AUCKLAND. [From the Auckland Papers ]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 228, 6 October 1847, Page 2

AUCKLAND. [From the Auckland Papers ]

It is thought to he the intention of the Government to locate the pensioners lately arrived, and expected, at Mahuranghi, but nothing definite has yet been decided upon. The Surveyor-General has -gone down to Mahuranghi for the purpose, we believe, of judging and reporting on its adaptation for the anticipated purpose.

Native Civilization. — We beg to direct attention to a very interesting " Return of Vessels the property of Natives belonging to the Northern part of the Colony," published in the last number of the Government Gazette, from which vre make the following abstract : — Number of vessels 45 Total Tonnage 592 Average size • 9 tons. Varying from - 9 to 25 Nearly one-half of that number, viz. 21, belong to the natives of the Bay of Plenty, and 16 to the natives of the Thames. The natives of the Bay of Plenty are greatly increasing their cultivations, and appear rather more industrious and enterprising than those of any other district. There are no less than five of their vessels now in this harbour with pigs and potatoes, for which they find a good market. During last season they disposed of about 400 tons of potatoes. There is no more gratifying sign of their improvement than the eager desire which they have to obtain mills for grinding flour, which they are rapidly substituting for potatoes as an article of food. Hand-mills are therefore in great request, nor do they object to pay a good price for them, provided they are satisfied with tbe quality of the article. Some natives residing at Coromandel Harbour have lately arranged with a mill-wright

to put up a flour mill for them. The cost is to be £100: £40 of which have already been lodged in the hands of a neutral party before the work is commenced — another £40 is to be paid when the building is finished, and the remaining £20 are to be paid when the machinery is completed and in going order.

Copy of a Despatch from his Excellency Captain Grey to the Secretary for the Colonies :—: — Government-house, Auckland, June 25, 1846. Sir, — Adverting to the various questions which have lately arisen in reference to the large tracts of land which have been claimed under what is termed the penny-an-acre proclamation, as well as the grants which have been issued in excess of the amount of 2,560 acres, fixed by law ; I beg to enclose for your information, lists of the individuals directly interested in these questions, which have been separately forwarded in my previous despatches ; and I would then beg to* suggest that the '/following really national questions, connected with this subject, should receive the consideration of her Majesty's Government. The total number of individuals in whose favour these tracts of land are claimed, may be stated at from 40 to 50. For the reasons stated in my public despatches, 1 feel myself satisfied, that these claims are not based on substantial justice to the aborigines, or to the large majority of British settlers in this country. Her Majesty's Government may also rest satisfied that these individuals cannot be put in possession of these tracts of land without a large expenditure of British blood and money. The two following subjects therefore must be decided by her Majesty's Government. Firstly — whether, under all the circumstances of the case, they think it consistent with the national honour, that the British naval and military forces should be employed in putting these individuals in possession of the lands they claim. And, secondly, if it is determined to adopt this course, how her Majesty's forces are to be reconciled to such a service. It is one attended with the gieatest dangers, hardships, and privations : it offers few prospects of honour or reward, as from the desultory mode of warfare adopted by the natives, no decisive 1 victory can be gained ; the soldiers do not I fight to acquire farms for themselves and families, which might support them in their old age: in fact, there is nothing to attach them ' to such a service, and British officers and men very unwillingly find themselves compelled under such disheartening circumstances to undergo such fatigues to put those, whom they ! would regard as mere speculators, in possession of lands wrested from a race who have many military qualities which excite a soldior's esteem. It is my duty to warn her Majesty's Government, if British troops are long exposed to the almost unexampled fatigues and privations of a service which has already entailed so large a loss of life on our small force, disastrous consequences must be anticipated. | On the other hand, however, I must admit that the individuals interested in these land claims form a very powerful party. They include amongst them those connected with the public press, several members of the Church Missionary Society, and the numerous families of these gentlemen ; various gentlemen holding important offices in the public service, (and who are therefore acquainted with every movement of Government), and their friends and families. It is true that the party is confined principally to the North of the island. They still, however, exercise a very important influence here, and the Government, if it does not yield to their wishes, must anticipate a violent and stormy opposition. I have, &c, &c, (Signed) G. Grey, _ _ . tf.-Governor and Commander-in-rChief. The Right Honourable W. E. Gladstone, M. P., &c, &c, &c.

Copy of a Despatch from the Secretary for the Colonies to the Governor of New Zealand : — Downing-street, Ist March, 1847Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 101, of the 6th of October last, in which with reference to a suggestion which has been submitted to you by the Commanding Royal Engineer in New Zealand, that convict mechanics should be sent to ' that colony with the view of being employed on Military Works and Buildings, you take occasion to recommend that a company of Sappers and Miners should be detached from this country for the performance of that service. I am aware of the inconvenience which must be felt from the want of Mechanics, and , in fact arrangements had been made previous-

ly to the receipt of jour communication on the subject, which will in some measure supply that deficiency ; care having been taken that in selecting the Military Pensioners who are enrolled for service in New Zealand, a selection should be made of about 50 men who have worked as carpenters, sawyers, bricklayers, masons, blacksmiths, painters, glaziers, and miners ; and I have instructed the Mas-ter-General of the Ordinance to send out a Serjeant and 12 Sappers ond Miners, who from their superior qualifications will be able to superintend the labours of the persons in question. - The employment of convicts in New Zealtnd, under the effect of a general measure of transportation, would be entirely out of the question ; but it may be deserving of consideration whether a limited number of men of that class, whose good conduct under confinement may render them fit objects of the Royal clemency, might be sent to New Zealand with conditional pardons, in which, in addition to the ordinary conditions of such instruments, there should be one introduced requiring the persons to whom they should be assigned, to work for the Government for a period of two years. I have to add, that I do not contemplate the maintenance of any considerable force of Regular Troops in New Zealand, for more than a very short time, as when emigration from this country shall be resumed, as I trust it soon will be, the increase of the European population will enable you to organize a Militia, sufficient for all purposes of defence. I have, therefore, to instruct you to abstain from incurring any expense in the erection of permanent Barracks which can possibly be avoided. I have, &c, (Signed) Grey. Governor Grey, &c, &c, &c.