „ New Zealander, now lying in Lloudy &\y. Maori Davis, 12 ton boai , \vrecked]in Palhser Bay. Jane Wade, capsized in the harbour in a gale of wind. Mary Ann Wade, capsized in the harbour in a light wind through the captain's yachting on a Sunday without ballast, the vessel being in an unfinished state. Success, struck on the same reef as the Tyne and Kate. Success, struck on tha Rimu Ripa, and afterwards entered the harbour but slightly damaged. After several voyages to Sydney, and whaling ciuises, she was lost three months since at Stewart's Island. Look-in, damaged. Look-in, badly found in anchors'and chains, went on shore in Port Nicholson, received no damage, and has since been wrecked at the Chatham Island. Cutter totally lost. Pickwick, lost at Castle Point, to the east of Cape Palliser. But while boasting of the Kauri forests of the Kaipara district our contemporary omits to mention the wrecks with the fearful loss of life off that harbour ; we almost wonder they were not included in his list of wrecks said to have occurred in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson. While comparing the harbours of the respective settlements, we are told of the advantages of Manakou as the Southern harbour of the Capital, and that " the barque Janet on her arrival there will load with an entire cargo of sawn timber." We can inform our contemporary that the barque Janet, after trying for three days to make Manakou harbour, and losing the greater part of her stock in the attempt, was obliged to proceed to Poit Nicholson, where she disposed of the remainder of her cargo. In contrasting the number and tonnage of vessels that have entered the Ports of Auckland and Wellington during the past year, our contemporary omits to state that, while the vessels visiting Port Nicholson were engaged in the ordinary operations of trade, those which arrived at Auckland were employed in taking away its scared ana panicstricken inhabitants to what they deemed a place of safety, or in removing the ruined inhabitants of Kororarika first to Auckland and afterwards to Sydney, and that a great portion of the Auckland shipping consisted of the transports employed during the late war in bringing troops from Sydney, and of the vessels required to supply them with provisions. In comparing the European population of the two divisions, after stating in general terms the population of Auckland (the only settlement be it remembered at the North) to be 3,635 persons, and endeavouring to swell the number to a higher amount, our contemporary compares this with the amount of population at Wellington and Wanganui, affecting to consider Taranaki "more an appendage to Auckland than Wellington" — But in a question of this kind, is Nelson of so little importance as to be disregarded in the general estimate ? — Assuming the amount of population at the North to be correctly stated, the following table would

shew the European population in the northern and southern districts : — European Population. Auckland 3,635 Wellington, Wanganui, &c 5,184 Taranaki 1,155 Nelson 2,933 Total in Southern settlements. . . .9,272 and yet our contemporary affects to consider it " perfectly evident that the European population of the Waitemata district is nearly equal to, if that of Taranaki were included, it would greatly exceed, that of the Port Nicholson settlements." Another argument much insisted on in f»sror of Auckland is the great amount of native population. This we have always regarded as the greatest impediment to the extension of colonization at the North, and one of the greatest objections to Auckland as the seat of Government. In proof of this, we find it stated in the same journal that the whole of the Waikato and Waipa, the most densely peopled district "is in the greatest state of excitement, that all the pas are like war camps filled with natives armed to the teeth, and the universal cry is War ; — and that the continuance of the war will utterly prevent the extension of capital and enterprize beyond the immediate vicinity of the capital." But take the fact in our contemporary's own words — "Within and surrounding the Waitemata district there is a population af above sixty thousand natives," among which are scattered a handful of Europeans numbering between 3 and 4,000. After recent events can we conceive for settlers a position of greater insecurity ? Again, in spite of wars and rumours of wars among the native population, we have a flourishing description of the " wholesome progress of the agricultural grazing and commercial pursuits of the settlers in the Waitemate district." Assuming our contemporary to be correct as to the amount of cultivation at the North, the comparison would stand thus :—: — Total Number of acres in Cultivation. Auckland. . . .1,945 Port Nicholson. .1,371 Wanganui 89 Taranaki 1,106 Nelson 2,380 Total in Southern settlements. . . .4,946 and so of stock and other mattei s ; for example, the number of sheep at Auckland is stated to be 5,460, while the number at Wellington is 11,880; at Wanganui 174; at Taranaki 368 ; at Otakou 5,880 ; and Nelson 7,473 ; making a total in the Southern settlements of 25,775. But we must be permitted to indulge in a reasonable degree of scepticism, and would be glad to be informed how much of the maori cultivations are included in our contemporary's statements? Turning to another part of the same journal we find one correspi indent complaining that very little seems to be doing round Auckland by the settlers in the way of cultivation, " because the facilities exist not in the district for grinding their wheat," — while another states the town of Auckland to be dependent on the natives " for its daily supplies of food." And while it is admitted that the capital should be central in its situation, easy ofaccess,and in clo°e communication with all parts of New Zealand ; if so great difficulty has existed in governing the settlements in Cook's Straits from Auckland, from its not possessing these qualifications, how will it be possible from the extreme North to govern Otakou and the other settlements which will be continually forming in the Middle Island, where, from the absence of natives, such great facilities are offered for successful colonization . But the argument of greatest weight with our contemporary appears to be " that if the settlers at Auckland are now to be deserted by the Government, their property would at once be rendered valueless" — We readily admit the fact. What does it prove ? That for the last six years all the lavish expenditure of Capt Fitzroy and his predecessors, all the money circulated by the late war has scarcely succeeded in preserving the Capital in a precarious state of existence, and it is thought great things have been accomplished if the settlers in the North can in some degree approach those of Wellington in amount of cultivation, trade, capital, and population, though the latter have had to contend against the bitter, unceasing hostility of the Local Government, though to this moment they have not' yet received a Crown Grant to their lands — while Grants have been issued at the North with lavish profusion. But the settlers of the Southern settlements will no longer be required to contribute their substance for the support of this Mushroom Capital, and the people of Auckland know it, hence this feverish anxiety. We have thus glanced at a few of our contemporary's mis-statements and perversions of facts, to examine them further would weary the patience of our readers. We would in conclusion counsel the settlers of the Northern district to intrust their failing cause to a more skilful advocate, and if he must lie, bid him lie like truth.

A most numerous and respectable meeting of the settlers friendly to the establishment of a Savings Bank, was held at Barrett's Hotel last night, Col. Wakefield in the chair. The regulations for the government of the Institution were passed, and a Committee of Managers appointed, who subsequently elected out of their body a Committee of Management. We must defer the account of the proceedings to our next number. The amount paid into the Bank duriug the past week was upwards of £112.

The Calliope returned from Porirua last Wednesday. Owing to contrary winds she did not arrive there until Saturday night, and the following morning three boats which had been fitted and repaired by the carpenters of the Calliope, were landed for the use of the troops stationed at Porirua, and left under the charge of an officer and crew of eight men. For the assistance so readily given on all occasions by Capt. Stanley, the troops requested permission of their officers to give three cheers for Capt. Stanley and the Calliope ; their request was readily granted, and three hearty cheers were given. Rauparaha went on board the Calliope on Tuesday and received presents of flour, sugar, &c. which had been sent him by Major Richmond. He was very importunats in his request for a pair of epaulettes, saying Tamati Waka had them and he wished to have them too. He said that Rangihaeata's maories were lurking in the bush and would pick off any stragglers from the camp. The friendly natives have been in the habit lately of supplying Rangihaeata with provisions, but we hope this will be put a stop to.

Education. — At a public meeting of parties interested in the promotion of education, held at the Wesleyan School-room, Manners-street, on Wednesday the 22d April last, the Rev. James Watkin in the chair, it was resolved — 1. That it appears highly needful that something be done to promote the intellectual, moral, and religious improvement of the children in Wellington, especially those of the working classes. 2. That to further this important object a dayschool be formed, on the most approved principle, for children of all religious denominations, to be called " The Wellington Wesleyan DaySchool." 3. That the school be under the management of a committee, to consist of a president, vicepresident, treasurer,secretary, and twelve others, half of whom shall be members of the Wesleyan Society. 4. That the Superintendent of the Wellington Circuit of the Wesleyan Mission, for the time being be the president, the second preacher the vice-president, W. Fitzherbert, Esq. treasurer, John Wade, Esq. secretary, and Messrs. Caley, Robinson, Waters, Wallace, Houghton, Fisher, Howe, Irving, Lewis, Inglis, Fitchett, and Duck j be the first committee. 5. That the commitfee meet on the first Wednesday in every month, and oftener if necessary, fit c to form a quorum. 6. That at each monthly meeting a member of the committee shall be nominated, who shall visit the school at least once in each week, to ascertain the progress of the children, and to inspect the management of the school, who shall minute in a bnok, to be kept for that purpose, the time of his so visiting, and his remarks on the subject of the school. The said book to be laid before the monthly meetings. 7. That the committee be vested with power to fix the salary, and to appoint persons to conduct the school. Such persons to be under the control of, and amenable to the committee. 8 That the committee shall fix the weekly amount to be paid by each child, such sum to be paid in advance, and in no case to exceed sixpence per week. 9. That a subscription A«r promoting the foregoing object be immediately opened, and the president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary, be authorized to receive the same.

On Monday last, Charles Cdtor, Esq. formerly solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, London, v/as admitted to practice in the Supreme Courts of New Zealand.

On Monday morning last, at daybreak, about sixty of the intruding natives, belonging to Wanganui, who were driven from the Hutt, embarked for the former place in four canoes from the pa at Ohariu. Before they started, a party of the Police under Mr. A. C. Strode examined their baggage, to see that there was no stolen property concealed belonging to the settlers. The Ohariu natives have at last expressed a desire to receive the compensation awarded to them two years ago by Mr. Spain, and it is to be hoped that no official delay or mismanagement will occur to prevent the completion of this arrangement.

It is reported that his Excellency intends to visit Taranaki in the course of two months.

New Zealand Pork. — We have been favoured with the following letter advising account sales of some New Zealand Pork which has been recently sent to Sydney by a Merchant of this place as an experiment : — "My Dear Sir, — Annexed is Account Sales of 11 barrels Pork received per Munford. I have already mentioned the great prejudice there is in this market against New Zealand Pork, but the present parcel is really good, and I hope will establish a character for itself, so that future shipments will no doubt have a more favourable result. I think £3 may be calculated upon."

H. M. Steamer Driver arrived at Auckland on Saturday, the 25th inst., having performed the passage in 66 hours. H. M. S. Castor arrived the following day. The Post-office Commissioners, Messrs. Smith and James, arrived at Auckland by the Maukin, April 1.