ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, February 1, 1846.

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

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, February 1, 1846.

Sir, — We have one cause for self-congra-tulation ; in the entire range of the history of colonisation it would be difficult to single out, in its state of infancy, one colony which could dwell with so much satisfaction as ourselves upon that peculiar feature which distinguishes us.' It is not generally considered, I believe, that colonial life is a favourable soil whether for the production or development of genius of the highest order ; nor do these off-shoots of the father-land afford congenial shelter to the master spirits of the age. If this position be correct — if it be true that we do not generally find those who have " achieved greatness" willing to enshroud themselves in the dimness of colonial atmospheres — that literary minds for the most part prefer the more congenial warmth and brightness of literary climes, then no doubt we, in New Zealand, have cause for self-congratulation ; we may well pride ourselves upon numbering amongst our settlers one whose name is so conspicuous, whose star is so brilliant in the literary firmament, as the writer of " Notes on Pastoral Agriculture." Doubtless our best thanks are due to one who thus brings all the powers of his acknowledged talents and great acquirements to bear upon the important subject which has evidently for so long a time engaged his attention, and who thus fully lays before the public the results of his hard-earned experience. However, it appears to me (though all unworthy to place my simple thoughts in compe-« tition with the rich ideas to which I must refer,) that some objections naturally present themselves when we carefully read over these " Notes." For instance, according to my view, the considerations are too limited in their extent. The learned gentleman takes " part for whole ;" apparently assuming that Wellington is New Zealand, and the Hutt valley the only portion in which' large farms ever did or ever can exist ; that our only practical settlers were those gentlemen who were located in the Hutt, who now convinced that cultiva-

tion won't pay, have turned their thoughts to other pursuits, and gone off. For my part, 1 am quite rejoiced to discover how great a mistake has prevailed throughout the other settlements of New Zealand. We had supposed that wars and rumours of wars, and continual harass and a long series of Maori provocations and annoyances had tended to render the Hutt valley untenable. We had supposed the hindrances to occupation, experienced through a series of years, had affected the proprietors of the soil ; we rejoice, most heartily rejoice, to discover our mistake ; and we are delighted to learn the real causes why New Zealand should not for many years become an arable colony. Now, as I hinted before, the author of the Notes limits the extent of his considerations ; in passing, let me write one observation upon " the fluctuations in the prices of grain ;" if the cultivation of grain will not pay the New Zealand giower with our present corn laws, it ought never to pay any one ; for we now enjoy protection such as was never dreamt of by the most ardent monopolist — the higher the price of imported Hour or grain the higher the duty. The author evidently limits the application of New Zealand to Wellington and the parts contiguous. Perhaps I may not be in error if I mention, as a practical settler, that worthy man Mr. Bell of Wanganui : if I rightly judge his feelings, he would be most happy to have four or five times the amount of land at present in his possession, in order to break it up with the plough, and bring it into cultivation. In the neighbourhood of Taranaki, though labour be as dear as here, and though they possess as little machinery, there are but few who would not be most thankful to have possession of ten times their present holdings. Their cry is not to give up their farms and go away ; but that so clearly is their part of New Zealand an arable district, that their produce of grain is so plentiful that purchasers are not to be found. As exemplifications of practical settlers in the sister island, and having at least as large a quantity of land under the plough as any other persons in Cook's Strait, I may

notice Mr. Kerr, and Geo. Duppa, Esq.; my conviction is that they, and indeed the vast pioportion of practical settlers in the Nelson districts, so far from curtailing their present ploughed lands, will rather seek to extend their limits. The necessity which Mr. Swainson advocates of obtaining artificial permanent pastures is, in my opinion, unspeakably great. Having travelled to a very considerable extent in various parts of the islands, and having gone over some of what are deemed the best runs, there are very few spots which would not be highly improved by the addition of imported grasses to their natural pastures. I should recommend those who are in occupation of the very best runs, to secure also a wide extent of well grassed paddocks. With respect to the " Wairarapa squatters," as they are called in the " Notes," we may be permitted to ask a question, — If, if the Church of England Settlement should come out, what will become of the Wairarapa squatters ? It is acknowledged on all hands, that the present season is an unusually dry one, and consequently the pastures have apparently fallen off; but that in an average season this is not the case, roust be open to every observer ; nay, that the productions of grass extend until the fern is eventually destroyed ; and therefore, that the pastures improve under the tread of sheep, or goats, and horned cattle, is a question that would be decided in the affirmative by any who may have had opportunity of seeing the hills at Nelson ; or they may form a similar opinion by allowing their eyes to rest upon several parts of the New Zealand Company's first and principal settlement. Convinced though I am that the'grazing districts do improve, I would ask, whether the same extent of ground which supplies ample food for (say) one thousand sheep, would therefore suffice for two thousand ? If it would not, have we not hence a reason why fresh runs are necessary ? Ido not apprehend that it is because two or three years exhausts the pasture, but because two or three years so far increases the stock, that they become more than the land will bear. Or, again, if any of the settlers have selected ground where twothirds of the growth consisted of korcmiko, &c, they necessarily suffer from their own lack of sense. These shrubs, most grateful to cattle, must die away very rapidly under the attacks of the cattle. Even the nourishing tutu (nourishing, though sometimes deadly) fails .when repeatedly browsed upon. Therj are a few other parts of the Notes which are liable to exception ; however the main object in calling earnest attention to the preparation of artificial pastures cannot be too warmly pressed upon those settlers who are possessors of stock ; they must find it most beneficial to the health and strength of their flocks to secure in this manner the richest and n.ost abundant supplies of food. I trust therefore that the flock owners will not allow this matter to pass unheeded. I remain, Mr. Editor, Your's, &c,, R.