The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, February 3, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 158, 3 February 1847, Page 2

The New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, February 3, 1847.

We have this day published the statistics of the settlements in Cook's Strait, (those of Nelson excepted which have not yet been received,) which are derived chiefly from oflicial sources. A comparison of these with the returns for the year 1845 will enable our readers to form an opinion of the progress which has been been effected during the interval. The population in this settlement appears to be nearly the same, for to the returns must be added the population at "Wairarapa which amounts to 115, and those at Waikanae, Manawatu, and other places along the coast. The same remark applies to the other settlements, at Wanganui there is a slight increase, at New Plymouth there is a slight decrease shewn by the returns. The number of deaths in this settlement during the past year is 30, being 'greater by 9 than in the returns of 1845. But of these 8 were from accidental or other causes, 4 of them the two Gillespies, Hosemau and Rush, were the victims of Maori violence, of the other four, two (Hicks and Swan) were accidentally shot, a third was drowned and the fourth was burnt to death . 'Twelve deaths were of children from 2 years old to 12 years, so that the total amount 'of deaths from natural causes of persons above 12 years old was only 12 out of a population of above 4000. In the number of acres under cultivation an increase is shewn in this settlement of 152 acres, and at New Plymouth of 187 acres, while at the last mentioned settlement there are 203 awes of wheat more than in 1845The returns of stock for the last year show an increase of 1,054 head of cattle, and 7,581 head of sheep. The horses appear to be less in number than in the previous returns, but it must be borne in mind that a great number of horses have during the past year been purchased by the natives, and these are not included in the returns. The amount of live stock at Otakou, Port Cooper, and the other stations to the southward we have not been able to obtain. The revenue shews a progressive and gratifying increase, which there is every probability will be sustained during the present year. But in estimating the progress which the settlements have made, other considerations must be taken into account besides the bare facts presented by these figures. If we look along the coast between Wellington and "Wanganui, we shall find a considerable extent of land brought into cultivation by the natives, (chiefly in wheat) the produce of which will be sent to the Wellington market. But we do not enter on this part of the subject for the present, as we hope shortly to be able to bring forward many interesting facts in connection with the extension of cultivation by the natives and their advancement in civilisation. It must be remembered however, that the increase of cultivation, though a gratifying I proof of the increase of a country population and the extension of cultivation, is not so unfailing a test of the progress of this settlement, as it would be of Nelson or New Plymouth, because these latter are essentially agricultural, whereas Wellington depends more for its prosperiiy on commerce of which it is the emporium for the Southern settlements, and any advance in their prosperity is felt in the increased trade which it occasions between them and Wellington. But during the past year the incursions of the rebels operated effectually to prevent cultivation, particularly in the Hutt district, and occurring as they did immediately after the last harvest until the commencement of spring, sufficiently account for the slight increase in this settlement, indeed it might have been expected that the cultivation of the past year would have fallen short of that of 1845. The future holds out much that is encour-

aging. The roads now in progress are opening for settlement a great extent of available land, hundreds of acres of the richest land in the valley of the Hutt, formerly cleared by the rebels, now remain, covered with sow-thistles and weeds, but which we may hope before next year's harvest may be brought under cultivation, and add to the resources of the settlement. With returning peace and prosperity, we may confidently expect, during the present year, a renewal of immigration. By opening up the neighbouring districts, preparation is made for a great increase to our numbers, and unless more labourers are shortly introduced into the colony, it will be found exceedingly difficult, from the scarcity and high price of labour to carry on agricultural operations with advantage. Preparations are making by different settlers for the formation of fresh stations for stock, so that there is every prospect of a cheap and abundant supply of the first necessaries of life. The approaching division of the colony into two separate Governments will also have a beneficial effeGt on the future fortunes of this settlement. These then are the elements which will influence and, under proper management, advance the prosperity of the settlement in the year which we have just commenced : while a certain degree of anxiety must naturally be felt until the necessary arrangements connected with the division of the colony into two Governments are made known, we may be satisfied that the worst has been passed, and under our present Governor may look with hopeful confidence to 'the 'future.

On Monday a very elegant entertainment was given on board the Calliope by the officers of that vessel to their friends and acquaintances in Wellington. The invitations^ were very numerous, and as the day proved exceedingly fine, the affair passed off with great eclat. The company assembled shortly after twe've o'clock, and enjoyed an excursion to the Heads and round the harbour. In the evening dancing commenced in a tent formed on the deck and fitted up with great taste with various coloured flags. The party broke up at an early hour in the morning the guests being highly gratified with their day's amusement, and with the hospitality and attention of their gallant entertainers.

Bt the Mary Ann we have received a New Zealander January 9, hut it contains very little news. Heki appears disposed to be troublesome again, and the Governor had left Auckland for the Bay of Islands in the Driver, with a detachment of the 65 th regt., under the command of LieutenantColonel Gold. At the time of the Mary Ann's sailing they do not appear to have received at Auckland a copy of the Bill for the Government of New Zealand passed in the last session. Mr. Forsaith, formerly the Editor of the hhr&e r & Zeulander, informs his readers that he has received significant hints that his connection witli that journal would in all probability prove injurious to the future prospects of that portion of the colony, and that the iVew Zealander under his management had 'forfeited the confidence and respect of the most influential portion of the community/ and he has therefore ceased to be its Editor. We congratulate the proprietor of the New Zealander on his fortunate escape, and hope for the sake of his readers, he will exercise more discretion in the selection of the next Editor.

Murder. — The Royal William, which arrived on Saturday from Akaroa, brought as prisoner a German of the name of William Kreutel, who is charged with the crime of wilful murder. It appears that Kreutel, who was carpenter of the German whaler Hansa, then lying in the harbour at Port Levi, had deserted from his vessel, and with another sailor was at the house of Heaphy, a settler at Port Cooper, on the evening of the 30th December, when the deceased, Mr. Ernest, who was third mate of the Hansa, came in in company with the Doctor of the vessel, and expressed his anxiety to get on board : — shortly afterwards he left the house with the Doctor, and commenced loading his gun. After the gun was loaded, Heaphy left the house to get his boat ready, and on his return found the prisoner had taken Mr. Ernest's gun, and ran away with it. The deceased and the Doctor went in pursuit of the prisoner, who presented the gun at them, and after taking a deliberate aim, shot the deceased in the left side, who shortly afterwards expired. The prisoner was secured and taken before Mr. Watson, the police magistrate at Akaroa, and was folly committed by him to take his trial on the

charge of wilful murder, at the March sittings of the Supreme Court.

Sales op Stock. — The following prices were realized at Messrs. Bethune & Hunter's sale of stock yesterday, 3 cows ex Lord Hohart sold at an average of £7 : 7s. per head; the highest price obtained for the bullocks was £5 : 155, per head, the lowest £4 : 105., the average price was £5; ss. per head. The cattle brought by the Comet realized, the bullocks from £8 to £6 ; 6s. each, the steers from £3 : 155. to £3 : 7 : 6 each ; 60 wethers ex Comet were bought in as no advance over 10s. could be obtained. The expected large arrivals of cattle will give the market a further downward tendency and will, we hope, have the effect of reducing the price of butcher's meat.

A tunnel has lately been commenced by J. C. Crawford, Esq., for the purpose of draining- Burnham Water. Between Burnham Water and Evans' Bay there is a hill or ridge through which the tunnel is to be carried, and the waters will be emptied into Evans' Bay. When the tunnel is completed the whole of Burnham Water and the swampy ground surrounding it will be reclaimed and converted into first-rate pasture. The length of the tunnel is eighty yards, and the work is about half completed.

"Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. A. de B. Brandon, Mr. E. Catchpool, Mr. Justice Chapman, and Mr. Bethune, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 6th February, 1847, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the Bth February.

An account of the number and tonnage of vessels that have entered inwards and cleared outwards at the Port of Wellington from Ist January to 31st D cember 1846, inclusively : — Vessels Tons Men Inwards from beyond seas direct 47 8362 547 Coastwise 172 5753 609 Total Inwards 219 14,115 1156 Outwards to beyond seas direct 43 7198 457 Coastwise 179 6559 625 Total Outwards 222 13,757 1082 Amount of Revenue of the District of Wellington, for the Quarter ended — 31st March, 1846 .... 1087 12 10 30th June, 1428 11 11 30th September, 2408 1 11 31st December 2704 19 8 6 4 Export of Wool from Wellington for the undermentioned years : — lbs. Year ended sth January, 1842 none. „ 1843 „ 1844 7,125 „ „ 1845 17,970 1846...... 26,105 „ „ 1847 33,596 84,796 Official Return of the Population of the Settlement of Wellington, for the year ending 31st August, 1846 :—: — Adults— Males, 1175 ; Females, 963 = 2138 Under 14 years of age, Males, 959; Females, 880 _ 1839 Total 3977 Births— Males, 111 ; Females, 99 = 210 Marriages, 19 Deaths — Males, 18 ; Females, 12 _ 30 Education. 6 Sunday Schools 250 children. 10 Day Schools 275 16 525 There are also six Infant Schools in Wellington. Number of Acres in Crop 31st August, 1846 :— Wheat, 494| Oats, 1 15£ Barley, 98£ Potatoes, 217| Garden or other produce, 190| Pasture, 406 1523 Total Amount of Live Stock in the Settlement of Wellington, including the Stock at the Stations at Wairarapa, Porirua, and Manawatu : — Horses 265 Cattle 3483 Sheep ' 19,461 Mules and 1 oa Asses / 29 A list of the number of vessels registered at the Port of Wellington from 31st December, 1845, to 31st December, 1846 :— Gypsey 15 Margaret 27 Tons 42 \ In addition to the above, the Edward Stanley was built at Wellington, and the Governor Grey at W«nganui during the last year.