THE "NOVARA" EXPLORATION.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 131, 21 January 1859, Page 3

THE "NOVARA" EXPLORATION.

(From the Noio Zealcfder, January 8.) In preceding issues, we had the pleasure of announcing the arrival of the Norvara, with the Austrian Scientific Commission—one of whose members, Dr. Ferdinand Hochstetter, had, at the request, of Sir W. Denison, received the ready permission of Commodore Wiillerstorf to make as careful an exploration of our coal-fields as the unavoidably limited stay of the frigate would permit. How indefatipably that exploration has been made, we have shown. Now, we have to state, that not only is the exploration completed, but Dr. Hochstetter has prepared an elaborate Report as to the results of Ins investigation—that, the Commodore has sent iv the Report-to'his Excellency, Governor Browne—and that, while most impartially discriminatory aad guarded, Dr. Hochstetter's general verdict is highly favorable as to the extent and value of our coal-fields, and the important bearing they will exercise on the future well-being of this Province and Colony. His Excellency, we have no doubf, will take the earliest'opportunity of publishing, for the information of the colony, Dr. IJoehstetter's Report in a Government Gazette. When that is done, we shall republish the entire document for the benefit of our readers. We believe we shall not be guilty of any very grave breach of trust, if we state that the Report has been translated into English by Dr. Scherzer—and such excellent English, that though Mr. Puvchas was requested by both the writer and the translator to detect and correct any. Germanisms, he fonnd but little occupation for his critical pen. In our last we expressed a wish—in which everybody who has made that gentleman's acquaintance could not hut share-r-that Dr. Hochstetter had been able to remain among us a.few. months longer. What we wished, is now a certainty. So strongly impressed was his Excellency as well as the, Provincial Government of the importance of having the exploration thus carefully begun, carried on by and under Dr. Hochstetter, and also of the desirability of more time heing afforded to him for completing the varied.observations and collections with respect to the Natural History of "Nevv Zealand,—the making of which was one of-the objects of the visit of the Novara to our shores,—that Governor Browne put himself in communication with Commodore Wullestorf on the subject. The result of the correspondence was that the Commodore gave his consent that, he being willing, Dr. Hochstetter should remain six months longer in this Province, to forward the exploration he has commenced. In giving this consent, the Commodore expressed his gratification that an officer of the first Austrian Circumnavigation Expedition could render service of this kind to...the people of a nation that has done so much to promote a knowledge of the Natural : and Physical History "of almost every part of the world—-as Great Britain has ever done. Baron Wullestorf also signified his: conviction that our colonial and Provincial authorities would render-such assistance to Dr. Hochstetter as should .enable him at the same time. to. promote the objects of the Expedition —of which he continues a member.

The conditions on both«ides, indeed, were exceedingly simple and equally honorable to both nations ; being only that, the expenses of the exploration, and of Dr. Hoclistctters stay- and his journey to rejoin the Expedition at Trieste, should be borne? by the NW Zealand .Government [for the Provincial Government]—ami that the Austrian expedition should share with New Zealand in the collection of specimens he may have time to make.

It 13 an arrangement, in short, from which both nations may hope mutually to.benefit —while the Province of Auckland will remain deeply indebted to Dr. llochstetter for his valuable and disinterested services in prospecting,-and showing us how most profitably to work our varied Mineral Resources.

It is not a little singular that the first person who made anything like a Natural History Survey of New Zealand should have been a German —Dr. Dieffenbach, and that it should fall to the lot of another German savant —Dr. Hoehstetter, to carry on still more successfully, in" this Province, the work his countryman so well began. It is also not a little curious that one of the British companions of Dieffenbach—Mr. Heaphy—should have been, and will be, one of Dv. Hochstetter's most valuable aides during his Geological Survey iof this Province, and that another, the Rev. A. G. Purchas, should some years ago have been on the point of joining the expedition of another German, the ever-to-be-lamented Leichhardt, in Australia. Thus it is that Science promotes the entente cord-iale of nations.

In all probability the Norvara will take her departure from our harbour this afternoon. We are glad she will not do so sooner; for it not only affords us they opportunity of thanking Commodore Wiillestorf Urbair for the visit of the Expedition under his command to Auckland, and for the kindly manner in which he accedes to the request for Dr. Hochstetter's longer stay—but also to thank the members of the Scientific Commission for the zeal manifested in the pursuit of their several branches of, Natural Science, and the officers of the vessel for the good wishes.which they, with—the Commodore and Commandant," have expressed towards the people, and Province of Auckland. It further gives us the opportunity of mentioning that the Commandant of the Frigate, Captain Baron Poeck, when in command of an Austrian Steam Frigate (the Elizabeth) some three years ago, rescued a British merchantman and her crew, and received from her Majesty, in recognition of his eminent services on that occasion, a splendidly gold-mounted sword, having an inscription recording the date of his act of gallantry and humanity. -

A safe and pleasant voyage home to the Novara and all on board!