New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 31, 1847.
We had deemed our remarks on Justitia's letter, though brief, a sufficient answer to the questions attempted to be raised on the recent settlement of the Land Claims, nor should we have again recurred to the subject but for, a letter published in this day's Spectator, in which the writer appears to 'adopt the views and sentiments of our previous correspondent. We shall not enter into any controversy on this question because it can be attended with no good effect ; the renewal of these discussions may indeed serve to promote dissensions in the community, but we can hardly suppose that either of our correspondents desire such a result, though they may unconsciously produce it, especially when so decided a feeling exists in favour of the course which has been taken by his Excellency. When we remember however, that the settlement of these claims has been made by the Commissioner specially appointed to examine and decide upon them, that the natives have acquiesced in his decision, and that it has been sanctioned and adopted by the Governor, we have sufficient reason to consider the settlement of this question final. On the importance of
unanimity between the Executive and the Officer specially appointed to decide on these claims it is unnecessary to dwell, particularly after the effects produced by Captain Fitzroy's reversal of Mr. Spain's decision on the land claims at Taranaki : the following passage however from one of Mr. Gladstone's despatches to Captain Grey (published by order of the House of Commons) referring to this very point will not be out of place : — " With regard to the titles to land, I feel assured that you will make it one of your earliest objects to consider how far you may be able to accelerate the decisions upon the claims still outstanding, whether of settlers or of natives. I fear that the effect of the ,delay which has already occurred, whether unavoidable or otherwise, has been most prejudicial in arresting any proceedings at home for the colonization of New Zealand. _-, r : " But although it is important that these awards should be speedy, it is still more important that they should be final, — that they should be well considered by those who are or may be appointed to the task before they are promulgated, and such communications held upon them as to diminish, so far as possible, the risk of what I regard as a most serious evil, their being disturbed by the Executive Government. Such variance between the conclusions of the authority immediately deputed for a given purpose and those of the higher organs, 'appear to me likely to operate most prejudicially in unsettling the minds of the natives, and weakening their confidence in British power and justice, — a confidence that cannot bl duly supported by any course of proceeding, however well intended, except one, of which stability is a leading and conspicuous element. " I have expressed these sentiments, not without reference to proceedings anterior to your assumption of the Government ; but it is not my intention to enter upon any examination of those proceedings, or to refer to them under present circumstances, except so far as they seem to require such reference with a view to the future." Our correspondent objects to " the enormous sum" to be paid for these districts — £3000 for the Wairau, and £2000 for Porirua, — but when we .consider the extent of the land in the former case ceded to the Government by this arrangement, including^ besides the Wairau district, all that part of the Middle Island between Cape Campbell and the Kaikoras, the amount to be paid does not appear, in proportion, to be more than, if indeed so much as, the sum of £800 paid " as the price of future peace" by the Company's Agent to the natives at Nelson on Mr. Spain's decision of the Company's claim to Blind Bay and Massacre Bay. We may also refer to his Excellency's recent proceedings at Taranaki as in some degree illustrating the present case, where, without inquiring into the claims of the natives, he proposed to obtain the land on the part of the Government, setting aside blocks as reserves for the different tribes, and giving them compensation, the payment of which would extend over four or five years; a compensation which, on their refusing to accept his offer, he explained to them was intended as an act of grace and not a matter of right. Our correspondent accuses us of deserting our principles because we refuse to con* found the Wairau Massacre with the present settlement of the Land Claims. In reply to his accusation, however, we may remind him that the intention in establishing this Journal' was not to make ~it the means of representing the sentiments of a few as those of the community, but by a faithful expression of public opinion to promote the best interests of the settlement. If, in this respect, we have erred, it has been more from want of ability than integrity of purpose; our sentiments with regard to the Wairau Massacre remain unchanged, and we think we best show our respect for the memory of its unfortunate victims by allowing them to rest in honour — and in peace.
The following extract referring to the ornamental -woods of New Zealand appears to show that they are attracting by degrees the attention of the British public; we hope they may shortly become a profitable article of export. ♦
New Zealand Wood. — The increased use of furniture woods, consequent on the favourable position we are now in, as regards the duty and the introduction of many new kinds, affords grounds for hoping that interior decoration may find new means of exercise. The resources of art in this respect have barely
been examined ; the British colonies are rich in beautiful woods, applicable for all the purposes for which mahogany and rosewood are adapted. The Totara wood of New Zealand surpasses any mahogany we have seen ; it has great variety of grain, and a beautiful mottled appearance. An elaborate sideboard, lately ■aade of it, for the King of Prussia, by Mr. J. M. Levein, has lately been exhibited at New Zealand House, Broad-street Buildings. We hear, also, that her Majesty has given orders for some articles. In other pieces of furniture, were specimens of eight kinds of wood, all of them of great beauty and well adapted Tor this purpose. The Mairi wood, of which a teapoy has been made, when cut in the direction of the grain, is of a yellow stone colour, variegated in parts with dark brown of large pattern. Hino, of which the specimens were cut from the root, wa3 of a dark brown colour. It veneers and polishes well, and can be had for a ton, which seems to be a pretty general price. Amongst other kinds were the Prirao, also beautiful, with a large mottled pattern ; the Kattore, in all respects like ebony ; the Mai, rather plain, with an appearance varying from that of Satin wood to the lightest mahogany; the Kivverve, and specimens of many other kinds. Names have been given to all the different species, thus included.— The Builder.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZSCSG18470331.2.5
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 174, 31 March 1847, Page 2
Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,204New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 31, 1847. New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 174, 31 March 1847, Page 2
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.