THE STANDARD. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1872. THE FUTURE OF POVERTY BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 8, 23 November 1872, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1872. THE FUTURE OF POVERTY BAY.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

o To the student of political economy, provided that he be an enthusiast in the science, the field of New Zealand possesses great attractions, and material from which to propound theories, and opportunities to give them that practical application, which Old World economists would shrink from in their own hemisphere. There is something equally genial in the political atmosphere of this colony as in its natural climate. The political tree of Britain’s Constitution shoots forth its leaves with a verdant refreshiug beauty, in New Zealand soil, differing only in the particular hue which climatic influence has upon it, from that of the parent stem. Its generic usefulness is the same ; its nature and character are unchanged. As we ascend its dizzy height, and attempt to forecast events, let us see that we do not overtax our strength. The past reflects a glorious light into the (by us) untrodden paths of the future, and helps to a successful trial of bold experiments. Let us proceed cautiously, but with confidence.

The elasticity of our fiscal policy (or policies) is proverbial; the resources of our new home are unbounded, and unknown. Go where we will, all is progress. The whole face of colonial nature and art is brightened up with a ruddy, cheerful glow, which bespeaks a healthy tone -of the inner life; a soundness of the principles r n which that life, lives. Do we seek for proof ? We have it in the evidence of statistical records which are at once gratifying and hopeful. Take Population: The Registrar General estimates the gross totals of population in the colony on the 31st December, 1871, exclusive of aboriginal natives, at 266,986, shewing a net increase of 10,593 in 10 months; or of 12,736, during the entire year thus: by excess of immigration over emigration,

4,786, and by excess of births over deaths, 7,950. Taking the 19 years from 1853 to 1871, the approximate excess of immigration over emigration is 151,974, and for the 10 years, from 1862 to 1871, the excess of births over deaths is stated at 55,670 ; while the births of last year alone stand at 7,950.

In Agriculture, it appears that the per centage of grain crops has not kept pace with the large addition of land put under crop during the last four years, the tatal of which has increased from 687,015 in February, 1869, to 1,129,811 in February, 1872. For the year ending February, 1872, wheat has increased 614,655 bushels ; oats, speak pleadingly for themselves ; they shew that while in 1870-71, 121,829 acres produced 3,802,729 bushels, in 1871-72, 139,185 acres yielded only 3,726,810 bushels, thus an increase of 17,356 acres, shews a deficiency in crop of 75,919 bushels. Barley has decreased 9,561 acres and 290,021 bushels, which with our colonial breweries, and distilleries, is hard to be accounted for. Hay has also decreased 3,601 acres and 10,978 tons. Potatoes shew an increase of 1,032 acres and a deficit of 13,909 tons. This is the “stern logic of facts” which our farmers and grain producers would do well to consider.

Now, if we turn to wool, the result is equally encouraging. The exports for the year ending 30th June, 1872, are 40,691,2351b5. which are valued at the rather nominal figure of £2,374,312, and showing an increase of 4,726,9641b5., and £897,673, over 1871, The value, at per lb., too, shews an improved figure, inasmuch as the customs’, value was stated at a fraction over 9|d. per lb. for 1871, while that for 1872 is put down at a fraction over 14d. per lb. There are many other papers before us which we cannot quote now, but which, nevertheless, bear ample testimony to the wealth of a country which is destined to take a prominent position in the affairs of the world.

Now while the colony as a whole is unfolding its treasures, and inviting capital and labor to its shores, what is Poverty Bay doing, as a component part of it ? Is it not our duty to man the win’las of our good ship, and trim its sails while the favoring breezes blow? Is there anything too grand in the conceptive idea, that from the cycle of human events we may expect to receive such a quota of benefit as will correspond with the means we employ to obtain it? Poverty Bay has a history peculiarly its own. We are undergoing a progressive change, and outliving that history. We are approaching to a future which must be great, if we strive to make it good. In the words of John Stuart Mill, “We “have to consider what these changes “are, what are their laws, and what “ their ultimate tendencies; thereby “ adding a theory of motion to our “ theory of equilibrium,—the Dynamics “ of political economy to the Statics.”

With our rich pastures that kindly woo the hand of industry; hills with “verdure clad,” forming a back country of illimitable extent; a superb climate which even sunny Italy cannot excel • at peace with all abroad ; content with all at home; a steadily-increasing trade ; a daily addition to our numbers and our wealth. With all these, —backed up by a hardy yeomanry kind of pluck, which has transformed in the short space of four years, a murderer’s den into a land literally flowing with milk and honey, —may we not cherish the watchword of progress, “ Go on,” and look hopefully to that future we have yet to make ?

Library.—We would remind our readers that the Library meeting takes place this evening at 7.30 in the Library room.

Rifle Range.—The Volunteers and Militia have succeeded in obtaining a very good range for target practice, at least so saith our informant. It is on the eastern bank of the river at Turanganui ranging N. and S. with the big hill at the bend of the river on Mr. Wyllie’s run for a back ground. Barring the necessity for crossing the ferry, the site seems to possess all that is requisite for good practice. Gladstone Road.—Contracts for part improvement of the Gladstone road are being pushed on vigorously. And there is every prospect of this fine thoroughfare being open for traffic in a short time.

The Luna brought no mail on Wednesday, which, in view of the fact that no steamer is running along the coast, and that for the last month we have had no mail from the North, except through Napier, we think a little too bad. Surely H.M.’s steam ships may be considered by H.M.’s subjects, as not acting infra dig if they condescended to carry H.M.’s mails!

F. E. Hamlin Esq. R.M. at Maketu was a passenger by the Luna on Wednesday last. He proceeds to Napier to discuss Native matters of importance, with Mr. McLean. Gisborne Rifle Club. —An adjourned meeting, in connection with this Club, is to be held at the Albion Hotel on Monday evening next at 7 o’clock.

Big Ben.—An old but very useless friend as far as hostilities are concerned, left us by the Luna the other day. The big gun which has been doing sentry go over the Block House for some time, after an inglorious career of marches and counter-marches, has at last received orders to proceed to head quarters. This harmless piece of military furniture might have been left to us with good grace by the Government, as a souvenir of the past; and let it end its days in the only work, for which it is fit—to waste a little loyal gunpowder now and then in our holiday making and public observances.

Ferries.—A Provincial Government Gazette to hand by last mail, contains a proclamation, to the effect, that the Waipaoa, Gisborne, and Te Arai ferries in this district are under the control of the P. B. Road Board from the 31st of October last. Schedules of fees leviable at each ferry are also published for general information ; these do not come into operation until the Ist of January, 1873. Pound.—There is no notification, in the Gazettes to hand, of the Pound in this district having been proclaimed. This is a serious inconvenience, considering the time that has elapsed since the Government was advised of it by the Road Board.

Gisborne Rifle Volunteers.—We accidentally omitted the following from last week’s military quotation from the N. Z. Gazette-.— “George John Winter, to be Captain; Wm. Daly to be Lieutenant. Commissions to date from the 31st January, 1872.”