New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, December 4, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 245, 4 December 1847, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, December 4, 1847.

In an interesting paper on steam communition between England and the Australian colonies lately re-printed in this Journal, it was assumed that Auckland would be the point of communication with this colony. This assumption was made perhaps with reference to Auckland as the seat of government. But the considerations which ought to determine a question of so much importance are, the geographical position of the proposed port with reference to, and its facilities of communication with, the other settlements of the colony, and the means of obtaining a cheap and abundant supply of coal. These considerations all decide the point in favour of Port Nicholson. Even with reference to -the settlements already formed, Port Nicholson would be the, most convenient point of communication. But it is probable that in the next few years vigorous efforts will be made to colonise the South ; the extent of open land and available pasturage and the absence of a native population invite the presence of settlers, the settlement of Otakou will be shortly commenced, and in proportion to its success other settlements will probably be formed in its neighbourhood. And the more colonization is extended, the more an European population increases in the Southern island, the more important does Port Nicholson become as the geographical centre of these islands. At present the means of communication between this port and the other settlements of New Zealand are much greater than at the North, and these means are steadily increasing with the trade and progress of the settlement. But the most important consideration and that which of itself is sufficient to decide the question,- is the abundance of good coal to be found on the southern shore of Cook's Strait. This coal has been tried in the Inflexible, and has been most favourably reported ;on, several hundred tons have been raised id: the course of the present year, and a supply to any amount could be obtained, if New Zealand were in-

eluded in the grand chain of steam communication abont to be established. We draw attention to these facts because we are persuaded that the time is not far distant when the great importance of the Australian colonies will insure the extension of steam communication to them from England; and it is desirable to put these facts 6n record ajad give them due prominence in order that they may not be overlooked. But whether this desirable plan be Cn the eve of accomplishment or not, there can be little doubt of the necessity of a regular plan of steam 1 communication between the different settlements of New Zealand, and we shall take an early opportunity of enforcing the reasons for so desirable an arrangement.

Quantity of Rain fallen in the month of November, 3 in. 4-10ths.

Programme of the Music to be performed by the Band of the 65th Regiment, on Thorndon Flat, on Tuesday next, Dec. 7 : — 1. Overture — Stradella Balfe. 2. Selection — Maritana Wallace. 3. Phantom Dancers Quadrille Jullien. 4. Grand Selection — Bondmand Balfe. 5. The Hyacinth Waltz Keonig. 6. Lt Mazurka d'Extase Pergari, 7. Galop Lanner. 8. Camelia Polka Jullien.

Custom House, Wellington, Dec. 1,1847. Spirits and Tobacco under bond This Day : Brandy 3274 gallons. Rum H. 228 do. Gin 2716 do. Liqueurs 6 do. Tobacco, manufactured.. 53,864 lbs. „ unmanufactured 4237 do. Cigars 966 do,