New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, May 1, 1850.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 495, 1 May 1850, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, May 1, 1850.

A story is told by an English traveller in North America that, in visiting some waterfall in that country celebrated for its romantic and pic'uresque features, while he was indulging in encomiums prompted by the beauty of the scene, his companion, an American, could only see in it a valuable water privilege which had not been turned to good account. It is doubtless this practical turn in the American character, this determination to make the most of every thing, — to turn it to good account, — which _has contributed to advance with such rapid strides the prosperity of the United States. The moral of the story is not inapplicable in New Zealand. Although innumerable controversies have arisen out of questions connected with the aboriginal inhabitants of this colony, many of which have been very unprofitable in the discussion, the important question of how the valuable productive power of the natives may be turned to the best account has been often lost sight of, or failed to receive all the attention it deserves. According to the best received estimates, the native population of New Zealand amounts to 100,000 persons. That any general improvement which leads to increased production on their part adds to the wealth of the colony, that if the natives could be taught only to produce at the rate of £1 per head more than they did before, the colony would be richer by £100,000 is so obvious, that it appears almost like stating a truism. The productive power exists in the colony, it rests in a great measure with the judgment and energy of the colonists to give it a profitable direction, and such questions cannot be too often or too earnestly agitated. The trade which has recently sprung up with California promises many useful openings for the employment of native industry. In the production of potatoes and other vegetables, and in sawing timber for that market, the natives might be profitably engaged. But it may perhaps by some be thought more desirable

to direct their attention to pursuits of » more permanent character, and less dependent on an uncertain and fluctuating market. The cultivation, of wheat is of this kind, and while its substitution for the potato as an article of food increases their general health, and may contribute to arrest that tendency to a decrease in their numbers which has been observed, it is one of those staple products which will always find a market. That enough wheat is not yet raised in New Zealand for the consumption of its inhabitants seems to be proved by the fluctuations in the price of flour, and the occasional importations from Sydney and Hobart Town. And yet with sufficient encouragement and under proper management the natives might easily be induced to raise enough wheat to prevent any future importations. This would be a great step gained, and we hope that the native Flour Mills established in different districts along tKe coast, will contribute to supply this deficiency. In the production of flax for exportation, much might be done with the natives, and while we are glad to find this trade has greatly increased within the last twelve months, it might be still further extended, particularly with the home market. The effect of increased production would be increased competition, and consequent reduction in price. Why should not the natives be taught to make wool-lashings and weave sacks, as well as prepare the flax ? They have proved themselves proficients in those methods of European labour in which they have been instructed, and there is nothing in either of these employments above their capacity. We cannot suppose that any apprehension can exist of an injurious effect to the colonists from the competition between Native and European labour. Such a feeling would be akin to that which prompted the inhabitants of some of the counties in the neighbourhood of London, as we are told by Adam Smith, to petition the Parliament against the extension of turnpike roads into the remoter counties, because those remoter counties from the cheapness of labour would be able to sell their grass and corn cheaper in the London market than themselves and thereby ruin their cultivation. We know what improved communication has effected in England, and we* shall in like manner find the prosperity of the Colony advanced in proportion as the labour of its inhabitants is turned to good account.

Programme of the performance of the Band of the 65th. Regt., at Thorndon Flat, on Wednesday, May Ist : — 1. Overture — Fra Diavolo Auier 2. Aria — Meco tv Vienis O misera — "1 D „. .. Straniera 3. Queea of the May Quadrilles .... Jullien 4. Selection — Les Huguenots Meyerbeer 5. Olga ; or the Princess Wa1tz. , . . . . Jullien 6. Polonaise Watch 7. Geschwind March Walch 8. Jupiter Polka Koenig

We have much pleasure in publishing the following letter to Captain Parsons, from the passengers by the Lady Nugent, with the Captain's reply : — To Captain John Parsons, Commander of Ship " Ladt Nugent." Sir, — We, the undersigned passengers by ship Lady Nugent, from London to New Zealand, desire before leaving the ship to express to you and to all your officers, (viz,, Mr. 6. Alexander Thompson, Ist Officer, Mr. William Cooper, 2nd Mate, and Mr. P. M. Heyward, 3rd Mate), our sincere and heartfelt acknowledgments for the uniform kindness and attention which you and they have manifested for our pleasure and comfort during our long voyage. Knowing, a$ we do, the inconveniences and annoyances which must necessarily be inflicted upon officers, strict in their duty and neat in their arrangements, by the crowded state of an emigrant ship, we cannot be too thankful to you for having put yourselves to such inconveniences and gone out of your usual routine of nautical life to furnish us with due opportunities of exercise, amusement, and relaxation. Finally, we cannot say more than that you and they will ever be gratefully remembered by us all, as having combined discipline with kindness, and strictness with courtesy and affability, and that you will carry with you wherever you go our best wishes for your happiness, and we trust the trouble and anxiety which we have cost you may be in some degree repaid by the consciousness of our gratitude and friendship.

Signed by — John Robert Godley I Robert Pattie. for self and Charlotte Oodley family Emily Borton R. F. Waterlow aod wife Hugh KoMson S. C. Moule Edward J. Lee William Chapman A. G. Tollemache David Wilson Rhodes Nicholson B. G. McKensie Francis B. Bulkeley,6sthreg. Robert Watson William Moßae George Cummins Sarah Moßae Thomas Cummins Frederick Borton Helen Watson John Morison Joseph Dan Matthew O'Loughlin Mary Ann Watson Emma O'Loughlin Margaret Watson Sarah Spencer William Bell and wife Joseph Winterburn Donald MoLeod Martha Winterburn David Allan and wife JoelDrewit George Matthews, for self William Cleaver and family Mary Cleaver John Candy George Tierney Fergtuson Arthur Bradley E. Jerningham Waicefiald LaurenoeDrow H. Eliot Robert Anderson and wife Ann Bishop JohnDrow, for self and faEliza Howe mily A. Findlater, for self and fa- Agnes Drow mily John Woolnough Nathl. Beamish, for self and Jane Matthews family Margaret Lindsay Andrew Russell, for self and Harriet Martin family Rridget McNamara William Legg Catherine Brochan W. J. Mackenzie . Elizabeth O'Connell Thomas Murphy Passengers by the Lady Nugent.

Gentlemen, — In acknowledging the very flattering address presented to me- this morning, I beg to return you my very sincere thanks for this manifestation of your esteem and appreciation of my endeavours to please you during the voyage, and at the same time, that I feel that I have only performed my duty, the knowledge of having performed that duty so as to meet with your good-will and approbation will materially add to my pleasure and satisfaction. I also have to thank you in some degree for endeavouring to preserve our amicable relation towards one another ; and my wish is, that it may be your lot in your new country to meet with that prosperity and that happiness, which, from what I have seen of your conduct, you are justly entitled to merit. John Parsons, Commander Lady Nugent.