New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, April 26, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 286, 26 April 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, April 26, 1848.

The opportunity of a direct communication with England induces us, in the few observations our limited space will allow us to make, to direct the attention of those connected with its interests in the mother country to the present Btate of this settlement. The winter season is fast approaching, a period for the last few years more or less marked by disturbances, but we have every reason to hope that this season will be an exception in this respect to those which have passed ; the inclination may still exist among the old disturbers of the public peace, but we believe the power is wanting. Sufficient of the old leaven still remains, however, to render it absolutely indispensable that the present force, both naval and military should be maintained in these islands for some years, as a preventive of disorders, and by their presence enforce tranquillity, so as to give time and opportunity for a better state of things to be developed and permanently established. In every direction we perceive the progress of improvement among the natives to be more or

less marked, and under a proper direction leading to the best results. If we refer to the condition of the settlers there are not wanting substantial proofs of improvement. That our lands are no longer an hypothetical possession, duly selected and registered, but unattainable, we owe to his Excellency Captain Grey. By him the native title in this settlement has been extinguished, a Crown title granted, roads made through the several districts, and the probability of further disturbances from the natives removed. As far as we can learn, at least four hundred additional acres will be brought into cultivation this year in the districts in the immediate vicinity of "Wellington. The revenue for the past year is more than double that of the year previous, and other indications of hopeful progress are afforded. But labour and capital are still wanting to make the assurance of our present prospects doubly sure, and there never was a time when these essential requisites could be introduced into this settlement with greater promise of success. From the present high rate of labour those engaged in clearing lands are glad to avail themselves of the assistance of the rnaories. We note these points for the attentive consideration of the Directors of the New Zealand Company upon whom devolves the duty of supplying the requisites, and they may rest assured the more the European population of this province increases, and with it the introduction of fresh capital, the more certain becomes their own prospect of success.

It is with sincere regret that we announce the departure of H.M.S. Racehorse for England. During the period of her service on this station, the Racehorse was actively engaged, particularly in the North, in the operations necessary for restoring tranquillity to the country, and her officers were regarded as old friends by the settlers in both Provinces. We are sure we express the general sentiment in saying that Captain Sotheby and his gallant officers bear with them the hearty good wishes of all who had the pleasure of knowing them. We believe the Racehorse sails on Thursday or Friday at latest.

H.M.S. Flj arrived on Saturday from Auckland, which she left on the 13th instant. H.M.S. Calliope, having on board his Excellency the Governor in chief, sailed the same day for the Bay of Islands. The Calliope was to leave New Zealand for Hong Kong immediately on the arrival of H.M. Steamer Acheron, which was daily expected. The Acheron was to call at Sydney on her way out to fill up with coal, and instructions had been sent for her to proceed to Auckland with all possible despatch. All was quiet at the North when the Fly sailed.

By the Gyj sy which arrived on Friday from Ahuriri, we learn that Rangihaeata has succeeded in obtaining from Te Hapuka, the chief of that district, a supply of muskets and ammunition. Twenty-five of Rangihaeata's followers paid a visit to Hapuka, taking with them a quantity of blankets and other things as utu for the arms which they received, and with which they departed at night time. It is known that a large quantity of arms and ammunition is in the possession of Hapuka and the natives on the east coast, which they obtained from the wreck of the American brig Falco, on board which there was a great quantity of warlike stores at the time she was wrecked. We hope that measures will be taken by the authorities to prevent any more of these stoi cs from falling into the hands of natives disaffected to the Government.

Natite Mills. — A very excellent water mill with one pair of stones has been erected within the last eight months at Warea, about 26 miles south of New Plymouth, at which we are informed a considerable quantity of wheat has already been ground. The machinery and other parts of the mill requiring European labour, amounting to £250, were paid for in pigs and other native produce. A mill is also in the course of erection near Wairaate, about eight miles inland, which will be finished in the course of the next six months. Another mill has also been built at Waimate by the Rangatapu natives within seven miles of the former, and is now in operation. In both the mills last named the machinery and construction of the building has been performed by European labour, which has been paid for as in the case of Warea, with pigs and other native produce. Each mill will be under the management of Europeans. These mills include a line of country of about 60 miles, and will

greatly extend the cultivation of wheat among the natives. In other parts along the coast where there are no water mills, the natives are well provided with steel flour mills ; and we are assured the difference in this lespect is most' striking, a traveller along the coast being now able to procure not only flour, but fowls, eggs, and -other produce from the natives which, eighteen months ago, was out of the question. We are informed that the Wanganui natives are also desirous of building a large mill at Putiki, and that they will probably succeed in effecting the necessaiy arrangements, in the event of which a part of the compensation money to be paid for that district will be devoted to this object.

The claims on the Taranaki district of the natives of the Ngatiawa tribe, residing in Port Nicholson, have at length been satisfied and the native title extinguished. A sum of £100, being the balance on the purchase of the block of 3500 acres made by Capt. Fitzroy and due since 1844, and an additional sum of £130, being an instalment on the block of 9000 acres subsequently purchased by Capt. Grey, was paid to them, and by this means a serious difficulty in the settlement of the Taranaki land question has been got rid of. Great credit is due to Mr. M'Lean by whom this arrangement has been effected and the recent events connected with ' Mr. Dillon Bell's purchase, as explained in our correspondent's communication, leave room for hoping that this important and difficult question will at length be speedily and satisfactorily adjusted.

An Official return has been published in the Government Gazette at Auckland, of the amount of Customs' revenue collected at the different ports of New Zealand for the year 1847, and of the value of Imports and Exports during the same period. We republish an abstract of the different amounts, which shews a gratifying result in favour of this settlement, the amount of revenue for the past year having increased in a much greater ratio than at Auckland, while the amount both of imports and exports (particularly the latter) at this port is also greatly in excess of Auckland.

Port. Jan. 5, 1847 Jan 5, 1848. Increase, uckland.. 11155 10 0 17970 19 1 6815 9 1 Wellington 63f>8 14 10 15551 3 2 9182 8 4 relson ....1070 1 7 1361 1 5 290 19 10 lussell.... 447 7 0 626 13 11 179 611 fewPlymouth2l2 17 0 163 10 10 Total 19254 10 5 35673 8 5 16468 4 2 Deduct decrease at New Plymouth. ... 49 6 2 Nett increase of year ended Jan. 1848 £164 18 18 0 Total value of goods imported at each of :he ports in New Zealand for the year 1847 : A uckl an d 92,229 Wellington 94,510 Russell 3,380 Nelson 10,706 New Plymouth 1,530 Total £202,355 Total value of goods exported at each of he ports in New Zealand for the year 1847 : Auckland 17,385 Wellington 23,187 Russell 1,337 Nelson 3,576 New Plymouth — Tctal £45,485 Total number and tonnage of shipping enered inwards at each of the ports in New Zealand for the year 1847 : No. Tom Men Auckland 81 16,942 1,014 Wellington 59 11,431 728 Russell 50 13,470 1,103 Nelson 11 2,578 188 New Plymouth 3 726 40 Total ..'204 " 45,147 3,103 Total number and tonnage of shipping en :ered outwards at each of the ports in Nev Zealand for the year 1847 : No. Tom Men AucHand 83 15,129 931 Wellington 52 11,035 739 Russell 43 12,573 987 Nelson 16 2,301 191 New Plymouth 1 92 8 T0ta1.... 195 41,1302,856

A Comparative Statement of the Customs Revenue collected in New Zealand during the 3'ears ended the sth January 1847 and the sth January 1848.