New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 4, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 271, 4 March 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 4, 1848.

It is pleasantly related by Addison in our immortal archetype the Spectator, that shortly after the death of Richard Baxter a

volume was published entitled "the last words of the pious and learned Richard Baxter," which being favourably received, another immediately afterwards appeared, entitled "more last vords of Richard Baxter." We aeed not pursue the idea further than to observe that the delay of the Woodstock's sailing gives us an opportunity of indulging in a few more last vords on the subject engrossing public attention, — the obstacles which oppose themselves to the success of the settlement. To recur to a simile previously adopted, the shadows of the picture we have been contemplating are too harsh and strong, the contrasts too violent, and require toning down to blend them into one harmonious whole. Our present object, in addressing a few words to the absentees, is to endeavour to impress them with more rational views of dealing with their property. The extravagant notions which they entertain of the value of lands in New Zealand is the great bar to the more rapid occupation of country sections, and consequently to the spread and stability of the settlement. They have hitherto waited on, hoping to take advantage of the chapter of accidents, — for they could afford to wait, — and for the most part have furnished their agents with limited instructions, witholding from those who desire to become their tenants the right of purchase. They have been told repeatedly that the witholding this right is a serious obstacle to the occupation of land, for in the heavily-timbered districts round Port Nicholson the purchase money bears no proportion to the expence of clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation^ and their refusal unnecessarily disperses the settlers, who will not take land on any other terms. We shall not question the right of these gentlemen to do what they like with their own, but we would remind them that property has its duties as well as its privi-, leges, and if they wish to continue proprietors of land in New Zealand, they must place themselves more nearly on an equalit y with the resident proprietors . They must either use the land themselves, employing their own capital by means of their agents to render it productive, or allow others to do so. One of the principal effects of the new roads will be to lower the former ruinous prices of land, by bringing more of it into market; they increase the amount of available land by making it accessible, but they do not as yet increase the number of those who are to occupy the land and to subdue it. Voluntary immigration to New Zealand can hardly be expected for some time, and immigration at the expense of the New Zealand Company is not to be looked for. After the roads are made they must be kept in repair, for this purpose the land owners must contribute in equal proportions, and the Absentees not look on as hitherto, while the cost has been defrayed by the actual settler.' During the past year the population at Auckland has been greatly increased by the pensioners sent cut at the expense of Go- ■ vernraent, whose numerous families will probably become denizens of the country districts. We must take care that we are not left behind in the race, and the Absentee will find he best promotes his individual interest by looking to the general good. He certainly must lay to his account the payment of a land tax for the proper maintenance and repair of the roads, one of the first taxes we hope to be levied by a local legislature, and this diiect appeal will probably induce many of the Absentees to count the cost of waiting, and give their agents instructions which will allow their lands to be made available.

The C arbon arrived yesterday from Nelson, which she left on the 26th inst. The Brightman, Star of China, Comet, and Lady Alary Pelham, had arrived at Nelson from Sydney with sheep and cattle. The Star of China had previously looked in at Taranaki, where the greater part of her stock was disposed of at very good prices.

Ckicket. — A match at this manly game was played yesterday afternoon on Thorndon Flat, between two elevens ; civilians against the military stationed at Wellington. Owing to the unavoidable absence of some of the civilians, whose place was filled up at the

spur of the moment, the game was not so well contested as it probably otherwise would have been, and the military were winners by a considerable score.

Wellington Savings Bank — Majdr Baker Mr. Boulcott, Mr. Blyth, and Mr. Bethune, the Managers in rotation, will, attend to receive deposits at Messrs. Johnson & Moore's store, Lambton-quay, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 4th March, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 6th March. " The Superintending Committee and Managers will meet at Barrett's Hotel on Monday evening next, the 6th inst., at eight o'clock. N. B. The attendance of Managers is particularly requested.

Programme of the Performance by the Band of the 65 th Regiment at Thorndon Flat, on Tuesday, the 7th March :—: — 1. Overture to Stradella Flotow. 2. Oli 1 when thus they've bereft me — Daughter of St. Mark Balfe. 3. Quad. Me de Sarah Fetty. 4. Duetto — Quis est Homo, ed Aria " Pro Peccatis — Stabat Mater Rossini. 5. Waltzer — Lucrezia Borgia ........ Tuttch. 6. Cavatina — Ah Lasciatina Purioso. . . . Donizetti. 7. Galop Hope. 8. The Cricket Polka Jullien.

Custom House, Wellington, March 1, 1843, Spirits and Tobacco under bond this day : Brandy 5950 gals, Rum 12,000 „ Gin 3122* „ Liqueurs 6J „ Whisky 91 „ Tobacco, manufactured 50,419 lbs. „ unmanufactured 3838 „ Cigars 1126| „