town,) and my country section there.

For

an agriculturist, the first four or five years are those which will pay best, as we shall not be able to supply ourselves until the expiration of that time; and I well know that Sydney will not be able to spare us any in the meantime. Wheat is now selling there at 101. per quarter, and was much higher a short time back. Oaten-hay itself, which can certainly be harvested here twice, and probably three times, in the course of the season, sells at 187. the ton."

As to the harbour of Port Nicholson and the country around, the same writer says :

“The harbour resembles rather an inland lake than an inlet of the sea, particularly when it is perfectly calm; which is not always the case-it being so squally and changeable a climate, as far as the wind is concerned, that we are frequently threatened with an upset when sailing about in our boat to bring our goods, or when on a fishing excursion: but she, I mean the boat, is very stiff, and I have acquired the art of managing her to such an extent as to secure my safety in her. But to return to the harbour: it is surrounded with mountainous hills, for that is the only way to describe them-being a species of neither mountain nor hill, and yet both. They are partly covered with a sort of bastard flax and long grass, which gives them rather a barren appearance; but it is fully compensated by the richest description of forest timber which covers the remainder, At the further end of the harbour is the mouth of the three rivers on which the town is to be built. They flow down a valley of level land, which is from four to six miles in breadth, and surrounded by hills most densely covered with timber; as is likewise the valley itself, excepting on the banks of the river, which have, at one time or other, been cleared by the natives for potato-gardens; but those gardens do not extend further than one hundred yards or so inland. The scenery of these rivers, as you go paddling up them in a canoe, is most enchanting: the principal river is as broad as the Thames at Richmond, but too frequently interrupted by snags, which have in many places formed bars, which must be removed before it can become navigable for a boat of any size; but a canoe, which does not draw more than one and a half to two inches of water, can of course go anywhere, and enable you to see it all, and a beautiful sight it is. Picture a most enchanting serpentine river, overshadowed by trees of richest verdure, emblossomed by every colour, enlivened by the deep mellow and quaint notes of the ptui, or mocking bird, besides those of hundreds of others equally rich and curious; and every now and then paroquets of the brightest greens and reds fluttering from bank to bank, and adding their chattering notes to the general

concert."

As to the favourableness of the climate to production, we have the following testimony :

"The first two days after our arrival were rainy; after that we

had a fortnight's continued fine open harvest-weather. The three or four last days have been alternately rain and sunshine-what would be called fine growing weather in England. I am keeping a journal of the weather, so that I shall be able to let you know exactly what the climate is all the year round. April and September are the two seasons for sowing; although I am given to understand that you may sow all the year round with every chance of success, for there is no such thing as frost in this latitude. I have had some land grubbed up, and have sown some potatoes and garden-seeds, which I expect to harvest before the wet season sets in, about ten weeks from the present time."

But the fact to which all the settlers bear witness, is the extraordinary salubrity of the climate. We extract the evidence of many witnesses :—

"I am most thoroughly satisfied (says Mr Revans) with the people and place; indeed, I never attached myself before to any place out of my own country, although, as you know, I have seen many of our colonies, and not a little of other countries. I am really fond of this place. I am in rude health; I rise at five, and go to bed at eight, and work and talk, and walk incessantly.'

"I am now living (says Mr Partridge) in a tent which I have bought, for the house is not yet landed; and I am very well contented that I have not yet been obliged to sleep with an umbrella over my head, as most others have done. The climate is so fine that everybody laughs at such things. My tent is full of goods, furniture, pots and kettles, and all sorts of bedevilment.'

"My life (says Mr M'Gurk) is very different to what I led in London-rise at five, breakfast and out to the woods at six o'clock, returning home at six in the evening. It is very hard work, and I am generally wet all day, as we have to cross over swamps; yet I have not felt the least ill effects from it, and I like this sort of life amazingly.'

"The climate (says the same) is salubrious; of that, I think, I am a fair judge. I was swamped in a canoe the first day I came on shore, and slept all that night in my wet clothes, not being able to get off to the ship. Since that time I have been wet almost every day, being obliged to do so in my vocation. Up to this time, I have slept in a tent upon the sand; yet I have had no sickness, not even a slight cold. Try the like of that in England; but before you do so, go to the cemetery and choose your grave.'

"I am better in health (says Mr Duppa) than ever I was in my life, although obliged to be exposed to all weathers, and though, living in a tent, experiencing the most sudden changes of temperature. Every one has thought fit to put on so healthy an appearance, that the doctor who came out with us is in a terrible fright lest he should have nothing to do: I, however, console him by making a calculation of the number of births which are likely to take place in the course of the year.'

.

"I have received your letter, per favour of Captain Smith (says Dr Dorset), and am very much concerned at your illness; and yet, afterwards, I was rather pleased, as it is the most powerful thing I can avail myself of to induce you to come out and join me. I consider you, as well as myself, to have a permanent weakness of the chest; and as long as you are exposed to the exciting cause (which is the climate of England) you will have periodical attacks, one of which may carry you off, or, at the least, make life anything but a blessing. Well, now, to put a parallel case, which I consider my own is, I can say that I never in my whole life enjoyed such health as I have since my residence in this favoured land; and I think I may safely promise you the same riddance of your troublesome complaint, which, I again say, rests all with the purity of the air you have to breathe; and this climate will just suit you, judging from myself." "

The following passages relate to the prospects of the emigrants. Colonel Wakefield says:—

"February 12.-The energetic and combined movements of the Orientals have quite changed the appearance of the banks of the Hutt. Rows of native houses, single settlements, tents, and rickcovers, already afford shelter to the whole of the passengers. The Roxburgh emigrants have also united themselves in forming an adjoining settlement on the river. Furthest north are the Scotch party, rather separated from their friends, and eyeing with satisfied looks the rich land into which they are eager to thrust their spades. All parties concur in praising the soil, which the best judges pronounce capable of yielding the largest crops of wheat, and almost every other produce. A scientific agriculturist decides on its superiority to that of West Hoo, one of the most fertile spots in Kent.'

"The cannie Scots in the Bengal Merchant' (says Mr E. J. Wakefield) are a capital set, landing every day, and working away at clearings and houses during the rain, while no other complaint escapes them except the remark, in a good-humoured tone of voice, that the weather's rayther saft.'

"No distinction (says Mr E. J. Wakefield) is made as yet between different classes of labourers; the wages of all are 28s. a-week in private employment; 20s. a week in the Company's, 11s. 5d. of which is served out in rations.'

Those of the settlers who are in better circumstances appear to be taking a fair share of the labour of settling.

"This day and the 23d (Feb.), (says Mr E. J. Wakefield) I went up the river, as far as the surveyor's lines extend, and saw Molesworth, Petre, Hopper, Sinclair, and an old schoolfellow, at Bruce Castle, Mantell. They are all working away, in excellent spirits, at houses made of flax, bark, and rushes, chiefly by native architects, and at small clearings for potato-gardens, &c.'

"Molesworth, Sinclair, and Petre, and the aristocracy (says Mr

Partridge) are setting a good example by working away. Fustian coats and thick shoes are very fashionable, and you would laugh to see officers, doctors, and dandies-digging, thatching, and chopping, with great frenzy. The climate is glorious, and the country like a paradise.'

"A number of respectable people (says Mr Marjoribanks) are here now-among others, Lord Petre's son, Sir William Molesworth's brother, and Sir George Sinclair's eldest son. There is no distinction of ranks here. All are seen carrying wood, trunks, boxes, driving pigs, and, in short, doing many things that they would not do at home. A new colony is a strange place.'

We could extend these extracts to a much greater length; but the paper is already much longer than we intended; we must, therefore, content ourselves with saying, that every settler of every class seems perfectly satisfied with the country, climate, and people, and there seems but little doubt that New Zealand will immediately become the favourite colony of the Southern Hemisphere.

We have still a few words to add, notwithstanding the length to which our paper already extends, relative to the political questions affecting the colony. We have already stated, that the colony was established without the sanction of the Government, but it has since been acknowledged as a British colony; and, more than that, the Colonial Office has voluntarily withdrawn its opposition, and is at this moment availing itself of the co-operation of the company to effect the systematic colonization of these beautiful islands. The New Zealand Journal' of the 5th Dec. contains the terms of a charter about to be granted to the company, most favourable to the future prospects of the colony.*

*We copy the particulars from this Journal, an ably conducted newspaper, published every fortnight, by Chambers, 366 Strand. Ed.

"First. With respect to the adjustment relatively of the claims which the Company has established to favourable consideration for themselves and for the emigrants whom they have sent to New Zealand, the Company having invested large sums of money in the purchase of lands in New Zealand from the native chiefs and others; in the taking up, chartering, and dispatching of ships for the conveyance of emigrants thither; in the maintenance of such emigrants before and during the outward passage; in the purchase and transmission of stores for the public use of the settlers on their arrival; in surveys; in the erection of buildings, and the erection of other works dedicated exclusively to the public service of the settlement; and in other heads of expenditure, or absolute liabilities unavoidably required or reasonably incurred for the before-mentioned purposes,it is agreed that an estimate be forthwith made of this outlay, under the different heads thus enumerated. In making this estimate, no items shall be admitted which shall not be found to be just and moderate in amount,

The settlers, on their arrival, provided for the establishment of the supremacy of the law and the effectual prevention of anarchy. Even before their departure, they entered into

and fairly demanded by the exigencies of the service to be performed. The above-mentioned estimate shall be made by one or more accountants, to be named by Lord John Russell, and paid by the Company.

"When the amount of the above-mentioned expenditure shall have been ascertained, the Company shall be secured by a grant from the Crown to them, under the public seal of the colony, of as many acres of land as shall be equal to four times the number of pounds sterling which they shall be found to have expended in the manner and for the purposes beforementioned.

"The lands shall be taken by the Company in the neighbourhood of their respective settlements at Port Nicholson and New Plymouth.

"Then follow ample provisions, in detail, as to the mode of selection. "The Government will complete the survey of the external lines of every block of land assigned to the Company; and the Company will be allowed, in account with the Government, credit to the amount saved to the Government, by leaving the interior survey of such blocks to be made by the Company.

"The expense of surveys to be settled by a general scale.

"The Company to forego all claim to any lands purchased or acquired by them in New Zealand, other than the lands so to be granted to them, and other than any lands which they may hereafter acquire from the Crown, or other persons deriving their title from the Crown.

"Out of the lands granted to the Company on account of their past expenditure, the Company are to fulfil their contracts for the sale of lands to settlers and others.

"The native reserves made by the Company to be sanctioned by the Crown.

"Secondly. With regard to the incorporation of the Company, her Majesty will be advised to grant a charter for the term of forty years. The charter to contain all such conditions as may appear to her Majesty's Government to be necessary for the good government of the Company, and for the security of the public in dealing with them; and to contain provisions enabling the Crown to resume the charter, and purchase the lands and other property of the Company on just and equitable terms, in case the public interest should require such resumption and purchase.

"The objects of the incorporation to be the purchase, sale, settlement, and cultivation of lands in New Zealand, and the advancement of money on the security of lands situated there, for promoting the cultivation of such lands.

"As incidental to these main objects, the Company to be authorized to purchase and hire ships, and to engage with emigrants for their passage to the colony. Such management of emigration to be superintended by the Government or its officers in this country and the colony.

"The Company to be expressly prohibited from engaging in banking, or any other commercial undertakings.

"Thirdly. With regard to the powers of the Company, and the terms on which the Government will hereafter deal with them, the Company may acquire by purchase, except from the natives, any land in New Zealand which they may think proper to buy.