New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, October 2, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 227, 2 October 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, October 2, 1847.

In the Sydney papers recently received we observe an announcement that a manufactory of bags and woolpacks from New Zealand flax has been commenced at Hobart Town ; we have also been informed thai a manufactory for blankets chieflyfortheNewZealand trade has been recently established in New South Wales. The question naturally suggests itself why cannot the same thing be done here ? Why should we continue to forego advantages which our neighbours are preparing to turn to account ? An answer to these questions may partly be found in the former unsettled state of the country, but We hope the time is coming when the attention and enterprise of the settlers will be engaged by these subjects. We may observe that a manufactory for bags and woolpacks has for some time been established in Wellington and has been found to succeed, but it requires the application of machinery and waterpower to produce a sensible effect in creating a greater demand for the production of flax. We have also been informed that the establishment in this settlement of a blanket manufactory on a small scale, the machinery to be moved by waterpower, is in contemplation by an ingenious and practical mau thoroughly conversant with the details of the manufacture. As a general rule, manufactures are out of place in a new colony, because they cannot hope to compete with the finished fabrics of the mother country, they require a large amount of capital, and the dearness and uncertain supply of labour are considerable drawbacks to their successful establishment; but the rule is not without its exceptions, and the instances we have alluded to are among them. Any manufacture simple and easy of execution, of which the local demand considerably exceeds the supply, and which will operate in materially improving and increasing the production of the raw material must needs greatly benefit the colony in which it is established. The following suggestions may serve to show how the establishment of the manufactures we have alluded to may produce these desirable results. The number of blankets imported into Wellington last year was about 2000 pairs, the number of pairs of blankets entered at the Custom-house in the first six months of the present year is 1625. The habit of weariDg European clothes has greatly increased among the natives within the last twelve months, and this at first would appear to

diminish the consumption of blankets among them, this however is not the case, as is proved by the increased number imported, and by the fact that they use the blanket at night to sleep on. In the opinion of th e I person to whom we have previously alluded, blankets may be manufactured in New Zealand, to compete successfully in quality and price with those imported. And an advantage may follow on this wise — that whereas at present the wool from the different stations is exported mixed, and consequently obtains only the market price of the coarsest sample, by sorting the wools, the coarsest might be retained for the manufacture of blankets, while the finer qualities packed in separate bales, would command higher prices than they do at present. We must defer to another opportunity the observations we wish to make on the manufacture of flax; but the principle we would advocate, is the production in the colony of all those articles which may be profitably manufactured in it ; supplying ourselves instead of purchasing from others, verifying the truth of Franklin's maxim that " a penny saved is twopence gained." The principle applies also to the manufacture of leather, soap, candles, and other articles of daily consumption, all of which might be made with great advantage in the colony. A beginning must be made in each case, unheeded perhaps at first, by degrees the manufacture increases and extends until at last it becomes of considerable importance. These are the secret springs of wealth, which unnoticed in their origin unite as tributaries in promoting the commercial prosperity of the country, and by their union increasing in volume, bear on their swelling tide its rising fortunes — but which left to themselves and neglected, struggle on and are expended in vain efforts, as insignificant as their origin.

H. M. S. Racehorse arrived last night from Auckland, whch she left on the 24th inst. The following is a summary of the latest news received by her. The Ramillies had arrived at Auckland on the 3rd August with Col. Bolton and Capt. Kenny in charge of the first detachment of the pensioners, 75 in number, with 230 women and children ; they had experienced a good deal of sickness and four had died of fever during the voyage out. His Excellency had been to Mauranghi and along the coast to the Bay of Islands to determine where the settlement for i the pensioners should be formed, but nothing was definitively settled. General Pitt was to sail from England with the next division of pensioners, and may therefore be daily expected. The Thomas Loicry had arrived at Auck- | land from Sydney with the remainder of the 58th Regt., and was going to the Bay of Islands with a detachment under the command of Major Bridge to relieve Major Law, who would proceed direct to Wellington. The Victoria had not arrived previous to the departure of the Racehorse. A small schooner had left Auckland for this port, having on board the Wellington mail, a week previous to the Racehorse. All was quiet at the North, and it was expected that the Gover-nor-in-Chief would visit the Southern district in about two months. The. officers of H. M. S. Dido had given a ball at Auckland which is described as having been a very splendid affair, and as eclipsing any entertainment previously given there. The May mail had not arrived at Auckland. We believe the Racehorse has come to relieve the Calliope, which will proceed to Auckland on her return from Nelson. The Dido and Inflexible were at Auckland when the Racehorse left.

The Theatre. — Thursday night was a special Subscription Night at the theatre, on which occasion it was very numerously and fashionably attended. The house was very well lighted and tastefully decorated, the entrance being ornamented with evergreens, &c, and banners displayed in graceful folds in different parts of the house. The mise en scene reflected the greatest credit ojn. the skill and good taste of the establishment. The performers exerted themselves greatly in their respective parts, and the audience appeared to be exceedingly gratified with the evening's entertainment, which went off with considerable eclat. The excellent band of the 65th Regt. were in attendance, and during the evening performed a selection of favourite pieces. At the conclusion of the first piece Mr. Marriott was loudly called for, and in responding to the call acknowledged in suitable terms, on the part of himself and the corps dramatique, the patronage the drama had received in Wellington, and

said that the increasing 1 favour and encouragement of the public would stimulate them to renewed exertions. After the performances had terminated, the seats were removed from the pit, which formed an excellent saloon for dancing. Quadrilles were commenced and kept up with great spirit until nearly four o'clock in the morning-, when the company separated, highly pleased with their evening's amusement, and the good taste and management evinced in the arrangements.

The Lord Hobart arrived yesterday morning with stock, after a passage of fourteen days from Twofold Bay. She has been very fortunate, having only lost five head of cattle out of one hundred and twenty. She has also brought two horses.

Wellington Savings Bank — Mr. Lorley, Mr. J. May, Mr. M'Beth, and Mr. Clifford, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Messrs. Johnson & Moore's store, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 2nd October 1847; and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock, on Monday forenoon, the 4th Oct. The Superintending Committee will meet at Barrett's Hotel, on Monday evening, 4th October, at eight o'clock.

Custom House, Wellington, Oct. 1 1847. - Spirits and Tobacco under bond This Day: > Brandy 2644 gallons. Rum 10.075 do. Gin 2341 do. s Whisky 25 do. 1 Cigars 1074 lbs. Tobacco, manufactured.. 46,567 do. „ unmanufactured 2568 do.