New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 4, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 418, 4 August 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 4, 1849.

The experiments of Mr. Paterson and the publication of his process for divesting the fibre of the Phormium tenax from the gummy and other extraneous matter, so as to render it a marketable article of export, has once more directed public attention to this subject. Some, who witnessed his experiment, believe that a valuable discovery has been made, others again, who are supposed to have some practical experience, are sceptical, and withhold their assent. The preparation of the flax by some quicker and cheaper method than that in use among the natives has frequently engaged the attention of the settlers ; for a time it has been pro-

secuted with considerable ardour, and tlien as suddenly laid aside. The circumstances of the colony are now more favourable to the prosecution uf experiments for this purpose than they have been at any former period. Its former vicissitudes, occasioned by misgovernment or native disturbances have passed away, and with them, in a great measure, the feeling of apprehension in investing capital in any pursuit. The improvement of the means of communication, the more settled habits of the natives, and their readiness to engage in any industrial pursuit of remunerative labour> are all in favour of any attempt to render flax a general article of export, and we hope now that this subject has again attracted general attention, that experiments will be earnestly and steadily repeated until at length the desirable result is attained. What is wanted to ensure and confirm the prosperity of the colony is a staple article of export. Wool, which is every year increasing in value, we share in common with the Australian colonies. But the Phormium Tenax is peculiar to New Zealand, its properties as an article of commerce have been tested and established ; all that is wanted is the discovery of some simple and cheap means of preparation which will place it within the reach of all to supply the general demand. The raw material, the indigenous growth of these islands is almost inexhaustible, the demand for the flax in a state lit for the manufacturer is nearly equal to the extent of Nature's bounty ; the conversion of the raw material into a staple article of export is the great arcanum — the question which awaits, we hope, a speedy solution. But e v en pending this, much may be done we think to increase the export of flax prepared in the ordinary way. Its preparation is an employment to which the natives are accustomed, and an occupation to which they are partial. Both in England and in Sydney there always exists a certain demand for the flax as prepared by the natives more than equal to the present supply. Much good might be done if arrangements could be made to stimulate them to meet this demand by holding out the prospect of certain and permanent employment, ; all that they produced would be so much added to the wealth of the colony, so much labour directed in a productive channel, instead of being perhaps lost for want of exertion. In the mean time experiments might be repeated aud multiplied, until at length the great desideratum is, if it has not already been, accomplished.

A native named Kai Karoro, otherwise Ratia, or Te Ahu, was apprehended on Thursday by the police, charged with having murdered another native named Parata Wanga. It appears, that an adulterous intercourse had existed between the deceased and the prisoner's wife, and the husband, to avenge the injury he had received, shot the deceased at the pa Teakiwai in the presence of several natives and some white people, and fled to the bush. This occurred on the 20th March, 1843, about six years ago, and the prisoner has seldom, if ever, since ventured into Wellington, but coming in on Thursday last he was lecognised and taken into custody and brought before 11. St. Hill, Esq., Resident Magistiate, by whom he has been remanded for further examination. We understand that some excitement prevails among the natives, who think the prisoner ought not to be brought t<- trial for the offence, as they say that according to their own customs the prisoner was justified in what he did, and that the offence was committed when they were imperfectly acquainted with our laws and customs ; the length of time which has elapsed since its commission appears also in their opinion in some degree to absolve the prisoner from punishment.

Quantity of rain fallen during the month of July, 1849, 6 inches, 1 tenth.