A Letter from Home.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3693, 26 October 1880, Page 3

A Letter from Home.

Mr Vesey Stewart writes a long letter to the Bay of Plenty Times recording his success with the new special settlement at Te Puke, near Tauranga. We make the following extracts :—" Not satisfied with filling the Lady Jocelyn, I have this day arranged with Messrs bhaw, Savill and Co. to follow the Lady Jocelyn by the, grand ship Himalaya, leaving Lo.don for Tauranga direct on the Ist December. I hare a lot of passengers secured for her, and some men with a pile of money whom I trust will be found settlers in Tauranga district and subscribers to yoar valuable 'piper. Strange to say Captain Calvert, of the Himalaya, was Captain of the Dover Castle that left; Belfast in 1875 with some members of No. 1 party, having sailed a few days previous to the Carisbrooke Castle.

I think it is a matter of such importance to a rich and rising district like Tauranga to converge into its focus as much capital as possible, and with other arrangements I have just concluded here, I believe that a third ship will be despatched to Tauranga about the month of April. She would,

however, arrive at the worst season of the year, perhaps in a pour of rain, which might cause bad impressions at the start— \ and I believe in " first impressions." The date of the departure of the subsequent ship must, therefore, remain over for considerations. My only reason for starting a vessel from here each three or four months is to strike the iron while it is hot and keep up the stream of emigration to oar district. My friends, Messrs Shaw, Savill, & Col, do not care particularly about sending ships to Tauranga direof, as it efitails a large additional outlay, and for cargo Auckland is ot course the only port: but surely some of our Tattrang'a storekeepers would find it to their advantage to order their goods direct from Lou don. I cannot think or believe that Mr Gladstone will have a long reign of power; he is evidently bidding for the support of whatever side is likely to be the strongest. His Chief Secretary for Ireland has made 'two most unfortunate speeches in Parliament—one with regard to the Irish land* lords and rights of property; and the other with reference to the House of Lords. Though in each case he attempted to eat his own words and make explanations, yet the words were spoken. Such: language, however, from a responsible Minister of the Crown will alienate the old Whig families that have hitherto supported Mr Gladstone, and before many years the political battle-cry will not be between Whig and Tory but between Democracy and Communism on the one side and the British Constitution on the other; and so great is Mr Gladstone's thirst for power that I do believe he would throw his talents and energies into the former side to secure success.