NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, September 22, 1852.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 745, 22 September 1852, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, September 22, 1852.

The gold fever which just now seems to be raging throughout the Australian Colonies, and has at, last extended its effects to New Zealand is productive of many strange contradictions. Just at the time when it may be , proved to demonstration that the country settler has an unlimited market before him, when the countless thousands who are about to emigrate from Europe to. the Australian gold fields, must inevitably enhance the

value of all agricultural produce, and ensure him better prices than be has ever yet obtained, many of the country settlers in New Zealand; inflicted with this prevalent and all absorbing idea, we may almost say mania, of trying their fortunes as gold diggers, seem bent on foregoing the certainty of success that awaits their labours in the cultivation of the soil for the dazzling but delusive chances of the lottery in which they are about to embark. That a reaction will eventually take place there is hardly any reason to doubt; still less do- we doubt that many of those who are disappointed in their haste to get rich, as well as many who have been successful in their pursuit of wealth will seek New Zealand as a permanent home. But the practical question which presents itself to the colonists, to those who have no intention of leaving New Zealand and who desire to see its advancement, and as far as they can to contribute to so desirable a result, is what measures had best be adopted at the present juncture. One great object should be in every way to avail ourselves of the assistance of the native population, every effort should be made throughout these Islands to stimulate them to extend their cultivations as much as possible, and to avail ourselves whenever practicable of their labour, in the place of that more skilful European labour of which we are" likely in a great degree to be deprived. The effect of the present movement will be to increase the wealth of the colony by the enhanced price which the natives will obtain for their produce, anii to render the connexion between the settler and the native more intimate than it was before, and thus more rapidly to extend among them the advantages of civilization. Every influence has we believe been exerted by the Government to induce, throughout this Province, the natives to cultivate as largely as possible, and to explain to them the advantages that are likely to reward their industry ; as far as we can learn the natives are fully alive to the consequences of the present movement, and are greatly increasing the amount of their cultivations, so that during the next twelve months we may probably witness a veiy extensive export trade from New Zealand to the neighbouring colonies. Where the prospect of steam communication is so immediate, steps should be taken to Tender the coal at Nelson immediately available, since, in the event of steam communication being introduced, especially if as 'there is every reason to believe the Panama route is established, it is impossible to overrate the immense importance of having the .means at hand of a plentiful and cheap supply of good coal for these vessels -, neither need we enlarge on the advantages likely to accrue from the coasting trade which would be certain to spring up in such a case, in supplying the different settlements with fuel. These are stirring times, and these and similar objects should occupy the public mind with a view to their practical development for the good of the colony.

The following statistics are taken from the Parliamentary Papers relating to New Zealand recently published :: — ■ 1850. Imports. Exports, New Ulster.. £108,793 £68,023 New Munster £131,410 £47,391 Auckland. — Acres in wheat, 243 ; total number of acres in crop, 8,082f ; 725 horses, 6,803 horned cattle, 3,281 sheep. Wellington. — Acres in wheat, 423J ; total number of acres in crop, 4,43G£ ; 809 horses, 8,008 horned cattle, 42,652 sheep. Nelson. — Acres in wheat, 1,338£ ; total number of acres in crop, 4,242£ ; 441 horses, 5,052 homed cattle,. 70,960 sheep." " New PLTMotTTH.-y-Acres" in wheat, 846 ; total number of acres in crop, 3,217; 57 horses, 1,147 horned cattle, 1,934 sheep. Akahoa. — Acres in wheat, 65, .total" No. of acres in crop 145; 19 horses, 614 horned cattle, 1.630 sheep. ! Petbe. — Acres in wheat 14£, total No. of acres in crop 148 ; 95 horses, 2,839 horned cattle, 6,248 sheep. Otago. — Acres in wheat 136 £, total No. of acres in jorop 510 ; 298 horses, 1,725 horned cattle,' l9,7sl sheep. , • Canterbury. — 34 horses, 739 horned cattle, 10,900 sheep.

Mechanics' Institute. —We have been requested to call attention to the advertisement in to-day's paper announcing Mr. Catchpool's second Lecture, which was postponed- from last Thursday ' Evening. . . "' '