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The official handbook
of New Zealand
New Zealand, Sir Julius Vogel
UNIFIUTI
IRRI
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may he stated that, as regards Pl‘lukuy in- a. ‘
education, the system in force in Canter- tution, of a smaller class, maintained my me
bury is secular or undenoin'inational, in Government at a present annual cost of
which the State, refusing to recognize ailily about £1,200- _
responsibility for giving more than t e
rudiments of material and commercial in- _ _ Tile OTz_)haM'ge' _
Btruction, has placed the means of obtaining This is established in Lyttelton, on a site
with instruction within the reach of the overlooking the harbour. It is capable of
out 120 children, and is
poorest inhabitant. The multiplication of accommodating ab
school districts, the abolition of school fees, managed, at a present annual cost of about
and the provision that no person shall pay £2,500, by a master and matron,_with a
more than £2 per annum for having his stafi‘ of nurses. It is a purely public insti-
children taught, whilst all have to pay tution,_and is very satisfactorily conducted.
Something whether they have children or The children, as soon as_they are old enough,
not, have rendered it easy for any one to are nppffintlfiifl to vm'lous Fmdesi 01‘ Ben‘?
illfiure for his family the benefit of instruc- out to situations as domestic servants, &c,
tion in at least those subjects enumerated There were, about the close of 1873, 94
in the Education Ordjnance_ As regards children in the Orphanage.
higher education, the Provincial authorities ‘ The Lunatic Asylum.
have been evidently eager to supply ample I _ _ _ 4
fwilities ; and, with the various district This is situated on a piece of land con-
wheels, the colleges, museum, and lecture— taining about 50 acres, three milesiroin
hurch. It will accommodate about
hills, with their attendant scholarships and Christc _
s to 160 patients. Large additions have lately
other incentives to progress, there seem _
be in Canterbury almost every provision been made to it, and the male and fe 6
made befitting so young 9. country for wards are now entirely distinct and sepa-
rate. There is also a separate establishillflllt






inltruction for th ung. _ .
in the same grounds for the reception of
HOSPITAY CHARITABLE confirmed drunkmds' who are sent 0,.
KONG‘ various periods to the lunatic asyllllP b!
ixclns'ive ‘ ' private “\ls the Magistrates. Theinstitutionlsen, -
.intnined [medical i a public one, but if the relatives 5"” a
6 in Cr 10 hosp'i' can afford it, they have to_payl~aa h,
flitistchn at Tin per week for their maintemn, ,
, f q annual cost to‘ the Pmvlm‘’ ‘ "M
‘ 3. £8 500. _ a, \ nn 'l‘he system adopted 11? may


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- NEW ZEALAND. '
A COLLECTION OF PAPERS
BY EXPERIENCED OOLONISTS
ON
HE COLONY ‘AS A WHOLE, AND ON THE SEVERAL
' PROVINGES. '
EDITED BY SIR JULIUS ZOGEL, K.G.M.G.
SECOND EDITION.


L 0 N D 0 N
iBn'ntzh anh ipuhlisbzh fur tbs @ofinnmmt uf {Mn Zealanv, hg
WYMAN 8a SON S, GREAT QUEEN STREET,
LINCOLN’S ‘INN FIELDS, W.C.
1875


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- 'PREFACE 'l‘O SECOND‘ EDITION.
THE rapid sale which the First Edition of the “ Ofiicial Handbook of New Zealand’‘
has met with, has occasioned an unexpectedly early demand for a New Edition.
‘The materials'for bringing the information contained in the publication down to the
latest period are not procurable in England, and the question had to be considered
whether to allow the book to go out of print, or to publish a second edition with only
such additional information as could be obtained without sending to the Colony. The
Editor, who is on a visit to England, decided to adopt the latter course ; and it becomes
his duty to explain that the latest information is not so complete as he would have
desired. It has been gleaned from different sources, and so far as it goes is to be relied
on. As it is not sufficient to be made applicable to all portions of the book, and as it
would embarrass the reader to leave him in uncertainty as to the dates to which the
various particulars extend, it has been thought better to append the additional infor-
mation to this introduction, leaving the bulk of the book as before, excepting that the
Ofiicial Directory has been corrected as far as possible.
In the absence of a copy of the Census of 187-1, the particulars of that Census,
procured from fragmentary sources, are produced at less length than might otherwise be
desirable. As the paper on the Public \Vorks Department could not be subjected
to ofiicial revision, it has been thought better to leave it as it originally appeared. It is
to be regretted that ofiicial materials are not to hand in England by the aid of which a
particularized account could be given of the very great progress which the Railways and
other public works have made since the paper was written. As the best substitute for
an ofiicial statement, an article from the N ew Zealand Times of March 11th, describing
the operations of the Public Works Department to the end of 1874, is appended.*
The following extract from a letter dated June 8th, 1875, written by the Hon. E.
Richardson, the Minster for Public Works in New Zealand, briefly describes the then
condition of the principal railways :—“ The line from Auckland to Mercer, forty-six
miles, is open ; also that from Invercargill to Mataum, forty miles ; also‘Christchurch
to Rangitata, seventy miles ; seventeen miles of the Winton line nearly ready ; Dunedin
to Cluthn, fifty-two miles, next month. All the Canterbury branch lines, one hundred

‘ Page vii.
r5’.


iv NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
miles, open and at work; the line between Picton and Blenheim, the line to the
Brunner coal mine, the line between Nelson and Foxhill, and that between Wellington
and the Upper Hutt, in September. The trafiic looks well on all of them.”
To enable these Public Works to be carried out, further borrowing has been
necessary. A four millions loan was negotiated in March last, at a price which,
taking into consideration the discount to be made up, was tantamount to the Colony
borrowing at five per cent. Whilst the large Public Works and Railways are unfinished,
they do not directly add to the revenue ; but the great increase of the population of the
Colony, mainly arising from the system of free immigration adopted, has added very
largely to the revenue out of which the charge for additional borrowing has to haunt.
Some instructive particulars on the subject of revenue and increase of population will
be found appended. It will not be uninteresting to state, that whilst the population,
exclusive of Natives, as taken by the Census on the 1st of March, showed an increase of
43,291, on the population disclosed by the Census of the 1st of February, 1871, the
return of population, exclusive of Natives, compiled by the Registrar-General on the
31st of December, 1874, showed an increase of 42,350 for the ten months, or an increase
in that period nearly equal to the increase of the previous three years. The Revenue
also shows a satisfactory increase. The Consolidated Revenue (which did not include
the proceeds of land sales, or provincial revenue, or the returns from the railways in
work) for the year ending the 30th of June, 1874, amounted to £1,420,216. This was -
an increase of £300,000 on the revenue of 1873, and many persons regarded it as an
abnormally large return for the year, and thought that the revenue of the following
year would scarcely be equal, and certainly not exceed it. Even those who took a more
favourable view did not expect a large increase. The estimate of the Colonial Treasurer
was an increase of £76,000. But the financial year ending the 30th of June, 1875, has
just expired, and the return, in round figures, shows an increase of £185,000 on the
previous year.
It may be mentioned as a satisfactory evidence of the progress of the colony, that
arrangements have been made on behalf of New Zealand, in conjunction with New
South Wales, for a steam service between New South Wales, New Zealand, and
' San Francisco, which, besides providing an efiicient and rapid mail service between the
colonies and the United Kingdom, will materially improve the trade of the colonies.
New South Wales and New Zealand have also jointly arranged for a cable to connect
the two colonies, so that in a few months New Zealand will be in telegraphic com-
munication with Great Britain and the rest of the world.
Great progress has been made in the settlement of Native difiiculties. Indeed, so
little is the relation between the Europeans and the Natives now subject to disturbance,
that persons scarcely fully realize the difference between the time when the Native
question was the one absorbing theme of consideration and the present, when it attracts
in comparison but partial attention. Sir I). M'Lean has undeviatingly pursued his
policy of peace, of justice, and of conciliation, and he has been rewarded by results. He
has held a satisfactory interview with the Maori king, who for years occasioned so much
trouble, and a final settlement of all disputes seems not far distant. The Natives have
agreed to the opening up of the Ohinemuri goldfield. As yet, it has scarcely answered
the expectations that were formed of its auriferous wealth, but in any case the lands are
excellent for settlement. Another goldfield on the east coast of the Auckland Province
is in course of being opened up. The gold prospects on the west coast of the Middle
Island are said to have much improved.


PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. v
THE REVENUE.
CONSOLIDATED Revenue FOR men FINANCIAL YEAR swan run Pueuc Wouxs
AND 11111101141101: SYSTEM WAS comunucnn.
‘ £ a. (1.
1870-71 ... ... 936,188 5 10
1871-72 m ... 1,031,082 18 7
1872-73 ... 1,119,904 3 4
1873-74 ... 1,420,216 17 3
1874-75 1* 1,005,000 0 0
The Customs Revenue is included in the Consolidated Revenue given above. But a
detailed account of the Customs receipts for the years ending 3lst December, 1873 and
1874, will be interesting :— -
RETURN of 00810118 REVENUE at the several Ports of New Zealand for the Quarters
and Years ended Slst December, 1874 and 1873. '








‘ l
1 Quarter ended Year ended
Blst December, 318t Deoem- Slat Decem- 3lst Decem-
1874. her, 1873. her, 1874. her, 1873.
.2 £ .2 £
, Auckland 48,953 49,361 220,753 193,709
I Thames .. 1,988 1,921 9,367 9,695
Russell .20]. 214 950 1,352
lMnngonni 96 145 505 652
l Hokianga I 417 319 1,150 1,331
,Tanranga .... .. - 201 144 471 145
Poverty Bay 1,999 1,514 5,585 4,656
; New Plymouth . 2,076 1,508 7,755 6,605
‘\Vanganui 7,058 6,319 25,101 21,781
1 Wellington . ....... .... .. 30,946 25,224 124,330 88,560
! Napier ..... . 11,488 10,541 42,860 82,687
1 Wairau 1,259 1,412 5,411 5,066
| Picton ..... .. 416 370 1,721 1,582
1 Hnvelock 132 212 664 910
l Kaikoura... 283 264 838 754
1 Nelson..... .. 11,294 12,032 40,689 40,730
Westport 5,559 - 4,873 18,971 16,186
1 Greymonth.,,_ 12,180 11,949 43,629 39,011
Hokitika . .. . ... 10,712 9,736 37,423 35,292
‘okmm Nil. 203 629 1,019
Lyttelton & Christchurch 42,089 39,993 17 4,086 126,373
Akuroa . . . . .. Nil. 77 150 299
'l‘imnru 6,259 1 4,477 21,468 14,678
| Oamaru 2,517 2,521 10,269 9,072
Dunedin 83,169 86,081 357,543 282,964
Invercargill and Blufi 10,200 7,843 81,902 25,251
} Riverton..................... 1,266 1,495 4,728 5,440
Chatham Islands Return not yet in. Nil.
i 292,758 280,748 1,188,948 965,800
I .

WILLIAM SEED, Secretary and I nspetto'r.
Customs Department, Wellington, 1901 JanuarJ, 1875.

' In round figures.


vi NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
THE CENSUS.
The population of the colony (exclusive of aboriginal natives) on the night of
March 1st, 1874, was as follows :— .





Males‘. Females. l Total.
!
Auckland.. . . 37,106 30,345 ‘ 67,451
Tnranoki 3,043 2,422 5,465
Wellington ...... .. 16,246 13,544 29,790
Hawke’s Bay 5,416 3,812 ‘ 9,228
Marlborough .. 3,659 2,485 6,145
Nelson 13,545 9,013 22,558
Westlond .... .. 9,473 5,387 ' 14,860
Canterbury . . . . . .. 32,294 26,481 58,775
Otago ..................................... .. 50,121 84,992 ' 85,113
.chsthem Islands (estimated) 150
170,903 188,482 | 299,535

I These figures show an increase, since the Census of 1871, of 43,142 ; or (excluding
the Chatham Islands) of 42,992 ; 20,547 being males and 22,445 females. -
Taking the towns having more than 1,000 inhabitants, the list stands thus :—'





Province. Towns. Population.
Auckland ... ..... ........... .. Auckland ............. .. 12,77 -
,, ..... Onehunga .... .. 2,044
,, . Coromandel 1,174-
,, .. . .. ... Thames .............. . . 8,073
Toranaki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. New Plymouth . . . . . . . 2,044
‘Wellington . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Wellington . . . - . . . . . . . . . 10,547
,, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Wangnnui .... .. . . . . 2,572
Hawke’s Buy . . . Napier... 3,514
Nelson . .. . ... Nelson ... . 5,662
Westland . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hokitikn .... . . . . . 8,352
,, -......... .... .. ' Greymouth .... .. 2,551
Canterbury. . . . .... . . Christchurch .... .. 10,294
,, ........ .. ... Lyttclton ....... .. 2,974
,,' .. . . .... . . Koinpoi .......... . . 1,002
,, . . . . . . . . . . . .. Timaru 1,969
Otego ...... .... .... .. Dunedin .......... .. ... 18,499
,, .m... .... .. Port Chalmers 1,535
,, m. . Oamaru ...... ... 2,819
,, “..-
Inveroorgill .......... .. 2,479



These figures do not include the population of the suburbs of the principal towns. I
The population of Auckland and its suburbs exceeds 20,000; for to the 12,775 given
above, must be added 3,976 for Parnell and 4,839 for Newton. So, the 10,294 given for
Christchurch represents the population of the city proper (within the Town Belt) ; but,
adding those who reside outside the belt, but are mcluded in the electoral district of
Christchurch East, or West, the total will be nearly 17,000. The figures in the case of
Dunedin must be largely increased to represent its city and suburban population ; for
to 18,499 must be added a considerable proportion of the residents in the road districts
of Carersham (2,250), Roslyn (928), Mornington (831), Wailmri (759), Kaikorai (763),
Yort-h-eust Valley (1,537), and Peninsula (990K


PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. i -vii
The New Zealand Herald has the following about the Census returns -:--
The Census tables for 1874, which have been forwarded to us, are replete with details of the
most interesting, if not of a very important, character. We trust they may be preserved in our
colonial archives, as evidence of the painstaking of our Registrar-General in furnishing data by
which the early history and traditions of New Zealand may be preserved. The population, with
respect to its several nationalities, is classed as follows :-—Of the 295,514 inhabitants which make
up thetotal, exclusive of Maoris, 122,635 were born in the colony, 13,601 in Australia, 74,628 in
England, 1,381 in Wales, 38,431 in Scotland, and 30,255 inv Ireland; other British possessions,
3,058. Of foreign countries, 569 are French, 2,819 German, 4,396 from other European countries,
575 United States of America, 4,828 Chinese, and 893 from other countries. At sea: British
subjects, 923; foreign subjects, 16. In the province of Auckland, there are 66,647 British
subjects, 1,385 foreign subjects, and 19 of whose allegiance nothing is known. It will be seen
that of the three hundred thousand inhabitants (speaking in round numbers) of N ew Zealand,
only 177,351 were born out of the Colony. Next in order come English; next, Scotch; and,
third, Irish. Of the 4,828 Chinese, only five are women.
The total number of dwellings in the Colony is 65,858, which includes from the one-roamed '
habitation to the mansion with fifty rooms. Of these, 3,967 were unoccupied, so that in 1874
there were numbers of tenements to let, always supposing they were inhabitable. In Auckland,
there are very few tenantless dwellings, although many of them, so to speak, are quite uninha-
bitable. Landlords spring froma stony-hearted people. There are in the Colony, 75 females and
the seventeenth-one-hundredth part to every 100 males. In Auckland, there were 4Q persons to
each dwelling; in Otago, 5. Of every 100 persons on the oldfields, there are 67 males to 33
females. In the outset of the Otago goldfields, there were 9 males to 3 females, which can only
be looked upon as very disproportionate indeed. The various religious bodies in the Colony are
enumerated under the following heads z—Episcopalians—Church of England ; Presbyterians—six
denominations; Methodists—Wesleyan Methodists, Primitive Methodists, United Methodists,
Free Churches, Bible Christians, New Connection Methodists; other Protestants—Baptists,
Congregational Independents, Lutherans, Christians, Church of Christ, Unitarians, Society ‘of
Friends, Calvinists, Christian Israelites, Catholic and Apostolic Moravians. Catholics—Roman
Catholics, Catholics undefined, Greek Church. Other denominations— Latter-day Saints or
Mormons, Jews, Mahometafi, Pagans. Nearly 1,300 persons return themselves of no denomina-
tion, 152 as of no religion, while 6,760 persons “object to state." There are some denominations
in the Colony which number very few members. There are, for instance—Christadelphians,
Christian Friends, Christian Disciples, Church of the New Testament, J ehovistic N onconformists,
Morrisonians, Nazarencs (total six), Puritans (total one), Welsh Church (total one), Evangelist
(total one), Swedenborgians, Cosmotheists, Evolutionists, Free-thinkers, Pantheists, Platonists,
with about forty other denominations—most of them with most singular designations.
The New Zealand Times publishes the following information, supplied by the
Registrar-General, regarding the population of the Colony on the 31st of December,
1874 :— -
Auckland,- 73,362; Taranaki, 6,373; Wellington, 35,607; Hawke’s Bay, 11,122; Marl-
borough, 9,533; Nelson, 23,971; Westland, 15,377; Canterbury, 71,316; Otago, 98,067;
Chatham Islands, 1321—Total, 341,860. Thus it will be seen that the European population
increased by 42,350 souls during the last ten months of 1874—a rate of progres which no other
colony in Australasia at all approaches. _
PUBLIC WORKS.
(From the New Zealand Times, March 13.)
The return which we publish below of the operations of the Public Works department,
under the Immigraton and Public Works Acts, up to the end of 1874, was kindly furnished to us,
some time ago, on application, by order of the Hon. Mr. Richardson. It is a very satisfactory
record indeed; and we may add, that, since then, considerable progress has been made
throlgghout the colon in the completion of works under contract. For example, the Auckland
and ercer line will s ortly be opened to the Waikato river, at a point intermediate between the
s ot where the battle of Koheroa was fought, in July, 1863, between General Cameron and the
aikato natives, and the famous Maori position of Meremere, which for three weary months
' .
barred the advance of the British troops. In Canterbu province, there will very soon boa _
considerable mileage of new railways opened. Otago wil also have its Southern TrunkLine
opened between Dunedin and Balclutha, in about a couple of months, with the exception of the
short break nmr Green Island, occasioned by the Chain Hills tunnel, which is incomplete.
Arrangements are, however, in pro for tern orarily filling u this gap in the through trafic,
so that the long stage, from Dun in to the Mo yneux river at Eelclutha will be accomplished
in three hours—a feat which no one dreamed would be accomplished in the present generation
half a dozen years ago. The South Canterbury Trunk Line is being rapidly pushed on to the
confines of Otago, and the North Otago Trunk Railway is also in course of formation. The latter
is, however, by far the heavier work, by reason of the hilly ‘nature of the country near the
Dunedin end. But the contractors are working with so much vigour, that it is certain the line
will be completed within contract time.
The other railways in the Middle Island are approaching completion ; and branch railways-—


viii NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
in the case of Canterbury constructed by the Government, and in the case of Otago partly by
the Government and partly by private enterprise—are being built to accommodate the lateral
traflic, and act as feeders for the trunk lines. The advantage of these trunk lines cannot well
be over-estimated, as the will promote settlement by increasing the natural facilities for
transport, and more especially enable the mineral deposits of the interior to be worked at a
profit. This is now impossible owing to the cost of haulage. The interior of Otago is known to
abound in coal and other minerals, which cannot be beneficially worked at present. When,
however, the railway lines in course of construction are completed, capital and labour can be
profitably employed in winning them. In the case of Canterbury, also, large mineral deposits
will soon be thrown open to private enterprise. Coal and building material abound there as they
do in the southern district; and agricultural lands are to be found in the one province as in the
other. ‘
Of Nelson and the West Coast, we need not speak particularly. These districts are known
to abound in minerals. Coal, iron, copper, gold, exist in such profusion that we are justified
in saying that no other locality of the same extent in the colony contains the elements of wealth
in a like degree. They simply want capital and labour, judiciously employed, to develop their
resources. The railway lines in course of formation in the Nelson province, it is hoped, will
materially aid in promoting this result. A company has been formed in Melbourne to work the
Para Para iron mine. Should this enterprise be successful (and its success will altogether depend
upon its management), other associations will doubtless be formed to work the mineral lndes in
other places. At all events, the construction of railways by the colony is calculated to encourage
capitalists to adventure their money in improving the mines of Nelson.
The short section in Taranaki province, between New Pl mouth and Waitara, will not be of
much service. It will be necessary to continue it to Patea an Wanganui, when it will open one
of the richest agricultural districts in the colony. It will thus form part of the great Northern
Trunk Line, between Wellington and Auckland, because an easy and practicable route exists
between Taranaki and the Upper Waipa, by the western side of Lake Taupo. And we have no
doubt whatever that by the time the colony is in a position to undertake this extension, the
"native difl'iculty" will have disappeared under Sir Donald H‘Leau's management, and that
neither Tawhiao nor Rewi Mania oto will offer any objection to the construction of a railway
through their territory. Meanwhile, the preming matter is to open the whole of the west coast
between New Plymouth and Wanganui by means of a railwa , which will connect the Wellington
and Masterton by way of Manawatu. The country traverse by these lines is unquestionably the
richest agricultural and pastoral land in New Zealand. What may be the value of the minerals
in the coast and central ranges it is impossible to say, the country never having been prospected, \
or indeed ex lored. That these ranges abound in forests of valuable timber is visible to the eye ;
but what is £eneath the surface no one can tell. Judging, however, from similar countryin other
parts of the north island, we should say that the- unexplored ranges of Wellington province are
amply stored with minerals.
The Napier and Manawatu Railway will ultimately form a junction with the great Northern
Trunk Line to Wellington, and connect this port and harbour with the fertile lands extending from
the Seventy Mile Bush to the East coast, thus making Wellington the outlet for the produce of l
the East and West coasts, and the great central basin of the North Island lying south of Taupo_
Hence the necessity of pressing on with the completion of the railway between Wellington and
Manawatu, on which section alone any really heavy work exists. The extent of country which
will thus be opened for beneficial occupation, and the demand for labour which it must create,
should alone induce_the Colonial Government to press on with this work. In as 'ng this, however,
we do not mean to infer that there has been any inattention on the part 0 the Public Works
Department to the interests of Wellington province in the matter of railway construction. At the
same time, we think if a bonus were offere to the contractors for the Rimutaka tunnel, and for
other diflicult sections of the line, it is more than probable the work would be completed consider-
ably within contract time. The whole colo'ny would be the gainer, because it is no exaggerated
estimate to say, that within a twelvemonth from the o ening of the railway to Masterton and
Manawatu, the rural population of the province will e doubled. Only those who know the
country which this railway opens can form a correct estimate of its productive capacity ; and the
difficulty of access hitherto has alone kept it undeveloped. .
Reverting to the returns, it will be seen that on Dec. 31, 1874, there were 168 miles 28 chains
of General Government railways open for traflic, besides 68 miles of Provincial Government rail.
ways, making a total of 236 miles 28 chains. In addition, there were 626 miles 74 chains of
railway under contract. The total length of railway lines authorized by the General Assembly
Zgssmiles 50 chains, exclusive of branch provincial lines, the appropriation for which was
1 r _ '
There are also three important water races under construction, being in all about 50 miles in
length; two of them, viz. the Waimea and the Nelson Creek races on the west coast of the
Middle Island, and the third at the Thames. These are for bringing water to the goldfields, and
will have the efieot of enormously increasing the yearly-yield of gold, and of enabling miners to
make hi h wages by working land which, without water, would be quite or neerlv worthless.
Un er the Public Works Act, 1870, there have also been constructed and opened for trafio
in the North and Middle Islands, up to Dec. 31, 1874, a total of 1,320 miles of dray roads, and
about 680 miles'of horse roads; and in connection with these there have been built about
170 bridges, some of them of large size, and none of them of less span than 30 (L, besides about
200 bridges of smaller span, and numerous culverts. The value of the bridges can only be
known to the dwellers in a new and uncivilized country, spanning as many of them do, the most
dangerous rivers and creeks which before rendered travelling very uncertain and hazardous.


PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. ix
Thanks to the Public Worln and Immigration policy, the population is steadily increasing;
44,954 persons having been added duril 1874. The total number of Europeans in New Zealand,
on the 31s1. of December last, was 340, 0; the total on the {fist December, 1873, was 295,946.
With these facts before us, we are justified in congratulating the Colony on the result of the
policy of 1870. It has been eminently successful. What is wanted to make it still more so is,
to keep up a constant supply of immigrants, and to remove restrictions on commerce. The
public W0!‘ s, under contract and rejected, will tax all the energies of the country for years to
come; but labour must be foung to encourage private enterprise to develop the resources
of the country.
Rsrnwsvs 01mm: IMMIGRATION sxn Porno Wouxs Acre,
Exclusive of Christchurch and Dunedin Lines.













Appro rietiou Lamb Total length
Lines, ‘ n to so. 31 - 0 “for Traiflc. under contract,
p 1874. ' A'mmnud' p not yet opened.
16 111. eh. m. ch. in. ch.
Kawa Kawa, Port 42,500 8 00 - —
Kaipara, Rivertou 65,000 15 68 '— 15 68
Riverhead, Auckland . 127,500 22 47 — —
Auckland, Mercer 344,000 46 00 8 00 38 00
Mercer, Newcastle 170,000 34 01 — 34 01
grewcastle, Southviaorgao . .. 0,000 . 40 00 -— —
' aitara, Petea, 1 , _
Pam, wangmui 50,000." } 150,500 23 13 11 13
Wanganui, Manawatu ....... .. 318,000 58 00 — 33 88
Manawatu, Foxton ..... .. .. 60,000 25 00 25 00 —-
Napier, Waipulrurau .. 220,000 45 25 18 00 27 25
Waipukurau, Manawatu .... .. 30,000 13 13 — 13 13
Masterton, Wellington .... .. - 888,000 70 00 8 00 27 00
Greymouth, Brunnerton...... 184,400 7 23 — 7 23
Westport, Mount Rochfort... 120,500 18 00 ' — 7 55
Foxhill, Nelson ................ .. 101,500 20 20 - 18 77
aicton, Ilg‘lleijnheim .; 12g,% 18 53 - 17 10
owai, giora ,
Rangiora, Addin :1 102,000 32 11 18 54 13 37
Rang'mra, Oxfo . 21 51 11 50 10 01
Kaiapoi, Eyreton. 14 40 -— 14 40
Rolleston, Malvern . 283,000 35 40 24 00 11 40
Racecourse, Southbri go 26 08 - 26 08
Waimate, Main line ....... .. J i 6 00 — —
Selwyn, Rakaia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 88,000 12 39' 12 89 —
Rakaia,Ashburton 89,000 '18 31 17 18 1 13
Ashbnrton, Temuka.... .. . 188,000 34 20 -— 34 20
Temuke, Timaru . 74,000 11 74 — 11 74
Timnru, Waitnki . 220,000 37 73 — 37 73
Waitaki Bridge .. 75,000 0 71 — 0 71
Waitaki, MoerakL. 261,000 89 22 -— 39 22
Moeraki, Dunedin .......... .. 480,000 52 00 — 4 03
Port Chalmers, Dunedin .... .. 210,000 8 00 8 00 —
Tokomairiro, Lawrence 156,000 22 00 - 22 00
Dunedin, Clutba ......... 326,000 51 08 6 0 45 08
Cluthn, lllatauru ..... .. 260,000 49 43 — 25 32
Mataura, Invercargill . 148,000 39 56 11 27 28 29
\Vinton, Kingston 244,000 70 00 — 50 00
Surveys ............... ....... .. 10,000 -— — —
£5,816,900 1048 50 168 28 626 74



Provincial Lines open for ‘frames—-
L telton to Christchurch 8 miles
C 'stcburch t0 Selwyn... ... 22 ,,
Blufi to Winton ... ... ... ... ... 40 ,,


’‘ NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
EMIGRATION.
A olu'olhlly ravlnod Charter-party, under which the Government vessels conveying
emigrants will soil, has recently been prepared; experience having shown that con-
siderable nunlllloutloun of the previous Charter-party could be advantageously made,
I" on to promote the comfort of and nts.
' 'l‘ho now Dietary Scale rovi es for more varied food and larger supplies than
ioruuo'ly. 'l‘he wants of c ildren and infants have been particularly considered,
uud ouch ship will be liberally supplied with preserved milk of the best quality procur-
uhlo. Additions have also been made to the medical comforts, the distribution of
which is entrusted to the surgeons of the ships.
instead of between 15 ft. and 16 ft. of area being allowed for the bertbing of each
statute adult, the allowance is now 18 ft., while the space for the storage of emigrants’
luggage has been increased from 10ft. to loft. for each statute adult. No vessel
will be allowed to carry more than about 300 statute adults ; and, except under the
direct approval of the Agent General, no persons will be allowed to be taken in the
port or parts of a vessel appropriated for emigrants proceeding to the Colony under
the Government regulations. ' .
Number of emigrants depatohed from the commencement of emigra- Souls.
thin under General Government system to August 9, 1875 ... 65,317
(it the above there were taken out under the free system, which
was commenced in November, 1873 ... ... ... 60,370
0
MEETING WITH THE MAORI KING.
Early in the present year, a. very important meeting took place between the Hon.
5h‘ D. M‘Lean, Native Minister, and the Maori “ King.” In the account given of “ The
Native R000," mention is made (page 30) of a. “national party” of Maoris, livmg in
the interior districts of the Waikato country, and near Lake Taupo. The “King
Nutives,” as they have generally been called, have kept themselves for fifteen years
more 01' less isolated from the European settlers; but during the latter part of 1874
Taiwhiuo, the king, visited Alexandra, and since then evidences of a desire for renewed
iuteroourse with the Europeans have been marked and frequent. In February last,
com lying with an invitation from the king, Sir D. M‘Lean met him and his principal
chioii; ; and there were several interviews. As might have been anticipated, Tawhiao
asked that the lands 'in the Vt'aikato district, confiscated during the war in 1863-4,
should he returned: though he would certainly know that the answer to such a. request
would be that to return the landswas impossible; that under the authority of the
Assembly, and of the Queen’s Government, those lands had passed for ever from their
former Mnori holders. But while Sir D. M‘Lean so replied to the King, be indicated
terms which might be made in the interests alike of the King Maoris and of the Euro-
pouu settlers. Those terms were :—1. Tawhiao to exercise authority over the tribes in
die district where he is now recognized as the head. 2. A certain number of chiefs to
be selected b him to assist in maintaining order and repressing crime among his
mople. 3. T 0 Government to support him in discharging those duties. 4. A suitable
louse to be built for him at Kawhia, and certain areas of land on the Waipa and
\Vuikoto rivers to be granted to him. Tawhiao and his chiefs indicated satisfaction
with these terms. To close at once with any proposals of importance is opposed to
Maori usage ; and it is believed that there will soon be completed arrangements under
w hich Towhiao will co-operate with the Government in preserving law and order among
the tribes of Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto, who recognize his authority. ‘
infill-MN, August, 1875.


LIST OF PAPERS AND THEIR AUTHORS.
In-rnonoc'rron ... ... The EDITOR ... .'.. Page 13
DISCOVERY AND EARLY Smmrmx'r or run COLONY The Hon. W. Fox, M.H.R. 17
THE NATIVE RACE ... The Hon. Sir D. MCLEAN,
K.C.M. G. , M.H.R., Native
Minister... .'.. 26
Pnxsnm‘ Form or Govnnmurxr ... The _Hon. W. Grsnonmn, Com-
' missionerof Annuities... 32
CLIMATE, AND Murmur. AND AGRICULTURAL REsOURCES Dr. Ham-on, Colonial Geologist... 35
ANIMAL 41m Vxenmem PRQDUCTIONS Mr. Tnsvnns 40
Some: or ran Ixsrrru'rxons or run COLONY Mr. Woonwnnn, Public Trustee. 43
Nous, Srs'rrerrcen, Conwnncmn, AND INDUSTRIAL Ditto 54
Mr. BROWN, Registrar-General... 68
Mr. Bs'rxm, Secretary to the
Lyrrsr S'urrs'ncs Treasury 68
Mr. SEED, Secretary to the One-
toms 63
PUBLIC Womzs DEPARTMENT Mr- KNOWLEs. Under Secretary '
' for Public Works 75
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT Mr. Hnuonrou, Under Secretar \
for Immigration 76 V
OFFICIAL Dmncmr... Mr. COOPER, the Under Secretary 85
OTAGO. —Furnished by the Superintendent of Otago
Mr. MACANDRW, MIH'R' ’ } Prepared by Mr. J. MCINDOE ... 92
CANTERBUBY.—Furnished by the Superintendent of Can- 1 q
terbury, Mr. RonLEs'roN, M.H.R. .- 5 Prepared byM" W'M' MASK!“ m
WRSTLAND.—Furni8hed by the Superintendent of West- r
land, the Hon. J. A. BONAR, M.L.C. _ Pmpmd by M" '7' DREW" 1“?
>0‘
MARLBOIOUGH.-—Fumi8had by the Sn erintendent o
Marlborough, Mr. SEYMOUR; M.H. 1., Chairman 0
Committees of the House of Representatives. '
'fi
} Prepared by Mr. A. MABKELL ... 164
NEIsom—Furniehed b .the Superintendent of Nelson l'
ML CURTIS, Milli ‘ ’ , Prepared by Mr. C. ELLIOTT 173
WnLLmo'rom—Fmniehed by the Superintendent of Wel-
lington, the Hon. W. Frrzmmnna'r, M. H.R., C.M.G. } Prepared by Mr’ H‘ ANDERSON 185
Tax MANCHESTER “Srrcmrfl' SEMLBMEM Prepared byMr.A.F. Hemomsn 215
Hswxn's BAY.—Furniehed by the Superintendent of
Hawke’s Bay, Mr. Onmonn, M.H. R. } Pmpmd by M" w- w‘ 0mm“ 218
TAnANAKL—Furnished by the Sn erintendent of Tara- Prepared by Mr. C. D. WHIT-
naki, Mr. Cameron, M.H. . comm _ 227
AUcKLANn—Furniehed by the Superintendent of Auck- { P'f‘wf mils-Li‘;
lend, Mr. Wmmmsou, M.H.R. LE" m 243





CONTENTS.
—_—¢c<>———-
DISCOVERY or Nnw Zmmso pp. 17-26
The early inhabitants—probably Malay emigrants—similarity of their language to
that of the Sandwich lslm1.lers—'l‘a,sman, in 1642, the first recorded European visitor—
he loses a boat's crew in Massacre Bay—he leaves the Islands without landing—Captain
Cook the next visitor—he lands in Poverty Bay in 1769 -unprepossessing view of the
east coast of the Islands—surpassing beauty of portions of the west coast—Mount Egmont
and Milford Sound—Ship Cove, Cook's favourite rendezvous—his opinion that if man
could live without friends that spot would realize his ideal—improved appearance of
Poverty Bay since Cook first landed there—his unfortunate collision with the Natives—
he kills their fighting general—Native account of his landing—his unfavourable impression
of the country—his mistaken ideas in treating with the Natives—he alters his opinion
regarding the harrenness of the Islands upon better acquaintance—he tries to improve
the condition of the islanders—he introduces the sheep, goat, and pig—the two first fail,
but the pig rapidly increases—he plants several vegetables—his last visit in 1777—Revl
Samuel Marsdcn visits the Islands—the English Church Missionary Society founds a
Mission at the Bay of Islands—commercial agencies established—a Resident and a Rosi-
dent Magistrate appointed—the New Zealand Company commences colonization—the first
expedition arrives at Port Nicholson, in Cook Strait—the noble objects of the founders
of the New Zealand Com any—the Wakefield system—improvement in New Zealand
since the first colonist Ian ed—the streets and shops in the towns will now remind the
immigrant of the Mother-Country—improvement in the Maori character through Missionary
influence—list of the different settlements.
Tnn NATIVE pp. 26-31
Interesting character of the Maoris —thcir brave and warlike nature—their ready
acceptance of the arts of civilized life—the agricultural settler now finds eager imitators
among the N ntives—rapid decrease in numbers of the aborigines—intending emigrants
have been deterred from New Zealand by what has been written of former confiicts with
the Maoris- that state of things has completely passed away—before the advent of
Europeans intertribal wars were incessant— ossessed of a certain degree of civilization,
yet without a literature, the Maoris devote their faculties solely to war, planting, and
fishing—the dangers the first emigrants to New Zealand had to contend with trivial in
comparison with those overcome by the early settlers in America—traditions account
among the Maoris of their first arrival at the Islands—evidence in support of t e theory
of their Malay origin—the introduction of firearms among the N atives—Rev. Mr. Marsden
from Sydney, lands in 1814, and commences to preach to the Natives—the spread of
Christianity amongst thank—Churches and schools built—general sketch of a Maori—
the N gapuhi tribe—the most important one, and the first to acknowledge Her Majesty’s
supremac —Tamati Waka Nene, their late principal chief—his loyalty and frie'ndship
for the Lnglish—the New Zealnml Government erect a monument to his memory—-
instance of the good feeling at present existing between the Natives and the Govern-
mcnt—ndoption of the European dress among the Maoris —general improvement among
them in their manners and customs—their anxiety for the education of their children in
the English language—increase in the number of day schools—large tracts of land still
held by the Natives as owners and cultivator‘ - favourable reception of the railway system
among them.
Tum Pnssnnr Form or Govrnsmmr.............................. pp. 32-55
The Government of New Zcnland similar in practice to that at home—the direction
of afiairs vested in representatives chosen by the people—qualification of a voter, and of
a member of the House of Re rcsentatives.--pnwcr of the Colonial Legislature—right of
assent or dissent rests with Jet Majesty~ rare instances in which assent has been re-
fused—Ministers must possess a majority in tle House—division of the Colony into
Provinces—the Local Governments—the lending characteristics of the British Constitu-
tion preserved in that of New Zealand.


6 . new ZEALAND HANDBOOK
DESCRIPTION or CLIMATE AND MINERAL AND AGRICULTURAL
RESOURCES or NEW ZEALAND .... pp- 35-40
Dimensions of the Islands—their distance from England—their provincial divisions
—mounta.inous character of the country—extinct and active volcanoes—in the North
Island the loftiest hills are not always covered with snow, but in the South Island there
are many glaciers—though the climate is changeable the variations in the temperature
are not great—temperature very similar to that of England—favourable character of
the rains—Mineral resources of New Zealand—Gold-mining already largely productive
—the Thames Gold-mines—the Coal-fields—the districts where Coal is found—Petroleum
—its quality equal to that of the United States—bonus offered for its production—large
extent of country suitable for tillage or pasture—the different geological formations of
New Zealand—by proper selection of soil, all varieties of Cereal and Root Crops may
be successfully grown—suitability of the climate for European domestic animals and
poultry—the great variety and abundance of fish—great commercial value of the New
Zealand forest trees—all the fruits and vegetables of the North Temperate Zone can be
profitably cultivated in New Zealand—great improvement of late years in the system of
agriculture pursued by the Colonists. ' . '
SOME or THE INSTITUTIONS or NEW ZEALAND pp. 43—55
Introduction of Savings Banks—and of Poet-Ofiice Savings Banks—popularity of the
latter—Table of the number of Savings Banks and of Depositors in 1872—favourable
comparison with those in England—facilities given to Depositors—yearly progress of
Savings Banks from 1867 to 1872—Government Life Insurance in New Zealand—its steady
increase—the Post-Ol'fice—remarkable increase in its business—average number of letters
to each individual—the increase partly due to reduction of rates—number of Post‘
Ofiices in the Colon —Mail Services by see—Money-Orders issued and aid in New
Zealand between 186gand 187 2—commissi0n paid u on them—Telegraphy in ew Zealand
—its rapid extension —the number of interprovincia Letters and Telegrams during 1872-—
rates of charges for Telegrams—Money-Order Telegrams—their great convenience to the
public—Mr. Lemon's successful experiments in double telegraphy—lthe Land Transfer
System—explanation of the measure—its simplicity—the Public Trust Ofiice—its great
advantage to trustees—list of the Newspapers published in New Zealand.
NOTES STATISTICAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL pp. 54—68
The Population and its Centesimal Increase from 1851 to 1871—comparison of those
born in the Colony to Immigrants—proportion of Males to Females—comparison of the
Population in New Zealand with that of England-great improvement in the class of
Houses latel built—while lodgment has been well attended to, Education has been still
better looke after—Vital Statistics—Criminal Statistics—Convictions in 1851 and 1871-
Imports and Exports—increase in the Experts of Grain, Preserved Meets, and Leather—-
Shipping Return for 1872—Customs Duty for 1872—proportion per head of Population—the
importance which the export of Gold has assumed—the first discovery of Gold in New Zea-
lancl—increase in the export of Wool— important development of industrial pursuits —Lu.nd
and Building Societies—comparison of the Imports and Experts of Victoria, New Zealand,
and New South Wales—Table showing the Experts of Gold, Wool, and Grain from Victoria,
New South Wales, and New Zealand—greet desire to purchase land—proportion of land held
to population—increase of Stock—promising aspect of the Collicries —Marvellous expansion
of the Banking business—assets and liabilities of the New Zealand Banks—reduction in
the rate of Discount—vast improvement in the prosperity of the Colony to be expected.
LATEST STATISTICS................................. pp. 68—74
Population of the Colony in 1874—~Death-rate in 1874—compsrison of the ‘Death-rate
in New Zealand with that of the other Australian Colonies—number of acres under Grain
crops in 1873—value of Wheat crop in 1873—average yield per acre of the Grain crops—
comparison of the average yield of Wheat per acre in New Zealand with that of the
United States—amount of land in Pasture—mean temperature for 1872—avemge rate of
Wages in 1873'—average prices of Provisions and Live Stock in 1873—the Customs Revenue
of 1873—Revenue collected from 1863 to 1873.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT pp. 75, 76
I Until 1873 Public Works almost at a standstill—passing of the Immigration and
Public Works Act—impetus given by that and cognate Acts to Public Works, particularly
Road'making—extension of Railways and Water-races for the Gold diggings.


CONTENTS.
IMIGRATION' pp._76—S5
Aid given by the New Zealand Government to immigrants—establishment 01 all
Immigration De fitment—satisfactory results from _its work—arrangements for the
immigrants on air arrival—number of Immigrants in 18737411511‘ mind lPwrPomtmu
into the various trades—specimens of Letters from the Immigrants to their friends at
homo—their satisfactory character-
FFICIAL DIRECTORY pp. 85-9l
Composition of the Legislature—the House of Representatives—Supenntendcnts of
Provinces—Civil Establishment—Colonial Secretary's Oflice—Patent Ofl'ice—Depart'in ent
of J ustice—Crown Law Olfice—Public Works Oflice—Colonial 'l‘reasurcr’s Oflice—Stainp
Oflice—Audit Ofiice—General Post-Ofiice —Telegraph Department—Customs Department
Native and Defence Oflicc—Secretary for Crown Lands Department—Land Transfer Oflice
-Registrnr-General’s Ofiice—Geological Department— Printing Qfiioey—Inspector of
Stores’ Department—Immigration Department—Government Annuities Department—
Departments in the General Government in the ProvincesjCustoms—Postmastcrs—
Commissioners of Crown Lands—Armed Constabulary-Provincial Governments.
THE PROVINCE S.
.‘iii: PROVINCE or OTAGO [11). 92-121
Early History of the Province—originally settled‘ by a few stock-breeders—establish-
ment of a. Mission—first arrival of immigrants in 1848—diiferencc in their reception to
that given to immigrants in the present day—the first Church and School opened six
months after the arrival of the immigrants—establishment of a Newspaper and Public
Library—advancement of the Colony—it is erected into a Province—meeting of the first
Provincial Council—unpromising state of affairs at that time—yet the Colonists were
determined to‘ succeed, and with perseverance have done so—first results of their exer-
tions, the opening up ob the country by means of good roads and bridges—Immigration
assisted—establishment of a line of Glasgow ships—bonus offered for a local steamship
line—introduction of Banking business—Spiritual afl‘airs have not been wholly neg-
lected in favour of Material ones—creation of the Province of Southland—it is afterwards
re-united with Otago—discovery of Gold-fields in 1861—the rush to them—quantity of
Gold ex orted from 1861 to ISM—prices of Provisions and Rates of Wages in 1850, 1860,
- and 187 —establishment and rapid increase of Building Societies—Public Amusements-—
trivial character of the Criminal offences—geographical description of the Province—its
healthy climate—increase in the number of towns—Dunedin, in all its arran ements well
suited to be the capital -—it bids fair to be the “Athens of the South "-Port halmers, the
principal seaport—it has already a large ship-building trade—Oamaru, the shipping port
of the largest astoral and agricultural districts of the Province—its facilities for sea-
bathing—valuagle character of its Flour—activity in the Goldfields—different ways of
gold getting—while in some districts the soil is remarkably good, it is everywhere of fair
quality, and in its diversified character very similar to that of Great Britain—proofs of
its great fertility—Regulations for the sale of Public Lands—their favourable character
for intending settlers—owing to there being no Entail Laws the transference of land
easily made—opening up of the inland farms by new railways—prices of Produce and -
. Manufactures—Whaling and Sealing likely to become profitable pursuits—prospects of
adundant and remunerative labour to the skilful and industrious workman—Sugar-making
from Beetroot specially suited to Otago—as is also the growth of Flax and Hemp—valu-
able qualit of the Native Woods—facilities for bringing the sawn timber to the coast—
Gold foun in almost every district—Coal equally abundant—value of the Building Stone
.—varied and extensive mauuiacturing interests of Otago—Flour lllills—preparation of
Wool for the weaver—the Mosgiel Wdollen Facto prodiioes Cloth of excellent uality—
Tanneries—Meat-preserving establishments—Tim er, Furniture, and Metal (indes—
Certificate of Merit awarded at the Vienna Exhibition for Aerated Waters from Otago—
demand for all kinds of labour—rates of Wages—Rations allowed to labourers—large
outlay. in Public Works—foresight shown in the character of those works—Building
Societies have been of great advantage to working men in the Colony—tolcration in
religious matters—the Presbyterian the only endowed sect—but that is solely by reason
that Otago was founded by Presbyterians—that sect the most numerous, Episcopalians
second, and Roman Catholics third—great interest in education shown by the Colonists—
list of Educational establishments—Dunedin University—School of Art—success of
Athenaaums, Public Libraries, and Mechanics’ Institutes—all Public Schools are unsec-
tarian—the number of Pupils in 1872—suiiininry of expenditure on Education, 1872-—


8 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Hospitals and Charitable Institutions—Friendly Institutions—a great demand for Cot-
tages suitable for a single family—in a very short time a labourer has a good prospect of‘
owning his own house—the attractions which Otago presents remove the o jections a
man has to leaving his native land—in his new home he has none of the disadvantages I
and more than the advantages of his former life—useful hints to intending emigrants. ‘J
PROVINCE or CANTERBURYk...................................... 1017.121-
Folmdation and design of the Colony—the Canterbury Association—difiiculty in ac
qulring a suitable sites-purchase of the land from the Maoris—surveys made and
reparations for receiving the new settlers—arrival of the first batch of immigrants from
,ngland in December, 1860—it was intended that the colonists should consist entirely of
Members of the Established Church—speedy collapse of that project—elevation of the
colony into a Province—sterling services of Mr. Godley_-progress of the settlement—
in eight years the revenue was, per head, seven times as great as that of England_
boundaries, area, and physical features—return of the Agricultural produce in 1373-—
average yield of grain—energy displayed in road-making—powers of the Road Boards to
la rates—owing to the character of the country road-making comparatively easy—tho
In ustries of the Province—the climate of Canterbury similar to that of England—severe
droughts and excessive rainfall have occurred but exceptionally—mean temperature—land
regulations—adaptation of the country for agriculture—free selection of land at a proper
price—right of purchase—periodical land sales—waste lands maybe rented for pasturage
at low rates—land still available—land reserved for educational purposes—land under
cultivation—Small Farms—increase of population desirable, particularly of the class of
small farmers—large number of sections waiting the influx of immigrants—average rental '
per acre of farms—deferred payment system—Industries existing and possible—Wool
and Grain the two chief articles of production—Quantities and Value of Exports in 1873
-—averagelprices of Grain and Flour from 1869 to 1873—want of skilled labour in the Colony
——desirab' ity of offering State assistance in promoting certain industries—Woollen
manufactures— Preserved Meat and Fish curing—probability of Silkworm culture
-—Timber, and Timber planting— though Canterbury is not a well-wooded country
some parts are densely wooded—Spread of young plantations—Mineral and other
resources— abundance of _Coal well adapted for industrial purposes -— Clay Iron Ore
— Fire Clays -— Quartz sands — Limestones — Stone well suited for building purposes
— demand for all kinds of labour, but particularl in Agriculture and the Buil<l_
in trades -— rates of wages — Provincial Public orks completed and in progress
-— 'lways—many projected public works would be carried out if it were not for the

scarcit of labour—advantages offered to immigrants—Canterbury specially suited for
small armors—owing to the mildness of the climatefitock does not require special care
in the winter—introduction of agricultural machinery—prices of Farm Stock—prices of
necessaries of life—Religious bodies—almost every form of Church and Sect represented
—Educational establishments—great care taken in furtherance of Education—ordinances
of the Provincial Councils on the matter—division of the Province into educational dis-
tricts—no fees charged in the Public Schools, which are partly supported by rates on
householders and partly by votes from the Legislature—no compulsory Religious Educa-
tion—the lends reserved for educational urposes—establishments and endowments for
higher- Education—foundation of a Public ibrary at Christchurch—the work of the N are
Zealand Universitz in Canterbury—administration of the revenue devoted to Education
-—Hospita1s-and C aritable Institutions—Christchurch Hospital—Lyttelton Or hanagh
the Lunatic Asylum—the modern system of kindness adopted—Canterbury wei‘i supplied
with Charitable Institutions though there is not the same need for them as in the old
country—Immigration Regulations—Hints for Immigrants—care taken by the authorities
for the comfort of the Immigrants—Regulations to be observed in the hiring of the
Immigrants—Law and Police—Commercial Com anies and Associations—Miscellaneous
Societies—successful introduction of many Eng 'sh song-birds by the Acclimatization
Society—Public amusements—Summary of advantages which Canterbury presents #45 ‘
settlers.
Pnovmcn'or WESTILAND pp. 157-161
Purchased from the Natives in 1861—its geographical boundaries—regulations for
the disposal of land—blocks set apart for special settlement—valuable agricultural tracts
between the low-lying hills and the main range—Gold and Coal are both found in
Westland—abundance of fishc in the bays and rivers—luxuriance of the native flax—
unlimited supply of wood suitable for cabinet-makers and carpenters—demand for white
pine timber for exportation—rates of Wages in Westland—Publio Works in pro ss—
prices of the necessaries of life—the religious element—no State aid to religion eyond
the reserved lands—means of Education—-great uniformity of temperature.
PROVINCE or MARLBOROUGH 142. 164-173
Its geographical position—area of the Province—description of its physical geo-
graphy—onginally part of Nelson—made an independent province in 1859- present form


CONTENTS. 9
of Government—Population and progress—interest manifested by the Colonists in public
affairs—great beauty of the scenery in Marlborough—at one place resembling the lochs
of Scotland, at another it will recall a quiet Devonshire valle to remembrance—districts
of the Provitice—Land Laws—average price of Crown Lan s—articles of Production—
amount of land in cultivation—average yield of the Grain crops—mean temperature of
the Colony—value of the Wool exported in 1872—Tallow and Timber two important
industries of the Province—excellence of the forest trees—the high position the prepara-
tion of flax holds in Marlborough—many industries only require a supply of labour to
become profitable—Minerals—Gold, Copper, Coal, Antimon , and Hematite have all been
found,|though not in abundance—demand forall kinds of 1a our—rates of Wages—prices
of Stock, Provisions, and Clothing—inducement to Immigrants—facilities for Education
—the religious denominations in the Colony—advice to Immigrants.
Paovmcs or NELSON 1011173484
Introductory—reasons for founding the settlement—Captain Wakefield selected to
lead the expedition—difliculty in choosing a site—Port Coo er first thought of, but
relinquished on account of the objections of the Governor o the Colony—Blind Bay
chosen as situation for the new Colony—splendid tidal harbour and admirable site for a
town—the mistake the New Zealand Company made in its engagements with their first
colonists—the misery which ensued on the termination of the engagement—difliculty in
obtaining suflicient land—disputes with the Natives—collision with them, and massacre
of the whites—‘this was the first and last collision in the South Island between the
Natives and Settlers—general description of Nelson v-the Blind Bay District—rich
character of its soil—improvement in the circumstances of the settlers—if this district
does not equal other agricultural districts in New Zealand, it yet possesses many com-
pensating advantages—richness in minerals—the West Coast districts one vast gold-
field—Coal also is found in several places—farming and mining might be combined with
advantage—the Ainuri district—it is at present a purely pastoral country—gold present
everywhere—demand for agricultural labourers—Crown Lands—how disposed of—many
opportunities of acquiring Farms at reasonable cost—the chief productions of N elson—
the local Industries—great value of the forest trees—Nelson surpasses all other parts of
New Zealand in minerals—prices of stock and provisions—We. es of labourers—unsec-
tarian character of education—success of Building Societies in elson—splendid climate
enjoyed in Nelson—the Colony offers exceptional advantages to the better class of
immigrants.
Paovmcs or WELLINGTON p10.185-214e
Early history of the Province—originally a dependency of New South Wales—made
independent in 1848—general description of the Province—its geographical boundaries—
the city of Wellington-ships of any size can always find a secure anchor e in Port
N icholson—progress of the city—Institutions and Societies—the West Coast— escription
of the districts of Ngahauranga, Porirua, and Horokiwi—the land admirably suited for
'cultural purposes—Otaki, a Church of England Missionary Station—the Manawatu
district produces the native flax in abundance—tramway through the bush—exportation
of railway sleepers—Vast quantity of valuable timber—Scandinavian immigrants—the
excellent colonists they make—the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation—rugged
grandeur of the scenery of this district—valuable quality of the land when cleared of
the trees—new saw-mills about to be erected—the ground is being rapidly cleared of
trees, and sown with English grapes—the land chiefly occupied for grazing purposes, for
which it is well suited-Crofton, intended for a teetotal township—splendid new iron
bridge at Wanganui, the next most important town to Wellington—monument to the
memory of the men who fell here in a bloody encounter with the N atives—heauty of the
scenery of the Wanganui Valley—high character of the stock bred in the district—fine
bracing climate—gold is found in small quantities—the hawthorn hedges remind the
Wayfarer of Old England —Nukumsru, on the site of a strong pa formerly held by the
Natives, is now in a settled and prosperous district—the Confiscated Lands—large
sections still waiting the influx of immigrants—pacific attitude of the Natives—general
character of the land in Wellington—Conditions of Sale of Public Lands—what the
unsold Lands are available for—Lands in rivate hands for sale—advice to immigrants
with small means—chief articles of prodhction and their value—new Industries of the
Province—the amount of Timber and the best means of obtaining it—Minerals, as yet,
have not been found in any large quantities—considerable extension lately of manu-
facturing industries—handy men of almost any trade, sure of plenty of occupation
—rates of Wages—abundant dietary of the agricultural labourer—Public Works in
progress—advantages oiiered in this Province to agricultural labourers—com arison of
their condition in Wellington to their former lot in England—prices of Farm took and
of Provisions—Ecclesiastical organizations—there are already fifteen Churches and
Chapels in the City of Wellin n—all reli 'ous denominations are represented in the
Province—Education—the schoo s are partly ree, and are wholly unsectarisn—there are
also some good private schools—Charitable Institutions—House Rent in towns—cost of
erecting Cottages in the country—Building Societies—their successful operations.
1)


10 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Tun MANCHESTER “ SPECIAL” SETTLEMENT pp. 215-217
Founded b the Emigrant and Colonist’s Aid Corporation—arrival from England
of the first bate of immigrants—prospect of a highly remunerative result, both for the
immigrant and for the Corporation. -
PROVINCE or HAWKE’S BAY pp. 218-227
Discovered by Captain Cool: in 1769—flrst business transaction between him and
the Natives—sharp practice on the part of the latter—Cape Kidnap ere—origin of its
name—after Captain Cook's time, Hawke's Bay but rarely visited by w ite men—uncer-
tainty as to when the settlement was founded—building of Napier—erection of the
colony into a Province—early troubles with the Maoris—general description of the
Province—prepossessing appearance of N rapier—fertility of the Ahuriri Plains—ease with
which pure water can be obtained by means of Artesian wells—large forests of valuable
timber trees—Hawke's Bay peculiarly adapted for sheep breeding—miscellaneous
industries of the Province—rates of Wages—Public Works in progress—prices of
Provisions—regulations for the purchase of Land—Farms can be had on lease—means
gt Education—introduction of English trees, birds, and fish—Land and Building
ccieties.
\
PROVINCE oi-
pp. 227-243
Early history of the Province—origin of its name—warlike nature of its early in-
hubitants—visited by Captain Cook who named Mount Egmont—stranding of the
llarriet—ill'treatment of the crew—strange appropriation by the Natives of a portion
of the cargo—formation of the Plymouth Company—purchase of the land and foundation
of the settlement—arrival of the first immigrants—their extremely high moral cha-
rector—miserable condition of the Natives at that time—further purchase of the land
from the Waikato tribe—manumission of the aboriginal inhabitants who proceed to
claim all the lands—their claim allowed by Governor Fitzroy—great fertility of the
soil—general description of the Province—geologically it is a volcanic country—area of
the Province—its political divisions—New Plymouth, the capital—revenue derived [rem
the sale of land—present and ossible industries—as usual in New Zealand the forest
trees are extreme] valuable—building stone and coal are both found, besides several
minerals—rates of ages and prices of Provisions—the religious element—means of
Education—in certain cases education is free—poverty and want all but unknown in
'l‘cranaki—rents of Houses—hints to immigrants.
Pnovmcn or AUCKLAND pp. 243-263
The history of the Province almost identical with that of New Zealand—description
of the Province—its climate very similar to that of Greece—remarkable healthiness of
the Colony—natural products-acclimatization of English flowers—beauty of the
scenery—great commercial value of the Kauri pine—absence of noxious reptiles—abun-
dance of wild pigs and game birds'—Mineral resources—amount of Gold exported up to
December, 1873—Coai and Iron-sand plentiful—Copper, Silver, and Lead are also
found— area of Land in the Province—stock-raising the principal occupation of the
colonists—the land specially suitable for that ursuit—the natural phendmena of the
Lake Districts-the geysers~the Gold-fields of t e Ccromaudel Peninsula—their exceed-
ing productiveness—large dividends paid to the shareholders—demand for further
mining labour—Population of the principal towns—the water facilities of Auckland—its
shipping trade is already very large—Industrial ursuits—the Timber trade—Ship-
building—Kauri Gum, what it is and where foun —prepa.ration of the native Flax—
Rope-making-—cordage has been made equal to that from Manila hemp—unlimited
supply of materials for rope-making—Miscellaneous Industries—Industries not yet
established which are likely to be profitable—such as Woollen-mills, Vineyards, Tobacco,
and Beetroot Sugar—Farmers and agricultural labourers in great demand in Auckland——
Female servants cannot fail to succeed there—owing to the cheapness of living, persons
with small permanent incomes would do well to go there—the Land Laws—facility
in acquiring land under “ The Homestead Aet"-—how to obtain a free grant of land-—
Government Land Sales—Improved Farms may be purchased at moderate prices—rate
of Wages—cost of Provisions—Religious matters—tho Rev. Samuel Mnrsden founds a
Church 0! England Mission here in 1809—his high estimate of the Mamie—favour
accorded to the missionaries by the Maori chiefs—establishment of aWesleyan Mission—
it is badly treated by the Ngati o tribe — Bishop de Pom allier founds a Roman
Catholic Mission in 1837—meanso Education in Anckland— heritable Institutions—-
House rent and the cost of erecting Cottages—prices of Farm Stock and Agricultural
Implements—advice to intending Emigrants.
‘one.occlil‘lO'IIIIIOIIOIOOIIIIIIOIIIII'OOIOIIIOII.Iplllllvillliollcelseo P.


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
__°°*°°-_
M A PS ..
THE SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND ................. ...... ...... ...... .. Page 92
THE NORTH ISLAND OF NEw ZEALAND .................................................... .. 185
WOOD ENGRAVINGS.


MOUNT EGMONT AND RANGEs,'TARANAKI ................................................. .. 19
SKETCH oF A MAORI CHIEF. From Dr. VON HOCHsTETTER’s “New Zealand”... 30
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, WELLINGTON ................................................ .Q ........ .. 33
MAITAI VALLEY, NELsON ...................................................................... .. 36
AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT, SHAG VALLEY, OTAGO ......... u‘ .... ...................... .. 41
SUPREME COURT, AUCKLAND ............................. ............ .._ ...................... .. 51
NATIONAL BANK, OAMARU, OTAGO .......................................................... .. 54
GOLD QUARTZ MINING ......................................................................... .. 61
PANORAMA OF THE CITY OF WELLINGTON ................................................. .. 83
PANORAMA 0F DUNEDIN ............................... .. 97
FIRsT CHURCH IN DUNEDIN .............. .; ....... .. 97
PORT CHALHERs ........... ..................................................................... .. 110
VIEws OF CHRISTCHURCH. From Photographs by Mr. MUNDY ...................... .. 124
TIMARUNU- ................................................................. ... ..................... .. 139
SKELETON OF THE ExTINcT MOA .......................................................... .. 147
LYTTELTON ........................................................................................ .. 150
HOKITIKA RIVER, FROM THE TOWN OF HOKITIKA ..................................... .. 156
FRANCIS JOSEPH GLACIER. From a Sketch by the Hon. W. Fox ................... .. 161
PICTON .............................................................................................. .. 165
PHORMIUM TENAx, 0R NEW ZEALAND FLAX. From 2, Photograph by Mr. MUNDY 169
PANORAMA OF THE CITY OF NELSON ....................................................... .. 173
RIVER GREY, FROM GREYMOUTH ............................................................. .. 179
WANGANUI BRIDGE ............................................................................... .. 195
WAIRARAPA BRIDGE ............................................................................ .. 201
PANCRAMA 0F NAPIER ......................................................................... .. 221
PANORAMA OF NEW PLYMOUTH ............................................................. .. 227
A CREEK ........................................................................................... .. 281
PANORAMA 0F AUCKLAND. From Photographs by Mr. MUNDY ..................... .. 242
GovERNOR’s HOUsE, AUCKLAND ............................................................. .. 255
*


___—_
r—_._,


INTRODUCTION.
‘000*—
N order that this Handbook may be fairly estimated, it is necessary to explain the
manner of its preparation. Most of the works about New Zealand have been written
.either by those who have made only a short Visit to the Colony, or who, possessing an
acquaintance with some particular part or parts of the two Islands, have been still unable,
however much inclined, to do justice to the several Provinces into which New Zealand
is divided. '
The colonization of New Zealand has been conducted by several communities, which,
as organized and initiated, were perfectly distinct in their character, their objects, the
bonds that held them together, and their plans of operation. As might be expected, the
isolation in which these communities dwelt assisted for some time to intensify the dis-
ti‘nctness of their characteristics. Of late years, the isolation has yielded to the inter-
course consequent upon larger facilities of communication. At first, some of the Pro-
vinces occasionally heard news of each other more rapidly from their communications
with Australia than from their direct communications. But for many years past
steamers have abounded on the coast, and there has been much intercommunication.
The consequences are that the Provinces know more of each other; they have in many
cases exchanged settlers and residents; and the old exclusiveness has assumed rather a
character of ambitious competition for pre-eminence in the race forwealth and material
advancement. The railways and roads which are being constructed will much increase
the intercommunication between different parts of the Colony, and will tend to further
reduce the Provincial jealousy that still survives. But not for a long time to come, if
ever, will the characters the settlements received from their early founders be entirely
obliterated. '
The object of this Handbook is to give to those who may think of making the
Colony their home or the theatre of business operations, an idea of New Zealand from
a New Zealand point of view. To do this, it was necessary to recognize the distinctions
which have been already explained. No one man in New Zealand could faithfully
interpret the local views of the various Provinces. It was, therefore, determined that
the book should consist of a number of papers, some devoted to the Colony as a whole,
but most of them independent accounts of separate localities. In editing these papers,
the difiiculty arose of deciding whether to permit a certain amount of overlapping of
narrative, some little discrepancy in statement of facts, and yet larger difference in
elaboration of views, or to so tone down the papers as really to frustrate the purpose
which led to their separate preparation. The decision was in favour of preserving the
distinctness of the papers, even at the risk of affording grounds for carping criticism.
In some of the papers, extravagant exhibitions of local favouritism have been much
toned down, but enough has been left to sup 1y clear evidence to the reader that there
is hardly a Province in New Zealand, the resi cuts in which do not consider it specially
favoured in some respects beyond all the other Provinces. To ignore this feeling—the
legitimate and in some respects valuable outcome of the original system of settlement—
would be to fail to convey a homely view of New Zealand.
It must be clearly understood that when, directly or by implication, comparisons
are instituted between different Provinces, they are the writer’s, not the editor’s.
Not that it should be supposed the Provinces of the Colony are uniform in their
conditions. A long line in the ocean, trending nearly north and south, New Zealand,
for its area, extends over many degrees of latitude, and possesses much variety of climate.
There is also wide variety in natural and hysical features, and in resources, whether
mineral or agricultural. In “specialities,” t erefore, there is no doubt much difference
in the capabilities of the Provinces, and perhaps, to some extent, it would be well if this
were more generally admitted, and efforts were made to develop in each Province its own
proper capabilities. Success naturallv induces imitation. and hence, perhaps, the exist‘


14 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK-
ing industries may have become too deeply grooved. The fact that sheep and whea
have been so successful in the South, does not make it a necessary consequence that the}
are the most suitable productions for the North. Amongst the benefits an influx a
population will bestow on the Colony, may be anticipated that of an im etus being vgive:
to new industries, suitable to the circumstances of the several parts 0 the Colony, bul
which in the early days were overlooked. _
Those who incline to make New Zealand their home should not form extravaganl
anticipations of it. It is not paved with gold, nor is wealth to be gained without indus
try. Our countrymen of the United Kingdom may form an idea of it if they suppose it
to be a very thinly-peopled country, with numerous points in common with the Islands
of Great Britain, but possessing, on the whole, a much better climate, free from pauperism,
more free from prejudices of class, and, therefore, opening to the industry and ability of
those who have not the adventitious aid of family connections to help them,a better road
to advancement; a country in which there is a great variety of natural resources, and
which, therefore, appeals to persons of much variety of taste; a country which may
boast of some of the most magnificent scenery in the world; a country in which the
natural wonders of many‘ parts of the globe are con egated. Norway, for example
would not be ashamed of the fiords of the West (igdast of the Middle Island:' the
glaciers there would also respectably contrast with glaciers elsewhere. The ho:
springs of the Lake district are more marvellous than the geysers of Iceland. It isa
country with an immense extent of seaboard compared with its area, with splendi;
harbours, many, if not extensive, rivers, fine agricultural land,_ magnificent forests
and lastly, one which, besides possessing in abundance the key to manufacturini
wealth—coal—has alluvial and quartz gold deposits, in working which, those whose
tastes incline them to mining may always find a livelihood, with the possibility of
attaining large wealth by a' lucky discovery. Though sparingly populated, it is not
denied the benefits which science has opened to modern civilization. The telegraph
enetrates its length and breadth, and railways are being constructed throughout ll.
n course of time, it must carry a.popu1ation of millions, and every acre of available
land must become valuable. Yet vwith the knowledge that this must be, there is so
little capital, not required for industrial uses, that'millions of acres of land are open t:-
purchase at prices which, a generation hence, will probably represent their yearly rent.
There are not many instances of vast accumulations of wealth in individual hands. I‘.
would be as difiicult to find a millionnaire in New Zealand, as it would be in England to
find a labourer enjoying anything approaching the advantages enjoyed by the New
Zealand labourer. Money is more widely distributed. The small tradesman, the me-
chanic, or labourer, in short, any one who is fitted to make New Zealand his home, and ‘
who is not incapacitated by ill health, may, with ordinary frugality and industry,'and
without denying himself a fair share of worldly enjoyment, save money, and become, if
his ambition point in that direction, a proprietor of acres.
New Zealand has, apparently, when tested by its population, a heavy public debt;
but when tried by the only true test, the burden which the debt bears to the eam- ‘
ings of the people, it compares favourably with older and more ‘settled countries!
although the public debt of the Colony includes works, such as railways, water-works. I
roads, and bridges, which in other countries are either the results of joint-stock‘
enterprise, or of local taxation, or of loans not included in the general indebtedness. 1
A ‘n, in the Colony, against the public debt there is to be placed an immense and
va uable estate in the land which still belongs to the Crown. The charge per head
upon the population, on account of New Zealand’s public debt, taken as a whole, was
some months since computed to be £1. 17s. 4d. per annum. ' That total was thus
composed:—On account of Colonial indebtedness, exclusive of Public Works and ‘
Provincial, 18s. per head; on account of Public Works, 6s. 8d.; on account of

.Provincial Loans, 12s. 8d.; makin together £1. 17s. 4d. But taking the test of
the average earnin of the pop tion, the charge per head on account of New
Zealand’s total inde tedness, is computed to be 2'4 er cent. on the average earnings,
while in the United Kingdom it has been computed) at 2'8, and in the United States- .
at 2'7 per cent. In the former, the cost of railways, and of other public works which
are here regarded as “ Colonial,” is not included; in the latter, the State .debts are
included. Exclusive of Provincial indebtedness, the Colonial debt, including that for
railways and some other public works, is computed to be equal to an annual charge per
head of about 1'6 per cent. on the average earnings 0 the population. The Pmvm-
\zial indebtedness is secured on the Crown lands, and these. at amoderate estimate,


INTRODUCTION. ' . 15
are worth at least four times the amount of the Provincial debts. It is to be‘
remembered that fresh arrivals, from the increased wants they create and work they
supply, not only participate in the average of earnings, but on the whole add to the
average, whilst they diminish the amount per head ‘of the indebtedness of the country.
SO that what is going on in New Zealamfi and what will continue to go on until the
Colony is reasonably peopled, is a tendency to increase the average earnings and to
diminish the average burden of the public debt, or if that debt is being added to, the
avera e burden on the profits of the people may still remain unincreased.
I "let these papers were in course of preparation, the Census was being taken. It
has -not been -found possible to incorporate many of the results with the various statistics
throughout the pages of the book ; but a separate paper is presented, showing-as much
of the informatmn obtained from the Census as at the latest moment is procurable.
Some interesting revenue returns are also given. Itwill be observed that the two
greatv branches of revenue, the Colonial and Provincial, are alike increasing in a remark-
able manner. . '
In the pages of the Handbook, frequent reference is made to the various land
laws in force in the -Colony. The natural disadvantage of many varieties of land laws
is, to some extent, compensated by the larger range of choice of conditions pre-
sented to the intending settler. Without giving an epitome of the different
systems, it maybe observed that the object of them all is to promote settlement,
their framers holding, in many cases, distinct views as to the circumstances
and conditions most likely to promote that object. It is important to remem-
her this, because from it follows the fact that the tendency of all amendments in
the land laws, or modifications in the mode of applying them, is in the direction of
making the land more available for settlement. For example, an arrangement has just
been made between the General Government and the Provincial Government of
Wellington, whereby the latter agrees to four blocks, of not less than 20,000 acres each,
being selected out of the best land in the Province, to be surveyed into sections of from
50 to 500 acres each. It is agreed that every other section of these shall be open to
the free selection of any purchaser, at prices to be fixed in advance: the purchase-
money to be paid in instalments, extending over five years. .Under this plan, any
industrious person, possessed of good health may become a freeholder. Some of the
differences in the land laws arise only partly throu h opposite opinions as to what is
most likely to promote settlement, and are rincip y to be set down to the‘different
nature of the lands and the circumstances of t e Provinces. In Otago, for instance, where
the desire is to make the land laws in the highest degree liberal, a new system is being
adopted, of deferred payments, with conditions of cultivation. In Canterbury, one
simple plan has been adopted from the first. Any one may select from the Crown
lands throughout the Province, at the price of £2 an acre, cash, without conditions of
cultivation and residence. In Auckland, some extent of land is given away in the
shape of free grants of forty acres to persons who fulfil the prescribed conditions of
cultivation and residence. Other Provinces have modifications or varieties of these
several plans; in all, the desire is to see the land cultivated, and from that desire will
probably, sooner or later, arise a nearer approach to uniformity of system. The
Assembly last year passed an Act, under the provisions of which every person approved
by the Agent-General, who pays his own passage to the Colony, may claim a free grant of
land to the value of £20 for himself and for any adult member of his family, whose
passage is also paid. Two children are reckoned as an adult. The Crown grant of the
land is to be conditional on occupation and use, but the immigrant is to be allowed to
remain five years in the Colony before selecting his land, and he may select it in any
part of the Colony where land is open for sale. '
Let it not be then ht that for all persons New Zealand is a suitable home. It
is a land of plenty to t e colonist who can do work such as the Colony requires, ‘or
who can emp oy others to do such work for him. But it is no suitable home for
those who cannot work or cannot employ workers. The mere ability to read and write.
is no sufiicient justification for a voyage to New Zealand. Above all, let those he
warned to stay away who think the Colony a suitable place to repent of evil habits.
k
‘ The ne’er-do-well had better continue to sponge on his relations in Great Britain, than
to hope he will find sympathy for his failings and weaknesses in a land of strangers:
strangers, moreover, who are aluite sufiiciently impressed with the active and hard reali-
ties of life, and who, being 0 architects of their own fortunes, have no sympathy to
throw away on. those who are deficient in self-reliance. 'l‘his warning is not altogether


16 . _- NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
. uncalled for. It is astonishing how many people are sent to the colonies to relieve their
friends of their presence, no heed, apparently, being given to the fact that these countries
are not at all deficient in temptations to evil habits, and that those who are inclined to
such habits had much better stay away. An instance not long since came under
the writer’s notice. A wealthy settler received a letter from an-English gentleman
of whom he had not before heard. The writer explained that his acquaintance with
a mutual friend induced him to write and to introduce his son, the bearer, who was
visiting New Zealand for the purpose of settling there. He was sorry to say his son
had not been successful at home in anything he had tried. He had had to give up the
army, and was so very weak and easily persuaded, that it was hopeless to put him to
anything in England. The writer would, he said, be content if the gentleman he was
writing to would give his son a home and £100 a year till he could do something better.
The young‘ gentleman who presented this letter at once intimated that a loan of £10
would be acceptable. He received it. The day was Saturday: on the Monday follow-
ing, he called again for a further loan—the first £10 was gone. He was naturally
denied, and the next intelligence of the young hopeful our settler received, was an
order for the payment of a considerable debt. Such rodigals are not suited to the
Colony. It would be better to kill the fatted calf on their account, without any inter-
vening absence. Young women of good character, and who are not disinclined to
domestic service, need not hesitate to venture to New Zealand. The demand for
servants is such that employers are only too glad to obtain respectable young women,
and to teach them in part their duties. That demand—for the information of the
unmarried daughters of Great Britain, we may observe—is occasioned by the difiiculty
that exists in keeping servants for any length of time, on account of the readiness with
which they are able toaget married. The single young man who comes to New Zealand
is not long in finding the means to comfortably furnish a house; and, naturally, he
thinks that she who shows herself well versed in discharging domestic duties, will be
able to make his home a happy one. A short courtship, a brief notice to her employer,
and another home is set up in New Zealand ; another notice appeals in the local papers,
“Wanted, a nurse,” or housemaid, cook, or general servant, as the case may be. This
is all very homely; but the romance of the Colonies is'of a very domestic nature—
“to make homes” is another mode of expressing “to colonize.”
It would not be doing justice to New Zealand to avoid mentioning one other
circumstance, though to do so might lead to the appearance of a desire to praise the
Colony. All, however, who have a knowledge of New Zealand will corroborate the
statement that this Colony gains a singular hold upon those who for any time have
resided in it. There are very many persons who have realized a competency, who
have nothing to bind them to the Colony, and who yet prefer remaining in New
Zealand to living elsewhere. The pleasures and advantages the Old World ofi‘ers.
appear to weigh as nothing with them, when compared with the enjoyments and
freedom of life in New Zealand. The climate and the scenery, together with
the intimacies which rapidly spring up in colonial life, are’ no doubt the rea-
sons for this strong liking. For health-restoring properties, the climate of New
Zealand is wonderful. There are numbers of persons enjoying good health in the
Colony who years ago left England supposed to be hopelessly afllicted with lung
disease, their only hope—that in New Zealand the end might be a little longer
deferred. This is not written in selfishness, for it is by no means desired to make
New Zealand a sanitarium. But this Handbook is not prepared with a view to its
consequences. The design, as has been said, is to give a New Zealand view of N ew
Zealand ; and it is hoped that, in its pages, the merits and demerits of the Colony W111
alike be apparent. The order in which the Provinces are dealt with is from south to
north, and quite independent of their relative size and importance.
The Editor expresses his acknowledgments for the assistance he has received,
in revising the papers, from Mr. E. Fox.
WELLINGTON, New ZEALAND, May, 1874.


‘ THE '
wOFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF NEW ZEAIAND.

DISCOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND :
HS THEN CONDITION, EARLY SETTLEMENT, AND PROGRESS TO DATE OF
REGULAR COLONIZATION, 1840.
hi EW ZEALAND appears to have been
‘discovered and first peopled by the
Maori race, a remnant of which still in~
habits parts of the Islands. At what time
the discovery was made, or from what place
the discoverers came, are matters which
are lost in the obscurity which envelopes
the history of a people without letters.
Little more can now be gathered from their
traditions than that they were Lmm' igran‘ ts,
not indigenous ; and that when they name,
there were probably no other inhabitants
of the country. Similarity of language
indicates a northern origin, probably Malay,
and proves that they advanced to New
Zealand through various groups of the
Pacific Islands, in which they left deposits
of the same race, who to this day speak
the same, or nearly the same, tongue.
when Cook first visited New Zealand,
he availed himself of the assistance
of a native from Tahiti, whose language
proved to be almost identical with that of
the New Zealanders, and through the
medium of whose interpretation is large
amount of information respecting the
country and its inhabitants was obtained,
which could not have been had without it.
The first European who made the exist-
c-nce of New Zealand knowntc the civilized
world, and who gave it the name it bears,
was Tasman, the Dutch navigator, who
visited it in 1642. Claims to earlier dis
covery by other European explorers have
been raised, but they are unsupported by
any sufficient evidence. Tasman did not
land on any part of the islands, but,
having had a boat’s crew cut off by the
natives in the bay now known as Massacre
Bay, he contented himself by sailing along
the western coast of the North Island, and
quitted its shores without taking possession
of the country in the name of the Govern—
ment he served ; a formality which, accord-
ing to the law of nations (which regards the
occupation of savages as a thing of small
account), would have entitled the Dutch to
call New Zealand theirs—at least so far as
to exclude other civilized nations from
colonizing it, and conferring on themselves
the right to do so. From the date of
Tasman’s flying visit to 1769, no stranger
is known to have visited the islands. 11
the latter year Captain Cook reached them,
in the course of the first of those voyages of
at enterprise which have made his name
‘ ustrious.
Cook was a self-made man. He began
life as an apprentice on board aWhitby
collier ennage in the coasting and Baltic
trades—the roughest experience that could
be had of the business of the sec, but an
excellent school to make a practical seamau.
But to be a mere tactical seamen did not
content Cook. ter becoming a mate in
the merchant service, he entere the Royal
navy, and by strenuous perseverance and
diligent use of leisure hours, he became an
excellent mathematician and astronomer,
and a skilful nautical surveyor. Ho had
some experience of war in fighting against
the French in Canada, and he executed
some useful surveys on the coasts and rivers
of that country; and when it was deter-
mined by King George III. to rosecutc
new voyages of discover into t 0 little-
explored southern seas,
recognized, and, with the rank of lieutenant
in the navy conferred upon him, he was
ap ointed to conduct the expedition.
he first of Cook’s voyages of disco\'-~"
began in August, 1768, when he Wm;
to Tahiti to observe the transit of V
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DISCOVERY OF
NEW ZEALAN'D. 21
“ abreast of the ship, on the east side of the
river, which was ere about forty yards
broad ; but seeing some Natives on the west
side, with whom I wished to s eak, and
finding the river .not fordable, ordered
the yaw] to carry us over, and left the pin-
nace at the entrance. When we came near
the place where the people were assembled,
they all ran away ; however, we landed,
and, leaving some boys to take care of the
yawl, we walked up to some huts, which
were about 200 or 300 yards from the
waterside. When we had got some distance
from the boat, four men. armed with long
lances, rushed out of the woods, and, run-
ning up to attack the boat. would certainly
have cut her off if the people in the pinnace
had not discovered them, and called to the
boys to drop down the stream. The boys
instantly obeyed, but being closely pursued,
the coxswain of the pinnace, who had charge
of the boats, fired a musket over their heads.
At this they stopped and looked round
them, but in a few minutes renewed the
pursuit, brandishing their lances in a threat-
ening manner. The coxswain then fired a
second musket over their heads, but of this
they took no notice, and, one of them lifting
up his spear to dart it at the boat, another
iece was fired, which shot him dead. When
e fell, the other three stood motionless, as
if petrified with astonishment. As soon as
they recovered they went back, dragging
the dead body, which, however, they soon
left that it might not encumber their fiight.
At the report of the musket we draw to-
gather, having straggled to a little distance
from each other, and made the best of our
way back to the boat, and, crossing the
river, we soon saw the Native lying dead on
the ground.”
The account which the Natives themselves
gave of their impressions on Cook’s arrival
is recorded by Mr. Polack, who had it from
the mouths of their children in 1836.
“ They took the ship at first for a gigantic
bird, and were struck with the beauty and
size of its wings, as they supposed the sails
to be. But on seeing a smaller bird, un-
fledged, descending into the water, and a
number of parti-coloured beings, apparently
in human shape, the bird was regarded as
a houseful of divinities. Nothing could
exceed their astonishment. The sudden
death of their chief (it proved to be their
great fighting general) was regarded as a
thunder olt of these new gods, and the
noise made by the muskets was represented
as thunder. To revenge themselves was
the dearest wish of the tribe, but how to
accomplish it with divinities who could kill
them at a distance, was difiicult to deter-
mine. Many of them observed that they
felt themselves ill by being only looked
upon by these atuas (gods), and it was
therefore agreed that, as the new comers
could bewitch with a look, the sooner their
society was dismissed, the better for the
general welfare.”
It is not much to be wondered at that
any further intercourse with the Natives at
this point should become im ossible. Other
collisions, attended with si ' rfatal results,
followed on succeeding days, and on the
11th (three days after his first landing),
Cook weighed anchor and stood away
from “this unfortunate and inhospitable
place,” as he calls it, and on which he be-
stowed the name of Poverty Bay, “as it
did not afford a single article they wanted,
excepts. little firewood.” Had his subse-
quent experiences been as unpropitious, he
would probably not have reported to his‘
countrymen at home so favourably of New
Zealand.
There is no doubt that the problem of
initiating intercourse with a people of the
temper exhibited by the Maoris, and so
little. civilized as they were, was one
difilcult of solution. As strangers had
never but once before visited the country,
and that in the very hasty manner in which
Tasman came and departed, and at a lace
remote from that at which Cook arrived,
the Maoris could hardly be expected to
appreciate the relations which ought to
exist between themselves and‘ their visitors.
It must have been a new sensation to most
of them, to know that there were such
things as strangers; still more, strangers
resembling themselves so little and differ-
ing of themselves so much. If the in-
habitants from the “black country” of
Staffordshire, in 1870, exhibited their ap-
preciation of the stranger by “ heaving a
brick” at him, it is not surprising that the
first impulse of the Maoris of Poverty Bay
should be to hurl their spears at the
“ coming man.” Cook’s idea of meeting
such a hostile greeting was, as he tells us,
first by the use of firearms to convince the
savage of the superior power of the white
man, and then to conciliate him by kindness
and liberal dealin . Whether any other
method were possib e, he does not seem to
have been allowed by the Natives time to con-
sider; the first collision being, in a manner,
forced upon him within five minutes of his
arrival, though the challenge was perhaps
too hastily accepted.
He soon, however, discovered that the
country was not all made up of “Poverty
Bays,” nor were the Natives, when wooed
with a less rough courtship, altogether


22
NEW ZEA LAND HANDBOOK.
incapable of access, or entirely obnoxious
to strangers. In Tolago Bay, Mercury Bay,
Hawke’s Bay, the Bay of Plenty, the
estuary of the Thames, the harbour of
Waitemata, in Whangarei, and at the Bay
- of Islands, and. lastly, at his favourite
rendezvous of Queen Charlotte’s Sound, he
was able to procure the refreshments which
Poverty Bay had failed to supply, and he
established a footing with the Natives which,
if it had in it more of the spirit of barter
than of hospitality, was less deterrent than
the attitude taken up by those who greeted
him on his first arrival, and which ended in
the unfortunate events to which we have
before referred.
There was no object of greater interest
to him than the newly-discovered Maori
race, with whose habits and character he
was specially instructed to make himself
acquainted. He found them savages in the
fullest sense of the word. Some writers
who have given the reins to their imagi-
nation have pictured savage life as a
state of Arcadian simplicity, and savage
character as a field on which are displayed
all the virtues which adorned humanity
before civilization brought vice, confusion,
and trouble into the world. More truly
has it been observed that “ the peaceful life
and gentle disposition, the freedom from
oppression, the exemption from selfishness
and from evil passions, and the simplicity
of character of savages, have no existence
except in the fictions of poets and the
fancies of vain speculators, nor can their
mode of life be called with propriety the
natural state of man.” (W hately, Pol.
Econ.) “ Those who have praised savage
life,” says Chancellor Harper, of Maryland,
“are those who have known nothing of it,
or who have become savage themselves.”
Cook’s experience fully verified these views.
He found the Maoris almost entirely un-
acquainted with mechanic arts, their skill
limited to the ability to scoop a canoe out
of a tree, to weave coarse clothing out of the
fibres of the native flax to fabricate fishing-
nets, to make spears, c ubs, and other rude
weapons of war, or still ruder ornaments for
the adornment of their persons, their huts,
or their canoes. Beasts of burden they had
none,--the women supplied their place.
Stone hatchets were the substitute for axes
and all cutting tools. The country is full
of iron ore, but the use of the metal was
entirely unknown. They had no wheeled
carriages. Their agriculture was limited to
the cultivation, apparently, of two roots-—
the kumera or sweet potato, and the taro,
another esculent plant. Their food con-
isted of those plants, of eels and sea-fish, _
rats, occasional dogs, wild fowl, and human
flesh; and their nearest approach to bread
was the root of the wild edible fern, a not
very wholesome or palatable substitute.
Cereals they were without. Their religious
notions were of a confused order, involving
good and evil demons, but without anyides
of worship or prayer. Their priests wielded
a sort of half moral and half political power
in the institution of the taboo, to which
they subjected whom they pleased, and the
infringement of which involved punish-
ments of the severest sorts. But the one
absorbing idea of the race was war. Every
tribe and almost every family was at war
with every other. Their time was almost
wholly spent in planning or awaiting in-
vasions of their neighbours, or inthe .bloody
struggles which resulted; the consequence
being, as Cook observes, a habit of personal
watchfulness which was never for a momenl
relaxed. Female infanticide was a common
and established practice, which appears to
have reduced the proportion of females to
males, to something like seven to ten.
Female virtue was entirely disregarded
before marriage, and not much 'valued
afterwards; while, to crown the whole.
cannibalism was the universal practice of
the race. Cook had been specially in-
structed to institute inquiries on this
point. There were many persons at home
who were sceptical on the existence of
cannibalism among any people. The result
of his daily observations was to leave no
doubt of its existence, and to establish the
fact that it was not merely an occasional .
excess to which those who practised it were
impelled by fury and the spirit of revenge
against an enemy, but that human flesh was
their almost daily and habitual food. A
provision-basket was seldom seen without
having in it a human head, or other evi-
dence of the fact. It is true that they told
him that they ate only their enemies ; but
so incessant were their invasions of each
other, that enemies were never wanting, or
if the supply failed, slaves taken in former
raids were substitutes at hand, and con-
stantly killed in cold blood for the purpose.
Much has been said and written of the de-
plorable fact that the foot of civilized man
treads out the life of the savage ; and there
are not wanting those who impute to
colonization the extinction of the Maori
race. A moment’s reflection on .their
habits of life as described by Cook, and
still more what we have since learned,
must convince any one that their decadence
had set in long before his arrival; for it
was impossible that any people whose
habits of life were such as theirs, and who


DISCOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND. 23
lived within acircumscribed area, could long ferred to, no European is known to have
contmue to exist. We do not believe that resided there before 1814. In that year
the advent of the pakeha has in any degree the Rev. Samuel Marsden, Colonial Chap-
accelerated the inevitable event, perhaps lain to the Government of New South
the reverse has been the case. Wales, visited the Islands, and, under his
Cook did what little was possible auspices, and on his urgent representations,
towards improving the condition of the the Church Missionary Society in England
New Zealanders. He tried, but failed, to established a mission, the headquarters of
establish the sheep and goat: neither long which were located at the Bay of Islands.
survived the attempt. He was more From this time traders from New South
successful with the pig, which rapidly Wales began to establish agencies for com-
increased, till, at the time of arrival of the mercial purposes ; and individual Euro-
colonists, nearly the whole Islands were peans, who were employed by Sydney
found thickly stocked with wild herds, the merchants, or who traded on their own
descendants of his original importation. account, became attached to numerous
He also left the potato behind him, which native villages, where they were treated
succeeded well, and to a great extent sup- with considerable respect, and regarded as
filemented the kumera, taro, and fern root. the valuable property of the particular hapu
9 also planted and gave to the Natives the or chief who had had the good luck to
seeds of other vegetables and garden plants; secure their residence among them, accom-
but though their remains may be seen in panied by the various advantages which
the wild cabbage or turnip, and some other flowed from their presence. Then numerous
degenerated plants, the Natives appear not whaling and lumbering establishments were
to have succeeded in their cultivation. He planted by the Sydney merchants on the
also scattered among them a good many coasts of both Islands. These consisted of
English tools and implements, and some the very roughest specimens of the sailor
articles of clothing, which, though no doubt class, of runaways from ships, or refugees '
soon worn out, gave the Maori a taste for from the convict prisons of Botany Bay.
European luxuries and necessaries of life. Alliances were contracted between these
We can add little to the picture we have men and native women, from which sprang
drawn of New Zealand at the time of Cook’s a numerous progeny of half-castes. These
arrival. Reference to the accounts of his Whalers and sawyers had many fine charac-
voyages will supply, in a most graphic and teristics about them : they were brave and
interesting form, the details of the events hardy, pretty well disciplined in all that _
and observations which space has compelled concerned their business, and many of them
us to summarize. To those who may wish experienced in mechanic arts. Low,
to know more of the Maori in his primitive exceedingly, as the morale of many of
state and earliest transition, we recommend them was, it was yet above that of the
Judge Mailings most interesting volume savage ; and there is no doubt that, to
o ew Zgd,” and his not less a great extent, their presence tended
grap c escri tlono the warin the North. to bring the native nearer to civilization
' ' ' rary, published than he was before. There were, however,
d “The New Zealanders ” spots of deeper darkness than the rest. .As
contains an authentic and original accoiihlz',“ the whaling fleet of the Pacific increased,
written by a sailor, who was shipwrecked, hundreds of ships made Kororarika, in the
and lived several years in the country, Bay of Islands, the only town or village
between the period of Cook's visit and then established by Europeans, the place of
the arrival- of missionaries and traders, and their periodical refreshment. Their crews,
will well repay perusal. There are nume- released after a long detention on board
rous other publications, many of which will ship, plunged into the lowest dissipation, in
give further information. which the natives became their partners, and
Cook visited New Zealand several times the town of Kororarika, which had grown
during his three voyages of discovery, and into a considerable place on the strength of
altogether spent 327 days in the country or the whaling trade, was at times turned mto
circumnavigating its coasts. He quitted it a veritable Pandemonium. For proof that
for the last time in February, 1777, just this is no exaggeration, we refer to the first
two years before his melancholy death at of Dr. Lang’s letters to Lord Durhan1(1839),_
Hawaii, in the Sandwich Islands. Within where the reader will find the testimony or
a few years afterwards New Zealand began an intelligent eye - witness, _ and ‘facts m
to be occasionally visited by whaling ships ; detail, but which, had as it is, scarcely re-
but, with the solitary exception of the ship veals so dark a picture as has been painted
wrecked sailor whose record is above re- to us by other persons who spoke from their


24
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
own knowledge and observation. Exactly
opposite, at Pahia, on the other side of the
beautiful bay, in one of its pleasantest
coves, with a bright beach of golden sand,
washed by the ripple of the sea, stood the
mission station, with its church and printing-
ofiice, and there the sacred Scriptures were
being translated and printed in the Maori
language, as quickly as it could be mastered
by the missionaries who had undertaken
the work of converting the Maori race.
Thus, as everywhere, flowed alongside of
each other the tides of good and evil, and
the ‘choice between the two was offered to
the Maori, as it has been offered to others
all the world over, and ever since the world
began.
The irregular kind of colonization which
was thus going on was attended with
innumerable ‘evils, and was beyond all
control. It was not possible that the ex¢
pediency of interference could long escape
the attention of the Government of Great
Britain, whose subjects were .principally
engaged in it; nor were the philanthropy
and enterprise of the nation less alive to
the opening for exertion on their part
which the circumstances of the case afforded.
So the British Government interfered.
First they appointed a “Resident Magi-
strate,” the Rev. Mr. Kendall, one of the
missionary body ; then a “ Resident,”
Mr. Busby. But these “wooden guns,”
as the natives called them, were entirely
without power, and the effect of their
gresence very little felt b either Maoris or
uropeans. The Colonic. Ofiice of the day
did foolish things about recognizing the
Maori people as an independent nation,
and bestowing on them a national flag,
thus abandoning the right of occupation
resting on Cook’s discovery, and rendering
it necessary, at a later period, to accomplish
a surrender of sovereignty by the natives
(though sovereignty was a thing they had
never known), in order to prevent the
French from taking the possession which
the British Government had waived, and
turning the country into a colony, or,
perhaps, a penal establishment. The action
of the Government was also hastened by
that of the New Zealand Company, which,
wearied out by long negotiations, at last
precipitated, without the co-operation or
consent of the Government, that systematic
colonization which has since peopled the
islands with a British population, and of
which we shall now give a brief account.
Cook; during his life, had urged on the
British Government the colonization of
New Zealand, and Benjamin Franklin, the
ruerican statesman, had proposed' an
organization in England for the purpose.
But nothing practical was attempted till
about 1837, when Lord Durham, as the
representative of a number of gentlemen
who called themselves the New Zealand
Land Company proposed to the Govern-
ment that they should be incorporated,
with powers to colonize the country. The
negotiations were at first friendly, and the
Government favoured the plan; but ulti-
mately misunderstandings arose, when the
New Zealand Company determined to take
the matter into its own hands, and de-
spatched its preliminary expedition on the
12th May, 1839, under the command of
Colonel William Wakefield, who held in-
structions to purchase landfrom the Natives,
and to select the site of the first settlement.
He arrived in August of the same year, and
selected Port Nicholson, in Cook Strait;
and on the 22nd January following, the
first batch of immigrants arrived In twelve
months they had increased to upwards of
1,200 from Great Britain, besides a few
from Australia.
The object of the founders of the New
Zealand Company was chiefly to revive
systematic colonization, and to conduct on
fixed principles operations which had cer-
tainly, since the colonization of the British
Colonies in America, been left very much
to haphazard. South Australia was founded
by nearly the same persons, and on the
same principles, and almost at the same
time‘; but the colonization of New South
Wales and Tasmania, so far as they existed
outside of the convict establishments, which
were their nucleus, may be said to have
been founded without any principle, and
the result left to chance. The founders of
New Zealand colonization sought to trans-
plant to its shores, as far as possible, a
complete and ready-made section of the
society of the old country, with various
social orders, its institutions and organiza-
tions, maintaining also, as far as circum-
stances would admit, the relations of the
different classes of the populationas they
had existed at home. Above all things,
they believed that the failure of other
colonies to become duplicates of the old
country, was owing chiefly to the indis-
criminate manner in which the waste lands
of the Crown had been disposed of, and to
the defective proportion which, as a conse-
quence, existed between capital and labour.
They determined to remedy this by the
adoption of what was known as the Wake-
field theory, which consisted mainly in
fixing the price of the land so highas to
prohibit, for a considerable time at least,
its purchase by the labouring man, thus


DISCOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND.
25
compelling him to work as a labourer till he
might be supposed to have compensated the
capitalist or the State for the cost of his
importation to the colony. The immigra-
tion fund was to be supplied by the land
sales.
The application of these principles can
hardly be said to have been tested at all in
the three first founded of the Company’s
settlements—Wellington, New Plymouth,
and Nelson. Its inability to put the
colonists, for many years, in quiet posses-
sion of the lands it had sold to them, its
long and ruinous controversy with the
Imperial Government, and the consequent
exhaustion of its resources, precluded alto-
gether the experiment receiving a fair trial
in the settlements mentioned. In Otago
and Canterbury, however, founded at a later
date, there were fewer, if any, obstacles,
and the remarkable success of those settle-
ments is by many attributed to the prin-
ciples on which they were founded. The
elements of class association (the Free
Church of Scotland and the Church of
England being respectively taken as the
bonds of union), and the high price of
land which has been maintained, though
with modifications of the original scheme,
have no doubt had much to do with the
form into which society in those settlements
has developed itself, though the unforeseen
discovery of gold, and the existence of great
pastoral resources, which formed no element
in the Wakefield scheme, have perhaps con-
tributed more to the great prosperity of
those settlements than any special principle
on which they were founded.
Those who are now seeking a home in
New Zealand, can scarcely appreciate the
feelings of the early colonists, or the trials
and difficulties they had to encounter. To
descend from the deck of a ship 15,000
miles from home, at the end of a weary
voyage of from three to five months’ dura-
tion, on to a shore unprepared for their
occupation, without a single house to shelter
them, with no friend or fellow-countryman
to welcome them, quite uncertain as to the
reception they would meet with at the hands
of the savage race whose territory they were
peacefully but aggressively invading, with
ew of the conveniences of civilized life, or
the appliances for creating them, except so
far as they brought them with them in very
limited quantities—how different from the
experience of those who now arrive in the
colony, where, though many external differ-
ences present themselves, they find all the
machinery of social life, and the veneral
aspect of everything very much as they left
them at home. The immigrant who now
lands at Lyttelton, Dunedin, Auckland, or
Wellington, finds himself surrounded by
numbers of his own countrymen, dressed
like himself, hurrying about on the various
businesses common on the wharfs of any con-
siderable sea ort of the old country : he sees
shops, withp ate-glass windows, and English
names above the doors, filled with the latest
novelties from London, Birmingham, or
even Paris; cabs plying for customers;
omnibuses rumbling along the streets;
hotels innumerable; churches and schools
in moderate numbers ; public buildings ex-
hibiting pretentious feats of architectural
skill ; asphalte pavements and macadamized
streets leading out to suburbs thick with
comfortable and even handsome mansions,
surrounded by well-kept gardens, gay with
brilliant flowers and semi-tropical vegeta-
tion. Amidst all this he may, perhaps,
in any of the towns of the .North Island,
notice astray Maori or two, not, however,
clad in the dirty blanket or rough flax mat,
but “got up” in fashionable European
costume, with polished boots, silk hats, gold
watch-guards, and probably a silver-mounted
riding-whip ; and only distinguishable from.
the other passers-by by the dark skin, and,
perhaps, the ineffaceable tattoo. In the
early days the settlers felt that they were
“colonizing,”—adding a new province to
the Empire. Now, the new arrivals “im-
migrate,” entering into the labours of those
who went before them. The former was,
perhaps, the more “heroic work.” The
latter is probably the most profitable, and
certainly the least laborious. If it is
colonizing at all, it is colonizing made easy ;
and the immigrant may so far congratulate
himself that it is so.
Having described the character of the
native race, as it was at the period of Cook’s
arrival, and painted it in the dark colours
which truth demanded, it is only fair
to say that before systematic coloniza-
tion commenced it had undergone a great
change.
The teaching of the missionaries, if its
results were somewhat superficial, had yet
penetrated to almost every part of the
country. This, and the example of civilized
life exhibited in the mission homes scat-
tered over a large area, had done much to
qualify the worst features of savage life,
and to soften the ferocity of the Maori
character. Wars were less frequent, canni-
balism nearly extinct. Intercourse with
the European trader and whaler, if less
elevating, had yet broken down the preju-
dice against the Pakeha (or stranger), and
inoculated the Maori with a taste for Euro-
pean conveniences and luxuries, which could
' .


26'
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
be best gratified by the permanent residence
among them of larger numbers of the
foreigners. The pigs and potatoes which
Cook had left behind had multiplied ex-
ceedingly, so that there was an abundant
supply of surplus food, without which the
new comers would have been but badly ofi' ;
and the aptitude of the native for trade and
barter, and his desire to possess whatever
the European had to offer, from muskets to
Jews’ harps, made him very willing to bring
his stores to market. In short, circum-
stances had, in the order of Providence,
ripened to the point when colonization was
possible, which at any earlier period it
would probably not have been.
It only remains briefly to mention the
order in which the various settlements were
formed.
‘*1. WELLINGTON, as already stated, was
founded by the New Zealand Company in
1840. Preliminary expedition for selection
of site, August, 1839. '
*2. AUCKLAND, established by the first
Governor, Captain Hobson, in the same
year. It remained the seat of Government
till 1865, when,by Act of the Colonial Par-
liament, and the selection of certain Com-
missioners appointed at its request by the
Australian Governors, Wellington became
the ca ital. ' '
/.3. New Pnmourhmfohrided by the
New Zealand Company,in September, 1841.
Preliminary expedition, August, 1840.
A. NELSON, founded by the Company in
October, 1841.
,5. OTAGO, founded in March, 1848, bye
Scotch company working in connection with
the New Zealand Company,‘ and by means
of its machinery, under the auspices of the
Free Church of Scotland,‘. and with an
appropriation of a portion of its lands
and pecuniary resources to Free Church
purposes.
/6. CANTERBURY, similarly founded in
December, 1850, in connection with the
Church of England.
’7. HAWKE’s BAY was originally a part of
Wellington Province, but separated from it,
and created a province of itself in 1858.
8. MARLBOROUGH, originally part of Nel-
son, separated in the same manner in 1860.
Descriptions of these several settlements,
which, under the name of Provinces, now
form the political divisions of the colony,
with their local history, will be separately
dealt with in subsequent chapters of the
present volume. V

THE NATIVE RACE.
MONG the numerous races of men with
which the Briton has been brought into
contact, there is none which has excited
more interest than the native race inhabit-
ing New Zealand, and none which has
displayed more capacity for adapting itself
to the new ways introduced by the Euro-
peans. By nature brave and warlike, and
quick to avenge real or fancied insult, the
Maori has nevertheless almost altogether
discontinued the practices of his forefathers.
The intertribal contests of forty years ago
are now unknown, and, following the ex-
ample of their white neighbours, tribes are
seen referring to Courts of Law those dis-
putes respecting land which formerly could
have been decided only by a conflict. The
same readiness of adaptation is shown as to
agriculture. ‘From the time of the earliest
traditions, the Maori has been a cultivator
of the soil. He was well versed in the
nature of the lands best fitted for the escu-
lent roots he planted—the kumera or sweet
potato, and the taro, or yam. The potato,
introduced by Captain Cook, was eagerly
adopted and carefully tended. The fruits
brought to the knowledge of the Maori by
the early missionaries, such as peaches,
grapes, apples, plums, melons, and vege-
tables like the pumpkin, cabbage, bean,
&c., were speedily appreciated and propa-
gated ; and when, with the influx of Euro-
peans, agricultural implements were in]-
ported, he soon rendered himself famihar
with them, and the lough with its team of
bullocks re laced e old clumsy imple-
ments. W atever may have been the
agricultural industry to which the European
has devoted himself in New Zealand, he
has found native imitators. Maoris keep
sheep, and shear them ; grow wheat, maize,
and other cereals in large quantities ; start
flour-mills; rear cattle and pigs ; and are
quite ready to welcome the introduction of
any new culture, such as that of the hop or
the mulberry. It was qualities of adapta-

,_.__ ‘_-__._


28
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
the canoes are still remembered; and it is
related that the immigrants brought with
them the kurnera, the taro, seeds of the
lraralra tree, dogs, parrots, the pukeko, or
red-billed swamp hen,&o. Strong evidence
that there is truth in this reported exodus,
is supplied by the facts that each tribe
agrees in its account of the doin of the
principal “canoes "-that is, of t e people
who came in them—after their arrival in
New Zealand; and that there is also a ee-
ment- in tracing from each “ canoe’ the
descent of the numerous tribes which have
spread over the islands. Calculations, based
on the genealogical sticks kept by the
tohungas, or priests, have been made, that
about twenty generations have passed since
this migration, which would indicate the
date to be about the beginning of the fit‘-
teenth century. The position of Hawaiiki
is not known, but there are several islands
of a. somewhat similar name.
It is believed that the Maoris were origi-
nally Malays, who started from Sumatra
and its neighbourhood, during the westerly
trade winds, in search of islands known to
exist to the eastward; and who, after occu-
pying some of these islands, migrated to
ew Zealand. There is some evidence in
iiipport of the alle ed Malay origin of the
aoris, or rather t ere is evidence of de-
scent frorn a race possessed of higher know-
ledge than any shown by the Maoris since
Europeans first mixed with them. Thus,
they now possess the vaguest ideas of
astronomy ; but in former times they knew
how to steer by stars, and old Natives still
pretend to be able to point in the direction
of Hawaiiki. Again, the recurrence of the
seasons for planting and reapin was known
by astronomical signs, and one season was
ushered in by festivals which were held
when certain conjunctions were seen in the
heavens. But now there remains only
su erstition, which promises success or
fai ure to war parties in accordance with
the relative positions of the moon and a
particular star.
In 1642, Abel Jan Van Tasman, the first
European who is known to have sighted
New Zealand, found the Natives numerous
and fierce; and three of his men were
slaughtered at a spot in the province of
Nelson, still known as Massacre Bay.
During his first vo age in 1760, and on his
subsequent visits, a min Cook learned the
warlike character 0 the Maoris; and in
1772, the French captain, Marion du Fresno,
experienced it, he and fifteen of his men
being killed at the Bay of Islands, partly
in revenge for desecration of places held
sacred by the Natives, and partly because a
previous visitant, De Lunéville, had put a
eading chief in none.
In 1814, an event occurred which was
destined to be of the greatest importance to
the natives. In that year, the Rev. Mr.
Marsden, from Sydney, New South Wales,
landed with some companions at the Bay
of Islands, and commenced to preach, to
teach, and to study the language. Gradually
other missionaries came to their assistance;
but, though they toiled hard for years, were
generally respected, and made some con-
verts, they were powerless to stop or to check
the frightful slaughters which took place as
tribe after tribe obtained firearms. The
first to acquire them, the Ngapuhi, who
inhabit the country to the north of Auck-
land, overran the greater portion of the
Northern Island, slaying and eating those
who could ‘offer no resistance to the new
wea ons. But gradually the supply of
mus ate and ammunition was increased,
tribes became once more on an equal foot-
ing, and the same result took place which
attended the discovery of gunpowder in
Eur e—confiicts became rarer, and the
slang ter in action was largely diminished.
Soon after 1830, Christianity began to
spread, and by 1860 it had acquired a hold
over almost the entire native population.
Protestant and Roman Catholic clergyman
went through the land, and did their best
to root out old su erstitions, to substitute
for them the teac ings of the Scriptures,
and to promote education. Gradually they
brought about amarked change. Churches
and schools were built ; there was outward
observance of religion; old customs fell
into disuse; and even when a section of
the Maoris rose against the authority of the
Government established ‘by the white man,
they still retained the faith he had imparted
to them. '
It was not until 1864, when there was a
revival of old su erstitions and beliefs,
mixed with a creo perverted from the Old
Testament, that Christianity among the
Maoris received a blow. “ llau-lmu "
(from one of the most frequent ejaculations
in their prayers) was the name given to the
new religion. It was accepted as a national
one by the tribes then in rebellion, and the
influence of the missionaries among them
came to an end. But many who eagerly
adopted Hau-hauism at first, have since
given u it and rebellion at the same time,
althou ii some tribes, it is true, still adhere
to its doctrines.
But the ‘writer has to deal with the
Maori as he is, and with his resent con-
dition—not with the past con ition of the
small section of the race which was in


' THE NATIVE RAGE.
29
active rebellion a few years ago ; nor with
the chances and changes of the struggle,
carried on at first mainly by Imperial troops
under Im erial oflicers, but brou ht to a.
close by collonial forces undercolonia ofiicers,
after the withdrawal of the British forces.
As a rule, Maoris are middle-sized and
well-formed, the average height of the man
being 5 ft. 6 in.; the bodies and arms being
longer than those of the avera 0 English-
men, but the leg bones being gzorter, and
the calves lar ely developed.* The skin is
of an olive Fbrown colour, and the hair
generally black; the teeth are good, except
among the tribes who live in the sulphurous
regions about the Hot Lakes, near the
centre of the North Island; but the eyes
are bleared, ssibly from the amount of
smoke to w ich they are exposed in
“ whares,” or cabins, destitute of chimneys.
The voice is pleasant, and, when warlike
excitement has not roused him to frenzy,
eve gesture of the Maori is raceful.
Not ing can be more dignified t the
bearing of .chiefs assembled at a “ runanga,”
or council, and this peculiar composure they
preserve when they adopt European habits
and customs, always appearing at ease, even
in the midst of what would seem a most
incon ous assembly. In bodily powers,
the nglishman has the advantage. As a
carrier of heavy burdens, the native is the
superior; but in exercises of strength and
endurance, the average Englishman sur-
passes the average Maori. As to the
character of the natives, it must be remem-
bered—if rnost op osite and contradictory
qualities are ascribed to them—that the
are in a transition state. Some of the chie s
are, with the exception of colour and
language, almost Europeans; others con-
form, when in towns, to the dress and
the customs of white men, but resume
native ways, and the blanket as the sole
garment, as soon as they return to the
“kainga,” or native villa e. The great
majority have ideas artly uropean,partly
Maori; while a small section, rofessmg to
adhere to old Maori ways, depart from
them so far as to buy or to rocure articles of
European manufacture, w enever they can
do so. They are excitable and superstitious,
rasily worked upon at times by any one
who holds the key to their inclinations and
who can influence them by appeals to their
traditionary legends ; while at other times
they are obstinate and self-willed, whether
for good or for eviL As is usual with

' Doctor Thomson's valuable work has
been consulted in preparing this portion of
the sketch.
races that have not a written language,
they possess wonderful memories; and
when discussing any subject, they cite or
refer to precedent after recedent. They
are fond of such discussions; for man a
Maori is a natural oratorI with an easy ow'
of words, and a delight in allegories which
are often highly poetical. They are brave,
yet are liable to groundless (panics. They
are by turns open-handed an most liberal,
and shamelessly mean and stingy. They have
no word or phrase equivalentv to gratitude,
yet they possess the quality. Grief is with
them reduced to a ceremony, and tears are
produced at will. In their persons they
are slovenly or clean according to humour ;
and they are fond of finery, chiefly of the
gaudiest kind. They are indolent or ener-
getic by turns. Dunn planting time, men,
women, and children Is our energetically;
but durin the rest of the year they will
work or idle as the mood takes them.
When they do commence a piece of work,
the go through with it well ; and in road-
ma ing they exhibit a fair amount of
en ineerin skill.
t has can already stated that the
Northern Island of New Zealand contains
a native p0 ulation of about 37,000; but
it must not e imagined that these are in
one district, or that any considerable num-
ber are assembled in one place. In fact,
they are divided into many tribes, and are
scattered over an area of 28,890,000 acres,
or 45,156 square miles, giving less than
one native to the square mile. The most
important tribe is that of Nga uhi, which
inhabits the northern portion 0 the North
Island, within the Province of Auckland.
It was among the Npapuhi that the seeds
of Christianity and o civilization were first
sown, and among them are found the best
evidences of the progress which the Maori
can make. Forty years ago, the onl town
in New Zealand, Kororareka, ay of
Islands, existed within their territories.
Their chiefs, assembled in February, 1840,
near the “ Waitangi," or “weeping water,”
Falls, were -the first to sign the treaty by
which the Maoris acknowledged themselves
to be subjects of Her Majesty; and although,
under the leadership of an ambitious chief,
Hone Heke, a portion of them, in 1845,
disputed the En lish supremacy, yet, when
subdued by Eng ish troops and native allies
(their own kinsmen), they adhered implicitly
to the pledges they gave, and since then
not a shadow of a doubt has been cast on
the fidelity of the “Loyal N apuhi.” Their
leading chief died lately. e was a man
to whom the Colony owed much, and who
may be taken as a type of the Moon


3O
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
gentleman of rank. Tamati Waka Nene
(Thomas \Valker Nene) was in his youth a
distinguished warrior, and assisted in the
raids made by his people on the tribes to
the southward. Converted to Christianity
by the missionaries, he was one of the first
chiefs to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, and
by his arguments he was instrumental in
inducing others to sign, and he remained
faithful to the engagements into which he
entered that day. He adhered to the
‘ Government in every difficulty and trouble
which arose, and to the day of his death he
was a stanch supporter of English rule,
setting to his people an example which
they have hon'ourably followed. His funeral
was attended by a
labour, under the management and super
intendence of a native gentleman holding a
seat in the House of Representatives. In
travelling through this district, it is not un-
common to see comfortable weather-board
houses adopted by the natives instead of the
“ whare ;” and European dress is found to
have to a great extent supplanted the
primitive attire of olden days. Indeed, the
profits realized by digging kauri gum, and
by disposing of produce, stock, &c., with
the high prices obtained for labour on
public works, or in the kauri pine-forests
which constitute the timber wealth of the
district, enable the Natives to procure the
comforts of dress and of living to which
they have now be-

large number of both
races ; and, according
to his desire, his body
was buried in the
church cemetery at
the Bay of Islands—
thus breaking
through one of the
most honoured of
Maori customs,
namely, that a chief ’s
remains should be
secretly interred in
some remote spot,
known to but a few
trusty followers.
During his lifetime
he was honoured by
special marks of dis-
tinction from Her
Majesty. and after
his death the Go-
vernment of New
Zealand erected a
handsome monument



come accustomed. To
the north of Auck-
land, the two races
have approached
nearer to each other
than in any other
parts of the Island;
and half - castes, a
handsomeandpower-
fully-built race, are
numerous. The pre-
sent generation of
British settlers has
grown up side by side
with the Maori
youth ; and true
friendship exists‘ be-
tween the settler and
the native.
Throughout the
Colony, the social
condition of the
Natives is a trust-
worthy indication of
the intercourse which


to his memory. Since
then, the N gapuhi have given another proof
of the good feeling which the New Zealand
Government have caused. In .1845, the
British forces lost heavily before a “pa,”
or native fort, called Ohaea'wae, then held
by a section of Ngapuhi in arms, and the
slain were buried near the spot where they
fell. Recently, however, the natives, in
their desire to prove their friendship, have
I erected a small memorial church, in the
graveyard of which they have with due
honour reinterred the exhumed remains of
their former foes; thus giving additional
evidence of the complete extinguishment of
old animosities and jealousies.
A glance at the map will show the pro-
gress which is being made with road-works
in this part of the Island Many of the
roads are being constructed by native
they have had with
Europeans. Among the N gapuhi, at places
like the Thames Gold Fields, near Auck_
land, about Napier, and on the west coast
of the Province of Wellington, where the
Maori has been brought into close contact
with Europeans, there are the same evi-
dences of an upward progress. The style
of living is changed ;_ the where has
given way to the substantial house; the
blanket or flax mat is replaced by broad-
cloth ; and. as a matter of course, improve-
ment in living induces improvement in
mind. In the out-districts, where settle-
ments have been established only a few
years, the Maori is still in a half-and-half
state. In his own village, he conforms in
his habitation, his food, and his cloth-
ing, to the ways of his fathers ; but poor or
careless must the Maori be, especially if a


THE NATIVE RACE.
31
young man, who cannot appear neat and
smart in English dress when on a visit to
the neighbouring township. In such wild
districts as the mountainous inland regions,
ancestral habits have full sway ; and at one
locality, between the English settlements on
the Waikato River and Lake Taupo, there
exists a remnant of what may be termed
the “National party ;” who, however,
though they may inveigh against “pakeha”
customs, are not the less ready to dispose
of their produce to the nearest trader, and
to invest the proceeds in the purchase of
English manufactures.
The Middle Island Natives, as before
stated, number but 3,000, and they are
spread over an immense extent of country,
living in groups of a few families on the
reserves made for them when the lands
were purchased—for the whole of the
Middle Island has been bought from the
native owners by the Government. What-
ever may be the cause, it is a fact that the
natives of the Middle Island are apathetic
and careless, as compared with their
brethren in the North.
There are two special features apparent in
the condition of the Natives. The first
is the energetic revival of agriculture, to
which a stop had been put during the
troublous times. On such a subject it is
impossible to collect statistics; but the
evidence of persons well acquainted with
the race goes to prove that every year
greater breadths of land are brought under
cultivation; that strenuous exertions are
made to obtain the best implements; and
that the labour of every tribe is directed
to recouping the losses sustained during
times of agricultural inaction. The second
feature is the anxiety displayed for the
education of children, and for their instruc-
tion in the English language. Nothing has
more largely contributed to this than the
admission of Natives, not only to the Legis-
lative Council and the House of Represen-
tatives, but also into the ranks of the
Executive Government. The Natives have
thus been induced to take a deep interest
in the proceedings of Parliament, and they
make it their business to become well
acquainted with all that goes on in each
House. The discussions which take place
in Parliament are criticized in even remote
villages. The ignorance of our language by
the Maori members is seen to be to their
disadvantage; and so the Maoris of the
present day are constant in their applica-
llOl'ls forschools. For the support of them, a
sum is granted annually by the Legislature,
which has to be supplemented by the
Natives, who give lands as endowments for
the schools, procure timber for the buildings,
assist in their erection, and contribute
towards the salaries of the teachers. The
system adopted is one of numerous day-
schools established wherever children are
found in some numbers ; and a strict rule
is that the Maori tongue is not to be used
within the school. The children are taught
reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and
history; the girls learning also to sew, to
wash, &c. They all receive lessons in
tidiness, cleanliness, and order, which can-
not but be salutary. In addition to the
village schools, there are a few establish-
ments, chiefly founded by religious bodies,
but mainly supported by the State, where
Native children are boarded. There are
already forty-nine of these Native schools,
with 1,268 scholars. Others are contem-
plated. _There has not yet been time for
any visible results ; but the progress made
by the pupils generally is such as to give
good hopes for the future.
It has been said that the whole of the
Middle Island has been purchased from
the Natives ; but this cannot be said of the
Northern Island. Here the Maoris still
possess a vast extent of country—too vast
for them to make any use of. It was by
purchase that the lands were acquired on
which are situated the flourishing settle-
ments of the North Island ; and it is by
purchase from the Native owners that fresh
lands are being obtained, whether by the
Government or by private persons. In
many instances, also, large tracts are leased
from the Natives, and are occupied by set-
tlers as sheep or cattle-runs. It is, however,
one of the laws of the colony, that whatever
_areas'of land a tribe may desire to sell (E
b
lease, it shall retain a sufiiciency to ena
it to maintain itself ; and, consequently,
large reserves, made in the interest of Native
sellers, are to be found in each island.
As the immigration (assisted) and public
works undertaken by the Colony proceed,
additional value is given year by year to the
land still held by the Natives, who are aiding
largely in the opening up of the country.
By the Maoris enerally the- scheme of
intersecting the Northern Island by rail-
ways and by roads has been hailed with
pleasure. They have taken readily to road-
making ; and, by their labour, highways
have been opened into the interior, along
which coaches now run, passing over country
which but a short time ago was accessible
only by the roughest horse-tracks.
The foregoing brief sketch shows the
difference between the N ewZealand Native
as he now is, and the wild savage he is too
often falsely represented to be.


32
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
THE PRESENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
THE form of government of New Zealand
is as free as any in the British domi-
nions. Executive power is nominally vested
I‘ in a Governor appointed by the Queen; but
he is bound to act, as is her Majesty her-
self, in conformity with the principles of
Res onsible Government, which, for prac-
tice. purposes, vests the direction of affairs
in the representatives of the people. In cases
of direct Imperial interest, the Governor
| would no doubt act under orders of the
Imperial Government. Legislative ower
is vested in the Governor and two ham-
bers—one, called the Legislative Council,
‘‘ consisting at present of forty-nine members
nominated by the Governor for life; and
the other, the House of Representatives,
elected by the people, from time to time,
for five ears, and now consisting of seventy-
eight members. Although the House is
elected for five years, it can be dissolved by
the Governor at any time, and thereupon a
new election must take place. The special
privileges which vest in the House of Com-
mons regarding the raising and appropria-
{tion of public moneys, also vest in the
House of Representatives. Any man of
twenty-one years and upwards, who is a
born or naturalized British subject, and
who has held for six months a freehold of
the clear value of £50 ; or who has a lease-
hold with three years to run, or of which
he has been in possession for three years ;
or who is a householder having occupied
fir six months a house, in a town, of the
yearly value of £10, or if not in a town,
then of the yearly value of £5,—can, by
registration, qualify himself to vote for the
election of a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives. Every man who has for six
months held a miner’s right on a gold field,
(is entitled to vote in a district partly or
wholly situated within the limits of the
gold fields; provided that no such person is
otherwise qualified to vote within such dis-
trict. Any person qualified to vote for the
election of a member of the House of
Representatives is also, speakin generally,
ualified to be elected a mem er of that
ouse. There are, however, certain special
disqualifications for membership, such as
i ve crime, bankruptcy, and paid ofiice
other than what is called political) in the
‘Colonial service. Four of the members of
the House are Natives, elected under a
special- law by Natives alone.
The Colonial Legislature, which meets
once a year, has power generally to make
laws for the peace, order, and good govern-
ment of New Zealand. The Acts passed
by it are subject to the disallowance—ané
in a very few cases are required to be re-
served for the signification of the pleasure—
of her Majesty. But there have not beenv
in the course of the twenty years since the
Constitution was granted, more than half a
dozen instances of disallowance or refuse‘.
of assent. The Legislature has also, with a
few exceptions, ample ower to modify the
Constitution of the olony. _ Executive
power is administered, as before stated, in
accordance with the usage of Responsible

Government as it exists in. the United
Kingdom. The Governor represents the‘
Crown, and his Ministers must possess the 1
confidence of the majority in the House of
Representatives. Except in matters of
purely Imperial concern, the Governor, as a
rule, acts on the advice of his Ministers
He has power to dismiss them'and appoint
others ; but the ultimate control rests with
the representatives of the people, who hold
the strings of the public purse.
The Colony is divided into nine provinces,
each of which has an elective Superin-
tendent, and a Provincial Council also
elective. In each case the election is for a
period of four years; but a dissolution of
the Provincial Council by the Governor can
take place at any time, and it necessitates a
fresh election both of the Council and of
the Superintendent. The Superintendent
is chosen by the electors of the whole
province; the members of the Provincial
Council by those of electoral districts.
Any person who can vote for the election
of a member of the House of Representa-
tives, can vote (in a rovince) for the elec-
tion of a Superinten cut, or (in a district)
of amember of the Provincial Council;
except that holders of miners’ rights cannot
vote for the election of a Superintendent,
though they can for that of Provincial
Councillors. A qualification to vote in any
of these cases is also a qualification to be
elected.
Provincial Legislatures, consisting of the
Superintendent and Provincial Council, pass
Ordinances subject to disallowance by the
Governor, or, when reserved, to the signifi-
cation of his pleasure. There are certain
subjects, such as Customs, Superior Courts



‘ 0
II!
'1!‘
"9“ |||‘,|
“ 1!’: |' I‘
\ I'J :vl
In“ lli'i
.. . lllzll


GOVERNMENT HOUSE, WELLINGTON.


--


36
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Provinces, viz., Nelson, Marlborough, Can-
terbury, Otago, and Westland. (Southland
was for a short time an independent Pro-
vince, but now again forms part of Otago.)
Nelson and Marlborough are in the
north, Canterbury in the centre, Otago in
the south, and Westland to the west of
Canterbury, being separated from the latter
Province by the chain of the Southern Alps.
New Zealand is very mountainous, with
extensive plains, which, in the South
Island lie principally on the eastern side of
the mountains, and in the North Island on
the western side, the interior and more
mountainous parts being covered with dense
forest, containing almost inexhaustible sup-
plies of fine timber.
In the North Island the mountains oc-
cupy about one-tenth of the surface, and in
the South, nearly four-fifths; but in the
South Island the greater part of the moun-
tains are open, well grassed, and used for
pastoral purposes.
Forest, or, as it is called in the Colony
bush, is also sufficiently plentiful on the
plains on the western slopes of both
Islands; and a very large export trade is
done in timber. The rivers are very nume-
rous, and of large size in proportion to the
area of the country; but, owing to its
mountainous character, they are rapid in
their course, and in only few instances
navigable.
In the northern half of the North Island
the mountains do not occupy so much of
the land as in other parts, and do not ex-
ceed 1,500 ft. in height, with the exception
of a few extinct volcanoes that reach to
2,000 ft. and 3,000 ft.
Towards the middle part of the Island
are several very lofty volcanic mountains,
one of which, Tongariro (6,500 ft.), is still
occasionally active. Ruapehu (9,100 ft.),
which is in the centre of the Island, and
Mount Egmont (8,300 ft.), in Taranaki,
near the west coast, are extinct volcanoes
that reach above the limit of perpetual
snow, Egmont being surrounded by one of
the most extensive and fertile districts in
New Zealand.
To the eastward of these begins the main
range of New Zealand, which, broken only
by Cook Strait, reaches to the extreme
south of the country ; but this range, which,
in the South Island, is known as the
Southern Alps, is crossed at intervals by
low passes, which are of great value to the
country, by affording easy means of com-
munication between the east and west
coasts.
The greatest height of the main range in
the North Island is 6,000 ft., so that even
the loftiest peaks are not covered with
snow at all seasons of the year ; but in the
South Island the Alpine peaks rise to from
10,000ft. to 14,000 ft., and, like the Alps of
Europe, contain in the higher regions valleys
filled with glaciers or masses of sliding ice,
derived from extensive snow-fields, which
form the sources of the principal rivers that
intersect and fertilize extensive downs and
plains in their course to the sea.
0 LIMATE.
The changes of weather and temperature
are very sudden ; calms and gales, rain and
sunshine, heat and cold, often alternating
so frequently and suddenly as to defy pre-
vious calculation ; so that there cannot be
said to be any uniformly wet or dry season
in the year. But although these changes
are sudden and frequent, they are confined
within very narrow limits, the extremes of
daily temperature only varying throughout
the year by an average of 20°, whilst in
Europe, at Rome, and other places of corre-
sponding latitude with New Zealand, the
same variation amounts to or exceeds 30o.
In respect to temperature, New Zealand
may be compared either with England or
with Italy, but London is 7° colder than
the North, and 4° colder than the South
Island of New Zealand, and is less moist.
The mean annual temperature of the
North Island is 57°, and of the South
Island 52°, that of London and New York
being 51°, while at Edinburgh it is only
47°, the heat in summer being tempered by
the almost continual breezes, and the win-
ter cold being not nearly so severe as at
any of the above-mentioned places, except
in the uplands and extreme south.
The mean temperature of the different
seasons for the whole colony is, in spring
55°, in summer 63°, in autumn 57°, and in
winter 48°. January and February, corre-
sponding to July and Au t in England,
are the two warmest mont s in New Zea-
land ; and July and August, corresponding
to January and February in England, the
two coldest, excepting in Nelson and We]-
lington, at which places the mean tempe-
rature is lowest in J une and July.
At Taranaki the climate is remarkably
equable, and snow never falls- near the
coast. At Wellington it is very variable,
and subject to frequent gusts of wind from
the hills that surround the harbour. N el-
son enjoys a sheltered position and clear
sky. In Canterbury the seasons are more
distinctly marked, the frost in winter being
occasionally severe (though it never freezes
all day near the coast), and the heat in
summer often very great. The winter in



I
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!
W
‘U
M
|
\
m;
!
Mu \











MAITAI VALLE’ NELS9N.





DESCRIPTION OF CLIMATE, 6w. 37
Ot-ago is decidedly colder, and severe frost, only be obtained by means of a considerable
with deep snow upon the upland plains, expenditure and large engineering works
are common in the winter. Stewart’s for the purpose of bringing a supply of
Island is subject to violent winds and fre- water for undermining and working the
quent fogs. auriferous deposits. This description of
Strong winds are prevalent throughout mining is of a more permanent description
the Colony, and particularly in the Straits. than the former, and provision has been
Rain falls frequently, but seldom in such made by the Colonial Government for as-
excessive quantity, or for periods of so sisting the miners by the construction of
great length, as in Australia ; the heaviest water-races, which will supply the means of
rain seldom exceeding two days’ duration, profitable employment to a much larger
excepting on the West Coast, whilst it is number of persons than at present gain
rare for a fortnight to elapse without a a livelihood by this description of mining.
shower. Thirdly, along the sea coast the continued
The rainfall for the year 1871 was 541,4n., wash of the waves produces a sifting action
the average rainfall in England being about on the sands which are brought down the
45 in. rivers and drifted along the shore, thus
- ' roducinrr de osits of fine old, which b
MINERAL‘ the aid of sinliple mechanicagl contrivanbess:
A very large number of the population afford employment to a large‘ number of
of New Zealand are occupied in mining for diggers, who can labour without incurring
gold, which for the last twelve years has the hardships and privations which attend
formed one of the most important exports the occupation of the miner in the more
of the Colony. The gold is obtained in inland districts.
two forms, viz, as alluvial gold (which is The extraction of gold from the lodes, or
washed from the sand and gravel which quartz reefing, as it is termed, is still in its
occupy valleys in the mountain ranges), and infancy in New Zealand except in the
as veins in quartz reefs. Thames district of the Province of Auck-
Alluvial gold is chiefly found in the land, in the North Island, where gold
South Island in the Provinces of Otago, quartz has been mined since 1852. At
Westland, and Nelson, in which districts this place the mountain range which forms
mining operations are carried on over an the Golville-peninsula is intersected by
area of almost 20,000 square miles. veins of quartz impregnated with gold and
The quantity of gold exported from those silver ; and though the district as yet tested
Provinces up to 31st March, 1874, amounted by the miners is a very insignificant por-
to 6,421,061 oz.,of the value of £25,273,379. tion of the whole area of country of a
Although apparently most of the richest similar character, it has already produced
deposits have already been discovered and precious metals to the value of £3,051,461.
worked by the miners, there is still a vast The Thames mines are chiefly worked by
field for the employment of this alluring companies, which have in some instances
and reproductive description of labour, gained enormous fortunes, though in many
especially when mechanical appliances and cases, from over speculation and defective
the systematic introduction of water power management, they have proved failures.
have been more generally applied ‘Al- Labour can only be employed in this de-
ready the pursuit of gold, which at first was scription of mining by combination and the
followed by individual miners, has become employment of capital, but the mining com-
a more settled industry, and small com- panies are often formed of working men,
inunities of a permanent character now who hold shares, besides which they afford
occupy districts that would have remained employment to a large number of miners,
unexplored and unoccupied had it not been who receive good wages; and the miners so
for the stimulus afforded by the search after employed, while they cannot expect the rich
the precious metal. prizes which occasionally reward those who
The auriferous sand, or gold drift, as it work on the alluvial diggings, are yet more
is usually termed, is of three distinct certain of steady and remunerative employ-
kinds :-First, that which is found in the ment.
beds of rivers, and which is worked by The latest discoveries on the gold fields
small parties of miners, as the process have led to the development of quartz reef-
requires no large expenditure of capital to ing in the South Island, and as alluvial
effect the separation of the gold. Secondly, mining gradually engrosscs less exclusive
immensely thick deposits of vol, of more attention, it cannot be doubted, from the
ancient date, occupy the wi er valleys and experience of other gold-producing countries,
the flat country, from which the gold can that there will be found many more locali-


38
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
ties in which quartz reefing will become a
permanent industry. _
Other valuable metals, such as silver,
mercury, copper, lead, chrome, manganese,
and iron have been discovered in venous
parts of the Colony, and in due time will be
profitably worked when the circumstances
of the labour market permit. Ores of the
last-mentioned metal—iron—are remark-
ably abundant, and are already attracting
attention, so that several mining and smelt-
ing companies have been formed, the opera-
tions of which will afford a very considerable
em loyment for labour.
‘cal-mines have been opened in all parts
of the Colony, the coal bein of two distinct
descriptions, viz., that whic is adapted for
steam purposes, or black. coal, and brown
coal, a variety which, though too bulky, and
giving out its heat too slowly to be useful
for steamers on long voyages, is, nevertheless,
of great value for steamers on coastal
voyages, for stationary engines at manu-
factories, and for domestic use, being quite
equal, for the latter purpose, to much of
the coal that is used in Germany and
Austria.
The black coal seams occur chiefly on the
West Coast of the South Island, in several
distinct coal-fields, which cover an area of
nearly 100 square miles. The principal coal-
fields are in the vicinity of shippin ports
at Collingwood and the Buller and Grey
Rivers; but the last-mentioned places are
only at present accessible to vessels of mo-
derate size, so that the difliculty of shipping
the coal has retarded the development of
the mines, which would at first have to
compete with the extensive mines of New
South Wales that at present so ply nearly
all the steam coal used in New ealand.
The construction of railways and other
works, however, is now in active progress
for the service of these coal-fields, and as
they are subdivided and let by Government
on extremely favourably terms to lessees, it
may be expected that in a short time
several mines will'be in full working order,
and that thriving communities will spring
up in the above-mentioned places. Mining
of brown coal, deposits of which are scattered
over all parts of the Colony, though not
likely, except in a few instances, to sup ort
such large mining communities as the b 1:
coal, will yet afl'ord, in time, extensive em-
ployment. Already, near some of the centres
of population, there is a large trade in this
description of coal, while many country
districts where firewood is deficient, depend
entirely on it fort‘ uel. Its value, therefore,
in assisting in the future development of
the country, can hardly be over-estimated.
Some of the more extensive deposits of
brown coal contain seams of great import-
ance, and of such superior quality as to
approach that of the true black coal ; as, for
instance, at Kawa Kawa, in the Bay of
Islands ; in the Waikato, south of Auckland ;
the Malvern Hills near Christchurch, and
the Clutha Valley, near Dunedin; and in
Southland.
PETROLEUM.
As a natural product derived from the
decomposition of coal-seams, it is proper to
mention the occurrence of petroleum or
rock-oil springs in various parts of the
Colony, particularly at Taranaki, on the
West Coast, and in the vicinity of _Poverty
Bay, near the East Cape, in the North
Island. The quality of the petroleum in
the latter lace is quite e ual to that ob-
tained in anada. and the nited States, as
it yields, by a simple refining process, 60 to
75 per cent. of commercial kerosine. Com-
panies have been formed for extracting this
rock oil, but the works are not yet sufii-
ciently advanced to determine whether it
will be a profitable speculation in the pre-
sent state of labour in the Colony, and the
very low price of the imported article. A
liberal bonus has, however, been offered by
the Government with the view of fostering
this industry, the development of which, in
recent years, has led to so much prosperity
in certain districts of the United States of
America.
AGRICULTURE.
Allusion has been made to the area of
country occupied by mountain ranges in
New Zealand, and the general position they
occupy with reference to the geography of
the country; and it may be further stated
that, with the exception of'the Alpine
ranges, every part of the countryis more or
less adapted for settlement of some kind.
A clearer idea of the value of the country,
and the purposes to which it is applicable,
is, however, obtained by a comparison of
the rock formations, the decomposition of
which produces the soils, as shown in the
following table, from a study of which it
will be found that in the whole Colony
there are about 12,000,000 acres of land
fitted for agriculture, wherein the form of
surface is suitable, and about 50,000,000
which are better adapted for pasturage ; but
from these estimates allowance must be
made for about 20,000,000 acres of surface
at resent covered by forest.
t would be beyond the see e of this
paper to describe in detail the en ess varie-


DESCRIPTION OF CLIMATE, 6w.
39







ties of soil which are found in New Zealand,
but attention may be drawn to the chief
peculiarities :—
In the north of Auckland, including the
lower portion of the Waikato Valley, light
volcanic soils prevail, interspersed with
areas of clay marl, which, in the natural
state, is cold and uninviting to the agricul-
turist, but which, nevertheless, under proper
drainagp and cultivation, may be brought
to a ‘gh state of productiveness. The
latter are, however, almost universally neg-
lected at the present time by the settlers,
who prefer the more easily worked and
more rapidly remunerative soils derived from
the volcanic rocks.
In the western district, which extends
round Taranalu' and Wangauui, the soil is
all that can be desired, and is probably one
of the richest areas in the Southern Hemi-
sphere. The surface soil is formed by the
decomposition of calcareous marls, which
underlie the whole country, intermixed with
the débris from the lava-streams and tufaceous
rocks of the extinct volcanic mountains.
The noble character of the forest-growth
which generally covers the area, roves the
great productiveness of its soil, though at
the same time it greatly impedes the pro-
se of settlement.
In the central district of the North Island,
from Taupo towards the Bay of Plenty, the
surface soil is derived from volcanic rocks
of a highly siliceous character, and large
areas are covered with little else than loose
friable pumicestone. Towards the coast,
and in some limited areas near the larger
valleys, such as the Waikato and the
Thames, and also when volcanic rocks of a
less arid description appear at the surface ,
great fertility prevails, and any deficiencies
in the character of the soil are amply com-
pensated for by the magnificence of the
climate of this part of New Zealand. 0n
the eastern side ‘of _the slate range, which

in
Ann or Drrremm'r Foams-nous IN New Zssnsun.
North Island..South Island. Totals.
1. Fluviatile drifts, one-third agricultural... 8,447 6,286 14,733
2. Marine tertiary, two-thirds agricultural '
(rest pastoral) 13,898 4,201 18,099
3. Upperseoondary,ooal-bearing,pastoral... 2,390 2,110 4,500
4. Palseozoimpastoral .. 5,437 20,231 25,668
5. Schistose, pastoral . ... 15,308 15,308
6. Granitio, worthless ... 5,978 5,978
7. Volcanic, one-sixth agri ultnral (rest
14,564 1,150 15,714-
Square miles 44,736 55,264. 100,000

extends through the North Island, the sur-
face of the countryis generally formed of
clay marl and calcareous rocks, the valleys
being occu ied by shingle deposits derived
from the te and sandstone rocks of the
back ranges, with occasional areas of fertile
alluvium of considerable extent. It is only
the latter portions of this district which can
be considered as adapted for agriculture,
while the remainder affords some of the
finest pastoral land to be met within any
part of the Colony.
In the South Island the chief agricultural
areas are in the vicinity of the sea coast,
but there are also small areas in the interior,
in the vicinity of the Lake districts, where
agriculture can be profitably followed. The
alluvial soil of the lower part of the Canter-
bury plains and of Southland are the most
remarkable for their fertility; but scarcely
less important are the low rolling downs,
formed by the calcareous rocks of the
tertiary formation, which skirt the higher
mountain masses, and frequently have their
quality improved by the disintegration of
interspersed basaltic rocks.
On the western side of the Island the
rapid fall of the rivers carries the material
derived from the mountain ranges almost
to the sea coast, so that comparatively small
areas are occupied by good alluvial soil;
but these, favoured by the humidity of the
climate, possess a remarkable degree of
fertility.
By the proper selection of soil, and with
a system of agriculture modified to suit the
great variety of climate which necessarily
prevails in a country extending over twelve
degrees of temperate latitude, every variety
of cereal and root crop may be successfully
raised in New Zealand ; and with due care
in these respects, 'New Zealand will not
fail to become a great producing and
exporting country of all the chief food
staples.


.830 53.5; 94’ .SEZQ 55.58204
., a, .
.v ,_ .8 ‘
N ' _-__... ...’





44 "fill-“Y ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
f2____ I!
{01*- new»; {w- ‘Smm of Savmos Balms (other than those connected with the
PM‘ 693:?‘ in ,Ym" Emmet); the respective Daras of their Es'rsnusnnnsr; and
PM‘ \‘vwwu M' qwmwmns in the Year 1872, distinguishing the European and the
,“v—mn“; Name imminent.





' 4', VI in: l vin De-
1 it >- “'L'Litfln'tiflgpec. Total Amountstothe Credit of a
w ____ __ i '3 he ‘Banks on the such Depoaltom h
\_ ‘PM; , ‘a mug 1),,c_'1872_ on 31st December, 1812. i
, v 3 _ ~
,3 Nm'n- . of Of
g pvnlll- Mum“: Toufl' Europeans. ‘ Maoris. Total’ i
, _ .. _ __ _ 1; “F .
£. .rd.i£.s. d. 13. s.d.i
'. . a \m 1004. 6 1310 36181 6 11,149 10 0 36230 1611
“swath mo '09 5 '74 1:925 6 1 274 10 6 21199 16 vi
\ ,M mu lso 180 4,233 4 7; 4,233 4. 7
‘\Z‘i. mm mm 533 11,916 5 10 . 11,916 5 ml
\ 16$“ ' _ mm 250 256 6,850 19 4 6,850 13 4
N1“ . mus 1.224. 1 1,225 401891710 1 4 5 40,191 2 a
‘\“m‘m arm-t 145 145 6,314. 11 7 . 5,314. 11 7
“mum ... 0,711 12 3,723 106,611 6 2 ‘325 4 11 106,936 11 1H
\
Average of Deposits, £28. 14s. 6d.
With the state of things in the
M, “ii? whnt has taken place in
N ha nnntl‘nst Is very remarkable,
‘\ l t we also the Post Qfiiee savings-
“ “on lnnm a most signal success.
new \li hilust return (that for 1872) it
My. that tlw deposits in the Post Otfice
\ \ \muhs there had amounted to
, “Mimi, but it also appears that, in
a Win.‘ lmtwsen the formation of the
\ itllnu savings-banks in 1861, and
n ‘ t in deposits in the rivate (or “ Trus-
"‘ Nviunshuuks had ccn reduced from
\ hthldh tn $136,640,022 ; so that nearly
“youth of the deposits in the Post
no savings-hunks would seem to have
0“ Withdrawn from the Trustee savings-
‘H nnd at, although the latter had
\ “wt in he extent of upwards of two
\ it ml!’ millions sterling, their deposits
with mostly doubled those of the Post
	l swings-hanks.
‘ill unntrust with the state of things in
w and would in all probability be still
“We: but for two causes which in this
now have always tended to reduce the
aw “mi! that have found their way into the
wings-hunks, both of which causes have
N“ WW more operative of late years than
it“ riy One of these is the facilities
\‘ log are given by the ordinary banks to
one 9! com tively small means to
S? r to pxiilh them. As a conse-
, numbers of persons keep
tints who would never have
l%ping such in England, and,
i
indeed, would not have been able to keep \
them.
The other cause that tends to reduce the
amount of deposits, is the almost universal
desire to buy land. This desire is mani-
fested in every class of the community, and
certainly not the least strongly in that
numerous class who in the Colony find
themselves in a position to become land—
holders, which, in their native country,
would have been all but physically im-
possible to them. It is, therefore, con-
stantly happening that as soon as, say, £50
is laid by, it is withdrawn and invested in
the purchase of land ; and even Natives of
New Zealand have been known to place
money in a savings-bank, and add to it
from time to time, until enough was accu-
mulated to purchase some coveted piece of
land in or near to an European settlement.
If, therefore, the amounts in the various
savings-banks were small instead of being
just upon £600,000, it would still be true
that savings-banks are more useful than
their founders could have hoped for, and
are performing an important part in the
settlement of the country; and it is quite
possible that another year or two may
prove their utility—however paradoxical
the statement may appear—by the deposits
being laregly reduced, and the money used
for land-purchases, as the country is made
accessible by roads and railways.
The following table will show the yearly
progress of savings-banks in the Colony
from the year 1867 (inclusive) :—
f7’!


SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.
45





l . Private Savings Post Ofiice 1
Amount of Deposlts. Banks. Savings Banks. Totals.
£. a. d. £. 8- d. £. a. d
At close of year 1867 ............ 85,658 14 5 71,197 14 1 156,856 8
Added in year 1868 ..... Dr. 5,561 8 0 92,321 1 6 86,759 13
,, ,, 1869 - 8,976 10 10 67,792 9 8 76,769 0
,, ,, 1870 ..... 4,358 16 '3 64,060 16 4 68,419 12
,, I ,, 1871 3,879 19 3 62,282 12 11 66,162 12
I ,, ,, 1872 "...-mm... 9,623 18 4 132,411 12 6 142,035 10 1
‘ Totals .nnlnlln,,lnccnn- 106,936 11 1 490,066 7 0 I 597,002 18



Insurance.
In the year 1869 an Act was passed
enabling the Government to grant life
assurances and annuities on the security of
the colonial revenue. This differed from
the Act passed in England some years pre-
viously, as the latter only allowed insur—
ances or annuities to be granted for very
small sums, while the New Zealand Act
imposed no limit upon the amount. The
business of the ofiice actually commenced
in March, 1870, and, as was expected, its
beginnings were small, yet by the 30th of
June fifty-three persons had availed them-
selves of the advantages it offered, by effect-
ing insurances to the amount of £27,800.
The business of the otfice has gone on
steadily increasing, so that on the 30th of
June, 1873, the Commissioner was able to
report that 2,901- persons had effected in—
sumnces for an aggregate sum of £1,085,649,
and also that sixty persons had provided
endowments amounting to £6,500, While
seventeen others had paid for annuities of
the value of £950. 15s. 8d. per annum.
Thus 2,901 heads of families had secured
that in the event of their decease, an
average sum of nearly £375 should be paid
to those they might‘ leave behind them—a
sum which would “keep the wolf from the
door” until other means of support might
be secured. There is this further advan-
tage in that which has been done. Those
2,901 persons (or families) have submitted
to the deduction of a sum equal to £10. 12s.
out of the yearly income of each one, to
secure a prospective benefit. While this
proves the existence of a spirit of self-
denying forethought, the opportunity of
using some portion of the yearly earnings
in this way tends, like its kindred insti-
tution the savings-bank, to foster habits of
care and rudbnce.
It wo d not be fair to suppose that the
system of Government insurances in Eng—
land should show results relatively equal
to those that have been secured in New
Zealand, because there the Government
insurances are for very limited amounts
while great facilities exist for effecting life
insurances with private ofiices; yet, when
looking at what has been done in the
Colony, it would hardly have been expected
that the results in England would have
been so small as they are. The English
Act was passed in 1864, yet at the end of
1871—nearly seven years after—there were
only 2,709 insurances current, forsums
amounting in the whole to £208,070. Be-
sides these, there were ourrent 1,798 con-
tracts for immediate annuities, and 258 for
deferred annuities, the amount of both
classes being £42,167.
There are other life assurance ofiices
doing business in New Zealand, and an
Act was passed in the last session of the
Assembly, giving persons the power to
register their policies against deposits pre-
viously made in a Government 0‘ cc by the
grantors of the policies.
POST OFFICE.
The statistics of the Post Ofiice, like the
other statistics of the Colony, exhibit an
increase that is far greater than anything
that could have been caused by an increase
of the population, without a more than
corres ondingincreaso of prosperity. The
ofiice has so grown in the thirty-three years
during which it has been established, that
it can show the following as the statistics
for the year 1872 :—
Letters received 3,588,073
,, despatched 3,370,470
Newspapers received 2,767,682
,, despatched 1,643,407
Comparing the increased use of the Post
Ofiice with the increase of the population
for the periods given, these results are
obtained :—
Between 1853 and 1857 the population
increased 57); per cent, but the letters
received and despatched increased 130
per cent, though newspapers only in- ‘
creased 6 per cent. Again, between 1557
6.
6'!
6 .
7
2
0‘
ll



46
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
_ a_
and 1872 the population increased 461
per cent, and in the same riod the
letters received and despatch increased
1,960 per cent, and newspapers 510 per
cent. Thus between 1853 and 1857 the
rate of increase in letters was more than
twice the increase of population, and be-
tween 1857 and 1872 the rate of increase
was more than four times the increase of
the population. The following table will
show this more clearly,as it gives (as nearly
as may be) the numbers of letters and news-
papers passing throu h the Post Ofiice for
everykiindividual of e population, young
and o :—

1853‘1857 1872

No. of letters received for
each individual (man,
woman, and child)... .. 2% 3 12%
No. of letters despatched... 2,5; 3* 12
No. of newspapers received 3} 5} 10
No. of ditto despatched 3} 4i 6}


It must be added that the postal revenue
of the Colony has increased from £4,100.
28. 1%(1. in 1857, to £46,162. 13s. ed. in
1872, and this, too, notwithstanding re-
peated reductions in the rate of postage.
A large part of the increase in the number
of letters has been caused by the dimi-
nution of rates. Instead of Is. for a “sin-
gle ” letter conveyed a little more than 100
miles, the rate is now 2d. for the half-ounce
from any place in the Colony to any other
place in the Colony, excepting within the
limits of towns, in which the postage is
only 1d. ; while the postge to Australia is
but 2d., and 6d. to the nited Kingdom.
Newspapers are conveyed between any two
places in the Colony at a postage of 1rd.,
and to any place beyond the Colony at 1d. ;
and book and pattern cels are conveyed
at about half the rates for letters. All
postages are prepaid by stamps, which have
been used since 1858.
There were at the close of the year 1872,
533 post ofiices in the Colony, of which 14
were “ chief ” or accounting ofiices, and 91
were money-order and savings-bank oiiices.
Letters are delivered once or twice in a day
in all towns, merchants and others have
“private boxes ” in the post ofiices of most
towns of importance, and pillar letter-
boxes and receiving-houses enable persons
to post their letters without inconvenience.
The arrangements for the conveyance of
mails are also very extensive, so as to meet
the requirements and convenience of the
public. The Postmaster-General, in his
report for the year 1872, states,—
“ During the year there were 233 inland
mail services in operation; 66 being per-
formed by coach and mail-cart, 102 on
horseback, 10 on foot, 38 by water, and 7
by railway. The aggregate of the distances
to be travelled for the 223 services was
6,768 miles ; and the total number of miles
travelled was 1,180,364, at a cost to the
department of £21,838.”
Besides this there is a mail service to
Australia, by steamers running between
Auckland and Sydney, and between the
southern ports and Melbourne; thus en-
abling communication to be held with Aus-
tralia about five times in each month.
There are also two mail services in each
month between the Colony and England;
one by which the mails are carried to and
from Melbourne, and thence to and from
England vid Suez ; and one 'v'id San Fran-
cisco and New York. For the first of
these the Colony pays £5,000 per annum
for the portion of the service between New
Zealand and Melbourne, and a propor-
tionate amount of the cost of the service
between Melbourne and England according
to the number of letters forwarded by it.
The second service has been undertaken
jointly by the colonies of New South
Wales and New Zealand at a gross cost of
£80,000. The receipts for postage both in
the United Kingdom and the colonies will
very much reduce the cost of this service,
of which each colony pays half.
Very much, therefore, has been done to
make the Post Ofl‘ice in New Zealand a
worthy imitation of the vast and mighty
postal establishment of Great Britain.
MONEY Onnsns.
One of the most important developments
of the Postal department has been the
establishment of the money-order system.
It was first brought into operation in the
Colony on the 1st of August, 1862, but its
growth with regard to places outside the
Colony was very gradual, as some delay '1
and difiiculty was experienced before the
other Australian colonies could be induced
to co-operate. The following table, ex-
tracted from the report of the Postmaster-
General for 1873, will show the progress
made from the commencement to the 31st
of December, 1872, being a little less than
ten years and a half :7—


48
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
cost, inclusive of the cable, was also stated
to have been £224,580. It may be added
that when about thirty miles more of line
has been constructed in the neighbourhood
of New Plymouth, every place of import-
ance in the Colony will be brought into
‘telegraphic communication.
The following extracts from the report
already quoted will show the work that had
been done during the year 1872-73 :—
“During the year, there were transmitted
568,960 telegrams of all codes, being 157,193
more than the previous year, or an increase
‘of over 38 per cent.
“ The number of money order telegrams
sent was 5,791,representing£28,106.16s. 8d. ,
being an increase of 2,755 messages, and of
more than £14,000 as compared with 1871-
72. The amount of commission collected
by the Post Ofiice was £770. 1s. 4d.; and
deducting therefrom £289. 11s. as fees for
the telegrams sent, there was left to the
Post Ol’fice £480. 10s. 4d., or rather more
than £1. 14s. per cent. on the total sum
transmitted. Wellington, Christchurch, and
Dunedin, and their sub-ofiices, issued the
largest number of orders ; while Auckland,
Wellington, and Dunedin paid the largest
number.
“The length of line maintained was
2,314 miles, at a cost of £9,479. 5s. 4d., or
an average of £4. 1s. 11d. per mile. Thir-
teen new ofiices were opened, and 20 cadets
were trained in the Learner’s Gallery, and
draughted to different stations.
“The total earnings for the year were
£51,364. 6s. 4d.; so that, deducting the
ccst of the signals, department, and main-
tenance of lines, and charging the receipts
with 6 per cent. on the capital expended
(£224,580. 119. 11d.), there remained to the
credit of the department, on the year’s
business, about £870.
“ In some of the Provinces, 25 telegrams
have been transmitted for every 100 letters
posted, and for the whole of New Zealand
19 telegrams have been despatched for every
100 letters posted. Last year, the average
for the Colony was 1702 of telegrams per
100 letters. The total number of telegrams
transmitted was 568,950, or an average of
rather more than 2 per head of the popu-
lation of the Colony—a proportion which
is not equalled in any other colony or
country.”
The following table, extracted from the
same report, is also interesting, as showing
in detail the large amount of work the
telegraph is doing, as compared with that
which is being done by the Post Ofiice. As
will be seen at a glance, the number of
letters has increased year by year, but the
number of telegrams has increased much
more rapidly. Thus, in 1867-68, when the
number of interprovincial letters was
1,938,578, the proportion of telegrams was
less than 51; to each 100 letters, or about
one-eighteenth part ; but in 187-2—73, when
the letters had increased to 2,878,372, the
number of telegrams was more than 19;} for
each 100 letters, or almost one-fifth part.
The letters, therefore, had increased about
481; per cent., but the telegrams had in-
creased by no less than 436 per cent., or
just nine times the rate of increase of the
letters.
TABLE showing the Number of Isrnnrnovmcmr. LETTERS forwarded during the Year
ended 31st DECEMBER, 1872 ; Number of TELEGRAMS despatched in each Pnovmcr
during the Year ended 30th J UNE, 1873 ; and Proportion of TnLEeaAMs to every
100 LETTERS ; together with a similar Return for the previous Year :—



1872-73. 1871-72. 1
1
Proportion of Proportion of;
Pnovmcn. Nuzlfber Number Telegrams Nug-éber Nuts?“ Telegrams
t f t f \
Letters. Telegrams. BT60 fiztgzgy Letters. Telegrams. 8:80 {jg-£2127!
l
Wellington ... 418,842 105,372 2515 318,497 7 0,604 2216
Marlborough 62,813 15,851 25-23 52,802 12,258 2321
Nelson . . . 202,150 52,376 2590 161,309 29,921 1854
Canterbury . . . 421,092 73,071 17 '35 375,467 52,616 14-01
Westland . 194,722 85,137 1804 182,915 26,558 1451
Otago ... ... 755 430 126,368 1672 644 536 _ _
Sonthlaud 951795 21,935 2289 771866 l “4512 15 85
Hawke’s Bay... 101,741 21,497 2112 82,740 _ 16,638 2010
Taran aki.. . 48,748 8,721 17 ‘88 34,7 55 5,097 1466
1 Auckland 577,039 108,632- 18'80 487,184 83,563 17'15


"I
l


SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.
'49
1872-73. 1871-72.
Total No. of Letters... 2,878,372 2,418,021
Total No. of Telegrams 568,960 411,767
Proportion of Tele-
grams to every 100
Letters ... 1976 1702
While it is gratifying to see that already
the telegraph is to so large an extent self-
supporting, it is to be remembered that this
is notwithstanding—or perhaps in conse-
quence of—the large reductions that have
been made in the scale of charges. For
upwards of four years the charge was by a
“ mileage” rate, which made the cost amount
to from 2d. to 6d. per word. This was
altered on the 1st of September, 1869, to a
uniform rate of 2s. 6d. for the first ten words,
and 6d. for every additional five words or
fraction thereof. This was again altered,
on the 1st of April, 1870, to Is. for the first
ten words, and 6d. for each additional five
words ; and, finally, on the 1st of November,
1873, the charge was still further reduced
to Is. for the first ten words, and 1d. for
every word additional, neither addresses
nor signatures being counted unless they
together exceed ten words. The Press tele-
grams have always been sent at considerably
lower rates than those charged for ordinary
messages.
One novel and important application of
the telegraph, noticed incidentally above,
deserves to be more particularly referred to.
This is the engrafting of the money-order
system on to the telegraph, so that money
may be remitted from any part of New
Zealand to any other within reachof the
telegraph wires, without the inevitable
delay required by the course of 0st. That
this is a great convenience to t 6 public is
shown by the fact that, from the 15th of
June, 1870, when the system was intro-
duced, to the 31st of December in that
year, 927 orders were sent through the tele-
graph for sums amountingto £4,266. 1 ls. 7d.
During the following year the orders were
2,485, and the amount, £11,332. ls. ; and
in the year 1872 they had increased to
4,503 orders, representing the sum of
£21,669. 18s. 8d. All this has been done
without accident or loss ; and although the
rate of charge for such orders considerably
exceeds the cost of those sent through the
post (being 4d. for each ound sterling,
besides Is. for the messagei: yet it is evi-
dent that this use of the telegraph may be
regarded as a very successful experiment.
There are now ninety-five telegraph sta-
tions in New Zealand, and messages are
conveyed from any one station to any other
at the uniform rate stated above. Messages
can also be sent to or through England from
1870-71. 1869-70. 1868-69. 1867-68.
2,626,947 2,374,060 2,749,488 1,938,578
312,874 185,423 146,167 106,104.
11-91 7'81 6'12 5'47
any telegraph ofiice in the Colony, being
sent by steamer to Sydney or Melbourne,
and forwarded from thence by wire to
London.
In the last session of the Colonial Parlia-
ment an Act was passed authorizing the
Government to unite with the Govern-
ments of New South \Vales and Queensland
in guaranteeing the interest on a sum not
exceeding £1,000,000sterling (provided that
such guarantee shall not cost New Zealand
more than £20,000 per annum), for thirty-
five years, to any company or person “ for
the construction, maintenance, and working
of a telegraph cable from New Zealand to
New South Wales,” and a “through cable”
from N ormantown, in Queensland, to Singa-
pore. When this shall have been carried
into effect, New Zealand will be in direct
telegraphic communication with Australia,
and, through Australia, with Great Britain
and the rest of the civilized world. Thus,
within half the average duration of human
life, the time required for communication
between New Zealand and England will
have been reduced from an average of five
months to something less (probably) than ‘as
many hours. - -
In connection with the Telegraph De-
partment, it is pleasing to bear testimony
to the ability and energy of the general
manager, Mr. Charles Lemon. Having read
in an English publication a paper by Mr.
R. S. Culley, giving an outline of his suc-
cessful attempt to transmit messages simul-
taneously in opposite directions along the
same wire, Mr. Lemon instituted a series of
experiments, and himself succeeded in this
interesting and very valuable extension of
practical telegraphy. Mr. Lemon recently
coupled two of the wires in the cable across
Cook Straits, which separate the North from
the South Island, and had connections made
with the Wellington and Blenheim ofiices,
which are the working ends of the cable.
He had thus a circuit of thirty-two miles
of land wire and eighty-two miles of cable ;
and through it there were transmitted from h
each end simultaneous message", the signals
being clear and strong, although the battery—
power used was less than is ordinarily em-
ployed in working the cable. It is believed
that Mr. Lemon’s arrangement will be found
applicable to longer lengths of wire than
that stated above ; and it is hoped that a
practical adaptation of it will soon be made.


50
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
At all events, the arrangement may be said
to have doubled the capacity of the Cook
Straits cable.
LAND Tasnsran SYSTEM.
The difficulties in the way of conveying
land and readily giving good titles has been
felt in New Zealand as in other colonies;
and in 1870, the system introduced by Mr.
Torrens in South Australia was introduced
in New Zealand. It is somewhat amended,
to suit the circumstances of the Colony, and
is found to work exceedingly well.
To illustrate the nature and extent of the
chan e from the old system, let it be sup-
oseg that a town acre had been originally
id out of a rhomboidal shape, having its
side lines at an angle of say sixty degrees
to the line of street. Let it further be sup-
posed that the purchaser of this acre, de-
siring to make his land rectangular, efi'ected
exchanges with his neighbours on either
side, giving triangular pieces of his land for
pieces of theirs of similar shape. There
would thus be three sets of deeds to com-
plete the title to his land, each of which
might require the production of original
titles as wellas powers of attorney, the non-
production of any one of them rendering
im unable to deal with his estate, and all
requiring to be recapitulated, should he
desire to sell or mortgage it. To quote the
words of Mr. J. S. Williams in the “ Handy
Book on the Land Transfer Acts,” issued
by the .Government: “In these processes
there is no finality,—they have to be re—
peated upon every fresh transaction; and
as each transaction entails a fresh deed, the
chain is lengthened, and every new dealing
becomes more complicated than the pre-
ceding one. The lawyer, of course, expects
tobe paid for his labour in investigating
titles, and for his responsibility inv damages
to his client in case a title proves defective.
Hence the expense of transactions, and with
the expense, no corresponding advantage,
for a man has no guarantee for the good-
ness of his title beyond the skill of his
lawyer.” .
Under the new system, if the owner of
land puts it under the Act, one searching
examination is made by the officer appointed
for that purpose, and when he is satisfied,
a certificate of title is issued to the land-
owner, on a form printed for the purpose,
having, therefore, all its terms absolutely
fixed, requiring only the name of the pro-
rietor and the particulars of the land and
its encumbrances (if any) to be filled in, and
by this all doubts are for ever quieted, for
(again to quote Mr. Williams), “from
thenccforth the certificate of title is con-
clusive evidence that the person named in
it is entitled to the land it describes. The
certificate of title operates as a Government
guarantee that the title is perfect. It is
indefeasible, and there is no going behind
it" _
There is also afurther-convenience secured
by the Act. A person who has sold land
that had not previously been brought under
the Act, may apply to have it brought under,
and that the certificate may be issued to
his purchaser. The certificate thus operates
as a conveyance without any additional
expense.
As it is just possible that injustice may
be done in some rare instances by the issue
of a certificate to a wrong person, a. fund is
created by a charge of one halfpenny in the
pound on the value of all land brought
under the Act, out of which any person who
has suffered injury through the issue of a
certificate. may receive fair compensation.
It is gratifying to add that no claim of this
kind has been madcin the three years during
which the Act has been in operation, and
that the Assurance Fund now exceeds
£5,000, showing that land to the value of
nearly two and a-half millions of money
has been brought under the Act.
It is further to be observed that in respect
of all lands purchased from the Crown since
the 1st of March, 1871, the titles are neces-
sarily issued under the Land Transfer Act.
It follows that no newly-purchased land can
be subject to the complications that occurred
under the former system.
The one operation of bringing land under
the Act having been efi'ected, all further
dealings with the land are carried out by
means of printed forms, which can be filled
up by any person of ordinary education.
In this way land can be sold, leased, mort _
gaged, or otherwise dealt with, while in case
of a mortgage being paid off, a simple re-
ceipt, indorsed upon the copy of the mort-
gage held by the mortgagee, and also upon
the copy in the Registry Oflice, operates as
a reconveyance, without the necessity for a
fresh deed. Special provisions are made to"
meet the engagements entered into by mem-
bers of Building Societies when they become
borrowers, thus securing the applicability
of the Act to all the requirements of the
community.
PUBLIC Tans'r Orrrcn-
There is another institution peculiarw
New Zealand called the Public Trust Office-
This was created by an Act passed in 1872.
and the purposes of the Act have been
described thus :—
“The appointment of a Public Trustee

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SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.
53
is an attempt to insure the faithful discharge
of trusts, and at the same time to relieve
persons from being obliged to burden their
friends with the responsibilities of trustees.
Farther, the Public Trust Ofiice Act pro-
poses to substitute a permanent ofiicer for
guardians who, with the best possible inten-
tions, are liable to be incapacitated for the
duties they have undertaken, by removal,
change of circumstances, or death. A
guardianship is thus established which will
continue long after the individual who first
exercised it will have ceased to act.”
The Act was brought into operation on
the 1st of January, 1873 ; and by another
Act passed in that vyear, the charge of in-
testate estates and the estates of lunatics
was also devolved upon the Public Trustee.
The office being so entirely novel, having
as its only precedent that of the Accountant-
General of the Court of Chancery in Eng-
land, will naturally require time to develop
its usefulness ; but already it has been
taken advantage of to an extent that demon-
strates the advantage of such an institution.
Executors who saw that they were likely to
be burdened with trusts continuing over
many years, have declined to act, knowing
that the estate would be taken charge of by
a public ofl‘ice ; and already it is known that,
in making their wills, the owners of large
properties have made the Public Trustee
their executor and trustee for their children ;
while in one case, the trustee under a mar-
riage settlement, who had power to delegate
his trust, finding himself failing in health,
and being anxious to secure the property
of the children of a deceased sister, applied
to the PublicTrustee to take charge of the
estate. Further, as the Act says that when-
ever the Supreme Court may appoint a
trustee, guardian, or committee of a lunatic’s
estate, it may appoint the Public Trustee, it
has been expressed by one of the Judges
that it is a satisfaction to the Court to be
able to appoint a public oflicer instead of
having the name of some person proposed,
into whose fitness for the oflice the Court
would have to inquire.
It must be added that, for the protection
of persons placing property in the Public
Trust Oflice, the Colony is made ultimately
responsible ; but at the same time, to pre-
serve the ublic funds as far as possible
from loss in this way, no trust can be re-
ceived, nor any property parted with, with‘-
out the consent of a Board, of which the
Colonial Treasurerand the Attorney-General
of the Colony are members; nor can any
money be issued without the signature of
one of the Commissioners of Audit.
Nnwsrsrans.
The following newspapers are published
in the colony :—
Orncd—Dunedin: Daily Times, Guar-
dian, Evening Star, daily ; Witness,
Southern Mercury, Tablet, weekly. —
Oamaru : North Otago Times, twice weekly.
—Lawrence : Tnapeka Times, twice weekly. ,
e—Tokomariro : Bruce Herald, twice weekly.
—Waikouati: Herald, weekly.—Naseby.'
Chronicle, weekly—Clyde : Dunstan Times, ‘
weekly. -— Cromwell : Argus, weekly.—
Arrowtown : Observer, weekly—Queens-
town: Walcatipu Mail, weekly—Inver-
cargill : Southland Times, Southland News,
thrice weekly ; Weekly Times and N ews.—
Riverton : Western Star.
CANTERBURY. -- Christchurch : Lyttelton
Times, Press, Sta/r, daily; Tinws, Press,
weekly ; Illustrated News, monthly.—
Timaru : Herald, South Canterbury Times,
thrice weekly.
MARLBOROUGH. — Blenheim': Express,
twice weekly; Times, weekly.—Picton:
Press, weekly.——Kaikoura: Herald, w eekly.
NELSON—Nelson; Evening Mail, daily;
Colonist, thrice weekly.-—Westport : Times,
twice weekly ; News, weekly; Charleston .
Herald, twice weekly ; News, weekly.—
Reefton : Courier, daily ; Inangahua
Herald, thrice weekly. —Lyell: Argus,
twice weekly.
WESTLAND. — Hokitika: West Coast
Times, Evening Star, Westland Register,
daily; The Leader, weekly.—Greymouth:
Grey River Argus, Evening Star, daily;
Argus, Press, weekly—Ross: Guardian,
thrice weekly.
WELLINo'roN.—Wellington: Independent,
Evening Post, Tribune, daily; New Zealand
Mail, weekly; Wake Maori, fortnightly.
—-Wanganui: Chronicle, Evening Herald,
daily; Chronicle, Herald, weekly—Grey-
town: Wairarapa Standard, twice weekly.
HAWKE Ban—Napier :Herald, Telegraph,
daily; Times, twice weekly; Telegraph,
weekly. -
TARANAKL—New Plymouth: Herald,
News, twice weekly.
AucKLAnn—Auckland : Southern Cross.
N ew Zealand Herald, Evening Star, daily ;
News, Herald, weekly—Thames: Adver-
tiser, Evening Star, daily.——Coromandel:
The Mail, News, thrice weekly.—Tauranga :
Bay of Plenty Times, weekly.——Gisborne :
Poverty Ba
Waikato : i/mes, thrice weekly.
Various denominational or special publi-
cations, trade-circulars, &c., are omitted
from this list.
.0
Standard, twice weekly.—


54'
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
NOTES STATISTICAL, COMMERCIAL,
INDUSTRIAL. '
HE numbers and conditionof the people
naturally claim attention first. An in—
complete return exists for the year 1843,
from which it is estimated that the popula-
tion in that year was,—
The following table shows the numbers at the end of each quinquennial period
since 1851 :—

AND
Males .. 7,264
Females ... 5,924
Total 13,128
TABLE showing the N mans of the Pnornn and their CENTnsIMAL INCREASE
for each of the following Quinquennial Periods.



It cannot fail to be observed, that while
it is thus shown that the population in-
creased just tenfold in twenty years, a very
large and abnormal portion of that increase
occurred between the years 1856 ‘and 1866,
from which it might be surmised that the
discovery of gold took place somewhere
within that period. That such was the
fact will be shown in a subsequent part of
this paper. It may be added that the
estimated population at the end of 1872

was,—
Males . . . 162,404
Females 1 17,156
Total 279,560
In 1848, Mr. Domett states that out of
the people then in New Munster, 26-51 per
cent. (or a little more than one-fourth) had
been born in the Colony. Supposing these
proportions to have remained about the
same until 1851, the population. at that
date may be divided thus :—

Immi ts . 19,627
Persons born in the Colony... 7,080
Total .. 26,707
At the census in 1871 * it was found
that the people were divided thus :—

Immigrants... 192,341
Persons born in the Colony 64,052
Total 256,393

‘ The census was taken in February, 1871.
The numbers given in the preceding table
are those at the close of the year.
Q
1851. _ 1856. ' 1861. 1866. 1871.
No. No. In- ease. No. Increase.‘ No. Increase. No. Increase.
Males 15,035 25,356 68'6 61,062 1391 125,080 104'8 156,431 250
Female! 11,672 20,184 729 37,959 880 79,034 1082 110,555 898
Totals 26,707 45,540 705 99,021 117-4 204,114 1061 266,986 308


The persons born in the Colony were
thus a fraction less than one-fourth of the
population, or somewhat less, relatively,
than in 1851.* The numbers of immigrants
had increased in the twenty years from
19,627 to 192,341, or nearly tenfold ; whilst
the numbers born in the Colony had in-
creased from 7,080 to 64,052, or more than
ninefold. More correctly, the numbers
who had come from elsewhere to settle in
the country had increased 980 per cent,
and the numbers of those born in it had
increased 905 per cent. It thus becomes
evident that New Zealand has continued to
present. inducements sufiicient to cause a
continual influx of persons from Europe and
from the neighbouring colonies.
Another point worthy of notice is, that
in 1858 the proportion of males above 21
years of age to females of similar ages was
as 28 to 17 nearly; while in 1871, the pro-
portions were as 37 to 19. In other words,
‘ in 1858 out of every thousand persons above
v21 years of age, 619 were males and 381
females; but in 1871, out of every thousand,
660 were males and 340 females. This
larger increase of adult males than of females
is what might reasonably be expected as a
result of immigration; and that it is due
to this cause is shown by the fact that in
1858 the proportion of males under 6 years
to females of that age was as 13 to 12, while

8 If the proportion stated by Mr. Domett
had been maintained, the numbers born in
the Colony would have been 67,970, instead
of 64,052. .


NOTES STATISTICAL, 6:c..
55
at the census of 1867 the proportions of inhabitants. In 1871 there were only 448.
those under 5 years (the ages having been
taken differently to those in the former
census) was as 279 to 271, and at the census
of 1 871 the numbers were almost identical—
23,369 males and 23,209 females.
The proportion of bread-winners has also
more than kept pace with the numerical
increase of the population, for in 1858, out
of every 1,000 persons nearly 310 were
1nales between the ages of 18 and 60, while
in 1871 (taking the nearest agesgiven, viz.,
1 5 to 55), there were 364 males out of every
1 ,000. The wealth-producing power of the
community had thus increased in 22 years
by nearly 17% per cent., in addition to the
extent to which it was increased by the
addition that had been made to the popu-
lation.
The enormous ratio of increase will be
best understood by observing that in the
ten years ending in 1872 the population of
Great Britain had increased just8 per cent.,
while New Zealand, in the same period,
had increased 70 per cent. Yet how much
room there is for increase may be seen by
comparing the number of the population
living on a square mile in England and
New Zealand. The area of England and
Wales is stated to be 58,320 square miles,*
while the area of New Zealand is com-
puted to be 102,000 square miles, two-
thirds of which are fitted for agriculture
and grazing. There is, therefore, more
available land in New Zealand than in
Britain, while the population of New Zea-
land is not quite one-eightieth part of that
of England and Wales. Thus, it is stated
that in that portion of the United King-
dom at the census of 1871, there were
389 individuals on every square mile; and
in New Zealand at the same time there
were not 4 persons on each square mile of
available land.-I‘ Such figures speak for
themselves.
It is gratifying to note that with the in-
crease of the numbers of the people in the
Colony, there has been an increase in their
comforts also. The numbers of houses are
a proof of this. These have increased from
12,812 in 1858, to 57,182 in 1871. In
1858, in each 100 houses there were 463

* These figures, and also those relating to
New Zealand, are taken from “The States-
man’s Year Book ” for 1873, but it is not
stated whether any allowance had been made
for portions of the United Kingdom which
cannot be profitably occupied.
1- In 187 2 there were rather more than four
persons to each square mile, or 411 on every
100 square miles.
The improvement in the social condition of
the people is proved by the fact that in
1871 there were 1,806 more houses than
would have been required to give the same
accommodation that was given by the houses
of 1858. According to the census of 1871,
the number of persons in each 100 houses
in England and Wales was 533,
The houses, too, were of a better class m
1871 than they were in 1858. Taking,
first, the materials of which they were con-
structed, the proportions of the different
{duds in each 1,000 houses were as fol-
ows :—
1858. 1871.
Built of wood 795 804
Built of brick and stone 24 27
' Built of other materials* 181 169
1,000 1,000
Taking, again, the number of rooms in
each house, the comparison is equally
favourable; but the comparison must be
made from the numbers given in 1861, as
in 1858 the number of rooms was not taken.
The proportions for each 1,000 houses
are,—
1861. 1871.
Houses of 1 or 2 rooms 472 402
,, ,, 125 132
,, 4 ,, 144 178
,, 5 ,, 67 79
,, 6 rooms and .
. upwards 192 209
1,000 1,000
A still more important matter is the state
of education among the people. There is a
difiiculty in making comparisons in this
particular, because, in 1858, the population
was divided in the educational returns into
those who were under 12 years of age and
those who were above 12 ; but in 1871
the division was made at 15 years of age.
To obviate this as far as practicable, the '
numbers for the year 1858 have been altered
by adding to the number of children under
12, one-half of the number returned as
between 12 and 18, and deducting a similar
amount from those above 12 ; the numbers
who could read and write being taken to
bear the same proportion to that number
that the whole number able to read and
write bore to the whole population. Further,
the number attending schools was taken as
bearin the same proportion to the half of
those etween l2 and 18, as the whole
number attending school here to the whole
number of children and youths between 6

' Including raupo buildings and tents.


56
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
and 18 years of age. In this way it is
estimated that in 1858 out of every 100
children of the school-age (6 to 1-5), 54
could read and write, and 51 were attending
schools, of which three-fifths were attending
day-schools, and the other two-fifths were
attending Sunday-schools only. Of the
whole population of all ages, rather more
than 63 out of every 100 (635 out of every
1,000) could read and write.
In 1871, out of every 100 children be-
tween the ages of 5 and 15, 59 could read
and write, and nearly 72 were attending
school, of which more than three-fourths
were attending day-schools, and less than
one-fourth were attending Sunday-schools
only. Of the whole population rather more
than 69 out of every 100 (692 out of every
1,000) could read and write. The proportion
who could read and write was thus 9 per
cent. greater in 1871 than in 1858.
The vital statistics remain singularly
similar. In 1858, for every 1,000 persons
alive at the commencement of the year, 44
children were born during the year, and 10
persons of all ages died. In 1871,for every
1,000 persons, 41 children were born and
10 persons died. In England and ‘Vales
in 1871, 36 children were born for every
1,000 of the population, and 22 persons
died.
In 1858 there were 62 criminal convic-
tions in the Supreme Court, and 1,169 con-
victions in the Resident Magistrates’ Courts,
besides 1,418 convictions for drunkenness
There was, therefore, 1 person out of every
48 convicted of some offence, besides ‘1
person out of every 42 convicted of drunk-
enness.
In 1871 there were 144 criminal comic-
tions in the Supreme Court, 18 in District
Courts, and 6,824 in Resident Magistrate;
Courts,besides 4,682 convictions for drunken-
ness. This was equal to 1 person in 38 being
convicted of some crime, and 1 person in 57
convicted of drunkenness. These propor-
tions are painfully large, and it is singular
to observe that, while the criminal convic-
tions had increased nearly 26 per cent, as
compared with those of 1858, the convic-
tions for drunkenness had decreased by
nearly 36 per cent. The following table
will show the variations in the different
Provinces :—
TABLE showing the Comparison between CRIMINAL CoNvIc'moNs and CONVIGJJIONS for
DRUNKENNESS, for each Province in New Zealand, in the Years 1858 and 1871;
with the Proportions of each to the Population of the several Periods.


N.B.—For the year 1871 the numbers
given in the census are taken, as that is the
latest detailed account showing the popula-
tion of the different Provinces. The results
are not strictly accurate, as the same num-

1858. 1871.
Pnovmcm Offenoes. .Drunkenness. Oifenoes. Drunkenness. ‘
l
Proportion Proportion Proportion Proportion‘
No. to No. to No. to No. to
Population. Population. Population. Population.‘
Auckland 229 1 in 79 737 1 in 25 1,758 1 in 35 1,940 1 in 32 l
Taranaki 41 1 ,, 65 as 1 ,, 75 93 1 ,, 48 as 1 ,, 124‘
Wellington - 198 1 ,, 59 373 1 ,, 32 527 1 ,, 46 383 1 ,, 63]
Hflwke'g Bay... 23 1 ,, 66 4351, 1 ,, 22‘ 95 1 ,, 64-
Nelson .. ' 198 1 114
Marlborough 20° 1"“ 57 1" 163i 1 77 1 :1 as as 1 :1 99l
Canterbury 434 1 331- 454 1 , 103"
Westland... 267 1” 3* 185 1" “l 373 11127 277 1 .I 55,
Otago 273 1 ,, 25 31 1 ,, 224 2,024 1 ,, 34 1,246 1 ,, 56
Totals 1,231 1 ,, 48 1,418 1 ,, 42 6,986 1_,, 38 4,682 1 ,, 57‘

bers give the total proportion of offences to
population as 1 in 37, instead of l in 38,
as given above, the latter being the true
proportion to the estimated population at
the end of the year.

' The proportions for Nelson and Marlborough, taken together, are—offences, 1 in 56;
drunkenness, 1 in 111.
1' The proportions for Canterbury and Westland, taken together, are—offences, 1 in 81;
drunkenness, 1 in 85.



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COURT HOUSE, OAMARU, OTAGO.



0|


NOTES STATISTICAL, &c.
59
There are no means at hand for com-
aring these results with similar ones in
ngland, but a parently the convictions in
the Superior ourts in New Zealand are
more numerous (proportionately) than those
in England and Wales, the numbers there
(in 1871) being 1 out of every 1,900 of the
population, and in New Zealand, 1 out of
every 1,648. '.
Other items usually included in statistical
returns will appear in other sections of
these papers. '
It must be added that all the details here
given apply exclusively to the European
population, with the few half-castes living
among them. No accurate and complete
census of the Native race has ever been
made, though it has been partially done
more than once. The numbers were esti-
mated in 1842-43, by the Bishop of New
Zealand, as about 100,000 ; but those who
knew the Natives more intimately, thought
that 70,000 would have been more nearly
correct. The last attempt at enumeration
made them about 36,000, but this was
several years ago, and it is probable that
their numbers at present do not exceed
80,000.
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL.
The imports and exports of the Colony
afford the readiest mode for estimating its
commercial position, while the comparison
of amounts at different periods has a
special interest as showing the growth and
development of various industrial pursuits,
and the decay or extinction of others that
were once of considerable importance.
In the year 1872 the imports were valued
at £5,142,951, and the exports (of New
Zealand produce) £5,107,186.
The value of the principal items of im-
ort in that year were, apparel, boots, shoes,
ats, caps, &c., £415,970 ; drapery, haber-
dashery, and woollens, £889,922 ; iron-
mongery and iron, £190,634 ; spirits,
£145,717 ; wine, £79,738 ; tea,£177,722 ;
sugar and molasses, £384,180 ; tobacco and
muff, £77,474.
The principal items of export were, gold,
valued at £1,730,992; wool, £2,537,919;
' and flour, £118,733 ; kauri gum,
£154,167 ; Phormium New Zealand flax),
£99,405 ; hides and ta ow, £90,551 ; pre-
served mests, £161,840. ‘
Oil and whalebone, which in the early
days of the Colony were regarded as its
staple product, had become too insignificant
to mention ; while gold constituted more
than one-third of the exports, and wool more
than one-half. Flax had'scnrcely increased
in proportion to the population, and timber
had become a very small item; but grain
and other agricultural produce had become
considerable. The item “preserved meats ”
indicates a new industry, and the same may
be said of leather, of which there was ex—
ported to the United Kingdom nearly
3,000 cwts. Of the whole, the item kauri
gum is the only one whose production is
due to the aboriginal natives, and to this
-they are stimuhted by the presence of Euro-
pean purchasers. Among the imports, the
altered condition of the people and the
country is indicated by the importation of
coals to the value .of £162,549 ; machinery
valued at £62,794 ; and railway and tele-
graph materials valued respectively at
£118,319 and £6,466.
The shipping return for the year was as
follows :—
Ships inwards ... 775
Aggregate burden ... 800,302 tons
Aggregate crews ... 13,866 men
Ships outwards 743
Aggregate burden... 285,366 tons
Aggregate crews 12,802 men
Customs duty received in year, £813,278 ;
land revenue (exclusive of gold), £504,717 ;
gold fields revenue and gold duty, £114,055.
The proportions per head of population
were :—
£. a. d.
Imports, per head... ... 18 8 0
Exports, per head 18 5 0
Customs’ duty, per head 2 18 0
Land revenue, perhead... 1 16 0
Gold duty, &0., per head 0 8 0
The following table shows, for the sake
of contrast, the respective amounts for the
years 1846 and 1872 :—
1846. 1872.
Imports £155,475 £5,142,951
Ditto per head of
population £10. 16s. £18. 8s.
Exports £82,656 £5,107,186
Ditto per head of
population .25. 15s. £18. 5s.
Shipping—inwards 160 775
Shipping—outwards 157 743
Customs’ duty . £18,658 £813,278
Ditto per head of
population ... £1. 6s. £2.18s.
Land revenue . ' £616 £504,717
Ditto per head of
population ... 10d. £1.16s.
Gold duty and -
revenue ... £114,055
Ditto per head of
population 8s.
The item “gold" appears so conspicuously
in the returns of 1872, and is in itself of
such importance, as to claim more than a
mere passing notice.


.l\
C hurl‘. .
r
v!‘
:L


NOTES STATISTICAL, &0.
5‘.)

There are no means at hand for com-
paring these results with similar ones in
gland, but a parently the convictions in
the Superior ourts in New Zealand are
more numerous (proportionately) than those
in England and Wales, the numbers there
(in 1871) being 1 out of every 1,900 of the
population, and in New Zealand, 1 out of
every 1,648. .
Other items usually included in statistical
returns will appear in other sections of
these papers. '
It must be added that all the details here
given apply exclusively to the European
population, with the few half-castes living
among them. No accurate and complete
census of the Native race has ever been
made, though it has been partially done
more than once. The numbers were esti-
mated in 1842-43, by the Bishop of New
Zealand, as about 100,000 ; but those who
knew the Natives more intimately, thought
that 70,000 would have been more nearly
correct. The last attempt at enumeration
made them about 36,000, but this was
several years ago, and it is probable that
their numbers at present do not exceed
30,000.
COMMERCIAL nan INDUSTRIAL.
‘ and exports of the Colony
' st mode for estimating its
.7 ‘on, while the comparison


lifi'erent ' ds has a
showinggmg wth and
ions int rsuits,
xtincti ‘8 that
.erable‘
the in‘ alued
the New
5,107
a prin ~f im-
sre,a' shoes,
15,97 taber-
llens iron-
nn, .pirits,
. ',722 ;
. co and
a, gold,
57,919;
.ri gum,
1d flax),
I 1 ; pre-
he early
:d as its
.gnificant
ted more
wool In"
had become a very small item; but grain
and other agricultural produce had become
considerable. The item “ preserved meats ”
indicates a new industry, and the same may
be said of leather, of which there was ex-
ported to the United Kingdom nearly
3,000 cwts. Of the whole, the item kauri
gum is the only one whose production is
due to the aboriginal natives, and to this
-they are stimuhted by the presence of Euro-
pean purchasers. Among the imports, the
altered condition of the people and the
country is indicated by the importation of
coals to the value ,of £162,549 ; machinery
valued at £62,794 ; and railway and tele-
graph materials valued respectively at
£118,319 and £6,466.
The shipping return for the year was as
follows :—
Ships inwards . 775
Aggregate burden 300,302 tons
Aggregate crews . . 13,866 men
Ships outwards 743
Aggregatebnrden... 285,366 tons
Aggregate crews 12,802 men
Customs duty received in year, £813,278 ;
land revenue (exclusive of gold), £504,717 ;
gold fields revenue and gold duty, £114,055.
The proportions per head of population
were :—
£. 8. d.
Imports, per head 18 8 0
Exports, per head 18 5 0
Customs’ duty, per head 2 18 0
Land revenue, per head... 1 16 0
Gold duty, &c.,per head 0 8 0
The following table shows, for the sake
of contrast, the respective amounts for the
years 1846 and 1872 :—
1846. 1872.
Imports £155,475 £5,142,951
Ditto per head of
population £10. 16s. £18. 8s.
Exports . £82,656 £5,107,186
Ditto per head of
population £5. 15s. £18. 5s.
Shipping—inwards 160 775
Shipping—outwards 157 743
Customs’ duty
. £18,658 £813,278
Ditto per head of


population ... £1. 6s. £2. 18s.
Land revenue .. £616 £504,717
Ditto per head of
population ... 10d. £1. 16s.
Gold duty and '
revenue .. ... £114,055
Dit head of
p" 8s.
' "appears so conspicuously
,of 1872, and is in itself of
ace, as to claim more than a
_ Agnotice.


60
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
The first time in which gold was regarded
as of sufiicient consequence to deserve to
appear in a separate table in the annual
returns of the Registrar-General was in
1858, in which year the value of the gold
exported was declared to be £52,444, and
it was also stated that gold to the value of
£40,442 had been exported in the previous
year, of which about 1540,00 was the pro-
duce of New Zealand. In 861 the value
suddenly increased from £17,585 (the
amount for 1860), to £752,657, the large
increase being entirely due to Otago, which
exported gold to the value of £727,321,
or within one-thirtieth part of the whole
amount.
The jurors’ report on the Otago Exhibi-
tion of 1865 gives an account of the dis-
coveries of gold in New Zealand to that
date, and from it the following particulars
are extracted :—It is there stated that gold
was first found in Massacre Bay by an ex-
ploring party under Captain Wakefield, in
1842, “ but the discovery did not attract
much attention at the time.” Nothing fur-
ther seems to have been done until 1852,
when gold was discovered at Coromandel,
but only about 1,100 ounces were obtained,
and the search was given up. In 1856 gold
was found in several localities in Otago, but
without any immediate result. In the same
gar gold was again discovered in Massacre
ay, and about a thousand persons soon col-
lected there, who worked with some success,
obtaining the gold that has been mentioned
as exported in 1857. Discoveries were also
made in that and the succeeding years in
Otago, yet public attention does not seem
to have been aroused until June, 1861,
when Mr. Gabriel Reed made the great dis-
covery of gold in one of the tributaries of
the Tuapeka River, flowing through the
ravine that is still called Gabriel’s Gully,
after the name of its discoverer. From
that time discoveries of gold were made in
various places in Otago, also on the west
coast of the Province of Canterbury (now
Westland), and finally at the Thames, in
the Province of Auckland, the result of all
which has been that there had been exported
from New Zealand to the end of 1872 the
enormous quantity of 6,718,248 ounces,
valued at £26,084,260.
The increase in the quantity of wool ex-
ported from the Colony is also very striking.
n twenty years, that is to say from 1853
to 1872, the quantity increased from
1,071,340 1b., valued at £66,507, to
41,886,997 1b., valued at £2,537,919. New
Zealand now stands third on the list of the
wool-producing colonies from which the
United Kingdom draws so large a propor-
tion of its supplies of the raw material for
one of its principal manufactures. The
largest quantity is sent from Victoria, the
next largest from New South Wales, and
New Zealand follows as the third. Other
remarks on this subject will be found
when the increase of stock .of all kinds is
spoken of.
The recent years have also witnesseda
marked development of industrial pursuits,
both in the way of joint-stock companies
and'private enterprise. Since the passing
of the Joint Stock Companies Act, in
1860, each year has seen various companies
“ floated,” but principally for. gold-mining
purposes or processes connected therewith.
There were also steam-shipping companies,
gas companies, saw-mill companies, and one
insurance company, whose operations are
still very extensive. Besides these, there
was a woollen factory in Nelson, and many
local companies in various parts of the
Colony for working flax, erecting public
buildings, and other objects of local interest,
besides two or three companies for pre-
serving meat, the works of at least two of
which were on a very extensive scale. The
last census has shown that at the close of
the year 1870, there were in operation 77
mills for grinding and dressing corn, 161
flax-mills, 109 saw-mills (including, in many
cases, sash, door, planing, and moulding
works), 69 breweries, 22 boilin -down and
meat-preserving works, 3 bric and tile
yards and potteries, 49 fellmongeries, tan-
neries, &c., 21 malt-kilns, 38 collieries, 16
iron and brass foundries, and 191 factories
for various other purposes. These mills
and other works and factories employed
7,177 hands, of whom 129 were females.
116 of the mills were wrought by steam, of
the aggregate power of about 2,500 horses,
and 178 steam-en ' es, of a power exceed-
ing that of 3,000 orses, were employed in
the various factories, besides 92 steam, 17
water, and 470 horse thrashing-machines;
736 reaping-machines, 12 steam-ploughs,
and 28 steam-barrows. The annual pro-
duction of butter was 5,199,072 lb. ; and of
cheese, 2,547,507 lb.
There were also 28 societies established
under the Land and Building Societies Acts
in operation in the Colony at the time of
the census, with an aggregate of 4,659
members, paying monthly contributions that
amounted on the average to £12,937. 3s.
Thefollowin tables,whichwere ap ended
to the financia statement of the on. the
Colonial Treasurer for 1873, will show the
relative circumstances of Victoria, New



.830 .0552 Ecema g_


30 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
The first time in which gold was regarded United Kingdom draws so large a propor-
\s of sufiicient consequence to deserve to tion of its supplies of the raw material for
ippear in a separate table in the annual one of its principal manufactures. The
returns of the Registrar-General was in largest quantity is sent from Victoria, the
£858, in which year the value of the gold next largest from New South Wales, and
ixported was declared to be £52,444, and New Zealand follows as the third. Other
t was also stated that gold to the value of remarks on this subject will be found
£40,442 had been exported in the previous when the increase of stock .of all kinds is
;ear, of which about £40,000 was the pro- spoken of.
iuce of New Zealand. In 1861 the value The recent years have also witnessed a.
ෞnly increased from £17,585 (the marked development of industrial pursuits,
\mount for 1860), to £752,657, the large both in the way of joint-stock companies
ncrease being entirely due to Otago, which and'private enterprise. Since the passing
exported gold to the value of £727,321, of the Joint Stock Companies Act, in
)r within onethirtieth part of the whole 1860, each year has seen various companies
amount. “floated,” but principally for gold-mining
The jurors’ report on the Otago Exhibi- purposes or processes connected therewith.
tion of 1865 gives an account of the dis- There were also steam-shipping companies
coveries of gold in New Zealand to that gas companies, saw-mill comp ' and one’
date, and from it the following particulars insurance company, whose 115 are
are extracted :—It is there stated that gold still very extensive. Besi
was first found in Massacre Bay by an ex- was a woollen factory in
ploring party under Captain Wakefield, in local companies in vari
1842, “but the discovery did not attract Colony for working fia
much attention at the time.” Nothing fur- buildings, and other obj
ther seems to have been done until 1852, besides two or three c
when gold was discovered at Coro serving meat, the works
but only about 1,100 ounces were c' ' k which were on a very ex
and the search was given up. In last census has shown t
was found in several localities in he year 1870, there we
without any immediate result. In ' for grinding and
year gold was again discovered in -mllls, 109 saw-mills
Bay, and about a thousand persons s, sash, door, plani
lected there, who worked with som s), 69 breweries, 2
obtaining the gold that has beenm t-preserving works,
as exported in 1857. Discoveries and Potteries, 49
made in that and the succeedingy ' &c., 21 malt-kiln
Otago, yet public attention does not ‘
to have been aroused until June,
when Mr. Gabriel Reed made the great
covery of gold in one of the tributarie
the Tuapeka River, flowing through t
ravine that is still called Gabriel’s Gully,
after the name of its discoverer. From‘
that time discoveries of gold were made in L
various places in Otago, also on the west
coast of the Province of Canterbury (now
Westland), amJ ' at the Thames, in
the Province ' ' the result of all
which has bee ‘exported
from New Zea 1872 the
enormous qua
valued at £26,0
The increase in
orted from the C010
n twenty years, that
to 1872, the quanti
1,071,340 1b., valued
41,886,997 1b., valued at :5
Zealand now stands third on
wool-producing colonies from




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GOLD QUARTZ MINING, OTAGO.





NOTES STATISTICAL, &c. 63


th Wales, and New Zealand. as respects flax, exported from each respectively, for
imports and exports, and also the rela- the six years ending the 1st December,
values of gold, wool, grain, timber, and 1871 :—
h‘nms showing the Total Value of Iuroars and Exroars of viewers, N aw Soo'rn




WALES, and NEW ZEALAND, for the Six Years ending 31st December, 1871 ; with
the Rate per Head of Population.
Illroa'rs. Exroars.
Porum.
rroN.
Value. Rate. Value. Bate.
Vmom- .e. c. s. a. ' e. e. e. .1.
eat 1866 ... ... ... ... 643,912 11,315,638 17 11 5 9,433,473 14 13 0
,, 1867 ... ... 659,887 8,921,986 13 7 4 9,972,333 15 2 3
,, 1868 ... ... ... 684,316 9,424,565 13 15 .6 11,697,893 17 2 0
,, 1869 ... 710,878 9,984,452 14 0 10 9,539,816 13 8 4
,, 1870 ... ... ... 724,725 9,089,067 12 10 9 9,103,323 12 1 1
,, 1871 752,445 8,935,797 11 17 6 11,151,622 14 16 5
NEW Sovrn Warns.
Year 1866 ... ... 431,412 6,412,442 14 17 3 6,057,585 14 0 9
,, 1867 ... 447,620 4,553,594 10 3 5 4,834,505 10 16 0
,, 1868 ... 466,765 5,736,817 12 5 9 4,878,344 10 9 0
,, 1869 ... ... ... 485,356 6,334,888 13 1 0 7,875,577 16 4 6
,, 1870 502,861 6,069,820 12 1 5 6,302,577 12 10 8
,, 1871 ... ... 519,182 7,577,014 14 12 0 8,048,426 15 10 0
New Znnmn.
Your 1866 ... ... 208,682 5,657,601 27 2 3 4,396,100 21 1 4
1 ,, 1867... ... 218,668 5,179,393 23 13 8 4,479,464 20 9 8
,, 1868 ... ... ... 226,618 4,825,312 21 5 10 4,268,762 18 16 9
,, 1869 ... ... ... 237,249 4,841,400 20 8 1 4,090,134 17 4 9
,, 1870 ... ... ... 248,400 4,360,941 17 11 1 4,544,682 18 5 11
,, 1871 ... ... ... ... 266,986 3,967,098 14 17 2 5,171,054 19 7 4
NEW Zmnm, including Aboriginal Natives (36,000 in Number at present).
£. £. a. d. £. .9. s. d.
Your 1866 ... ..- ... 247,222 5,657,601 22 17 8 4,396,100 17 15 8
,, 1867 ... ... 257,208 5,179,393 20 2 9 4,479,464 17 7 6
n 1868 ... ... 264,518 4,825,312 18 4 10 4,268,762 16 2 9
,, 1869 ... 273,249 4,841,400 17 14 4 4,090,134 14 19 4
,, 1870 284,400 4,360,941 15 6 7 4,544,682 15 19 8
,, 1871 302,986 3,967,098 13 1 10 5,171,054 19 7 4
‘v AVERAGE or SIX YEARS.
i
‘ a a s. d. a. a. s. d.
Victoria ... ... ... ... 696,027 9,611,917 13 16 2 10,149,743 14 11 8
New South Wales ... 475,532 6,114,096 12 17 2 6,332,836 13 6 4
New Zealand 234,434 4,805,291 20 9 11 4,491,699 19 3 2
Ditto including Natives 271,597 4,805,291 17 13 10 4,491,696 16 10 9

In this Table the British and Foreign Goods exported from each Colony has been
deducted from both Imports and Exports, leaving as Imports the goods retained m the
Colony, and for Exports the produce or manufactures of such Colony.
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64 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
TABLE showing the value of GOLD, WOOL, GRAIN, and other Aemcum'umr. PRODUCE
(including Flour, Butter, and Cheese), TIMBER, and FLAX, exported from the Colonial
of VICTORIA, NEW SOUTH WALns and NEW ZEALAND, for the Five Yeall!
ending 3185 December, 1871 ; with the Rate per Head of Population. ,














[ Victoria. New South Wales. New Zealand.
Almcmls.
Value, Rate. Value. Rate. Value. Rate.
Year 1867. £. ' £. 3. 11. £- £ 8. d. £. :8. s. :1.
1d 5,738,993 8 14 0 129,619 0 5 9 2,724,276 12 9 2
W001 3,650,611 510 7 1,711,322 316 5 1,580,608 7 4 7,
AgrioulturalProduoe 122,972 0 3 7 198,916 0 8 10 37,532 0 3 5,
Timber 2,960 0 0 1 17,541 0 0 10 16,105 0 1 5
Flax ... 4,256 0 0 5
Totals 9,515,536 14 8 3 2,057,398 4 11 10 4,362,777 19 19 0
Year 1868.
G016 6,629,465 913 9 125,293 0 5 4 2,492,721 11 0 0
W001 4,567,182 6 13 5 1,879,751 4 o 6 1,516,548 6 13 10;
AgriculturalProduoe 194,350 0 5 8 264,277 0 11 3 127,704 0 11 31
Timber 8,024 0 0 3 12,707 0 0 8 15,653 0 1 4
Flax ... 8,137 0 0 9
Totals 11,399,021 16 '13 1 2,282,028 4 17 9 4,160,763 18 7 2‘
Year 1869.
Gold 5,363,759 7 10 10 309,053 0 12 9 2,341,592 9 17 5
W001 3,235,091 4 11 0 8,162,522 6 10 4 1,371,230 5 15 7‘
AgfioultumlProduoe 58,983 0 1 8 296,562 0 12 2 142,307 0 12 o‘
'fimber 7,552 0 0 2 23,159 0 010 22,332 0 1101
oz 45,24 0 310
Totals 8,665,385 12 3 8 8,791,296 7 16 11 3,922,712 16 10 8\
Your 1870. ‘
Gold 4,891,781 6 15 0 886,930 0 15 4 2,163,910 8 14 3
W001 3,119,899 4 6 1 2,741,141 5 9 0 1,703,944 6 17 2}
AgrioultnralProduoe 99,898 0 2 9' 165,894 0 6 7 183,472 0 14 9;
£1215“... 1,003 22,037 0 0 10 $8,253 0 1 6:
x .. 2, 8 010 8,‘
Totals 8,112,581 11 3 10 3,316,002 6 11 9 4,202,227 16 18 4i
Year1871.
(4°18 5,423,687 7 8 8 ‘910,825 1 18 5 2,788,368 10 8 10‘
Wool 4,287,011 5 17 6 4,748,160 9 2 11 1,606,144 6 0 3
AgrioulturalProduce 75,924 0 2 1 57,357 0 2 2 203,506 0 15 3]
£31552 6,733 0 0 2 58,371 0 2 3 20,479 0 1 6
90,611 0 610
Totals 9,793,355 13 8 5 5,774,723 11 5 9 4,709,108 17 12 8
AverageofB Years.
Gold 5,609,537 7 19 10 372,344 0 15 8 2,502,173 10 8 10
Wool 3,771,959 5 7 5 2,848,579 5 1‘9 10 1,555,695 6 9 10
AgrloulturalProduce 110,425 0 3 2 196,603 0 8 3 138,904 0 11 71
5631x555 5,254 0 o 2 26,763 0 1 1 $3,522 0 1 6
, 0 4 8
Totals 9,497,175 13 10 7 3,444,289 7 4 10 4,271,517 17 16 51

t1‘: T169 lamounhis 01f) Golg Coin produced in the Mint in Sydney from Gold received frolzl
0 er oonies een educted from the Total Export of Gold an; own inthe E 1
Return of New South Wales. s'h' ' - xpor


NOTES STATISTICAL, 6:0.
65
The returns of land in occupation, and of
the various kinds of stock held by the set-
11ers, form perhaps the best test as to the
actual settlement of the country. The un-
settled state of titles to land derived from
the Natives operated very prejudicially to
the earlier settlers in Wellington, and the
“Native difiiculty ” still stands in the way
of the acquisition of land in the North
Island ; but much has been done to remedy
this, and the returns show how eagerly land
is sought after and purchased wherever it is
available. The improved demand for wool,
and its increased price, have also tended to
foster the desire to purchase land ; and, as
an efi'ect of this, large tracts of country
which were formerly held as “ runs ” only,
are now freeholds, and, in not a few in-
stances, estates are held by individuals of
an extent that would form no inconsiderable
part of an English county. That this great
increase in land purchases has been the
result of a steady growth, may be shown by
comparing the receipts for land sales for
the last fifteen years (as given in the fol-
lowing table), and also by comparing the
quantities stated in the returns of 1858, as
compared with those given in the census
of 1871 :—
Tasnn showing the REVENUE derived from
Sanas of Lam) for each of the Years
from 1858 to 1873, both inclusive :—
£ I. d.
Year ending Dec. 31, 1858... 147,539 9 2
Year ending Dec. 81, 1859... 223,564 3 8
Year ending Dec. 31, 1860... 195,447 1 3
Year ending Dec. 31, 1861... 284,727 1 6
Year ending Dec. 31, 1862..
Year ending Dec. 31, 1863...
Year ending Dec. 31, 1864...
508,171 12 10
381,568 13 0
593,222 0 10
Year ending Dec. 31, 1865... 330,423 16 2
Year ending Dec. 31, 1866... 522,626 6 2
Year ending Dec. 31, 1867... 276,690 7 5
Year ending Dec. 31, 1868... 173,215 0 4
Year ending Dec. 31, 1869. .. 115,587 3 41
Year ending Dec. 31, 1870... 80,109 16 8
Year ending Dec. 31, 1871... 118,633 12 10
Year ending Dec. 31, 1872.. 381,353 1 8
Year ending Dec. 31, 1873“: 1,088,310 13 4.

Total for sixteen years £5,371,190 0 2
This shows an expenditure of nearly
£335,700 per annum in the purchase of
land from the Crown, so that even if the
land averaged £1 per acre, there must have
been an addition to the landed estate of
the community of nearly 340,000 acres in
each of sixteen consecutive years.
Comparing the quantities shown in the
census of 1858 with that in the census of
1871, there were, at the first period,
235,561-5- acres of land fenced, and 141,007%
acres under crop; and at the second,
6,778,773 acres fenced, and 1,042,042 acres
under crop. The fenced land was thus nearly
29 times as much as it was thirteen years
previously, and the land under crop nearly
741 times. The proportions of the land to
the population, by which it was held, had
also largely increased; for in 1858 there
were but 4 acres fenced, and 2% acres under
crop for each individual; while in 1871
there were nearly 261; acres fenced and 4
acres under crop. The quantity of freehold
land held by individuals was not shown in
1858; but in 1871 it was 5,647,838 acres,
or about 22 acres for each individual. Sup-
posing the number of houses to represent
the number of families in the Colony, there
would be, at the latter period, an ave e
for each family of 98} acres of freehold lan ;
while, including freehold and leasehold
lands, there were for each family 118 acres
of land fenced, and 18;‘-t acres under crop.
The high price of labour has tended to
prevent ‘grain from being cultivated to the
extent it should be; but the introduction
of ‘agricultural machinery is doing some-
thing to remedy this, and the returns for
1873 show that there were 131,797 acres in
wheat, 96,956 acres in oats, 15,266 acres in
barley, besides 12,623 acres in potatoes,
33,588 acres in hay, and 19,845 acres in
other crops; while the expected crop of
the year was 3,188,696 bushels of wheat,
325,101 bushels of barley, 2,618,085 bushels
of oats, and 62,125 tons of potatoes. The
great advantages of soil and climate pos-
sessed by the olony are thus being turned
to account, and it maybe expected that
grain and flour will yet figure largely among
articles of export.
The increase of stock of all kinds is
equally remarkable. Horses, cattle, and
sheep were among the earliest imports to
the Colony; and in the year 1851 it is
stated that there were therein 2,890 horses,
34,787 head of cattle,‘ and 233,043 sheep.
In 1858, these had increased to 14,912
horses, 137,188 head of cattle, and 1,523,316
sheep; but in 1871, the numbers were
81,028 horses, 436,592 head of cattle, and
9,700,629 sheep. Thus, in thirteen years
(or, indeed, in little more than twelve, as
the census of 1871 was taken in February
of that year,) the horses had increased more
than five times, the cattle four times, and
the sheep six times. Of the wool which
the sheep produced, it may be observed
that in 1858 the Registrar-General called
attention to the great increase that had
taken place from an export valued at
£66,508 in 1853, to an export of £254,025
in 1858, the value having thus been nearly
122


66
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. ‘
quadrupled in five years. In 1871 the value
of the wool exported was £1,606,144, being
more than six times the amount in 1858. The
actual increase in quantity was much greater
than is indicated by the value ; for in 1858
wool was valued at an ave e rate of Is. 4d.
r 1b., and in 1871 at sea than 10 .
us, while the value had increased sixfo d,
the quantity had increased nearly tenfold.
In the eighteen years between 1853 and
1871, the value of wool exported increased
twenty-four-fold, and the quantity thirty-
five-fold, the average value in 1853 having
been estimated at nearly 1s. 3d. per lb.
The collieries are as yet in their infancy ;
but promise to be of the greatest value
before long. Railroads and other means of
transit are being provided, and it is highly
probable that within a short time New
Zealand may be exporting coal, instead of
expending (as already stated) £162,549
during one year for importing it. Besides
this, the immense stores of iron and other
metals which the Colony possesses, will all
become available as fuel is provided for
reducing them to a metallic state, and thus
making them fit for the many purposes for
which at present they have to be imported.
Out of the population of the country,
68,918 persons—or more than one-fourth of
the whole—were described in that census
as being engaged in trade, commerce, manu-
factures, agricultural pursuits, or mining;
or as being mechanics, artificers, and skilled
workmen ; besides 14,312 persons described
as labourers. There were also 594 males
and 743 females engaged as teachers.
These notices of the industrial and com-
mercial statistics of the Colony would be
incomplete without they included some
statements relative to the bankin esta-
blishments that are doing business t erein,
especially as returns are published every
quarter, in a form prescribed by law, show-
ing their assets and liabilities so classified
that the details become as useful for statis-
tical purposes as any of the returns of the
census.
In 1858, when the Act was passed re-
quiring returns to be sent to the Treasury
for publication, there were but two banks
that had branches in New Zealand, and one
of these had only recently entered the field.
The bank that first established itself in the
Colony was the Union Bank of Australia,*
which sent out a manager to Wellington,
and formed a local directory there, imme-

' A bank was started in Kororarika about
the some time, but it did not do much, and is
believed to have collapsed at a very early
date.
diately after the arrival of the first settlers. ‘
It also sent out a portentous-looking iron
safe containing its cash, but it is popularly
believed that the amount of money which
that safe contained, and which it must be
assumed was all that the bank thought
necessary to send to commence business
with, was the very modest sum of £500!
About eighteen years after this,inDecember,
1858, when the first returns were published,
the banks held £187,257 in coin, £2,624 in
bullion, and £1,772 in securities of the
Colonial Government, while they had notes
in circulation to the amount of £86,026.
At the same time they had received and
held Government deposits amounting to
£74,244, other deposits not bearing interest
amounting to £179,264, and deposits bear-
ing interest amountin to £227,759. On
the other hand, they (1 discounted bills
and notes to the extent of £520,702, and
had advanced money in various ways to
the extent of £114,539. Their total liar
bilities at this date were £600,507. Os. 7d,
and their assets £848,955. 16s. 1d.
These figures show that the banks had
found a much wider scope for their opera-
tions than had been anticipated when the
Union Bank commenced; but from this
date the expansion of their business went
on with marvellous rapidity, until the date
of the last returns published (that of Sep-
tember, 1873), at which time the population ‘
of the Colony may be estimated as being
about five times as large as it was in 1858.
The number of banks had increased to
five,* with branches and agencies scattered
all over the country, two of them having
been formed in or for the Colony, and having .
to a large extent a local proprietary. The 1
them coin amount ‘
ing to £1,344,799, bullion £252,980, and ‘
Colonial Government securities £157,600. ‘
five banks held among
Their notes in circulation were £701,439;
they held Government deposits amounting
to £990,244; other deposits not bearing 1
interest, £2,431,782; and deposits bearing
interest, £1,411,916. They had discounted
bills and notes to the amount of £2,216,896. .
and had made other advances to the extent
of £3,297,857. Their total assets were
£7,763,746.1s. 11d.; and their mm in-
bilities, £5,745,348. 15s. 3d. Thus their
assets were more than nine times greater
than they were fifteen years before, and
their liabilities about nine-and-a-half times
greater. The following table will show this
more distinctly :—

9 The return shows the names of six.
but one was in process of being absorbed
in another that had purchased its businem.


68
NEW ZEALAN D HANDBOOK.
engaged in agricultural and pastoral pur-
suits. To a very large extent these are
being carried on by means of money
borrowed for purchases or improvements,
and while even a high rate of interest
becomes (in effect) onlya moderate rent,
when the interest is reduced, the borrower
is enabled, without extra effort, to reduce
the principal, and thus in a comparatively
short time he may be relieved of the whole
burden.
In closing these brief notices, it must be
repeated that while so large a portion of
the land remains unoccupied, and the
population is so sparse that there is ‘scarcely
one person—man, woman, or child—for
every 160 acres of the estimated amount
of land suitable for agricultural or pastoral
purposes, it is strictly correct to regard all
that has been done as only preparative, so
that the statist who shall “take stock” of
the progress of the next twenty, or even
ten, years, will scarcely regard the present
as a fair starting-point. The opening of
the country by roads and railways, the
establishment of factories in which the raw
material produced in the Colony may be
converted into articles that are now i1n-
ported from abroad, and the impetus that
these again ive to the increase of popula-
tion, will all so act and re-act upon each
other—population causing production, and
roduction stimulating the growth of popu_
lation—that steps in advance will be made
with a rapidity that will be scarcely credible
when they become facts, and to anticipate
which would seem to many to be mere idle
dreaming.
LATEST STATISTICS.
THE CENSUS ON
THE population of the Colony (exclusive
of aboriginal Natives) on the night of
the lst March 1874, was as follows :—
Province of‘ Auckland ... 87,345
,, of Taranaki . 5,843
,, of Wellington 29,730
,, of Hawke 8 Bay 9,218
,, of Nelson 22,566
,, of Marlborough 6,143
n ‘ of Canterbury ... 58,770
,, of Westlsnd ... 14,845
In of Otago... 85,082
,542
31st December, 1873, as no
census returns have as yet
Chatham Islands, estimated for
14.’
been received ...
299,684

Being an increase, since the census of
February, 1871, of 43,291, or 1688 per
cent. on the population of 1871. The above
numbers cannot be considered as abso-
lutely correct, as the compilation from
the Household Schedules is only in pro-
gress. No material alteration is antici-
pated.
It is not yet possible to tell what propor-
tion the males bear to the females. In 1871,
however, the proportion was 100 males to
71'2 females. -
The total deaths in New Zealand during
the year 1873 were 3,645, with an estimated
mean population for the year of 287,753.
This gives a death-rate of 12'66 er 1,000
ersons living. The mean dea -rate of
ngland for a period of 30 years, viz., from
1838 to 1868, was 2240 per 1,000 persons
MARCH 181‘, 1874.
living. Although the death-rate is appa-
rently so much lower than in England, yet
some allowance must be made for the fact
that the immigration to New Zealand has
chiefly consisted of persons not past the
prime of life, and that, therefore, the pro-
portion of aged people is not so great as it
is in England.
In the census of 1861 the proportion of
persons, in England and lVales, of 65 years
of age and over, was 46'2 per 1,000 of the
po ulation.
11 1871, in New Zealand, the proportion
of persons of 65 years of age and over was
107 per 1,000 of the population.
The following table shows the death rate
of some of the Australian Colonies for the
year 1872 :—
Nsw South Wales . 12‘58 per 1,000
Do., average of six years 15'49 ,,
Victoria 14'68 ,,
Tasmania... 13'76 ,,
Queensland 14'80 ,,
South Australia . 12'81 ,,
New Zealand 11'88
The European States average 1 death in
34 to 40 persons living.
Russia averages 1 in 50.
New Zealand averages l in 90.
In the month of February, 1873, the
number of acres in grain crop was as
follows :—


. Av 8
Estimated Eng
Produce: No'or
Acres. Bushels
Bushels. pm, An".
whelt ... 131,797 . .. 3,188,898 .... .. 24
out! . 98,953 . .. 2,618,095 .... .. 27
Barley ... 15,368 . 325,101 ...... 21*


LATEST STATISTICS.
69
Estimating the wheat at 5s. per bushel,
the wheat crop in 1873 was worth £797,174.
The number of acres under these several
crops in the various Provinces, in February,
1873, and the corresponding number of
acres of the same crops in February, 1874,
so far as at present ascertainable, is






given :—
Province. 1873. 1874.
Auckland 6,190
Taranaki 1,337
Wellington 4,318 4,756
Hawke s Bay 1,439 1,193
Nelson 6,302 .... .. 6,888
Marlborough 5,247 .... .. 5,470
Canterbury 112,448 .... .. 20,009
Westland .. 3 .... .. 9*
Otsgo . 107,873 .... .. 119,188
The total number of acres under these
grain crops in 1873, was 244,021, and in
1874 was 2264,0144.
The following figures give the estimated
average yield per acre of the grain crops
mentioned, in the various Provinces in
1873 :—
Wheat. Oats. Barley.
Auckland, bushels 18} .. 18k 17}
Tsran ' ,, 18.} .. 18 14k
Wellin n ,, 18 .. 20 . 16
Hawks s Bay ,, 25} .. 20 24%
Nelson ,, 13 17 . . 11‘
Marlborough ,, 17 . 20} 18
Canterbury ,, ... 21% 24 . 19}
Westland ,, . -— 18 -—
Otsgo ,, 29} 30} 262
The average yield of wheat per acre 1n
the undermentioned Australian Colonies
was :—
Bnshels.
In New South Wales, 1873... . 16'32
,, Victoria, 1872 13‘45
,, South Australia, 1873 ... 11150
,, Tasmania, 1873 ... 18'82
New Zealand average, 1873 ... 24‘19 .
The average yield of wheat for the United
States for 1872 was 12 bushels per acre.
The amount of land in permanent arti-
fieial grasses in the month of February of
the years 1873 and 1874 respectively, was
as follows :—
1873
Auckland 198,427
Tarenaki 30,949
Wellington 250,211
Hawks s Bay 79,594
Nelson 88,735
Marlborough —
Canterbury 195,420
Westland 1,957
Otago . . . 170,958


The returns of Marlborou h for 1873 are
not given, as inquiry recent y made shows
that much hill land, on which some grass
seed had been scattered, was returned last
year as land in artificial grass. As the
returns this year are more reliable, the
comparison between the two years cannot
fairly be made.
The above figures only refer to land laid
down to artificial grasses, and do not in-
clude the extensive tracts of country covered
with native grasses, and on which a large
number of stock is depasturing.
The account of the stock is only taken at
the time of the census, and cannot yet be
given for this year. In February, 1871,
the numbers of sheep, cattle, and horses
in the Colony (exclusive of stock belong-
ing to aboriginal Natives) were respec-
tively :—
She ... ..- ." ... 9,683,651
CB- 6 m ..- 435,877
Horses ... ... ... ... 80,477

TABLE showing the
in the Shade, also the Total Rainfall
mentioned Places :—
Mean Temperature, Maximum, and Minimum, of the Atmosphere’
registered, for the Year 1872, at the under-



Temperature of Air in Shade. Mean Daily _ Total
Mean. Maximum recorded. Minimum recorded. Range’ Ramfa'n'
Feb. Feb. Feb. Fah. Inches.
Mongonui 629 910 on 20 Jan. 350 on 27 June 150 46900
Auckland 60'2 90'4 on 3 Feb. 3410 on 10 July 139 42096
Taranaki 584 834 on 31 Dec. 310 on 5 Aug. 170 63640
Napier 59'7 940 on 6 Feb. 300 on 16 Aug. 17'0 23'940
Wanganui 56-7 88-0 on 21 Feb. 300 on 16 Aug. 166 38120
Wellington 55-8 83-0 on 22 Dec. 31'5 on 16 June 11'6 50-945
Nelson 567 900 on 24 Jan. 250 on 27 July 20'!) 78610
Christchurch 53'6 95"] on 24 Jan. 21'5 On 16 June 151) 19741
Hokitika 54'1 82'4 on 21 Feb. 27'4 on 15 Aug. 120 123210
Dunedin 51'4 88-0 on 28 Jan. 270 on 15 Aug. 14''] 27'393
Qneenstown 51-4 832 on 31 Dec. 21'5 on 1.5 June 16''! 23‘380
Southland 49'6 850 on 18 Jan. 170 on 14 June 18'7


AVERAGE RATE or WAGES in the several Pnovmcns in 1873.



' Auckland. Tsnnaki. Wellington. Hawke's Bay. Marlborough Westlnnd.‘, Nelson. Canterbury. Otsgo.
! Farm Labourers ... 6s. 6d. per 20s. perwk. 35s. perwk. 25s. perwk. 25s. perwk. £60 per 5.11., 25s. per wk. 18s. to 22s. 22s. to 35s.
{ day with board with board withboard with board with board with board with board with board
Reapers ... l7~s.per acre 8s. per day, 10s.per day 10s. per day 40s. perwk. 40s. per wk. 20s.t025s.per 55s. per week,
Female Farm Servants, per week, with board with board with board with board with board wk., with bd. with board
with board... ... 10s. 5s. to 10s. 13s. to 15s. £52 per an. £28 per an. 10s. to 12s. 20s. to 30s.
Shepherds, per annum, with board £35 £52 to £60 £30 30s. perwk. £55 per an. £50 to £60 £55 to £80
Stock Keepers, ditto .. £35 £52 to £60 £50 to £60 £55 per an. £50 to £60 £65
Station Labourers, ditto... .. £30 £52 to £60 £50 to £60 25s. perwk. £55 per an. £45 to £52 £50 to £55
Masons, per day, without board .. 11s. 6d. 8s. to 9s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 20s. 9s. 12s. 12s. to 15s.
Bricklayers, ditto ... .. .. 10s. 6d. 8s. to 9s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 20s. 9s. 10s. to 12s. 12s. to 16s.
Carpenters, ditto ... ... 10s. 6d. 8s. to 9s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 8s. 95. to 11s. 12s. to 14s.
Shipwrights, ditto ... ... ... .. 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 9s. Smiths, ditto ... ... ... 10s. 6d. 10s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 9s. 9s. to 10s. 12s.
Wheelwrights, ditto ... ... 105. 8s. to 9s. 9s. to 15s. 10s. to 12s.10s. to 12s. 16s. 9s. 10s. to 1la. 12s. to 14s.
Servants, Married Couples, without
family, with board £62 £60 £60 to £80 £65 to £75 £80 £80 £60 to £70 £60 to £100
Grooms, per week .. 45s., 20s., 20s. to 25s., 20s. to 25s. £130 per an. 20s., £45 to £50 an. 30s.,
‘ without bd. with board with board with board with board with board with board with board
Gardeners .. 21s.per wk. 8s. per day, 22s. perwk. 25s. to 30s., 20s. to 25s.- 14s. per day, 8s. per day, £50 to £60 8s.t010s.day,
with board without bd. with board with board with board with board without board with board without board
Female Cooks, per week, with board 15s. 25s. 12s. to 20s. 12s. to 14s. 25s. 30s. to 35s. £35 per an. £30to £35 an. 30s. per week
Laundresses, per week, with board 13s. 25s. 10s. to 15s. 12s. 205. to 25s. £35 per an. £25 to£30 an. Female House Servants, per week,
with board... . 10s. £30 per an. 10s. to 15s. 10s. to 12s. 15s. to 205. 16s. to 20s. £28 per an. £20 to £25 £30 to £55
per annum. per annum
Needlewomen, per week, with board 15s. 15s. 15s. to 18s. ... 21s. perwk. 5s.to 6s.349day 4s. per day, £25 per an. 18s. to 30s.,
General Labourers, per day, without vn'thout board without board with board
board 7s. 5s. to 6s. 7s. to 8s. 8s. 85. 10s. to 12s. 6s. 7s. to 8s. 8s. to 11s.
Seamen, per month, with board £5 10s. £5 £6 £310s to£7 £6 to £8 £7 £5 to £7 £5 to £8
Miners, per day, without board 7s. 6d. ... ... 10s. 12s. 12s 8s. 10s.
Dressmakers, without board .. 25s. perwk. 3s. per day ... ... 30s.to35s.wk. Storekeepers' & Drapers’ Assistants £3 per wk. ... ... ... ..- ... ... 50s. to 60s.
without bd. per week,
without board
Engine Drivers... .. .. . £2 15s. ... ... ... 15a- Perm)"
Bushmen ... . . ... 25s.perwk. ... .. .. 10s., 10s. to 12s.
with board without bd. per day.


I‘


TABLE showing the Average Pawns of PROVISIONS and LIVE S'rocx in New Zealand in the Year 1873.


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"" District of Otago.


*‘—I——-——'
NEW mum) HANDBOOK.
mus REVENUE, 1873.
TABLE showing the Cts'roxs Bzvmwl at the




' '5'
>- C-
c o . ‘
w: . o E ,,_ u
A g E‘ a’ a». :3 g ‘a , 5
‘v ‘a Q‘; E g t a“ a, c :1 1: I5
5 g l; I- O = 2 ~— 3: O
3 o o a " t e ‘E5 =- e ‘5
s o e 1 1 a __
a a: Z = z- m z 9 $ 2: ‘ 3 a
.L‘ 2 £ L‘ 2 £ £ £ :1; £ £ £
6502 1043 155 5415 62 2695 3498 11241 24-484 127463752 699
um 29 ... 4e 207 101 64I 170 m ... m ... 43 M 131; 1411 4.77 ... 1
1521 177 £17 652 49 685 660 2303 6618 41G!‘ 07‘ no:
... ... ... ... 1 53 7 15 ...
416 51 ... 53 ... 166 204 1116 4030 l’ 11 la 0
134 1 m 60 as 275 2569 316 73 , .\, m ~ .‘ l Q‘fl‘iamitgfi'ziuuuufii '" '°' °“ ... -“ ... ~-
.“ ... ...
‘m . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . "1.1-1. 0d. 207 e 6 ... w 1 m
00150, 006:». m, ‘at “1. 2d’ 1%} 4 3 :01 see 100 a
“ naamghpqr .3. d. 4 . 1 4 ._ m1 QWN‘ - ' p
8%. w\u'\'ii\'\u\““1 W1 ‘53 32 ‘0 11 13 306 655 1834! 8688 2942 752 215
Fil’dm _ M - ~ - - ' - \ \ ' i ' "H00 5.. 4 1 °' °' '0' 3 1 25 5 Q. .00
l'uidor, WWII»... 64- 138 ... . . .. 1 ... 50 7 a p" .' ............... 10'. 185 . .. . ... 5 7‘ 55 a) n 1 ' I? )lwuwmont,
W o“ G ‘unuonvluo 6.. "0 3 ‘J "' 163 62
1. u 1. u 3" 762 w _ 1 - 18 so as was :02 e 2
u .1 u .- 1“- 64‘ 2°?“ 9 - ~ v ~-
so 31' 1068 11% as 4
u u n ,, 28. 605 9 9 13 65 430 m u u n H In. 6d. 136 . . .. 4. 1 we 35 m1 _
1. u u n h- 1978 20 - - - 3 as 120 1153 124- 11 s
u " ,, ,, 9d. 363 1 15 30 m 19 ,, 4
“ H . ,, 6d. 116 ... ... 5 10 10411 11 7 ,,
“WM Weight, par
u‘.\un-"nun""nonunion 5" on "u on o n 2 ... 1 2,0 ... .
“ .. ‘I y‘ 00' no: 1 o I 6 u 1 m m 7 g‘ u n n 5" 6d‘ {3 '-- ' ' --' H- ' - - ... Q 9 ... ... 4
“ ‘. .. ,’ ‘ ‘a 100 ‘no no. 00' ‘on on. ... ... & 5A 8 ... ...
“ ‘. |. ,’ a. "- no. no on. no ... m 26 2 2
N , ,, 11. 810 7 s 6 131 77 1081 ass 11* q
M by Weight, per lb. 34. 1137 a 9 14.5 562 101 13 “ u n n 20. 104 ... ... 1 16 91 35 “ u n n 1d- 314‘? 17 1 ... ... 25 1 1812 163 20 5
u ,, ,, ii 663 5 7 w 42 5 7
g by Weight, 110 rue:
‘hm .... .. 3263 36 49 15 14% 3033 491 59 14,1
Mum par lb. 20'. 43 z fimuivm, per cent. .... .. 1% we? 32;; 1 20 285 451 1619 12825 4211 14.5 as
‘ ‘ " oanooizlaoao 4 ... on "- on no no 6 ..- ... ...
‘m M’ Duties nut apeclfied
. onnnnnnnnonnu.“ an ,H 1 N, 1 870“ 25
1mm 193709 9695 1352 6521331 115 i 4656 ews 21781 $3560 32687§50661582
“Mk uf Oultoml Revenue ‘ ' ; ; 1 j
1 1111878 17205512960 1597 6901889H0p0rt.‘1\'0p0rt.16389l17970 was 25182146171391
| r
~'' ~- —I
' This includes 1,936 gallons, at 6s. per gallon, removed to
The Measurement Duties were abolished by “ The Customs Tariff Act, 1873,” which
(‘mums DEPARTMENT,
WeLl/ingwn, 30th April, 187£


LATEST STATISTICS. 73








CUSTOMS REVENUE, 1873.
eml Ports of NEW Zmfmmn during the year 1873.
4:; Totals in 187s. "5,75 :2 ‘~92
. . 65 5 g E! {3, f, =1
“ " 3 i . =1 . . - ' “a a H a 7""
S 11' s o =5 3 3:3 9 I5 E :5 53 B ' Quantities. ‘3 ‘E g
.3 8 -2‘ 5. i ‘B 2.zo ‘3 Si oo ' 0 15m 1;, g 5 a 8
‘S 5 Q 2 o .2 .128 2 .8 8 8 5g .5 2 5 5
5:1 Z 3 cu m 0 1-10 <1 [-1 o n H 5 m 0 81 9:
£ £ 18 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
9 630 9508 7258 16557 13182 660 39696 184 7379 5055 68152 9674 2469... 497088 gals. ‘297672 278532
68 144 302 292 726 20 146 86 11412 564 110... 65920 ,, 19776 15517
. 469 469 1010 827 15 1431 129 53 4148 117 38 565441b. 14136 11804
12 147 3926 2162 4782 4092 160 10387 1582-1036 26021 2342 850 773592 ,, 96699 90792
- 4 36 14 7 20800 ,, 260 376
L7 21 1481 723 2074 1265 72 6330 16 835 360 8770 866 193... 181080 gals. 36216 33230
. _ , 825 277 498 396 9 2068 ,, 115 46 3134 254 25... 217280 ,, 13580 12353
~ 83 8 30 .. 547 17 30 1412 106 13 59300 ,, 2965 2193
. 35 2685 1100 2337 2395 3 8425 20 900 527 16228 1458 291 23662801b. 59157 52907
.. _ , 414 78 153 233 1014 .. 4 2410 154 7 .. 547920 ,, 6319 6095
a. . I '_ 'n II. '_ nI. I.- .. 2 3 a .- n j, 841 9 6320 1454 3373 3892 39 12473 46 1106 788 25316 3179 607 22842960 ,, 95179 89251
i. l nI. 'I. 5 ,, ... a. I.: 7 . - ..-
No. .. -, 57 2 1 25 . 62 .. . 69 .. . 164-80 1b. 412 437
32 2 3 11 82 .. 5 . 111 6 .. 1050 cwt. 525 548
5 2 2894 222 956 1054 7080 . 328 106 20361 700 241.. 218048 c.ft. 54512 79351
.. 386 59 267 174 . 1122 . 42 5 4219 91 39.. 70967 ,, 10645 16378
.. , 284 87 265 365 . 935 _, 8 2785 123 21.. 66008 ,, 8251 ‘10384
161 4 17 29 .. 288 . 22 8 915 43 3, 27020 ,, 2702 3286
168 2 1 . 2085 136 230 14.13 173 54.. 63960 ,, 4797 7840
507 42 154 177 1834 30 17 2912 126 10.. 183960 ,, 9198 10693
50 5 46 48 .. 20-1 8 4 593 38 3.. 67280 ,, 1682 2080
.. 64 1 9 10 .. 120 5 2 337 7 .. 64100 .. 805 801
n ... ' I 4 4 . . 7 .. 4 24 6 1 _, 516 cwt. 129 . 263 . g“ 131 81 . 1288 .. 29 15 1953 164 9-, 30885 ,, 6177 6781
.. 6 68 42 .. 16 4 23 24 .. 1646 ,, 268 608
", .n 'n 7 5 n 45 'n “a 6 4 u ’, ,. 106 16 27 36 413 10 3 578 32 3.. 21290 ,, 2129 2513
.. 2 282 27 63 60 1 1049 .. 66 2 2147 169 29 .. 12 1560 ,, 6228 6307
.. .. 132 25 102 161 .. 970 .. 16 17 2073 92 6 ., 469520 1b. 5869 5958
’. ,. 7 2 .ll 4 n_ a" n i_. _n 13‘ ca' u-
,9 "'
.. 658 194 460 508 .. 1537 37 32 337 I177 41 2968560 ,, 12369 17366
m .. 193 _ 31 101 390 . 221 ... 3448 ' 755 50 . _ 3008640 ,, 6268 8326
5% 710 .. 1868 8 144 33 4635 418 15 151691 10 2354 24.11 ,, 21.11 2071
2717 2248 44 16547 3 1406 419 48361 2533 215... 127097 3263
13 12 77 8 11 23 8 ... 312 293
1894h 2558 16 5327 2 150 171 12906 823 90 ... 41383 33863
39011 352921019126373 299 14678 9072 282961 2525154470: 905800 7 bi 707 31352 22303 40903 373701366 98074 21 11717‘6-152225110' 23064-174813 813279













Excise Warehouse for mixing with New Zealand distilled spirits.
imposed an ad valorem duty of 10 per cent. in lieu of them, from the 2912b of July, 187 3.
W. SEED,
Secretary and Inspector.


'74
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
COLONIAL AND PROVINCIAL REVENUE.
COMPARATIVE TABLE of REVENUE CoLLEcTEn by the COLONIAL GOVERNMENT,



for the Ten Years ended 1872—73.
Ordina Territorial
Revenurg Revenue. Tom
£. £. £.
Financial Year 1863-64‘... ... m ... . 706,683 3,352 710,035
,, Year 1864-65 ... ... . 731,685 24,392 756,077
,, Year 1865-66 ... .. ... 903,360 ' 7,738 911,098
,, Year 1866-67 1,058,029 17,994 1,076,023
,, Year 1867-68 ... . 980,707 10,168 990,875
,, Year 1868-69 .. 1,015,843 6,056 1,021,899
,, Year 1869-70 .. 1,018,360 11,028 1,029,388
,, Year 1870—71 . . .. 936,188 1,862 938,050
,, Year 1871-72 . 1,031,083 4,059 1,035,142
,, Year 1872-73 ... .. 1,119,904 35,506 1,155,410
Totals . 9,501,942 122,155 9,623,997



i
l
‘l‘ The financial year ends on the 30th June.
REVENUE CoLLEcTEn by the COLONIAL GoVEaNMENT during the Nine Months
ended Saturday, 28th March, 1874.

Ordinary.
Territorial.
Total.
lat July, 1873, to 28th March, 1874

£1,009,874
23,75,858
£1,085,732
COMPARATIVE TABLE or REVENUE, Colonial and Provincial, for the Ten Years
ended 31s1: December, 1873.
COLONIAL. PROVINCIAL. Total
Total Total Colonial
Ordinary. Territorial and
Ordinary. Territorial Ordinary. Territorial. Provincial
Calendar Years :8. £. £. £. £. £. £.
1864 693,687 8,185 131,714 716,634 825,401 724,819 1,550,220
1865 824,535 25,162 109,217 459,525 933,752 484,687 1,418,439
1866 911,532 9,012 142,234. 735,057 1,083,766 745,269 1,829,035
1867 1,090,375 16,168 149,669 508,775 1,240,044 524,943 1,764,987
1868 980,683 7,335 121,939 417,988 1,102,622 425,323 1,527,945
1869 1,042,810 5,608 152,958 376,543 1,195,768 382,151 1,577,919
1870 970,121 9,611 148,222 327,589 1,118,343 337,200 1,455,543
1871 917,7 89 2,376 129,291 377,467 1,077,080 37 9,843 1,456,923
1872 1,039,735 5,277 138,650 618,772 1,178,385 624,049 1,802,434
1873 1,251,218 52,682 267,420 1,226,315 1,518,638 1,278,997 2,797,635
I


THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
75
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
IMINIIGRATION and public works, from
1853, when the present Constitution
was first established, to nearly the end of
1870, exclusively devolved on the several
Provinces ; and it may be said that, except
to a limited extent in the Provinces of
Otago and Canterbury, they had, from
various causes, almost ceased to exist for a
number of years previous to the latter date.
Even if the Provinces had generally been
able to administer those two great depart-
ments of colonization, it became evident
that an administration conducted by in-
dependent local authorities with distinct
local interests and functions, would neces-
sarily be disjointed, and wanting in system
and comprehensiveness. The term “ Public
Works” is used here in relation to works
of a colonial character, and in which more
than one Province is concerned.
In 1870 the Immigration and Public
Works Act and cognate Acts were passed,
and the policy contained in them may be
shortly described as follows :—
The Colony was tolincur a liability, spread
over a course of years, amounting altogether,
territorially and pecuniarily, to about nine
millions, which were to be expended in
specified proportions on the under-men-
tioned objects :—
1. Immigration.
2. Main railways throughout each Island.
3. Roads through the interior of the
North Island.
4. The purchase of Native land in the
North Island.
5. The supply of water on gold fields.
6. The extension of tele ph works.
The administration of t ese services was
vested in the General Government, and the
responsibility, subject to some exceptions
in which its action depended on the
previous concurrence of Provincial authori-
ties, devolved on the General Government.
These exceptions have been abolished by
subsequent legislation.
As soon as the session of 1870 closed, it
became necessary to organize a department
to undertake the special duties, and this
department was supervised as required by
the Act, by a Minister of Public Works.
At first, while the organization was in
progress, and the practical work was in its
early stage, the Colonial Secretary acted as
Minister of Immigration and Public Works;
but in the course of a year, when adequate
funds were raised, and important works
and immigration on a large scale had been
begun throughout the whole Colony, a special
Minister was appointed, and shortly after-
wards there was one for each Island ; but in
the latter part of 1872 the whole depart-
ment was divided into two, namely, Public
Works and Immigration, and each was
placed separately in the charge of a
Minister. This arrangement is still adhered
to, and the large increase of the duties of
each service, and conse uently of the
department in charge of t at service, and
the great importance of those duties, render
such a division at present absolutely
requisite. .
Since its organization the department has
constructed in the North Island roads of
various descriptions to the extent of 1,150
miles, a large proportion being good travers-
able dray-roads; also about 500 miles of
bush tracks, which, although only at present
available for home trafiic, have been selected
with great care as suitable routes for dray-
roads hereafter. The expenditure on these
roads and tracks has been about £300,000.
There are now being constructed several
hundred more miles of similar roads, which
will be the means of opening up nearly all
parts of the North Island for settlement.
In the South Island similar roads have
been completed on the west coast, to the
extent of over 60 miles, and about the same
length is now under contract or surveyed
ready for contract. They have been laid
out with the view of enabling the gold-
digging community to get about with ease,
and of opening up that part of the country
for settlement.
It may here be remarked that before the
creation of the Public Works Department
of the General Government, many thou-
sands of miles of good and substantial roads
had been constructed by the various
Provincial Governments throughout the
Colony.
The construction of railways has been
very vigorously proceeded with. The
department has contracted for the com-
pletion of over 550 miles of railway through-
out the country. In addition to this,
Parliament has sanctioned a further length
of 360 miles, for which survey’:1 and laws
are rapidly being prepared. 8 whole of
the above railways are to cost, when
completed with their equi ents, about
£5,500,000. It is eatima - that there are
now between 3,000 and 4,000 men con-


76
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
stantly employed, and that a still greater
number will be required during the next
two years to complete the lines above
mentioned as having been sanctioned by
Parliament.
In addition to the lines under contract,
40 miles of railway constructed by the
department are now open and in full work—
ing order, as well as a further length of 70
miles constructed by the Provincial Govern-
ments of Canterbury and Otago, making a
total throughout the Colony of 1,020 miles
of railway either open or in various stages
of progress.
The department has likewise undertaken
the construction of several large water-
races on the gold diggings, which, when
completed, are calculated to provide re-
munerative work for several thousand
miners and others over a period of many
years. For these races Parliament has
voted £300,000,
There are also several large coal-fields
now in process of rapid development. When
these mines are in full work, they will
afl'ord permanent employment for many
thousand persons of all classes.
It is not necessary further to particularin
the work of each department than to state
that the conduct of Immigration is in the
charge of the Immigration Minister ; and
that the Public Works,—the remaining
services created by the various Immigration
and Public Works Acts except the purchase
of Native land, which devolves on the Native
Minister,—are in charge of the Public
Works Minister.
This short sketch will, it is hoped,
succinctly and intelligibly show the nature
of the departments to which occasional
reference is made in this pamphlet, and the
special object of which is to give practical
effect to the Immigration and Public Works
Policy of 1870.
IMMIGRATION.
THE conduct of immigration to New
Zealand was entirely in the hands of
the Provinces up to the end of the year
1870, and the moneys expended in the
introduction of immigrants were derived
from Provincial revenue; each Province
providing according to its requirements and
means. The Public Works and Immigra-
tion Act of 1870 provided for the appli-
cation of £1,000,000 out of the loan then
authorized to be expended upon the intro-
duction and location of immigrants through-
out the Colony. Energetic ‘measures were
at once taken by the Government to give
effect to this important ortion of the Act.
The Agency in Englan received full in-
structions, and the Provinces were invited
to co-operate with the General Government,
by setting aside and preparing land for the
settlement of the immigrants. A staff of
'. immigration ofiioors was appointed through-
out the Colony, whose duty it is to receive
and care for the immigrants upon arrival,
house them in the depots, and forward
them, when required, to the country dis-
tricts. The details of management were
entrusted to a newly-organized department
under a responsible Minister, having charge
also of the Public Works. In 1873 it was
found advisable to separate the work, and
the present Immigration Department was
established, of which the Hon. the Premier
of the Colony is the present Ministerial
head. The system first adopted was that
of granting assisted passages to suitable
classes of persons duly selected by the Home
Agency, or nominated by their friends in
the Colony and approved of by the Agent
General ; but as it was found by experience
that the required money payments seriously
checked the flow of a very desirable class
of immigration, the Government decided
upon making immigration absolutely free,
not only providing passages to the Colony
in the finest vessels which can 'be chartered
for the purpose, but in all cases where their
circumstances render it necess , b ' ‘
the emigrants to the port of irriibaiifiildigi
and supplying them with outfit. This sys-
tem came into force in the month of
October, 1873, and has been attended with
very satisfactory results. Besides the emi-
grants from the United Kingdom, a number
of Scandinavians have been introduced into .
the Colony underarrangements with business ‘
firms in Hamburg and Christiania. These '
have been located chiefly in s ecial settle-
ments in the thickly-timbere country in
the Provinces of Wellington and Hawke’s
Bay, and they are reported to be thriving
and well doing in every way. It is pro-
posed to extend this class of immigration


78
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
When you write to the Agent-General,
don't forget to ask to be allowed to embark
at Plymouth instead of London, as this
would be a great saving of money. It cost
me about £5 to get to ship from Flushing.
Extract of Letter from J was M. to MARTHA
F., of Paisley, Scotland.
DEAR MARTlA,—I advise you to take
this opportunity to come to New Zealand.
Your relations have all done well. If you
value your children’s success in this world,
you should embrace this opportunity. You
will get a free passage, and I believe, by
application to the Agent-General, you may
sail from Glasgow, and any of your friends
or relations may apply to the Agent-
General, and they may come with you.
You may consult with my cousin, Mrs.
Jean L., and I believe she will both advise
and assist you to go, you and family, and
Margaret McM., and as many young girls
as you can get, of a respectable character,
but not otherwise. If you come I will
receive you at Wellington: rest satisfied
on that point. Yours truly,
March, 1874. James M.

Copy of Letter from CHARLES McN., Boot-
maker, Christchurch, to J our: 8., Gates-
head-on-Tyne, England
10th December, 1873.
DEAR J 0HN,-—I have this day nominated
you and your family as people specially
fitted for good colonists. My reasons for
nominating you are three. First, we need
good and steady men, such as you are, to
assist in settling the country ; second, your
own prospects would be very much better
than they are in England; and third, the
prospects of your daughters would be in-
creased a hundred-fold. For instance, such
a girl as your oldest daughter must be by
this time, would receive, as a nurse girl,
from £15 per year upwards. As another
instance of what a girl can do as a machinist,
I have one ; she is now about sixteen years
of age ; I pay her 10s. per week ; I do not
find her ; she isvery smart, of course ; her'
hours of work are from half-past 8 am. to
5 p.m. ; and you could depend on getting
from 50s. to 60s. a week yourself, and most
things as cheap as they are in England;
and before I close I might say, you can
have all the comforts of life here as fully as
you can in Gateshead-on-Tyne.
Time would fail me to write half the
advantages of this place over England. One
great advantage is the hours of labour in
our trade are much shorter, being from
8 am. to 5 p.m. Another, ‘schooling for
children for next to nothing. Churches of
all denominations. Good Templars’ Lodges
in great numbers. Building Societies, out
of which you can acquire cottage and free-
hold for little more than a rent by monthly
payments in the course of a few years.
These and many more are within the reach
of every steady, prudent man. In nomi-
nating you it is your and your family’s
good I seek ; but should you think it
would not advantage you to come here, do
not come, as this costs me nothing, nor will
it do, come or not come.
Should you make up your minds to come
(for mark, I want you all to come willing
or not at all, it is very important for all to
be willing), and should outfit or passage to
London stand in the way, apply to our
friend William H. I will instruct him, by
to-morrow's mail, regarding that, so if you
are minded to come there will be nothing
for you nor for me to pay, save you will
have passage to London to pay, and any-
thing you may have to get from our mutual
friend W. H. If you come, let me know,
and I will look out for you. So no more
from
Yours truly,
CHARLES McN.

Copy of Letter from MARY G., of Canter-
bury, N.Z., to PATRICK B., of Galway,
Ireland.
8th December, 1873.
DEAR UNCLE PATRICK,—If you come to
this country, it is not one shilling a day
you will have as at home, but from five to ten
shillings per day here. If you were to re-
main at home all the days of your life you
never would be out of poverty. You can
see yourself, all that left home, to your own
knowledge, how well they are doing in this
country, sending money home to their
parents and friends. Single women get
from £20 to £35 a year here, single men
from £40 to £60 a year and found. Mar-
ried couples, without family, get from £60
to £100 a year, house, and found. Pro-
visions of all kinds are much cheaper here
than at home. Beef and mutton from 2d.
to 5d. per lb. Bread, the four-pound loaf,
7d. Milk, 3d. per quart. Eggs, 1s. per
dozen. Ham, 6d. to 10d. per lb. Clothing
reasonable enough. Tradesmen of all kinds
do well here: at present are getting from
ten to twelve shillings per day. If you
should come, you may some day have a
place of your own freehold for ever ; and I
have no doubt that you will be thankful for
the chance of coming out free, as a good
many who have come out on the assisted
emigration are doing well. Mr. Charles
J. K., I have no doubt, if you should re-


IMMIGRATION.
79
luire, would write for you to the Agent in
London.
I am, dear Uncle and Aunt,
Your ever fond Niece,
MARr G.
P.S.—I have sent for my father, mother,
deters, and brother, the same time as I did
!‘or you, that you may be together. I have
LlSO sent for Patrick C., wife, and family,
vho will do well here.

Z’opy of Letter from JEREMIAH R., of Can-
terbury, N .Z., to BnsSIE F., of Coolatin,
County Wicklow, Ireland.
- 8th December, 1873.
Tale is a very good country for all that
ll‘e inclined to get on. You will get from
£20 to £25 a year, and when you wish to
narry, you will have no difiiculty in getting
a. husband. I like the country very well.
[ am sure if the people of Ireland knew
what a fine country it is, many would come
out. I got employment at once at £1 per
weeky for eight hours’ work a day. I get
overtime at the same rate. I also have the
best of board and lodging. I am living
with W. D. from my own country. More
demand for single girls and men than for
married couples. There is now free immi-
gration here. If you know of any person
like yourself, they will have no difiiculty in
getting out by writing. I think it will
cost you £1 for outfit.

Copy of Letter from J nssr. W., Canterbury,
New Zealand, to DANIEL W., Brinklow,
near Coventry, Warwickshire.
13th January, 1874.
Dana BROTHER,—I hope you will make
up your mind and come to New Zealand at
once: it will be the best day's work you
ever done. You will be sure of immediate
employment at good wages when you land.
Food is very cheap, and wages high: you
will be able to save more everyweek here than
you are earning where you are now. New
Zealand is a‘fine and healthy country; no
one can help but like it. Any man may do
well that will work. J ESBE W.
Letter from Rev. M. L. O. to Cannes A.,
of Gloucester Street, Commercial Road,
E., London.
12th January, 1874.
Take a few hundred young men and
women with you, particularly carpenters
and trades eople, or farmers with a little
money. e want a few thousand Irish
here from Tipperary. I wish there were a
few of them near the home agents to help
Irish or English Catholics out here.

Extract of Letter from Aon'ns P., to
Cmmnns T-, of Shetland.
13th January, 1874.
I write you to inform you that joiners
here are getting 12s. a day ; that the coun-
try is healthy; that the voyage, though
long, is pleasant and not dangerous ; and to
invite you to come out along with Mary if
you are now married to her. You can get
a free passage on applying as directed
above.
Extract of Letter from A. M. to Tnomas
M., of Shetland.
18th January, 1874.
I invite you all to come out here ; we are
getting fine wa es. The country is fine
and healthy. ages are—for labourers,
8s. a day; carpenters, 12s.; blacksmiths,
10s. to 15s. ; shoemakers, £3 a week; tai-
lors, £3 a week ; servant girls, from 10s. to
15s. a week. My girls are engaged at 10s.
a week, and the other two at 12s. and 13s.
Sailors are getting £8 a month. We are
all getting 8s. a day. Come away ; and if
your daughter is married, let her and her
husband come.

Extract of Letter from J mums S. to MARY
_ C. H., of Shetland.
18th January, 1874.
Some of the people of Unst do not wish
emigration to New Zealand to go on, lest
they should have to pay larger wages to
their servants, but I am glad I came. I
have 12s. a week in a nice family, and am
well and happy. I wish you to imitate me
and come here, where you can be well and
get something like wages. I am getting
just about eight times the wages I got
in Unst. Give information to all the girls
you know in Unst. There is a great de-
mand for servant girls at wages from 10s.
a week to 15s. and even 20s.
From the Southland Times.
Copy of a Letter from RICHARD Gonnmo,
an immigrant by ship Scimitar, to the
Barrack Master, Immigration Depot, In-
vercargill.
DEAR SrR,—I cannot take leave of you
without expressing my best thanks to you
for your kindness and the never-tiring
energy and trouble you have taken to se-
cure the immigrants good places and good
pay. Through your kindness, I have se-
cured a good place, at ood wages, and a
good home to go to. 11 our arrival you
received us with great kindness, and much
credit is due to you for the way you treated
us. You had a good supper ready for us
the minute we came to the depot. I can
2


80
.-1
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
safely say you did all you could to make us
welcome and happy. We have not re-
ceived such kindness and treatment since
we left home as we have received in this
depot. I find, for cleanliness and comfort,
this place beats all that I have been to yet.
I am requested to thank you by m fellow-
immigrants for your never-tiring ' dness
- to them since our arrival here. Many of
them could not write to thank you ; others
got employment so quick that they did not
have time to do so. I promised I would do
it for them. I shall forward a copy of this
letter to Dover, Kent, England, to Colonel
Couchman, RA. ; Major Dickson, M.P. for
Dover; the Earl of Gilford, Lady Cock-
boume, and Colonel Henderson, Chief Com-
missioner of Police, London (whose service
I have just left to come here). This is
a fine country for a young man to come to,
and a man with a family can do well in this
place. There is plenty of work, and good
pay for ei t hours’ work. I have myself
eft a goo home to come here, and I am
fully paid for my trouble in coming out
here. I should advise every one that wants
to better his position in life to come here.
The above-named gentlemen will have a
copy of this letter to get published in the
English papers. I promised to send them
a true account of the treatment received
here. You may publish this, if you think
fit.-I am, &0.,
RrcnARn GoLDme.

An Immigrant’s Advice to her Sisters.
24th January, 1874.
BRING as few things as you can, luggage
being one of the most troublesome things
possible for single women. Each of you
must have one box that you can get at,
once a month, during the voyage. Into it
put all your best things. Each must also
have a large carpet-bag with a good lock.
In it put twelve shifts, to save washing, for
if you have to wash them with salt water it
s oils them—old ones will do very well;
a o eight or ten pairs of stockings and two
flannel Petticoats, besides the one you have
on, so that you may have enough to last
through the voyage. Have also a red
flannel jacket to wear at night, and plenty
of pins and needles with you, as well as
any work you could bring to do during the
voyage, knitting or sewing, thread for
tatting, or anything you can get. Each
must ave her own bag, which you will be
allowed to keep in your berth, and you will
et to them when you like. Let the boxes
e properly addressed, and stitch an ad-
dress on each of the bags. You should
have a small box for three shilling tins
baking powder, or you will have nothing to
eat but ship biscuits. You get your flour
weighed out to you, and you can mix the
powder in it and it will make very good
bread. Don’t omit that. Carbonate of
soda and tartaric acid might do, but not so
well as the baking powder. A large tin of
biscuits would be a good thing to bring.
Some brandy and a little ginger wine is
also good to have. The female emigrants
are divided into messes of six or eight
persons, and each mess has a table. You
must keep a good look-out for your own
share, and keep all your own things locked
up. Be frank, obliging, and kind to all.
but make a friend of no one, and keep your
tongue still, for there is always some scan
dal and bother going on : so be advised, and
‘keep by yourselves on the voyage. I forgo:
to tell you to have a hat on when you leave
home, not too good to wear on board ship.
and have some bits of stuff in your carpet
bag to trim it up after a while, as it will
soon get to look shabby. Also have a dress
in your bag to wear on Sunday, with collar
and cuffs. You must also have some light
print fi‘ocks to wear in the tropics. You
would need three, which you can have
in your box, as you will get them out, there
bein a general turnout of boxes to let the
peop e get their light things for the heat
After that comes the cold, for which you
must have worsted cuffs and a good warm
jacket to wear all day, also a shawl or
cloak to take round you, for the cold is
severe. All your dirty clothes you will get
washed at the immigration barracks when
you land. Have some little bits of things
to put round your neck. They help i0
make you look tidy. Above all, do not
answer any letters that may be written
to you by any of the sailors or passengers,
for as they are not allowed to speak, they
write. You know they dress and go to
church on board just the same as on land
Be sure to have your Bible and some of
Spurgeon’s sermons handy to read. Also
have a coarse apron to put on when it
is your turn to wash up the dishes for your
mess.

From Chambers’s Journal, Feb. 14th, 1874-
Smcs specifying some of the circumstances
which recommend New Zealand to favour- -
able consideration, we have received fresh
information from a friend in the Colony, on
which every reliance may be placed. In
his letter, dated from Wellington, 23d No-
vember, 1873, he says, “ We are now offer
ing free passages to all who can pass the ‘
selection. We do not want paupers 0!


IMMIGRATION.
81
infirm people ; but persons able and willing
to work, of all kinds, are in urgent demand,
especially good domestic servants. A ship,
the ‘ Helen Denny,’ come in last week from
London, with 130 immigrants—a mere drop
in the bucket. I went yesterday to Mount
Cook barracks to see them. They were
a very tidy, respectable body. Some girls
from London were among them. One, a
smart little lassie, aged seventeen, had been
in service since she was eleven. In her
last place she got 3s. per week. Here she
was already en ed at 10s. The climate
seemed to striket em. One also remarked,
‘ How clean all the people are ! ’ This does
not strike us who are used to it, but any one
who knows the back slums of every big
town in En land and Scotland, must ob-
serve a mar ed contrast in the appearance
of the people in our colonial towns. All
dress well, and the women of the very
humblest rank, I think, extravagantly so.
But wages being good and employment
abundant, and no accumulation of a de-
praved idle class, squalor and overty are
not to be seen. It is undoubtedly pleasing
to see the tidy smartness of the oung
women, married and single. Peope are
here more simple in their habits than is the
case at Melbourne. There the overplus of
wealth, along with a degree of recklessness,
have led to an artificial and bloated style of
living. Carriages and luxurious houses are
there the rage—a result being that many get
into difiiculties. Here, things are taken
more naturally. As regards immigration,
I enclose a summary of wages offered to
artisans and others, from a local paper."
The following Letter, written by MR. J OHN
Fasssa, of Christchurch, in the Province
of Canterbury, iscopied from an Edinburgh
paper, the Daily Review, of 1 1th Dec. 1873.
Sm,-— The facilities at present afforded by
the Government of New Zealand for the
conveyance of immigrants to this Colony,
and the kindness with which they are
treated on their arrival, ought certainly to
be taken advantage of by an immense
number of the working classes of Great
Britain. My best way to bring these
advantages under {your notice is by givin
a brief account 0 the manner in whic
those who came here with me three months
ago were treated by the immigration
authorities, both throughout the voyage
from En land and on our arrival here ; also
by brie y alluding to the pros cts and
inducements held out in this olony for
immigrants, and by comparing these with
what is to be met with in the United States
of America or Canada. In order, therefore,
to show my competency to judge of the
contrast between these nations as fields for
immigration, allow me to inform you that I
have been in almost every State in the
American Union, also in all the principal
provinces and towns in Canada, and through-
out several of the leading nations in the
Continent of Europe, and that under cir-
cumstances whereb I had every opportunity
to see and lmow t e real state of matters
there, and not what they are represented in
emigration pamphlets and other accounts,
written expressly for the sake of trade and
not for the sake of the poor emigrants, who,
in many cases, only become victims to mis-
leading advertisements.
The ship ehartered for our conveyance
was one of the strongest and most seaworthy
that could be found in England, being built
of Indian teak in the days when stability
was considered before speed, and material
was thoroughly seasoned before it was put
in use. Our voyage was somewhat longer
than the average run, but the confidence we
all had in the old ship's stability, owing to
her having survived the terrific storm we
encountered in the Bay of Biscay on the
2nd of February last, as well as the excellent
quality and sufiicient quantity of provisions
served to us throughout the voyage, would
have prevented any comments upon that
subject, were it not that we, unfortunately,
had simple fever on board. I am sorry I
cannot speak in the same terms of the
bedding provided for those who came out
on the assisted passage scheme. The mat-
tresses consisted of wool, hair, and a mixture
of rags or tailors’ parings. Now it is this
last part of the mixture that I don't approve
of, as it has (at least) a tendency to carry
disease on board. I remember seeing one
of the pillows cut open by the young men,
and it contained the same mixture as the
beds, with an addition of still more objec-
tionable ingredients. The only otherarrange-
ment that I considered deficient was the
want of ventilation by means of “ jalousees ”
between the compartments between decks,
especially between those that had only one
hatchway or inlet to them ; also, the want
of private doors in bulkheads, to be used
only by the surgeon-superintendent on
ordinary occasions, but in the event of any
alarm or accident in one compartment that
the passengers could be removed without
the danger of going on deck. This last
arrangement would have saved a great
exposure to danger, and several 1111u11e8
sustained by the ssengers and crew when
our ship was disa led in the Bay of Biscay.
After the usual inconveniences of a long
confinement on board ship, we arrived at
‘an








IMMIGRATION.
83
vings of a hungry appetite with a good
dinner.
I cannot say much from my own experi-
ones about the climate of this Province,
owing to my not being here a whole season;
but from what I have seen and learned from
the most reliable sources, I consider it
thoroughly adapted to British constitutions.
The past winter has been very mild ; there
has been a great deal of rain, but no snow
upon the plains. The nights are, in pro-
portion, colder than the days, and the
changes more sudden than at home. I can
neither say much upon the subject of land-
purchasing, only that I see from the daily
newspapers so many hundreds of thousands
of acres being sold weekly, and the average
price is about £2 per acre. The greater
part of this Province is a vast plain, with-
out wood, so that the land can easily be
ploughed and a crop got off the first season.
I have been informed that for about 12s.
an acre it can be got ploughed ; so that for
less than £3 per acre the land can be
bought and put under crop, except the
price of seed. Cattle are very cheap here. A
good four-year-old horse can be bought for
£90, and a very good serviceable horse can
be bought for half that sum, and even for
less money. A good milch cow can be
bought for £4. 10s. to £5. 10s. Articles of
husbandry and machinery are more expen-
sive than at home ; but from what I have
ascertained from landowners here, it does
not require such a large sum as a stranger
would be apt to think to start a man in a
comfortable farm of his own.
Christchurch, the capital of this Province,
contains a population of about 10,000 souls,
the result of three-and-twenty years’ habita-
tion; also churches of different denomina-
tions, banks, museum, zoological garden,
orphanage, lunatic asylum, and a prison;
from all of which it must be admitted that
this is a thriving Colony.
I will now, for comparison, briefly relate
an immigrant’s treatment on arrival at New
York. After the usual international pre-
liminaries are gone through, the Custom
ofiicers come on board and commence to
examine the luggage. Every box and parcel
is ransacked without mercy, and in some
cases the contents thrown upon deck with-
out being at all particular what injuries
they may sustain. Every package is then
labelled with a numbered brass ticket, a
du heats of which is given to the owner to
re eem it at Castle Gardens. Immigrant
and luggage are then transferred to asteam-
tug, or a barge, to be conveyed to the land-
ing-stage. After landing, the immigrants
have to pass a gate in single file, and enter
their names, profession, and destination in
a book; after which an official mounts a
rostrum and gives them a few good instruc-
tions, such as “those that have friends up
the country to go to them at once; those
who can 0 up country to look for work to
do so wi out delay, as their stay in town
will be expensive, and their prospects to get
employment not so good, &c., 61c. ;” after
this they are set at liberty to procure em-
ployment as best they can. There is an
employment agency there, but where several
thousands are landed day after day, a very
small per-centage indeed find employment
there. There is also a money exchange
ofiice, where the full value is always given
without imposition. As soon as a number
of immigrants make their appearance out-
side the building, they are accosted by a
legion of “ land-s rks," for whom no false-
hood is too great, and no scheme to extort
money too base. This class of men, or
rather “ licensed imposters,” are to be met
with at all the landing-stages and principal
railway-stations in America. There is still
another class of imposters to be guarded
against, and that is employment agents:
they will tell the “ greenhorn ” that so many
situations of diii'erent kinds at various
salaries are at their disposal, and by paying
a certain sum he can have one of them
“through their influence,” if he is found
suitable. Almost invariably the applicant
is found “ unsuitable,” and not only forfeits
the agent’s commission, but during the
interval—which, if it can possibly be ef-
fected, will be several days—he is not only
losing time, but incurring expense. Now,
suppose that a man gets employment there
at a higher pay than in Great Britain, yet
he has insurmountable difficulties to contend
with, which, in my opinion, will more than
outweigh his advantages. There are the
extremes of climate. In summer the heat
is almost tropical, and in winter the cold is
almost polar. Besides these, a British sub-
ject is an alien there, and cannot be ad-
mitted into any Government employ until
he takes the oaths of afiiliation. and dis-
claims any future allegiance to his mother
country; so that he has neither voice nor
vote in the affairs of the county, town, or
State, in which he resides. I admit that
many thousands have bettered their circum-
stances by emigrating from Great Britain to
America, but I maintain that if these peo le
had only used the same exertions in this
province as they were compelled to do
there, they would have acquired much
greater results with still greater ease. The
security of life and property is another
great consideration, and must say that




-.-- . _‘-

Toface page 83.


IMMIGRATION. 83
vings of a hungry appetite with a good
dinner.
I cannot say much from my own experi-
ence about the climate of this Province,
owing to my not being here a whole season;
but from what I have seen and learned from
the most reliable sources, I consider it
thoroughly adapted to British constitutions.
The past winter has been very mild ; there
has been a great deal of rain, but no snow
upon the plains. The nights are, in pro-
portion, colder than the days, and the
changes more sudden than at home. I can
neither say much upon the subject of land-
purchasing, only that I see from the daily
newspapers so many hundreds of thousands
of acres being sold weekly, and the average
price is about £2 per acre. The greater
part of this Province is a vast plain, with-
out wood, so that the land can easily be
ploughed and a crop got off the first season.
I have been informed that for about 12s.
an acre it can be got ploughed ; so that for
less than £3 per acre the land can be
bought and put under crop, except the
price of seed. Cattle are very cheap here. A
good four-year-old horse can be bought for
£90, and a very ood serviceable horse can
be bought for his!‘ that sum, and even for
less money. A good milch cow can be
bought for £4. 10s. to £5. 10s. Articles of
husbandry and machinery are more expen-
sive than at home; but from what I have
ascertained from landowners here, it does
not require such a large sum as a stranger
would be apt to think to start a man in a
comfortable farm of his own.
Christchurch, the capital of this Province,
contains a population of about 10,000 souls,
the result of three-and-twenty years’ habita-
tion; also churches of different denomina-
tions, banks, museum, zoological garden,
orphanage, lunatic asylum, and a prison ;
from all of which it must be admitted that
this is a thriving Colony.
I will now, for comparison, briefly relate
an immigrant’s treatment on arrival at New
York. After the usual international pre-
liminaries are gone through, the Custom
officers come on board and commence to
examine the luggage. Every box and parcel
is ransacked without mercy, and in some
cases the contents thrown upon deck with-
out being at all particular what injuries
they may sustain. Every package is then
labelled with a numbered brass ticket, a
dc licate of which is given to the owner to
reri>eem it at Castle Gardens. Immigrant
and luggage are then transferred to asteam-
tug, or a b e, to be conveyed to the land-
ing-stage. ter landing, the immigrants
have to pass a gate in single file, and enter
their names, profession, and destination in
a book; after which an ofiicial mounts a
rostrum and gives them a few good instruc-
tions, such as “those that have friends up
the country to go to them at once; those
who can 0 up country to look for work to
do so wit out delay, as their stay in town
will be expensive, and their prospects to get
employment not so good, &c., $1c.,” after
this they are set at liberty to procure em-
ployment as best they can. There is an
employment agency there, but where several
thousands are landed day after day, a very
small per-centage indeed find employment
there. There is also a money exchange
oflice, where the full value is always given
without imposition. As soon as a number
of immigrants make their appearance out-
side the building, they are accosted by a
legion of “ land-sharks," for whom no false-
hood is too great, and no scheme to extort
money too base. This class of men, or
rather “licensed imposters,” are to be met
with at all the landing-stages and principal
railway-stations in America. There is still
another class of imposters to be guarded
against, and that is employment agents:
they will tell the “ greenhorn ” that so many
situations of different kinds at various
salaries are at their disposal, and by paying
a certain sum he can have one of them
“through their influence,” if he is found
suitable. Almost invariably the applicant
is found “ unsuitable,” and not only forfeits
the agent’s commission, but during the
interval—which, if it can possibly be ef-
fected, will be several days—he is not only
losing time, but incurring expense. Now,
suppose that a man gets employment there
at a higher pay than in Great Britain, yet
he has insurmountable dii'ficulties to contend
with, which, in my opinion, will more than
outweigh his advantages. There are the
extremes of climate. In summer the heat
is almost tropical, and in winter the cold is
almost polar. Besides these, a British sub-
ject is an alien there, and cannot be ad-
mitted into any Government employ until
he takes the oaths of affiliation, and dis-
claims any future allegiance to his mother
country; so that he has neither voice not
vote in the affairs of the county, town, or
State, in which he resides. I admit that
many thousands have bettered their circum-
stances by emigrating from Great Britain to
America, but I maintain that if these peo le
had only used the same exertions in this
province as they were compelled to do
there, they would have acquired much
greater results with still greater ease. The
security of life and pro erty is another
great consideration, and must say that


IMMIGRATION.
83
.ungry appetite with a good
y much from my own experi-
he climate of this Province,
not being here a whole season;
tI have seen and learned from
liable sources, I consider it
lapted to British constitutions.
ter has been very mild ; there
eat deal of rain, but no snow
line. The nights are, in pro-
r than the days, and the
sudden than at home. I can
such upon the subject of land-
'only that I see from the daily
vo many hundreds of thousands
g sold weekly, and the average
at £2 per acre. The greater
Province is a vast plain, with-
o that the land can easily be
a crop got off the first season.
informed that for about 12s.
be got ploughed ; so that for
3 per acre the land can be
put under crop, except the
. Cattle are very cheap here. A
irear-old horse can be bought for
' ,very good serviceable horse can
,Zior half that sum, and even for
fie. A good milch cow can be
' ‘ Articles of


£4. 105. to £5. 108.
nd machinery are more expen-
home ; but from what I have
it from landowners here, it does
'J' such a large sum as a stranger
1' to think to start a man in a
_ farm of his own.
rob, the capital of this Province,
,tiopulation of about 10,000 souls,
three-and~twenty years’ habita-
churches of different denomina-
‘. s, museum, zoological garden,
_ lunatic asylum, and a prison;
-\, ‘ which it must be admitted that
u'iving Colony.
”‘ ow, for comparison, briefly relate
ant’s treatment on arrival at New
fter the usual international pre-
are gone through, the Custom
)me on board and commence to
.he luggage. Every box and parcel
ked without mercy, and in some
contents thrown upon deck with-
g at all particular what injuries
I sustain. Every package is then
with a numbered brass ticket, a
3 of which is 'ven to the owner to
it at Castle ardens. Immigrant
gage are then transferred to asteam-
a barge, to be conveyed to the land-
ge. After landing, the immigrants
0 pass a gate in single file, and enter

their names, profession, and destination in
a book; after which an official mounts a
rostrum and gives them a few good instruc-
tions, such as “those that have friends up
the country to go to them at once; those
who can 0 up country to look for work to
do so wit out delay, as their stay in town
will be expensive, and their prospects to get
employment not so good, &c., &c. ;” after
this they are set at liberty to procure em-
ployment as best they can. There is an
employment agency there, but where several
thousands are landed day after day, a very
small per-centage indeed find employment
there. There is also a money exchange
oflice, where the full value is always given
without imposition. As soon as a number
of immigrants make their appearance out-
side the building, they are accosted by a
legion of “ land-sharks," for whom no false-
hood is too great, and no scheme to extort
money too base. This class of men, or
rather “licensed imposters,” are to be met
with at all the landing-stages and principal
railway-stations in America. There is still
another class of imposters to be guarded
against, and that is employment agents:
they will tell the “ greenhorn ” that so many
situations of different kinds at various
salaries are at their disposal, and by paying
a certain sum he can have one of them
“through their influence,” if he is found
suitable. Almost invariably the applicant
is found “unsuitable,” and not only forfeits
the agent’s commission, but during the
interval—which, if it can possibly be ef-
fected, will be several days—he is not only
losing time, but incurring expense. N ow,
suppose that a man gets employment there
at a higher pay than in Great Britain, yet
he has insurmountable diliiculties to contend
with, which, in my opinion, will more than
outweigh his advantages. There are the
extremes of climate. In summer the heat
is almost tropical, and in winter the cold is
almost polar. Besides these, a British sub-
ject is an alien there, and cannot be ad-
mitted into any Government employ until
he takes the oaths of afiiliation. and dis—
claims any future allegiance to his mother
country; so that he has neither voice nor
vote in the affairs of the county, town, or
State, in which he resides. I admit that
many thousands have bettered their circum-
stances by emigrating from Great Britain to
America, but I maintain that if these petal:
had only used the same exertions in '
province as they were compelled to do
there, they would have acquired much
greater results with still greater ease. Tl
security of life and pro erty 1s anoth
great consideration, and must say th'.
‘1 l


84
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
there are good laws and institutions in
America; but the law is not enforced there
as strictly as it is here, and that may ac-
count, to a certain extent, for the uncer-
tainty of life and property. There is still
another reason for it as well, and that is
the great influx of ill-disposed people that
resort to it from all the nations of Europe
and elsewhere every year. N o sensible
person will for one moment think that the
sea voyaage across the Atlantic will change
their bits, though it may cure them of
the bile. I must not leave on under the
impression that every one t e immigrant
meets with in America will attempt to take
advantage of him. He will meet with
people of the most noble minds and purest
motives there, who will not only give him
good instruction, but actually exert them-
selves to do him a good turn and procure
employment for him. The United States of
America are, in my humble opinion, the
most independent nation in the world,
because they are self-supporting; but as a
field for immigration, I cannot in any way
compare their advantages with those of this
Province, where no uncivil Custom ofiicers
ransaolr your baggage on arrival; no land-
sharks impose upon and mislead you ; no
extremes of climate burden your daily toil;
where employment is not only easy to be
got, but actually procured for immigrants
(the demand being always greater than the
supply); where the laws are purely British,
and strictly enforced b an efiicient police
force, rendering life an property as safe as
in any part of Great Britain; and where
the immigrant upon his arrival is entitled
to all the privileges, and if competent, may
occupy any position or ofiice in the Pro-
vince without the ceremony of aliiliation or
disclaiming future fidelity to his mother
country.
I will now very briefly refer to Canada as
a field for emigration, and I am sorry that
my experience there will not enable me to
advise any erson who can live comfortably
in Great ritain to go to that Dominion
with a view to better his condition. Not
onl has he the extremes of climate to
en are, which will prevent his working
more than ei ht or at the most nine months
in the yearfiiut the rate of wages is not
much better than in the old country. A
labouring man who will get a dollar (4s. 2d.)
a day in Canada will get 7s. to Se. in this
Province.- I have.seen strong able men
working in difl'erent capacities, in Canada
for 75 cents (3s. lid.) per day, and endur-
ing the rays of a scorching sun to burden
their toil. I admit that there is plenty of
"l: for many thousands of immigrants in
the back woods of Canada, but I consider
that the immigrant’s great object should
be “wages under easy circumstances,” not
“labour under disadvantages," such as he
will meet with in Canada. When I say that
I have seen more men looking for work in
Canada, and could not find any, than ever
I saw in Great Britain, in proportion to the
population, it may be thou ht that I am
pre'udioed against Canada ; ut I am not,
and this is truth. From published statistics
it will be seen that so many thousands
are annually emigrating to British North
America, but I am prepared to say that
twelve months after landing one-third of
them (at least) are only to be found in the
United States, where they are much better
aid. Provisions are cheaper than in
ritain, but it must be remembered that
a long winter is to be provided for, when
no work can be done. The great induce-
ment in Canada is the free-homestead prin-
ciple of acquiring land; but what is land
to a poor immigrant, without means to
cultivate it’! Nor at the present rate of
wages there can he have any great hopes of
acquiring means to keep himself respectable.
The amount of money necessary to clear one
acre of land in Canada will buy and clear
from three to five acres in this Province,
and that without any loss of time. There
are no provisions made by the Canadian
Government for the maintenance of grants until they find employment; on the
contrary, they caution them to be prepared
with means for that purpose ; and I can only
say that the more he is prepared the better
for himself. Canada is an extensive Do-
minion, rich in timber, agriculture, and
minerals ; but as a field for emigration it
will only rank second to the United States,
which I have already classed as second to
this Colony. The same religious privileges
and rights of nationality are enjoyed by
British immigrants in Canada as they have
here ; but the extremes of climate are in-
surmountable difliculties to contend with,
not only to the working man, but to the
farmers as well, as they have to stall-feed
their cattle there for about five months in
each year ; while in this Province of New
Zealand they are neither housed nor fed
but by what nature provides for their wants
in the fields.
I have not, as yet, been to Australia;
but from the fact that a great number of
the eople here have come from there,l
cone ads that this is at least as good a field
for immigration, with a much more prefer-
able climate.
I have now given you abrief summary of
my observations and experience in those


OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
85
parts of the world that are the chief “fields
for emigration,” hoping that they may
stimulate a desire in the bosoms of at least
some of my friends and acquaintances, who
have to work for their daily bread, to seek
it where, by honest labour, it is who found
plenteously and with considerable ease. It
may be thought by some that I have judged
rashly; and if such should be the case, my
reply is, that it is while the scenes of poverty
and distress, that are daily met with in the
old country, are fresh in a person’s memory,
that he can best see the advantages of
riches and plenty such as are everywhere to
be met with here. The subject is one that
would require a volume to be written upon
to do it justice; but I have neither time
nor desire to become a historian. I have
here truly and conscientiously, and without
scruple or prejudice against one place more
than another, given you the substance of
my experience in those parts of the world,
and should any of my friends or others be
guided by it, and better their condition, I
shall consider myself amply rewarded for
my trouble.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
LEGISLATURE
Composed of the Governor, a Legislative
Council appointed by the Crown for life,
and a House of Representatives, containing
seventy-eight members, elected for five
years.
GovERNOR.
The Most Noble the Marquis of N ormanby,
K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-
Chief.
CABINET.
Daniel Pollen, Premier, and Colonial Sec.
Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-
General, and Telegraph Commissioner.
Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.G., Minister
for Native Affairs.
Edward Richardson, Minister for Public
Works.
H. A. Atkinson, Colonial Treasurer,
Minister of Immigration, and Secretary
for Crown Lands.
William Hunter Reynolds, Commissioner
of Customs.
Charles C. Bowen, Minister of Justice and
Commissioner of Stamp Duties.
Wiremu Katene—Without portfolio.
Wi Parata—Without portfolio.
AGENT-GENERAL.
Agent-General for New Zealand in Lon-
don—Isaac Earl Featherston.
Secretary to Agent General’s Department-—
Walter Kennaway.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Speaker—Sir J. L. C. Richardson, K.C.M.G.
Chairman of Committees—M. Richmond,
C.B.
M embers.
Acland, J. B. A Miller, H. J.
Baillie, W. D. H N gatata, W. T.
Bartley, T. H. Nurse, W. H.
Bonar, J. A. Paterson, J.
Brett, De R. J. Peacocke, J. T.
Buckley, G. Peter, W. S.
Campbell, R. Pharazyn, C. J.
Chamberlin, H. Pillans, F. S.
Domett, A. Pollen, D.
Edwards, N. Renwick, T.
Farmer, J. Rhodes, W. B.
Fraser, T. Richardson, Sir
Grace, M. S. J. L. 0., K.C.M.G.
Gray, E. Richmond, M., C.B.
Hall, J. Robinson, W.
Hart, R. Russell, H. R.
Holmes, M. Scotland, H.
Johnson, G. R. Stokes, R.
Johnston, J. Taylor, C. J .'
Kenny, W. H. Taylor, J. P.
Kohere, M. Waterhouse, G. M.
Lahmann, H. H. Whitmore, G. S.
Maclean, E. Wigley, T. H.
Mantel], W. B. D. Williamson, J as.
Menzies, J. A. R.

Clerk of the Council—L. Stowe.
Clerlo-Ass'istant—G. W. Jordan.
Housn or REPRnsENTATIVES.
Speaker—Sir F. Dillon Bell.
C'lm'brman of Committees—
a


86
NEW ZEA LAND HANDBOOK.
HOUsE or RErREsENrA'rIvEs—continued.
Members.
Andrew, J. C. Murray, W. A.
Atkinson, H. A. O’Conor, E. J.
Ballance, J. O’Neill, C.
Bell, Sir F. D. Ormond, J. D.
Bluett, W. J. G. O’Rorke, G. M.
Bowen, C. C. Parata, Wiremu
Bradshaw, J. B. Parker, C.
Brandon, A. de B. Parker, G. B.
Brown, J. C. Pearce, E.
Brown, J. E. Pyke, V.
Bryce, J. Reeves, W.
Buckland, W. T. Reid, D.
Bunny, H. Reynolds, W. H.
Carrington, F. A. Richardson, E.
Creighton, R. J. Richmond, A. J.
Curtis, 0. Rolleston, W.
Cuthbertson, J. R. Sheehan, J.
Dignan, P. Shephard, J.
Fitzherbert, W. Shepherd, T. L.
Gibbs, W. Stafford, E. W.
Grey, Sir G. Steward, W. J.
Harrison, W. H. Swanson, W.
Hunter, G. Taiaroa, Hori Kerei
Ingles, H. A. Takamoana, Karai-
Jackson, W. tiana
Johnston, W. W. Thomson, J. W.
Katene, W. Tolmie, W. A. ‘
Kelly, T. Tribe, G. H.
Kelly, W. V0 1, Sir J .,
Kenny, G. W. A. T. EGMG.
Luckie, D. M. Von der Heyde, G. A.
Macandrew, J. Wakefield, E. J.
McGillivray, L. Wales, N Y A
McGlashan, E. Ward, —
M‘Lean, Sir D., Webb, H R
K.C.M.G. Webster, G
M‘Lean, G. M, White, J.
May, J. '-1-1' Williams, J. W.
Mervyn, D. H. Wilson, Sir Cracroft,
Montgomery, W. K.C.S.I., C.B.
Munro, J. Wood, R. G.

Clerk of Parliaments—F. E. Campbell
Clerk of Writs—G. S. Cooper
Clerk-A ssistant— G. Friend
Second Cle'rk-Assistant—H. Otterson
Interpreter—T. E. Young
Assistant Librarian—Ewen McColl
SUPERINTENDENTS or PROVINCES.
Auckland—Sir G. Grey
Taranaki--—Frederick Alonzo Carrington
Hawke’s Bay—John Davies Ormond
Wellington—Wm. F itzherbert, C.M.G.
N elson—Oswald Curtis
Westland—James Alexander Bonar
Marlborough—Arthur Penrose Seymour
Canterbury—William Rolleston
Otago—James Macandrew
CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT AT SEAT or
GOVERNMENT.
Governor and Commander-in-Chief—The
Most Noble the Marquis of N ormanby,
K.C.M.G.
Private Secretary — Captain Malin, 53rd
Regiment.
Aide-de-Camp -—Lord Hervey Phipps.
Clerk of Executive Council—Forster Goring.

PREMIER—HOB. Daniel Pollen
Secretary to Cabinet—‘G. S. Cooper
COLONIAL SECR.E'mnY’s OFFICE.
Colonial Secretary—Hon. Daniel Pollen
Under Secretary—G. S. Cooper
Chief Clerk—A. M. Smith
Clerk—R. H. Govett.
PATENT OFFICE.
Patent Ofiicer—W. S. Reid
Registrar—C. J. A. Haselden.
DEPARTMENT or Jus'rICE.
Minister of J ustice—Hon. C. C. Bowen
Under Secretar —R. G. Fountain
Chief Clerk— . J. A. Haselden
Record Clerk—E. F. Norris.
Cnowr: LAW OFFICE.
Solicitor-General—W. S. Reid
Clerk —H. ‘Williamson.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE.’
Minister of Public Works—Hon. E. Richard-
son
Under Secretary—John Knowles
Chief Clerk—C. T. Benzoni
Record Clerk—N. W. Werry
Clerks—G. Ward, C. A. Baker, F. Clayton
Accountant—H. Lawson
Sub-Accountant—R. E. Bannister
Clerks—L. E. St. George, W. C. Callcott
Engineer-in-Chief—J. Carruthers
Assistant Engineer-in-Chief—J. Blackett
Superintending Engineers—H. P. Higgin-
son, South Island ; C. B. Knorpp, North
Island
Engineers—H. Czerwonka, R. P. Orme
Chief Draughtsman—H. C. W. Wrigg
Draughtsmen—T. Perham, A. Koch, F.
Bull, W. G. Sealy, C. Palmer, W. H. T.
Stewart, C. Wood, K. Douglas, J. Gibbes,
A. A. Wrigg
Junior Draughtsmen—C. H. Pierard, G. R.
Card
Record Clerk—H. T. Pycroft
Computer—C. A. Knapp
ngineer—A. G. Fowler.



OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
87
PUBLIC Worms OFFICE—continued.
District En ' eers—J. Stewart, Auckland ;
J. T. ' tewart, Manawatu; F. H.
Geisow, Greymouth; W. N. Blair,
Dunedin; W. Brunton, Invercargill;
C. Y. O’Connor, Hokitika; A. D.
Dobson, Westport.
Resident Engineers—W. H. Clark,Waikato ;
A. C. Turner, Tauranga ; J. Breen, Rangi-
riri; D. M. Beere, Te Ante; W. H.
Hales, Wanganui; S. Harding, River-
head ; C. Weber, Napier; G. M. Wink,
Wellington ; J. R. Rees, Wanganui ; E.
Evans, Westport; D. W. McArthur,
Greymouth; B. H. Darnell, New Ply-
mouth; A. D. Austin, Nelson; A.
Dobson, Picton; T. D. Triphook, Ran-
giora; E. Cuthbert, Southbridge ; J. H.
Lowe, Oarnaru; G. P. Williams, Oamaru ;
D. A. McLeod, Waitaki; W. Paisley,
Tokomairiro; W. E. Bruuton, Inver-
cargill ; Alex. Aitken, Grahamstown.
Colonial Architect—W. H. Clayton
Accountant—W. A. Gardiner.
COLONIAL TREasURER’s DEPARTMENT.
Chief Ofiice.
Colonial Treasurer—Hon. H. A. Atkinson
Secretary to the Treasury, Receiver—General,
and Paymaster-General—C. T. Batkin
Accountant to the Treasury—J. C. Gavin
Confidential Clerk—E. Fox
Clerk for Loan and Trust Accounts—T.
Trumanl
Receiver-General’s Branch.
Chief Clerk—W. H. Warren
Clerks—T. H. Boughton, W. G. Holds-
worth, P. P. Webb, W. T. Thane, J. Gandy,
J. Powne, E. L. Mowbray, F. K. de Castro.
Paymasur General’s Branch.
Chief Clerk and Cashier—W. Best
Clerks —J. H. Gillard, J. B. Heywood, M.
McCredie, J. McGowan, J. C. Davie, D.
Cumming, C. Meacham, W. E. Cooper,
C. L. Woledge, T. J. Davis, G. J. Clap-
ham, C. F. W. Palliser, F. Sheppard,
C. O’H. Smith.
Record Brarwh.
Chief Clerk—H. Blundell
Clerk—W. W. Bodman.
Public Trustee/s Oflice.
Public Trustee and Accountant in Bank-
ruptcy—J. Woodward
Clerk—C. D. de Castro.
STAMP OFrIca.
Commissioner—Hon. C. C. Bowen
Secretary—R. C. Hammerton
Clerks — Edward L. Ingpen, William
Withers
1
AUDIT Ornca.
Commissioners of Audit.
Auditor-General—C. Knight,M.D.,F.R.C.S.
Comptroller—J. E. FitzGerald, C.M.G.

De uty Auditor and Chief Clerk—J. G.
nderson.
Clerks—C. H. Snow, Henry Hartwright,
R. E. E. Plimpton, L. C. Roskruge, R.
O’Connor, H. Halse, F. Back, J. Churton,
C. L. Wiggens.
GENERAL Posr OFFICE.
Postmaster-General—Hon. Sir Julius Vogel,
K.C.M.G.
Secretary—W. Gray
Secretary to Postmaster-General—E. Fox
Inspector—Thomas Rose
Accountant, Money Orders and Savings
Banks—J. K. Warburton
Chief Clerk—J. W. Wilkin
Dead Letter Clerk—H. Morrow
Clerks—G. M. Nation, L. Halliwell, W. S.
Rodger, W. Hickson.
TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.
Commissioner—Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G.
General Manager—C. Lemon
.éccouiétlanlti—AbrahamT M Sheath
hief er —A. . aglnm' 't
Electrician—W. H. Floyd y
Clerks—G. Gray, J. G. Corbett
Cadets—S. Cimino, C. Storey, E. C. Corliss,
W. Wardrop
Mechanician—H. F. Smith
Storekeeper—J. T. Williamson.
CUsToMs DEPARTMENT.
Commissioner—-H0n. W. H. Reynolds
Secretary and Inspector of Customs—W.
Seed
Chief Clerk—W. France
Clerks—H. W. Williams, G. W. Ewart.
(Distilleries Branch.)
Chief Inspector—W. Seed
Inspector—‘W. Heaps
Cadet—P. Brown.
(Marine Branch.)
Secretary—W. Seed
Marine Engineer—John Blackett, CE.
Inspector of Steamers and Nautical Assessor
—R. Johnson
Inspector of Steamers and Engineer
Surveyor—J. Nancarrow
Examiner of Masters and Mates in Naviga-
tion, &c.—R. A. Edwin, Com. R.N.
Clerk—L. Wilson.
NATIVE AND DEFENCE OFFICE.
Native Minister—Hon. SirDonald McLean,
K.C.M.G.
a


88
NEW ZEALAN D HANDBOOK.
NATIVE AND DEFENCE OrFIca—continued.
Under Secretary for Native Affairs—H. T.
Clarke
Assistant Native Secretary—H. Halse
Acting Under Secretary for Defence—ment.-
Col. W. Moule
Chief Clerk—T. W. Lewis
Accountant—
Translator—T. E. Young
Record Clerk—W. J. Morpeth
Clerks—A. Boughton, F. N. Russell, F. W.
Riemenschneider, G. H. Davies, R.
Whitaker, W. C. Higgin
Commissioner of Native Reserves—Major
Charles Heaphy, V.C.
Militia and Volunteer Branch.
Clerk—F. Stevens.
Land Purchase Branch.
Lieut.-Colonel J.. H. H. St. John
Clerk—P. Sheridan.
Waka Maori.
Editor—J. Grindell.
SEcRETARY FOR CRowN LANDs
DEPARTMENT.
Secretary for Crown Lands (also Land
Claims Commissioner) — Hon. H. A.
Atkinson
Under Secretary—C. E. Haughton
Chief Clerk—H. J. Masters
Clerks—O. Wakefield, H. E. Leadam, F.
Samuel
Draughtsman and Assistant Inspector of
Surveys—J. W. A. Marchant
Assistant Draughtsman and Clerk to Land
Claims Commissioner—G. Fannin.
LAND TRANSFER OFFICE.
Registrar-General of Land and Deeds—G.
B. Davy
REoIsTEAR-GENERAL’s OFFICE.
Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and
Marriages—W. R. E. Brown
Clerks—W. Teague, E. J. Von Dadelszen.
GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
Manager of Geological Survey and Curator
of Colonial Museum—J. Hector, M.D.,
F.R.S.
Clerk—R. B. Gore I
Draughtsman, &c.—John Buchanan
Analyst—Wm. Skey
Messenger—John Smith.
PRINTING OFFICE.
Government Printer—G. Didsbury.
INsrEcrOR or STORns DEPARTMENT.
Inspector of Stores — Lieut.-Colonel E.
Gorton
Chief Clerk—~C. A. Humfrey
l ‘.lerks—John Curry, Sydney Dando.
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
Minister for Immigration—Hon. H. A.
Atkinson
Under Secretary—C. E. Haughton
Accountant—J. F. Ballard -
Clerks—E. O. Gibbes, R. Lynch, G. T.
Waitt.
Immigration Oflicers, also Emigration
Ofiicers under Passengers Act.
AncklandwDr. Pollen
Immigration Ofiicer—H. Ellis
Thames—D. G. McDonnell
Taranaki—W. R. Hulke
Wellington—H. J. H. Eliott
Wanganui and Rangitikei—A. F. Hal-
combe
Napier—G. T. Fannin
Marlborough—John Barleyman
Nelson—C. Elliot
Greymouth—J. S. Wylde
HOkitikBr—F. A. Lenrmonth
Christchurch—J. E. March
Timaru—F. Le Cren
Oamaru—A. Hesketh
Dunedin—Colin Allan
Riverton—T. Daniell
Invercargill—W. H. Pearson.
GOVERNMENT ANNUITIEs DERARTMENT.
Commissioner—W. Gisborne
Accountant—C. G. Knight
Clerks—R. U. H. Vincent, T. J. Boyes, and
W. W. Knowles
Cadets—J. H. Dean, J. H. Richardson, and
S. W. D. Irvine
Travelling Agents—T. F. McDonough, F.
E. Wright, H. Clapcott, and W. J.
Mooney.

DEPARTMENTS OF THE GENERAL GOVERN-
MENT IN THE PROVINCES.
J UDICIAL-
Supreme Cmirt Judges.
Chief J ustice—
Wellington—James Prendergast.
Puisne J udges—
Auckland—T. B. Gillies
Nelson and Westland—C. W. Richmond
Canterbury—A. J. Johnston
Otago—J. S. Williams.

District Court J Edges—-
Auckland and Grahamstown — T.
Beckham
New Plymouth—H. E. Kenny
Na ier, Waipawa, and Gisbome—T. S.
eston
West ort, Reefton, Charleston, Aljaum,
Ho itika, Greymouth— ‘


OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
89
District Court Judges—continued.
Timaru, Oamaru, Tokomairiro, and Inver-
cargill—C. D. R. Ward
Otago Gold Fields—G. W. Harvey
Registrars of the Supreme Court—-
Auckland—L. O’Brien
New Plymouth—H. E. Kenny
Na ier-D. Guy
Wellington—A. S. Allen
Nelson—E. W. Bunny
Blenheim—J. Barleyman
Christehurch— E. S. Willcocks
Dunedin—E. if. Ward
Invercargill—W. Stuart.
Ruidmt Magistrates—-
Auckland—T. Beckham
Onehunga, Papakura, and Waiuku—R.
C. Barstow
Wangarei—H. R. Aubrey
Hokianga—S. W. Von Sturmer
Waimate and Russell—E. Williams
Kaipara—J. Rogan
Waikato—W. N. Searancke
Raglan—W. Harsant
Tauranga—J. M. Roberts
Coromandel—J. Keddell
Shortland—W. Fraser
Maketu—F. E. Hamlin
Opotiki—H. W. Brabant
Poverty Bay—S. Locke, W. K. Nesbitt,
and J. H. Campbell
Taupe—S. Locke and D. Scannell
New Plymouth—H. E. Kenny
Wellington—J. C. Crawford
Wanganui—J. T. Edwards
Patea—H. F. Turner
Upper Wanganui—R. W. Woon
Marton, &c.—W. J. Willis
Wairarapa—H. S. Wardell
Napier—H. B. Sealy
Wairoa—F. F. Ormond
N elson—L. Broad
Collingwood—F. Guiness
Westport—J. Giles
Reefton—C. Broad
Cobden—
Blenheim—S. L. Muller
Picton—J. Allen
Havelock—W. Whitehom
Christchurch- G. L. Mellish
Lyttelton—W. Donald
Kaiapoi—C. Whitefoord-
Akaroa—Justin Aylmer
Timaru—B. Woollcombe
Hokitika—G. G. FitzGei-ald
Greymouth—W. H. Revell
Okarito—M. Price
Dunedin—J. Bathgate and I. N. Watt
Port Chalmers—T. A. Mansford
Oamaru—T. W. Parker
Resident Magistrates—continued.
Hawksbury—J. W. Murdoch
Tokomairiro—J. P. Maitland
Lawrence—E. H. Carew
Arrowtown—H. A. Stratford
Switzers—J. N. Wood
Queenstown—R. Beetham
Clyde—W. L. Simpson
Naseby—H. W. Robinson
Invercargill and Riverton — H. McCul-
loch
Orepuki—H. Rogers
Chatham Islands—S. Deighton
Stewart’s Island—J. B. Greig.
Sherry‘:—
Auckland—H. C. Balneavis
Taranaki—
Hawke’s Bay—J. T. Tylee
Wellington—J. C. Crawford
Wairarapa—H. S. Wardell
Wangauui—J. T. Edwards
Nelson—L. Broad
Marlborough—S. L. Muller
Canterbury—A. Back
Westland—G. G. FitzGerald
Otago—I. N. Watt
Southland—H. McCulloch.
Crown Solicitors—
Auckland—F. M. P. Brookfield
Taranaki—A. Standish
Hawke’s Bay—J. N. Wilson
Wellington—C. B. Izard
Wanganui—C. B. Borlase
Nelson—H. Adams
Canterbury—T. S. Duncan
Westland—S. M. South
Otago—B. C. Hag 'tt
Southland—T. M._ acdonald.
Crown Prosecutors—
Westland—S. M. South
Westland North—J. B. Fisher
Timaru—J. W. White
Oamaru—T. W. Hislop
Tokomairiro—W. Taylor.
Dsru'rr Commssrosnns or STAMPS.
Auckland—T. Kissling
Taranaki—A. S. Douglas
Napier—Hanson Turton
Nelson—E. W. Bunny
Marlborough—J. D. Bamford
Canterbury—A. Bach
Westland—J. M. Batham
Dunedin—E. fl'. Ward
Southland—W. Russell.
Cns'rous.
Secretary and Inspector-—
Wm. Seed.
dt
T -1
uu,‘


90
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
CusroMs—eonttnued.
Collectors of Customs-—
Auckland—T. Hill
Thames—H. F. Andrews
Wangarei—R. H. Aubrey
Tauranga—D. McKellar
Poverty Bay—G. F. Harris
New Plymouth—R. Chilman
Wellington—H. S. McKellar
Wanganui—J. G. Woon
Napier—J. M. Tabuteau
Nelson—D. Johnston
Westport— (Vacant)
Greymouth—D. Lundon
Picton—J. Allen
L ttelton and Christen—J. Hackworth
okitika—E. Patten
Dunedin—
Invercargill and Bluff Harbour—A. J.
Elles.
Sub-Collectors of Customs and Ofiicers 'in
Charge of Ports.
Mongonui—E. W. Patieson (acting)
Onehunga—H. N. Brewer
Hokianga—S. Von Sturmer, ofiicer in
charge
Havelock—W. Whitehorn
Kaikoura—J. Goodall
Russell—E. B. Laing
Wairau—J. Barleyman ,,
Okarito—R. J. La N auze, Sub-Collector
Akaroa—R. A. Buchanan, ofiicer in
charge
Timaru--C. E. Cooper, Sub-Collector
Oamaru—T. W. Parker ,,
Riverton—B. Bailey, ofiicer in charge
Chatham Islands—S. Deighton, Sub-
Collector
Stewart’s Island—J. B. Greig, Coast-
waiter.
HEAD Pos'rMAs'rERs.
Auckland—S. B. Biss
Thames—E. Cook
Taranaki—L. Von Rotter
Hawke’s Bay—John Grubb
Wellington—E. D. Butts
Marlborough—J. F. Winstanley
Nelson—Sydney J. Dick
Canterbury—J. J. FitzGibbon
Otago—Archibald Barr
Southland—R. Kaye
Hokitika—R. Kirton
Greymouth—J. F. McBeth
CommsIoNERs or Caown Lamas.
3:‘
‘ Auckland—D. a T010
Taranaki—C. D. Whitcombe
Wellington—J. G. Holdsworth
Hawke’s Bay—H. B. Sealy
COMMISSIONERS or Cnowrx Luvs-coal.
N elson—H. C. Daniell
Marlborough—C. Goulter
Canterbury—W. G. Brittan
Otago—J. T. Thomson
Southland—W. H. Pearson
Westland—G. G. Fitzgerald.
ARMED CONSTABULABY.
Commissioner—
William Moule.
Chief Clerk and Accountant—
James G. Fox.
Clerk—-
James J. Stevenson.
Storekeeper—
Samuel C. Anderson.
Inspectors, 1st Class—
William C. Lyon
John H. H. St. John
John M. Roberts
Arthur Tuke
Thomas Broham
David Scannell
Henry F. Turner.
Inspectors, 2nd Class@
John B. Thomson.
Sub-Inspectors, 1st Class-—
William Clare
William A. Richardson
Forster Y. Goring
Frederic C. Rowan
Walter E. Gudgeon
William J. Gundry
Frederick J. W. Gascoigne
Sydney A. B. Capel
Thomas Withers _
William H. Northcroft
Henry C. Morrison
Arthur A. Crapp
Thomas N. E. Kenny
Robert Bullen
John R. Watts.
Sub-Impectors, 2nd Class-
Arthur S. B. Forster-
Frederick C. Smith
Charles W. Ferris
Stewart Newall
Alexander H. McLean
John T. Marshall
Thomas Hackett.
Instructor of Musketry—
William G. Stack.
Surgeons—
John Carey
Patrick J. O’Carroll.


92
NEW ZEA LAND HANDBOOK.
THE PROVINCES.

Orsoo.
CANTERBURY.
Wns'rnaND.
Msnnnonouon.
NELSON.
Scorn Isnsrvn
WELLIIve'roN.
Hswxn’s Bar.
Tasman.
Aucxmn.
NonTH ISLAND

THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
EARLY Hrsronr or run Paovmon.
THE portion of the Middle Island of New
Zealand known as the Province of Otago,
was, previous to the arrival of the first
immigrants, occupied by a few white men
engaged in pastoral or whaling pursuits,
and by a small number of Natives. In
1840, amissionary from Sydney was located
at Waikouaiti, where a small settlement
had been established, and his charge ex-
tended to the south of the Clutha, a few
individuals being sparsely settled there.
Otago was originated as a special settle-
ment, and a block of 400,000 acres havin
been purchased from the New Zealan
Company, the carrying out of the experi-
ment was entrusted to a committee of
laymen belonging to or sympathizing with
the Free Church of Scotland. The Associa-
tion, as the scheme was named, despatched
the ships “ Philip Laing” and “John Wick-
lifi‘” with the first emigrants from Britain ;
both vessels arriving safely in March, 1848.
At that early period, the navigation of the
south portion of the Colony was considered
dangerous, as thoroughly reliable charts did
not exist, and the coast was known only to
the few whalers on the station. The pro-
spects were not very cheering to those har-
bingers of the present community, and
doubtless the hearts of many of them failed
them, while sailing up the harbour, on see-
ing on both sides stee hills densely wooded
to their summits, wit out a patch of open
land except the barren sands at the Maori
settlement. The discomfort of being con-
veyed in open boats, along with their house-
hold effects, from Port Chalmers, and
landed on the shores of the town of Du-
nedin, its surface an entanglement of scrub
and flax, without a roof to cover or protect
them or a known face to welcome them,
and the dread uncertainty as to how or
where provisions could be obtained until they
could grow their own, the time of their arrival
being near the beginning of winter, must
all have tended to damp their enthusiasm.
Now-a-days, uch doubts or discomfort:
cannot exist. Accurate charts and splen-
did lighthouses along the coast command
the mariner’s confidence ; and on arrival at
the Heads, a werful steamer is ready to
tow the immigrant ship up the harbour,
both sides of which are now, to the hill
tops, studded with snug homes and lux-
uriant clearings. On the ship berthing at
Port Chalmers or the Bluff, the train carries
the passengers either to Dunedin or Inver-
cargill, both handsome cities, replete with
comfort, where anxiously-expectant friends,
acquaintances, or employers anxious to
employ labour, and to whom the news of
the arrival of the ship has been flashed by
the telegraph, are waiting to receive the
strangers either with a hearty friendship’s
welcome or a profitable business engage-
ment.
The pioneers of the settlement were nei-
ther daunted nor discouraged by their difli-
culties. Bracing themselves to suffer hard-
ships, to endure fatigues, to do their duty,
they did it nobly and well, a fact attested
by the solid foundation on which the insti-
tutions of the Province rest, the character
the settlers have gained, and the success
which has attended their efforts.
The preliminary labour of clearing the
land and building houses—some of them as
primitive as unskilled hands could make
them—being so far effected, moral and
intellectual requirements were at once at-
J




REFERENCE.
Boafimade ..................... .7 ......... --
Roads incowzre 0F com-mm...
Roads‘ 8m ed ................... _-
.Honre tr .-..______.__-______---__-
arse in ogress. ____
, i7‘0'££S&C_-__=.-.=====_==
Railways made ...................... .. ..... ..m
Railways in. course 0f (‘mayhzwtwn..-m
,P ' wayeszzrve ed. ..............
rovuwzal_ aye “it.
lzln course ofcqm'b'uciwm} PravuwzaZ/Razbvwys surveyed. . ......
Pror/maaZRa/Lhmys proposed...” an...
-__ ....................... -_ M


SCALE OF MILES.






‘A
'-\"I.'»\
-_ l
\4
"l
.
C \’~_‘





THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
93
tended to. On the first day of September,
1848, the first public building, to be used
as a church and school, was opened, the
average attendance of scholars being forty,
although on some days it reached seventy.
This was under the auspices of the Associa-
tion and connected with the Free Church.
A few months later, the first newspaper,
the Otago News, was published, and in
May, 1849, a public library was opened.
Following in close succession, building so-
cieties were started, and a Mechanics’ Insti-
tute, which has now grown into the flourish-
ing and highly-valued Athenaeum, with its
library, reading, and class rooms.
At the close of the first year of the settle-
ment, the population consisted of :—
Msles. Females. Total.
240 204 444
Town of Dunedin ...
,, Port Chalmers 28 10 38
Country ... 158 106 263
I Total as am ‘Fl—s
The Custom Revenue was ... £1 258. 5s. 2d.
Expenditure... ... ... ... £958. 38. 7d.
Notwithstanding the visible signs of ma-
terial progress, and the means for mental
improvement which were provided, elements
of discord existed inthe young community;
and, judging from the newspapers and other
documents, the strife was a hard and bitter
one, the questions in dispute being,—
1.?Was the settlement to continue a class
one
2. Were the soil and climate suited for
agriculture '1
The utter impracticability of the first
was shown ere it was fairly put in opera-
tion, a few months bringing it to a sudden
termination.
The News took a strong position with
reference to the second question, maintain-
ing that Otago was not suited for the
growth of cereals—and certainly there was
a show of reason for this view, as little was
done to test the soil, settlers finding it
easier to make a living by stock-raising
than by cultivating—and several efforts
were made to form a company to import
flour. But a decided answer has been
given in the afiirmative, by the fact that to
the very places from which it was intended
to draw the supplies of breadstuffs for
Otago, she now sends out of her abundance.
The last ship which sailed to Sydney took
.alarge quantity of flour and oatmeal, the
,produce and manufacture of the Province.
‘ The settlement continued slowly but
:steadily to advance, receiving additions to
_ its population both from the home country
‘and the neighbouring colonies. A writer
f the time says, “ The impression became
prevalent in Australia, that Otago will
become not only the greatest cattle district
of New Zealand, but of the Pacific gene-
rally.” Upon the retirement of the New
.‘Zealand Company, in 1850, and the ant-
1ng ot a constitution to the colony, tago
was erected into a Province, and its original
boundaries were so extended as to include
all the country south of the Waitaki.
. The meeting of the first Provincial Conn-
611 on 30th December, 1853, marks the first
e och in the history of Otago. Prior to
t is date, there was no responsibility for
the conduct of public Now, there
was a responsi le body ossessing con-
siderable powers, and a largely-extended
estate to administer. In his opening ad-
dress, the superintendent said, “A return
mail from the seat of government (Auck-
land) is just in the same category as a
return from England, business in the mean-
while being in a state of abeyance and
confusion. Meanwhile, it is our duty to do
all that we can for the public good.” How
was this done’! Assembled in a small,
unpretending wooden building, described at
the time as “one of the most elegant build-
ings in Dunedin, capable of containing from
80 to 100 eople,” and “ an erection the
like of whic no other settlement in New
Zealand could boast,” the Council at once
commenced business and proceeded to set
their house in order. The monetary con-
dition was “Trees grant closed, land
fund reduced to nil, and the Province left
with two-thirds of the general revenue
(£1,480) to do all for themselves and as
they best can.” What they had to do was,
provide for expense of government, form
roads and build bridges, attract immi-
gration, attend to education, and open up
communication with other Provinces and
the outer world. To accomplish all these
objects with an income of £2,000 a year
must have been a pleasing task! Yet a
determined start was made, and the Pro-
vince began, and still continues, its onward
march.
The governing machinery was at first
neither extensive nor expensive ; it has now
assumed considerable proportions.
The principle of Sn sidizing local efforts
for the construction of roads and bridges
was adopted at the first meeting of the
Council. There is scarcely a district which
is not intersected and opened up by local
roads, and the main roads formed and kept
up by the Government render it safe and
pleasant to travel in all directions. Some
of the bridges by which the rivers are
spanned combine great strength with ele-
gant design. The only possible means of
travelling or bringing goods to market in
.....‘. '1'"


94
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
early days was by bullock-sledges, accom-
plishing from ten to fifteen miles a day:
wheeled vehicles could not get along. So
well, however, was the forming of roads
pushed on, that a stage coach began, in
1858, to run between Dunedin and Toko-
mairiro, a distance of thirty-six miles ; and
in a few years later the same mode of con-
veyance was established to all parts of the
Province.
Immigration received the immediate and
careful consideration of the Council. An
ordinance was passed, appointing agencies
in Edinburgh and London, to procure emi-
grants and arrange for their passages. The
Edinburgh agency still exists, and has
:been the means of sending a large number
of the inhabitants to this land. In addition
‘to the permanent agencies, special agents
‘were despatched to Australia and Britain,
to put the attractions of the place before
parties intendingto emigrate, and the result
was a large influx of suitable and much-
needed population. A contract was also
entered into with Messrs. P. Henderson
and 00., of Glasgow, to establish a regular
line of ships direct from the Clyde, which
resulted in a complete success, and presents
a picture of fortunate navigation having
few parallels. During the seventeen years
this contract has been in operation, about
250 ships have been sent from home carry-
ing emigrants, and have loaded for home
with cargo, every vessel arriving safely at
her destination. Of all the passenger fleet
trading between Great Britain and Otago
since its settlement, only two have not been
accounted for.
Intercolonial and provincial steam navi-
gation soon pressed itself on the attention
of the Council, as the produce for export
and the requirements for import were be-
coming extensive ; accordingly, a bonus for
a steamer was offered, and the “Queen,”
at locally-owned vessel, which had been
plying for a short time, was specially en-
gaged to make the trip monthly between
Melbourne and Port Chalmers. Additional
steamers were soon obtained, and regular
communication established. The produce
of wool and grain increased so rapidly that
vessels were laid on the berth to load for
London direct with wool, and for Mel-
bourne with grain and other products.
The price of money was a serious draw-
back to the progress of the Province, in-
terest as high as 20 per cent. being required
on loans where ample security for the prin—
cipal was given. Monetary transactions
were conducted through the storekeepers—
not a very convenient method—until a
branch of the Union Bank was opened in
1858. Now there are five different banks
having branches in all the centres of pupil
lation, and money is so plentiful as to
obtained on good security at six per cent.
While carefully advancing in mate‘
prosperity, equal attention was paid
education and religious requirements.
the settlers spread themselves over t
country, those in charge of ecclesiasti
afi‘airs provided additional churches, an
brought out ministers to superintend the
The Council was also forward in ma '
provision for the teaching of the young;
the education system of Otago, whic
succeeded so well and been so deserved]
praised, was initiated in the first session
that body.
The advanta e of opening up the southe
portion of the ovince, inwhich there we
large tracts of splendid land both clear
timbered, was early recognized, and sit
for the towns of Campbelltown and Inver
cargill being fixed, the country was sur-
veyed, and very soon a large number 0
sections were bought and settlers locate
thereon. Complaints were made by the
inhabitants that this outlying district was
not receiving its due share of attention
from the authorities ; and a memorial was,
in terms of “The New Provinces Act,
1858,” presented to the Colonial Govern-
ment, requesting that the district might be;
detached from Otago and erected into a
new Province. This was granted, and in
1861 the Province of Southland was created,
with an area of 2,300,000 acres. Embarrasi-i
ments, however, so accumulated on the‘
little Province, that in 1870 it was found
advisable to reunite it to Otago, which was!
done, and it now partakes of‘ the general‘
prosperit . ‘
The discovery of the gold fields in 1861{
may be considered the next epoch in this;
history. Rumours of the existence of gold,
had before this date been freely circulated;
but until the discovery, by Gabriel Read.l
of the gully which bears his name, no pay-
able workings had been opened up. The
extraordinary richness of this gold field, to
gether with the ease with which the gold
was obtained, at first hardly obtained belief :1
but as specimens of the precious metal
arrived in town day after day by trust-
worthy messengers, who were in hot hastsl
to get back again, the fever became general"
and every man, tradesmen and storekeepet‘
left his occupation and was “off to tlml
diggings.” The report of this really rich‘
gold field soon reached the adjacent Pro-l
vinces and Colonies, and a great “rush”
was the consequence—thousands arriving
in a single day. For a time, other occupa-


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
95
ms were forgotten; but the excitement
adually subsided; the lucky digger hav-
g a. good many pounds to his credit, and
gh prices ruling for every article that
nld be raised, soon induced many to
turn to their legitimate industries, and
we the more precarious trade of gold-
iding to men who followed it as their
ofession. The discovery of the Tuapeka
ld field was followed, in 1862, by the
sustain, the Lakes, N okomai, and several
hers, which have proved to be very
luable, and afford employment to a large
unber of men. The portion of the Pro-
nce in which the gold fields are situate
.d hitherto been an almost unknown
untry, and to the energy and enterprise
the gold-seeker the credit is due of open-
g it up much sooner than it would other-
wise have been. The risk these hardy men
undertook deserved reward, as the result of
their efforts has been of incalculable advan-
tage to Otago. The quantity of old ex-
ported from the Province up to arch 31,
1874, was 3,257,864 oz. and its value,
$312,762,892.
A short summary of the social condition
of the Province will form an appropriate
finish to this chapter. Taking the labour
and cost of living uestions first, it is found
that from the ear ‘est days of the settle-
ment the working men insisted on the eight
hours’ system, carried their point, and have
been able to maintain it up to the present
time. When extra hours are worked, extra
pay must follow. The subjoined table will
show the comparative rates of pay and
prices of provisions :—

L
1850. 1860. 1873.
I
Beef, per lb. ... ... ... , GM. to 7d. 7d.to 9d. 4M. to 7d.
Bread, per/i lb. loaf ... ... ... 9d. ls. 5M. to 6d.
Butter, per lb. ... ... ... . 1s. 9d. to 2s. ls. 10d. to 2s. 2d. 8d. to 1s.
Candles, ,, .. 8d. ls. to 1s. 2d. ed. to are.
Cheese, ,, ... ... . 1s. to 1s. 6d. 1s. 4d. 7d. to la.
Cofiee, ,, ... ... 1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d. 1s. 9d. 1s. 3d. to 1s. 9d.
Eggs, per dozen... ... , . . 1s. 6d. to 2s. 2s. 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d.
Flour, per 1001b. ... ... . 13s. to 17s. 25s. to 28s. 12s. to 14s.
Firewood, per cord . . 14s. to 18s. ;26s. 18s.
Milk, per quart .. 4d. 7d. 6d.
Mutton, per lb. ... ... ... . 6d. to 7d. 7d. to 8d. 3d. to 5d.
Pork, ,, . (id. to ea. 6d. to 8d. 4d. to 6d.
Potatoes, per ton ... ... .. 140s. 120s. 80s.
Sugar, per 1b. ... ... 4d. to 6d. 6d. 4d. to 6d.
Tea, ,, ... ... ... . 2s. to 2s. 6d. 8s. to 8s. 6d. 2s. 9d. to 3s. 3d.
Timber, per 100 feet", ,,, . 16s. to 20s. 20s, 16s. to 20s.
Wages— .
Mechanics, per day ' ... ... 6s. to 7s. 9s. to 10s. 12s- to 15!-
Labourers, ,, ... 3s. to 4s. 6s. to 7s. 8s. to 10s.



Dwelling-houses were always scarce and
ommanded high rents. To overcome this
ifiiculty, and enable every man to become
is own landlord, the first building society
'as started early in 1850, and has fulfilled
1 every respect the expectations of its
romoters, and done an immense amount
f good. These societies have continued to
uultiply and increase.
To make life as pleasant as possible in
he small community, holidays were kept ;
lubs to promote horse-racing, cricket, and
	her healthful games were formed; many
njoyable evenings were spent at balls and
music parties ; and lectures were regularly
lelivered by the leading men, in a dition
o the advantages of a public library and
ilechanics’ Institute.
A gaol was one of the institutions the
early settlers found provided for them on
their arrival, although its utility was very
doubtful for a specially-selected community:
and in 1850, a Judge of the Supreme Court
for Otago was appointed at a salary of
£800 a year. Almost all the prisoners con-
fined in the gaol up till the period of the
gold discovery, were either runaway sailors
or committed for trivial offences; and the
honest old gaoler had the duties of a father
to perform, rather than those of an officer
of justice. Even since the golden era, crimes
of great enormity have been extremely few,
considering the romiscuous character of
the new arrivals. o doubt, daring offences
were perpetrated, but the number was com-
paratively small. The natural features of
s
__ _.__.‘_\_H


96
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
the country did undoubtedly contribute to
this result, as the possibility of concealment
or escape was a slender one ; but the prin-
cipal preventive of crime was the thoroughly
eflicient police force which was organized
immediately on the gold fields being de-
clared. This force has elicited the highest
praise from the Supreme Court Judges as
well as from the neighbouring Provinces;
and, it is gratifying to add that it still cou-
tinues to merit the same character for steadi-
ness, carefulness, discipline, and moderation.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF 'rnn PROVINCE.
Otago is in length about 160 miles, and
in breadth 195 miles, and is estimated to
contain 15,500,000 acres. It may be said
to possess every description of scenery, both
along the coast line and in the interior, the
features being eminently of a Scottish type,
whilst the names given to places have
strongly stamped this character. Along the
eastern and southern coast line, the prin-
cipal harbouris Ota 0, which is a long arm
of the sea, into whic vessels of very heavy
draught can enter with safety. Steam tugs
are always at command, should the wind
prove adverse. The channel to Port Chal-
mers is somewhat winding, but, reaching
the port, a large fleet can lie at the piers,
or anchor in the difi'erent bays, in smooth
water and under shelter of the land. Bluff
Harbour, the first port of arrival and last of
departure for the Suez mail steamers, is a
safe one for vessels of any tonnage. The
other harbours are chiefly used for coasting
vessels. The west coast is a succession of
sounds or inlets, some of them of immense
size, with great depth of water, easily taken,
and quite landlocked; but as this portion
of the province has yet to be settled, a more
detailed account need not be given.
All the principal rivers discharge on the
east and south coasts, several of them be-
ing navigable for many miles, by coasting
steamers and vessels. Their lengths, com-
pared with the size of the province, together
with the volume of water they discharge,
are hardly credible. The principal one is
the Clutha, estimated at 220 miles in length,
having its source north of the Wanaka Lake,
at a height of 074 ft. above the sea-level,
and calculated by the late Mr. Balfour,
marine engineer, to discharge 1,690,000
cubic feet of water per minute. The quan-
tity of water is greater and its temperature
lower dun'n summer than winter, this be-
ing caused y the melting of the snows on
the western ranges of mountains. Several
tributaries flow into the Clutha, the most
notable being the Pomahaka, Manuherikia,
Oardrona, and. Kawsrau, the letter draining
Lake Walratipn. The Taieri River flo
through the plain of the same name, and '
a sluggish stream for a large portion of its
course. It is reckoned as 150 miles long,
although the distance from its source to its
mouth, as the crow flies, is not above 45
miles. The Mataure is 120 miles in length,
the Oreti 130, and the Waiau and Marar
by which Lakes Manipori, Te Anau, an
Mavora are drained, about 140 miles. The
Waitaki, flowing eastward 130 miles, and
the Awnrua flowing westward, form the
northern boundary of the Province.
Lakes are numerous, and some of them‘
of large extent: in the north, the Wannks,
covering 75 square miles, and the Haw
48; in the south-east, the Waihola
Waipori, 5Q, the Tuakitoto and Kai
gets, 3%; in the interior, the Wakatip
112, and the Manipori, 36; and in the
west, Te Anau, 132, and M‘Kerrow or
Kakapo, 10 square miles.
Mountain-ranges traverse the Province
from north to south generally; the back-
bonelying near the west coast ; thus account-
ing for the easterly flow~of the rivers. The
fiincipal peaks in difi'erent directions are
ount Aspiring 9,049, Earnslau 9,200, Ben
Nevis 7,650, Titaroa 5,643, Hamilton 4,674,
Maungatua, 2,980 ft. in height. The snow
line is 8,000 ft.; but all the mountains at‘
taining this height are on the west side.
Although the forests handy to market or
a shipping port have to a large extent been
thinned out, there are still immense tracts
which have not been touched, for want of
access; but now that roads and railways
are bringing them within reach, a supply of
timber for railway, building, and other pur-
poses, suflicient to meet the demand for
many years to come, can readily be obtained.
Longwood and Waiua forests alone contain
upwards of 1,000 square miles, and almost
the entire western sea-board is a dense bush
of most valuable timber.
The area of land fitted for agricultural
pursuits is com uted at 9,000,000 acres,
and is distribute in every direction. From l
the northern boundary (the Waitaki River), i
south to Dunedin, a distance of about eighty .
miles, and from the coast inland, an average
breadth of forty miles, the land consists of
extensive plains and downs, with here and
there a few hill ranges, some of the peaks
of which rise to 4,000 ft. ; but generally the
spurs and ridges are well rounded and of
easy slope. Further in the interior are the
Upper Taieri, thirty miles long by fifteen
broad; Up er Waitaki, twenty by fifteen;
Upper Clothe, fort by ten ; Manuherikis,
forty by eight; do, thirty by si.\';--all
magnificent plains, besides other valleys 0t

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THE “FIRST CHURCH,” DUNEDIN.
THE photographs from which the beautiful panorama of Dunedin has been engraved
were taken by Messrs. Burton Brothers, from the spire of the “ First Church." Consequently,
that church will not be amongst the many buildings which those who know Dunedin will readily
: recognize in the panorama. This is one reason why a separate engraving is given: another
reason being that the church is the finest piece of ecclesiastical architecture in New Zealand, if
not in Australasia. It was erected for a double purpose—to accommodate the congregation of
I’resbyterians representing the first body of Christian worshippers in Otago, and to be as a
memorial of that body, and of the labours of the Rev. Dr. Burns, who was its pastoral head.
The site of the church—long ago reserved for the purpose—fronts the harbour ; and, speaking
generally, it is the central point of a long oval, formed mainly by two ranges of hills, on the
westerly side of which oval Dunedin lies. By supposing the ends of the two engravings to be
ioined, a reader of the‘Handbook may fairly realize the whole circuit of Dunedin, its harbour,
and the surrounding hills. The photographs were taken early this year.
Dunedin Harbour, it should be explained, is not the general anchorage for shipping in Otago.
That is at Port Chalmers, nine miles distant. At present, vessels drawing more than 12 ft. cannot
get up to Dunedin ; but dredging and other improvements of the harbour are in progress.
August, 1875. I ..






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To jlwe page 97.






THE “FIRST CHURCH,” DUNEDIN. '
Tan photographs from which the beautiful panorama of Dunedin has been engraved
were taken by Messrs. Burton Brothers, from the spire of the “ First Church.” Consequently,
that church will not be amongst the many buildings which those who know Dunedin will readily
recognize in the panorama. This is one reason why a separate engraving is given: another
reason being that the church is the finest piece of ecclesiastical architecture in New Zealand, it‘
not in Australasia. It was erected for a double purpose—to accommodate the congregation of
Presbyterians representing the first body of Christian worshippers in Otago, and to be as a
memorial of that body, and of the labours of the Rev. Dr. Burns, who was its pastoral head.
The site of the church—long ago reserved for the purpose—fronts the harbour ; and, speaking
generally, it is the central point of a long oval, formed mainly by two ranges of hills, on the
westerly side of which oval Dunedin lies. By supposing the ends of the two engravings to be
ioined, a reader of the Handbook may fairly realize the whole circuit of Dunedin, its harbour,
and the surrounding hills. The photographs were taken early this year.
Dunedin Harbour, it should be explained, is not the general anchorage for shipping in Otago.
That is at Port Chalmers, nine miles distant. At present, vessels drawing more than 12 ft. cannot
get up to Dunedin ; but dredging and other improvements of the harbour are in progress.
August, 1875. I ..








THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO. ,
99
smaller extent but of great fertility. South
from Dunedin to the Glutha River, and
thence to the Mataura, after crossing Saddle
Hill, which is cultivated to its summit, the
long reach of the Taieri, Tokomairiro,
Clutha, and Mataura plains extend for
about 120 miles, with a breadth varying
from ten to forty miles, the hills on either
side, not of great height, noted for their
long rounded or flat-topped spurs and rich
sloping gullies. From the Mataura south
to the ocean and west to the Waiau River,
a breadth of sixty miles, and of similar
length, the country is almost a dead level,
occasionally interrupted by hills of moderate
elevation. The interior, in which the gold
fields are principally situate, is much more
mountainous and broken, but possesses fine
straths and glens, admirably adapted for
the labours of the husbandman.
The peculiarly healthy character of the
climate is attested by the fact of so many
strong, active children seen in all direc-
tions, their stout limbs and ruddy coun-
tenances a subject of general remark by
strangers visiting the Province.
riginally, the Province was divided into
two counties of almost equal area, the 169th
degree of east longitude being the bound-
ary : they were named Bruce and Wallace
respectively. It is now parcelled out for
different purposes, either political, social,
or industrial. The political divisions are,
first, for the election of Re resentatives in
the General Assembly, or olonial Parlia-
ment, numbering eighteen, and returning
nineteen members. The next is for the
election of the members of the Provincial
Council, numbering thirty-four districts,
with forty-six members. The social divi-
sions are the educationaldistricts (elsewhere
alluded to) and Road Board districts, of
which there are forty-six. The powers of
the road trustees are similar to those
of Town Councils. These boards have
effected a great amount of good in their re-
s ctive districts, and are considered one of
t e best institutions of Otago. The indus-
trial districts are—First, agricultural, known
as hundreds, numbering thirty-six, and
containing in the aggregate over 2,000,000
acres. Keeping pace with the demand
for land for settlement, new hundreds are
proclaimed, and these are taken from the
second industrial division, namely, pastoral
land or runs. The occupier of land on lease
for grazing purposes must fall back before
the settler, who has the prior and superior
claim, and which cannot be overlooked.
Gold-digging is the next but not the
least important industrial division to be
noticed. There are now ten gold fields,
embracing an area of 10,000 square miles,
not by any means all taken up for digging
pursuits, but over which the gold-seeker is
at liberty to prospect, and to “spot” any
claim he may fancy a payable one. With-
in the gold fields, what is termed agricul-
tural leases can be obtained ; which means
that a piece of land known not to be
auriferous can be selected, fenced, im-
proved, and settled on, at a yearly rent of
2s. 6d. an acre, and at the end of the third
year it can be purchased at 20s. an acre.
The towns of this Province next claim
notice. There are about seventy recorded
on the map, and of these over forty con-
tain a number of inhabitants. Sixteen of
them have become of so much importance
as to possess a mayor and council for the
management of their afl'aiis, and eleven
of these incorporated towns can boast of
having newspapers published in them. The
sites for all the towns have been selected
in localities where special industries were
likely to be established, or at points of the
main roads considered suitable. A short
description will be given of the principal
ones.
Dunedin, being the largest and most
important city, not only in the Province,
but in the Colony, first demands attention.
It stretches along the head of the bay, and
has a north-east aspect. A large number
of the dwelling-houses are built on the hills
embraced within the boundaries, and the
fine foliage trees with which they are in
general surrounded, give a highly pictu-
resque appearance to the scene. Decidedly
the best view is obtained in approaching
by water. As the prospect is opened up,
a pleasing impression is made on the
visitor; and on nearing the jetty, the
numerous chimney-stalks, and the sound of
manny hammers, give the idea of busy
industry. Roads from all parts of the
Province converge on Dunedin as the
capital: the main north road by the North-
east Valley; the main south road by
Caversham; the road to the interior by
Stuart-street; Maclaggan-street ; Pine Hill ;
the road to Otago Heads by the Peninsula.
By all these routes very fine views of
different parts of the city are obtained.
The area is 865 acres, There are 90 streets,
each 66 ft. wide, the greater number being
metalled, having curbed and asphalted
avements, and well lighted with gas. The
ength of Princess-street and George-street,.
the one being a continuation of the othenj 5 a
is 2% miles, or if the extension of the city, I <
through the suburbs of Kensington, Por-
bury, and St. Kilda is included, there is a
straight line of streetfourmilesin length, and


100
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
almost level. The longest from east to
west is High-street, about one mile. In
the centre of the city is the Octagon, and
around the landward sides a belt of 560
acres is set apart for the recreation of the
inhabitants. The banking establishments
and retail houses are mostly in Princes-
street and at the south end of George-street.
Some of the shops would do credit to
Princes-street, Edinburgh, after which city
Dunedin and its streets are named. The
wholesale houses are mostly situate in some
of the quieter streets, but are gradually
being attracted closer to the terminus of
the railway. The timber and iron works
are distributed to the north and south
of the Octagon. A considerable proportion
of the industries of the Province have their
principal seat in Dunedin. The public
buildings are handsome and numerous:
amongst others may be mentioned the
University, High School, Custom House,
Post Ofiice and Provincial Government
Buildings, Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, Bene-
volent Asylum, Masonic Hall, Caledonian
Grand Stand, churches, particularly the
First Church (pronounced the finest eccle-
siastical edifice south of the equator); the
banks, warehouses, and free and bonded
stores; and as rivate buildings, the resi-
dences of the principal citizens. The places
of resort for information, recreation, or
amusement are the Athenzeum (with its
reading-room and extensive library), the
Museum, Botanical Gardens and Acclima-
tization Grounds, the Princess and the
Queen’s theatres, music and concert halls,
recreation-grounds north and south, race-
course, and public baths. The corporation
affairs are managed by a mayor and
councillors, whose attention is chiefly occu-
pied at present in promoting measures for
the sanitary improvement of the city, and
in arranging for a Town Hall, with oflices
attached, intended to be the finest struc-
ture in the city, and to cost £30,000. The
police arrangements are part of the system
in force throughout the Province, being
under the charge of the Provincial Govern-
ment, by whom the expenses are defrayed.
By rivate companies a good supply of
excellent water and gas is laid through all
the streets and into most of the houses.
Two morning papers and one evening paper
are published daily, besides four weekly
and seven monthly periodicals. The
Chamber of Commerce, Association of Un-
derwriters, Law Society, and others of a
similar description, are important institu-
tions. Edina has been distinguished by the
name of “ Modern Athens” ;Dunedin, with
its salubrious climate, its attractive scenery,
its ele nt buildings, its enterprising citizens,
its no le institutions, and its comprehensive
provision for a liberal and classical ednw
tion, bids fair to claim the title of the
“Athens of the South.” The population
at the census, February 1871, was 14,857 ;
at the census 1st March, 1874, the num-
ber was over 18,500; showing anincrease
of about 3,700 in the three years. If the
suburbs are included, the number will
amount to 26,000.
Port Chalmers is the rincipal seaport-
town of the Province. t is built on a
peninsula jutting into the harbour, half-
way between the Heads and Dunedin, and
at it a great proportion of the commerce is
conducted. It claims to be the oldest
town in the settlement. At the railway
ier and in the stream, there are always
ar e vessels loading for or discharging from
di erent parts of the world. The large
addition which is being made to the pier
will give increased facilities for trade ; and
the patent slip, floating dock, and stone
graving-dock (the only one inthe Colony—
measuring 328 ft. by_50 ft. in width, having
22 ft. of water on the sill), make it an
attraction for ships requiring cleaning and
repairs. The time-ball by which chrono-
meters are adjusted is dropped daily at
noon, and is erected, along with the signal-
station, on the hill on the west side of the
town. The building of wooden vessels, to-
gether with ships’ smithwork, are the staple
industries of the town ; and the vicinity is
famous for a hard blue stone, much used
for house-building. A start has also been
made in sawing a flag-stone suitable for
footpaths and courtyards. There are several
substantially-built churches, a grammar-
school, banks, stores, and hotels. Gas has
already been introduced, and the Town
Council are arrangin fora water-supply.
The opulation, inclu ' sailors on board
the s ipping, in March, 1874, was 2,887.
Oamaru, in the extreme north, is
decidedly the maritime town of 0mg).
It is situated on a terrace overlooking t 0
Southern Ocean. The vast expanse of
water, and the healthy and refreshing
atmosphere, render the locality an invigo-
rating one. The bay or roadstead offers
inducements for sea-bathing which will not
be overlooked, and in a short time bathing-
machines, with all their a pliances, will be
profitably engaged here. it is the shipping
port of the largest pastoral and agricultural,
and perhaps mineral, districts in the Pro-
vince. The quantity of wool, wheat, oats,
barley, and grass seed produced in the district
around is very great ; and the quality may
be judged, when itis stated that flour with


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
101
the Oamaru brand commands the highest
price in the market. The building-stone is
unrivalled, and can be got in any quantity.
Limestone, cement, pipecla , and coal exist
in abundance; and the su stuntial break-
water which is being rapidly built, will
greatly facilitate shipment, and offer shelter
in any weather to coasting vessels. In
building the breakwater, concrete blocks,
weighing over 30 tons, are used. These
are made on the shore, lifted, carried, and
placed in position bya steam crane made
inDunedin, only two or three men being
required in the operation. The town has
an imposing appearance from the sea. The
streets are wide and re ular; and several
fine buildings substantia y constructed and
profusely ornamented with stone from the
vicinity, confirm the impression when one
has landed. As regards population, it is
the second town of the Province, the number
in 1874 being 2,829.
Palmerston is situated at the junction of
,-the Dunstan Road with the main North
Feed, and is rapidly rising into importance.
Hlmpden, Meeraki, and Waikouaiti are
coastal towns, with 'fine country around
them.
southward from Dunedin, the first im-
portant town is Milton, near which the
Junction of the road and railway to the
Tuapeka gold fields is made. Being in the
centre of one of the oldest settled agricul-
tural districts, and havin energetic and
persevering residents, it as become the
most flourishing inland argricultural town
in the Province. Agricultural im lements,
coach-building, lime-burning, bric and tile
making, are the main industries. Glazed
tiles are principally made in Milton, and
the Corporation have effected great im-
provements in forming the streets and
attending to sanitary matters. Population,
1,161.
Balclutha is a stirring township on the
banks of the Clutha River, and is making
strong efforts to overtake some of its older
rivals. Population, 430. There is a very
fine brid e, of wood, across the Clutha
River at t is point.
Invercargill is the principal town of the
late Province of Southland, and is well
placed near the head of the New River
estuary. Some of the main streets are two
chains in width, and all of them are laid off
at right angles. Considerable advance is
being made in the material and architecture
of the buildings, and the merchants are
possessed of great energy and perseverance.
The first railway in Ota 0 was constructed
to connect this town wit its shipping port
at Bluff Harbour, a length of twenty miles.
The line was constructed under the South-
land Provincial Government. A continu-
ation of the railway for an additional
twenty miles connects it with Winton, a
splendid district of country, and branch
lines are being pushed forward in other
directions. Large quantities of wool and
grain are reduced, and are shipped direct
from the luff to London and elbourne.
The extensive forests around the town give
an immense trade in shipping timberto less-
favoured localities. Nearly twelve million
feet are sewn annually. Another feature
of the trade is the ex rt of preserved
meats from the works at oodlands. Two
newspa ers are published in the town. In
187l,t e population was 1,952; in 1874,
2,484: increase, 532.
Riverton is a beautifully-situated town
at the mouth of Jacob River. In addition
to the local trade and the export of grain,
seal-fishing occupies a considerable degree
of attention, and the opening up of the
Orepuki gold fields, and the immense tim-
ber forests adjacent, will give the town a
considerable impetus.
The towns in the interior of the Province
are for the most part in the centre of minin
districts. Lawrence, on the Tuapeka gol
field, was the first created. It is the seat
of a considerable amount of industry, and
its residents are alive to every opportunity
of promoting its prosperity. In the Tua-
peka district, the gold-mining is principally
confined to what are called alluvia workings.
Immense sums have been expended by the
miners in bringing in water from distant
streams, some of the races being twenty to
forty miles in length, winding round hill-
sides (which are often tunnelled), or carried
across gullies by fluming or pipes. By
means of the water, the face of the working
is washed down, and all the soil carried
away, leaving the stones behind, which
must be removed, and the gold, which,
being the heaviest metal, and in very small
particles, is gathered with the refuse dirt at
the bottom, and carefully separated by a
process of washin . An idea of the quan~
tity of water nee ed may be formed when
it is stated that the height of the face to be
washed down at the celebrated Blue Spur is
110 ft. by a width of 600 yards. To assist
the work of the water, shafts are driven into
the face, chambers formed, and large quan-'
tities of powder used for a single explosion,
bringing down many thousand yards of stuff,
which is all washed away. Many men are em-
ployed in mining here, whose supplies and
material are furnished by the merchants in
Lawrence. The town is well built, and,
like all the Government towns, regularly


102
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
laid off, no street being less than a chain
wide. There are a Grammar School, several
churches, banks, Athenaeum, mills, brew-
eries, hotels, and every other requisite.
Proceeding further into‘the interior from
Lawrence, up the valley of the Clutha, the
next towns of importance are Alexandra, at
the junction of the Manuherikia River, a
distance of sixty-eight miles ; Clyde, on the
banks of the Clutha, seven miles further
on ; and Cromwell, at the junction of the
Kawarau, thirteen miles further. At the
latter town, the Clutha is spanned by a
suspension-bridge 350 ft. long, 15 ft. wide,
and capable of sustainin a heavy trafiic.
The mining in these districts is of different
descriptions. When the great river is low,
its banks are stripped and the material
carried to a higher level, where it is subse-
qpently washed, the refuse carried back into
t e river, and then lost to sight. Often, the
workmen unfortunately find that, without
any warning, a month’s hard work is in an
hour or two lost, without the possibility of
saving, by a sudden rise of the river sweep-
in all their stuff away. Another mode of
go d-finding is dredging the bottom of the
river by machinery, bringing the precious
metal along with the silt to the surface,
I where it is saved. A novel dredging-ma-
chine has lately been built for this purpose,
being a strong cigar-shaped tube, of iron,
with an opening in the floor, in which four
or six men can be placed. It is to be sunk
to the bottom, and the inmates will collect
the stuff, and work at it in their prison
house, air being forced down to them from
above to enable them to exist. Quartz-
mining is still another method. In this
case, the gold exists in the solid rock, which
has to be blasted, sent to the surface, and
there crushed to powder by powerful stamp-
ing machines driven by steam or water
power. The veins of quartz run into the
mountain-side or dip downwards ; in either
instance, hundreds of feet have often to be
gone over in what is called “bringing the
stone to grass,” that is, to daylight. All
these workings require skill and carefulness
in carrying them on. Although the digger
at times makes lucky finds, it is no more
than he deserves for the energy and industry
he has to exercise.
Proceeding onwards from Cromwell, and
crossing the streams Roaring Meg and
Gentle Annie, Arrowtown is reached after
twenty-six miles, and Queenstown after
forty. The latter is prettily situated on
he shore of Lake Wakatip. As in all the
r towns, the residents here are doing
‘itmost to make their town attractive,
me trying to excel. The great dis-
tance from the early agricultural producing
districts making carriage very expensive,
caused the settlers here to try what they
could do in raising grain. When gold
miners first went into the Lake district, it
was alleged that not even a potato could be
grown there; but in fact, the district not
only now produces much fine wheat, so that
a very large flour-mill is kept constantly
employed, but various fruits are cultivated,
and they ripen earlier and better than in
districts around Dunedin.
The other gold field towns, Hamilton and
Naseby, are on the road from Dunstan to
Palmerston. Each is a municipality, and
vies with its neighbour in progress, both
relying on gold for their prosperity.
Kmns or LAND arm Avnnaen or Cnors
Otago is estimated to contain over
9,000,000 acres of land fit for agricultural
purposes, and in addition, about 1,500,000
acres under forest, which when cleared will
to a large extent be of especial value. The
general character of the soil is of a fair
average, while in several districts, north,
middle, and south, it is very rich, strong,
and deep, tempting the farmer to grow
a succession of wheat crops without alter-
nating or supplying the waste by manuring.
This practice is not now followed to such an
extent as formerly. There is, of course, a
large amount of steep and broken country,
but the great improvements that are being
made in agricultural implements render the
tillage of such land comparatively easy.
Land which a few years ago was considered
unfit to work, or unprofitable if wrought, is
now readily taken up and proved to be light
to plough, and to yield a good return.
Loams, clays, gravel, and peat, all resting
on farmable subsoils, are similarly diversi-
fied as in Britain, but their virgin character
and the influence of the temperature render
them much superior in productiveness and
less costly to work. Extensive plains,
downs, straths, glens, and gently-sloping
hill-sides, none of them requiring much
outlay for drainage, and all of splendid soil,
fitted to produce any crops suited for a
temperate climate, are spread over the pro-
vince, and only await the energy of the
husbandman, to whom they will yield a
generous return.
The best proof of the fertility of the soil
is afforded by practical tests. The produce,
as ascertained by careful returns, for crop
1872 — 73, from the 3,705 holdings or
farms in the Province, gives as the average
yield per acre—wheat, 2% ; oats, 30% ; bar-
ley, 27 bushels ; potatoes, 5'; tons.


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO. 103




,. . For Crop 1873-74, the return is as follows :—
LAND.
Acres In Wheat. In Oats. In Barley. In Potatoes.
No.0f brokenup
Holdings. not under
CI‘OP- Acres. Bushels. Acres. Bnshels. Acres. Bushls. Acres. Tons.
[3,913 41,7421- 50,068& 1,489,711 60,204} 2,002,794.83902264,0073303}15,436%
Average
per we . 29% ’ as} 29% 1 4g

Authoritative returns for other crops are
not obtainable, but are known to be equally
satisfactory.
LAND REGULATIONS.
Public—or as they are called, “waste ”—
lands are sold on several principles. The
original and still the leading method is the
hundred system, which means a large piece
of agricultural country selected within given
boundaries, and surveyed into sections of
from 50 upto 200 acres. On this being com-
pleted, the land is declared open for appli-
cation on a day fixed by advertisement, and
at the uniform price of £1 an acre. In
making the application, a deposit of 10 per
cent., or 2s. an acre, is paid; and if one
applicant only puts in a claim for any num-
ber of sections, he is forthwith declared the
purchaser, pays the balance of purchase-
money within ten days, and gets a certifi-
cate of purchase, on which the Crown grant
is issued. If more than one person applies
for the same land on the same day, the
sections so applied for are advertised for
sale by auction, and the highest bidder
becomes the purchaser. Only those who
purchase land within a hundred have the
privilege of running stock on the unsold
portions; and a licence to depasture is
issued according to a fixed scale, the cost
being yearly 3s. 6d. a head for great
cattle and 7d. a head for sheep. This as-
sessment, after paying cost of collection, is
applied to form and make roads within the
hundred. The holder of land has the privi-
lege of free grazing for a certain number of
stock. After the expiry of seven years
from the date of the proclamation of the
hundred, any land remaining within it un-
sold may be put up to auction at 10s. an
acre, and knocked down to the best bidder.
There are no conditions attached to this
system of sale, either as to the extent of

land one man can purchase, or as to resi-
dence or cultivation.
Another method of selling Crown lands,
and one highly favourable to a man of small
means who wishes to settle on and work
the ground, is the deferred payment system.
Blocks of land, not exceeding 5,000 acres
in one block, or more than 30,000 acres in
any one year, are selected, surveyed, and
declared open for application. A lease or
licence to occupy not more than 200 acres,
at a yearly rent of 2s. 6d. an acre, payable
half-yearly in advance, is issued, and the
holder of the lease is bound not to sublet
during its currency. He must within three
years enclose the land with a substantial
fence, and cultivate one-tenth part of it.
Half the cost of fencing can be recovered
from the adjoining occupier. On payment
of the tenth yeai’s rent, the land becomes
the freehold property of the occupier.
An additional mode is, free grants to
immigrants, whereby every man paying his
own passage to New Zealand is entitled to
£20 worth of land for himself, and, if he
has a family, to a. like portion for each
adult member. Those who may be counted
members of the family, and for whom the
full amount of land can be claimed, are
wife, child, grandchild, nephew, or niece
over 14 years of age, and if under 14 years,
land to the value of £10 can be claimed.
Lssns Oran roe SALE.
The prevailing system of land sales as
described, regulates the area. of land in the
market at one time for sale. Sometimes
the demand is great, and sections are eagerly
and rapidly bought up ; thus causing for a
short period a scarcity. But the delay is
not such as to cause much inconvenience.
Several new hundreds are about to be
proclaimed, and so soon as the classifica-
tion of the land in the Southland district


106
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
able for the coarser sorts, can be had in
plenty and at a cheap rate, point to this
trade as one that must shortly be estab-
lished. Preliminary steps have been taken
to commence it.
Sugar-makingfrom beetroot has long been
inted to as one specially suited for Otago.
e clayey loams of the plains are eminently
fitted for producing the root of the quality
and size which experience has proved yields
most saccharine matter, and the climate is
equally favourable for maturing. Beet suf-
ficient to carry on a large export trade, as
well as supply the colonial demand, could
easily be raised, and would prove a source
of great profit to the agriculturist.
Another enterprise in which the Province
must embark is the growth of flax and hemp.
Every element of success exists, and there
is only wanted skilful adaptation of labour
to bring about a profitable result. It will
not do for the farmers to confine their atten-
tion to the production of the ordinary grain
crops alone,as these change so much in value.
The growth of flax and hemp commends it-
self for their immediate adoption. The fibre
which each produces is in constant demand
both for home and foreign trade, and the
prices usually ruling are highly remunera-
tive. Besides the fibre, the seed of the flax
yields a high price, and if not exported as
seed it can be pressed so as to produce oil,‘
much used by painters, and the residue be
sent Home as cake for cattle-feeding.
Strong efforts are being made to start a
woolpack and bagging manufactory, to bring
the native flax into repute. If, in addition
thereto, inducements were offered for the
culture of hemp to be manufactured into
fabrics, from coarse cordage and sailcloth to
hand and table linen,a source of great wealth
and industry would be opened up, for which
the Province can supply every requisite ex-
cept the labour, which might be obtained
from the north of Ireland, where the flax
industries are the staple of the country, and
the east of Scotland, where flax and hemp
goods are principally manufactured.
Growing rape for oil and feeding-cake
could also be gone into by the farmer with
confidence.
Clover seed is another product well worth
attention. White clover particularly grows
so luxuriantly and spontaneously as to be
almost accounted a weed. Ripening early,
and with the simple machinery needed for
cleaning, a large quantity of seed could
annually be produced for export.
Ho s grow very freely and produce an
abun ant crop, whilst the steadily-increas-
in demand, and the prices ruling, are great
in ucements to holders of land in favour-
able localities to grow shelter to protect the
vine from the gusts of wind which prevail
during summer. It will take some years to
grow a supply sufficient for the provincial
trade : meanwhile, the introduction of afew
hands acquainted with the growing, hand-
ling, and drying of this valuable plant would
be advisable.
Chicory is another agricultural product
which is largely imported, when it might be
successfully cultivated.
The growth of trees whose bark is adapted
for tanning purposes also claims attention.
The Tasmanian wattles which chiefly con-
tribute to this purpose, grow freely and
quickly in the Province, and in a few years
the bark alone would pay the planter well.
Dairy farming is another branch of in-
dustry needing development. Cheese fac-
tories with good management would produce
a first-class reliable article, not only for the
limited local consumption, but for other
markets.
TIMBER.
In the south and west parts of the Pro-
Vince there are large and splendid forests,
which, although not containing any true
pines or conifers, produce wood very valu-
able for strength, durability, and the high
polish it takes.
The trees most prized at present for rail-
way aud carpenter work are—Totara (from
the Bluff Harbour hundreds of thousands of
sleepers are being shipped for the neighbour-
ing Province of Canterbury, besides provid-
ing those necessary for Otago railways) ; red,
white, and black pine are next in demand,
for building and furniture-work; and for
wheelwrights, coach and cabinet makers,
goi, rata, bokako, birch, manuka, maple,
and other sorts, are coming more into repute
as they are tested.
Licences are granted by the Government
for cutting timber either by pit-saws or saw-
mills, certain areas being prescribed and
conditions attached. The southern rail_
ways afford great facilities for bringing the
sawn timber to a shipping port ; and on the
west coast the numerous sounds or harbours,
all having good access and shelter, as well
as hold water along their coasts, enable
vessels to make fast to the cliff on which
the trees are growing, and to load with
great ease. For driving power on the low-
lying forests, steam-engines aremost in use,
as they can be bought and worked at a
cheap rate. For hill forests, water power
is abundant, so that, as regards quality of
timber, supply, facilities for sawing, and
convenience for shipping, every inducement
is held out for extended enterprise; and


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
107
the great and increasing demand, together
with the prices, render success certain to
those embarking in the trade.
MINERALS.
Gold, as yet, has been the most valuable
mineral discovery. It is found in almost
every district in the Province, from Mare-
whenua to Orepuki, and from Awarua to
Wakawa, either alluvially or in quartz,
giving good ground for the remark that it
would pay to wash all the soil of the Pro-
vince and. to crush its granite rocks. The
great value and extent of the gold fields can
hardly be estimated. At the present time,
their development depends, to a cat ex-
tent, on individual exertion, so that very
large gold fields are not yet available, await-
ing the combination of capital and labour.
The occupation of digging is an exciting
one, causing many of its discomforts to be
overlooked. Mining is less precarious in
Otago than in most other places: still
it is not the occupation best suited for
new arrivals or the generality of immi-
grants.
Coal comes next in order of value. From
the earliest days of the settlement, coal-
seams have been more or less worked. The
distribution of this great source of wealth
is very general, and it is in beds of
great breadth and thickness. Brown coal,
or lignite, is at present most in de-
mand, being more largely distributed and
nearer the centres of consumption. The
coals of Kaitangata and Kakanui are of
superior quality, and as better means of
conveyance are opened up, and the price
consequently reduced, their merits will be
more fully recognized. Bituminous shale
has been discovered in different places, and
inquiries are being made as to its value and
extent.
Oamaru stone ranks as of first importance.
Easily obtained and plentiful, workable with
a carpenter’s chisel and saw, capable of
being cut and carved to any design, of a
light, cheerful colour, and becoming harder
the longer it is exposed to the atmosphere,
it will soon make the district from which it
is obtained a scene of constant and increas-
ing labour. Its value and superior quality
have already been recognized in the Colony
of Victoria, and one of the best public
buildings in Melbourne is now being erected
of it. In Oamaru and Dunedin it is in
very general use. In the Oamaru district,
also, the material from which Portland
cement is made has 'been discovered, and
promises good results.
Lime is abundant, and kilns are at con-
stant work on the Peninsula, and at Wai-
hola and Kouroo.
Ironstone of a very superior quality has
recently been discovered in the district of
Riverton on the south-west, and at Catlin’s
Cove on the south-east, from which great
results are expected to be obtained.
Antimony is already an article of export,
and is steadily increasing in supply. Spe-
cimens of copper ore, plumbago, and cinna-
bar have been obtained on the Garrick
ranges, Dunstan district, analyses of which
show them to be valuable. Different de-
scriptions of useful clay are also abundant,
and will amply repay the labour of practical
hands.
Should Otago present no other induce-
ment, her mineral resources alone would be
a great attraction ; but when combined with
her other advantages, no country can offer
greater promise of prosperity to the indus-
trious, steady emigrant.
LABOUR EMPLornn AND REQUIRED.
The manufacturing interests of Otago are
varied, extensive, and extending. As the
cultivation of the soil was the first pursuit
in which man was engaged, the preparation
of its products for his support claims first
notice.
There are at full work at the present time
nearly thirty grain-mills, driven either by
water or steam power, some of them able to
produce fifteen tons of fine flour daily. For
a considerable portion of the year, several
of these mills are at work on the double-
shift system, so that the quantity of flour
sent to market is large. That the machinery
employed is on the most approved principle,
and that the management is in practical
hands, is certain from the fact that the
provincmlly-manufactured article has com-
pletely shut the market against foreign com-
petition, and has, in addition, been largely
and profitably exported to supply the wants
of neighbouring Provinces and Colonies.
Several of the mills have also appliances
and machinery for oatmeal, and pot and
earl barley, all of which are produced
r el .
fiiszuit-makers have established for them-
selves a wide-spread reputation, so that both
hand and steam power are in constant work
to meet the demand which the quality of
the article has created.
To provide the farmer with manure, and
thus enable him to produce the largest
quantity of grain, and of the best descri -
tion, several bone-mills are in constant wor ,
producing hundreds of tons annual] .
But manurin the land with t e most
approved stim ants will not produce any


108
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
description of crop to the fullest extent
without proper attention is paid to drainage.
To meet this necessity, i e and tile manu-
factories have been establis ed both in towns
and country districts ; and this working of
the clay is not confined to the ordinary re-
quirements of the farm for drainage, but
extends to brickmaking, which has assumed
large proportions, requiring the services of a
great number of hands in different capaci-
ties. Saltsglazed pipes, for railway and
sewage purposes, have also their producers ;
whilst flower-pots, vases, and other useful
and ornamental articles, are produced in
endless variety.
The brewing of the Province is in high
repute, and although at present of large
dimensions, is not sufiicient for the home
trade and exportation. Dunedin is the
principal centre of this business, six ex-
tensive establishments being in full work,
andan additional one in course of erec-
tion. The estimate of the aggregate
production is over 1,500 hogsheads per
month.
Distilling has also an extensive represen-
tation, as in the one distillery existing, over
6,000 gallons of proof spirits are produced
each month, in addition to a large quantity
of malt supplied to brewers.
Coming now to man’s second department
of labour, viz. the pastoral, the shearing
of the sheep having been performed—for
which the shearer is this year paid 20s. a
hundred head, with rations—scouring the
wool and other processes employ a consider-
able amount of labour. Choice wool being
selected, it passes into the newest industry
of the Province—its manufacture into cloth
and other material. This industry will rank
amongst the foremost in importance. It is
true, an attempt was made in early days,
bya worthy weaver from Paisley, to pro-
duce webs by the hand loom, but that slow
process not meeting with success, the Mos-
giel Woollen Factory may fairly claim to
be first in the field. This establishment
occupies a fine healthy site on the Taieri
Plain, and around it the cosy cottages of
the workers, with their tidy garden-plots,
are situated. Every appliance which modern
invention has produced, to enable the fac-
tory to bring to market the best of its kind
in every department, is at command; and
as a result, its tweeds, blankets, knittings,
and worsteds have been pronounced so ex-
cellent as to require a large addition to the
buildings and machine , to permit of the
orders on hand from the olonies, India, and
Great Britain to be executed. The factory
is now in the hands of a registered company,
and with the extension of the trade an
additional supply of skilled labour will be
required. A second factory of a. similar
kind will also shortly be at work.
The material, being finished at the mills,
is brought into town, where several factories
keep a large number employed in making it
up into wearing apparel and other goods, as
many as 400 to 500 hands being recently
wanted by one factory alone.
Hat and cap manufacturing has two firms
in the city giving it their sole attention, and
producing every style, colour, or shape which
the most fastidious could desire, and at prices
which defy importation.
Leaving the wool, and coming to the skin
and hide branch, several extensive tanneries
are in full and constant work, employing a
considerable amount of labour. From the
steam-mill grinding the bark, through all
the different processes necessary to produce
leather of every description, the best methods
of operation have been adopted, the wants
of the local trade supplied, and a large
quantity exported.
Men and boys are wanted to enable the
different branches of the boot-factories to
keep pace with the requirements of this
rapidly - progressing indispensable trade.
There is no use in sending away the leather
to be made into boots and shoes, and in that
shape sent back again, when boots and shoes
can be made as well in the Province. The
importance of this industry may be judged
from the fact that one firm turns out over
120 pairs a day, and only wants labour to
increase this number.
To save any waste of the raw material at
the tannery, the manufacture of glue has
been established, competent judges pro-
nouncing in its favour, and the manifests of
homeward-bound ships showing it as part
of their cargoes.
Having disposed of the wool, skins, hides,
and bones of the animals, the utilizing of
the carcase forms an important question. It
would require at least one hundred times
the present population to consume the sur-
plus stock in the Province. It must
either be thrown away or turned to profit-
able use. The latter course has been adopted,
and several meat-preserving establishments
have been started to (prepare the beef and
mutton to help to fee the under-fed popu-
lation of the old country. Tallow is also
an important item. In both of these branches
slaughtermen, butchers, tinsmiths, ooopers,
cairperliters, and other trades are largely em-
p oye .
Nor should the first-rate quality of the
soap and candles made be overlooked. Soap-
is a staple manufacture, several
works eing in active operation in prepar-






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PORT CHALMERQ.


112
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
requisite, as these are all made in Otago,
with the particular recommendation that
they are made by men who know the
country and the kind of implement re-
quired. Cart, coach, and saddle harness,
in all the different styles of manufacture,
can be obtained from Dunedin and up-
country makers.
There is a large demand for all kinds
of labour ; of course, in some trades much
greater than others. For instance, the
supply of female domestics for town and
country is quite inadequate to the demand.
Farm servants and labourers are also in
great demand in all the agricultural dis-
tricts. Good wages, carefulness, and cheap
land soon enable the farm servant to start
farming on his own account. For railway
construction, saw-mill purposes, road_
making, and generally for unskilled labour,
the demand is large, and many useful works
are at a standstill for want of men suited
for such work. Brickmakers and layers,
masons, carpenters, turners, blacksmiths,
engineers, boiler-makers, wheelwrights,
printers, workers in brass, copper, and lead,
could, to a considerable number, find em-
ployment, the demand for labour not being
confined to one locality, but extending over
the whole Province.
Rates of Wages.
Bakers, per day, 10s. to 11s.
Blacksmiths, per day, 11s. to 14s.
Boiler-makers and riveters, 10s. to 12s.
Bricklayers, per day, 12s. to 15s.
Brassfounders, per day, 10s. to 12s.
Carpenters and joiners, per day, 12s. to
15s.
Coach-builders and painters, per .day,
12s. to 15s.
Coopers, per day, 9s. to 10s.
Dairymaids, per annum, £40 to £50,
and found.
Domestic servants, per annum, £30 to
£40, and found.
1 Engineers and drivers, per day, 12s. to
5s.
Farm servants, per annum, £52 to £55,
and found.
Gardeners, per day, 101s.
Labourers, per day, Be. to 10s.
Masons, per day, 12s. to 14s.
Mechanics, (per day, 12s. to 14s.
Painters an paperhangers, per day, 11s.
to 12s.
Ploughmen, per annum, £55 to £60, and
ound.
Plumbers, per day, 11s. to 13s.
Plasterers, per day, 11s. to 13s.
Saddlers and harness-makers, per day,
On. to 123.
Shepherds, per annum, £55 to £60, and
found.
Quarrymen, per day, 11s. to 13s.
Tanners and curriers, per day, 11s. to
15s.
Upholsterers an‘ i cabinet-makers, per
day, 12s. to 14s.
Tailors, per day, 8s. to 10s.
Watchmakers, per day, 125.
Wheel and cart Wrights, per day, 10s. to
12s.
Usual Ratio/m; allowed to Labourers.
The meals of hired servants, male or
female, are not doled out in miserable
pittances, and of the cheapest articles the
market can supply; on the contrary, ser-
vants fare well, if not sumptuously, every
day. The common home practice of having
weekly allowances of tea, sugar, &c., made
up at the grocers, of inferior quality to that
supplied for the family, is quite unknown
and would not be submitted to.
PROVINCIAL Punuc Wonxs.
The simple statement that the Provincial
Government has expended, almost every
year since its establishment, an increasing
amount on public works, would of itself
indicate the foresight shown in the past,
and be a guarantee for the future. Possess-
ing, from its own resources, a large revenue
without any taxation, and having a resolute,
enterprising community, the public works
of the Province must be carried on with
increasing alacrity. The lament is, “the
labourers are so few while the works are so
many.” For the current year, about
£290,000 have been appropriated for ex-
penditure on forming and maintaining
roads, brid es, railways. and tramways,
carrying on arbour works, such as break-
waters, jetties, dredging and reclaiming,
and erecting buildings for public purposes
Nor is the outlay of public money for
similar purposes at all likely to be lessened,
as every mile of railway constructed, road
made, bridge built, or jetty erected, either
opens up new country, gives greater in-
ducement for settlement, or removes difii-
culties and expense in the transport of
produce; and, as a consequence, will re-
quire the progressive movement to be
carried on for many years, until every part
of the Province is easily and rapidly acces-
sible. At present, great activity is shown :
no less than eight different lines of mil
leading from seaports to agricultural and
other districts are under construction.
BUILDING Socm'rms.
As previously noticed, building ocieties
l
l


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
113
form a leading feature in the history of the
Province, commencing with the first year
of its existence, and progressing until now,
when the number amounts to sixteen, all
in active prosperity. Some of them are con~
ducted on the terminable princi le, others
on the permanent, and some of t em com-
bine both. The entrance fee varies from 1s.
per share to '2s. 6d., and the shares range
from £10 to £100 each, the fortnightly or
monthly subscription varying according
to the value of the share. The prosperity
and importance of these societies may be
judged from the facts that dividends or
bonuses equal to eight per cent. per annum
have been declared, and that the amount
of business transacted ranges from £5,000
per annum to £30,000. To working men,
these societies have proved of immense
advantage, enabling them to secure afrec-
hold or erect a building on easy terms; and
a fact highly favourable in their history is,
that hitherto all of them have been con-
ducted soundly and satisfactorily—there
have been no failures and no swindling.
The number of the operative class who
possess freeholds and free houses would not
have been so great had such societies not
existed, and it is gratifying to find that the
interest taken in such institutions by the
upper and wealthier classes is extending.
A meeting was recently held in Dunedin,
to form an association for the purpose of
purchasing land and building self-contained
cottages, of stone or brick, and each having
four or live rooms, and selling them to the
occupiers on the deferred-payment principle,
so that the rent paid weekly will go towards
purchasing the freehold. In addition to
high wages and cheap provisions, the pro-
spect of thus obtainin a freehold home of
his own is offered to t e provident trades-
man and his frugal wife, which it will be
their own fault if they do not speedily realize.
Rsucroos Booms.
From the number of sects which exist, it
will be seen that the greatest toleration
prevails. According to the last census,
and from this source all the figures in this
chapter are derived, there are about one
hundred different forms of belief professed
in the Province. Strictly speaking, no one
of these bodies has State aid or endow-
ment ; for although the Presbyterians have
land reserves which yield a considerable
revenue, those reserves were not made by
the Government, but were a distinctive
feature of the Otago scheme, when a class
settlement was intended. The reserves are
vested in trustees, and the rents are spent
in building churches and manses, on
scholarships, and in payment of the salary of
£600 a year to the Professor of Mental and
Moral Philosophy in the U niversity. None
of the money goes for ministers’ stipends.
The Presbyterian Church, being the first
planted in the Province, has the largest
number of adherents, ministers, and
churches. It is not connected with any
particular branch of the same persuasion
in Britain, but is composed of members
from the United Presbyterian, Free, Estab-
lished, and other Kirks in Scotland, as well
as English and Irish Presbyterians. Its
work is carried on through a synod, con-
sisting of four presbyteries, containing
thirty-nine full charges and fifty-five
stations. In all the charges and in thirty-
seven of the stations, service is held every
Sunday, and in the remaining eighteen,
once a fortnight. Additional ministers are
constantly arriving. The means of support
is a sustentation fund, to which each of the
congregations contributes, and which yields
an average of £200 a year to each minister,
which is in general supplemented by the
congregation. Each minister has also a
manse, and in country districts, a glebe
attached. The total sum collected by this
body for last year was £14,560. The
number of adherents is 32,189.
Episcopalians rank next in point of
numbers, being set down at 16,809. About
four years ago, the Province was erected
into a diocese, and ecclesiastical affairs are
administered by a. bishop, with at present
one archdeacon and fifteen other clergy
licensed to charges. These, together with
lay representatives chosen by the several
parishes and parochial districts, form the
synod of the diocese. All the fully-con-
stituted parishes have parsonage-houses,
and the clergy in the country districts have
under their care such subordinate places
as may be reached from their respective
centres. There are also fourteen lay readers
in places which cannot as yet receive the
regular ministrations of a clergyman. Can-
didates for preparation for holy orders are
now received, and in certain cases students
in theology are permitted to present them-
selves for examination by the Principal of
the College, without residence.
In regard to numbers, Roman Catholics
take the third place, showing a total of
7,405. This church is presided over by a
bishop, with ten clergymen, having twenty-
one churches and chapels, in which the
usual forms of worship are regularly and
strictly attended to. There are also'erght
schools, and one convent in which rehgious
education is given. ‘
The adherents of the Wesleyan lvéetho
H


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
115
as may be required by the Board. N 0 one
can attain the full position of a Grammar
or Main school teacher who cannot furnish
satisfactory evidence of good character,
respectable scholarship, and experience and
success in school teaching. Many of the
present teachers have attended Government
training schools in Britain or in the colonies,
and a number of them have been students
of a University. A less stringent rule is
followed with regard to the admission of
Side and Temporarily-subsidized School
teachers, when trained or experienced
masters cannot be obtain ed. Good character,
youth, and a fair amount of scholarship,
together with the probability of proving an
eflicient instructor of youth, are in such a
case sufficient to secure a temporary ap-
pointment on trial. It is in the power of
any person so appointed to obtain a full
certificate of competency, after satisfactorily
undergoing probation for a sufl‘icient period.
Many of the Side School teachers, however,
possess superior qualifications, and only hold
their present appointments in the hope of
securing higher positions as they fall vacant.
With a view to avoid the inconvenience
which might ensue if a teacher’s engagement
could not be determined by the School
Committee, “without fixing upon him the
stigma of crime or moral delinquency,” it
has been provided that all engagements
under the Education Ordinance shall be
deemed yearly engagements, which may
be determined, after the expiry of the first
year, by three months’ notice on either side ;
but, as a means of protection from improper
and undue local influences, no School Com-
mittee has power to determine a teacher’s
engagement without the sanction of the
Board previously obtained. A competent,
prudent, and faithful teacher’s tenure of
office may, therefore, be regarded as quite
fixed and secure.
The Board, out of funds voted by the
Provincial Council, pays salaries at the fol-
lowing rates :—To head-masters of Grammar
Schools, £200 ; Main Schoolteachers, £100;
Side School teachers and school-mistresses,
£75; Temporarily - subsidized School
teachers, £60 ; sewing teachers, £25 ;
and these salaries are augmented by the
School Committees from the school fees,
subscriptions, or other moneys raised 10-
cally. The Board also erccts the school-
houses and the teachers’ residences, and
supplies maps and other school appli-
ances. It pays two-thirds of the cost of
keeping the school buildings in repair, the
whole of the salaries of pupil-teachers, and the
school fees of orphan and destitute children.
The remainder of the expenses are deli-eyed
from the school fees or moneys raised locally.
The school fees generally may be regarded
as moderate, when the rates of wages and
other remuneration are taken into account.
It was attempted, from 1862 to 1864, to
provide for a large proportion of the school
expenditure by means of local rates on
houses and lands ; but owing mainly, it is
believed, to the great difficulty experienced
in equitably and economically assessing
property in so young as Colony, the rates were
abolished in 1864, by almost general consent.
In the course of the last fifteen years
numerous portions of land of various
areas have been set apart as an educational
endowment. The annual proceeds of this
endowment are as yet comparatively small ;
but in course of time these reserves will
produce a revenue which will go far to main-
tain the public schools of Otago without
aid from the ordinary annual revenue of the
Province or Colony. These ordinary edu-
cational reserves are in addition to the
magnificent reserve of 200,000 acres granted
by the Crown for the endowment of the
University of Otago.
The Synod of Otago has the control of a
valuable educational endowment, and it has
resolved to endow chairs in the University
of Otago as the educational fund at its dis-
posal may from time to time permit.
Already the Synod has endowed a Profes-
sorship of Moral and Mental Philosophy in
the University, to the extent of £600 per
annum.
A High School for Boys has been main-
tained in Dunedin since 1863. This
institution was established with a view to
impart instruction in “ all the branches of
a liberal education—the French and other
modern languages, the Latin and Greek
classics. mathematics, and such other
branches of science as the advancement of
the Colony and the increase of the popula-
tion may from time to time require.” The
school fees are £8 per annum.
A Girls’ High School was established in
Dunedin three years ago, and it has been
numerously attended. The ordinary course
of instruction in this school embraces a
thorough English education, namely, read-
ing, grammar, composition, elocution, his-
tory, natural science, geography, writing,
arithmetic, class-singing, drawing, French,
and industrial work. Music (piano), sing-
ing (private lessons), gymnastics, dancing,
German, and other branches, are taught by
visiting teachers as extra subjects. The
school fee for the ordinary course is £8 per
annum for the junior, and £10 for the
senior classes. There is a boarding estal
lishruent in connection with each of ti


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
117
the entire day and evening, some only in
the evening.” It is stated in the Education
Report for 1872, upon good authority,“ that
the public library books were not only to
be seen in the more comfortable and ac-
cessible dwellings in the settled districts,
but that it was no uncommon thing to find
recently-published English books of a high
class, bearing the Board’s stamp upon them,
in the shepherd’s solitary abode among the
hills, and in the digger’s hut in gullies ac-
cessible only by mountain bridle-tracks.”
The Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics’
Institute possesses a handsome and commo-
dious building, a valuable library, and avery
large roll of members. The Otago Institute
for the promotion of Art, Science, Litera-
ture, and Philosophy, has been established
for about four years, and has a large number
of members, and a library of books relating
principally to natural history and science.
The public schools and other educational
institutions of Otago are wholly unsectarian.
It is provided by the Education Ordinance
that in every public school, “the holy
Scriptures shall be read daily ; ” that “ such
reading shall be either at the opening or
close of the school, as may be fixed by the
teacher ;” and that “no child whose parent
or guardian shall object, shall be bound to
attend at such times.” The teachers under
the Board have been enjoined to avoid the
use of reading books or text books, and the
employment in the course of ordinary school
instruction of any words or expressions, cal-
culated to give just ground of offence to the
members of any religious denomination. The
Board has also enjoined that “ no religious
catechism or religious formulary which is
distinctive of any particular denomination
or sect, shall be taught during the school
hours in any school connected with the
Board.” The public schools are conse-
quently attended by the children of parents
belonging to all denominations and sects.
In Dunedin and a few of the larger towns,
schools have been established in connection
addition to a numerously-attended Roman
Catholic elementary school, there is in
Dunedin a day and boarding school for the
higher education of girls, under the charge
of an accomplished lady superioress and
other highly-qualified teachers. The first
day school in the Province in connection
with the Episcopal Church has quite re‘-
cently been opened in Dunedin. There are
no week-day schools maintained in connec-
tion with any other religious body, but almost
every congregation of the different denomi-
nations has a Sunday-school or schools.
In Dunedin and some of the more
populous localities, there are also private
elementary and upper schools, conducted
with more or less success, and attended in the
aggregate bya considerable number of pupils.
There is now a comparatively large
number of Provincial and other exhibitions
to the Grammar Schools, the Boys’ and the
Girls’ High Schools, and the University.
These exhibitions are of the annual value
of about £30, and are open for competition
to pupils of the public schools, and the
other youth of the Province, of both sexes.
The total number of pupils who attended
the Public Elementary and Grammar
Schools of Otago in the course of the year
1872, was 9,828. The number of schools
was 127, in which 190 teachers of all kinds
were employed. The number of scholars
in these schools learning the higher rules of
arithmetic, during 1872, was 857 ; algebra‘
or geometry, 211 ; English grammar, 3,921 ;
geography, 4,125; British history, 2,284;
Latin, 337 ; Greek, 10; French, 242;
drawing or mapping, 1,425 : book-keeping,
267; singing from notes, 2,223 ,' sewing
(girls), 2,116. The attendance at the Boys
High School reached l37'during the same
year; and 125 were enrolled as pupils of
the Girls’ High School. The number of
students who attended the University in
1872 was 70.
The following is a summary of the expen-
diture on public school education for the
with the- Roman Catholic Church. In year 1872:—
1. Derived from votes of the Council (for Provincial current £. s. (1. £. 5. d.
expenditure) 9,068 4 6
2. Derived from votes of the Provincial Council (for school
buildings) ............. 4,688 0 9
-————— 13,706 5 2
3. Rents of Education Reserves.............................-........................... 10,93) 9 3
4. School fees and local contributions .............................-.................. 12,754- 9 5
Total £37,892 3 10
5. Add University expenditure during the same 8,503 3 2
Total expenditure £40,895 7 0
This is at the rate of upwards of 10s. per gross population of the Province,
and is exclusive of the money expended for education at the private and the denominational
schools.


118
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
The amount voted by the Provincial
Council at its last session was £18,000 for
the erection and enlargement of school
buildings during the year 1873-74. The
sum voted for the current expenses of the
schools during the same period was £25,676.
_This is inclusive of the reserved rents.
The newspaper must be recognized as a
most important educational power. The
following is a summary of the newspapers
at present published in the Province :—
Two morning and one evenin daily, one
tri-weekly, three bi-weekly, twe ve weekly,
and six monthly newspapers or periodicals.
They are for the most part conducted with
ability and spirit, and are well supported
by the public.
There can be no doubt that the numerous
and excellent educational facilities now
existing and in contemplation, together
with the great salubrity and the bracing
and invigorating ualities of the climate of
New Zealand, a ecting most beneficially,
as they cannot fail to do, the mental vigour
of both teachers and scholars, will render
possible to the youth of 01:a 0 a degree
of intellectual strength and evelopment
scarcely attainable, and certainly not to be
surpassed, by the youth of any of the other
colonies of Britain.
HOSPITALS sun Cnam'rasnn
INSTITUTIONS.
In Dunedin, a substantially-built, com-
modious, and well-ventilated central hos-
pital is maintained at the sole cost of the
Government, to which patients are admitted
free, and have immediate attention from
the resident surgeon and stated visits from
the Provincial surgeon. The cost of this
nospital for the last year was £4,946. In
addition to the inmates in this and all the
other hospitals, out-door patients have
advice given and medicine dis ensed free
of cost. If patients are able an willing to
pay, they are charged reasonable rates.
The reason why the Dunedin hospital is
supported solely at public cost is, that
atients whose diseases are chronic or of
ong standing are removed from the other
hospitals into it. At Invercargill, Oamaru,
Lawrence, Queenstown, Dunstan, Switzer’s,
and Naseby, hospitals are also established,
supported by public contributions and
ants in aid to an equal amount from the
overnment.
A Benevolent Institution, under the
management of a committee of citizens, has
been established at Caversham. It is afine
brick and stone building, and is intended
for young children who may be orphans or
deserted and for infirm persons. The
Government contributed largely to the cost
of the building, and subsidize subscriptions
and collections at the same rate asfor
hospitals. The amount contributed by the
people last year for this patriotic institution
was £5,955, and the Government gave an
equal sum.
The Lunatic Asylum for the Province has
been erected adjacent to Dunedin, and is
sustained at an annual cost of about £4,600.
Inmates possessed of means, or having
friends willing to contribute, can be lodged
in separate apartments from the main build-
ing. Everything which experiencehas shown
to be for the benefit of this unfortunate class
has been provided. Gardens,bowling-greens,
cricket, concerts and balls, together with
whatever may conduce to relieve this sad-
dest of all misfortunes, is carefully and
regularly supplied.
An Industrial and Reformato School
has also been established, to w ich the
Magistrates have power to commit neglected
and criminal children for a given number
of years, to whom trades or occupations are
taught. The children are brought up in the
religion of their parents, so far as that can
be ascertained, and to their welfare, afler
being discharged, attention is paid. The
cost of maintenance for the past year was
£1,439. Parents are compelled, when able
or found, to pay for the maintenance of
their children at this school. The practical
result of the institution is that crime is
nipped in the bud, the police having in-
structions to bring all neglected children
before the Magistrates.
Invercargill has alsohada Ragged School
in operation for some years, which is sub-
sidized by the Government at the same rate
as hospitals.
Within the last few months, a Female
Refuge or Home has been set on foot in
Dunedin, the management of which is con-
fided to a committee of philanthropic ladies,
and to which the public revenue has contri-
bultsad £350.h h P
uring t e ast ear, t e rovincial
Government haspalso grid for the service of
chaplains for the various institutions in town,
£300 ; to medical ofiicer for vaccination,
£130 ; for relief to destitute persons, £121 ;
and for burying the indigent, £129: show-
ing a total amount contributed from public
funds and private charities for the year
ended 30th June, 1873, of £26,000.
FRIENDLY am) o'rnaa Ius'n'ru'rrozvs.
Institutions of a more private and less
pretentious character, but at the same time
not less valuable or worthy of notice, are
numerous. Friendly Societies, instituted to


THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.
119
help members in time of need, are plenti-
ful, largely supported, and in a flourishing
condition. The great majority of the in-
habitants of every class belong to either
Oddfellows, Foresters, Masonic, Templar,
or Temperance Lodges, and receive the ad-
vantages, if they so choose, accruing from
those useful and well-managed bodies. The
Caledonian Society also comes under the
same class, spending a good portion of its
funds in relieving cases of distress, inciting
to emulation, and providing evenin classes
for the benefit of apprentices and ads en-
gaged during the day and anxious to im-
prove their education. The latest bodies
of the kind that have been started are called
“ County Associations,” in which settlers
who come from the two most northerly
counties in Scotland, Caithness and Suther-
land, have taken the initiative. These
associations have as their leading features,
assisting poorer county-folks to come to this
land of promise, and 'ving them assistance
and advice on arriv Though last men-
tioned, the Fire Brigade is of high im ort-
ance, the members generousl , wit out
compensation, denying themse ves many
comforts and undertaking dangerous risks,
in the beneficent work of saving life and
property at fires.
Com-sons AND o'rrma Housns.
The demand for dwelling-houses in the
towns and country districts exceeds the
supply, consequently rents are high, this being
one of the few disadvantages immigrants
have to contend with in the Province. In
Dunedin, a small cottage of only two apart-
ments cannot be had under 7s. a week, and
four-roomed houses rate from 12s. to 14s. a
week, and it is difiicult to find any even
at these rents. Although buildings are
being put up as fast as men can be obtained
to erect them, the supply does not overtake
the demand. To country towns and districts
the same remarks apply as to scarcity, but
the rents are somewhat lower.
What the working classes are doing, and
what new arrivals will find to be to their
advantage to attend to as soon as possible,
is, to secure each a section on which to build
houses of their own. According to the
locality, the prices of sections vary. In
Government townships the upset price is
From £3 per quarter acre ; in private town-
ships it is much higher. In the suburbs of
Dunedin, prices range from £50 a quarter
lore, and the terms of payment are one-
;hird cash, and the balance spread over two
)r three years, at eight per cent. interest.
l‘he building societies, and in some cases
‘.he sellers of the land, are willing to advance
money to enable the purchaser to buy the
material necessary to build the house,
charging reasonable interest, and taking
payment by instalments.
The cost of a cottage of four rooms, with
provision for extension at a future time,
may be fairly set down at about £150,
including everything.
Taking a moderate example : Suppose a
labourer to earn, with broken time, £2 a
week, equal to £1Q4 a year. His family,
averaging five members, can live very well
on 3s. a day, making per week £1. 1s.;
firewood and clothing, 5s. ; rent or interest,
&c., 8s. ; total per week, £1. 14s. ; leaving
6s. a week, or, say, £15 a year to the good.
In thirteen years the whole cost of his ro—
perty would be cleared off. This case oes
not take into account the reduction of in-
terest as the debt is being paid 06', nor any
earnings the younger members of the
family may make. These are a set-0E
against school fees and any family addi-
tions, or other contin encies. There are
few steady labourers ut can earn more
than the above estimate, and live at con-
siderably less expense, while mechanics and
skilled workers will double the amount.
Anvsm'aom orrnaan 'ro Lsnonaaas
AND oTHaas.
It is to most people a severe trial to
sever the link that binds them to Home.
To leave the land of their birth, the land
of their sires, with all its associations and
relationships, and try their chance in a
foreign land, especially if that land be an
unknown one and inhabited by a strange
race, requires a daring and determined
spirit. The attractions which Otago pre-
sents to the intending emigrant remove, to
a large extent, these formidable objections.
The appearance of the country, its climate,
its people, and its institutions, will make
the immigrant feel at once at home. It
offers to the workman tenfold better chances
of bettering his condition than the over-
crowded countries of Europe afford. It
will be his own fault if he does not succeed
and prosper. He is surrounded with all
the advantages and with none of the disad-
vantages to which he has been accustomed.
He has a large variety of occupations from
which to select, as men do not stick very
strictly to their own trades ; he has a fine,
healthy, bracing climate in which to work ;
if his occupation be outdoor, the number of
days in the year on which he can work is
more than in Britain ; his hours of labour
are shorter, being eight, and if he work
overtime it is at increased wages ; his daily


120
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
pay is at least one-half more than at Home,
whilst the price of provisions is considerably
cheaper, clothing almost as cheap, and far
less fuel for firing is required. He can in
a short time, by the exercise of ordinary
economy, save as much as will enable him
to buy a section of land and build a house
of his own, with a garden attached, in
which he can employ himself in his leisure
hours. Am le provision is made for the
education 0 his children, so that, if so
inclined, he can enter ‘them at the infant
school and carry them through a college or
university training. Let his religious belief
be what it may, he has liberty to follow it,
and in most cases he will find professors of
the same faith with whom he can associate.
Libraries and reading-rooms are numerous,
and can be joined at a cheap rate. He has
abundant means of recreation and amuse-
ment to which he can resort. Savings-
banks, and building and friendly societies,
in which he can place his savings, are on a
sure footing and in a rosperous condition,
and the credit of the olony is the security
for his life assurance. He has as orderly
and law-obeying a community as anywhere
exists from which to choose his circle of
friends. There is scarcely a parish or town
in Scotland, England, or Ireland from which
an immigrant can arrive, without finding
an old acquaintance or friend to bid a hearty
welcome, and perha s renew former inti-
macy—old settlers w 0 came from the same
“ country ” are forming associations to facili-
tate this object. Good metalled roads open
up the country in all directions, and for ten
shillings he will get a seat in a four-horse
coach to carry him a fifty-miles’ journey
and back again ; and in a year or two rail-
ways will convey him to the extreme ends,
north or south, and for a considerable dis-
tance into the interior of the Province. If
he is a farmer, there is abundance of first-
class land from which to make his selection,
and he can choose the conditions on which
to pay for it. Every implement he may
require can be obtained cheaply, of the
newest pattern, of the best workmanship,
and on the shortest notice. For drainage
and artificial manures he will be at little
cost. The weather for seed-time and har-
vest is highly favourable, and a ready and
profitable market awaits his crops, for which
he is paid at once in cash. He no
obnoxious game, hypothec, or entail laws
to hinder his prosperity, and the foot of
the tax-gatherer rarely treads his threshold.
Hm'rs 'ro Emomnrs.
In providing an outfit, emigrants should
not encumber themselves with a large stock
of clothing or furniture. They will find,
on arrival, that everything required can be
procured at very little more money than at
home, and dress can be adapted to the
fashions of the place. All that is necessary
is simply enough to keep them comfortable
during the voyage. A few pounds in cash
in the pocket will be of more advantage
than large boxes filled with bed and body
clothes; the expense of storing or moving
about from place to place is serious. They
should bring any surplus money by bank-
draft or post-ofiice order, and not in gold or
notes, as these may be lost, whilst the
money order is safe. On arrival, if they
have friends who expect them, no time
should be lost in joining them, as staying
about the town is very unprofitable. The
immigration agent will furnish, on this as
well as other subjects, every information as
to the cheapest and best route to be taken.
Coaches and steamers start daily for all
parts of the Province, and fares are very
reasonable. If the immigrant is looking
out for work, he should not be too particular
in accepting an offer, although it is not just
what he wants: far better to set to work a’.
once, than to idle about and get a doubtful
name ; nor should he be exorbitant in de
manding extreme wages, for however good
a tradesman he may be, a man with colonial
experience is more valued and sought for
than a “new chum,” though a short time
will put the “new chum" on his proper
level. Different trades or branches of trade
are not yet nicely or narrowly defined in
the Province, so that a gardener is generally
expected to be able and willing to groom a.
horse and drive him ; young men and lads
for country work will be required to milk
cows, as that part of dairy husbandry is
usually performed by males ; and artisans
at times may find it to their advantage to
be able to handle a pick and shovel, perhaps
on a new gold-field, or to work on the har-
vest field behind the reaper or mower, when
the precious fruits of the earth are in danger
of being lost from want of labour to gather
and garner them. In a new country, a
man should not only be ready to turn hand to anything, but also to kee his eyes
on everything going on around 'm. He
does not know what may be his position in
a few years, or what great improvements on
old notions his observation may enable him
to effect.
Immigrants should land with a firm de-
termination to prosper ; and by steady
perseverance, sobriety, and strict attention
to a few simple points, success is certain.
They should carefully avoid taking up
too soon with easily - formed associatesi


PROVINCE OF
CANTERBURY. l 2 l
although such may turn out, in the lon
run, good friends, there is the danger 0
their being the reverse. Avoid frequenting
hotels as fares possible: in themselves they
are necessary institutions, but they are
not intended for working men, especially
strangers, whose own homes are in the
neighbourhood of their work. Avoid get-
ting into debt for domestic articles. Buy
provisions, clothing. fuel, and furniture for
cash. This can easily be done by arranging
for wages being paid weekly or fortnightly,
and if the amount is not sufiicient to obtain
some small article considered necessary,
better wait a week than have it on credit.
Shake oil‘ the bad, ruinous habits of pass-
books, so common at home, and in a new
country strike out a good and prosperous
course. By so doing, better goods will be
obtained at cheaper rates, their custom will
be sought after by the best shopkeepers,
and easy minds will be the result. “ Out
of debt, out of danger.” Exceptions to
this rule are—Obtaining land on deferred
payments, and borrowing money from
building societies to erect a dwelling-
house. In these cases, the debtoris to a
certain extent his own creditor, and parti-
cipates in the profits which he assists to
make. Practise a rigid economy for a year
or two. Frugality of habits, and denial
of some of those luxuries and pleasures
which older settlers indulge in, will be of
great advantage. Take great care to save
the first hundred sovereigns. It is far more
diificult to save the first than the second
or any subsequent hundred, as the rofits
of the first go a long way to make its
successors.
With attention to this advice, and with
the ordinary prudence and common sense
for which Britons are celebrated, the immi-
vrants will bless the day they landed in
Dtago and made it their home.

PROVUNCE OF
FOUNDATION Aim DEsxcN.
Tun foundation of the Province of Canter-
bury dates from 1848, in which year a
number of men of influence in England,
including the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Lord Lyttelton, and the present Duke of
Manchester, formed themselves into what
was called the “ Canterbury Association for
Founding a Settlement in New Zealand,”
which was incorporated by Royal Charter
in 1849. The portion of the Colony in
which the Association was to establish its
members was for some time not fixed, as it
was doubtful whether the plain adjacent to
Banks Peninsula, or a tract of land near
Wairarapa and Manawatu, in the present
Province of Wellington, was the better
adapted for their requirements. Captain
(afterwards Sir George) Grey, the then
Governor of New Zealand, in a despatch
to the Secretary of State for the Colonies,
dated December 6th, 1848, somewhat
strongly advocated the choice of the latter
district ; but a great obstacle to the carrying
out of this idea was found in the difliculty
of acquiring the land on reasonable terms
from the Native owners. On the other
hand, the whole of the enormous tract of
CANTERBURY.
country lying between the river Hurunui
(the southern boundary of Nelson) and
Port Chalmers, or Otago, and stretching
from sea to sea, had already been ceded by
the Maori owners to the Europeans. On
August 25th, 1848, Governor Grey for-
warded to the Secretary of State for the
Colonies a copy of the agreement by which
the chiefs and people of the Ngaitahu tribe
formally made over to Colonel Wakefield,
agent of the New Zealand Company, all
the country comprising what are now known
as the Canterbury Province, the Province
of Westland, and great part of Otago, for
a comparatively small sum of money. This
ccssion did not, however, include Banks
Peninsula itself, as the Natives had already
sold the whole of that block to a French
Company, whose settlers were actually re-
siding on it. The New Zealand Company
made no attem t to colonize the large area
they thus acquired, further than by handing
over to the new Canterbury Association an
extent of 1,000,000 acres on the plains.
This was afterwards increased to 2,400,000
acres. In 1849, Captain Thomas, agent for
the Association, wrote from Auckland to
Governor Grey, stating that he had ex-
amined the harbour of Port Cooper and the


122
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
surrounding country, and having found the
land suitable for the purposes of the Asso-
ciation, he formally requested His Excel-
lency’s sanction to Port Cooper as the site
of the Canterbury settlement. This was
granted; the surveys of the harbour and
plains were at once pushed on, and prepara-
tions made for receiving the settlers sent
out by the Association. In the meantime,
negotiations were also bein carried on
between the New Zealand ompany and
the French Association who held possession
of Banks Peninsula; and on October 12th,
1849, the directors of the former Company
announced to the Colonial Office that they
had taken over all the property and interests
of the French, or Nanto—Bordelaise, Com-
pany, inNew Zealand, forthe sum of £4,500.
On December 16th, 1850, the first
emigrant ship from England arrived at
Port Cooper, and the actual commencement
of the settlement may be said to have then
taken place.
The design of the Canterbury Associa-
tion, as put forward in the prospectus
issued in 1848, was to establish in New
Zealand a settlement complete in itself,
having as little connection as possible with
the other centres of population in the
Colony, and composed entirely of members
of the United Church of Great Britain and
Ireland. The Committee of Management
proposed to reserve to themselves the right
“ of refusing to allow any person of whom
they mi ht disapprove to become an origi-
nal pure aser of land.” This isnot the place
to discuss the theory of the scheme of the
founders, nor to detail the rapid steps by
which the Church of England settlement, as
proposed, became an ordinary community
of mixed denominations. It will be suffi-
cient to say that long before the establish-
ment of representative government for the
Colony, by Act of the Imperial Parliament
in 1852, grave doubts were expressed, even
by some of the managers of the Association
themselves, of the success of this part of
the scheme ; and, in point of fact, Canter-
bury offered so many material and temporal
advantages to immigrants of all kinds and
classes, that the wall of exclusiveness was
soon broken down, and the community
became, like all other communities, an
aggregation of settlers fromvarious countries
and of various denominations.
The afi'airs of the Canterbury Associ-
ation were managed in England by a C0111-
mittee, and Mr. John Robert Godley was
sent out by them to conduct their public
business in New Zealand. Mr. Godley
arrived in Canterbury in the year 1850,
and remained as its resident ofiicial head
until 1853 : then, the elevation of the
settlement into one of the Provinces oi
New Zealand, under “The Constitution
Act, 1852,” and the annulling of all previous
charters to the separate little colonies,
rendered the further continuance of the
Association needless. During his term of
cfiice, Mr. Godley’s remarkable energy,
activity, and earnestness of urpose con-
tributed most powerfully to t e success of
the settlement, and he left New Zealand
for England followed by the general regret
of the colonists—regret which was increased
by the knowledge that his unwearied
attention to his work, and to the welfare of
those under his charge, had entailed upon
him a permanent loss of health and
strength. The first superintendent of
Canterbury under the new Act was Mr.
James Edward Fitzgerald, another origin:
member of the Association, who held ofiics
till 1857. He was succeeded by Mr.
William Sefton Moorhouse, Superintendent
from 1857 to 1863; Mr. Samuel Bealey
from 1863 to 1866 ; Mr. Moorhouse again
till 1868 ; and Mr. William Rolleston from
1868 to the present time.
In the three years which elapsed between
the arrival of the first settlers and the meet-
ing of the first Provincial Council, the
Canterbury settlement made remarkable
progress, and actually became in that short
time not only self-supporting, but able to ex-
port largely to other colonies. This progress
as been, almost without a check, continued
to the present time. The revenues of the
Province, both from sales of Crown lands
and from other sources, have been steadily
and rapidly increasing. In 1858 Mr.
Godley was able to announce to the friends
of the Colony in England that the Province
of Canterbury alone, with a population at
that time of 7,000, raised a revenue of
£96,000 ; seven times as much, per head,as
the revenue of England, and nearly twice
as much, per head, as the revenue of the
Colony of Victoria, “the richest community
in the world up to this time.” This, of
course, was exclusive of the revenue raised
in the Province for the general colonial pur-
poses of New Zealand. For the year ending
September 30th, 1873, the revenues of the
Province of Canterbury, also exclusive of
Colonial revenue, amounted to almost
£650,000, the estimated population being
53,700.
BouNDARrns, AREA, AND PHYSICAL
Fnarusm.
Canterbury contains that portion of the
Middle Island, bounded on the North by
the river Hurunui (the southern boundary





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CASHEL STBE ET.





_“A_. “..21.?
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PROVINCE OF
CANTERBURY. 125
.l'elson), on the east by the sea, on the
it by a line drawn along the ridge of the
uthern Alps (the boundary of Westland),
.d on the south by the river Waitaki (the
orthern boundary of Otago). The area of
he Province is about 8,693,000 acres, of
which 2,500,000 form a vast plain sloping
gently down from the mountain ranges to
the sea. There are also large tracts of
undulating downs capable of cultivation.
On the eastern edge rises Banks Peninsula,
a hilly district, comprising about 250,000
acres, and composed of a number of peaks,
ridges, and basins, the remains of long-ex-
tinct volcanoes. The capital of the Province
1s Christchurch, situated on the plain at the
northern edge of the peninsula, and about
five miles from the sea, on the small river
Avon. Christchurch proper contains an
area of rather more than one mile square,
with (in 1871) 7,931 inhabitants; but large
numbers of people reside outside the city
itself, and the population of the town and
Its lmmediate suburbs was, in that year,
12,466. The port town is Lyttelton, on
the‘ harbour of Port Cooper, one of the
basins of Banks Peninsula, connected with
Christchurch by a railway, having a tunnel
through the hills. Its population in 1871
was 2,551. In the northern part of the
Province there are the towns of Kaiapoi
(population 868), Rangiora, Leithfield, and
Oxford, besides many smaller villages.
West of Christchurch there is no important
town. To the south are Timaru (population
1,418), Geraldine, Ternuka, Ashburton,
Southbridge, Leeston, &c., and many
villages. On the peninsula itself are
Akaroa. (on a fine harbour), and smaller
settlements in almost every bay. The
population above, of the towns. is taken
from the census returns of 1871 ; owing to
natural increase and immigration, the num-
bers have since then been considerably
enlarged. The total population of the
Province in 1871 was 46,801 ; and at the
end of 1873 it was estimated atabout 54,000.
From the mountain ranges on the west
to the sea on the east many rivers flow
across the Canterbury plain. As a rule,
these rivers are extremely rapid, not
running in 'deep streams between well-
defined banks, but shallow and flowing on
shingle beds, sometimes more than a mile
wide. The chief of these are the Wai-
makariri, the Rakaia, the Rangitata, and on
the northern and southern boundaries, the
Hurunui and Waitaki. Smaller ones are
the Waipara, Ashley, Selwyn, Ashburton,
Hinds, Opihi, &c. These rivers when low
are, as a rule, easily forded, but when in
flood are often very dangerous. They are,
however, now rapidly being bridged, and in
a year or two there will be no danger on
the main lines of road in the Province.
Canterbury is divided for various pur-
poses into several districts—First, General
Assembly electoral districts, returning
twelve members : second, twenty-four Pro-
vincial Council districts, returning thirty-
nine members : third, thirty-eight road
districts, administered by Boards of five
members each, having the control of the
roads and smaller bridges—these do not
include the towns of Christchurch, Lyttelton,
Kaiapoi, and Timaru, which are governed
by Municipalities : fourth, eighty-four edu-
cational districts. As population and
settlement progress the numbers of these
will be increased. As the whole Province
is in one way or another included in the
above divisions, and as the general character
of the country does not vary much, it is not
possible to name any distinctive features
peculiar to any one division. The Province
may be considered as divided into three
longitudinal zones — the mountain zone,
comprising the whole western and part of
the northern portions, and almost exclu-
sively devoted to pasturage ; the central or
plain zone, comprising almost all the rest
of the Province, pastoral in those portions
as yet unbought from the Crown, agricul-
tural in the rest; and the peninsular or
eastern zone, partly timber-producing forest,
partly pastoral, partly devoted to cheese-
making and dairy farming. On January
1st, 1873, there werein Canterbury 2,595,950
sheep over six months of age ; and a return
of the agricultural produce of the Province,
compiled in February, 1873, gave the fol-
lowing amounts :—

W‘hect. Oats.
but not
Barley.
Acreage broken
"P
under Crop.

Potatoes.
includ-
Sewn
Grasses.
Other
Crops.
g Bown
Grafiees.
Hay.
Total under
01:011.
in


Bgiilgl'si Acres.
cam 1,4s7,174§ 40,257 897,54“ 6,810 1a4,eo7
lcrec. Acres. gxi‘eggi" Aerem Yield,

‘45, 570
Bushels.
Yield,
Tout Acres.
Acres. gioelig' Acres. Acres. Acres.

5,725} 195,420} £818,668}

10,492|12,951§ 1,asa 8,026:

' Including 8,194 acres son for green food or buy.
1’ Including land in buy in previous column.


126
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
From the separate return published,
showing the acreage in cultivation and the
produce thereof in the different divisions of
the Province, it is found that the chief
wheat-producing districts are the Ellesmere
and Courtenay in the centre, the Eyreton
and the Kowai in the north, and the Geral-
dine and Seadown in the south. Those
producing the most oats and barley are, for
the north, the Kowai, Eyreton, and Mande-
ville ; for the centre, the Courtenay, Lin-
coln, and Ellesmere; and for the south,
the Geraldine district. The area under
permanent pasture is spread fairly over the
Province. The average yield of grain for
the Province appears to be, for the year
1872 —Wheat 21, oats 221}, barley 19,
bushels to the acre, and the year was not a
favourable one. The figures in the last two
columns do not show the whole area in
English grasses, as there are large tracts,
notably on the peninsula and in the more
swampy portions of the Province, where
English grass has spread luxuriantly with-
out any previous cultivation.
The means of communication in Canter-
bury, by roads, railways, and telegraphs,
are being rapidly extended. The telegraph
system in operation includes a line, part of
the trunk line through the Island, from
north to south in the Province, with
stations at every convenient place; and
lines from Christchurch to Hokitika (on the
West Coast), to Lyttelton, and to Akaroa.
These telegraphs are under the direction of
the Colonial Government, and messages are
sent to any part of the Colony at a very
moderate tariff.
The reading of the Province has been
carried on energetically since its foundation.
Up to the year 1863, the roads were con-
structed and maintained by the Provincial
authorities, and in the comparatively small
area to which, while settlement was as yet
not far extended, their operations were
confined, the Government expended a sum
of £250,000 on roads and bridges between
the year 1850 and 1863. In the last-
mentioned year, the Provincial Council
passed the first Roads Ordinance, relegat-
ing the administration of the roads to Boards
elected in the several districts established
by the Ordinance. With various amend-
ments this system has been maintained, so
that there are now thirty-eight road dis-
tricts. The Boards are enabled to carry
out their functions, first, by means of grants
from the Provincial Treasury; secondly,
by grants from the Colonial Government ;
thirdly, by rates. In the early years of the
settlement, it was intended that, of the
price paid to the Treasury for Crown lands,
£1 per acre should be devoted to making
roads and bridges where the land was pur»
chased. This plan was, however, not sys-
tematically carried out, and an arrangement
was afterwards made that 25 per cent. of
the land fund should be expended in this
direction. This likewise it was not found
possible to strictly perform, and the grants
to Road Boards from Provincial funds have
been usually made according as the exi-
gencies of the public service permitted or
prevented large appropriations to them.
The total sum voted to Road Boards by
the Provincial Council, from 1863 to
October, 1873, amounted to rather over
£200,000. This was exclusive of large
sums spent by the Government on roads
and the more important bridges. For in-
stance, the great western road from
Christchurch to Hokitika absorbed about
£150,000; andtheProvincialCouncil,during
one financial year alone, from September,
1872, to September, 1873, voted £ 160,000
for roads and large bridges, beyond the Road
Board grant. The second source of reve-
use of the Boards is from grants from the
Colonial Government. These date from
1870, and depend upon annual votes of the
General Assembly. Thirdly, the Boards de-
rive revenue from rates, under the Roads
Ordinances passed by the Provincial Council
since 1863. The maximum ordinary rate
permitted to be levied is one shilling in
the pound on the annual value of the pro-
perty in the district ; but the Board can, if
necessary, raise special rates, not exceeding
two shillings in the pound, for works of
emergency. The rating capabilities of the
different districts vary considerably, accord-
ing to their position and the character 0!
the land.
In the greater portion of the Province,
owing to the level nature of the country,
road-making has not been difiicult. and
metalled roads are now rapidly forming a
network over its surface. In some districts
there is greater difficulty, owing to the pre-
sence of hills, gullies, or streams; but
generally the state of road communication
in Canterbury is very good and safe. It is
a condition of the sale of Crown lands, that
every section purchased shall have a road
to it laid off on the map, so that no land is
left without the means of being rendered
easily accessible.
There are no industries peculiar to any
one district of the Province, beyond the
division (not, however, well defined) be-
tween its agricultural and pastoral portions.
But mining for coal, iron ore, and other
minerals, stone quarries, brick and clay
works, 81s., may be said to be confined to


PROVINCE OF
CANTERBURY. l .‘3 7
the hilly regions ; flax-mills, meat-preserv-
ing works, &c., to the plains.
The climate of Canterbury is, as a rule,
so far like that of England that it is quite
suited to English people. Although at
times the wind blows very hard, and
especially from the N.W. in summer, yet
there is so little severe winter, and the
summer heats are so moderated by breezes,
that the climate may be considered an ex-
cellent one. In some years the Province
is visited by severe droughts— one, for
instance, lasting through the summer sea-
son, from September to April, without rain ;
in others there has been an excessive rain-
fell ; but these are exceptional cases. From
abstracts of the monthly returns for 1872
(a remarkably hot and dry year), it appears
that the mean maximum temperature in
the sun at Christchurch was l20‘8° (highest,
January, 160'2°) ; the mean minimum tem-
perature at night 19'3° (lowest, June, 5'2°);
the mean temperature in the shade for the
year, 53'6°. These figures denote an
eqnable climate peculiarly adapted to
Englishmen; and the effect of this is shown
by the fact that trees and plants from Home
flourish with great luxuriance, whilst others,
which an English winter would destroy,
grow without danger in the open air. It
must be understood that the above remarks
apply chiefly to the eastern or lower part
of the Province; naturally, amongst the
mountains, and higher from the sea, the
climate is somewhat changed. There is
more rain, more cold in winter, and less
heat in summer. But in no part can the
Province be said to have a bad or inclement
climate.
In a report on the climate of New
Zealand, by Dr. Hector, published by com-
mand in 1869, the annual mean temperature
of Canterbury for the eleven previous years
is given as 55'1", and the mean annual
rainfall at Christchurch, for the some period,
31'656 inches.
LAND AND LAND REouLA'rroNs.
Roughly speaking, the land in Center-
bury mayhbe divided into mountain and
plain. e mountains, as a rule are too
steep to be susceptible of cultivation, but
contain numerous small valleys which will
some day be worked. Their sides, except
‘on the most elevated portions, where snow
lies for the greater portion of the year, are
well grassed and are excellent sheep pas-
ture. The plain land varies considerably.
On the east, next to the sandhills of the
coast itself, a broad belt of remarkably rich
soil runs throughout its length; the slope
farther inland becomes lighter and drier,
and in some parts stony, but easily culti-
vated, and requiring generally no more
preparation for the plough than burning off
the native grasses. Higher up is often
found another belt of richer land, until the
foot of the hill is reached. The lower
country is well watered, and the whole plain
is intersected by rivers, creeks, and water-
courses, though in the higher portions, in
summer, there are sometimes trying droughts.
That the country enerally is very well
adapted for agric ture is shown by the
quantities of the various cereals grown, and
the excellent quality of the English grasses
which are now being largely cultivated
throughout its extent. The lower hills,
and more especially the peninsula, are
rapidy being covered with English grass
and clover, which’ spread of their own
accord, killing the native pasture, and are,
in consequence, every year able to carry
larger numbers of stock. In the wetter
and richer lands, grow large quantities of
Pho'rm'ium tenax (native flax), and these re-
quire to be destroyed before the land can be
ploughed; but the soil beneath is usually
so productive as to well repay this cost,
and, moreover, the plant itself may, in many
localities, be made a source of profit by send-
ing it to a flax-mill.
The principle of the land regulations of
Canterbury is free selection at a sufficient
price. Briefly, they may be summed up
as follows :—With the exception of reserves
for towns or for public purposes, the whole
of the land of the Province is open for sale
at £2 per acre. The purchaser has only to
select the piece he requires, at in an appli-
cation to the Waste Lands card, ay the
price, and possess the land. He rst re-
ceives a“Licence to occupy,” the land is
then surveyed as quickly as possible, and
a Crown grant is prepared, signed by the
Governor of New Zealand, and handed over
to him. Priority of application gives a
prior right of purchase. Land sales are held
at Christchurch twice every week. Such
are the main features of the re lotions, and
that they are successful is s own by the
enormous quantities purchased from the
Crown in the last twenty years; the
acreage sold up to let October, 1873, being
1,101,583 acres, realizing £2,203,166. There
are, however, certain restrictions in the
sale :—1. No section of rural land, contain-
ing less than 20 acres, is sold as above:
pieces of less than that area are put up to
public auction at an upset price of £2 )er
acre. By an Act of the General .Assem ly
passed last session (1873), auction sales of
such pieces are to take place every three
months : the land, if not then sold, is open


128
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
to purchase at the same rice. 2. Every
section of rural land is so d in one block,
and, except where the natural features of
the country, or frontage lines (roads, rivers,
public reserves, 8w.) prevent it, of a rect—
angular form. 3. All sections of rural
land are sold subject to a right of laying
out a road or roads across them, if found
necessary, on survey. This right of course
ceases as soon as the Crown grant is issued.
Until purchased from the Crown, - as
above stated, the waste lands may be rented
for pasturage. (All the land available for
this purpose has been long ago taken u .)
The tenant does not receive a lease of 0
land, or acquire any right whatever to the
soil, or the timber growing on it, but
only a licence to depasture stock on it;
any person being at liberty to buy at any
time wherever he pleases, provided the
piece he wants is not already in the cases-
sion of another owner, or reserved lay the
Government. The pasturage rents are not
high. The “runs,” as they are called, vary
from 5,000 acres upwards ; and, under the
present regulations, the tenant pays a
rent of £1 per 100 acres. For the year
1873, the pssturage rents of the Pro-
vince amounted to £50,000, representing
5,000,000 acres. In 1880, the whole of
these licences cease and determine, and
other regulations will doubtless be made.
Naturally, some runs, as those on the
plains, are constantly exposed to being pur-
' chased by free selectorsas freehold. Others,
as in the hills, will only partially ever
be used for any other purpose than feeding
sheep. Under the regulations of the
Canterbury Association, the tenants of the
waste lands, or “ runholders,” were allowed
a right of pre-emption over 250 acres of
land round their homesteads. Afterwards,
this right was extended so as to cover and
protect certain improvements, such as fenc-
ing, &c., which they might erect on their
runs. In 1867 these revisions, having
been found to act as a check to the settle-
ment of the country, and to prevent pur-
chase by free selectors, were repealed, and
p‘re-emptive rights are not now granted
.
here are, however, considerable areas still
held under these old rights. Any person wis h-
ing to purchase a section in this condition
must deposit the price of the land (at £2
per acre) with the Waste Lands Board, and
the holder of the right is allowed six weeks
to buy the land. If he does not buy it, the
person originally applying becomes the
owner. These pre-emptive rights cease and
determine in 1880.
Large reserves of waste lands have been
from time to time made by the Provincial
Government for various public require-
ments, such as education, ferry, road, or
railway purposes, cemeteries, race-courses,
recreation grounds, and public parks, &c.,
&0. According to the regulations, these
reserves are temporarily made by the Super-
intendent, and, if agreed to, confirmed by
the Provincial Council at its next session.
If afterwards it is found desirable to throw
any of them open for sale, it must be done
by Ordinance of the Provincial Council.
In convenient places, as required, town-
ships are reserved, surveyed, and sold, by
sections, in sizes determined by the Super-
intendent and Provincial Council. These
sections are put up to auction, usually at
the upset price of £50 per acre. Many of
the towns and villages in the Province are,
however, portions of private property, di-
vided and sold by their owners.
Lam) s'rm. AVAILABLE.
In the year 1869, a return was laid on
the table of the Provincial Council, classi-
tying the land in the Province, and showing
t e results of—l. Total acreage. 2. Land
sold to date. 3. Number of acres reserved.
4. Estimated acreage of good arable land
unsold. 5. Acreage of first and second-
class land unsold. 6. Land worth-
less or of little value. The following table
shows the totals :—


l |
Reserves. Grazing Lani‘ Land !
Good Wflrthlesal
me $1? ' Arable ' . or I
. Educational. P3232.‘ Land‘ In 01".. and 0M. Ofllttle Value. I
R
8,693,027 742,875 18,416 46,790 948,100 i2,742,457‘1,964,716 2,230,173 }
l l




From the date of the table to January,
1874, 359,208 acres were sold. Deduct-
ing this amount (which has not by any
means been all of the class “good arable
land”) from the totals in columns 5 and 6,
(3,690,557) there remains, as likely to be


PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
129
sold, 3,331,349 acres. It may, however,
be supposed that a proportion of this is
high downland, and will take some time
to pass into the hands of private owners.
Making a large deduction for this, there
yet remains probably an area of 2,000,000
acres available as good land for settlement.
But from this again has to be deducted the
quantity reserved for public purposes since
1869, amounting to, for general education,
33,180, and for other public requirements
about 12,000 acres; total, say,- 45,000
acres: also, the land to be taken for rail-
ways and roads, the quantities of which
cannot well be estimated. There are,
besides, large areas temporarily reserved,
but not yet confirmed by the Council.
Probably the acreage withdrawn from; sale
under the two columns 5 and 6, fi'om 1869
to 1873, for all purposes, may be taken at
not less than 100,000 acres ; leaving, there-
fore, 1,900,000 acres for settlement. It is
not, however, easy to say how much of this
would be “good arable land.”
Under column 7 may be placed the re-
serves for higher and technical education,
amounting at present to about 320,000
acres. . -
The reserves for general educational-pur-
poses, 51,596 acres, are open for lease in
blocks of 100 acresand upwards, on reason-
able terms; and 25,961 acres have been
let to various tenants.
LAND UNDER CuL'rivA'rion — SMALL
FARMS.
As stated above, a very large proportion
of the available good land- of Canterbury
has been purchased from the Crown, and,
in point of fact, for some distance round
the various centres of population, it may be
said to be, as a rule, under cultivation. The
return already given shows that in Febru-
ary, 1873, there were 367,228 acres culti-
vated (includin land then broken up, but
not under crop . We may add to this at
least 10,000 acres as broken up since
February, making a total of 377,228 acres
under cultivation.‘ The land purchases to
October, 1873, were 1,101,583 acres ; there
remain, therefore, not less than 724,355
acres of freehold to be improved. Of this
‘quantity, however, some portion is hilly, or
already naturally grassing itself: but it is
clear that there are several hundred thousand
acres in private hands awaiting cultivation.
The chief reason why these lands have not
yet been improved is the absence of popu-
lation; and if farmers with small capital
could be introduced in sufficient numbers,
a very large proportion of this acreage
would be cultivated. It would of course
be a question for the immigrant whether he
would purchase land from the 'Crown at £2
per acre, at a long distance from a market,
or at a higher price from a private indi-
vidual within easy distance. But in case
he should decide on the latter, there would
not be any difiiculty in his acquiring at a
fairly reasonable price the land he might
want.
As a general rule, immigrants would not
find it easy to rent small improved farms. In
the first place, men who have bought and
cultivated blocks of land in Canterbury,
have generally done so with the intention
of permanently settling on them. Of the
number of sections held by absentees, or by
persons who have bought land as a specula-
tive investment, those pieces which have
been let were taken by the tenant in their
unimproved state. Secondly, the freehold
owners would not be inclined to let im-
proved land, with fences, cultivations, or
homesteads, to new comers unknown to
responsible persons here. They would‘
always prefer as a tenant a man who had
been some little time in the country. Of
course, these remarks ap 1y more particu-
larly to immigrants of t e farming class
arriving .with small capital. The difiiculty
would naturally be far less provided they
could satisfy the landowner of their solvency.
But the case is different as regards unim-
proved land. As already remarked, there
are large numbers of sections merely await-
ing increased population in order to be
brought under cultivation. It is, however,
difiicult to lay down any scale as aguide to
the average renting value of land. In '
England, a land agent in any county would
be able to state almost exactly the value of
any. farm either for sale or lease ; but it is
impossible to do so here. In Canterbury, a
farm, say in the north, on the Ashley Downs,
thirty miles from Christchurch, might per-
haps be let for a lower rental than one in the
Ellesmere district at the same distance from
town, and higher than one in Oxford dis-
trict. Distance from a market, or from a
line of railway, or a' shipping port, besides
the varying quality of the land, has so
marked an effect on the value, that no rule
can be laid down on this subject. It may,
however, be stated that good unimproved
land, at a reasonable distance from town,
may be had at a rental of from 3s. to 6s.
per acre. Poorer land might be taken at
a less, richer at a higher rental. The rich
and valuable farms near Christchurch often
carry a rent of from 20s. to 60s. per acre,
A system is frequently adopted of letting
land to farmers for a short term, the rent
1


130
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
\
to be paid by the crops. The rental and
conditions vary in the different districts.
A‘ common plan is to lease land for two
years, the tenant to fence it, take two crops
off it, lay it down in grass, and return it to
the owner. According to the position and
character of the land, the rent varies.
Sometimes, the tenant pays a bushel of
wheat per acre, the owner finding the grass
seed; sometimes, the tenant takes the
whole crop in consideration of fencing the
land. Sections near town, or in the rich
low lands near the coast, would of course
be let under difl'erent conditions from the
higher and drier soils farther inland.
There is also a system of letting land
under a purchasing clause; in fact, selling
on deferred payments. This is not so
much in vogue as formerly, for in bad years
the tenants, finding that they were _not
working the land to a sufiicient profit, ex-
hausted the soil by continual grain crops,
and left it either before or at the end of
their term without completing their bar-
gain, the land being rendered less valuable
than when they took it. '
On the. whole, it may be said that an
immigrant arriving with a small capital
would find no difliculty in renting an unim-
proved section, and that at profitable rates;
but that it would not be easy for him to
get an improved farm, unless he was known
to be in a position to work it properly.
Isnrrsrsms, Exrs'rme AND POSSIBLE.
The two chief articles of production in
Canterbury are wool and grain. But besides
these a large export trade is carried on in
flax; provisions (preserved and cured);
skins, ides, and leather; dairy produce;
and a number of miscellaneous articles.
The return given below shows the total
quantities and values of the various exports
from the Province for the year, September
30th, 1872, to September 29th, 1873.
This period has been taken as it represents
the whole of an export season of wool
(shearing commencing about the -end of
October) and almost entirely that of grain.
But it must be remarked, firstly, that the
return does not show the full exporting
power of the Province in either of the above
staples, as a considerable quantity of each
is sent to the port of Oamaru,in the ad-
joining Province of Otago, and is, therefore
shown in the returns for that Province.
Secondly, the return takes no account of
the quantities of grain or other produce
consumed in the Province itself. Accord-
ing to the return already given, it appears
that the total estimated grain produce in
ebruary, 1873, was 2,519,326 bushels of
wheat, oats, and barley. The harvest,
however, did not yield as.favourably as was
expected, and a reduction has therefore to
be made from this amount. The quantities
of grain exported during the twelve months
appear, as under, to be 906,955 bushels,
besides 2,350 tons of flour, bran, &c., which
may be taken to represent about 90,000
bushels more, making a total of about
1,000,000 bushels exported. There remains,
therefore, a large quantity of grain pro-
duced, and not shown as exported. The
same remarks apply to produce (the
greater part of which is consumed here) and
to cured provisions (barns and bacon). With
regard to wool, skins, and hides, flax, and
preserved meats, the fi es given would
more nearly represent t e production (ex-
cepting the quantities sent mid Oamaru), as
almost the whole of these are sent away to
other countries. The manufacture of leather,
although rapidly becoming more important,
cannot, as yet, greatly affect the return.
The values of these various articles fluc-
tuate in difi'erent years. The following is
taken from the Inyttelton Times weekly
price list, and may be considered as a fair
sample of the values at the beginning of
November, 1873 :—.
Wheat is quoted at 4s. 9d. per bushel;
oats, 4s. 5d.; barley, 6s. 9d. ; flour, from
£11. 10s. to £12 per ton ; butter, 7d. per
lb. ; cheese, 7d. to 7§d. ; bacon and hams,
8d., to 812d. ; wool may be said to be worth,
all round, 1s. per lb. At the same time,
shorn wethers were sold at 10s. a head;
wethers in wool, from 13s. to 14s., and up
to 20s. ; fat lambs, 7s. to 135., according to
quality; while mutton is quoted at 2id.
per lb. for shorn, 3§d. for unshorn sheep.
at cattle, about 20s. per 100 lb. ; store
cattle, from,30s. to £4. 10s. each. Best
sheep-skins, from 4s. to 6s. 7d. each ; inferior,
from 1s. 3d. 'to 3s. 7d. ; lamb-skins, 8d. to
ls. 6d. each; salted hides, 4&d. per 1b.;
fresh hides, 4d. ; horse-skins, 65. each.
Of course, these values vary according to
the season of the year, the state of trade,
and the ruling values in the English or
Colonial markets.
REI'URN showin%the Quantities and Values
of Articles xported from Oanterbury,
for the Year ending 30th September,
1873 :—
Wool. — 13,098,387 1b., valued at
£799,090. .
.Grain, Wheat, Oats, and Barley. -
906,955 bushels, valued at £204,000.
Flour, Bran, Sharps, &c. ——2,350 tons,
valued at £30,000.
Sheep-skins.—79,510, valued at £13,884.


‘ PROVINCE OF
CANTERBURY. 131
Hides—10,089, valued at £7,410.
Provisions (including both cured and pre-
served meats). — 10,848} cwt., valued at
£35,196.
Dairy Produce, Butter, and Cheese.—
2,3185; cwt., valued at £7,667.
Phorm'ium (Flax).—1,489i tons, valued
at £34,237.
Miscellaneous—Valued at £29,604.
Total Value of Exports, £1,161,088.
.Avasaoa Pmcss of GRAIN and FLOUR in
CANTERBURY from 1869 to 1873.


1869 1870 1871 1872 1873
Wheat, per s. d. s d. s d. s. d. s d.
bushel :—
March 3 9 3 0 4 0 4. 0 4 8
August 4 8 3 9 6 0 4| 9 4| 6
Nov. 5 0 4 6 4| 3‘ 5 0 4 9
Average 4 4 3 9 4 9 4 7 4 6


_ Average for five years, 4s. 4%(1.
£. s.l£. s.'£. s.

Flour, per £. 3. £. 8.
ton:—
March 1210 91011 011 011 0
August 13 10 11 min 013 011 10
Nov. 14. 012 013 012 011 10
Average 13 10 11 013 10|12 011 5
Average for five years, £12. 5s.

.9-1
Oats, per
bushel :—
March
August
Nov.
8-
5"
5"
8.
9‘
{CNN
NNN
NNN

ca wad: -9
c: c>me: .9‘
l-
as mare
N
u cacao F“
0: ‘were ‘
d.
2
3
5
3
05 $02M
N
N
Average
Average for five years, 2s. 9d.

5"
Barley, per
. bushel :—
March
August
Nov.
5“
20:00 9*

01 moms
.l-l cow 9-
cc were:
N ooa'_.
a» awe:
o coo 9‘
:n owns
a: oceo: ?*
ca camq
,._.
0
Average
Average for five years, 4s. 8d.


The average prices of grain here shown
appear to be considerably below English
prices: yet farming evidently pays in Can-
terbury. One reason for this is, perhaps,
the comparative cheapness of many neces-
saries of life here—(See return given below.)
But, besides, almost all harvest operations
are performed by machinery, and the farmer
is therefore enabled to make a profit out of
a lower price than he would obtain at Home.
Moreover, at least as yet, farmers here have
not been obliged to enter into such heavy
expenses for superior and scientific farming
as their English brethren.
The difficulty of obtaining a supply of
skilledlabour has hitherto prevented the
establishment in the Province of many
- industries, and various proposals have from
time to time been made with a view of
promoting them. In 1870, a Select Com-
mittee of the .Provincial Council on this
question sat for some time and presented a
report embodying various suggestions. A
system of bonuses, as advocated in this
report, has been repeatedly tried, but has
not hitherto met with much success, owing
to the immense difiiculty of obtaining skilled
labour at such prices as would render manu-
factures remunerative.
. The preparation of Phormiwm fibre can
hardly now be called a new industry, though
the high rates of wages have not allowed it
to be carried on so generally as might be
desired. Many of the mills which were in
operation in Canterbury a year or two ago
have been closed from this cause, and those
that are still being carried on cannot be
said to be worked to great profit. Still, if
a sufiicient number of labourers were intro-
duced, this industry, for which a practically
unlimited supply of raw material is avail—
able, is capable of being largely extended
and profitably worked, especially as it does
not require highly-skilled artisans. Ordi-
nary labourers are quite equal to the
general work of a flax-mill, as at present
arranged.
The Select Committee before referred to
recommended in their report that assistance
should be given by the State to start fac—
tories for cheese (on the United States
plan), beetroot sugar, woollen goods, Roman
and Portland cement, and to encourage
sericiculture, forest-tree planting, and coal
and iron mining. A Committee of the
House of Representatives, appointed during
the last session at Wellington, on “ Colonial
Industries,” repeated some of these recom-
mendations, and added fish-curing and
paper-making to thelist. All of these
industries could with great advantage be
introduced into the Province, as the raw
materials for most of them already exist in
large quantities, and those for the rest
1 2


132
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
could be easily obtained. Two woollen
factories alread started, one in Nelson and
the other in tago, have met with very
considerable success; so much so, indeed,
that it has been thought worth while in
England to manufacture cloths and 'send
them out to this Colony for sale under the
names of “Nelson tweed,” and “ Mosgiel
tweed.” There is an unlimited supply of
raw material for this industry in this Pro-
. vince, and it has often been remarked with
wonder that Canterbury has not long ago
possessed a woollen factory. It is under-
stood that measures are being taken for
romoting a company with this obiect.
Probably before lon the scheme wil be
fairly launched.* or the cultivation of
beetroot for sugar, the climate and soil of
Canterbury appear to be well adapted, and
it is hoped that steps may soon be taken in
this direction. With regard to cheese fac-
tories, the pasture land is so extensive and
rich, and the quality of the stock yearly
becomes so much improved that there is
no reason whya cheese factory as suggested
should not be successful. Large quantities
of cheese are now produced, especiallyin
the districts on Banks Peninsula, and it is
readily sold at good prices.
The production of tinned and preserved
meats is carried on at several places in the
Province, but is ca able of being further
extended, as the e of these articles in
the English markets is rapidly increasing
ear by year, and the meats from Canterbury
have always obtained a good name. The
Canterbury Meat Export Com any took
prize medals at the Intercolonial xhibition
at Christchurch in 1872, and at the late
great Exhibition at Vienna. Cured meats
are at present largely manufactured and
exported, and there is room for yet more
workers in this branch. The curing of fish
has been commenced by the Canterbury
Deep Sea Fishing Company, and has, so
far, been highly successful. The coast ap-
pears to teem with useful and excellent fis ,
and a further extension of this industry
may be expected.
It appears that materials for the manu-
facture of cement exist in the Province,
and as this article is becoming every year
more and more required, there is a good
opening for starting its production here.
It is probable that the tow and refuse
fibre from the Pho'rmium plant will be
available for the manufacture of paper, an-
article for which a large market is open in

* A Joint Stock Company, under influ.
'ntial auspices, has been formed since this
wper was written. '
the Coloply. This industry, it is to be
lfioped, w' also before long be established
ere.
Sericiculture has for some little time
been carried on in a small way, and, from
the appearance of cocoons exhibited in
Christchurch in 1872, successfully. The
mulberry grows well in the Province, and
the cultivation of silkworms, already begun
by one or two persons, will probably soon
be prosecuted more extensively.
The above re resent the chief industries
suggested by t e various Committees as
likely to flourish in Canterbury. There is
no doubt that with a more numerous popu-
lation, and a chance of obtaining labour at
reasonable rates, they could all be profitably
and extensively prosecuted. Our commu-
nications with other countries are every
year becoming more rapid and easy, and
new markets are being made available to us.
TIMBER. am) TIMBER Pmu'rmo.
Canterbury cannot be called a well-
timbered country. On Banks Peninsula,
there are the remains of forests formerly
very extensive, and a large quantity of
timber is still sewn in that district. But
already the peninsula is becoming cleared
of its wood, and probably the supply of
native timber from the different bays will
not last for many years more. In the Little
River district, on the south-west side of the
peninsula, is situated what is now the chief
area of forest land, principally consisting of
totara, rimu, and black and white pine
trees. The mountain ranges of Canterbury
are in many parts densely wooded, but the
forests as a rule consist of birch (Fagus)
trees, and these are not of much value for
sawn timber, though they make excellent
posts, rails, or bridge piles. At Oxford, in
the north of the Province, a considerable
timber trade is carried on, the forest there
containing birch, rimu, totara, and pine.
Some patches of timber also occur at Mount
Peel, on the Rangitata, Waimate, and other
places in the south of the Province. But
the supply is not by any means equal to
the demandin Canterbury, and in conse
quence large quantities of timber have to
be imported. '
The owners of land are every year more
and more turning their attention to tree-
plantinv. The Canterbury plains may be
said to ave been practically woodless when
the first settlers arrived. Now, however,
young plantations are visible in every direc-
tion, and as trees grow with great rapidity,
soon render the country more cheerful and
homelike. The Australian gum-trees of


PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
133
various descriptions, English forest-trees,
and pines, cedars, and cypresses of all
sorts, are being more largely planted every
year ; and ‘an Act of the General Assembly,
providing that any person planting one acre
of trees should be entitled to receive for it
two acres of Crown land, is already begin-
ning to have an excellent effect.
Forest land can be bought in Canterbury
in the same manner as any other, namely,
at £2 per acre ; and in the wooded dis-
tricts the law provides for allowing licences
to be taken out for cutting timber on certain
conditions.
‘MINERAL AND OTHER Rnsooncss.
The minerals as yet discovered in Canter-
bury are :—
1. Coal.—All along the eastern side of
the ranges bordering the plains, extensive
seams of brown coal, generally of good
quality, occur, which in a few localities
have been altered by volcanic agency to
bituminous or even anthracitic coal. Some
smaller brown coal basins occur also inland,
amongst the mountains, and at various
points in the north and south. The first-
mentioned seams will offer an almost inex-
haustible supply of brown coal for all
domestic as well as for industrial and loco-
motive purposes in the Province. _
Mines on a small scale have been opened
in some places, such as the Malvem Hills,
Ashbnrton, &c. The coal has been for
many years in use for domestic purposes,
but the want of easy communication and
the high price of labour have hitherto pre-
vented its being properly worked. Before
a Select Committee of the Provincial
Council on Coal Supply, 1873, a mine-owner
gave the following, amongst other evi-
dence:—“ I call mine a brown coal. I
have had a good demand for it. . . . . I
sold the coal at 16s. a ton, delivered one
mile and a half from the pit’s mouth. I
think that, with a fair demand, I could
deliver it at the pit-mouth for 12s. a ton.
- . . . Drays were coming a distance of
twenty and thirty miles for it. . . . . If
We had a road . . . . we could get coal
enough to supply all Christchurch, provided
it takes and we can get men to work it.”
Other coal-owners gave similar evidence.
railway is now in course of construction
t'0 these seams, and probably in another
1%!‘ or two they will be much more exten-
sively worked. '
rom various analyses made and scientific
and practical o inions expressed regarding
Canterbury cos. , it appears that while not
- §0_valuable as what are called “true” coal,
1‘? 18 quite adapted for industrial purposes.
The same sort of coal is very largely used
in Germany, in fact in some parts almost
exclusively. Tests of the coal for steam
generating, blacksmiths’ purposes, and gas-
making have been made, and the result,
especially for the former purpose, has been
most favourable. The anthracitic seams,
which occur chiefly near the gorge of the
river Rakaia, have not yet been worked for
sale ; they are reported to be of consider-
able extent, and the coal is said to be
excellent.
2. Clay Iron Ora—Beds several feet
thick occur .in many localities, either close
to or in the neighbourhood of the brown
coal. The ore is of good quality, but has
not hitherto been worked.
3. Fircclaya—These are found in the
same series of beds which contain the
seams of coal. They have, to a certain ex-
tent, been already used for making drain-
pipes, fire-bricks, and pottery; and these
industries are every year becoming more
important and extended. Samples of
pottery from these clays were exhibited at
Christchurch in 1872, and were forwarded
to the great Exhibition at Vienna in 1873.
4. Quartz Sands.—Beds of these, adapted
for glass-making, and equal in quality to
the best glass sands of Germany (from the
brown coal beds), which are so largely ex-
ported from that country to England, are
found in great abundance, and will no
doubt in future offer materials for an im-
portant industry. They have not yet been
worked.
5. Limstona.--There are some fine com-
pact limestones (marble) in the Malvern
Hills and other places, which are excellent
material for limekilns, and some of them
will probably be extensively used also for
ornamental purposes.
6. Building Stones—These, of various
qualities, grain, and structure, can be ob-
tained in great quantities all over the
Province. Banks Peninsula furnishes fine
dolerites (bluestones), quartzose trachytes,
and trachytic sandstones, which are already
used largely in building. The first-named
rock can also be obtained in the Malvern
Hills, and in the Timaru district, where it
often offers fine material for millstones.
Some districts, as. Ashburton, Malvern
Hills, &c., contain fine quartzose porphyries,
in blocks of any size; and the newensedr-
mentary beds furnish also a great quantity
of calcareous sandstones, of splendid qua-
lity for building purposes. The working
of these last is being gradually extended,
and they will become still more useful
as soon as proper facilities for transport are
provided.
i


134
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Manganese has been found in many
places in the Province, as have also indica-
tions of copper ore and other minerals, but
they have not been thoroughly examined.
As yet, the mills in Canterbury are of
only two kinds, flour and flax. Of the first
'there are many, and as any portion of the
country becomes settled, new ones are
erected. Canterbury produces far more of
breadstuffs than is required by its popula-
tion, and therefore does not import them.
The mills are of all kinds—wind, steam,
and water ; and the average price for grist-
ing may be taken to be 9d. per bushel of
wheat and 6d. per bushel of oats.
_ Flax or Phormium mills are also to be
found in many districts in the Province.
This industry, however, which ayear or two
ago, when the new process of dressing the
I’hormium fibre came into general use,
promised so well, has unfortunately not
answered, the expectations formed of it.
The causes of its decline cannot well be
entered into here ; but it appears that the
fibre has had to contend, in the home
markets, with very great difiiculties, and,
moreover, it is not yet certain whether the
process adopted by the millowners is the
one best calculated to clean it. Of the
mills started afew years ago, many have
been closed, but there are still several left,
and these give employment to a large num-
ber of hands.
There are three large establishments for
the manufacture of preserved meats, several
where sheep and other stock are boiled
down for tallow, bacon and ham curing
factories, iron foundries, saw-mills, and
other industrial establishments.
Kmns or LABOUR m Damn.
It may be said that in Canterbury there
is a demand for almost all kinds of labour.
It has before been remarked that if a sufii-
cient supply of labour were obtainable,
many new industries would be started and
probably worked to profit. As regards
trades and occupations already pursued in
the Province, they all feel the effects of
the high rates of wages, but probably the
farmers and owners of rural land suffer the
most. It has been of late years difiicult to
procure sufficient labour at harvest time,
and moreover large tracts of land, otherwise
quite ready for cultivation and settlement
have been unavoidably left unimproved.
The introduction of agricultural machinery
to a large extent has somewhat neutralized
the evil, but a great deal remains to be done
before the farmers can derive their proper
benefit from the land. The want of speedy
and sure means of communication with
markets is of course a great drawbackto
the prosperity of the agriculturists, and in
this respect also the scarcity of labour him
had a most injurious effect; for although
the great railway scheme adopted by the
Colonial Legislature is being carried out as
rapidly as possible, and very large sums of
money have besides been voted by the
Provincial Council of Canterbury for roads,
bridges, and other works for improving
communication, tenderers for the different
contracts have in many cases found it ex-
tremely difficult to procure the necessary
men for their work ; and it has often been
proposed that large public works of this
nature should be stopped during the sum-
mer months, in order that the men should be
rendered available for harvesting. In many
cases the Road Boards, under whose control
most of these works (except railways) are
placed, have found it very difiicult, and
sometimes impossible, to obtain tenders for
them at anything like reasonable rates.
In the building trades, the scarcity of
labour has brought about a considerable
rise in prices, and works of this class have
now to be paid for much more dearly than
in former years. As the general prosperity
of the Province has had its natural effect
by stimulating the desire for improved
buildings, and the towns and villages are,
in almost every case, rapidly extending
their boundaries and filling their streets
with houses, it need hardly be said that
there is a great demand for labour in the
above trades.
Barns or Wacas.
The following returns have been compiled
as a guide to the ruling rates of Wages in
Canterbury. The first is a return showing
the wages at which immigrants were en-
gaged on their first arrival in the Colony in
the year 1873, in the eight ships there
named. These ships have been taken as
including the greater portion of the year
and different seasons. The return is made
up from one furnished by the Immigration
Ofiice. It is to be remarked that in every
case the demand was greater than the
supply, and that the inmiigrants were all
engaged ‘within a day or two of their
arrival. '
Return No. 2 is the rate of agricultural
wages and prices, from information supplied
by'a large employer of labour, whose
initials are placed at the head of the
return.
Return No. 3 shows the rates of trades
wages, from information given by several
employers, whose initials are also appended
to it.


PROVINCE OF
CANTERBURY. l 35
RETURN No. 1.
“ Himalaya,” March, 1873.
Married men-(farm labourers), £75 per
annum, and house. '
Single men (farm labourers), £35 to £40
per annum and found.
Grooms, £40 per annum and found. '
Ropemakers, 7s. per day of eight hours.
Tailors, 8s. per day.
General labourers, £30 per annum and
found.
Boys, £10 to £18 per annum and found.
Housemaids, £25 per annum and. found.
General servants (female), £20 to £30
per annum and found.
Nurse girls, £10 to £18 per annum and
found. ‘ '
“ Mary Sheppard,” August, 1873.
Married couples (man to do general
work ; woman to cook, 620.), £60 per
annum and found.
Single men (farm labourers), £50 to £52
and found. .
Carpenters, 10s. per day of eight hours.
Saddlers, 10s. per day of eight hours.
Smiths, £2. 2s. per week.
Bootmakers, £2 to £3 per week.
Boys, £10 to £15 per annum and found.
Cooks (females), £30 per annum and
found.
Housemaids, £20 to £25 per annum and
found.
General servants (female), £25 to £30
per annum and found.
Nurse girls, £12 to £15 per annum and
found.
“ Columbus,” September, 1873.
Married couples (man to do general work ;
woman to cook, &c.), £60 to £70 per
annum and found. a _
Married men (farm labourers), 30s. per
week, with cottage.
Single men (farm labourers and plough-
men), £50 and found.
Carpenters, 10s. per day of eight hours.
Boys, 8s.' to 12s. per week and found.
Housekeepels, £35 per annum and found.
Nurses, £25 per annum and found.
Housemaids, £25 per annum and found.
General servants (female), £25 per annum
and found.
Nurse girls, £12 to £16 and found.
“ Celestial Queen,” October, 1873.
Married couples (man to’ do general
work; woman to cook, &0.), £55 to £65
per annum and found"; £78 per annum
with house only.
v
1
'Single men (farm labourers and plough-
men), £40 to £50 per annum and found.
In nearly all cases a bonus of £10 ofl'ered
if remaining twelve months.
Carpenters, 10s. per day of eight hours.
General servants (female), £20 to
per annum and found.
“ Adamant,” October, 1873.
Married couples (man to do , general
work ; woman to cook, &c.), £60 per annum
and found.
Married men (farm labourers), £78, cot-
tage and firing.
Single men (ploughmen), £40 to £52
and found, with bonus of £10 after twelve
months.
Carpenters, 9s. per day of eight hours.
General labourers, £40 to £52 and found,
with bonus of £10 after twelve months‘.
Cooks (females), £35 per annum and
found.
Nurses, £20 per annum and found.
General servants (female), £25 to £30
per annum and found.
Nurse girls, £15 to £20 per annum and
found. .
“ Punjaub,” November, 1873.
Married couples (man to do general
work ; woman to cook, &0.), £60 to £70
per annum and found.
Married men (farm labourers), £50 to
£60 per annum, self found, and cottage for
family.
Single men (farm labourers, ploughmen,
and gardeners), £50 to £55 and found.
Carpenters, 8s. to 105. per day of eight
hours.
Bakers, 20s. per week and found.
Boys, £15 to £26 per annum and found.
Cooks (females), £30 to £35 per annum
and found.
General servants (female), £20 to £30
per annum and found.
Nurse girls, £15 to £20 per annum and
found. ' . . _
Danes and other Foreigners.—General
servants (female), £20 per annum and
found. Nurse girls, £12 to £15 per annum
and found.
“Merope,” November, 1873.
Married couples (man to do general
work; woman to cook, &c.), £60 to £70
per annum and found.
Married men (farm labourers), £50 to
£60, self found, and cottage for family.
Single men (farm labourers, ploughmerr,
and gardeners), £50 to £55 per annum and
found. _
' £25


PROVINCE OF
CANTERBURY. 1 37
‘a very great amount.
. Hours of business, 9 am. to 6 p.m. except
Saturdays, when 9 a.m.'to 9 p.m.
The “ration” system, strictly speaking,
is not common in Canterbury. On the
large sheep runs, where shepherds have to
be kept at out-stations sometimes several
miles from the homestead, the men usually
come in once a week and draw their pro-
visions, which consist generally of flour,
tea, sugar, and meat. There does not
appear to be any particular scale for ration-
ing' labourers, and, practically, men who
have not to find themselves, are supplied by
their employer without stint. The low
price of provisions makes it not worth while
to adhere to any strict scale or limits.
PROVINCIAL PUBLIC WORKS.
There are a very large numberof Provincial
public works in progress or contemplated
in Canterbury. From various causes, the
Province has during the last year or two
experienced a wonderful increase of pro-
sperity, and, consequently, the sums of
money paid into the Provincial Treasury
for waste lands of the Crown, have reached
The lands sold
during the twelve months ending 30th
September, 1872, were 59,485 acres ; in the
twelve months ending 30th September,
1873, 257,340 acres; realizing, therefore,
for the two years £633,650. This sum is
distributed by the Provincial Council for
variousv public works, and necessarily there
is a great demand for labour to carry them
out. The extension of the main railways
throughout the country is under the con-
trol of the Colonial Government, and the
money expended upon those now in course
of construction does not therefore come out
of the Provincial Treasury. As regards
the labour question, however, this difference
is quite immaterial; and in the following
enumeration of the public works in Canter-
bury, the railways in course of construc-
tion are included in the same category as
other works. It may be remarked that two
railways, one from Christchurch to Lyttel-
ton, and one from Christchurch southwards
as faras the River Selwyn, which were
completed entirely by the Province, still
require a considerable amount of labour on
them by way of maintenance. This is
especially the case with regard to the great
tunnel at Lyttelton, where, owing to the
decaying of the rock in several places,
workmen are constantly employed in lining
the roof andwalls with brick and cement. Up
to the beginning of 1873 there were finished
and opened in Canterbury, chiefly from
Provincial revenue, about fifty miles of
railway, including the two above mentioned
and another from Christchurch northwards
to Rangiora. These railways are constructed
on what is called the “Irish” gau e, 5 ft.
3in. wide, and, by Act of the choral
Assembly, certain other lines in the Pro-
vince, as named below, are to be made on
the same‘ gauge. The remaining lines are
to be constructed on the narrow, or 3 ft. 6
in. gauge.
Since the beginning of 1873, a further
extension of .the Southern Railway, ten
miles, to the south bank of the river Rakaia,
has been opened. The bridge, nearly a mile
long, over that river, is a combined cart
and railway bridge, being floored with
asphalte.
RAILWAYS Au'rnoarzsn AND IN
Cous'rauorroN.
The railways in course of construction, or
likely to be soon commenced, first claim
attention. In the first class are :—l. The
extension of the Northern Railway a dis-
tance of fourteen miles from the present
terminus at Rangiora to Amberley, a village
on the bank of the northern branch of the
river Kowai. This includes a bridge, three-
quarters of a mile long, over the river
Ashley, which is now approaching com-
pletion. It will be a combined railway and
foot-bridge, the Provincial Council having
voted a sum of £1,200 for the latter pur-
pose. There will also be two smaller
bridges over the branches of the Kowai.
The contract for the construction of this
line has been let at a cost of, for the
Ashleybridge £21,000, and for the remainder
‘of the line £21,600. The line is to be on
the 5. ft. 3 in. gauge. f
2. A branch railway, 3 ft. 6 in. gauge,
from Rangiora to Oxford, twenty miles.
This line is almost completed.
3. A branch railway from the Rolleston
station on the Southern Railway, to the
Malvern Hills. This, which is also on the
3ft. 6 in. gauge, will terminate in the im-
mediate vicinity of the coal-fields and
deposits of iron ore. It is nearly completed.
4. A branch railway from the Racecourse
station on the Southern Railway to South-
bridge, a township near Lake Ellesmere.
This line will connect Christchurch with
perhaps the richest agricultural district in
the Province. It is being constructed on
the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge.
5. The extension of the Southern Rail-
way, twenty miles, from the Rakaia to the
south branch- of the river Ashburton. This
work, on the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge, will probably
be finished about April, v1874.
6. A line from Tirnaru to Temuka, twelve


138
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
miles, 3 ft. 6 in. gauge. It includes three
large bridges and some heavy cuttings, and
is in course of construction.
7. A branch railway from Washdyke, a
station on the Timaru and Temuka line,
to the Point, seven miles, 3ft. 6 in. gauge.
This is a work paid for out of Provincial
funds.
In addition to these works, a large
amount of labour is expended yearly on the
present lines, as, for instance, in the case of
the bridge over the river Selwyn, which,
having become decayed, requires an ex-
penditure during the coming year of
£11,000; and the conversion, which has
been resolved on, of the Southern line from
broad to narrow gauge, at a cost of £8,000.
The estimates of the Provincial Govern-
ment for the year 1873-74 contain under
this head a total of £160,000.
The second class of railway works in-
cludes those already authorized by the
General Assembly, but not actually in
course of construction, and those which will,
probably in the course of the next few
years, be undertaken. Under this head come
the lines from the Ashburton to Temuka,
and from Timaru to the river Waitaki,
completing the southern trunk line through
the Province; and an extension of the
northern line from Amberley to the river
Hurunui, an instalment of the trunk line
to the West Coast and Nelson, which
may be looked forward to as likely to
become necessary before long. It is pro-
bable that other connecting lines will
shortly be required, such as a line from
Oxford to Malvern (perhaps extending
farther south to join the western districts
more intimately together), and branch lines
on the plains of the Ashburton and Rangi-
tats.
Of the Provincial works contemplated or
already undertaken, the chief are those pro-
posed for the improvement of Lyttelton
harbour. These, which include massive
stone breakwaters, wharves, jetties, railway
extensions, &c., are estimated to cost nearly
£180,000, and their completion will of
necessity require some years’ labour. Con-
tracts for works costing the greater part of
this 'sum have lately been let by public
tender, and a large number of hands will
he wanted for them. Possibly, as time
goes ‘on and the trafiic in the harbour in-
creases, still further works of this class will
have to be undertaken. Those already pro-
posed will, however, give employment to a
small army of workmen.
There are a great number of Provincial
works of a miscellaneous character included
in the estimates for 1873—74. Some of these
have been already commenced, others are
for the present postponed on account of
the scarcity of labour. Schedule B of'the
Estimates, “Buildings and Works,” in-
cludes sums amounting to about £100,000
for “ Buildings” (in this sum being £42,600
for ordinary schools‘), £158,200 for “ Bridges,”
£29,140 for various “ Roads,” and £36,360
for “ Miscellaneous ” works ; the total of the
schedule amounting to £340,975. Most of
these bridges are under contract; but a
great number of the largest works, amount-
ing to more than £100,000, have not as
yet been touched. Schedule B also includes
a sum of £60,000 to be distributed to the
various Road Boards in the Province ; and
as this sum is further increased by the
amount of the rates levied by the Boards in
their respective districts, there is an ample
field for the employment of labour in this
direction. The Road Boards, the con-
tractors for railways and other Government
works, and the Government itself, found
during the past year very great difiiculty in
procuring labourers, and on this account
many important works had to be postponed.
There is one item in the list of “ Miscel-
laneous ” works which may excuse a passing
remark, viz., the sum of £15,000 for“ Water
Supply, Malvern to Rolleston." Between
these two places lies a stretch of plain land,
mostly good, but unfortunately not well
watered. It is proposed to bring down
across this plain, water from a river near
the hills, and to distribute it _ over the
country. It is probable that the actual cost
of this work will amount to very much
more than the sum named. But, besides
affording employment. to a number of
labourers in its construction, the work will
render available for settlement a large area
of agricultural land, within easy reach of a
market, and as yet unbought from the
Crown.
There are certainly in Canterbury a very
large number of public works of all descrip-
tions, either at present under contract, or
awaiting tenders, or proposed, which will
other employment to immigrants. The
enormous revenue now derived from sales
of Crown lands may not continue to flow
into the Treasury at its present rate for
many years more; but there are not now
any signs of its ceasing, and the sales every
week are as large as ever. In consequence
of thegreat scarcity of labour the question
has been seriously discussed, whether it
would not be advisable to lay by for a time
the greater part of the revenue, and only
proceed with a few of the most absolutely
necessary works; and the farmers and
sheep-owners are often put to serious incon_


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-‘PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
141
venience by the difliculty of procuring
labourers for shearin or harvest, owing to
the numbers engage on the public works.
Moreover, the price at which contracts can
profitably be taken has of late years very
considerably risen.
Anus-moss orrnann 'ro Lasounnss,
Mncnssics, SMALL Fsmuaas, &c.
Canterbury offers to the industrious immi-
grant of the labouring class a certain
prospect of employment, at good wages, for
some time to come. In .a new country,
there is always so large a quantity of work
to be performed in bringing the waste land
into cultivation, and there are so many
public works required to properly develop
the resources of the country, that labour
must be in demand. That there have been,
and probably will be again, times in which
the lowering of the prices of our productions
in the home markets produces a bad effect
on the general prosperity, and thence
naturally on the rates of wages for labour, is
not to be denied ; but labouring men, owing
to the generally low rices of the necessaries
of life, can support t ese periods of depres-
sion far more easily here than in older
countries, and the “ bad times” are not, as
a rule, of long duration.
For the “ small farmer” class there could
be no better field than Canterbury. Land
is easily rocurable, and the greater part of
it is we l adapted for cultivation. The
increase, every year, of the quantityof culti-
vated land is a proof that agriculture in the
Province has hitherto been successful. The
great drawback, up to the present time, has
been the want of easy communication; but
the extension of the railways, and the net-
work of roads now stretching over every
portion of ‘the Province, are rapidly pro-
ducing an alteration for the better in this
res ct.
(gznterbury will, it is hoped, in a very
few years be so far provided with railways,
that every district will have easy means of I
communication with the markets, and the
roads, under the_direction of the various
Boards, are every year rapidly improving.
It may be mentioned, as interesting to
farming vimmigrants, that, owing to the
general mildness of the climate, no special
care has to be taken of stock in the winter
time. Shee and cattle can be left out in
the fields all, the year round : horses have
usually, if running loose, arug placed over
them in winter. Severe frosts are un-
known: snow, on the plains, seldom lies
more than a few hours. Usually, no
further preparation of the land is required
for the plough than burning of!‘ the native
grass. Agricultural machinery is coming
into use more and more each year. Reap-
ing and threshing machines have been
common for a long time past ; but steam
cultivation has not as yet been found ro-
fitable. A system of reaping, as use in
South Australia, by stripping off the ears
of corn, instead of cutting it low down to
the ground, is being tried, and, it is
believed, with some success.
A glance at the wages table will show that
men are in demand for almost every trade,
and, in fact, ordinary mechanics are perhaps
better off than any other class at the present
time. With regard to mechanics especially
en aged in industries, it is probable that
alt ough manufactures and mining indus-
tries are as yet hardly in existence, it will
not be long before they are started in Can—
terbury. Amongst those most likely to be
promoted in the next few years, may be
named woollen mills, iron works, potteries,
coal mines. sacking and bagging factories
(from Phorm'ium. fibre), and pa er mills.
Indeed, the absence of skilled wor men has
been the chief reason why these industries
have not been already undertaken.
' Pawns or FARM Sroex.
The following return, from information
by (R.W.), a large dealer in stock, gives the
ruling prices :—- '
Draught horses (fair), from £20 to £40 ;
first-class horses fetch up to £80.
Working oxen (not much in use), £10.
Milch cows, £5 to £8,‘ say average
£6. ~10s.
Mixed cattle, consisting of cows, heifers,
and steers, £3. lOs. _ , .
Merino ewes, 4s. 66. each ; Merino
wethers (lean), 5s. each; Merino wethers
(fat), 85. each.
Gross-bred ewes (from Merino ewes and
long-wool rams), 10s. ; ditto wethers, 15s.
Average price of fat bullocks, 20s. per
100 lb.
Avera e price or fat wethers, 2%,d. per lb.
Pure ong-wooI sheep bring high prices
according to breed and condition.
These prices must be taken as the
average of the year. They var from time
to time, particularly as regar s sheep, in
the value of which the fleece forms an im-
portant element.
Pawns or Nrcrsssnrss 0s‘ LIFE.
The following maybe taken as a fail‘
average of prices of the ordinary neces-
series of life for 1873 :— >
Tea, say from-is. 6d. to 65. per lb.


PROVINCE or CANTERBURY. 143
)u'blic education; but there are, both in in connection with any particular religious
Ilhristchurch and the country, many private denomination should be entitled to receive
achools, elementary and otherwise, where special grants in aid, the control of the
arge numbers of children are educated. religious teaching in such schools being left
1 P . Ed t. to such denomination. Religious instruc-
'_ “mm? um um‘ tion in the district schools was to be under
The first Ordinance of the Provincial the control of the Local Committee. No
Jouncil relating. to this matter was passed special grant made as above provided was
n the eighth session, 1857. It was ashort to exceed £2 for every child in average
and simple enactment of which the most attendance. 7. Provision was made for the
.mportant clauses provided that certain inspection of all ublic Schools- 8. Three
nIms of money, amounting to £2,200, schools, namely, Christ's College Grammar
should be divided between the Church of School and the High School (both in Christ-
England, the Wesleyans, and the Presby- church), and the High School, Lyttelton,
berians, and the charge and control of the were excepted from the Ordinance, and
schools were handed over to them. School were toreceive annual grants in aid of from
fees were to be paid, and an Inspector of £200 to £300. Such are the most impor-
Schools was appointed. tant provisions of this Ordinance, which, as
In 1863, another short Ordinance was ' may be seen, was a long step in advance of
passed, appointing a Board of Education, those which preceded it.
under whose control the public schools of ‘ A short and not important Ordinance
the Province were placed, and who were waspassed in1865, referring only to matters
empowered to decide upon applications for of detail in connection with the Local
nts of public money in aid of schools. Committee. .
In this .Ordinance, mention is made for the Another short Ordinance, referring to the
first time of “ Local Committees ” for dis- collection of the rates above mentioned, was
trict schools. The first step was also then passed in 1868, but was in the same year
taken towards withdrawing the control of repealed.
public education from the various religious . In 1871 an Ordinance was passed con-
bodies. . solidating and amending the law relating to
In 1864, a still-further advance was education. Its principal provisions were
made. “The Education Ordinance, 1864,” —1. That in educational districts 2. rate,
provided—1. That on application from the not exceeding 6d. in the pound on the
inhabitants of any locality, the Board of annual value of the property 1n the district, '
Education might take steps for proclaiming might in certain cases be levied for the
such locality an educational district. This purpose of erecting or maintaining the
was to be done by taking a majority of the school buildings. 2. The amount to be
votes, for or against, 'at a public meeting of granted by the Board of Education towards
householders and landed proprietors. 2. erecting new schools was raised from three-
That if a district were thus formed the fourths to five-sixths of their estimated
meeting should proceed to elect a School cost, the district providing one-sixth. 3.
Committee, who should take charge of The school fees hitherto charged in the
educational matters within the district. 3, district schools were made to cease in 1872,
That the Board of Education should have and instead thereof every householder re-
power to grant to the districts, for the es- siding within a radius of three miles from
tablishment of new schools, any sum not the school was to pay an annual sum of
exceedin three-fourths of the estimated 20s. and a further sum of 5s. for every
cost of 51c necessary buildings, the Local child between the ages of six and thirteen.
Committee providing the other fourth. Not more than 20s. was however to be paid
4. That for this last, and other school pur- for any number of children by any house-
poses, the Local Committee should have holder, so that the maximum amount to be
power to raise within the district a rate contributed by him could not exceed £2
payable by every householder, such rate per annum. Theprovisions of the foregoing
not to exceed 20s. for each house. 5. That Ordinances relating to grants in aid of de-
tbe Board might make, to any school nominational schools and to religious
established under the Ordinance, an annual instruction were embodied also in this
grant of £75, but that no alteration, except Ordinance.
as specially provided, should be made in In 1872 an Ordina'nce was passed pro-
respect of schools established before the riding that existing clauses relating to the
passing of the Ordinance; such schools, election of' School Committees ,should not
however, to be placed under the charge of apply tothe towns of Christchurch,_T1maru,
Committees. 6. That schools established Lyttelton, or Kaiapoi, but that in those


144
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
places certain other proceedings should be
taken. _
In a subsequent session of 1872, the
Ordinance of 1871 was repealed, ‘ and
another passed, re-enacting many of its
provisions, and introducing certain amend-
ments, but not interfering in any very
important way with the existing system.
In the next session, no Education Ordi-
nance was passed, but a resolution was
carried in the Council to the effect that it
was desirable, in order to place the means
of elementary education within the reach
of as many children as possible, to include
within an educational district’every locality
in the Province where there were at least
twenty-five children between the ages of
six and thirteen years. The effect of this
resolution was to brin under the operation
of _the Ordinances t e towns mentioned
above. It is necessary here to go back a
little, in order to show how this change
affected the whole system of primary edu-
cation. As before observed, the Education
vOrdinance, 1864, provided that special
grants in aid might be made to denomina—
tional schools, and the words were added,
“ such schools shall not be included in any
educational district.” This provision re-
mained in force, being re-enacted in the
various Ordinances, until 1872; and as
Christchurch, Timaru, Lyttelton, and Kai-
' apoi were not educational districts, the
denominational schools in those towns
received‘ grants in aid from the Board of
Education. By the passing of the above
resolution, these schools would be deprived
of this assistance. No steps were, how-
‘ ever, for some months taken by the Board
of Education to carry the resolution into
effect.
In 1873, an Ordinance was passed to
consolidate and amend the law. relating to
_ gublic education in Canterbury, and this
rdinance is at present in force, The pre-
vious enactments were, to a great_extent,
retained, so far as related to the establish’
ment of the Board of Education and Local
Committees, and the general distribution
of funds. The main alterations were—1.
That the Superintendent might proclaim as
an educational district any locality where it
might seem necessary (thus including the
towns). 2. That no provision was made in
the Ordinance for any assistance to denomi-
national schools, which were, therefore, not
in future to receive any aid from the State.
From the above résumé, it will be seen
that, starting from a system under the
control of the various denominations,
assisted by grants from the Treasury, the
Province has at the present time arrived at
a system, of which the most important
features may be stated as follows:—
- All p ' public education is under
the control. of a Board of eight members,
appointed and removable by the Super-
intendent, The Board entertains and
decichs upon all questions'as to the distri-
bution of public money appropriated by the
Provincial Council for establishing new and
aiding existing district schools. Teachers,
inspectors, and other officers are appointed
by the Board. The Province is divided
into districts, according as the increase of
settlement renders them necessary, the
number of these at present being eighty-
four. - As the country becomes populated,
more districts are required ; and the Super-
intendent has power, if he thinks fit, to
proclaim any locality an educational district
Schools in these districts are built, as re-
'quired by the Board of Education, the
inhabitants providing one-sixth of the
necessary cost. The householders _of each
district annually elect a Local Committee,
who, under_the Board, have control over
educational matters in their district.'
N o fees are charged in any public school,
but every householder residing within a
radius of three miles from the school has to
pay £1 per annum, and a further sum of 5e.
for every child he has between the ages of
six and thirteen. It is, however, provided
that no person shall be liable to pay for his
children more than £1, so that in no case
does a householder pay more than £2 per
annum towards the maintenance of the
school, whatever may be the number of his
children.
Children of parents residing more than
three miles from a school may attend on
payment of 5s. each per quarter.
In all schools under the Board, the system
of elementary education comprises reading.
writing, spelling, arithmetic, geography,
history (sacred and profane), and English
grammar. N 0 child is compelled to be
present at the teaching of history whose
parents or guardians object thereto. Mili-
tary drill is taught in the schools.
Clause 62 of the Ordinance provides that
the Committee of any school may set apart
either one whole day or two half-days in
each week, during which ministers of religion
may impart religious instruction to children
belonging to their various denominations.
provided that no children shall be allowed
to attend such instruction except on a
written request from their parents or
guardians.
The salaries of the teachers are fired
according to the number of children attend-
ing the schools, but no male teacher receives


PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
145
less than £130, and no female teacher less
than £60 per annum.
Such are the main features of the Canter-
bury educational system. It will be seen
that, whilst the State has decided to be in
no way connected with anyreligious denomi-
nation, it has taken steps to lace within
the reach of every child in the ravince the
means of obtaining, at the lowest possible
price, instruction in the various branches
mentioned above.
It remains to be stated what are the funds
appropriated by the Provincial Council
towards the establishment and maintenance
of schools for primary education. First, in
each session votes have been taken for
school buildings, salaries of teachers and
oiiicers, and other expenses of the depart-
ment, rising from the vote of £2,200 in 1857,
to £72,000 voted during 1873 ; and for the
year ending 30th September, 1874, there is
again an amount of over £72,000.
It is evident that votes such as these,
depending upon the state of the revenue and.
the will of the Council, would not ofi'er a
certainty for the future to the Board of
Education ; and if they were to cease
suddenly, the burden of building new
schools and maintaining those already built
would be thrown entirely on the ratepayers.
But besides the annual votes of money, the
Board of Education have another source of
income to rely on, namely, the revenue from
the lands reserved for ordinary educational
purposes. From a return furnished by the
Steward of Reserves, it appears'that to the
present time, 51,596 acres have been so re~
served, and that of these, 25,961 acres have
been let to tenants. The rental of these
lands varies according to their quality.
The remaining 25,000 acres have not been
in yet rented, but are sure to be so before
ong.
These reserves are let by public tender,
in blocks of not less than 100 acres each,
applications being considered once amonth.
2.—The Provision made for increasing the
Teaching Power.
With so many schools urgently required
in so short a time, it is evident that a
necessity exists for providing efficient
teachers. The Provincial Council have
therefore voted, during the current year, a.
sum of £14,000 for the erection of a Normal
School, where teachers may be properly
trained. The foundation-stone of this
building was laid in December, 1873, and
the erection is being proceeded with. The
funds necessary for its maintenance will of
course have to be provided hereafter.
3.—17w Establishments and Endowments
for Higher Education.
For many years (in fact almost since the
first settlement of the Province) there has
been carried on, in connection with the
Church of England, a highly useful and .
effective establishment for higher education, _
under the name of Christ’s College and
Grammar School, or “The College.” Al-
though, strictly speaking, an Anglican
school, the college is open to and is made
use of by scholars of all denominations,
Catholics, Protestants, and Jews ; and the
uality of the teaching has been so good,
t at the school has attained what may be
called a pre-eminent osition in New
Zealand. The Rev. J'. .Andrew,whowas
appointed in 1873 as inspector of this and
kindred institutions under the New Zealand
University, re orted in most favourable
terms of the e ciency of the Christchurch
College ; and the position which its students
take in the examinations for scholarships
(Provincial or University) affords similar
testimony. Up to 1873 the college received
from the Provincial Council an annual grant
in aid. This has now been discontinued, as
before stated, and the school depends upon
its own resources, which are, however, quite
sufiicient to maintain its efiiciency.
Coming to the hi her educational esta-
blishments supporte by the State, we find
that at various periods the Provincial
Council has made large reserves of land for
these purposes.- Firstly, for a “Classical
School,” the income at present available for
which is £764 per annum. Secondly, a
“School for Technical Science,” in con-
junction with the Museum and Library,
with an income (in 1873) of £1,030.
Thirdly, a “College of Agriculture,” in-
come in 1873, £1,009. Fourthly, a “School
for Superior Education,” income in 1873,
£1,016. In 1873, the Council passed an
Ordinance establishing and incorporating a
Provincial College, with a large and in-
fluential Board of Governors, and in this
institution those mentioned above have
been merged. The Provincial College has
not, of course, as yet had suflicient time to
be fairly started, but the Board of Governors
have taken steps to procure a competent
staff of professors, and there is no doubt
that in a year or two the institution will be
in full working order. The area reserved
for these purposes is about 350,000 acres.
' The work hitherto done in the direction
of superior education by the “Canterbury
Colle iate Union” will be adverted to in
consi ering the next portion of the subject.
It is not out of place to mention. In con-
i:


146
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
nection with higher education, the Canter-
bury Museum, the -Public Library, and the
various libraries and institutes in the
Province. Of the first-named, it is not too
much to say that it would be creditable to
any country. The collections placed in it
are varied and complete, and well arranged,
and cannot fail to be of great use in future
years as a means of education. Moreover,
lectures on scientific subjects have been
delivered at the Museum, and now that it is
incorporated with the Canterbury College,
its educational usefulnesswill be very largely
increased.
A Mechanics’ Institute and Library has
been in existence in Christchurch for some
years, but, owing to various causes, has not
been so generally useful as might have been
desired. During the present year, however,
this institution has been taken over by the
Provincial Government as the nucleus of a
public library, and a sum of £5,000 has been
devoted to the purchase of a first instalment
of books, &c. It may be hoped that
Canterbury may hereafter possess a public
library, if not as large, at least as useful as
those of Melbourne and Boston.
Libraries, book clubs, and institutes are
to be found in almost— every district in the
Province. Every town and almost each
village has one, and a vote of £5,000 passed
by the Provincial Council, in 1873, for dis-
tribution amongst such institutions, has
greatly stimulated their increase.
The Board of Education set apart each
year a sum of money for a number of
scholarships. There are at present twenty
of these, of the value of £40 each, tenable
for two years, and open to all scholars in the
Province, whether from the district schools
under the Education Ordinance, or schools
such as the college, or under private tuition.
With the increasing population, and the
spread of educational institutions, the
number of these scholarships may probably
be expected to be increased.
4.—The New Zealand University.
The University of New Zealand is of
course a colonial institution, not confined to
any particular Province. It was established
under an Act of the General Assembly in
1870, and application has been made to the
Imperial Government for a charter to it.
For various reasons, this has not yet been
obtained, but it will doubtless not be long
delayed. In the meantime, the University
has commenced its career, and may be con-.
sidered to be fully established as fares this
county is concerned. Its work in the
various Provinces is carried on by the afiilis-
tion to it of the higher educational bodies.
In Canterbury, the body so affiliated has
been called the “ Collegiate Union,” and
was formed by an amalgamation for this
purpose of the Christchurch College and the
Museum. At present, the Collegiate Union
is in process of being brought under the new
Provincial College, which will become the
institution afiiliated to the New Zealand
University. Hitherto, the Union has
worked by means of lectures, open to the
public, which have been delivered by various
gentlemen, on classics, mathematics, modern
languages, history, natural science, English
literature, and jurisprudence. The Gov-
ernors of the Provincial College propose to
provide a regular staff of professors in the
following branches :—Classics, mathematics,
history, English literature, modern lan-
guages, natural philosophy, biology, che- -
mistry,mentalphilosophy,politicaleconomy. 1
and jurisprudence. Although necessarilyi
work of time, it is hoped that few years will
pass before instruction can be efiiciently
given in these subjects.
The University does not, however, confine
itself entirely to working through the afi-
liated institution. It grants degrees in the
same manner as other universities, uni
moreover, from the funds at its dis
establishes scholarships, of which the numlll?l
and value depend, as yet, upon the revenue
available. This is not the place to 011W
fully on the university work, but enough
has been said to show what benefit the
Province of Canterbury derives from it
5.—The Administration and Appr ' {1'0"
of Revenue devoted by the From”
to Education.
The necessary information on this head
may be gathered from the foregoing remilrki
Briefly, the funds available in Canterbury
for education are derived, firstly, fl‘?
annual votes of the Provincial Council;
secondly, from areas of land set apart 3!
reserves and endowments ; thirdly, from
rates and contributions from the people-
The first amounts are expended, for primary
education, by the Board appointed 11nder
the Ordinance as above stated ; the sewn‘:
are administered bya “ Stewardof Reserves,
who has power to let the lands to tenants 0“
certain conditions ; the third are paid 0"!
to the Board and dealt with by thenaasam
the first. It is evident that the fiiscorflw
annual votes of the Council, are dependeul
on the state of the Provincial revenue. 8”
may therefore be expected to be not Almls
so large as they have been of late yws'
The second and third sources of Eveliue‘
depending on the increase of populationr
which is a matter of certainty, and the





150
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK
The Charitable Aid Department, which in
1873 cost £4,500, had recently under its
charge about ninety persons, mostly widows
and children, or women deserted by their
husbands. These are not collected in any
separate establishment, but are assisted by
the Government according as their neces-
sities require. Anumber of men who have,
from various causes, so far lost the use of
their limbs as to be incapable of doing any
but light work, are employed under this
department in work in the public domains,
planting on the railway lines, &c., where
the labour is easy and does not require
great despatch. -
The above are the chief purely charitable
institutions maintained at the public expense
in Canterbury. One more should, how-
ever, be here spoken of, though not strictly
in the same category. It is the reformatory
or industrial school. Consequent on the
rapid increase of the population of the
Province, especially in the towns, it became
necessary to establish some institution for
reclaiming from evil the boys and girls
whose parents neglectedto look after them.
It was therefore decided, in 1872, to build,
on a iece of land about eighteen miles
from hristchurch, a large industrial school,
and this is now in operation. It is intended,
when the school is fairly in working order,
that the inmates shall be taught various
trades and occupations, for which the
building itself, and the large piece of land
surrounding it, will be made available.
A few words should be said of private
charitable institutions. There are many
of these in connection with the various
religious denominations, such as the Bene-
volent Aid Society, the House of Refuge
for Females, the Society of St. Vincent of
Paul, &c. There are likewise bmnches of
different benefit societies—Masons, Odd-
fellows, Foresters, and the like.
Altogether, it may be said that Canter-
bury is well provided with charitable insti-
tutions of various kinds, both public and
private ; whilst, on the other hand, it must
be remembered that there is not the same
need for them here as in older countries ;
for the low price of the necessaries of life.
the high wages, and general prosperity of
the people, render it much more easy, espe-
cially to persons of the working classes, to
gain a subsistence, and to attain to a certain
amount of luxurious living.
Cos'r or Cor'rsoss AND OTHER.
RESIDENCES.
Prices of Building for Cottages.
, two-roomed, 24 ft. X
ttages _
12 ft. (in town) .... £45
Cottages, two-roomed, 24 ft. X
12 ft. (in country) ............. ..
Ruling rates of rent for dwelling-houses
in town :—
Four-roomed cottages, from 10s. to 12s.
per week.
Six-roomed cottages, from 15s. to 20s.
per week, according to position, dzc.
Family houses, from £70 to £120 per
annum, according to position, &c.
EMIGRATION REGULATIONS—HINTS ron
EMIGRANTS.
The system of immigration adopted by
the Colony of New Zealand is, practically,
a free one.
The ships employed to bring out im-
migrants are very carefully chosen and
thoroughly inspected before starting. They
are all under the provisions of the Passenger
Act. There is always a doctor on board,
and a matron in charge of the single women,
and these, with the captain, on arrival in
port, receive, according to their efiiciency
and good conduct, gratuities from the
Government. The ’tween-decks of all the
ships are divided into three compartments,
kept carefully distinct and separate, for
single men, married couples, and single
women. A liberal scale of rations has been
adopted, under which each immigrant re-
ceives beef, pork, preserved meat, vege-
tables, tea, coffee, &c., and bread. Children
under twelve years of age are specially
provided for.
Immediately after the sailing of an immi-
grant ship from England, the Agent-General
for New Zealand forwards to the Colonial
Government, by overland mail, a list con-
taining the names and occupations of all on
board. A summary of this list is published
in the local papers, with an advertisement
stating that applications for the classes of
labour therein specified will be received by
the Immigration Department. Each immi-
grant ship is, on arrival, immediately visited
by the Health Oilicer and the Immigration
Commissioners. If the state of health is
satisfactory, the Commissionersgo on board
and inspect all the arrangements. The
immigrants are mustered, and inquiries
made as to comfort, discipline, and general
conduct of all on board.
The immigrants are asked if they have
any complaints to make, either of the
quality or quantity of the provisions and
water supplied to them, and generally if
they have been comfortable and satisfied on
the voyage.
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PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
151
surgery, hospitals, lavatories, closets, &c.,
are inspected, and any defects noted. In
case of complaints or bad conduct on the
part either of the officers in charge or of
the immigrants, a strict in uiry is insti-
tuted before the report of the ommissioners
is sent in.
.As soon as the inspection is over, the
immigrants are landed with their luggage
and proceed by special train to the depot
at Addington, a distance of about eight
miles, where they are comfortably lodged in
large and well-ventilated apartments, and
treated with the greatest care by the master
and matron.
Two days are allowed for washing and
mending clothes, &c., but those immigrants
who are going to relations or friends, may
leave immediately their friends come for
them. On the third day the engagements
take place.
Careful provision is made for the protec-
tion of single women, both on the voyage
and after arrival, and no person is admitted
into the engagement-room who is not per-
sonally known to the officers of the depart-
ment to be of good character, unless he
brings a certificate to that eifect from some
respectable householder.
Each engagement is superintended by an
oflicer of the department, and duly entered
in books kept for that purpose. The cur-
rent rates of wages are posted in each'of
the compartments of the depot. Generally,
every care is taken that the immigrant
shall be thoroughly well informed of the
state of the labour market, so that he shall
not be imposed on by persons endeavouring
to engage servants at rates lower than those
current.
Amongst the questions put to immi-
grants on arrival is the following :—“ Have
you any remarks to make with regard to
the promotion of emigration at home 'I”
The following are amongst the answers
lately given, and are fair average speci-
mens :—J. M, married, from Jersey, says:
“There is no difliculty in the way of any
Jersey people obtaining a passage if they
are willing to come. Dr. Garrick (the
local agent) makes everything easy. The
dread of the voyage stops a great many
from coming. I shall write describing our
treatment on the voyage ; it was much
better than I expected.” W. W., married,
Bays, “Let emigrants write home describing
the country truthfully, and also a descrip-
tion of their treatment on board ship, and
after arrival in New Zealand.” E. A.,
Iingle man, says, “Work is so bad in
London, that many hundreds would come
out if they were not afraid of the long
voyage. Letters home from emigrants
would help to do away with that feeling.”
M. A. 11., single woman, says, “ Many
single women that I know are afraid of the
voyage, and the treatment they will receive
upon arrival. If they could be informed
how comfortable we were on board, and in
the depot here, many would come out.”
It will be seen from the foregoing remarks
that, in point of fact, the immigrant to
Canterbury has, in reality, no trouble, and
nothing special to do on his arrival. From
the time when he ‘reaches the depot in
England, whether in London, Plymouth, or
elsewhere, everything is done for him by
the Government. The regulations regard-
ing his comfort on board ship are strictly
carried out, and the vessels themselves are
carefully selected. The provisions supplied
are good and plentiful, and on his arrival
here, if he has friends to go to, he is at
liberty to join them as soon as he likes. If
not he is comfortably lodged and fed, and
every possible facility is placed in his way
for obtaining a good situation.
Regulations to be observed in the Hiring
of Immigrants. ‘
1. Applications for married couples,
single men, and single women, are received
at the Imm'i ration Office for some weeks
previous to t e arrival of an immigrant
ship.
2. Upon the engagement day, due notice
of which is given by advertisement, em-
ployers attend at the barracks, and select
according to priority of application.
' 3. It is the duty of the Barrack Master
to point out to persons applying for married
couples or single men, those whom he has
ascertained to be suitable for the situations,
and generally, to assist employers and
immigrants in making the necessary
arrangements for engagement.
4. It is the duty of the Barrack Matron
to assist persons desirous of enga ing
female servants, by pointing out t ose
suitable for the situations, and generally to
assist employers and immigrants in making
the necessary arrangements.
5. A list of the class of immigrants
available for hire, and the current rate of
wages, will be posted in all the compart-
ments of the barracks. -
6. Any- employers unknown to the
Immigration Officer may be requested to
bring an introduction from a respectable
householder.
7. All agreements are madein writing by
employer and servant, and witnessed by
Immigration Officer. The original agn-


152
NEW ZEALAN D HANDBOOK.
ment is kept as a record, a copy being
given to the person employed.
8. Any immigrant who refuses a reason-
able offer of service, will be required to
leave at once. The fact of such refusal
must be reported immediately to the
Immigration Ofiicer, and by him to the
Government.
9. Immigrants who have accepted service
must leave the barracks without delay, and
cannot be re-admitted.
Regulations to be observed by Immigrants
in Barracks.
1. Accommodation in the barracks will be
afforded to immigrants newly arrived for
one week after landing, and no longer,
without special permission from the Immi-
gration Ofiicer. ’
2. N 0 person is allowed to enter the
barracks except by an order from the
Immigration Ofiicer.
3. All immigrants accommodated in the
barracks must be in their rooms by 9 o’clock
p.m., and must rise at 6 o’clock from the
1st September to the 31st March inclusive,
and at 7 a.m. from the 1st April to the
3] st August. The berths and floors must
be swept and cleaned out before 8 o.’clock
a.m.
4. Immigrants will be expected to air
their bedding daily, and observe strict
cleanliness at all times.
5. All slops must be carried to the places
appointed for that purpose.
6. N o immigrant must write upon, or in
any way damage any of the buildings:
7. N 0 fire or light shall be kept burning
in any room in the barracks after 9 p.m.,
except under the direction of the Immigra-
tion Ofiicer.
8. No smoking will be allowed at any
time in any of the rooms of the barracks.
9. No immigrant will be allowed to re-
mainin the barracks after obtaining em-
ployment, except with the permission of
the Immigration Ofiicer. -
10. Any immigrant leaving the barracks
before being engaged, unless authorized by
the Immigration Ofiicer, will not be re-
admitted.
11. Any person who shall use obscene
language, become intoxicated, or violate
any of the above rules, will be immediately
expelled from the barracks.
12. The Immigration Ofiicer may require
adult immigrants to do four hours’ work
daily during their stay in the barracks.
‘ LAW AND POLICE.
The laws of Canterbury are like those
of the other Provinces of New Zealand, of
a threefold character. Firstly, there are
the various English laws applicable to the
Colony ; secondly, the Acts of the General
Assembly of New Zealand; thirdly, the
various Ordinances passed by the Provincial
Council, which are, of course, valid only
within the boundaries of the Province.
These laws are administered, firstly, by the
Supreme Court, the Judge of which holds
his ofiice under the Colonial Government,
although the necessary buildings and other
expenses are home by the Province ;
secondly, by Resident Magistrates, of whom
there are, in the Province, five, holding
their Courts at Christchurch (with a sub-
district at Leeston), Timaru, Lyttelton,
Kaiapoi (with sub-districts at Oxford, Ran-
giora, and Leithfield), and Akaroa (these
ofiicers are also under the Colonial Govern-
ment) ; thirdly, by Justices of the Peace,
of whom, in the various parts of the Pro-
vince, there are at present 129. These
gentlemen receive no salaries. Besides,
the Province is divided into districts for
the purpose of Coroners’ inquests.
The Police Department is under the
control of the Provincial authorities. The
force, an exceedingly efficient one, is at
present composed of a total, including ofii-
one, of 65 men, or about one to every 800
of the population. The amount of crime
in Canterbury is not great : for instance, it
has always been a subject of remark that a
crowd here is invariably orderly. The
Police force, however, is highly organized
and in excellent order, and as they are
distributed in as many places as possible,
they contribute very largely to the safety
and peaceable condition of the Province.
Gaols have been constructed and are
maintained by the Provincial Government
in Lyttelton (for long service prisoners), in
Timaru, in Christchurch, and at Addington
(for female prisoners). In Lyttelton Gaol,
the convicts are employed in various works.
Hitherto, they have been occupied in con-
structing the breakwater in the harbour, of
masses of rock from the adjacent cliff ; now,
however, this and other extensive harbour
works, to a proposed cost of £170,000, are
being constructed by contractors, in the
ordinary way, and other employment has
to be found for the prisoners.
COMMERCIAL Comrsmns AND
As'socm'moss.
The usual facilities for transacting busi-
ness are of course notwanting in Canterbury.
There are five banks in the Province—the
Bank of New Zealand, the Bank of Austral-
asia, the Union Bank of Australia, the


PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. ‘
153
Bank of New South Wales. and the
~lational Bank of New Zealand (Limited).
.‘hese, besides their head ofiices in Christ-
hurch, have branch establishments and
gencies in various country towns, such as
.yttelton, Kaiapoi, Timaru, Ashburton,
iangiora, &c.
The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile
tgency Company, and the Trust and Agency
)ompany of Australasia, have also ofiices in
)hristchurch and other towns.
Several insurance companies are likewise
istablished here, such as the London and
liverpool and Globe, the Royal, the London
.nd Lancashire, and others, of English
>rigin, and the South British, National
.nd Standard Companies, started in the
)olony.
Christchurch, Timaru, Kaiapoi,Lyttelton,
ll’ld Rangiora possess Fire Brigades, of
which the organization and efiiciency are'
1igbly spoken of.
There are several Building and Invest-
ment Societies, which render very valuable
assistance to those who are desirous of
requiring a comfortable home, but have not
all the necessary capital. Thus, for in-
stance, a person who desires to receive
assistance towards building, according to
the rules of one of these Societies, executes
a mortgage of the property to the Society,
and receives from it advances periodically
during the continuance of the work. Those
advances can be repaid by monthly, quar-
terly, or half-yearly instalments. For in-
stance, if £50 is borrowed, both principal
and interest can be repaid in fourteen years
by a monthly payment of 10s. 4d., or by a
quarterly payment of £1. 11s. 3d., or by a
half-yearly payment of £3. 3s. 2d.; or it
can be repaid in six years by a monthly
Payment of 17s. 11d., a quarterly payment
of £2. 14s. 2d., or a half-yearly payment of
£5. 9s. 6d. The borrower can, if he wishes,
at any time redeem the loan by giving three
months’ notice, and paying the balance of
the principal then actually due, without
urther payment. The fees and charges are
exceedingly moderate. These Societies are
much used in Canterbury, and are found to
be of t assistance : almost every one is
enabled to build himself a comfortablehome,
and the towns are full of cottages belonging
to'working men, many of which are erected
with the help of one of the Building
Societies.
Associations such as the Meat Export
Companies, the Flax Association, Chamber
of Commerce, and the like, require a passing
mention, especially the first, which, thanks
‘0 the opening of a steady trade with Europe
Preserved meats, have done a great deal
towards establishing in this country a greater
certainty in the values of stock than did
exist, and have therefore very largely bene-
fited the agricultural portion of the com-
munity.
Mrscnnmnnous SOCIETIns, &0.
There are at present three Agricultural
and Pastoral Associations in the Province
of which one holds its annual show of cattle
sheep, implements, and produce, at Christ
church, on November 9th in each year
with a ram fair and grain show in the
autumn. A second is established at Timaru,
and a third at Leeston, and both of these
also hold annual shows. The influence of
these societies, and the impetus given by
them to stock-breeding, have largely contri-
buted to raise Canterbury to a high rank as
a country for pure stock of all classes.
There is now hardly a ship coming to
Lyttelton from England which does not
bring out valuable sheep or cattle, selected
carefully from the best herds and flocks in
the old country.
There has been an Acclimatization Society
in existence in Canterbury for some years
past, and its labours have been, as a rule,
very successful and highly useful. Its
funds are obtained by subscription, but the
Provincial Council has, in most years, added
a liberal grant from the Treasury. The
Society import every year numbers of birds
from England, and, in consequence, in many
parts of the Province are found numbers of
thrushes, blackbirds, yellow-hammers, lin-
nets, skylarks, oldfinches, bullfinches, and
other birds of t e like class. A year ago,
rooks and starlings were introduced, and
they are now rapidly increasing. Excepting
in the forests, the smaller native birds are
not abundant in Canterbury, and until the
Society introduced those from England
hardly any were to be seen. Now, how-
ever, these latter are spreading so‘fast that
in a few years, it is hoped, they will be
found everywhere ; and as the Society turns
its attention more particularly to the intro-
duction of those birds which are useful for
destroying grubs, flies, and caterpillars,
they cannot fail to do a great deal of good.
But besides these, the Society (and, it may
be mentioned, many private individuals)
have most successfully introduced game
and fish of various kinds. Of the first.
pheasants, partridges, and hares are thu-
roughly acclimatized and fast spreading over
the country. In some parts of the Province
pheasants may be seen in almost every field ;
partridges are rapidly increasing, chiefly in
the northern district ; hares are ap arently
doing well and breeding. Of sh, the


154
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Society have introduced the trout, some
thousands of which have been turned out in
the various rivers, and in 1873 they suc-
cessfully accomplished the feat of bringing
young salmon from England. These last
are as yet too young to turn out ; but it is
hoped that, now they are here, theywill
take kindly to their new home, and, when
sent to the sea, increase and multiply. In
the way of native game, New Zealand is
not so well supplied as some other countries.
The principal game is wild ducks (of which
there are several species), wild pigeons,
rrots, and the swamp hen, a large and
eautiful bird, common in the marshes and
reedy creeks. It may also be mentioned
that the red deer, which have at various
times been introduced into the Colony, and
turned out in the mountains, appear to be
still alive and probably increasing, although,
owing to their habits and the difiicnlt nature '
of the country, they are not often seen.
It is, on the whole, probable that Canter-
bury, originally so poorly provided with
varieties of game, will in a few years he
am ly supplied in this respect.
anter ury colonists have always given
great attention to the planting of trees and
the roduction of flowers and fruits. There
is a orticultural Society in Christchurch,
holding three or four shows every year;
and as the climate is, as a rule, admirably
adapted for gardening, and trees grow
rapidly and well, the Province is fast
changing its appearance from that of an
open, bare plain to awell-wooded and orna-
mental country.
A passing reference may be made to the
‘public amusements of the people of Canter-
ury. There is a Jockey Club in Christ-
church, which holds its chief race meeting
during three days in November, with an
autumn meeting at some time about April;
and there are few centres of population in
the country districts which do not manage
also to hold annual races. There are boat-
ing clubs at Christchurch, Lyttelton, and
Kaiapoi (annual regattas, besides other
races, being held at these places), and cricket
clubs in the chief town and many country
places. There is a theatre in Christchurch,
‘and other halls for concerts and entertain-
ments ; and, in fact, there are made in
Canterbury much the same endeavours to
obtain rational amusements as there are
elsewhere, the quality depending, of course,
on the means available for the purpose.
SUMMARY.
The foregoing pages are believed to con-
a plain, impartial description of the
'ICO of Canterbury. It may be ga-
thered from them that whilst there may be,
in certain directions, defects which may not
exist in older countries, yet, though no more
likely than any other place to be perfect,
Canterbury certainly oii'ers advantages to
various classes of settlers, some of which
may be briefly stated as follows :—
First, the small farmer, or the gentleman
with small capital, will find it a country
where he can, if he choose, select a piece
of land and possess it for ever, knowing
that although the times may be now and
again less favourable to him than usual,
every year that passes over the Colony
renders the chances of permanent depres-
sion less and less. He will find his property
secure, the ‘climate, as a rule, excellent, and
the cost of living low ; and he willalso find
that, allowing for periods of temporary in-
convenience, which must necessarily come
here as they come elsewhere, in the long
run he, in common with his neighbouis, is
steadily and surely rising to prosperity.
To the immigrant of what is called the
working class, whether mechanic or ordi-
nary labourer, Canterbury offers a. certainty
of abundant employment at good wages,
with the accompanying advantage of having
within reach, at the most moderate prices,
not only the necessaries, but many of the
luxuries of life.
Domestic servants, seamstresses, and
other female workers, will find plenty of
employment, and in a short time discover
the difi‘erence between a life of penurious
drudgery at home and one of fairly paid
work here.
To all classes the Province offers easy
means of procuring for their children, at
the lowest possible rates, a sound elementary
education, with opportunities of extension
to the highest branches.
And, as regards social condition, it may be
said that all are more free here than at
home. There is less interference of one
with another, and no excessive subservience
of class to class. Moreover, the popular
ideal of “colonial” life will not be found.
The old days, when it was considered right
to model behaviour partly on an Australian
partly on an American pattern—the days
of the blue shirt, the cabbage-tree hat, and
the stock-whip — the days of almost un-
limited drinking and swaggering—have
long ago passed away. People in Canter
bury conduct themselves in the same manner
as people do at home, the one great difi'er-
ence being, that no rowdyism is tolerated,
and that, in the streets or the fields, or in
the crowds at the various social gatherings,
no rags, or beggars, or evidences of misery
and destitution, are to be met with.


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(157)
THE PROVINCE
IN 1861 the whole of the land comprising
the Province of Westland was purchased
oy the Government from the original in-
habitants. There were not more than
thirty of them in the Province at that
time (at the last census there were sixty-
eight Maoris in the Province). The Natives
of this Province had formerly been subject
to frequent attacks from the Natives of the
North Island, who made predatory excur-
sions to the Middle Island in search of
greenstone, for which this Province is noted.
Twenty-five years previous to the Govern-
ment purchasing the land of the Province,
two Native commanders, Niho and Takerei,
after having served under Te Rauparaha in
‘attacking the Native settlements on the
‘East Coast of this Island, proceeded with
their followers down the West Coast as far
‘as the Hokitika River, killing and taking
1 plrisoners nearly all the existing inhabitants.
l iho and Takerei settled at the mouth of
I the river Grey, andparties of their followers
formed detached settlements on the coast
north of the Grey, and as far south as Bruce
\Bay. The Natives have no claims to any
lands in the Province, except to a few
‘ reserves that have been made for their use,
and to secure to them a right to any green-
stone that may exist in those reserves. In
1864 gold was discovered in the Province,
at the Hohouu River, and a rush of miners
from the other Provinces then set in to the
Greenstone. Discoveries of gold were soon
made at the Totara, Waimea, Saltwater,
Kanieri, Grey, and Okarita districts.
The Province of Westland extends from
the Province of Nelson on the north to the
Province of Otago on the south, and from
the Province of Canterbury on the east to
the sea coast on the west; its boundaries
being, on the north the river Grey, on the
south the river Awarua (flowing' into Big
Bay), and on the east the watershed of the
Southern Alps. Its divisions are, the
Municipalities of Hokitika and Greymouth,
and the Road Board districts of Paroa,
Amhura, Kanieri, Totara, and Okarita.
The Municipality of Hokitika includes
the town of Hokitika, situate on the north
bank of the river of that name, and one
square mile of land on the south bank of the
river opposite the town. Hokitika is the
Beat of local overnment, and is the principal
flown in thegProvince. It has a large trade
OF WESTLAN D.
with the Australian colonies, and exports
(besides gold) great quantities of timber.
The Municipality of Greymouth includes
the town of Greymouth and some adjoining
land. Its chief export (besides gold) is
coal. A railway is being constructed to
connect the town with the coal mines,
situate about seven miles up the river.
The Paroa district extends from the river
Grey to the Teremakau River. Its chief
towns are Marsden and Greenstone; the
others being Paroa, Clifton, Maori Creek,
and Orima. In this district, the whole line
of beach, and the terraces some little dis-
tance inland, have been or are being worked
by gold miners ; and in most of the tribu-
taries of the Grey River and New River,
gold mining is carried on. At the Green-
stone township, miners, with the aid of _
water power, supplied to them by the
Hohonu race, are washing away the sides of
hills and high terraces. There has been a
large quantity of land purchased from the
Government in the Paroa district. All the
sections in the town of Greymouth have
been sold, and a great deal of the land
along the south bank of the river Grey, and
along the roads that are in course of con-
struction in the district, has been taken up.
Two stations, each containing 2,500 acres,
have been purchased in the neighbourhood
of Lake Brunner. Along the rivers and
lakes in this locality, there is plenty of
agricultural land available for sett ement.
The Arahura district lies between the
Arahura and Teremakau rivers. It contains
the important mining district of the Waimea,
with its towns of Goldsborough and Stafford.
The Waimea, one of the oldest diggings in
the Province, still supports a large mining
population; and when the Waimea water-
race is constructed, employment will be
furnished for a much larger population, as
nearly the whole of the terraces and sidlings
are gold-bearing. Water to command the
ground at a high level is only wanted to '
make this district flourish.
The Kanieri district includes the land
between the Arahura and Hokitika rivers
and the land on the south bank of the
Hokitika River, as far as Lake Mahi_-
napua. Besides the Kanicri, _Kolr_nla_ln,
and Mahinapua townships, this district
contains the mining centres of Blue S‘pur,
Big Paddock, Woodstock, and Eight.
..


THE PROVINCE OF WESTLAND.
159
at 6s. per acre per year; and rural lands,
in blocks of not less than 25 nor more than
260 acres, at an annual rental of 3s. per
acre. If at any time of continued residence
the lessee shall purchase the land held by him
under a license at the upset price, the rental
paid prior to the purchase shall be con-
sidered as the deposit made at the appli-
cation to purchase the land, and, upon the
balance being paid, the purchaser shall be
entitled to a Crown grant; and if during
the seven years’ lease the lessee wants to
leave, the Land Board can dispose vof the
land by auction, and whatever amount the
land fetches above the rent due and ex-
[lenses of sale, will be handed to the lessee
as valuation for his improvements. Any
lessee holding and occupying a lease as
above for seven years, shall be entitled, at
the payment of the seventh year’s- rent in
advance, to a Crown grant, without further
payment. All the moneys received from
the sale or leasing of lands in the special
settlement blocks shall be applied to defray
expenses in forming settlements, making
and constructing roads and public works in
settlement, in endowing and maintaining
schools, 810., and maintaining communica-
tion either by sea or by land with each _
settlement.
There is land throughout the whole of
the Province abounding with timber, and
easily accessible from the sea coast ; and
the few ‘ land tracks lately out show that
some of the best agricultural land in the
Province exists between the low-lying hills
and the main range. In cutting, quite
recently, the Waitaha prospecting track for
allne of road, thousands of acres of open
land, with 6 ft. to 10 ft. of rich black soil,
were found, and would prove fit locations
for extensive farms.
_ here is scarcely any improved land in
Private hands open for sale to persons of
small capital. Most of the holders of im-
proved lands have themselves made the
improvements. Any one anxious to secure
flhomestead, with a market to dis ose of
his produce, will find it a not very ' cult
task in the Province of Westland, where
I110 land can be easily purchased from the
GOvel'nment. '
The chief productions of Westland are
gold, timber, and coal. Thevalue of gold
18 53. 16s. per on; sawn timber, 8s. per
hundred feet (superficial) ; timber in logs,
55- per hundred feet (superficial) ; coal, at
the pit’s mouth, 105. per ton; at Grey-
mollth, the rt of shipment, 18s. per ton ;
“nfl in Ho 'tika, 25s. er ton. These
Prices of coal will be muc lower when the
railway is completed from the coal mines to
Greymouth.
All the rivers of Westland, and the bays
in its southern parts, abound with fish. If
parties of men would organize, and settle
in the southern parts of the Province, they
would find’ fish-curino a profitable occupa-
tion, more especially ' they fitted out boats
for whaling (as whales are frequently cast
on our shores), and seal-catching. At
seasons when fishing may be dull, the set-
tlers could prospect for gold, as the whole
of the coast is auriferous. There are men
scattered in the southern parts of this Pro-
vince who, for the last five or six years,
have been gold mining, and doing nothing
else. These men will not leave the dis-
tricts, preferring to remain there, notwith-
standing the difiiculties and expense of
obtaining provisions. There are blocks of
land set apart for special settlements, and
immigrants can easily obtain homesteads in
the southern parts. Bruce Bay and Jack-
son’s Bay, both well sheltered, are good
localities for the establishment of fishing
stations. The Government offer a bonus of
4s. per cwt. on all cured fish exported up to
the end of 1879.
Flax is found in all arts of the Province,
the moist climate of estland being very
favourable for its growth ; yet nothing has
been done to utilize it. On the banks of
the rvers, and in the swamps, flax grows
luxuriantly. Samples of the only kind
dressed by the Maories, have the appear—
ance of delicate glossed satin. Another
kind, the tat, is remarkable for its length of
fibre and great strength. The making of
flax into rope and all kinds of cordage
could be carried on advantageously in
Westland, as its supply of flax is inex-
haustible. If properly cultivated, and by
stripping only the outer leaves of the flax
plant twice a year, each acre of land would
yield more than two tons of marketable
flax.
In other parts of New Zealand, where
the climate is not so favourable for the
growth of flax, swamps have been drained.
and, immediately after, the plants that had
a stunted growth of 2 ft. commenced grow-
ing till they attained a height of 9 ft. or
10 ft.
From the unlimited supply of easily-
wrought wood found here, cabinetmakers
and carpenters, especially those with a
knowledge of machine-made notions, such
as doors, window-sashes, tubs, clothes- gs,
articles of tumery, 620., will find the$ro-
vince a fit place to exercise their skill and
ingenuity. Shipbuilding could be largely
T.


160
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
and easily carried on in any of the bays or
main rivers of the Province.
Sites with water frontages to any of the
rivers can be easily obtained, anda supply
of bark being at hand, tanneries could be
cheaply worked, and would yield large
rofits to the owners, as the demand for
liaather is very Igreat, most of the population
being engaged in mining, or on roads and
public works, or in the bush. If tan-
neries were established, boot factories would
ay.
p Brickmaking could be profitably carried
on in the Province: there are only two
brickyards, one at Greymouth and one at
Hokitika. On account of the high price
of bricks, there is hardly a brick house in the
whole of the Province. There is an immense
supply of fire-clay _of first-class quality
near Greymouth, from which bricks have
been made that have stood the test in
several furnaces much better than the English
imported article.
The manufacture of potash and pearlash,
essential oils, extraction of gums, and the
exportation of ice might prove profitable.
The manuka trees would make excellent
hop-poles, lasting as long as iron, and
saving the cost and trouble of dipping the
poles, as is done in the hop counties of
England.
The forest lands of the Province occupy
more than two-thirds of its total area. The
. timber consists chiefly of black, red, white,
and silver pines; black, red, and white
birches ; mairo, totara, rata, kawhaka,
cedar, and manuka. -
Lately there has sprung up a demand for
white pine timber, and from the port of
Hokitika alone, during the quarter ended
30th September, 1873, there were ex-
ported to Melbourne 1,330 logs, containing
446,430 ft., besides deals, making in all
485,000 ft. Hokitika also, during the same
three months, exported to other New Zea-
land ports 687,300 ft. of sawn timber.
The rivers in the Province are not more
than four or five miles apart, so that in
districts where there are no roads, the
timber can be easily floated down to the
coast. A license to cut timber in any part
of the Province can be obtained on pay-
ment of 10s. per month, or £5 per year,
and the Land Board may reserve any land
for the sale by auction of the timber thereon.
Although gold mining is the chief and
most alluring of the occupations followed
in Westland, yet in many parts of the Pro-
vince other metals and minerals have been
found : amongst them, coal, principally
found on the south bank of the Grey ltiver
(opposite the Bruuner mine), at Lake
P_"—__"
Kanieri, in several places in the Ross div‘
triot, at the north of the Okar'ita lagoon,
and at the Paringha River. A (cmpany is
now opening up the Grey mine, and parties
are similarly engaged at the Kanicri mine.
Gold-bearing quartz reefs have been
found near Langdon’s Ferry, Grey River.
at the Taipo River, up the Hokitika River
in several places, near Kanieri Lake, at
Redman’s in the Ross district, and in
many other parts of the Province.
Lead and silver ore (galena) has lately
been found at the Waitaha River, and
copper at the Paringha River, and in
some of the bays. From the southern
parts of the Province, beyond the settled
districts, reports of copper discoveries have
been received. Iron and tin have also been
found in the Province.
The only mills in the Province are saw-
mills, three being in Hokitika, three at
Greymouth, and in nearly every township
there is one or more mills to supply the
local demand for timber. There is a foundry
at Hokitika, and one at Greymouth. A
rope manufactory is being started at Grey-
mouth, one being already in full work on
the opposite side of the river at Cobden.
Miners, navvies, agricultural labourers,
and men handy with the axe for bushmen,
are in great demand here. The contractors
for the construction of public works at
‘present find difiiculties in obtaining labour.
When the Waimea and otherraces are fairly
started, the difiiculties of obtaining labour
will be very much increased, and when the
races are finished, there will be employment
for twice the number of our present mining
population. Ground that is considered,
with the appliances at hand, to be too poor
to pay wages, can with water be profitably
worked.
The following are the rates of wages
here z-Labourers on roads and public
works, 10s. and 12s. per day of eight
hours ; carpenters and tradesmen, 16s.
ditto ; Sawyers at mills, 16s. ditto ; la-
bourers and bushmen, 10s. ditto ; miners
in mines in or near the towns, £3 per week ;
miners in mines distant from the townships
and in the southern parts of the Province,
£4 to £5 per week; farm labourers, 30s.
to 35s. per week, with board and lodging;
coal miners, 4s. per ton, working in a seam
of coal from 12 ft. to 21 ft. thick.
It is not customary in Westlaud for em-
ployers to ration their labourers: the latter
are either paid weekly wages and supply
themselves with food, or else they have
their meals with their employers. If
labourers desired rations, farmers would
not think of allowing them less than





._ .H-LH-hl


THE PROVINCE OF WESTLAND.
163
101; lb. flour, 4 oz. tea, 2 lb. sugar, and
12‘lb. meat per week.
The following public works in the Pro-
vince are either in course of construction,
or are likely to be commenced within a
year or so :—Main road completed from
Hokitika to OkaritaI and from thence to
the southern boundary of the Province.
Road from Greenstone (Pounamu) to
Lake Brunner, and to the boundary of Pro-
vince of Nelson.
Road from Taipo River to Nelson Pro-
vince midBell HilL
Surveyors are now engaged surveying
trial lines for a line of railway to connect
Hokitika with the main line of railway on
the East Coast, Canterbury.
The Kanieri race is being pushed vigo-
rously on, and the Mikonui race and Waimea
race are expected to be taken in hand shortly.
The other races constructing at present are,
the Hibernian race and New River race—
both in the Paroa district. vBesides these
works in course of construction, the exten-
sion of the Hohonu race, Totara and Jones’
Creek, the Alpine and the Okarita Lake
races, and the roads and public works in
hand will give employment, for years to
come, to ordinary labour.
Every labouring man may feel himself
perfectly independent in Westland. If he
is not contented with the employment
offered him, he can always provide for
himself by gold mining, with the chances
of obtaining much more than a mere living.
From the records, there never was a dis-
trict that exported so much old in pro-
portion to its population as estland has
done since its first settlement. -
The price of ordinary farm stock, sound
and in good condition, is—For working
I bullocks, £9 ; working horses, £30 ; mixed
cows, £4 ; and sheep (60 lb. carcass). 10s.
per head.
The following are the prices of the ordi-
nary necessaries of life :—
Flour, 8s. per 50 lb. bag.
Mutton and beef, 3d. to 6d. per lb.
Butter, 9d. per lb.
Potatoes, 5s. per cwt.
Cheese, 10d. per lb.
Ham and bacon, 9d. to 1s. per lb.
Tea, 2s. 6d. per lb.
Sugar, 5d. per lb.
Churches of all denominations are sup-
ported by voluntary contributions. They
receive no state aid, excepting the land
reserved in the several townships for the
use of each religious body.
The Chmeh of England—All that part
of the Province south of the Teremakau is
in the diocese of Christchurch, and that
north of the Teremakau is in the diocese
of Nelson. Churches are established in
Hokitika,Greymouth, Kanieri, Ross, Golds-
borough, Stafford, and a Maori church at the
Arahura. All these churches have Sunday-
schools attached to them.
The Roman Catholic churches are con-
nected with the diocese of Wellington, and
are in the following placesz—Hokitika,
Greymouth, Ross, Goldsborough, Stafford,
Greenstone, Maori Gully, Five-Mile Beach,
Okarita, and a church is in course of
erection at Kanieri. A priest visits the
settlements in the southern parts of the
Province, as far as Hunt’s Beach, every
three months. In connection with these
Shurches, catechism is taught every Sum
ay. '
Presbyterian churches, under' the Pres-
bytery of \Vestland, are in Hokitika, Grey-
mouth, Stafford, Ross, Eight-Mile, and
Hau-Hau. Each Presbyterian church has
its Sabbath school, the total number attend-
ing being 344 children and 48 teachers.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church has in
the Province 3 resident ministers, 9
churches, 8 reading stations, 12 lay
preachers, 55 Sunday-school teachers, and
10 Sabbath schools.
A Lutheran minister occasionally visits
the Province, and holds Divine service in
the several towns.
The Hebrew congregation have a syna-
gogue in Hokitika.
The Government set apart reserves of
land for educational purposes. In the towns
of Hokitika, Greymouth, and Ross, each
denomination has its school ; besides these,
there are many private schools in the above
towns. The Provincial Council vote a sum
of money (about £1,000 per annum) for
educational purposes. This sum is handed
to the Board of Education—composed of
members of the different religious denomi-
nations—for distribution to the schools, to
supplement the school fees and aids granted
by School Committees, and received by the
teachers as salaries. The school buildings
have been built, in the large towns by the
religious bodies, and in the small towns
and other localities by Local Committees.
None has been built by the Government.
The principal hospital is at Hokitika,
but there is another at Greymouth and one
at Ross. These are supported by voluntary
contributions and Government aid. The
Province being divided into districts, each
district has its Hospital Committee, who
raise money to supplement the Government
vote for hospitals. _
There are in Hokitiks a lunatic asylum
and a Benevolent Society.


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166
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
are shipped from this port to all parts of the
Colony; and when the railway connecting
it with the interior of the Province, now in
course of construction, has been completed,
it will in all probability become the entrepét .
of a large and important export trade.
Dis'rmc'rs.
The northern counties of Picton and
Pelorus may be said to be entirely occupied
by the timber trade and industries connected
with it. These districts have also been
proved to be highly auriferous, and a con-
siderable number of men are at the present
time employed both at alluvial digging and
at the quartz reefs..
On the level plains of the Wairau, farm-
ing operations and the manufacture of
Phormium fibre almost exclusively prevail,
while the southern districts of Awatere and
Kaikoura are mainly occupied by extensive
sheep-rims. The principal town in the
district of Wairau is Blenheim, the seat of
the Provincial Government, and a number
of smaller townships, more or less developed,
are scattered at intervals throughout this
part of the Province. Blenheim'is situated
nearly in the centre of the Wairau plain,
and at the junction of the Omaka and
Opawa rivers. These rivers, being navi-
gable for vessels up to 100 tons, constitute
1t a shipping port of no small importance,
and a large and increasing export and
import. trade is carried on with the two
neighbouring Provinces of Wellington and
Nelson. Large quantities of wool, flax, and
tallow are also shipped at this port for tran-
shipment to the English trading vessels
which annually visit the commodious
harbour of Port Underwood, situated about
twelve miles from the mouth of the Opawa
River. The overflow of this river, which
occurs occasionally after heavy downfalls of
winter rains, has given the town of Blen-
heim and the surrounding neighbourhood a
somewhat unenviable notoriety as a district
liable to destructive floods, but the effect of
these inundations has been considerably
exaggerated. By means of the protective
works already executed, and of those still in
course of construction, their frequency has
been much diminished, and a sh ht and
temporary inconvenience is now t e only
evil resulting from them.
LAND Laws.
The regulations for the sale or letting of
. the waste lands of the Province of Marl-
borough, differ in many respects from those
in force in other parts of the Colony.
Sale by auction is here the main principle
of the manner of its disposal; and for the
purpose of determining a certain nput
price, all unsold Crown lands are classed
under one of the following headings :—
1. Town.
2. Suburban (being land in the vicinity
of townships, or sites for towns).
3. Rural (land suitable for agricultural
purposes).
4. Pasture (being such as,£rom its hilly
and broken character, and the inferior
quality of its soil, appears unsuitable for
agricultural purposes).
5. Mine
Townships and villages are laid out by
the Government as they are required, and
in the meantime sites are reserved from
sale. The surrounding land is also laid out
and reserved as suburban.
Rural, or agricultural, and pasture lands
are open to be applied for by any person
As soon as possible after application is
made, a surveyor is sent by the Govern- )
ment (at the applicant’s expense) to make
the necessary survey. The Waste Lands Board, which consists of the members of
the Executive Council of the Province and ‘
the Commissioner of Crown Lands (an ,
ofiicer of the General Government), then \
proceeds to assess the value of the land
applied for, and to' fix an upset price, at
which it is submitted to public auction and
sold to the highest bidder, 10 per cent. of
the purchase money being required at the
time of sale, and the remainder within one
month from that period. Land for which
no bid is made at a public auction sale, may
be purchased at any time wifiiin two years,
by paying the full amount of the original
reserved price.
Besides this manner of disposing of the
waste lands, there is a provision in the land
law of this Province, by which persons may
acquire land in payment of the execution
by them of public works, such as roads,
bridges, buildings, &c. ; and under this pro-
vision some thousands of acres have been
granted within the last few years. The
system prescribed by the Waste Lands
Act is as follows :—The Provincial Go-
vernment advertise for tenders.to execute
the road or other work which is required,
and the lowest eligible tender is accepted


The successful tenderer then select! a
block of land, which is assessed in the same
manner as land for sale by auction, and on l
his signifying his approval of the assessment
the work is proceeded with, and the land
reserved from public sale for the spaceof l
twelve months. On the completion of the
works, the contractor is entitled to receive
a Crown grant of the land selected by him-
l
n“


PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH.
167
Pastoral leases and licenses are granted
ver unoccupied pastoral lands to ‘any
erson who applies for them, the terms
sing, for leases fourteen years, with the
ght of renewal at the expiration of that
eriod at double the original rent, and for
censes fourteen years. The license differs
cm the lease by simply giving the right of
razing over the land taken up ; while the
use, of course, gives the exclusive right
i‘ using the land for the full term of its
uration. The rent under a lease is deter-
iined by the \Vaste Lands Board, but the
.ct prescribes that it shall be charged upon
as carrying capability of the land, at the
rte of 3s. 6d. a year for each head of cattle,
nd 7d. for each sheep. The rent under a
.cense is 1d. an acre for the first seven
'ears, and 2d. an acre for the second term
if seven years.
Licenses for felling timber on the forest
ands of the Province are also issued to
)ushmen and settlers, the fee being £1 per
were per year.
Mineral lands, or those supposed to con-
.ain minerals, are let under lease by the
Waste Lands Board, for any term not
axceeding 21 years.
The average assessed price of the Crown
lands in this Province at the present time
may be quoted as follows :—
Town lands, £15 to £100 per acre.
Rural lauds, £1 per acre.
Pasture lands, 7s. per acre.
Bush or forest lands, £1. 5s. er acre.
Mineral lands (mostly he d under
lease).
The practice of renting improved farms
is not very general in this Province; but
little (lifiiculty would be experienced by
persons wishing to do so, and favourable
terms could be obtained.
Aarrcnas or Pnonuc'rrou.
The principal articles of production in
Marlborough are, agricultural roduce of all
kinds, wool, flax, tallow, m t, hops, and
timber. The level lands of the Wairau
and vicinity are eminently adapted to the
raising of most descriptions of cereals,
whilst the mild temperature of the seasons
is especially favourable to the successful
carrying on of farming operations. The
size of arable farms varies from 10 to 20,
and up to 2,000 acres.
provements in agricultural machinery are
in use in most districts; on one large
estate, steam cultivators have been success-
fully employed for several seasons.
At the census in 1871, the cultivated
land in the Province amounted to 28,313
acres : 22,126 acres were in sown grasses,
The latest im_ _
2,686 acres in wheat, 1,139 acres in oats,
and 1,438 acres in barley. The average
yield of the cereal crops may be said to
be—Wheat, 25 bushels ; oats, 40 bushels ;
barley, 30 bushels to the acre; while re-
turns of upwards of 60 bushels are not
uncommon. The cost of preparing unim-
proved land for a grain crop may be esti-
mated at from 30s. to £2 per acre. Thresh-
ing and harvesting operations are generally
contracted for by persons possessing the
necessary machinery, the usual course being
for the contractor to find the labour re-
quired at a certain price, the farmer lodging
and feeding the hands, and supplying the
fuel necessary for the engine. The average
cost of threshing is about 7d. per bushel,
but may vary slightly in proportion to the
scarcity of labour.
In relation to the subject of farming in
this Province; a reference to the meteoro—
logical returns may be useful and instruc-
tive. Taking the last five years, the
reading of the thermometer shows a mean
temperature of 53'4, the highest mean
being 648 and the lowest 428. In regard
to the seasons, the mean of spring was
59'5; of summer, 63'1 ; of autumn, 53'4;
and of winter, 43'9 ; all the above observa-
tions being taken at 9 a.m. Slight frosts
occur in the winter, and snow is occasion-
ally, but rarely, seen except in the moun-
tainous districts. The climate of the Pro-
vince is exceedingly equable, and resembles
somewhat that of Devonshire, with, how-
ever, considerably less rainfall, and probably
gives a larger number of working days than
any other part of New Zealand. Gera-
niums, verb'enas, fuchsias, and most plants
which in England are termed greenhouse-
plants, live out the winter here without
protection ; and vines have, to some extent,
been successfully cultivated, as espaliers, in
the open air.
Chief amongst the productions of the
Province of Marlborough at the present
time may, perhaps, be placed wool." A
large extent of country, a great part of
which for many years will probably be
unsuitable for any other purpose, is devoted
to the depasturing of sheep.
land held under lease as run land amounted
to 1,280,000 acres, and the export of wool
for that year was 1,600,000 lb., represent-

* The return of the wool export obtained
from the statistical reports does not cor-
rectly state the actual quantity exported
from this Province, a considerable portion
being shipped at Wellington, of which no
account is-taken here. This is also true of
other products.
In 1872, the -


168
ing avalue of £81,500. A considerable
number of men find remunerative employ-
ment on the sheep’stations at all times of
the year, but more especially at the busy
time of shearing.
Another staple article of production and
export, closely connected with the preceding,
being usually carried on under the same
management, is tallow. The carrying capa-
bilities of the runs not sufficing for the
steady increase of the stock depastured on
them, and the low price of meat not afford-
ing a payable market for the surplus to any
great extent, it becomes necessary to find
other means for its profitable disposal ; and
for this purpose boiling-down establish-
ments are generally to be found on large
stations. At these, considerable quantities
of tallow, obtained from the surplus
stock by rendering it down by means of
steam in immense vats or boilers, are
packedincasks and exported to England,
the hams and tongues cured, and the
skins either dressed on the spot or dried
and packed in bales for exportation. For
these operations, a large number of men
for the various-departments are naturally
required, and. good wages are obtained by
them. The ‘preservation of meat in tins
has not yet been attempted here, the scarcity
of the particular class of labour required
being probably the principal obstacle to its
introduction.
We come now to another of the important
industries carried on in the Province, that
of timber. The prosecution of this trade for
export is almost entirely confined to the
extensive area of timbered land situated in
the northern part of the Province,-in the
bays and inlets bordering on the Pelorus
Sound, and in the districts adjoining the
shipping port of Havelock. Between that
port and the southern boundary of the
Province of Nelson, lies the valley of the
Rai, which embraces about 20,000 acres of
land, comparatively level throughout, and
well watered by the Rai River and its
tributaries. The whole of this district is
covered by the best descriptions of timber,
and the land itself, when cleared, is of the
- finest quality. N o settlement has yet been
made in this valley, but it has lately
been surveyed and laid out in sections by
the Provincial Government, and will shortly
be thrown open for selection. It is also
proposed to construct a tramway through
the heart of this district from the port of
Havelock, which will be the means of
greatly facilitating the shipment of the
snwn timber. Some idea of the importance
-f the future timber trade of the Rai
~y may be gained from the fact that it
. NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK
has been estimated that the proposed tram~
way will open up 50,000 acres of forest
land, which, taken at the low rate of
10,000 ft. to the acre (the lowest price at‘
which sawn timber is sold being 8s. per
100 ft.), would realize about £2,000,000.
The rincipal forest trees consumed in
the timber trade of these districts are white
pine, rimu, matai, and totara; many of
these reaching a height of 100 ft. and
upwards, growing exceedingly straight,.and
being usually without branches up to a
distance of 20 ft. or 30 ft. from the ground.
In the neighbourhood around Picton and
Havelock are situated from fifteen to
twenty saw-mills, the machinery being
driven either by steam or water power. All
these are in full work, and give employ-
ment to a considerable number of sawyflt
engineers, axemen, splitters, teamsters, and
general labourers. At some of the mills It
is the practice to employ all the labour
required, from the felling of the tree to the
export of the finished article; the Wages
given being, for mill hands, from 10s. to
12s. a day, and for those employed in
cutting and carting, from 8s. to 10s. Many
men, however, especially those living ata
distance from the mills, prefer cutting the
timber on their own account, paying the
Government license, on the land they have
selected. The felled logs they afterward!
dispose of to the mill-owners, transporting
them either by rafting or by means of
bullock teams. The usual price paid for
timber in the log is48s. per 100 ft. and 11
constant and almost unlimited demand at
this rate can be maintained for many years
In the preparation of the Phonm'um
fibre, Marlborough has been, from’ the first
introduction of the industry, one of the
principal exporting districts. At present
there are about eight mills, with from two
to six machines in each. Many men are
also employed in cutting and carting the raw material to the mills, for which they
are usually paid by the load. The opera-
tions of stripping, washing, and bleaching
are carried on by men and boys, who recent‘
wages varying from 10s. to 155. a week for
boys, and from 20s. to 25s. aweek for melt
board and lodging being also found. The
scutching of the fibre and packing it In
bales for export, is generally undertslffiu
by contract, the ordinary price given being
at the rate of 30s. per ton. Whenever
practicable, water power is employed w
drive the machinery necessary for the 0X-
traction and preparation of the fibre, and
this has, of course, a considerable advantage
over steam power, in the saving of the fuel
a“ “pas-m M


and labour required for the latter. The


PROVINCE OF MARLBGROUGH.
169
state of the flax trade at present cannot be
considered as satisfactory, owing to circum-
stances afi'ecting the English market; but
there can be no doubt that a little time
will remove the difliculties retarding its
development, and that it will ultimately
produce one of the largest and most remu-
nerative articles of export. At the Penin-
sula mill, in the Wairau district, may be
seen the latest improvement in flax ma-
chinery. This is a machine invented by
Mr. Pownall, which difl‘ers from the ordi-
nary stripping machine by more closely
imitating the scraping process employed by
the Natives. Up to the present time, the
powers of this new machine have not been
sufficiently tested to allow of a report being
made upon its perfect success, but it has



Pnonnumr Tmux.
From 1: Photograph by Mr. Mandy. ,


been proved to turn out fibre of a very
superior uality to that produced by the
older mac ines, and less labour is required
to work it.
In abundance and quality of the raw
material, and facilities for producing the
manufactured product at a paying price,
no other Province, perhaps, possesses so
many advantages as Marlborough.
The cultivation of hops is carried on in most
parts of the Province, the soil and climate
being especially adapted to the growth of
this plant, which, with ordinary attention,
will produce an abundant harvest, as it is
not here subject to blight. The manufac-
ture of malt is also beginning to attract
attention, and several malthouses exist 1n
the Province. One of these is situated
about three miles from Blenheim, and is
probably the largest in New Zealand.


170
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Amongst the industries which might
be carried on with advantage, in addition
to those at present in operation, or those
which are capable of improvement and
development, may be mentioned fish-curing,
rope and woollen factories, paper-making,
preserves from fruit, fellmongeringin all its
branches, and meat-preserving. The Pelorus
and Queen Charlotte Sounds would form
admirable stations for fish-curing on a large
scale. Fish of all kinds, and oysters, are
plentiful; and the herring-fishery offers
every inducement for a profitable invest-
ment. At present, although the industry
is not prosecuted to any great extent, the
Picton bloaters are famous in all parts of
the Colony. The culture of oyster-beds
would also be found profitable, and capable
of great extension.
Factories for the supply of woollen fabrics
and the manufacture of rope, woolpacks,
and other kinds of bagging from the Phor-
mium fibre, could be advantageously worked,
as the cost of sending home the raw material
is such as to afford considerable inducement
to local enterprise‘. Paper might be made
from the refuse fibre and tow, and it has
been proved that this material would pro-
duce an article of very superior quality.
Fruits of all kinds which grow in the
- southern part of England are very plentiful.
From them, jams and preserves could be
manufactured for export, and a ready market
could confidently be relied on.
In fellmongering and wool-scouring a
much larger trade could be carried on than
at present. Large numbers of skins are
exported in the raw state, and many more
absolutely wasted for want of the necessary
appliances, labour, and capital.
Meat-preserving in tins should, before
long, form one of the principal articles of
the export trade of the Province. For this
it possesses particular advantages, and
‘ capital and enterprise are the only things
required to cause this industry to prove a
profitable speculation.
For most trades requiring the application
of machinery, admirable sites could be
selected, possessing every advantage of easy
communication with the centres of popula-
tion and the shipping ports, and water-
power is readily obtainable, in consequence
of the number of streams and the abund-
ance of water supply afforded by the prox-
imity of the mountain ranges.
Many other industries could be instanced,
needing only enterprise, capital, and a sufii-
cient supply of ordinary and skilled labour,
to insure their proving profitable. In labour,
however, this part c the Colony is unfor-
tunately deficient ; but it is hoped, and may


reasonably be expected, that the present
scheme of immigration will before lo \
supply this much-needed requirement, sili
thus afford an impetus to the undertakin
on a large scale, of many of the enterp '
for which the Province of Marlborough is
peculiarly adapted.
MINERALS.
The chief mineral discovered in the Pro-
vince, and the only one which has as _ve
been worked, is gold. This has been form
as an alluvial deposit in payable quantiti
in the valley of the Wakamarina. It
also been found under the same circum
stances on the opposite watershed, viz.,t
leading to the valley of the Wairau, and'
more or less quantities over the whole of
district north of the Wairau River, extend
ing westward as far as the boundary of the
Province. In 1866, the news of the dis.
covery of a payable alluvial gold field in
the Wakamarina district caused consider-
able excitement, and attracted a larg!
number of persons from all parts of the
Colony, and even from Australia. T
auriferous district comprised a small trad
of land in the neighbourhood of the town
of Havelock,—then a small village in tin
bush, occupied by a few persons employ
in the timber trade, but which, from
influx of population, speedily rose to so
importance and magnitude. Rich, how-
ever, as was the district, it was soon founlll
that the gold-producing area was of l
very limited extent; and in the course!‘
about twelve months it appeared to ha"
been entirely worked out. It has, new‘
theless, since then maintained about 100
miners, who are understood to make gm‘
wages. Practical miners concur in believ-
ing that before many years the source from
which the alluvial deposits found in ll"
valleys were washed down will be dis
covered, and that a large extent of gold‘
bearing country will be opened up. _
The country north of the Wairan R1"!
is thickly intersected by gold-bearing 11w?
reefs. Some of these, at Cape Jackson.“
Queen Charlotte Sound, are being worked,
and are proving to be rich, and others W111
shortly be in operation in the Felon-'3
Sound, at a short distance from Picton-
The general aspect of the country Hon-h i
of the Wairau, the frequent presents ‘1
quartz reefs, and, in the lower parts 0M1’ I
valleys, of alluvial deposits, have alwltl-‘f
pointed out those districts to expt'rlance
miners as being rich in the precious me‘
and there can be no doubt that, a! PM
population of the Province increase!’ m"
portant discoveries will be made.


PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH.
171
Dr. Hector, the General Government
Geologist, speaking of the Wakarnarina
gold-field, says :—“ Gold was obtained on
terraces along the sides- of the valley, and
in the river bed, the wash everywhere rest-
ing on water-worn bars and ledges of green-
stone, slate, and alphanite breccia. From
the wash in other streams traversing the
same formation being barren of gold, I infer
that in this instance it must have been
derived from some distance, or from towards
the source of the stream in the central
ranges.”
Antimony has been found to exist in
payable quantities in the neighbourhood of
Mahakipawa, in the Pelorus Sound, and
preparations are being made to work it at
Endeavour Inlet, in the north of Queen
Charlotte’s Sound.
Copper has not yet been discovered in a
lode, but such quantities of loose ore have
been found on the surface, that there is no
doubt of the existence of payable lodes,
which only require capital to bring them
into notice.
Coal occurs under similar circumstances,
in the valleys of the Wairau and Clarence,
but has not yet been discovered in any-con-
siderable quantity. In his abstract report
of the geological survey of New Zealand,
referring to the coal measures of this Pro-‘
vince, Dr. Hector says :—“Tbe easterly
coal formation of the Province of Marl-
borough is very small. It crops out at
places along the coast with a dip to the
cast, but it hardly appears inland at all,
except at the Amuri Bluff, where a few
yards of coal may be found. The evidence
is pretty conclusive that a large coal forma-
tion exists, under the sea, along the coast
between Cape Campbell and Banks Penin-
sula, and if these small brown coal forma-
tions are only found in small isolated basins,
several may exist alon the line.”
Hematite has been fgund at Mahakipawa,
and is capable of being worked to great
advantage.
DEMAND FOR LABOUR.
All kinds of labour may be said to be in
demand in this Province; but the classes
most particularly required are ordinary
farm labourers, carpenters and mechanics,
navvies, bush hands, shepherds, miners,
and domestic female servants. At the
time of harvest, the dearth of labour to
gather in the crops, more especially as this
operation is generally carried on about the
same time as that of sheep-shearing, has
been severely felt for several seasons past.
At that time of the year, in order to meet
the demand, it has been found necessary to
‘high wages.
completely stop work at many of the flax-
mills and at other works—these industries,
however, plenty of employment for
a large number of men during the rest of
the year. Carpenters and mechanics have
also been very scarce of late, in consequence
of the great increase in the building trades,
and have been able to command excessively
high wages. The railway and other General
and Provincial Government works at pre-
sent in progress are well able to absorba
considerable number of men of various
trades and occupations for some time to
come ; in fact, the want of the necessary la_
bour prevents many undertakings from being
carried out, and seriously retards the com-
pletion of those in course of construction.
Shepherds are much- required on the sheep-
stations, and are especially welcome if they
can bring sheep-dogs with them. By so
doing, they can command constant work at
In the present state of the
mining industry, there is a demand for a
few good miners, and when the mines be-
come more fully opened up and developed, a
considerable amount of skilled labour will
be required, both in the erection and work-
ing of the necessary machinery, and in the
extraction of the ores themselves. The
supply of domestic female servants has
been for some time totally unequal to the
demand, this class being most particularly
inquired for. They can obtain high wages,
and have no difficulty in finding situations
immediately on landing.
Runs on Waens.
The following may be considered to be
the usual scale of wages throughout the
year, and at the present time many re re-
sentatives of each class could find emp oy-
ment at these rates :—
Carpenters, 10s. to 12s. per day (at pre-
sent 14s. per day) ; mechanics, 12s. per day ;
farm labourers,.8s. per day, or 20s. to 25s.
per week, and found ; teamsters, 8s. to 10s.
per day; axemen, 10s. per day; splitters,
10s. per day; saw-mill hands, 8s. per day
to £4 per week ; flax-mill hands—men, 20s.
to 25s. per week, and found; ditto, boys,
10s. to 15s. per week, and found ; navvies,
8s. to 10s. per day ; shepherds and station
hands, £50 to £70 per annum ; bakers, £2
a week, and found ; butchers, 30s. a week,
and found ; painters and glaziers, £3 a
week; storemen, £2. 5s. to £3 a week;
printers, ruling colonial rates ; brewers, £2
to £3 a week; cooks, £30 to £50 per an-
num, and found; general female servants,
£30 to £50 per annum, and found ; house-
maids, £30 to £40 per annum, and found ;
farm labourers and flax-mill and station


172
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
hands are, as a rule, found in board and
lodging when engaged by the week or for a
longer period, and rations are generally
given, ad libt'tum ; but when limited to a
fixed scale, consist of flour, 12 lb. ; sugar,
3 lb. ; tea, } lb. ; and other small articles as
required. It is, however, unusual to give
rations, and when men are found, they are
' generally supplied with unlimited quantities
. of cooked food of good quality, the usual
plan being for the station or mill owner to
contract with some person at a fixed rate
per head, and to supply the necessary
articles to him also at a fixed price. '
Ample employment is always to be found
by contracting for the public works initiated
by the General and Provincial Governments
and the Local Boards. Of the former, the
Picton and Blenheim Railway, now in pro-
gress, needs a very much greater number of
men than are at present engaged upon it;
and of the latter, works of many descrip-
tions, such as bridges, roads, and buildings,
are from time to time let by public tender.
PRICES or Srocx, PROVISIONS, &c.
The present prices of ordinary farm stock
in this Province may be quoted as fol-
lows :— ‘
Draught horses, £22 to £50; saddle-
horses, £8 to £30; worln'ng bullocks, £25
per pair; milch cows, £6 to £12; weaned
calves, 10s. to 15s. each ; sheep, 3s. to 8s.
each. Good bullock-drays may be obtained
at from £20 to £30 each, or even at lower
prices, this mode of transport being little
used now-a-days, except in the bush or
mountainous districts. Horse-drays are
worth from £22 to£24 ; harness, from £3 to
£4 the double set. Ploughs range, according
to the maker, from £8 to £10, and other
ordinary farm implements in proportion.
The following quotations are the average
retail prices, in most parts of the Province,
for the usual necessaries of life :— -
Flour, 16s. per 1001b.; tea, 2s. to 3s. 6d.
per 1b.; sugar, 5d. to 65d. per lb. ;. butter,
9d. to 1s. 6d. per 1b.; eggs, 9d. to Is. 6d.
per dozen; milk, 3d. per quart; sperm
candles, 1s. 1d. per 1b.; tallow candles, 10d.
per 1b.; cheese, 9d. to 1s. per 1b.; bacon,
9d. to 1s. per 1b.; mutton, 4d. per 1b., and
by the half sheep, 3d. per 1b.; beef, 4d. to
6d. per 1b.; pork, 5d. to 6d. per 1b.; fire-
wood (delivered in town or at reasonable
distances), £1 to £2. 2s. per cord; coals
(delivered in town or at reasonable dis-
tances), £2. 15s. per ton.
The price of ordinary clothing and dra-
pery may be considered to be an advance
of. from 40 to 50 per cent. on English
prices.
Farm produce at present commands high
prices, merchants and storekeepers giving
for wheat 5s. 6d. per bushel; oats, 5s. per
bushel; barley, 4s. 6d. per bushel; hay,
£5 per ton; potatoes, £5 per ton.
The usual rent in towns, of a cottage
suitable for a small family, may be set down
at from 5s. to 8s. a week; and to build one
of this kind detached would cost from £60
to £100. Timber, delivered, is charged at
from 10s. to 12s. per 100-ft; shingles for
roofing, 11s. per 1,000; while doors and
windows are generally imported in a com-
plete state, and sold at moderate prices.
It will thus be seen that the Province of
Marlborough offers considerble inducements
to emigrants of various classes. The de-
mand for labour is very great, and the
supply totally inadequate; the wages given
are consequently ‘high, while the cost of
living may be seen from the quotations
given to be exceedingly low. Emigrants
possessing a little capital may easily securev
land on which to settle and form homes for
themselves; and by taking up small con-
tracts either on road work, in the bush, or
on farms, a steady and industrious man will
in a'short time be able to obtain a comfort-
able independence.
EDUCATION.
The educational system of the Province
is under the control of the members of the
various Road Boards and Borough Councils,
which are constituted Education Boards for
the purpose of undertaking the establish-
ment and management of the schools within
their respective districts. The necessary
funds for the maintenance of these schools
are raised by a rate levied upon all property
ratable under the provisions of the Roads
Act, it being, however, provided that this
shall not exceed 2d. in the pound, for each
year, on the annual.letting value of the
property rated. Besides the sum accruing
from this source, all fees received for pub-
licans’ licenses are paid over to the Educa-
tion Board of the County or Borough within
the limits of which the fees are levied. In
all the public schools, the instruction given
is purely of a secular character. The
number at present established is about
fifteen, with from twenty-five to ninety
scholars at each; an it is incumbent on
the Education Boards of any district, when-
ever it is shown to their satisfaction that
twenty children are residing at a greater
distance than three miles from an existing
school, to provide one for their benefit.
The Education Boards also grant sums at
their discretion in aid of efforts made by
private individuals or associations for the










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To face page 173,
"w


PROVINCE OF NELSON.
173
promotion of education, such schools being
subject to the inspection of the Board.
Rnmerons.
The principal religious denominations in
the Province are—Episcopalian, Roman
Catholic, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan. All
of these have places of worship at or near
the centres of population, and their mini-
sters visit the out-lying districts as occasion
may require. The Roman Catholics, on
account of their objection to the system of
secular education, have also established
their own schools, which are not, however,
confined exclusively to their body, but are
thrown open to children of all religious
denominations. They are well' attended,
and satisfaction is expressed by parents
sending their children to them at the class
of instruction given. The charge at these
schools is at the rate of about 15s. a quarter
for each child.
Anvrca r0 Inmem'rs.
Depéts for receiving and accommodating
immigrants until they are able to obtain

' PROVINCE OF NELSON.
HE success which attended the first
colonizing effort of the New Zeal-and
Company, in forming the settlement of
Wellington in 1839, induced that body, in
the early part of 1841, to bring out the
scheme of a second settlement, to be named
after England’s greatest naval hero, Nelson.
It was proposed that this should consist of
1,000 allotments, each to comprise 50 acres
Of suburban and 150 acres of rural land, to
employment have been erected near the
towns of Picton and Blenheim, and to these
immigrants are transferred immediately on
landing. being supplied with comfortable
board and lodging free of cost. It is
seldom, however, that any have occasion to
remain at these depéts more than two or
three days.
Immigrants should bring out with them
as little baggage as possible. Articles of
household use will not be found very much
more costly here than in England, and
much of what might be considered a proper
outfit before leaving Home, would probably
be found unsuitable to the requirements of
this country and to the climate ; added to
which, the cost of ‘removal from place to
place, until a final settling down is effected,
makes it undoubtedly more desirable for
new comers to bring out the money in their
pockets than a quantity of goods which
may prove of little use. In purchasing
articles of clothing for their outfit, intend-
ing emigrants should bear in mind that the
climate of this Province is, in summer, not
unlike that of the Isle of Wight, and in
winter somewhat warmer.
be sold at 30s. per acre, and that atown
acre should be given with each allotment.
It was further agreed that 100 allotments
should be added as reserves for Natives,
so that the entire settlement should consist
of 221,100 acres, which were expected to
realize £300,000.
The money to be derived from the sale of
the lands was thus appropriated :—



To emigration . ..................... ......... ...... £150,000
To defray expenses in selecting and establishing the settlement 50,000
Public purposes, for rendering the settlement commodious
and attractive :— I
To religious uses and endowments . ....... ...... .. £15,000
To establishment of a college ......... .. 15,000
To encouragement of steam navigation ....... 20,000
50,000
The Company for its expenses and profits ......... 50,000
£300,000
M


174
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
As very little about New Zealand was
known in England at that time, no site
could be assigned to the settlement, and
Captain Arthur Wakefield, a distinguished
naval oflicer, and a man eminently fitted
for the task (brother of Colonel William
Wakefield, the Company’s principal agent
at Wellington), was appointed to lead the
preliminary expedition, select a site, and
represent the Company at Nelson when the
settlement should be formed. This expe-
dition, consisting of a party of surveyors
and about seventy labourers (mostly young
married men, whose wives it was arranged
should follow them a short time afterwards),
left the Thames at the end of April, 1841,
in two barques, the Whitby and Well
Watch, accompanied by the brig Arrow,
laden with stores, and the three vessels
arrived at Wellington at the end of the
following September.
When Captain Wakefield took his de-
parture, it was generally supposed in Eng-
land that Port Cooper, and the country after-
wards selected for the settlement of Canter-
bury, would be selected as the site forNelson.
A French whaler had some time before
visited Port Cooper, and the master, on re-
turning home, gave such a favourable report
of the adjacent country—which he described
as capable of maintaining a Paris and a
London—as to leave no doubt of its suita-
bility for settlement. It was Captain Wake-
field’s intention, after consulting with his
brother at Wellington, to have proceeded
at once to Port Cooper, and planted the
settlement of which he was the leader on
the plains spoken of by the French whaling
master. Captain Hobson, R.N., who had
some time before come out as Governor of
the Colony, was opposed to this. The
territory which the New Zealand Company
was supposed to have acquired and were
free to settle, did not quite extend to Port
Cooper, and it was only within some stated
degrees of latitude that the British Govern-
ment were supposed to have sanctioned the
Company’s colonizing proceedings. This
restriction had been verbally waived by
Lord John Russell, Secretary of State for
the Colonies, before Captain Wakefield left
England ; but Captain Hobson, who wanted
the Nelson settlement to be planted a little
north of Auckland, where he offered an
insuflicient site for it, obstinately opposed
Captain Wakefield settling at the spot
which that oflicer considered the most
eli 'ble for his purpose.
his conduct of the Governor compelled
the leader of the expedition to look else-
where than the broad grassy plains south of
the Kaikoura mountains for a site for
Nelson ; and finding in Wellington a Cap-
tain Moore (master of a small trading
vessel), who reported that Blind Bay pos-
sessed all the requirements needed, Captain
Wakefield engaged his services to pilot him
to the spot, and the three vessels crossed
Cook Strait, and anchored in Astrolabe
Road, on the western side of Blind
Bay, about the middle of October. Here
was a roadstead capable of afl'ording com-
plete shelter to a few ships, but no land
suitable for settlement, nor even a site for
a town. About four miles lower down the
bay was a small cove, named Kaiteriteri,
which would furnish a few acres of land
suitable for building sites, and afford shelter
to a small class of coasters; and as the
level country on the north side of the
Motueka River could be reached from this
spot, Captain Wakefield was disposed to
lay out a town in quarter-acre allotments
at Kaiteriteri, with Astrolabe as the an-
chorage for large vessels. Ahasty examina-
tion of the bay gave no expectation of its
furnishing a better site, and the expected
early arrival of settlers from England ren-
dered promptitude of action necessary.
If land in sufiicient quantity for the
settlement, and of fair quality, could have
been found in the neighbourhood of Mo-
tueka, it is not improbable that Captain
Wakefield would have put up with the incon-
venience of two harbours and a small town-
ship; but when the exploring parties which
had been sent out to examine the country
returned, and reported unfavourably of its
extent and capabilities, he determined to
proceed to Port Cooper, to plant the settle-
ment there in defiance of the Governor, and
justify himself by the necessity of the case.
But before carrying this resolution into
execution, he thought it prudent to tho-
roughly satisfy himself that Blind Bay
afforded no spot where the Nelson settle-
ment could advantageously be planted. A
Deal pilot boat, which had been brought
out by the expedition, was placed in charge
of Mr. Cross (the present harbour-master of
Nelson), who was ordered to proceed to
Pepin Island, on the east side of the bay,
follow down the coast, and examine care-
fully every opening that presented itself.
An imperfect description of the present
harbour of Nelson had been given to Cap-
tain Wakefield by a Native chief from
Motueka, who visited his vessels, and this
made him more desirous not to leave the
bay only half explored. A vshort distance
below Pepin Island, Mr. Gross observed
the long low spit, now called the Boulder
Bank, which forms thehurbour, and as he
sailed along was able, by standing up in


PROVINCE OF NELSON.
175
the boat, to see water inside. Proceeding
down its edge and crossing the bar, he at
length. reached the termination of the
Boulder Bank, and found a splendid deep-
water basin inside, capable of accommo-
dating a large number of vessels. Although
the harbour thus discovered was tidal, it
possessed many great advantages. The
shelter was perfect, there was good holding
ground, and a great rise and fall of tide,
which gave singular facilities for laying
vessels on shore and cleaning their bottoms.
This discovery was made on the 5th of
November,-and Mr. Cross returned imme-
diately to Astrolabe. Captain Wakefield
lost no time in crossing the bay, and after
examining the harbour, decided on making
it the Port of Nelson, and to abandon all
idea of proceeding to Port Cooper. Ad—
joining the harbour was an admirable site
for a town—a flat of about 700 acres of
good dryland, and about the same quantity
of low hills. It was well watered by two
small streams, and was sheltered from the
southward, but open to the north, facing
the sea, and possessed an ample supply of
timber for immediate requirements. It
had the additional recommendation of
easy communication with a considerable
tract of land of fair quality. These were
advantages ‘which pre-eminently adapted
the spot for settlement, and, together with
its exceptionally fine climate, have rendered
Nelson by common consent the most charm-
ing place of residence in New Zealand.
Like many other young colonial settle-
ments, Nelson had its infantile troubles.
The New Zealand Company, as an induce-
ment to the working classes to go out to a
country of which at that time little was
known in England, except as being in-
habited by a race of ferocious and warlike
savages, promised to find well-paid employ-
ment for all labourers who would emigrate
thither, without any restrictions as to
duration. As a natural consequence, the
Company monopolized all the labour they
imported ; and as there was no stipulation
of a fair day’s work for a fair day’s wages,’
the “Company’s stroke” became proverbial.
Private capitalists formd themselves unable
to compete with the Company in the labour
market, and thus but little was done in the
way of legitimate settlement. This was a
state of things which could not last. The
Company endeavoured to get the labourers
off their hands by giving liberal encourage-
ment to them to settle on the land and
become cottier farmers ; and afterwards, b
placing all their labourers on iece-wor
and paying them full wages for alf work,
sought to encourage them to cultivate their
farms and become independent of em-
ployers. The crisis which all thinking
persons had foreseen came at last. After
this fostering treatment had been pursued
for the greater part of a year, instructions
were received. by the Company’s agent to
discharge the whole of the labourers at
once, and this of necessity had to be done. ‘
Then ensued a time of real trial. The men
who had been industrious and provident
got over the difiiculty of their new position
without sustaining any very severe priva-
tions, but the indolent and improvident
were reduced to very severe straits, some
families being compelled to dig up and eat
their seed potatoes to escape actual starva-
tion. A large re-emigration took place to
other colonies, principally to South Aus-
tralia; but severely as the pinch was felt
at the time, it was afterwards universally
admitted that the lesson of self-dependence
it taught was highly salutary, and that it
imparted healthy life to the settlement.
' But long before the New Zealand
Company ceased operations in Nelson, a
calamity of another kind befell the settle-
ment. It was soon discovered, when
surveys were commenced, that the land
required for the Nelson scheme could not
be obtained within the limits of Blind Bay,
and exploring parties were sent out in
search of more country. Following up a
series of valleys which have their drainage
in Blind Bay, one party of explorers turned
the mountain range on the east side, and
found their way into the head of the
Wairau Valley, which they followed down
for fifty miles to the sea, where the river
debouches into Cloudy Bay, facing Welling
ton Heads in Cook Strait. Here was a
district capable of furnishing all the land
required, and surveyors were at once en-
gaged to lay it off in sections. Although
Colonel Wakefield had purchased, as he
believed, the district of Wairau twice over,
Rauparaha and Rangihaeata, the two chiefs
who claimed it 'in right of conquest, dis—
puted the sale; and when the surveyors
were about to commence, those chiefs, with
a strong body of followers, crossed Cook
Strait in canoes from the neighbourhood of
Kapiti, a small island on the north-eastern
side of the strait, where they resided, and
warned ‘the surveyors not to proceed with
their work. They also burned the survey
pegs and tent poles, but did no violence to
the men or their property. When intelli-
gence of this reached Nelson, the Com-
any’s agent, supported by Mr. H. A.
hompson, Police Magistrate, swore in
about seventy special constables, and the
Government brig being in Nelson at the
he.‘ a a
n 2


176
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
time, those gentlemen induced the captain
to convey the whole party to the Wairau,
nothing doubting but that before so impos-
ing a force, armed with old flint firelock‘s,
the Maories would be cowed, and the chiefs
submit to be taken on board the brig, and
have their ofl‘ence investigated by the Ma-
gistrates. If the force had been under the
sole command of Captain Wakefield, a man
of singular tact and courage, it is probable
- that an amicable settlement would have
been come to, for no outrage had been com-
mitted on the settlers up to that time, the
Natives holding the power of the white
man in almost superstitious veneration.
Unfortunately, the representative of the
Government, Mr. Thompson, was a man, of
most excitable temperament, and when
Rauparaha and his followers were found
at the entrance of the Tua Marina Valley
(through which the railway from Blenheim
to Picton is now being constructed), Mr.
Thompson, by his threats and demeanour, -
so excited the Natives that a collision
ensued, and the Europeans—mostly labour-
ing men, unaccustomed to the use of fire-
arms, and without organization—were no
match for born warriors. It was always a
disputed point which party commenced the
fray, but according to the evidence after-
wards taken by the Magistrates in Nelson,
the first shot came from the Maoris, and
was immediately replied to by a shot from
one of our men, which killed the wife of
Rangihaeata, who was also a daughter of
Rauparaha. The firing then became general
on both sides, although no order to fire was
given by the leaders of the Europeans, and
Captain Wakefield ordered his men to
cease as soon as he could make himself
heard. The Europeans, who had kept
together, retreated up the spur of the hill
at the entrance to the Tua Marina Valley,
Where they were overtaken by the Natives,
and, having thrown down their arms, the
whole party were tomahawked. Added to
the men who had been shot, the fray cost
the infant settlement twenty-two lives,
including several of its leading men; and
this untoward occurrence utterly destroyed
the prestige of the Europeans in New
Zealand. Evidence was afterwards ob-
tained, which showed that on ‘the first
discharge of the guns, the Natives were so
alarmed that they were on the point of
seeking safety in flight, having taken up a
position from which they could reach the
head of i Queen Charlotte Sound by an
intricate Native path, and by the aid of
canoes obtained from their countrymen,
could have recrossed the Strait to a place
of refuge. But the untrained men. of
‘w’.
which the English party was mainly com
posed, as soon as firing commenced (with a
few exceptions), ran from the scene. This
emboldened the Natives, who thereu on
abandoned their intended retreat to ai-
tohi, and pursued the Europeans. Had
Captain Wakefield possessed a few men
properly armed and disciplined, many
valuable lives might have been saved,
as it is not likely a man of his cool
judgment would have surrendered to
savages had he been properly supported.
Had no collision taken place at Wairau,
it is not likely bloodshed between the races
would have been long averted. Some other
cause of quarrel must sooner or later have
arisen, and force been resorted to; but
nothing more deplorable could have hap-
pened than what occurred at Massacre
Hill, as the spot is still called, where the
graves of the victims are marked by a
small monument.
The intelligence of this sad calamity was
received in Nelson with grief and conster-
nation. The settlers were without arms or
organization, nor was there any force in the
country to afford them protection. For
several succeeding months there was con-
stant apprehension of danger; and when
disturbances broke out in the North Island,
at the Bay of Islands, at the Hutt, at
Wanganui, and elsewhere, the sense of in-
security increased. Happily, no serious
disturbance arose, although the Natives
residing at a pa about fifteen miles from
the town, were at one time troublesome ;
but the danger passed away, and the
Wairau massacre, which occurred more than
thirty years ago, was the first and last
collision in the South Island of New
Zealand between the Natives and settlers.

GENERAL Dnscarrrrou or Nansen.
WHEN New Zealand was divided into
six Provinces, the northern portion of the
Southern Island was constituted the Pro-
vince of Nelson, the boundary between it
and Canterbury being the River Hurunui
on the east and the River Grey on the west
side. The general feature of the country
is rugged and mountainous, more so than
any of the other Provinces of equal area.
The prevailing scenery is bold and grand,
the soil in many of the valleys exceedingly
rich and fertile, and the climate soft and
genial. The largest tracts of land adapted
for settlement were the valley of the
Waimea. in Blind Bay, the Wairau Valley
and country adjacent, and that portion of
the Province bordering on Canterbury and
named Amuri.


PROVINCE OF NELSON.
177
Owing to the inaccessible character of
the intervening country, little was known
in Nelson of the Amuri district in the
early days of the Province, and a country
admirably adapted for settlement, and cap-
able of carrying a large agricultural popu-
lation, was suffered, under an ill-advised
system of cheap land, to become the pro-
perty of a few sheep-farmers at the small
cost of 5s. to 10s. per acre. The same
thing occurred in the Wairau on a. smaller
scale; but the latter district was taken
from N elson in the year 1858, and formed
extending, while all kinds of fruits known
in England grow in the greatest profusion.
Blind Bay is rich in minerals, particularly
in gold, coal, and iron, and possesses abund-
once of excellent limestone. It was here
that gold was first discovered in New Zea-
land in 1856, and the extent and richness
of the field was favourably reported on
by Dr. Hochstetter, the eminent geologist
attached to the Austrian “Novara.” sur-
veying expedition.
Besides the city of Nelson, there are
several centres of population in Blind Bay.
into a separate Province, to which was ‘Richmond, eight miles from Nelson, is a
given the name of Marlborough.
Nelson as it now exists, is divided into
three districts, varying widely in character,
which it will be convenient to notice
separately.
The Blind Bay District—The soilv in
Blind Bay is chiefly of a. light character,
and before the country was settled, was
mostly covered with fern. In the swampy
bottoms, which grew flax and rsupo, the
soil was a rich vegetable mould ; while the
forest lands, except the hill country, which
grew only black birch, had a soil chiefly of
rich loam. The first crops grown on the
fern land were very unsatisfactory, as
nothing was done to sweeten it, after break-
ing u , before sowing. When the necessity
of fal owing fern land came to be under-
stood, the crops were far more satisfactory,
and from indifferent-looking land there
were sometimes got from fifty to sixty
bushels of wheat to the acre. The flax
and timber laud yielded well until worn out
by incessant cropping. To the high price
of labour may be charged much of the
“bad ” farming which, as a rule, has been
general in Nelson. Cottier farmers are not
the best husbandmen, and a. large propor-
tion of the land in Nelson is in the hands
of men of that class. Yet it is easy to
point out numerous thriving settlers, who
themselves, or their fathers thirty years
ago, were not possessed of a. shilling, who
have now a. freehold estate of from 100 to
300 acres, with comfortable homestead, are
dairying numerous cows, rearing choice
sheep, growing good crops of corn, and
otherwise yearly adding to their worldl
wealth, and all the while enjoying abun -
ance of the necessaries and many of the
luxuries of life. Although Blind Bay does
not equal some of the other agricultural
districts of New Zealand, the fine climate
it enjoys, and its com arative immunity
from storms and floo s, compensate for
many of its seeming disadvantages. Hops
have been grown in Nelson with consider-
able success, and the cultivation is rapidly
village of importance in the agricultural
district of Wsimea ; Motueka, in the dis-
trict of that name, on the western side of
the bay, is another; Collingwocd, the town
at the mouth of the Aorere River, in the
north-east corner of Massacre Bay, was a.
place of considerable importance some
years ago, when gold mining was actively
pursued there; but although less so now,
it is likely soon to revive in prosperity,
stimulated by a more permanent industry
than gold digging—the erection of iron-
works, and the working of the valuable
coal measures which exist there.
2. The West Coast District—This dis-
trict consists of the two large valleys of the
Buller and Grey, and their numerous
tributaries, and some smaller valleys which
have outlet to the sea. The great moun-
tain chain which commences at Cape
Farewell, at the extreme north, and runs
south the whole length ‘of the Island, is
only broken through in the Province of
Nelson by the Rivers Buller and Grey.
The valley of the Buller has valuable land
in places, particularly on what is called the
Four River Plain, between the Matakitaki
and Marina. Rivers, as also up the valleys of
those rivers, and in the valley of the Inau-
gahua. lower down. Those valleys are all
on the south side of the Buller; but there
is also a considerable extent of available
land in valleys on the north side. The
valley of the Grey is more open, and the
extent of land adapted for cultivation much
greater, than in the basin of the Buller;
but the general features of the country are i
the same. Owing to the rainfall on the
western being greater than it is on the
eastern seaboard, vegetation is richer ; and
there can be no doubt that a few years
hence many of the hill-sides will be clear
of timber, and be growing grass and feed-
ing stock in great numbers. The whole of
this district is one vest gold-field, and for
the last seven years it has given emplov
ment to thousands of miners, and the (a
reason why the number has not i



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182
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.

little mercantile value. A good deal of
pine timber which was easy of access has
een cut for local building purposes and
for exportation; but large forests of birch
remain untouched. This is a valuable wood
if out at the proper season, and is well
adapted for sleepers for railways, staves for
oaks, fencing, and like objects. When the
projected railway penetrates the interior of
the couritry, thousands of acres of birch
forest, which now are regarded as next to
worthless, will acquire considerable value.
In the valley of Takaka, on the western
side of Blind Bay, there is a large extent of
fine forest land, the timber being of the
most valuable kinds; but the expense of
carting it to the mouth of the river for ship-
ment has hitherto deterred persons from
erecting saw-mills there. This source of
wealth is not longer to lie idle ; and instead
of clearing land by burning of!‘ valuable
timber, saw-mills are being erected, which
will leave only the stumps and branches
for the cultivator to clear.
As no capital worth speaking of has
hitherto been embarked in manufactures
in Nelson, what is being done is the slow
growth of small individual efforts, and
there is no demand for skilled manufacturing
labour sufficient to justify special immi-
gration. The woollen factory which has
existed in Nelson for the last twenty-five
years, and been so great a success, is ex-
tending its operations and importing new
machinery; but the employment afforded
by this establishment is very limited.
No Provincial public works of magni-
tude are now in progress, but the demand
for several is so urgent that means for their
early construction will have soon to be
found.
The great wealth of Nelson lies in her
minerals, surpassing in this, it is believed,
any other part of the Colony. Unlimited
beds of the very finest iron ore, coal, and
limestone are met with in spots highly
favourable to the establishment of iron
works, which before long cannot fail to
become a great industry in Nelson, and are
now engaging the attention of wealthy
capitalists from Australia. The superiority
of many of the Nelson coal measures over
those of Newcastle, and others in New
South Wales, being indisputable, capital
has at length come forward to develop
them, and a brisk coal trade may be ex-
pected to spring up before long. The
success which must attend these enter-
prises will call forth others, and stimulate
every branch of mining industry and
numerous mechanical pursuits, so that a
arge and increasing demand for mechanical
labour of almost every description may be
ex cted to arise at no distant day.
he demand for coal and iron is largely
on the increase in every part of the world,
and as the possession of these products
has invariably advanced the material pros-
pzrity of the spots where they exist and
en found capable of being worked to
advantage, it is but reasonable to apply to
New Zealand the rule which has worked
uniformly in every other part of the world.
A large- population engaged in mining and
mechanical pursuits, must necessarily be
great consumers of agricultural and dairy
produce, and benefit all other classes.‘1
Prices of stock vary greatly according to
seasons, but the following may be taken as
the average :—Dairy cows, from £5 to £8;
working bullocks, £16 to £20 per pair;
mixed cattle, about £4 to £5 each; cart
horses, £15 to £30 each; hackneys, £10
to £30 ; sheep, fair wethers, 105. to 12s.;
mixed flocks, lie. to 7s.
The price of provisions also fluctuates
greatly, and quotations at one season of
the year differ greatly from those of an-
other. The following are intended to re-
present the average :—


Flour, per ton .. £13 to £15.
Potatoes, per ton £3. 10s. to £5.
Beef, per lb. 3d. to 6d.
Mutton, per lb. 4. 3d. to 5d.
Pork, per lb. ... 5d. to 6d.
Bacon, per lb. 7d. to 10d.
Ham, per lb. 9d. to 10d.
Eggs, per dozen 9d. to Is. 3d.
Butter, fresh, per lb. 8d. to 1s. 3d.
Cheese, per 1b.... 811. to Is.
Bread, per 2-lb. loaf . . 3d. to 4d.
Geese, _each 5s. to 7s.
Turkeys, each 3s. 6d. to 5s.
Fowls, per pair 2s. 6d. to 3s.
Ducks, per pair 4s. to 5s. 6d.
Onions, per 1b.... 2d. to 3d.
Ale, per hhd. ... £6.
Ale, per gallon... 28- 6d-
Ale, per dozen... 8s.
Hops, per lb. 2s to 2s. 6d

* At an Industrial Exhibition held in the
City of Nelson in November, 1878, the ex-
hibits of natural products were numerous
and most valuable :—Coal, in large blocks.
from different localities, of superior quality;
iron ore, and samples of pig and bar iron
manufactured therefrom; numerous prepara-
tions from chrome ore; specimens of ores
of lead and copper; and a rich exhibit of
gold, alluvial and in quartz. No one could
contemplate these proofs of mineral wealth.
and doubt the future material prosperity of
the country which furnished them.


PROVINCE OF NELSON.
183
Nelson is the seat of :3. Bishop, and the
affairs of the Church are regulated by a
Synod (which meets annually) composed of
the resident cler and elected lay mem-
bers. Other Christian bodies have their
individual organization, as in -other parts of
New Zealand. The Province of Nelson
forms part of the Roman Catholic see of
Wellington. -
Good farm hands and useful count
mechanics are the labourers most in request
in Nelson. Female servants are in great
demand, and if of a respectable class, a
large number would easily find situations.
Wages for country labourers are from
£30 to £50 a year, and board and lodging,
with extra allowance during harvest ; while
job labour is paid 5s. to 8s. a day, without
keep. Mechanics in town get from 8s. to
10s. a day. In the mining districts, labour
is considerably dearer, say, from 20 to 30
per cent, or even more. ‘
Rations, as a rule, are not given in
Nelson; men either keep themselves out
of their wages, or are fed at the expense
of their employers. On some of the larger
sheep-stations, a cook contracts with the
employer to feed the workmen at so much
a day each, the employer engaging to
furnish him with all necessary articles of
living at stated prices.
Nelson was the first Province in New
Zealand to frame and bring into operation
a system of popular education. So early
as 1853, in‘the first session of the Pro-
vincial Council, a member moved for the
appointment of a Select Committee, “ To
investigatethe question of public educa-
tion, to ascertain existing deficiencies, and
suggest such a plan of general education
as will best meet the public requirements.”
This led, in the following session, to the
passing of an Act authorizing the Sn-
perintendent to appoint a Commission to
take evidence and report on the whole
question of public education. The Com-
mission was composed of five gentlemen,
who were supposed to represent diverse
religious opinions ; and their report recom-
mended the establishment of free public
schools throughout the Province, to be
maintained by a rate of £1 a year im-
posed on all householders, a rate of 5s. a
year for every child (not exceeding four in
number in one family) between the ages of
five and fourteen, and by votes in aid
from the Provincial Treasury. The report
further recommended that the management
of the schools should be - laced under
Local Committees, elected y the rate-
payers, such Local Committees to be repre-
sented at a Central Board, which should
possess a general controlling power; and
that religious instruction, when given,
should be free from all controversial cha-
racter, and be imparted at such times that
parents objecting might be able to with-
draw their children from the schools at the.
time it was given. Mr. Weld now Go-
vernor of Western Australia), w o repre-
sented the Roman Catholic body, only
attended the two first meetings of the
Commission, and then addressed a letter
to the Chairman, in which he stated that
his private affairs precluded him from
being present at their further deliberations,
and that he perceived that he should not
be able to concur in the report they would
probably make. Mr. Weld suggested that
instead of the Government establishing
schools, it should assist all schools which
gave a certain amount of secular instruction
to the satisfaction of a Government In-
spector. An Act, framed upon the report
of the Commissioners, was passed by the
Provincial Council in the session of 1855,
and, with some slight modifying, has worked
satisfactorily ever since. The schools
established under this Act are well attended,
and the education given in them is of the
very best character. The annual grant, by
the Provincial Council, of two scholarships,
which entitle successful competitors to a
free education at Nelson College, has
worked beneficially. Education in these
public schools is not confined to boys, girls
being equally well instructed.
Nelson College is an institution where
the higher branches of education are taught.
It is open to all boys at a low scale of fees,
and has accommodation for about forty
boarders. In the competitive examinations
for Colonial University honours, which
have taken place during the last two years,
the candidates from Nelson College greatly
distinguished themselves.
Building Societies have been very suc-
cessful in Nelson. Two, on the terminable
system, which numbered together 500
members, have worked out. About one-
third of the contributors devoted their
savings to acquiring land and houses ;
while the object of the remainder appeared
to be to obtain a safe investment for their
savings which should brin them a hi h
rate of interest. A third gociety, on t e
permanent principle, was also established,
and continues in a flourishing state. During
the twelve years it has existed, 1,000 mem-
bers have contributed to its funds, which,
in the aggregate, have amounted to about
£180,000. One-third of these contributors
have invested their savings in houses and
farms.


184
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
The charitable institutions which exist
are maintained by the Provincial Govem-
ment, and consist of an admirable hospital
(capable of accommodatin sixty patients),
lunatic asylum (a new b ding is now in
course of erection), homes for destitute
oor, and an orphan e for children.
hese institutions are excellently man-
aged and liberally supported; and in
succouring the sick, the infirm, and the
distressed, the Province is behind none in
the Colony.
The rent in town of neat cottages of
three rooms is about 5s. per week, and
£30 to £50 a ear for houses of four and
six rooms. he cost of erecting a neat
wooden cottage of four or five rooms,
either in town or country, is from £130
to £150.
Andy account of the Province of Nelson
woul be incomplete without a notice of
the exceptionally fine climate enjoyed by
Blind Bay, where the City of Nelson and
the older settled districts are situate. Not
only has it a greater amount of fine weather
than any other spot in New Zealand, but
it escapes almost completely the south-east
and north-west gales which blow so fre-
quently through Cook Strait and on most
parts of the coast. The thermometer
seldom rises to 80° in summer, and the heat
is nearly always tempered by a refreshing
breeze from the sea; while in winter it
rarely falls below 30°. The latter season
is generally regarded as the most enjoyable
portion of the year; bright cloudless skies,
a bracing atmosphere, and a soft gentle
wind being its revailing character. The
scenery of Blind) Bay is universally ad-
mitted to be most pleasing. Rugged, snow-'
clad mountains in the background, en-
closing a large and fertile valley, thickly
studded with comfortable homesteads,
washed by the placid waters of the hay,
make up a picture which no written de-
scription can adequately pourtray. From
its earliest settlement, Nelson set an
example to most of the other towns of the
Colony, in makin provision for the con-
venience and well- eing of its inhabitants.
In self-imposed taxation for making and
maintaining its streets and roads, for city
drainage and obtainin a noble supply of
water, and in establisiing an admirable
system of public education, it took pre-
cedence of all other laces. Nor has it
been backward in ct er matters, which,
thou h small in themselves, contribute
largey to the enjoyment of life. The
woods and fields are alive with English
song-birds, the skylark in particular being
in greater numbers than in any district in
England. The sportsman, in the proper
season, can fill his gamebag with pheasants
and quail within si ht of town ; and the
time is not remote w en deer-stalking may
also be followed, as both fellow and red
deer have been turned out and are becoming
numerous. Hares have been introduced,
while rabbits, in places. are in such num-
bers as to have become almost a pest.
Something also has been done towards
stocking the rivers with trout, and ponds
with perch ; and the fisherman can always
be assured of sport, if he will seek it, in
the rivers, creeks, and boys, as excellent
fish of numerous kinds abound on all parts
of the coast.
To families in easy circumstances, who
desire a fine climate, with En lish society,
and the advantage of being ab e to et for
their children a good education, elson
ofi'ers singular attractions.


.Iniw Fll.ij


188 "
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Flat, the count adjo' ' bein somewhat
broken into ridges anlcllmgrllies.g The land
is chiefly pastoral, and much of it has been
originally forest, which is now nearly all
cleared, the whole district being occupied
by settlers whose houses and farms occupy
both sides of the line of road. Twelve
miles from Wellington, Porirua Harbour is
reached, which is chiefly used by small
I, coasting vessels. Skirting the shores of
the harbour, the road winds along through
pretty scenery towards Pahautanui, a pic-
turesque village situated at the foot of a
steep hill, on the summit of which once
stood a Maori war pa, or fortification, the
site being now occupied by a church. There
is a little cleared land, but the country im-
mediately adjoining is bush, in the midst
of which a small-farm settlement has been
formed. A road through the bush in an
easterly direction leads to the open land of
the Hutt Valley. Pahautanui is close to
the shore of the Porirua Harbour; and
looking seawards, the flat-topped island of
Mana, on which a lighthouse has been
built, can be seen. Mana. is about ll; mile
long, half a mile wide, and 440 ft. high.
It is covered with pasture, and used as a
sheep-run. Still travelling onwards, the
Horokiwi Valley is next passed through.
This valley was originally covered with bush,
but a considerable amount of the land has
been cleared by settlers, and is now used
chiefly for grazing purposes. After passing
the hotel (Blackies), whichis about twenty-
four miles from Wellington, the ascent of
the Paikakariki Hill commences, the road
winding up a steep side-cuttin g, overhanging
a bush gully, for several miles, till the
summit of the spur is reached, when a
splendid view of the whole west coast-line
of the Province is presented to the eye.
Standing on the crest of the hill, 1,000 ft.
above the level of the sea, and looking
northward, a great plain of splendid land
can be seen stretching out below, with the
beach and sandy ridges on one side, and
bounded inland by bush and the mountain
ranges in the far distance.
This open, undulating country varies in
breadth, being only a few miles at some
parts, while at others, such as the block
situated between the Manawatu and Ran-
gitikei Rivers, the open plains stretch much
further inland, and include a large area of
territory, most of which is admirably adapted
for agricultural purposes. Nor is the view
devoid of other striking features. A few
miles north, and three seawards from the
beach, is situated the Island of Kapiti, its
highest peak rising to a height of 1,780 ft. ;
while in the far distance, nearly two hun-
dred miles oil‘, may be discerned the per-
petually snow-capped Mount Egmont, in
the Taranaki Province, which rises in s‘
perfect cone, from a base of thirty miles in1
diameter, to a height of 8,280 ft. above the‘
level of the sea. Again, looking across
Cook Strait, the hills of the Middle Island
are visible on a clear day ; while far inland,
the outlines of the Tararua Ranges form:
the background of a picture which once
seen can never be forgotten.
THE OPEN Oorm'rar BETWEEN PAlKA'
mun AND Mnmws'ro.
The descent of the Paikakariki Hillis
by a side-cutting, in some parts nearly
1,000 ft. above the level of the sea. Cobb's!
coaches, however, travel over this road al-
most daily in perfect safety; but as the
formation of a new line of road from
Waikanae, on the Wellington side of the;
hill, by an inland course up to Manawatu,
is contemplated, it is probable that ere long
the necessity of crossing the steep Paikl-
kariki Hill will be altogether avoided
From the foot of the hill up to within!
short distance of the Waikanae River, nine‘
miles north, the land, which is flat and 011'
dulating, being mostly pastoral country,lml
nearly all been bought by the Crown from!
the Natives and sold to settlers. There an
two or three settlers who occupy it for
sheep-farming and grazing purposes. The
land close to Waikanae still belongs to the
Natives. There is a small hotel or accom-
modation-house at Paikakariki and another
at Waikanae.
The Otaki district, which is the 119KI
reached, extends from the Waikanae to I11?
Otaki River, and from the Otaki to the
Ohau River, a distance of nineteen miles-
The land included in this district is about
50,000 acres. It is still all in the hands OI
the Natives, but as the ownership has been
determined by the Native Lands Cow’!-
and negotiations are pending for the pur-
chase of the several blocks, it is practical}v
certain that by the time these pages are
published, nearly the whole of the fine
district extending from Waikanae to \h‘?
Manawatu River, including an area 0
330,000 acres, will have been purchasei
by the Crown and thus rendered availsbha
for occupation and settlement.
The road from Waikanae to Otaki is at
first by the sea beach, and then strikFi
inland to the village, which is premq'
situated about two miles from the sea, wl
adjoining the river bank. Otaki i5 “
Church of England missionary station‘
which was for many years under the p»-


PROVINCE OF
WELLINGTON. 182;
toral charge of the Venerable Archdeacon
Hadfield, who is now Bishop of Wellington.
The village contains a church and school
house for the Natives; the former being
also attended by Europeans. There are
also an hotel and one or two stores, the
sites of which have been purchased from
the Natives. The European population is,
however, very small, as the surrounding
country, being still in Native hands, no
settlement to any extent exists on it, and
thus the trade done is almost exclusively
confined to supplying the Natives with
goods, and receiving produce in return.
The Native population at Otaki is fast
dying out through epidemic and other
diseases. The land in the Otaki district
consists of sandhills near the coast, then
open flats of flax land, interspersed with
swamps, while the flat immediately sur-
rounding the village contains some excellent
land, fit either for pasture or agricultural_
purposes. The land belonging to the
mission station is of excellent quality.‘
Inland there are bush and hills, the land
at the edge of the bush and the bush land
below the hills being of good quality. The
Natives prepare flax, and rope is also
manufactured. There is some excellent
totara timber to be found in the bush near
the Otaki and Ohau Rivers.
The Horowhenua district extends from
the Ohau to the Manawatu River. It con-
tains land somewhat 'similar in character to
that already described in the Otaki district,
with the exception that there is a much
greater extent of good flat bushland close
to the hills. There are several inland lakes
to be found in both districts. Speaking
generally of the country lying between
Waikanae and the Manawatu River, it
may be said, as the result of careful explo-
ration,'that there is a considerable propor-
tion of it good open land adapted for
agricultural purposes, while parts of the
bush contain a. large amount of totara, red
pi e, and other valuable sawing timbers;
11' some of the blocks extending towards
the Manawatu River the soil is of the
richest alluvial, while the flax lands will
undoubtedly prove of much value in the
future. The remainder of the land, though
not of the same superior quality, will ulti-
mately be utilized, as ea ital and labour
become more abundant. n fact, it cannot
be doubted that when the negotiations now
in progress for the purchase of the blocks
referred to are completed, and the district
thrown open for settlement, it will support
a large population in comfort and pros-
perity. - '
THE Masswn'ru DISTRICD—FOXTON—
Psnuaas'rou AND ma Gouos.
It is, however, after crossing the Mana-
watu River and reaching Foxton that the
great resources of the Province as a field
for settlement, and the progress already
made in that direction, become fully evi-
dent. Foxton, the shipping port of the
Manawatu district. is situated four miles
from the mouth 'of the river, and close to
its bank. It contains about sixty houses,
including a Presbyterian church, Govern-
ment school house, two hotels, and several
stores. There is a wharf for the accommo-
dation of steamers, and a large store at the .
tramwa terminus for the reception of tim-
ber an other produce brought from the
interior. The rails run right down the
wharf for the convenience of shipping
those materials. The Manawatu is a bar
river with 9 feet of water on the bar, and
as'mu'ch as 14 feet at spring tides. It is
navigable by small steamers, two of which
trade regularly between Foxton and Wel-
lington, in addition to which the steamer
“ Tongariro,” from Wanganui, and some
small sailing vessels, make periodical visits
to the port. The river would be navigable
for about fifty miles up for steam launches
and sailing vessels if the snags were re~
moved, a work which could be done,at
moderate cost. The land at Foxton is
sandy near the coast, but improves a short
distance inland. The soil is light and well
fitted for grazing urposes, many parts
being also suitable or light crops, such as
potatoes, and also for gardens and orchards.
The district produces flax (Phorm'ium teams)
in great abundance, and several mills for
its manufacture have been till recently in
active operation. The low price ruling for
this material has, however, caused its
manufacture to be temporarily discontinued.
A wooden tramway is laid down from F ox-
ton to Palmerston, a township situated
twenty-five miles distant in the very centre
of the bush country. This tramway runs
for about twelve miles through open level
country, consisting of flax- bearing and
grazing land, but the rest of the line passes
through bush. The tramway is a work of
great importance to the district, as previous
to its construction the track through the
bush was almost impassable for drays ‘in
the winter, and the settlers in the upper
district had to pay enormous freights for
their goods, whether conveyed overland
by river. Now the freight from Fort ~
Palmerston by the tramway is very in
ate, besides which a cheap and expo‘!
x


190
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
means of carriage is afforded for the large
amount of timber which exists in the bush
round Palmerston. This timber trade,
which as yet is only in its infancy, will un-
doubtedly in time attain very large dimen~
sions, and the construction of the tramway
connecting the bush country with the ship-
ping port, has been the chief means of
establishing it. Already the export of
totara railway sleepers and piles for bridges
has commenced from Foxton; while the
certainty that a ready market can be found
for any quantity of timber that can be
supplied, has resulted in the establishment
of new saw-mills in the upper Manawatu
district. The bush country on the tramway
line commences some distance before reach-
ing the Oroua Bridge, and continues for
thirteen miles till Palmerston is reached.
The work of settlement has already com-
menced in the bush, as, just before reaching
Palmerston, the sections abutting on the
tramway line are occupied by Scandinavian
immigrants, who have cleared the bush to
a considerable extent, sown the land with
grass, and erected rou h but weather-tight
timber huts for themse ves and families.
The town of Palmerston is situated on a
natural level clearing of about 1,000 acres
in extent, surrounded by a very extensive
flat bush country. The town, which is of
little more than two years’ growth, contains
about forty houses, including two hotels,
two stores, school-house, police-station, and
court-house. The soil of the township site
is gravelly, being quite different from that
of the surrounding bush country, which is
of the richest alluvial description, forming
agricultural land of the most productive
character. Palmerston is the centre point
from which several lines of road radiate.
The main line of road from Foxton to the
Manawatu Gorge, and thence to Napier, in
the Hawke Bay Province, passes through it ;
a second line leads through a small belt of
bush into the open country of the Rangi-
tikei-Manawatu block,and thence to Middle
Rangitikei; while the tramway will ulti-
mately be carried six miles further inland
from Palmerston, to connect with the
contemplated railway line from Welling-
ton to 'Wanganui.
The distance from Palmerston to the
Manawatu Gorge is fifteen miles, by a road
passing through the finest forest country,
containing an almost inexhaustible supply
of the most valuable sawingltimber. er-
haps in no other part of t e Colony does
there exist a better specimen of the New
Zealand bush than is to be found in this
locality. The explorer comes upon groves
of the finest totara, while red, white and
black pines of the largest size are to be
found in abundance. A good road has
been out through the bush from Palmerston
to the lower ferry of the Gorge, and all
along it on both sides may be .seen indica-
tions of the rapid progress being made in
settlement. Passing a saw-mill on the
right, a little distance forward on the oppo-
site side. is situated the second Scandi-
navian settlement, and the allotments taken
up by the road labourers. These settle-
ments were formed by the General Govern-
ment on the system of selling to each
Scandinavian immigrant bush sections of
from 20 to 40 acres each (the latter being
the usual quantity taken up in the case of
a family), the payments for which extended
over a period of five years. The road
labourers (mostly English) had 20-acre
sections given them on somewhat similar
terms. So far, the experiment may be pro-
nounced a success. The Scandinavians
obtained partial employment, at good wages,
on the public works in the district, and
were enabled besides to improve their own
holdings. The result is now seen in the
cleared fields, and numerous two and four-
roomed slab cottages, which dot the side of
the road line. These Scandinavians and
Norwegians make good colonists. With
few. exceptions they are frugal, temperate,
and industrious, the result of those habits
being that most of them have already saved
money, while the instalments of payment
for their land in the majority of cases have
been regularly met. The road labourers,
who are mostly single men, have also made
considerable progress in clearing and im-
proving their lands.
Behind these settlements, on the left, is
situated the first portion of theblock pur-
chased by Colonel Feilding for the Emigrant
and Colonists’ Aid Corporation. This
block, which contains 106,000 acres, chiefly
of the finest undulatin forest land, stretches
inland in an eastery direction to the
Ruahine Rapge, and has a frontage to the
Road line from the site of the Scandinavian
Pohangina River. The high quality of the,
land in this block, its abundance of valuable
settlement to its own boundary near the 1
timber, and its proximity to the road and .
railway lines, all combine to indicate that
the settlements now being formed will be
both prosperous and successful.* ‘The road
still continues through the forest for mm
miles, but occasional vistas of small natu
clearings can occasionally be seen. 0"

"‘ See section headed, I“ The ‘ lllnnchostal‘I
Special Settlement."
J


PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
191
emerging from the bush, there is a very
beautiful natural clearing called Otangaki,
on which a trigonometrical station is erected,
and a little past this, downa slight descent,
is situated the lower ferry of the Mana-
watu, leading to the gorge Crossing this,
and passing through a grove of bush, the
road then lies along a side cutting on the
Tararua Range, overlooking‘the Manawatu
River. The view at this point is striking
and pictpresque. Far below the level of
the cutting, the Manawatu River is joined by
the Pohangina, which flows into it, the two
forming a junction at a little green island
lying mid-stream; while towering up on
either side are the _Tararua Ranges, which,
clothed with forest from base to summit,
impart an air of rugged grandeur to the
scene. Following the Gorge Road to the
Upper Ferry, the scenery, while ever
changing its phases, preserves the same
general character. At on'e point, the road
overhangs the river with a sheer perpen-
dicular descent‘ to the water, which flows
in mirror-like- smoothness past sloping
banks on the opposite side, clothed with
emerald-green verdure. Another fifty yards
further on, a sudden turn in the side cutting
shows the stream, narrowed to a few. feet,
passing between banks of precipitous rocks ;
while again, it is tossing and rippling down
a slight fall over a bed of massive boulders.
The line of road along the range has been
selected with much judgment, and the work
of construction has been excellently done.
The cutting is sufficiently broad for ordinary
trafiic, and can be widened as required in the
future for the railway. Five miles from
the Lower Ferry, the Manawatu Gorge is
reached,‘ where the river flows through the
opening between these two great mountain
ranges, the Tararua and Ruahine. This
gorge constitutes the eastern boundary line
which divides the Wellington Province from
that of Hawke’s Bay. A large railway
bridge is in course of construction across
the river, which at this point is about 200ft.
The banks on one side being precipitous,
the bridge requires to be nearly 400 ft. in
length. _It is being built on stone piers, and
will be placed at a height of 80 ft. above
the bed of the river. On crossing the river
the Wellington Province is left behind, and
the traveller has reached that of Hawke
Bay. The road on the Hawke Bay side
leads up by a cutting along the Ruahine
Range, into the Seventy—Mile Bush. Pur-
suing it for three and a quarter miles, a
ford of the river is reached, by crossing
which the line of road to Masterton in the
Wairarapa, or eastern division of the
Wellington Province. can be entered upon.
This part of the Province will be after-
wards described. But it may be stated here
that the work of forming the metalled road
through the Seventy-Mile Bush, to connect
the west coast with the Wairarapa, was
being rapidly pushed on, from the Mana-
watu side, at the date of writing this ; and
that now coaches from Wan anui and Patea
as well as from Napier, airarapa, and
Wellington, meet by way of the gorge, thus
establishing communication throughout
every part of the Wellington Province.
The road from the gorge to N apier—the
seaport of Hawke Bay, distant 105 miles—.
which leads through the Ruataniwha Plains,
and opens up a splendid stretch of country,
is now nearly completed, so that inland
communication between the two Provinces
will shortly be permanently established.
The view from the high ground on the
side cutting enables an adequate idea to
be formed of the large extent of valuable
timber which exists in this part of the
Wellington Province. Looking across the
river towards the Wellington side, a large
tract of level bush country, varied by a few
low-lying hills, can be seen for a distance of
nearly forty miles. The supply of timber
thus afforded cannot be exhausted for many
years to come, and the land when cleared is
of the richest and most productive kind. A
bush country like this cannot be rendered
productive without the expenditure of much
labour, but the ultimate success of settlers
on it is absolutely certain. The cost of
falling and burning the bush averages about
40s. per acre, but when that has been done
the land thus cleared far surpasses in fer-
tility even the best of the open country.
Moreover, as the country becomes more
opened up, an accessible market will -be
found for the timber, which will thus prove
a valuable source of wealth to the settlers.
With road and railway communication, a
large population, and ample facilities for the
export of timber, the Upper Manawatu
bush country is destined to become one of
the most prosperous districts of the Pro-
vince.
The ruling industries of thedistricts thus
described may be stated in a few words. _
The Foxton district possesses three flax-
niills, which will probably soon resume
operations, and there is a moderate produc-
tion of wool from the stations and smaller
holdings. There is not much land in crop
excepting to supply the local demands for
agricultural and garden produce, but there
is a fair number of horses and cattle bred
in the district. Foxton is only beginning
to be developed, but as population increases,
its progress will be rapid. The Palmerston
I)
.\ “


192
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK;
District, as already indicated, owes its chief
source of wealth to its timber. Four saw-
mills at present exist in the district,‘ which
will probably supply 3,000,000 superficial
feet of sawn timber during the year 1874,
2,000,000 of which will be exported. This
production will be largely increased in 1875,
as the erection of several new saw-mills is
contemplated.
THE RANGITIKEI-MANAWATU Bnocx—
Oaoun — Sermon — SMALL FARM
SETTLEMENT—MIDDLE, Lowsa, AND
UPPER RANGITIKEI—LTARTON Town-
smr. '
Returning to Palmerston as a starting-v
pzoint, and following the road towards
angitikei, a journey of seven miles through
bush leads to the Oroua River, across which
a bridge has been constructed. The bush
land up to the bridge has been surveyed
into sections, which are for sale on deferred
payments, and are being gradually taken
up. The land is of excellent quality, and
settlers’ houses, with their clearings, are to
be found at intervals along the road. There
is an hotel, and the beginning of a small
township called Awahuri, at the river, the
land in the immediate vicinity being Native, ,
portions of which have either been leased
or sold to Europeans. On crossing the
river the country becomes open, and pre-
sents to the view a large undulating plain,
varied with one‘ or two low-lying hills
extending from the bush to the sea coast,
' and from the Manawatu on the south to
the Rangitikei River - on the north.
This district includes the Manawatu and
Rangitikei-Manawatu blocks, which, taken
together with the Palmerston bush country,
comprise 500,000 acres of the most valuable
land in the Province, all of which is- ad-
mirably adapted to support a large popu-
lation. The road runs in a north-westerly
direction through land of excellent quality,
covered with fern and toi-toi, and suitable
for 'either grazing or agricultural purposes.
Four miles from the Oroua the ground rises
gradually as Mount Stewart is reached,
from the summit of which a splendid view
of the surrounding country can be obtained,
the snow-ca ped Ruapehu in the far distant
north, the Faikakariki Hill on the south,
and the sea on the west, being visible on a
‘clear da . After crossing Mount Stewart,
the roa see through the block of open
land whichmswas set a rt for sale on de-
fen-ed yments, and e block of the Hutt
Small Farm Association, both being situated
in the Sandon and Ournarvon districts.
A small township named Sanson has
been formed on the Hutt small farm block,
the road passin through it, while in the
vicinity are the ouses and fenced-in farms
of the settlers, who, though only recently
come into occupation of the land, are
clearing ofl' fern and sowing English
grasses. The whole of the land on de-
ferred payments has been taken up, and
settlers are rapidly occupying it, while the ,
members of the Hutt Small Farm Associa-
tion are in almost every instance inoccupn-
tion of their allotments. A road is being
made from Sanson to Foxton, a distance of
thirteen miles, which will open up a large
district of country for settlement. ~
After leaving Sanson, the next centre of
po ulation is zliull’s, situated on the north
si e of the Rangitikei River, the country
passed through in reaching it being nearly
all open, undulating land, of splendid
quality, and most of it occupied by'settlers.
The bridge at the Rangitikei River is a
fine structure, recently erected at a cost of
£9,000. Bull’s is the township of ‘the
Middle Rangitikei district, and consists of
about forty houses, including hotels, stores.
school house, court house, and public hall. \
There are alarge saw-mill and four flax-mills
in the vicinity, but the latter are not at ‘
present in operation. The country in the
vicinity _of this centre of population has
all been taken up, and is occupied chiefly
for ‘stock-breeding and grazing purposes.
Agriculture is as yet but little followed in
the Middle Rangitikei district, and onlys
small amount of land is under crop, but 8
considerable area has been sown with
English grasses. The country lying tween Bull’s and the Lower Rangitikel
consists of good grazing land with light
soil. The holdings are mostly large, being
'chiefiy stations, where horses, cattle, and
sheep are raised. Two good metalled road!
branch from Bull’s, one being the main line
to ‘ Turakina, and Wanganui, the other
leading to Marton, nine-miles off, and tile
township of the Upper Rangitikei district
and thence through the “ Bonny Glen” W
Turakina, where it joins the mainline t0
Wanganui. _
The land between Bull’s and Turakina H
open country, with bush in the far back-
ground._ It is chiefly occupied for grim";
purposes, but a. lar e portion of it is first
class agricultural hind. The other road
leading to Marton passes through settled
country, the holdings being pretty lam
varying from 600 to 3,000 acres each. The
Upper Rangitikoi district includes a"
country lying between Bull's and MUM’
a distance of nine miles, and thence i! i


PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
193
northerly direction for about fifteen miles,
till the bush is reached. The land generally
is grazing country of good quality, but in
a northerly direction from Marten, and at
a locality known as the Fern Flats, it is of
the very richest agricultural kind. A. fair
amount of agricultural produce is grown in
that part of this district, but the bulk of
the land is in pasture. Wool, cereals, flour,
flax, cattle, and sheep are the chief pro-
ductions. ‘
The township of Marton, so called after
the birthplace of Captain Cook, presents
all the characteristics of -a model English
village. The houses are well built and
tastefully finished, the churches possess
considerable pretensions to architectural
beauty, while the hotels are the most
commodious and comfortable to be found
in any of the country districts of the Pro-
vince. The town proper contains about
eighty houses, and the country immediately
surrounding is occupied chiefly by small
farmers, with holdings ranging from 120 to
600 acres. The public buildings 'include
court house, post ofiice, telegraph station,
drill shed, and town hall, besides which the
friendly societies contemplate putting up
some buildings of their own. The Hon.
W. Fox, lately Premier of N cw Zealand,
who resides in the district, has laid out a
new township called Crofton, two miles and
a half'from Marton, and built thereon a
Rechabite hall. Crofton is to be a teetotal
township, the founder presenting any one
with a half-acre section' who will build a
small house thereon within a limited period,
the condition of the deed of gift being in
every case that no intoxicating liquor is
ever to be sold in the building. A German
settlement is also established about a mile
from Marton. Frugal, industrious, and
temperate, these Germans make admirable
settlers, and their small holdings, each with
its highly-cultivated fields and pretty gar-
den, form a very pleasant picture.
TURAKINA—WANGAEHU AND WANGANUI.
The road from Marton to Turakina lies
through undulating open country, with
occasional low-lying hills, the land being
all of good quality and all occupied. After
ascending a hill, the view from which in
the direction of Rangitikei gives an ex-
cellent-idea of the surrounding country, the
descent on the other side leads into the
Turakina district, a small valley, bounded
on the west by sandhills and the sea, and
on all other sides by low ranges of hills.
Turakina is a township of older date than
Marten, but-the latter has advanced more
rapidly. It is somewhat smaller than
Marton, containing about forty houses, with
two churches, one school house, three hotels,
and seven stores. The land is of very su-.
perior quality, most of the holdings being
large, with a few small c'ottage freeholcls.
The valley is watered by the Turakina
River, the land up the side of which is of
an open, flat kind, and very superior in
quality. There is a small patch of ex-
cellent sawing bush at the lower side of the
valley, which ‘fact is noteworthy, as the
bush in the Rangitikei is enerally all a
considerable distance inland. Following
the main line, and crossing the Turakina
River at the bridge, the road ascends the
hill at -a side cutting and emerges on a
large flat of open flax and fern country,_
which extends, with occasional undulations,
for a considerable distance inland. A'few
miles onwardLthe road descends to the
Wangaehu River. The land in the im-
mediate vicinity of the river is swampy
and a portion of it covered with flax. The
whole of the country between the Turakina
and Wangaehu Rivers is still in the hands
of the Natives, but most of it has been
leased to Europeans, who have established
sheep and cattle stations upon it. Inland
from the Wangaehu River there is a con-
siderable area of open country containing
good land. On crossing the bridge of the
Wangaehu, the road leads‘ up a steep hill
and emerges on table land. The country
lying between the Wangaehu and Wanganui
Rivers forms the Wanganui block. It is
bounded on the- west by the sea, and con—
sists of open, undulating country for a con'-
siderable distance inland, after which it
becomes slightly broken. The whole of
this block has been sold by the Crown to
settlers, and the land is all occupied. The
block is well opened up by roads, and the
numerous holdings, with their well-fenced
grass-sown paddocks, and large comfortably
built houses, afford abundant indications of
the well doing and prosperity of the settlers.
The town of Wanganui is fourteen miles
from the Wangaehu River by the main
line of road, but some distance further by
the N0. 2 line, which passes through the
settled interior of the block. The journey
by the main road affords the view of some
pretty scenery, the traveller now passing
through a little valley dotted with home_
steads, then ascending a hill showing from
its summit the gleaming waters of an
inland lake, and next coming in view of
the broad Wanganui River, as it sweeps
past the town in its course to the sea.
Next to the city of Wellington, Wan-
ganui is the largest and most important


194
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
town in the Province. It is built on a flat
on the right bank of the Wanganui River,
about three miles from its mouth. The
'town itself contains about 300 houses, and
its population is estimated at 2,600. Wan-
ganui is a borough possessing municipal
institutions, its local affairs being under
the management of a Mayor and Council.
The river is spanned-bye. splendid iron
bridge, the largest which has yet been
built in the North Island, being, with its
approaches, nearly 600 ft. long. It is sup-
ported on seven cast-iron cylinder piers,
six of the piers being each composed of two
cylinders. The swing-span is 130 ft. long,
and the swing is moved by powerful geared
machinery. The swing, when open, leaves
two clear passages, each 40 ft. wide, so that
vessels may pass up and down the river at
the same time. The iron materials for
this bridge were manufactured by Messrs.
Kennard and 00., of London, and the
erection was successfully carried out by a
colonial contractor, Mr. Henry McNeill.
The total cost of the bridge was £32,000.
The shops and merchants’ stores in Wan-
ganui include some handsome and com-
modious buildings, the chief business
premises being situated on Taupe Quay,
facing the river bank, and in Victoria
Avenue. There are several wharves, the
largest being that belonging to the Corpora-
tion, which, with its goods transit shed, is
situated a little below the bridge, in close
proximity to the custom-house and clearing
shed. There is a large and handsome
court house, including ofiices for the Resi-
dent Magistrate, the Municipal Corpora-
tion, and other departments. This building
is situated on the Market Square, in the
centre of which is the Moutoa monument,
“erected,” as the inscription states, “to the
memory of those brave men ‘who fell at
Moutoa on 14th May, 1864, in defence of
law and order against fanaticism and bar-
barism.” The event of which this monu-
ment recalls the memory may be briefly
alluded to. In 1864, a band of rebel
Natives, contemplating a descent down the
river upon ‘the Wanganui settlement, were
met and resisted at the small island of
Moutoa. A hard-fought and bloody battle
ensued, the invaders being utterly beaten
and many slain, while the friendly Natives
also suffered severely. The service ren-
dered by the “friendlies” is commemorated
by this monument. On the sandhills over-
' looking the town are situated the Rutland
and York stockades, the former being used
as a gaol, and the latter as a station to
repeat the signals made at the heads. There
is an Odd Fellows’ Hall, four churches, a
public hospital, and several schools in the
town, while the private houses include
many h'andsome villa residences.
The Wanganui is a bar river, the depth
of water ranging from 9 ft. to 14ft. The
bar can be crossed at high water by steamers,
several of which trade regularly between
the port and other parts of the Colony;
while of late the Malay, a'vessel of about
450 tons burden, has come out direct from
England to the port. A project is con-
templated for deepening and widening the
channel of the river from the heads up to
the town, and also removing the snags
which obstruct the navigation. The river
is navigable for seventy miles by canoes,
and steamers of a few feet draught have
been up fourteen miles. The pilot station
is situated at the heads, from which point .
the condition of the bar can be signalled
to vessels about to cross it. On the left
bank of the river there are a few houses
close to the bridge, the place being called
Campbelltown ; and a little lower down is
a Native pa named Putiki, the original
Maori whares of which have been replaced
by substantial wooden houses, built after
the European fashion, to the order of their
Native owners. A church and missionary
residence are situated adjoining the pa.
The scenery of this part of the Province
is not without its features of beauty.
Looking up the Wanganui valley, the view
of the river winding through and dividing
the flat, with the table-topped hills on both
sides, the high wooded ranges as a back-
ground, and the snowy mass of Ruapclnl
towering above all in the distance, combine
to form a lovely picture. Again, on n-
cending the table lands, level and undulzr
ting plains can be seen below, extending
mile upon mile; and besides Ruapehu
inland, the volcanic cone of Mount Egmonl
to the north-west, and the great mountain
ranges of the Ruahine, Tararua, and Rim-
taka to the south-east, are distinctly visible
in clear weather ; while to the south, some
of the islands near N elson, and even the
highest peak of the main land, can be dis-
cerned rising above the sea line. Inland‘
the river scenery would delight the eye 01'
an artist. Such are some of the views 011
the Mangawhero, where the river r110e
foaming amidst huge granite boulders, and
is overhung by forest-clad hills towering
1,500 ft., the prevailing dark green of the
bush being relieved by the bright crimson
of the flowering rata, and the dull tintof
the tawhero contrasting with the will“
blossom of the ake.
Like all towns and districts in the Wel-
lington Province, the land resources 0

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WANGANUI BRIDGE, WELLINGTON-


PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
197
Wanganui are only as yet partially de-
veloped. Still the progress which‘has
been made during the last four or five
years is something wonderful. -In that
short period, it has been transformed from
a little village into a handsome town, re-
plete with ‘almost every comfort and con-
venience. ' Already some manufacturing
industries have been established, such as
breweries, soap works, and an iron foundry.
There are also several flax-mills in the
vicinity. Rope is beginning to be manu-
factured from the flax, and very soon ship-
building will be commenced. The whole
surrounding district is excellently adapted
‘for agricultural pursuits, but hitherto the
satisfactory prices obtained for sheep and
cattle have caused the settlers to turn their
attention to grazing, and some of the finest
stock andsheep to be found in the Colony
are bredin the Wanganui district. Indeed,
for horses, sheep, and cattle, Wanganui
bears a very high reputation ; while for the
wool rown in the district, one flock-owner
recen y took five prizes atthe Sydney
lntercolonial Exhibition; As illustrative
of what are the chief articles of production,
a few'figures carefully obtained on-the spot
may be given here :—
For the period of two years, extending
from 30th October, 1871, to lst November,
1873, sundry steamers- left Wan‘ganui for
Auckland and the west coast of the Middle
Island, carrying 6,390 head of cattle and
38,340 sheep. During the same period,
numerous schooners, carrying 272 head of
cattle and 1,116 sheep, left for Nelson and
the Pelorus. The exports of wool and flax,
as obtained from the local custom-house
for the period between the 1st January and
30th September, 1873 (nine months), were
as follow :—Wool, 2,721 bales, at a value
of £54,420; and flax, 2,119 bales, at a
value of £6,357. ‘These figures are valu-
able, as showing the actual original exports
from the Wanganui district. In the case
9f wool and flax, most of what is exported
1s -sent to Wellington, and thence tran-
Bhipped to Great Britain, the amounts
emg thus classed under the general head
of Wellington exports.
THE COUNTRY INLAND FROM WANGANUI.
At the back of the belt of open level
d lying along the shore of Cook Strait
are a series of wooded ranges. These
ascend gradually for the most part in
broken terraces, separated by ravines, till,
‘it a distance of about fifteen miles inland,
they attain an elevation of from 2,000 feet
t° 2,500 feet above the level of the sea.
When viewed from the coast, these ranges
seem to be entirely covered with bush, but
this appearance is deceptive, and in reality
nearly half of the country is either open or
easily cleared. The soil is everywhere of
the richest description, superior to any near
the coast; but from the difiiculty of getting
into it, owing to our ignorance of the prac-
ticable routes, and its being in the hands of
the Natives, this country is only‘ now be-
ginning to be taken up by settlers. Inside
of the highest range, the country suddenly
falls about 1,000 feet, and then again rises
gradually towards the great mountain Rua-
pehu—which stands in solitary majesty,
covered with perpetual snow, about fifty
miles inland—and the high ranges extend-
ing from the Tahua country westward to
Mokau, which form the watershed from
which the drainage flows southward to
Wanganui and northward to Waikato.
The portion of this inland slope imme-
diately adjacent to the Wanganui River,
and indeed from the Mangawhero River on
the east to the sea coast at New Plymouth
on the west, is a good deal broken. East
of the Mangawhero River, however, between
it and Ruapehu and the Upper Wanganui,
there are some hundreds of square miles of
beautiful level country. Most of it is
wooded, but there are ‘fine openings, some-
times. of 1,000 acres or more in extent,
scattered through it; and at its northern
end, on the Native track from Pipiriki to
Taupo, there is a very large extent of open
assy country, known as the Waimate or
Pratea plains, lying along the skirts of the
active volcano Tongariro, and a number
of smaller extinct ones to the north-west of
it. These plains are said to consist of very
poor soil (pumice and scoria ash), but will
make good grazing land, and are so level
that one may gallop a horse all over them.
The whole of this district possesses a fine
bracing climate. ‘The proximity of snowy
mountains, and the elevation above the sea
level, often cause considerable changes in
temperature, and frosts frequently occur at
night, even in the middle of summer. This
portion of the Province has hitherto been
but little known, but the attention of the
Government has lately been directed to it,
and large blocks of land are in course of
acquisition for the purpose of settlement;
whilst a bridle track which is being con-
structed from Wanganui by way of the
dividing range, between the Wangaehu and
Turakina Rivers, will greatly facilitate
communication with it.
On the eastern side of Ruapehu,-between
it and the Kaimanawa range, and on the
lower spurs of the latter range, there is a


198'
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
very large extent of open country, known
as the Taupe plains and Patm country, in
which the Waikato. Wangaehu, Hautapu,
and Moawhango (the latter two of the
main branches of the Rangitikei) take their
rise, the source of the Turakina being just
within the bush on the south of it. .There
are long strips of level ground, generally
rather boggy, along the sides of the streams,
but the remainder, though open and grassy,
is very broken. The soil is very poor, and
only fit for grazing. Owing to the high
elevation, the snow lies on the ground for
a long time in winter, and sharp night
frosts are frequent during nine months of
the year. .
The Parae-Karetu block, now being sur-
veyed, has a belt of broken land on the
side next the Rangitikei district, but
inland it consists of open bush interspersed
with grassy glades, the home of large num-
bers of wild cattle. It can ‘be reached by
a road from Wanganui direct, or by one up
the Turakina valley, and there is reason to
believe that another practicable line into it
exists m'd the Porewa valley. There is a
great deal of similar land lying between it
and the Patea country, but it is in Native
hands. Between Waitotara and Patea
‘there is also ‘a considerable amount of fine
land inland of the settlements. It will
thus be seen that the country drained by
the Wanganui and its tributaries possesses
large pastoral and agricultural capabilities.
The cause of its non-development hitherto
has been the fact of its being in the hands
of the Natives; but this difiiculty is now
passing away. Gold is found in small
quantities all the way up the Wanganui
River, probably indicating more or less rich
deposits at its head-quarters in the Tahua
country. Prospecting in that region has,
however, only been carried on by the Na-
tives as yet, and whether a payable gold
field exists there or not remains to be
proved. Should such prove to be the case,
the country would be opened up at once.
Tnn Coun'rnr NonTH or WANGANUI—
KAI IWI—MAXWELLTON—NUKUMARU
— Tnn WAITOTARA BLOCK — THE
CONFISCATED LANDS — OKOTUKU
BLOCK—WAIROA —WHENUAKURA—
PArnA—Non'rnnnn BOUNDARY or
‘ran Paovnwa.
The country lying north of Wanganui is
well worthy of a visit, either by the tourist
or intending settler. On leaving town, the
road leads northwards up Victoria Avenue
to St. John’s Hill, from the summit of 1
which a pretty view of the valley, the river,
and the town can be obtained. Beyond
this, the country consists of table lands for
several miles, all of which has long been
occupied. The land is of excellent quality,
and would produce large crops but most
of it is in pasture. Well-buil and com-
modious houses, with luxuriant gardens
and paddocks, are to be seen on every side;
while for miles along the road the blooming
hawthorn hedges, with their delicious per_
fume, recall to the mind of the Wayfarer
the memory of summer country rambles in
England. There are two small sheets of ‘
water in this locality, one called Virginia
Lake and the other Westmere. Virginia
Lake is about 24 acres in area, with a
maximum depth of 78 feet. It will shortly ‘
be used as a source of water-supply for the
town, the necessary plant having been
ordered. The Westmere Lake is situated
at a higher level, and may possibly be used
to supplement the water-supply obtained
from the other source. Beyond the table
land the road leads down into Goat Valley,
and after passing through some broken
pastoral‘ country, hills and valleys alter-
nating, the Kai Iwi stream is reached, nine
miles distant from Wanganui. For several
miles onward the road runs along a side
cutting 'on the hill; with a bush gully on
the right. Crossing Okehu stream, a short
distance further up the ascent, the bush is
left behind, and the first glimpse of the
fertile Waitotara block obtained. Two or
three houses here on the left are called
Maxwellton, while on the right is a bean-
tiful vista of open, level, grassed land,‘
backed by forest. The scenery and the
character of the land now begin to improve
greatly. A mile or two further along the
road is situated N ukumaru, now the site of
a snug roadside inn, built a few yards from
the famous Maori stronghold, Taurangs
Ika, where, five years ago, the notorious
_ rebel chief Titokowaru and his followers
were entrenched, while the whole of the
Colonial forces, under Colonel Whitmore,
had taken up a position before it. . At that
time the country from Wanganui to Nuku-
maru was occupied by armed forces, the
Waitotara blockbeing the scene of continual
skirmishes. In the country adjacent to
N ukumaru, settlers’houses had been burned,
their cultivations destroyed, and their cattle
driven off. That state of things has now
happily passed away for ever. Titokownru
and his followers have been driven out of
the district, peace has been re-established.
and the country from Wanganui to the
Waingongoro River, a distance of sixty-five
i
4
i
l


200
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
of the Patea River forms the northern
boundary of the Wellington .Provinca.
The Patea is a bar river, with a depth of
6 ft. at high water, and as much as 10 it.
at spring tides. It is navigable by small
steamers and sailing vessels drawing 5 ft,
and a few such visit the port at intervals.
The bar, however, bears the reputation of
being dangerous, and when,railway commu-
nication is established between Patea and
Wanganui, goods and produce will be car-
ried chiefly by land carriage. At present,
the river is crossed by a punt, but bridges
are in course of construction across‘ it, as
well as the Whenuakura and Waitotara. The
town of Carlyle is situated on the north
side of _the river, and about half a mile
from its mouth. The town is built on
slightly-elevated ground, the site having
been 'laid out by the General Government
in 1870; and it already contains a popu-
lation of about 220. There are three-large
hotels, a school-house, two churches, a
court-house, post-ofiice, telegraph station,
and other public offices. The other build-
' include a bank and several stores.
Carlyle is the district head-quarters of the
Armed Constabulary, but so peaceful is
now the attitude of the Natives that only
twelve men require to be stationed there.
The scenery up the Patea River is very
pleasing and diversified. The country con-
sists of ridges and valleys, with table land
' at the top of the former, and some flats of
very rich agricultural land near the river
bank. From the top of one of these ridges,
and looking southwards, a splendid view is
afforded of the Whenuakura block and the
country adjacent on the Wellington side‘ of
the river. Going a little inland, the country
presents the same features of flat-topped
rid es and valleys, with a back-ground of
bus], but behind that there are many open
clearings.
THE Hn'rr AND WAIRARAPA.
Taking the City of Wellington ‘again as
a starting-point, the next division of the
Province to be described is the valley of
the Hutt, so called after the river of that
name, ‘which flows through it and discharges
itself into the upper portion of Wellington
harbour. The Hutt valley is reached from
Wellington by a road skirting the harbour,
parallel with the railway line now com-
pleted. Passing the villages of Kaiwarra_
warra and Ngahauranga, at the latter of
which the road branches off to the West
Coast, a few miles further on the Hutt
bri e is reached, which, to ether with a
smal village, is situated at t e lower part
of the valley. This village is a pretty
country suburb of Wellington, and contains
in its vicinity some highly-cultivated lpro-
perties of considerable extent, as we as
numerous small holdings. The valley con- l
sists of rich alluvial ‘land, the whole of
which is thickly peopled. A few miles‘
further up are two villages, called the Taim l
and the Upper Hutt, the latter possessing
extensive saw-mills. The general features
of this district, which lies altogether to the
west of the Tararua and Rimutaka ranges,
are ste'ep wooded spurs proceeding from
those ranges, and valleys lying between
them. After leaving the Upper Hutt, rho
Mungaroa is the next point reached, on
passing which the ascent of the Rixnutaln
Hill, a spur of the Tararua range, con-
mences. The summit of the hill is reached
by a side-cutting, and the descent on the ‘
other slope by similar means leads to the ‘
lower part of the \Vairarapa valley. The‘
township of Featherston is situated at the ‘
base of the hill and the lower end of the
valley. The township is small, consistin,.
of only a few scattered houses, with the
usual court-house, post-ofiice, telegraph
station, and hotels. The whole of the sur-
rounding district consists of pastoral land. ,
the country being open and level, with
little ‘bush in some places.. Two miles‘
beyond Featherston is the Tauherenikzlu
River, which flows across the valley into
the Wairarapa Lake, a huge body of fresh
water, covering an area of about sixteen
square miles, very shallow, and nearly on
the same level as the sea. The next ten-
ship is Greytown, seven miles from Feather-
ston. This is a prosperous township, con‘
taining about 120 houses, the population
being estimated at 450. Its chief stree!
contains numerous handsome shops, hoteh.
and private houses ; it possesses three
churches, a Government free school and A
private one, with court-house and other
public buildings. There are besides a lite-
rary institute, with large reading-room uni
library; also a public hall. A newspaper
published in Greytown has a considemhlf
circulation throughout the valley. There
is abundance of good sawing bush in the
district, and five steam saw-mills, which
annually turn out a large quantity of timber.
a considerable portion being sent to Wel-
lington and even to the Middle Island-
Totara piles for buildings, and telegraph-
poles of the same timber, are obtained 111
large quantities from the Wairarapa trict. Flax is also manufactured, and wool
largely grown, so that a very extensih‘
carrying trade is concerned in the court‘?
ance of these staple productions to Wel-
lington, while large quantities of generll


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PROVINCE or WELiINGTON.
203
merchandise are brought back from the
city.
Beyond Greytown, the road lies for some
little way through bush, but the rest of the
country in the direction of Carterton and
Masterton, the latter being eleven miles
from Greytown, is open arable land, a good
deal of which is placed under crop. The
description of Greytown applies generally
to the township of Masterton, except that
the latter has less production of timber;
but on the other hand agriculture is more
extensively pursued. Carterton is a smaller
township situated between Greytown and
Masterton. The trade and prosperity of
Greytown are in a great measure promoted
by the custom of the stockowners and
station hands of the lower valley; and in
the case of Masterton, the farmers of the
Opaki plain are found liberal buyers at the
stores, while the Government expenditure
in opening a road through the Seventy-
Mile Bush, gives employment to the
Scandinavian labourers, who obtain their
supplies from the township. Two depots
have been established for the reception of
immigrants, one at Featherston and the
other at Greytown. , -
The township of Masterton is the centre
of a flourishing small-farm district,- and the
land being of excellent quality, the settlers,
whose snug homesteads are to be seen in
every direction, are prosperous and well
doing. The township is situated at the
point of divergence of the roads to Castle
Point and the Manawatu Gorge.
Paorac'ran Roses 'ro ores or run
COUNTRY—DESCRIPTION or THE LAND.
Before describing the country between
Masterton and the Gorge, it may be stated
that as the formation of eighty-one miles of
district roads is contem lated, the whole of
the blocks of unsold rown lauds inthe
Wairarapa. and East Coast districts will
thus be rendered available for purchase,
occupation, and settlement. The proposed
road line from Masterton to Alfredton will
pass through good bush country across the
Rangitumau range, and thence through a
clearing on the augaehu River, ultimately
leading into a beautiful and fertile valley,
nine miles long by three-quarters of a mile
broad, the land being of the very finest
quality. Another intended road, from
Alfredton to Castle Pointwill open up a
large tract of country; while a third line
will effect the same object in the case of
the open lands lying under the eastern slope
of the Puketoi range. In brief, it may be
stated that by the end of 1875, the whole
of the Wairarapa and East Coast districts
will be opened up by a network of roads,
acting as feeders to the main line leading
from Masterton to the Gorge and West
Coast, and also to Na ier on the east. This
will ultimately be t e route taken by the
trunk railway line which, starting from
Wellington, will traverse the Wairarapa,
run through the Seventy-Mile Bush to the
Gorge, and thence proceed up the West
Coast, by way of Wanganui, to Taranaki
and Auckland.
THE COUNTRY BETWEEN MASTERTON AND
MANAWATU Gonna.
The main road line ‘from Masterton to
the Manawatu Gorge runs in the first place
through a block of splendid bush land,
containing about 45,000 acres, of which a.
general description will afford a good idea
of the whole of the country in this locality.
That portion of the block which lies in a
northerly direction, consists of 14,000 acres
of first-class agricultural land, abundantly
watered throughout by the Kopuaranga
River and numerous streamlets. The land,
is moderately timbered, chiefly with red
pine, the bush being of an open character.
This part of the block is specially adapted
for a small-farm settlement. Its abundance
of level land, its rich soil and adequate
supply of timber and water, present all the
essential requisites of a good site for such a
purpose. Nor should it be forgotten that,
stretching further north, there are from
20,000 to 30,000 additional acres of level,
agricultural land of the same quality, and
presenting the same characteristics as that
already described,‘ which would afiord ample
scope for the after extension of the small-
farm settlements at first formed.
That portion of the block situated on the
eastern side consists of 10,000 acres of un-
dulating country, timbered with red pine,
matai, and occasionally white pine. The
soil is of a limestone formation and of ex-
cellent quality, equal, if not superior, to
that of the open, fiat, bush land. The un-
dulating nature of the land would, how-
ever, unfit a large portion of it for plough—
ing, and hence it is more adapted for
pastoral purposes. A mixed system of
agricultural and pastoral settlement, the
latter predominating, would be the most
suitable in this part of the block. The
land is well watered by numerous streams
branching from the K0 uaranga River.
The remainder of the bloc , though some-
what more broken, is also suitable for
pastoral purposes. It will be understood
from the foregoing observations that the


PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
205
mit of the Tararua ranges, the purchase of
which the Government is at present negm
tiating, may be said to include almost
every variety of land. This tract has a
coast line of fifteen miles, with a depth
inland of from two to twelve miles. The
' land near the coast is light and sandy, but
further back it gradually changes into a
belt of fine, rich, level land, much of which
is wooded, the timber being of valuable
quality. Towards the ranges the country
becomes more hilly, but nearly all of it is
suitable for grazing.
Alarge extent of land situated in the
Seventy-Mile Bush, between Masterton
and the Tararua range, will probably in a
short time be open for sale. The timber
and soil are both of good quality, and the
land is nearly all level. Three other blocks
of land lying to the east of Masterton are
of good quality, consisting partly of bush
and partly of undulating open land. There
Is also a considerable. extent of land, suit-
able for pastoral purposes, still available
for sale, situated on the East Coast, towards
the boundary of the Province.
The conditions of sale of public lands
may be briefly stated.
_ The price of unproclaimed land generally
in the Province is 10s. an acre, the whole
of the purchase-money having to be paid
at the time of making the application ; but
land which, from its broken character or
for other reasons, is not deemed fit for
agricultural purposes, may be classed by
the Waste Lands Board as pastoral land,
and may be purchased as such, in blocks of
not less than 640 acres, at 7s. 6d. an acre.
A considerable area of land in the
Manawatu district has been set apart for
sale on deferred payments. The price
varies from £1 to £2 an acre, and is pay-
able by e'qual instalments extending over
a period of five years, the purchaser being
required, within a period of two years, to
erect a house on his selection, of not less
than £10 in value, and to fence, or clear,
or are , or lay down in grass, one-tenth
part 0 the land. This scheme of selling
land on deferred payments has been very
successful, most of the sections having been
taken up.
Other blocks of land, as they are sur-
Veyed and pegged out into sections, are
From time to time put up for sale by public
iuction, the upset price being usually £1
in acre for country lands, and propor-
iionately higher prices for town allotments.
The purchaser at auction has to make an
mmediate payment of one-tenth of the
)urchase-money, and the balance at the
uni of a month. Any sections offered at
auction, but not sold, can be taken up
afterwards at the upset price for cash.
Wrmr THE Ussonn Lune ARE
AVAILABLE res.
Most of the unsold agricultural lands in
the Wellington Province are well adapted
for occupation by small farm settlers. In
the case of - the bush lands, the settler can
frequently add to his income by the sale of
the timber for fencing and firewood, be-
sides which, such land, when cleared and
broken up, always produces a heavy crop.
A considerable portion of the bush, which
is being rapidly made accessible by roads,
would pay well to saw ; and as there is a
large and growing demand for timber, the
establishment of many additional saw-mills,
which would afford employment to a con-
siderable number of labourers, may be
shortly anticipated.
Much of the open land produces large
quantities of Native flax, and mills exist
in several parts of the Province for the
preparation of the fibre. With the ex-
ception of the purely pastoral country,
nearly all the land in the Province is fitted
for agricultural purposes, the bush land
being the richest. The districts on the
West coast, and in the vicinity of Master-_
ton in the Wairarapa, are suitable for
growing wheat, barley, and other cereals,
as much as 60 bushels of wheat and 100
bushels of cats having been produced to
the acre in the vicinity of Wanganui.
Potatoes, turnips, beetroot, mangold wurzel,
and every other description of English
vegetable production can be raised in
abundance. In many parts of the Pro-
vince, the soil is well adapted for hop
owing. All kinds of English fruits grow
uxuriantly, as well as some of those which
require a milder climate. The cultivation
of the vine is being carried on to a small
extent in the vicinity of Wanganui, and
excellent wine has for some years past been
made at the Roman Catholic mission station,
sixty miles up the river. Figs and loquats
also grow abundantly in the same locality.
Imraovnn AND UNIMPROVED LaNDa IN
PRIVATE HANDS, OPEN FOR. SALE.
As a rule there is but little land, either
improved or unimproved, in this Province
open for sale to persons of small capital.
When small holdings are parted with, they
are generally purchased at a considerable
advance on the original cost ; and in nearly
all cases the price of land in private hands,
either improved or unimproved, is con_
0


206
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
siderably higher than the price paid to the
Crown in t 0 first instance. From £3 to
£5 an acre is sometimes given for country
lands fenced but not otherwise improved.
In other cases, from £5 to £8 an acre has
been obtained. Persons of small capital
coming out to the Colony would not, there-
fore, find it prudent to pay such prices for
land in this Province, and the plan of
purchasing surveyed Crown lands at £1 an
acre is much more advisable.
Inrnovan Farms.
Speaking generally, there are not many
“improved” farms in this Province to be
rented. In some of its settlements of older
date, such as Wanganui and the districts
adjoining it, improved farms occasionally
come into the market, and can be bought
or leased with a right of purchase ; but as
a rule such properties are not available for
immigrants of moderate means, inasmuch
as the value set upon them is necessarily
high. As has been already said, new
arrivals intending to buy land find it
usually best to purchase from the Govern-
ment ; and it may be added that those who
have the enterprise to commence their
career in the most outlying districts, find
such a course to be far the most advan-
tageous in the end, as they pay only a very
low price for their land at the first, and it
rapidly increases in value, not only because
of the improvements made upon it, but
owing to the progress of the settlement
itself in population and production.
It should, however, be understood that
immigrants possessed of capital can either
lease or buy improved farms or station pro-
perties, at such prices as would enable them,
by judicious management, to secure an ex-
cellent return for the money invested. The
amount of capital required in such cases is
considerable, and the immigrant with from
£500 to £1,000 would find it his best
course to begin at the beginning—buy
Crown land and make an “improved farm”
for himself. There is no hardship involved
in settling upon land in the outlying dis-
tricts of the Wellington Province. Already
every necessary and many of the luxuries
of life have been brought within the reach
of the settler in any part of it. In fact, the
Province is now more or less a settled coun-
try, with roads and bridges throughout its
length and breadth.
Omar An'ricnns or PRODUCTION, Aim
THEIR GENERAL VALUE.
Subjoined is a list of the chief articles of
production in this Province, with the Wel-
lington prices for export annexed. It is to
be noted that in the case of wool, flax, and
a variety of other articles, their value varies
much, according to the extent of the de
mand in the English market.
Wool.............. 8d. to 2s per lb.
Flax (Phormium
tenaac) .... £18 to £22 per ton.
Tallow .... £35 to £38 ,,
Sheep skins...... 6d. to 2s. 6d. each.
Hides ...... 15s. to 18s. ,,
Butter (salt)...... 6d. to 1s. per. lb.
Timber ......... 12s. to 22s. per 100 ft.
Furniture timbers 20s. to 30s. ,,
Preserved meats
(in tins)........
Fat cattle.........
Sheep Horses ...... Store cattle
Hams and bacon
4d. per lb.
20s. to 23s. per cwt
8s. to 15s. each.
£5 to £50 ,,
40s. to 60s. ,,
7d. to 9d. per lh.
Colonial ale...... £5 to £7 per hhd.
Potatoes ....... .. £4 to £5 per ton.
Cereals :—A limited quantity of wheat
and barley is grown, but not by any
means sufiicient for local consumption.
Nsw INDusrmns.
In addition to the industries already
existing in the Province, there are sevenl
others which could with advantage be it
once established, because there is abun-
dance of the raw material on the spot, and
the greatest facilities for its manufacture.
Such, for example, would be the establish-
ment'of mills for the manufacture of cloth.
blankets, and woollen fabrics generally. In
the wool-growing districts of the West
Coast, in the vicinity of Wanganui, there
are several places where the establishment
of such mills would meet a recognized
want, and at the same time prove a profit-
able enterprise. Flour-mills also either are
or will shortly be wanted in several lowli-
ties. In many districts admirably adapted
for wheat growing, the settlers still import
their flour at a heavy extra cost for land
carriage; but as agriculture is more pm‘-
sued, wheat will be grown, and flour-mill!
become necessary.
The flax industry, though already esta-
blished, is capable of large extension, and
there is no reason to doubt that when the
present low price obtained for the material
in Great Britain has risen, many new mills,
with the latest improvements in machinery,
will be established and carry on a profitable
trade. In many cases a rope manufsctory
might be added to the flax-mill with advan-
tage and profit. This latter industry crisis
to a very slight extent, but there are many


PROVINCE OF
WELLINGTON. 207
openings for carrying it on in an extensive
way, with the certainty of reaping a large
return. The manufacture o wool ks,
sacking, and wrapping paper cou d be
established with advantage in this Pro-
vince.
The port of Wellin on is well adapted
as a site for ship-buil in operations, and
the same may be said of %Vanganui. This
industry was formerly pursued on a small
scale in Wellington, but of late it has fallen
into neglect. At Wanganui the industry
is about to be established.
The manufacture of preserved meats has
been commenced with success, but this
industry will in time admit of large expan-
sion. As the Wellington Province is capa-
ble of producing enormous quantities of
fruit, the manufacture of jellies, jams, and
preserves would undoubtedly prove a re-
munerative industry. Large cheese fac-
tories, on the American co—operative system,
might be profitably established in the coun-
try districts, the great richness of the
pastures insuring an ample supply of the
finest milk. The establishment of many
other industries would prove remunerative.
For instance, the cultivation of beetroot for
the manufacture of sugar or spirits there-
from, would, in the opinion of competent
judges, be a very profitable industry. A
Joint Committee of both Houses of Parlia-
ment reported favourably, in 1871, on a
proposal that the Government should aid 8.
Company in acquiring a block of land in
the Colony for the purpose of growing beet
and manufacturing sugar, and should give
a bonus for the production of the first 250
tons of sugar. It was then suggested that
a block of 3,000 acres would be required,
and that about 200 skilled labourers from
Germany, with their families, should be
introduced to carry on the cultivation and
manufacture. I
At Island Bay, three miles .from the city
of Wellington, there is a splendid opening
fora fishery and fish-curing establishment.
This was tried on a small scale some time
- ago, but was partially abandoned for want
of capital on the part of the projector. The
fish procurable along the coast and in the
traits are warehou, moki, butter-fish—all
‘finch are good for curing—also hapuku,
hug, and rock cod. The number of fish to
be paught is practically unlimited, and the
cflrlllg process can be cheaply accomplished.
'1110 local demand for the cured fish has
aJwuys much exceeded the supply—when
“"911 Supply existed; and were the enter-
Prise to be established on a large scale, any
amount of the cured article could be dis-
Posed of elsewhere.
Auoun'r or Tmssu, sun 'rrrs Mssus or
OBTAINING 1r.
Pro ortionately to its area, there is no
other rovince in New Zealand which pos-
sesses so large an acreage of valuable timber
as Wellington, or which affords equal facili-
ties for obtaining it. In the eastern division
of the Province, there is a block of land
now opened up containing 14,000 acres of
good sawing bush, chiefly red pine. This
ush is accessible by road from Masterton.
Stretching north from this block, there are
30,000 acres of similar bush; while the
extensive forest, plain, or undulating coun-
try which extends to the Manawatu Gorge,
and from the Tararua range towards the
East Coast, must contain nearly six hundred
square miles of valuable country, covered
with sawing timber. This bush is accessible
on the western side of the Province from
Palmerston and the Gorge. As has already
been stated in the general description of
the Province, Palmerston, the centre of the
bush country in that quarter, is connected
with Foxton, the shipping port, by a tram-
way which conveys the timber to the vessels
for shipment. A good road also opens the
bush country to the Gorge and thence
through to Masterton. Practically, then,
this bush country, with its almost inex-
haustible supply of timber, has been made
accessible, but the construction of the rail-
way will open it up more completely. The
export of sawn timber from the Wairarapa
and the Upper Manawatu to the city of
Wellington and other places, will in the
future be large. The timber consists chiefly
of totara, matai, rimu, kahikatea, and rata.
The saw-mills throughout the districts men-
tioned produce largely, but the demand for
timber is so great that many times the
present number could be established with
advantage.
Timber exists in greater or less quantity
in various parts of the back country on the
West Coast ; while the open stretch of land
along the coast between Wanganui and
Patea has a background of forest which will
be opened up as roads are made into the
interior. Scarcely sufiicient is known of
this country to judge of the commercial
value of its timber; but the bush further
north to the roar of Mount Egmont, which
is now being opened up by the formation
of the mountain road to New Plymouth,
contains much good sawing timber.
The districts previously described will,
however, afford an abundant supply of
timber, both for building purposes and for
public works, for many years to come-
0 2


208
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
beside furnishing a large quantity for
export to the Middle Island, in the shape
of lrailway sleepers, piles, and telegraph
po es.
Mmnws.
No mineral discoveries of importance
have been made in the Wellington Pro-
vince; but it is not therefore to be con-
cluded that the Province is deficient in
such means of wealth, as those parts of it
where it is most reasonable to expect that
metals and minerals of economic value will
be found, are the least known. Coal is
known to exist in the Upper Wan nui;
and old has been found there, but w ether
it exists in payable quantities yet remains
to be ascertained, as the Tuhua country.
where there is the greatest probability of
a gold-field being discovered, is in the
hands of the Natives, who have hitherto
declined to allow the country to be pros-
pected. In the south-eastern parts of the
Province—notably within a few miles of
the city of Wellington, at Terawiti—the
country has been prospected at different
times, and small quantities of the precious
metal discovered, but no payable field.
There are extensive limestone clifl's in
the neighbourhood of the Manawatu Gorge.
MILLs AND FACTORIEB.
Although manufacturing industries in
the Province of Wellington are as yet in
their infancy, yet within the last few years
considerable progress has been made in
that direction. In the city of Wellington,
one large iron foundry employs from 35 to
40 hands on the average, and other smaller
establishments of the same kind exist. In
the town of Wanganui there is also a foun-
dry. Saw-mills are becoming numerous in
the Province, and already turn out a large
quantity of sawn timber. These mills are
at work in the Upper Hutt, the Wairarapa,
the Upper Manawatu district, the Middle
Ran itikei district, and in one or two places
nort of Wanganui. As the demand for
sawn timber is great, and the supply of
bush country unlimited, there are good
openings for the establishment of new saw-
mills. Most of these mills are worked by
steam power. There are two steam saw-
mills in the city of Wellington, where the
manufacture of doors, sashes, &c., is carried
on upon an extensive scale. In the same
place there is a steam flour-mill. There
are two flour-mills in the town of Wan-
ganui, three at Rangitikei, and four in the
Wairarapa; some driven by steam, and
some by water power. On the West Coast,
there are about ten flax-mills, which, when
l
in operation, employ a considerable number
of hands, principally boys, who receive
wagles ranging from 10s. to £1 per week,
wit food. At present, however, most of
these mills are idle, owing to the low price
of flax. There are several rope-walks, the
one at Ototoho, near Waitotara, being the
largest. In the city of Wellington and its
immediate vicinity there are five fellmon-
geries and two tanneries, one of the latter
employing sixteen or eighteen hands. There
are likewise several fellmongeries at Wan-
ganui. Boat-building on a small scale is
carried on at Wellington and Wanganui.
Soap-making is also pursued in Wellington
and Wanganui; and in the former place
bone-dust is manufactured by machinery.
The brewing industry is largely carried on
in the Wellington Province.
Tnn Kmns or LABOUR m DEMAND.
In the country districts of the Province,
farm and station labourers, shepherds, stock-
men, ploughmen, fencers, sheep-shearers,
carpenters, blacksmiths, sawyers, and mar-
ried couples used to farm and dairy work,
obtain employment immediately, and are
largely inquired for. In the Upper Mans-
watu district, good bushmen, axemen, an
sawyers are especially wanted. In the
towns, from the large extension of building
0 rations, carpenters, bricklayers, painters,
p umbers, &c., arein demand ; while, owing
to the large extent of public work being
carried on in the shape of roads, railways,
and bridges, there is ample employment
for unskilled labour. Good shoemakers and
tailors do well in the towns. A limited
number of pattern-makers, boiler-makers,
moulders, and mechanical engineers are also
required. Blacksmiths who can shoe do
well in any part of the Province. Female
domestic servants are wanted in all parts
of the Province; and those possessed of
previous experience are certain to obtain
permanent situations at high wages.
It may be said, as the result of inquiries
made on the spot, that the demand for
labour is everywhere very great, and that
the supply as yet has been entirely insufii'
cient. Any man acquainted with a trade
which is pursued here to any extent, can a!
once find remunerative employment. The
essential thing is, that the new comer-i
should be able to do some one or mom
things well, the doing of which is required
in the Province.
Rs'rrs or Wsons.
As the result of careful inquiries insti-
tuted by the writer in every part of m
Province, it has been found that a


210
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
to Alfredton and the Forty-Mile Bush;
and another from Masterton to Alfredton,
through Wangaehu. Some further work in
completion of the lower valley road is also
to be done. Bridges will be erected over
the Rnamahunga, Taueru, Kaumingi, Ab-
bott’s Creek, and the Waiohine Rivers.
It is possible that there will be a con-
siderable expenditure in widening and
deepening the Wanganui River, and in
providing wharfage accommodation there;
both of which works will involve the
employment of a considerable amount of
labour.
These important public works by no means
include all the sources of employment to
immigrants which this Province will for
several years afford. The railway to be
constructed by the General Government
from Wellington to the Wairarapa, and
thence by the Manawatu Gorge to the West
Coast and Wanganui—portions of which
are already in hand—will involve the em-
ployment of a large amount of labour;
while it must inevitably follow that the
opening up of new country by making
main roads will necessitate the construction
of numerous district roads and bridges by
the local Highway Boards.
Besides this, the Municipal Corporation
of Wellington contemplate reclaiming a
large area of land from the Te Aro end of
the harbour, while another extensive work
of reclamation at the Thorndon end, on part
of which it is proposed to erect new Govern-
ment oflices, is already in progress.
Altogether, the Wellington Province can
offer abundant employment to those who
‘ may make it their future home.
Anvrm'rsons orrnnnn BY THE Paovruca
'1‘0 LABOURERS, MECHANICS, AND
SMALL FARMERS.
The working man of whatever class,
whether he be read labourer, farm servant,
or skilled artizan, who emigrates from Great
Britain to the Wellington Province, does
so with the certain prospect of rising some
steps in the social ladder within a com-
paratively brief period, it‘ he chooses to
exercise ordinary industry and frugality.
The farm or station hand, with his hi h
wages and food provided besides, can eas' y
save enough in two or three years to enable
him to purchase a small quantity of land and
settle upon it. The progress made by such
a man is gradual but sure. He fences his
land, and if it be open country, can at once
burn off the fern and sow it ingress. Then
a. few sheep or stock are placed on it, a
rough house is built, and in the course of
a year or two this hard-working settler finds
himself in possession of a comfortable farm.
The system of selling small surveyed sec-
tions of agricultural land, varying from 40
to 200 acres each, on deferred payments,
which exists in this Province, holds out
many advantages to settlers of the class
just described, as they can thus obtain five
years’ credit and no interest is charged.
The small farmer coming out to the Pro-
vince and starting from a higher level than
the labourer, through being possessed of a
little capital, may look forward to becoming
the owner of many broad acres, and under
any circumstances will never need to dread
“ the rent day.”
The mechanic in this Province not only
earns much higher wages than in Great
Britain, but he also finds abundant oppor-
tunities for employing his savings with ad-
vantage ; and with his energies unfettered,
the clever artizan is almost certain to carve
out his way to the position of a master
workman and employer of labour. As
the Province progresses, many opportunities
are afi'orded for the establishment of new
industries, and in the majority of cases itis
found that the men who avail themselves
of such opportunities are practical artizans,
who having, by dint of economy, saved
money, are thus enabled to embark upon
enterprises which result in the acquisition
of a competence for themselves and their
families.
To reap these benefits in full the newly-
arrived immigrant should be prepared to
leave the town and seek his fortune in the
newer settlements which exist throughout
the Province. It is true that certain classes
of mechanics could only find profitable
employment at their own trades in the
towns, and in such cases it would of course
be advisable that they should remain there.
But in the case of the great body of immi-
grants, farm labourers, station hands, road
labourers, carpenters, bricklayers, black-
smiths, &c., it will be found that they will
do better by settling either in the country
or in some of the numerous little villages
scattered over it, than by remaining in or
near the town. Higher wages for skilled
artizans and mechanics may sometime be
obtained in the town, but the country offers
other and greater advantages. In the first
place, greater economy can be practised
in the country. The cost of the chief
necessaries of life, such as beef, mutton,
potatoes, vegetables, &c. is less than in the
towns; while to the married man with a
family, the opportunities afi'orded of keep-
ing cows, &c. ; and growing vegetables
‘3


PROVINCE OF
WELLINGTON. u
c)
wonderfully reduce the domestic expendi-
ture. This being the case, the country
labourer or mechanic soon saves money;
bit by bit he acquires property, which
quickly increases in value with the progress
of the settlement ; until in a few years the
country village has developed into a bus-
tling, prosperous little town, and he finds
himself a comparatively rich man, with
numerous comforts around him, partly
owing to his own exertions and partly
owing to that general advance which has
been made by the district in which he has
cast his lot. Many of the now wealthy
settlers in this Province have thus risen
from small beginnings.
In England, the labourer or operative
who puts his small savings into a bank, can
only at best look forward to the dreary
prospect of accumulating a shilling or two
a week, and in the end of having a few
pounds to his credit. He is thus almost
without hope, and in many cases ceases to
persevere in an effort which only leads to
such meagre results. In New Zealand, and
notably in the Wellington Province, the
case is entirely different. The sentiment of
hope is stimulated to an extraordinary de-
gree. Every pound saved represents the
means of making some small investment,
which ere long will become reproductive, so
that the sober and industrious man gets on,
not merely because he puts by a portion ot
his earnings, but because the small invest-
ments he is thus enabled to make, rapidly
Increase in value, and lay the foundation of
his ultimate prosperity.
Pmcns or FARM Srocx.
At Wanganui, which is the centre and
shipping port of a large grazing and sheep-
producing country, and from which port
shipments of cattle are made to Auckland
andthe Middle Island, the prices of sheep
and other stock vary according to demand
and season, always falling after shearing.
Fat wethers, weighinw 60 lb. average from
9s. to 16s., reaching their highest value in
October. Cattle average from 15s. to
18s. 6d. per cwt., say from £5 to £6. 10s. a
head, fetching the best prices in August and
September.
At Marton, in the Upper Rangitikei,
horses four years old were lately selling at
£30 apiece ; heavy draught horses, broken
to harness, £50; milch cows, £5 to £12 ;
steers, two years old, £3 to £4 ; bullocks,
four years old, £5 to £6; draught oxen,
£10 to £15; sheep, 8s. to 15s., according
to quality.
Marten is the largest inland centre of
Population for the Rangitikei district, and
l 1
inasmuch as periodical auction sales are
held there, the prices thus obtained may be
said to rule all over the adjoining districts.
The price of farm stock varies‘ slightly in
different arts of the Wairarapa. At Grey-
town in‘ ch cows are quoted at £5 and
upwards, while at Masterton they range
from £6 to £12. Common hacks fetch an
average price of £5 at Greytown. At the
same place, store cattle, two years old, sell
for £2. 10s. each; over that age, £3. Fat
sheep bring 8s. to 16s., and ordinary, 6s. to
10s., at Masterton.
Pawns or THE ORDINARY Nscnsssnms
or LIFE.
In the country districts, the price of
flour is 18s. to 19s. per 100 1b.; potatoes,
3s. to 5s. per cwt.; tea, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per lb. ;
sugar, 6d. to 7d. per 1b.; butter, according
to season, varies from 6d. to Is. Beef,
mutton, and potatoes are usually to be
obtained at lower rates in the country
than in the town, a larger quantity being
taken at one purchase; but, on the other
hand, articles which require land or water
carriage, such as tea, sugar, flour, and
general groceries, are usually about 10 per
cent. higher in the country than in the
town. In the capital town of the Province,
all articles of ordinary clothing average
16 to 20 per cent. above English prices;
in the country, the increase is about 30 per
cent.
The following are the retail prices in the
city of Wellington :—
Beef from 1d. to4d. per lb.
Mutton ,, 3d. to 4d. ,,
Pork 6d. per lb.
Veal 6d. ,,
Lamb 3s. to 4s. per quarter.
Flour, 2d. per lb. or 15s. per 100 lbs.
Potatoes vary according to season, from
43. to 6s. per cwt.
Onions, scarce, 2d. per lb. or 10s. per
cwt.
Cauliflowers, 2s. to 4s. per doz. according
to supply, and 4d. and 6d. each retail.
Cabbages, 2d. each.
Butter, (id. to Is., according to season.
Tea, from 2s. to 3s. er lb.
Sugar, coarse 4§d., e 5§d tofid. per lb.
Coffee, 1s. 6d. to 1s. 8d. per lb.
Rice, 3d. to 4d. per lb.
Barley, 4d. per lb.
Cheese, from 8d. to 1s. per lb.
Bread,.3d. to 4d. per 2 lb. loaf. _
Soap, 4d. to 6d. per 1b., according to
.quality.
Candles, ls. per lb. _
Imported jams, preserves, and oilmen’s


212
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
stores of every description, are about 30 per
cent. above English retail rates.
Ironmongery, holloware, &c., are con-
siderably higher than English prices, owing
to the heavy cost of freight, &c.
Eecrnsras'rrcar. Oaeanrzarron arm Pao-
vrsrou r011 Rnmerous Ormmaucrs.
The Wellington Province affords abundant
provision for religious ordinances; and the
emigrant, to whatever denomination he may
belong, need be under no apprehension
that he will be deprived of those facilities
for religious instruction and worship to
which he has been accustomed in the old
country. Comfortable, and in many cases
handsome, churches and chapels have been
erected in all the towns; while in outlying
districts, where the population is too sparse
to support a clergyman, occasional services
are held in school-houses, by clergymen
visiting the districts for the purpose, the
same building being used by various deno—
minations. So rapid, however, is the pro-
gress of settlement, that such makeshift
services only last for a year or two, by
which time the numbers of at all events one
of the religious denominations become
sufiiciently numerous to erect a church
and enable a clergyman to settle in the
locality.
There are perhaps few towns in the
United Kingdom of the size of Wellington
which afford church sitting accommodation
for so large a proportion of the inhabitants.
It contains fifteen churches and chapels,
belonging to ten denominations, namely :—
The Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Wes-
leyans, Primitive Methodists, Presbyterians,
Church of Scotland, Congregationalists,
Baptists, Plymouth Brethren, and Jews.
The members of the Catholic Apostolic
Church also constitute a small congregation,
which meets in a private house.
The principal place of worship belonging
to the Episcopalians is the Thorndon
Cathedral, a building capable of seating 600
or 700 persons, andhaving a small peal of
bells, a rare thing in aNew Zealand church.
It is the diocesan church of the Bishop of
Wellington, the Right Reverend Dr. Had-
field, the incumbent of the parish (St.
Paul’s) being the Rev. Mr. Harvey, M.A.
St. Peter’s Church is situated at the
opposite or To Aro end of the town, and
contains sittin accommodation for about
600 persons. he Venerable Archdeacon
Stock, B.A., is the officiating clergyman.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral (St. Mary's)
is built on a commanding site at Thorndon,
and is a handsome Gothic structure, with
sittings for about 600. It is the church of
the Right Reverend Dr. Redwood, Roman
Catholic Bishop, who is assisted in his
ministrations by the Reverend Fathers
Petit Jean and Cummins. A church, called
St. Mary of the Angels, has been built at
Te Aro, for the accommodation of the
Roman Catholic inhabitants of that part of
the city, its minister being the Reverend
Father O’Reilly. There are eight Sisters
of Mercy connected with St. Mary's Con-_
vent, Thorndon. They conduct a first-class
boarding school at the convent; and they
have charge of “The Providence,” a board-
ing school for Maori children, as well as of
a numerously-attended day-school in the
Te Aro district of the city.
The Wesleyans possess three churches,
one at Thorndon and two at Te Are, the
handsomest and most commodious being in
Manners Street, the three furnishing sitting
accommodation for 1,300 persons. The
Primitive Methodists have erected two
churches, with sitting room for 500. The
Presbyterians have a church in Willis
Street, under the pastoral care of the Rev.
J. Paterson; and a congregation of the
Church of Scotland, under that of the
Rev. J. Ogg, possess a building on Lamb-
ton Quay, near the centre of the town.
The Congregationalists, Baptists, Plymouth
Brethren, and the Jews have each built
themselves suitable places of worship.
The town of Wanganui and the surround-
ing country, especially that lying to the
south, is unusually well supplied with the I
means of religious ordinances. There are
in the town four churches, belonging to the
Episcopalians, the Presbyterians, the Me-
thodists, and the Roman Catholics, the
largest being the Presbyterian, a fine
Gothic building, seated for about 600, and
presided over by the Reverend John
Elmslie, M.A. The Episcopal Church, of
which the Reverend T. E. Tudor is the
clergyman, is seated for 300. A handsome
chapel has recently been erected by the
Methodists, capable of accommodating 30_0
persons. The Roman Catholic Church is
seated for 220. In the districts north of
Wanganui, up to Patea, religious services
are held at intervals by the town clergy-
man; and the same may be said in the
case of the district extending ten miles
south of Wanganui and the same distance
up the river. In the principal part 01'
the latter district—Matarawa—two small
churches have been erected, one of which
is occupied by the Presbyterians, the
other by the Episcopalians and Methodists
unitedly. In Turakina, fifteen miles south
of Wanganui, there is another Presbytcm"


PROVINCE OF
WELLINGTON. 2 l 3

Church, under the Reverend John Ross,
and also a small Roman Catholic chapel,
the latter being visited occasionally by the
incumbent in town. At Merton, there
are three churches, Episcopalian, Presby-
terian, and Methodist, which enjoy the
ministrations of the Reverend Mr. Towgood,
the Reverend Mr. Stewart, and the Reverend
Mr. Reeves. There is a Presbyterian church
also in each of two districts adjoining
Marton, known as Western and Upper
Rangitikei. In Lower Rangitikei, the only
clergyman as yet in the field is the Reverend
James Doull (Presbyterian), who has a neat
little church in one part of the district, but
conducts services in the public hall in the
town. In the rising townships of Manawatu,
small churches have been built. At Grey-
town, in the Wairarapa, there are three
places of worship, belonging respectively
to the Episcopalians, Wesleyans,a.nd Roman
Catholics; and at Masterton there are Epis-
copalian and Presbyterian churches. The
population at the Hutt possesses eleven
churches and chapels, three belonging to
the Episcopalians, an equal number to the
Wesleyans, two to the Roman Catholics,
two to the Primitive Methodists, and one
to the Presbyterians. The country districts
nearer Wellington, Karori, Makara, J ohnson-
ville, and Porirua, are all well supplied in
this way. -
Tun EDUCATIONAL Srs'rau.
The educational system in operation in
this Province may be very briefly ex lained.
Under an Act of the Provincial ouncil,
passed in 1871, the Province was divided
1nto ten districts, and a central Education
Board formed, composed of ten members,
being one representative from each district.
The ofiice of the Central Board is in Wel-
hngton, the secretary to the Board (who is
also a member of it) being entrusted with
the general administration of the business
Connected with the working of the system.
In addition to the secretary, there is an
Inspector of Schools, who makes periodical
examinations of the schools throughout the
Province.
The schools are open free to all children
between the ages of five and fifteen years, no
fees being charged. There is, however, a
capitation tax of five shillings per head
(payable by the parents) on all children
between the es stated who attend the
Government sc ools, or who, while not so
attending, are not being educated else-
where. Children bein educated at private
8‘lliools are exempted om the operation of
tins capitation tax. Such tax is in no case
to exceed £1 for any number of children in
one family.
The expenses of the educational system
are chiefly maintained by means of a pro-
perty tax of one halfpenny in the pound on
the actual value of all property. Large
educational ‘ reserves of land have also been
made, from which, ultimately, the Board
will derive a considerable income.
A sound elementary English education of
a strictly undenominational character is
given in the Government schools. Religious
instruction of an unsectarian kind is given
every day during the first half hour of the
school attendance, but it is optional with
the parents whether the children attend
during that period.
There are fifty-nine Government schools
at present open throughout the Province,
and seven others on the point of be'
opened. A staff of seventy teachers did
assistants, male and female, do the work of
instruction, at salaries ranging from £100
to £265 per annum. The number of chil-
dren at present attending these Government
schools is 2,812. Although the existing
means of education are inadequate to re-
quirements, this evil is about to be remedied,
as it is proposed to devote £9,000 to the
erection of school-houses and teachers’
residences.
In addition to the above there are nume-
rous private schools both in Wellington and
Wanganui, as well as in some of the country
districts ; while the Wellington College and
Grammar School affords the means of ob-
taining a higher class of education than can
be had in the Government free schools, to
which latter scholarships are given each
year. It may be said, on the whole, that
within a very brief period the educational
facilities afforded in this Province will be of
the most satisfactory kind.
CHARITABLE AND Bnnrzvomm'r
INSTITUTIONS.
The only organization of the kind which
exists in the Province is the Wellington
Benevolent Institution, which is incorpo—
rated under an Act of the Wellington
Provincial Council. Its members consist of
all subscribers of not less than 10s. per
annum, and all donors of £10. Five mem-
bers are nominated by His Honour the
Superintendent.
The business of the Institution is managed
by a Committee consisting of a Chairman
and Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, and‘a con-
siderable number of members, including the
clergy of nearly all the different denomina-
tions.


214
NEW Z EALAND HANDBOOK.
The funds of the Society are made up by
voluntary subscriptions, and in cases of dis-
tress, relief is given in money, or by pay-
ment of rent, or by an order on a store-
keeper for provisions. Each case is carefully
inquired into before relief is given. Relief
is, however, given to people of all re-
ligious denominations. The general pro-
sperity enjoyed by all classes of the com-
munity renders the occurrence of cases re-
quiring charitable relief comparatively few ;
still, some such do arise, and in those
instances the Benevolent Institution does
much good. The amount expended by the
Society in relief during 1873 was £300.
An annual vote for charitable purposes is
made by the Provincial Council, the ex-
penditure of which is left to the Inspector
of_Police, acting under the control of the
Resident Ma 'strate. Cases of distress
calling for re ief, which come before the
Resident Magistrate, can be dealt with out
of this fund, with the consent of the Pro-
vincial Government. .
Housn RENT m TowNs AND COST or
Eanc'rmo Corrsons IN THE COUNTRY.
The large accession which has been made
to the population of the city of Wellington
within the last year, has caused houses of
every description to become scarce, and
rents to rule high. An ordinary four-
roomed cottage may be had at from 9s. to
12s. a week ; cottages 0f the same size, but
of a superior kind, at 11s. to 15s. Comfort-
able six-roomed houses, in good situations,
range from £40 to £60 a year, and larger
establishments from £50 to £100. These
rates also prevail in Wanganui.
In the country districts, the cost of erect-
ing cottages varies according to locality and
the supply of timber. In the Palmerston
district, where timber is plentiful, a rough
two-roomed cottage (including a brick
chimney) could be built for ‘about £40.
Speaking generally, the cost of a four-
roomed cottage, of a plain kind, in the
country districts, would be about £70. A
cotta e of the same size, but of a better
descrl tion, lined, papered, and fitted with
the or ' ary conveniences, would cost£160;
and one rather larger, £200. The cost in
town would be about the same. The prices
of erecting cottages in the towns has of late
much increased, owing to the very high
wages of carpenters, painters, and brick-
layers, and the rise in the price of timber.
Burnnnm SOCIETIES.
Although the high rents for houses in
towns are heavily felt by people with fami-
lies, yet the frugal settler need not belong
subjected to this inconvenience. Through-
out the Province, Building Societies,
upon the model of similar institutions at
home, but altered in detail so as to suit-the
circumstances of the Colony, have been
established, and furnish a ready meansin
the working man of erecting a house for
himself, and thus avoiding the necessity of
paying rent. A member of such a Society
usually pays 5s. a share per month until he
desires to borrow, and he then pays 10s. per
share per month for every £50 borrowed,
which, with the original subscription, make:
lbs..per share per month, until the loan is
paid off. For instance, supposing a. man is
occupying a four-roomed cottage, for which
he is paying 12s. a week rent. He saves
£50, and buys a piece of land large enough
forasite for a cottage. He then joinsa
Building Society, takes shares, and borrows
£150 from it upon the security of the
land and the house to be erected, and builds
himself a cottage. The payments to the
Societywill amount toabout£2.5s.amontl1;
and in the course of seven years the whole
debt, principal and interest, will have been
paid, and the house and land become hli
own property, free from all charge, While
during that period he will have actually
had to pay a less sum per month to the
Building Society than he would have had
to pay as rent ‘to a landlord. The method
of working just illustrated was that of the
Wellington Mutual Investment Society.
In the city of Wellington there has been
a succession of Building Societies, all Of
them equally successful. There are at prt
sent three in existence — two recently
started, and the other of rather older date,
called the Wellington, Trust, Loan, and
Investment Company (Limited). The
latter, however, as its name imports, e!-
tends its operations over a wider area than
is usually covered by a Building Society-
It has a capital of £100,000, divided in")
10,000 shares of £10 each. This Compflll.v
owes its ori ' to the Wellington Mutual
Investment ociety, which carried on‘hhil
operations of an ordinary Building Society
for nine years in a highly successf
manner, and then transferred its business
to the Trust and Loan Company. The
numerous benefits which the Mutual 111'
vestment Society bestowed upon the com-
munity, may be judged of by the fact that
during the period mentioned, a sum 0!‘
ceeding £835,000 passed through its hflhk
account, much of which was advancedm
small sums to members for building Put‘
poses. One of the other newly-stifle
associations alluded to is called the Wal'


PROVINCE OF
WELLINGTON. 215
lington Building Society. Its objects are
to enable its members to purchase freehold
properties either in town or country, by
means of monthly contributions ; to enable
persons possessed of land to erect buildings
thereon ; to grant loans on the security of
freehold or leasehold property; and to
afford a safe and profitable investment for
savings. The shares are of the value of
£60 each, and the subscription on each is
5s. per month, with an entrance-fee of
2s. 6d. per share. As soon as the funds of
the Society amount to a share, or to a sum
of £60, the same is awarded to the highest
bidder by auction, at a monthly general
meeting. Any member who purchases, pays
10s. per share permonth towards redemption.
The other Society is named the Equitable
Building and Investment Society, and is
similar in character, only varying in the
amount of its payments, and the period
over which they extend.
The Wellington Trust. Loan, and Invest-
ment Company (Limited), affords to persons
the opportunity to accumulate sums of £50
or the multiples thereof, or to purchase
land and build thereon, or to purchase
houses, by small monthly payments; also
to obtain advances on real estate in-sums
of £50 or multiples of £50, all such ad-
vances to be repaid by monthly instalments,
including both principal and interest. Sup-
posing a man to borrow £50 for five years,
his monthly payment to clear the loan,
principal and interest, would be 21s. If
the loan were repaid in six years, the
monthly payments would be 18s. 3d. each,
and proportionately less for eight or ten
years. The balance of the loan, moreover,
may be paid off at the end of the first year
bya sum of £41. 10s., at the end of the
second year by £39. 6s., and so on.
The Company also makes advances on
freehold and leasehold estates, by way of
mortgage, on such terms as may be agreed
upon, the borrower to repay by instal-
ments.
THE “ MANCHESTER ”
LEAVING the Manawatu Gorge and going
westward along the projected main railway
line to the Rangitikei River, the traveller
passes for twenty miles through a stretch of
rich level land, known as the “ Manchester”
block. This blockis twenty miles in length
and about eight miles in width, with an
area of 106,000 acres, and being the sub
There are three land and Building So-
cieties at Wanganui. The Wanganui and
Rangitikei Land and Building Society was
established'in January, 1868, and will
terminate about 1875. In December,
1873, it had ‘£11,200 invested—or, in
other words, it had advanced that sum to
members.
The Wanganui District Land and Build-
ing Society was instituted in January, 1873,
and by November of that year had £12,000
invested.
The Wanganui Equitable, land, Build-
ing, and Investment Society (Permanent),
was started in February, 1871, and at a
late date had £15,775 invested. The
operation of those Societies, which have
their head-quarters in Wanganui, extend
over the whole of the districts situated be-
tween Rangitikei and Patea, a distance of
sixty-five miles. The country settlers have
experienced much benefit from the facilities
thus afforded for obtaining loans for build-
ing purposes.
In April, 1873, the Wairarapa Permanent
Investment and Loan Association was
started, and up to a recent date 600 shares
had been taken up, while the applications
for loans have been very numerous. The
Society advances sums of £50 and upwards
to its members for building purposes, the
loan being repaid at the rate of 5s. per
share er month. Members who confine
themse ves to paying the monthly subscrip-
tions without borrowing from the Society,
receive 6 per cent. compound‘interest for
their deposits, which are retained until they
amount to £50, being the value of a share.
This is the principle adopted by most
Building Societies; and it will be seen
that, although the main and rimary ad-
vantage of such Societies is t e facilities
which they offer for obtaining small loans
for building purposes, yet should a ‘member
find it inexpedient to build, his money will
not be lying idle, but will be producing a
fair rate of interest.
SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.
ject of an interesting and importantcolo-
nizing operation, which promises a consider-
able success, is worthy of more than a
passing notice.
In December, 1871, the Hon. Colouel
Fielding, as representative of an Enghsh
company, presided over by the Duke of
Manchester, and called “The Emigrant


216
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
h
and Colonist’s Aid Corporation,” visited
New Zealand, after going through the
Australian colonies, his object being to find
a field for the commencement of colonizing
operations. Finding in New Zealand a
climate eminently suited to the English
constitution, a soil abundantly fertile, in-
ternal communications fairly developed
already and rapidly progressive, and, above
all, a Government anxious to foster any
reasonable scheme for the settlement of
people on its unoccupied territory, Colonel
Fielding had little difiiculty in selecting a
favourable site, and making terms with the
Colonial and Provincial Governments.
, Negotiations resulted in the purchase of
this block at 15s. per acre, paid for by bills
bearing interest at 5 per cent., and matur-
ing at different intervals over ten years.
The Corporation undertook to introduce to
the Colony, and to settle on the land, 2,000
people within six years. The Government,
on the other hand, was to provide free
passages for these people from England,
and to find work, in the formation of the
railway line through the property, or on
other public works in the neighbourhood,
for a current number of 200 labourers. The
Provincial Government made a conditional
agreement to expend a sum not exceeding
£2,000 per annum for five years, to assist
in forming by-roads. The scheme hung
fire awhile on Colonel Fielding’s return to
England ; but the work of colonization has
now commenced in earnest, and the result
is anxiously watched: for, if successful,
private capital and enterprise will be cer-
tainly directed to the formation of similar
settlements in some of the large tracts of
country from time to time falling into the
hands of the Government by purchase
from the Natives. '
The settlement is at present in its in-
fancy, the first party of immigrants having
arrived in the Colony early this year. But
as within two months there were 250 people
on the ground, the town of Fielding, which
is'the central town of the block, on the
projected railway line, and the base of the
Company’s operations, has become abusy
scene, and we will pause there to touch
upon the prospects of these immigrants on
the one hand, and of the Company itself on
the other, in working out their scheme.
The immigrants, who are, so far as the
first importation is concerned, all of the
working class, are brought by steamer
seventy miles and by tramway twenty-five
miles to the boundary of the Company’s
land without any expense to themselves.
Then they are housed for a day or two in a
large depot built by the Company, in the
small town of Palmerston. There they are
supplied, and thence they are removed by
carts on a good road ten miles onto the
Fielding township, the cost of this supply
and carriage, which is very small, being
charged against each family. Arrived at
the township, each family is drafted off into
small detached two-roamed cottages of
wood, with brick chimneys, each cottage
standing in an acre of ground. The cottage
costs about £30, the land is valued at £10,
and by payment of a rental of 7s. per week,
the immigrant obtains the freehold of both
land and cottage in three years. Or an
alternative arrangement is offered if, at the
end of six or twelve months, the immi—
grant desires to take a country section from
40 to 100 acres, and give up the tenement
in the town. In that case, if he desire it,
a similar cottage will be erected for him
on his country section to be held on some-
what similar terms, and the new cottage
will be credited with one-half of the rental
already paid for the old one. The day after
the immigrant reaches his location, he can
go to work on whatever he is best suited for.
The work at present consists of road-making
for the Government and for the Company, the
sawing of timber, erection of houses, fencing,
well-digging, brickmaking and bricklaying,
bushwork of all kinds, and the hundred-
aud-one industries which the presence and
settlement of a number of people and of
those attracted by them necessitate. The
English labourer is, as a rule, rather clumsy
at rat with the axe, and sometimes gets
easily dispirited on finding his progress less
rapid than that of a colonial hand beside
him; but the hardworking willing hand
soon learns, and even the most inexperienced
can at once earn from 7s. to 9s. a day at
axe work if amenable to instruction ; while
practised hands and those who have a spe-
cialty, such as carpentering, brickmaking,
bricklaying, or saw-mill work, earn from
12s. to 15s. a day.
As the block is chiefly timbered land,
roads, or wooden railways—which are the
cheapest and best roads in a level bush
country—must be formed before profitable
occupation can take place. This necessity
forces the temporary location in the towns,
and there will be a periodical swarming out
from the several townships as lengths of
road are made to open up new lands for
settlement. The immigrant taking up-
country land is, according to the Company's
regulations, to occupy it at an annual rental
of 2s. 6d. per acre for blocks of from “H
100 acres; and at the end of
or at any time before, he he
chase the fee-simple at £3 per


PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
217
i
blockis very level, and very lightly timbered
over a large proportion of its area ; as the
soil is of the richest quality, and very well
watered ; and as the formation of the main
railway line and of by-roads by the Govern-
ment and the Company will give the greatest
facilities of access to all parts, opening up
markets for timber, and stock, and any
other produce, the country settler can rely
on making a very valuable property before
the end of the seven years.
So much for the immigrants’ part of the
question. As for the Company, its pros-
pect of repayment and of profit is founded
chiefly on the enhanced value given to their
lands by population and the construction of
railways and roads. So clearly is this pro-
spective value realized and recognized by
the older settlers, that there is already a
pressure to obtain the Company’s available
land at £2 or £3 per acre cash, and a large
number of the township sections have been
sold for immediate settlement, to old
colonists, at prices varying from £10 an
acre on the outside of the township to £25
thequarter-acre sections in central positions.
The Company has also a mine of wealth
in the timber, so soon as the railway which
is being constructed allows it to be sent to
market ; and while that is being done, the
local demand and the Government require-
ments for the railway works will give em-
ployment to labour and machinery during
the next two years. After that, for many
years, the ring of the axe, the whirr of the
saw-mill, and the‘ rush of frequent trains
of timber-laden trucks should tell of a busy
and thriving people reaping the richest har-
vest the land will ever carry at one time.
It will take many years to reap the timber
even on the Company’s block, and that is
merely the outskirt of a great forest plain.
Given a population, therefore, and cheap
transit, the future of this part of the country
18 assured. So soon as the timber is re-
moved, English grasses, cereals, roots of all
kinds, ‘hops, vines, and all sorts of fruit-
trees, grow with the utmost luxuriance, and
with little labour; so that the man who
Cuts down his timber to-day becomes the
purveyor of food to the reaper of the next
belt of timber a few years hence, besides
growing wood, tallow, hops, and, perhaps,
iruits for jams for other markets.
It is difl'icult to leave this interesting
subject. We may look back some three
months when two or three surveyors’ tents
were the only evidences of human habita-
tion. We see now some thirty wooden
houses already risen out of the flax and
grass. We- hear the busy hum of human
voices, of men, of women, and of children
unburthened with the cares of life. The
ring of the axe, the echo of the hammer,
and the crash of falling timber, sound every-
where. The sharp cracks of the drivers’
whips attract attention to horse and bullock
drays toiling along the rough flat with
people, or In gage, or stores, or timber, or
gravel for t e newly-made roads. We
notice a cloud of steam from the already-
fired brickkiln—the earnest of future homely
firesides. Dense volumes of smoke appear,
denoting abush clearing made ; or the thin
spiral columns rise from among a cluster 'of
tents, or from beside the houses of mush-
room growth, telling of family dinners in
course of preparation. The eye is caught
by long vistas newly cut through the virgin
forest; and we note the thin double line
of wooden rails just laid on the fresh-turned
earth, the commencement of a snake-like
progress which ends only with the utter
destruction of the beautiful forest, as one
stately tree after another is brought down
and submitted to the mighty power repre-
sented by the huge unshapely boiler which
lies on its side hard by.
Dropping the curtain over this scene,
making use of our experience of the rapid
progress made in similar spots, and drawing
on the imagination to depict the change
which the next ten years will produce, it
will not be unreasonable to picture this
infant town grown into a vigorous and
beautiful manhood—with bells ringing the
little ones “ unwillingly to school,” with the
whistle of the locomotive, and the hum of
manufactories; with gay shops and busy
footpaths ;- with carts and carriages bowling
along well-kept roads ; with houses far and
near nestling among a younger race of
trees, surrounded by the weeping willows,
the cypress, and the pine, in bright con-
trast with each other, and flanked‘by apple
and peach-loaded orchards; with a steeple
here and there, suggesting some degree of
thankfulness for so bountiful a return for
easy labour: while far back in the land-
scape the dark rich melancholy forest will
be dimly seen, waiting its turn for destruc-
tion, and seeming to shrink for protection
to the very feet of the distant snow-clad
range.


(218)
, them, and some “stinking
THE PROVINCE or HAWKE’S BAY.
A LITTLE more than a century has
passed since the shores of Hawke’s
Bay were first seen by European eyes. On
the morning of the 12th October, 1769, the
good ship Endeavour, under the command
of Captain Cook, cruising southwards along
the east coast of the North Island of New
Zealand, came in sight of a small island
ahead, which bore a marked resemblance
to Portland Island, in the English Channel,
and was accordingly named after it. About
noon the vessel came up with it, and, sailing
along its shores, the sailors saw Natives
assembled in great numbers there, as well
as on the adjoining mainland. Shortly, a
canoe appeared, with four men in her, and
came withina quarter of a mile of the ship ;
it did not seem certain whether the men’s
intentions were warlike orpeaceful. Through
the medium of a South Sea Island native
named Tupia, whom Captain Cook had
brought with him, and who spoke a dialect
which the Maoris understood, they endea-
voured to persuade the savages in the canoe
- to come alongside the ship, but did not on
that occasion succeed. This was the first
attempt at intercourse between the Ahuriri
Natives and the outside world.
Subsequently, however, some of them
were induced to approach the ship in a
friendly manner. Presents were made to
fish ”——the only
Hawke’s Bay product of that date—was
purchased, though quite valueless, with the
view of initiating a trade. It is, perhaps,
worth while to record the first authentic
instance that we possess of a business
transaction between Europeans and the
Hawke’s Bay Natives. We give it in
Captain Cook’s own terse and graphic
language :—“I observed,” he says, “that
one man had a skin thrown over him, some-
what resembling that of a bear, and being
desirous to know what animal was its first
owner, I offered him for it a piece of red
baize, and he seemed greatly pleased with
the bargain, immediately pulling off the
skin and holding it up in the boat. He
would not, however, part with it till he had
the cloth in his possession; and as there
could be no transfer of property if, with
equal caution, I had insisted on the same
condition, I ordered the,,cloth to be handed
down to him, upon which, with amazing
coolness, instead of sending up the skin, he
began to pack up both that and the baize
which he received as the purchase of it, in
a basket, without paying the least re rdto
my demands or remonstrances, an soon
after, with the fishing boats, put off from
the shi .”
Port and Island, as we have mentioned,
was so named from its similarity—as viewed
from the northward—to Portland Island,in
the English Channel. The bay was named
Hawke’s Bay, in honour of Sir Edward
Hawke, the First Lord of the Admiralty.
The only other name given by Captain
Cook to any of the topographical features
of the coast was that of Cape Kidnappers,
at the southern extremity of the bay, and
by this, as might be expected, there hangs
a tale. It is as follows :—On Sunday, the
15th, shortly after the commercial transac-
tion above referred to had taken place, a
canoe came alongside to sell fish. It was
purchased, and trade was renewed. “ Among
others who were placed over the shi ’s side
to hand up what we bou ht,” says aptain
Cook, “ was little Tayeto, upia’s boy. One
of the Indians, watching his opportunity,
suddenly seized him, and dragged him down
into the canoe, two of them held him down
in the forepart of it, and the others with
great activity paddled her off, the rest of
the canoes following as fast as they could.
Upon this the marines, who were under
arms on deck, were ordered to fire. The
shot was directed to that part of the canoe
which was furthest from the boy, and rather
wide of her, being willing rather to miss
the rowers than to hurt him, upon which
the others quitted their hold 'of the boy,
who instantly leaped into the water and
swam towards the ship. The large canoe
immediately pulled round and followed him,
but some muskets and a great gun being
fired at her, she desisted from the pursuit.
The ship being brought to, a boat was
lowered, and the poor boy was taken up
unhurt, though so terrified that for a time
he seemed to be deprived of his senses.
Some of the gentlemen, who traced the
canoes to shore with their glasses, said that
they saw three men carried up thebeach,
who appeared to be either dead or wholly
disabled by their wounds. To the cape
off which this unhappy transaction hap-


220 W
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. _
by one of their prophets, who told them
that the town of Napier would be 'ven
over to them, came down and located t em-
selves at Omaranui, about eight miles in-
land, with the view of making that their
base of operations. No effort was spared
to represent to them the madness of their
proceedings. It was, however, found to be
impossible to do so effectually. The matter
ended by the Hawke’s Bay Natives joining
with the European settlers in making an
attack upon them, which resulted in the
annihilation of the hand, all who were not
killed having been taken prisoners. Now
that the European population has become
three or four times as numerous as the
Natives, hostilities are never dreamt of.
Hawke’s Bay, inthat respect, is as secure
as Canterbury or Otagp. Of late, too,
it has come to be loo ed upon by set-
tlers in other parts of the Colony as highly
eligible for residence and investment, and
during the past year there has been a very
large influx of South Island capitaL
GENERAL Dnscarr'rrou, Rnsouncns,
INDUSTRIns, &c.
The Province of Hawke’s Bay lies be-
tween the Provinces of Auckland and
Wellington, having the former to the north
of it, and the latter to the south and west.
An imaginary line alone divides it from
Auckland. The boundary on the west is
formed by the Ruahine range, the distant
and, in winter, snow-capped summits of
which form a beautiful feature of the land-
scape. The area of the Province is about
3,000,000 acres—rather greater than that of
Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Notting-
hamshire together; and its physical fea-
tures may be described as to some extent
like those of the three counties— the
Ahuriri plains resembling the alluvial lands
that form the basin of the Trent, and equal-
ling them in almost unsurpassable fertility;
while much of the undulating country in
the southern part of the Province resembles
the best astoral districts of Leicestershire.
The nort ern part, though still excellent
sheep country, is generally more broken.
Napier, the port and chief town of the
Province, is built on a peninsula about
seven miles from the southern end of the
bay. The peninsula terminates to the
north in a hill, or rather a group of hills
closely conjoined. On the flats at their base
are the banks, shops, churches‘, Government
buildings, &c., and studded picturesquely
along their sides and tops are the dwelling-
houses of the wealthier townspeople, sur-
rounded by lawns and gardens, and now
and then embosomed in foliage. Few to
have a more prepossessing appearance
they are approached. The curve of
coast line to the southward, as viewed
the hill, never fails to recall to those
have travelled in Italy, the aspect of
Bay of Naples. The resemblance is d
no doubt, in no small degree, to the
that Napier is pretty certain to be vie
under a sky as cloudless, and in an atrr
sphere as clear and as balmy, as those
t e shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea i ‘i
The present population is about 3,000. ’
has four churches, one of them, at l '
building with some pretensions to are
tural beauty. There are now four
including one on the eve of commends;
operations. There is an Athenseum, whic_ '
compares very favourably with simila
institutions in other parts of the Colon;
Indeed, societies and institutions for Lil’
promotion of culture and the provision o '
amusements, artistic and intellectuahfloulii
in Hawke’s Bay. The schools, both_
mentary and higher, are numerous '
efiicient. There are three newspapers-
two daily, and one bi-weekly. The ship '
accommodation of the port, as it at pregg'e
stands, is inadequate for the rapidly-motels‘
ing trade of the place, and works are nea"“
in progress which will, within a y
greatly increase it. Large vessels cann’ 1r
enter the inner harbour. They lie safetyin the roadstead ; and steamers trad!‘ "
regularly, and discharge freight and pas
sengers at the wharfs in the inner harbour.
Following the main south road inland
from Napier, we find ourselves shortly in l
the centre of the Ahuriri plains. They are?
about 80,000 acres in extent, and they {-3.}
a district which is not surpassed in pro- ‘
ductive capacity by any district of similar;
size, even in Great Britain. Crops of at
descriptions can be grown on them, in ‘
highest perfection, without the use -
manure. Wheat is found to succeed be“;
after root crops, otherwise it grows ‘
rankly. The portion of them devoted' pasture, which is at present the gr _
‘portion, is found to be capable of kee ' from five to seven large, long-woolled sh -
per acre all the year round. They are
watered by three large rivers, which also
receive their drainage. They posses
further, an advantage of almost pricsfi
value, for at any point of them, by
ex enditure of from £20 to £50, an un.
f ' ' g reservoir of the purest water can be
tapped. An artesian pipe is driven 500.
or 100 ft. into the earth, and water gushes
forth, to be thenceforward like the spring
of nature itself in omne volubilis (wom-







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THE PROVINCE OF HAWKE’S BAY.
223
is obvious how greatly the fact of water
being thus readily obtainable, must render
these plains adapted for occupation by
small holders. The proprietors of sections
in their centre, far away from any river,
are as well situated, as regards watering
their stock and irrigating their land, as if
they lived on the banks of one. For all
descriptions of industry, too, for which an
abundant water sup ly is an essential
requisite—and what industry is there for
which it is not l—the incalculable im-
portance of these wells is manifest. The
plains are as yet held to a considerable
extent in large blocks. The process of
subdivision, however, has now fairly set in,
and will no doubt make ra id progress as
soon as the railway is opene , and, with the
increased facilities for 'carri e, cropping
becomes more profitable than t e depastur-
ing of sheep.
There are several thriving townships in
difi'erent parts of the plain. Meanee is the
nearest to the port, and is the most ad-
vanced. A new road, which has recently
been opened, brings it within three miles
of Napier, and will give a great impetus to
its progress. There are, also, Clive, Have-
lock, and Hastings—the latter as yet only
in its infancy, but owing‘ to its situation in
the very centre of the most fertile district,
and to the fact of its forming the second
station on the railway line in course of con-
struction, it is a township of great promise.
In the three first-named townships there
are places of worship, public halls, shops,
hotels, and the usual surroundings of a
settled neighbourhood. Roads traverse the
plains, and, as we have remarked, a railway,
which is nearly completed, runs through
their centre. It is now, moreover, about to
be continued so as to connect them with the
inland districts to the south.
Following its proposed course, which is
that of the present main south road, through
one of the valleys which open out on the
plains, a district is reached in which hill
and dale, with occasional stretches of fertile
flats, are picturesquely intermingled. In
parts, the hilLs are forest-clad, and these
forests contain timber which is valuable
for fencing and building purposes; not,
however, in such abundance as the forests
further inland. About forty miles from
Na ier is Waipawa, one of the largest
an most flourishin of the inland town-
ships, having its 0 urches, public hall,
&c., as have Meanee and Haveloclr. To
the north and east of it is an undulating
district of great extent, well suited for
agriculture. It has, up to recently, been
occupied as sheep-farms, but is now being
divided into agricultural holdings. Waipawa
will be one of the stations on the new rail-
way line, and it is to the anticipation of
this, no doubt, that the present subdivision
of large properties is due. About five
miles further on is Waipukurau, also a
flourishing township, situated in the centre
of a fertile and highly-improved district.
To this point a good macadamized road
exists, and there is daily communication
with Napier all the year round. Thence
to Porangahau, twenty-five miles further to
the sou.h, the country is occupied for the
most part by sheep-farmers, although all
good land, and suitable for agricultural
settlement. There is a good summer dray
road as far as the latter township. From
the main road, branch roads strike off east
and west at various points, bringing into it
the trafiic of several large and rogressive
districts, the most important an extensive
being the Ruataniwha Plains and the
Seventy-Mile Bush.
This is a forest of enormous extent, with
extensive clearings here and there, which
are occupied as runs. The forest land
belongs now mainly to the Governments of
the Provinces in which it is situated.
About 250,000 acres of it lie within the
boundaries of Hawke’s Bay, and of this, a
large quantity will shortly be opened up for
sale. The bush contains unlimited sup-
plies of the most valuable New Zealand
timbers in their highest perfection, and
from this fact we are justified in predicting
that the district has a great future before
it. The railway, as we have already ob-
served, is in course of construction to
Waipukurau, which is within fourteen miles
of the bush; and from Waipukurau to
Takapau, situated at the point where the
road enters it, a tramway is now being con-
structed, and is expected to be finished
within six months. When this is done,
we have no doubt that saw-mills will spring
up in large numbers there, as they have
done in other districts in similar circum-
stances, and the locality will become a
thriving and p0 ulous one. The land, when
cleared, is exce ently suited for agriculture,
as is the case ordinarily with bush land in
New Zealand. Two settlements of Scan-
dinavian immigrants have been formed in
the bush during the past two years. They
are named Norsewood and Danevirk re-
spectively. The settlers are beginning to
do well, and are happy and contented.
Both settlements are situated on the main
line of road throu h the bush, now near
com letion. It ' form part of the main
sout ern road of the Province, and will
afford the means of opening coach oom-
P


224
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
munication between Napier and Welling-
ton.
The portion of the Province which lies
to the north of Napier is considerably more
broken than the southern part, and the
country there is used chiefly as sheep-runs.
The soil, however, is good ; and there are
some rich valleys, in which settlement has
made considerable progress. Wairoa is the
principal townshi north of Napier. It has
some thousands 0 acres of good level land
around it. The communication with it is
principally by water, the supplies being
carried by small steamers which enter the
river.»
The inland portion of the northern dis-
‘trict is to some extent opened up already
by the Taupo Road, by which there'is,
twice weekly, coach cummunication with
Auckland by way of Taupe and Tauranga,
and it will be further opened up shortly by
other roads about to be constructed. Some
valuable bushes exist there, within thirty
miles of Napier, which, when tapped, will
afford scope for the profitable employment
of'a large amount of labour and capital.
A good deal of business is already done; by
the Napier storekeepers and merchants,
with Taupo ; and as the number of tourists
that annually visit that wonderful region is
daily on the increase, there can be no doubt
that, ere long, this business will become a
very important feature of our trade.
Among the industries of Hawke’s Bay,
decidedly the most important at present is
the depasturing of sheep. Our soil, and in
a very special degree our climate, appear to
be adapted for the rearing of pure-bred
stock of this description in their highest
perfection. Owing to the equability of the
climate, the owth of pasture‘ during the
winter is or ‘narily little, and frequently
not at all, checked, and from this it arises
mainly that the wool of our Lincolns,
Leicesters, Cotswolds, and merinos is gra-
dually becoming characterised by that most
valuable quality, a very high degree of
evenness. The Province is thus already
coming to be looked upon as the breeding
ground of New Zealand, and as the district
from which the best type of stud sheep is
to be obtained. The value of last yea ’:
clip of wool was between £200,000 and
I £300,000. Every year, of late, it has been
steadily increasing, and a still further great
augmentation may be calculated on. The
causes of the increase are the spread of
English grasses, which bid fair shortly to
double the carrying capacity of the majority
of the runs, and the improvement of breeds,
owing to very extensive importations of
pure blood, which are continually being
1
added to. We have remarked above on
another feature of the industry—the sub
division of large sheep-farms into small
ones as settlement pro esses. It is be-
coming daily more 0 servable. Cattle-
breeding also occupies a prominent lace
among rural pursuits. Some of our erds
are not surpassed by any in the Colony.
As off-shoots of the pastoral industry,
we have fellmongeries, soap and tallow
boiling establishments, and a tannery. The
first have been found to be extremely
profitable. At the local tannery, leather
of such excellent quality is produced that
'saddlers in the town pay considerably more
for it than they will give for outside pro-
ducts. A large extension of operations is
contemplated.
Agriculture is not as yet carried on is
extensively as might be desired in the
Province. This is certainly not because,
taken in itself, it is in any way to be
regarded as an unprofitable pursuit, but
because grazing, even upon the smallest
holdings, is so exceptionably profitable, and
requires so little labour. The principal
growers of wheat are the Natives, and
even with their indifferent style of culti-
vation, the average yield per acre is scarcely
second to that in any Province of the
Colony. There are several flour-mills, for
the most part worked by water power.
No doubt, whenever labour becomes more
abundant, agriculture will receive larger
attention, and will take that position among
our industries which the soil and general
suitability of the climate warrant.
Several saw-mills are already in exist-
ence in the various bushes in the interior.
but they are altogether unable to supply
even local ‘requirements. Although the

price given for timber now averages from
15s. to 17s. per 100 it, our main supplk‘i
still come from Auckland by coastingY
vessels. The value of the import, We
believe, is about £80,000 annually. Th6
deficiency in the local supply is due chiefly
to the high cost of carriage, or, in otherl
words, the scarcity of- labour. When llll‘
Seventy-Mile Bush, which contains ill"
'finest totara in the North Island, in“!!-
limited quantities, is tapped by the tram-
way, connecting, as it will, with the
railway, not only is it certain that the Pro‘
vince will supply all its own 'wants from
that source, but there can be no doubt ill“!
an export trade, destined to assume 1n!-
mense proportions, will spring up. Tl'“
starting of saw-mills in the Seventy-Mlle
Bush at present afi'ords an excellent oppor-
tunity for investment. The other valuable
forests in the northern part of the Prov!!!“


THE PROVINCE OF IIA\VKE’S BAY.
225
will be shortly opened by roads, and will
contribute to the wealth and the labourL
absorbing capacities of the district.
As regards miscellaneous industries, there
are breweries, the beer from which com-
mands an extensive sale in the Province;
two iron and brass foundries, at one of
which steam engines, woolpresses, and a
variety of implements are ' manufactured;
two_ or three coach factories; a brick-
making establishment ; a sash manufactory,
where a good deal of elaborate machinery
1s used: ‘besides the establishments of'
watch and clockmakers,tinsmiths, plumbers,
&c. It will thus be seen that employment
in all ordinary branches of industry is
afforded, and in nearly all at present there
is a demand for labour.
When 'it is considered what are ‘the
industries for which the soil, climate, &c., of
Hawke’s Bay are adapted, in addition to
those already carried on, and which there
is consequently a prospect of seeing estab-
lished, they will be found to be very varied.
The growth ofv sugar-beet, and the manu-
iacture of sugar from it, has been long
contemplated, as it is certain the rich lands
in the neighbourhood of Napier are es-
pecially suited to this industry; indeed, a
local company would have entered upon it
but for the want of labour, which has
checked this and so many other industrial
pursuits. Woollen factories are proving
successful in Otago and Nelson ; and there
is no reason why one, if established here,
should not prove equally successful. The
culture of theho (for which we believe the
Seventy-Mile ush land is especially
suited), of the vine and the tobacco plant,‘
the manufacture of jams andsauces, and
many other pursuits of a like character, all
hold out excellent prospects of profit to any
who may think fit to engage in them.
The following rates of wages have been
furnished as those ruling in the various
trades and industries in the Province :—
Tmdesmcn, per Day of Eight Hours.
Carpenters... 10s. to 11s.
Bricklayers 10s. to 11s.
Painters 10s. to 12$.
Blacksmiths 10s. to 12s.
Tailors 8s. to 10s.
Ropemakers 13s.
Shoemakers 10s. to 12s.
Brickmakers and Masons: 11s. to 12s.
General Labourers (is. to 8s.
Farm Labourers, per Year (all found).-
li‘larried Couples £60 to £70.
bingle men £50 to £60.
bmgle women (dairymaids) £20 to £30.
Female Domestic Servants per Year.‘
Cooks ... £35 to £45.
General Servants and House-
maids ... ... £25 to £40.
Navvies employed on the public works
get from 7s. to 10s. per day ; farm laboureis
from 20s. to 30s. per week (all found) ;
shepherds from £50 to £70 per annum, also
all found. Ploughing by the acre costs
from 14s. to 20s., according to the nature of
the ground to be ploughed. Printers get
13d. per 1,000.
A very large amount both of public and
private work is necessarily allowed to stand
over at present, pending the arrival of
fresh immigrants. We estimate, at a rough
guess, that the employment on the public
works in the Province now under weigh,
and to be commenced within the next six
months, would alone absorb at least 800‘
labourers the day they were landed, with-
out in any way affecting the rates of wages.
In addition to thaPaki Paki Railway, on
which there is as yet much work to be done, '
there are among the General Government
works about to be commenced, the Waipu-
kurau Railway, the tramway from Waipu-
kurau to the Seventy-Mile Bush, and the
metalling of the road from Norsewood, in
the Seventy-Mile Bush, to the Manawatu
Gorge. In addition to these works, there
are those already commenced or proposed to
be initiated by the Provincial Government,
and for which about £45,000 was appro-
priated by the Council last session. They
include the erection of new wharves, the
reclamation of the swamp and of land ad-
joining the railway line at the Spit, besides
a large amount of road construction, &c.
Without a very considerable addition to
our labour supply within the year, about
half of this appropriation will have to go
back to the Treasury, as it would not be
possible to expend it reproductively. The
number of private works in the way of
draining, clearing, building, &c., which also
stand over, is very great.
'As we have given in a tabular form the
rates of wages ruling in the Province, it
may be desirable to do the same with regard
to the cost of living. The subjoined figures
represent the estimated cost of the necessa-
ries of life, taken on the average all the
year round :—
Bread, per 4 lb. loaf... 9d. to 10d.
Beef, per lb. -, 3d. to 5d.
Mutton, per lb. 2d. to 4d.
Butter, per lb. . Ad. to ls. 6d.
Tea per lb. ... ... 2s. 3d. to 3s.
Sugar, per lb. ... lid. to 6d.
P2


226
NEW Z EALAND HANDBOOK.
Cofl'ee, per lb. ls. 3d. to 1s. 6d.
Potatoes, per ton £2. 10s. to £4‘
Goals, per ton, about... £2. 10s.
Firewood, per ton 15s. .
The total amount of Government land
open for sale in the Province is about
800,000 acres, and the price is 10s. in some
districts, and £1 per acre in others, the
purchaser selecting the block he desires to
occupy. The best of the open land has
been purchased, though a good deal of very
fair quality is still available. The bush
land is that, however, which offers most in-
ducements to intending settlers. In some
bushes no selection has been made as yet.
The soil is excellently adapted for grow-
ing cro of all descriptions, and the forests
aboun ‘in valuable timbers. A block of
this bush land, 10,000 acres in extent,
adjoining the Ruataniwha plains, has been
set aside for sale on the deferred payments
system, at a price of 10s. per acre. The
terms on which this land may be obtained
are as follows :—The intending purchaser
must send in an ap lication to the Com-
missioner of Crown nds for the Province
of Hawke’s Bay, accom anied with a deposit
of one-fifth of the purchase money. He will
thereupon receive a license to occupy the
land. In_ order that he maybe able to
exchange this license for a Crown grant, it
is further required of him—1st. That/
within two years from the date of the issue
of the license, he should have built a house
of the-value of £10 on his section, and
should have fenced or cultivated one-tenth
of it. 2nd. That he should pay the remain-
ing four-fifths as follows :—The first at the
end of the second year from the date of
occupation, and one of the other three at
the end of each succeeding year till all are
paid. The land will then become his own,
and he will be released from further liability
to the Government in connection with it.
The block referred to is being rapidly
taken up. More will be opened as soon as
it is disposed of. The advantages offered,
including the permission to select, are
eater than those offered under the Waste
ds Acts of any other Province in New
Zealand.
There is also a very considerable amount
of land in private hands, both improved
and unimproved, open for sale to small
capitalists. Many of the large properties
which were purchased years ago, as in the
case of the Homewood estate, near Waipawa,
which has been alluded to are being cut
up into farms and disposed of. This, as
might be anticipated, is taking1 place
mainly in the districts through w ‘oh the
railroad is being carried. Farms are to be
had on annual rental, if intending settlers
desire that form of tenure. Practically,
however, few are thus held, immigrants
naturally preferring freeholds.
In Napier, all the principal religious de-
nominations are well represented. The
Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Presby-
terians, and Wesleyans all have places of l
worship there, which are fully attended.
Several of the inland townships are also
provided with places of worship ; and the .
outlying districts have their spiritual wants
attended to by the clergymen of more
populous localities, who visit them and hold
service periodically.
The necessity for charitable and benevo-
lent institutions is slight, poverty being
exceedingly rare. A charitable relief fund.
however, exists, provided in part by private
benevolence, and in part by a Government
grant. It is under the administration of a
Board of entlemen resident in Napier, and
no difficulty is experienced in obtaining
relief where the genuine necessity for it
exists. There are also to be numbered
among our charitable institutions a hospital
and a lunatic asylum supported by the
Provincial Government, and both are under
excellent management. _ '
In regard to the educational systemic
force, the Act provides that the maximum
amount of school fees chargeable in common
schools shall not exceed 1s. 6d. per week
per child, with the provision that not more
than four children of one family can be
charged for. In the majority of cases the
fees actually charged run as low as Is., and
in many even as low as 6d. per week ; in-
deed, in country schools especially, the
masters prefer taking the children for
nothing to going without them, as by this
they get at least the capitation grant from
the Government, which in the country is
12s. per quarter, and in the town 9s. All
Government schools, moreover, are required
to educate orphans or indigent children
gratis, on an order from the Inspector. Re-
ligious instruction is not permitted to be
given during school hours, but may, at the
discretion of the managers, be 'ven either
before or after them. All sc ools estalr
lished either by religious denominations,_0r
by any body of private individuals, WlllCll
conform to the conditions of the Act, of
which the main ones are those above men-
tioned, are entitled to the Government
grants. The appointment of teachers and
the general management of the aliens of
most of the schools are in the hands of local
Committees, subject to the su rvisiou 0f
the Provincial authorities. 830 of $119





PROVINCE TARANAKI.
227






)ier common schools is endowed with an
rte which brings in a large sum annually,
1 a handsome and commodious school
ilding is being erected in connection with
The teaching in all the town schools,
.d in most of the country schools, is satis-
ctory and efiicient. A system of inspec-
on was established two years ago, which
i found to be producing good results.
r'onsiderable reserves were made in all the
'Jwnships, at the time of sale, for educa-
lonal purposes, and large additional re~
“ erves for the same purpose were set aside
% the Council last session. They will
gecome yearly more valuable, and will
Enable the common school system to be
gm even more eflicient, extensive, and
§iberal than at present. A grammar school,
évhere the higher branches are ably taught
glyan Oxford graduate, exists in Napier,
' and is largely attended. It is owned by a
proprietary company, and no efl‘ort is being
spared to make it take rank with the best
establishment of the class in the Colony.
. English trees have "been very largely in’
troduced into the Province, and a good
deal has been done of late towards the
introduction of English birds and fishes.
Pheasants have become thoroughly accli-
matized, and are increasing rapidly. Rooks,
erpartridges, and small birds brought here
From time to time are breeding in various
"plantations where they were turned out.
.,Another large shipment of birds left

we. aluminum» it ~
EARLY Hrs'ronr or run Pnovmcn.
THE Province of Taranaki takes its
name from the lofty, snow-clad moun-
tain called by Europeans “Egmont,” and
by the Natives “ Taranaki.” According to
Native tradition, a great chief named Turi,
who came from Hawaiiki in a canoe named
Aotea, gave names to all the rivers and
mountains in this part of the country.
From the same source we also learn that
the principal tribe of this district came
from the same place in a canoe called
Tokomaru, commanded by a chief named
Manaia, who was compelled to flee from
his native country on account of a murder
England for Hawke’s Bay in November,
1874. Trout have been put into the
rivers, and arrangements are in progress
for obtaining more. Altogether, the set-
tlers are sparing no exertion to make their
Province as attractive a place for residence
and resort as the best districts in the old
country. The rent of two-roomed cottages
is 5s. per week, and of four-roomed, 10s. -
There is one Land and Building Society
in Napier. The number of members is 105,
and of shares 666. The value of shares is
£20. 16s., and the subscription 2s. per week
per share. The term fixed for the duration
of the society is four years, but when the
shares reach the value of £20. 16s., which
generally happens in three and a half years,
the society winds up. Money is lent to
members at the rate of 8 per cent., they
being credited with interest on subscrip-
tions paid up at the rate of 6 per cent.,
and profit. The last society, which ended
on the 23rd of last June, yielded a return
of 15 per cent. per annum.
There are two savings banks, in which
interest at the rate of 4 per cent. is given
on deposits up to~£100.
Three Benefit Societies,—the Odd Fel-
lows, Foresters, and Rechabites, -— are
represented in the Province, and are flou-
rishing. ' '
The Freemasons have a lodge in Napier.
They are a numerous and influential
body.
PROVINCE OF‘ TARANAK‘I.
which he had committed. Members of
this tribe state that when their ancestors
arrived in Taranaki, they found it inhabited
by an unwarlike race whom they easily
subdued. How long ago this happened
they cannot tell; but, from the names of
their ancestors, which some of them have
committed to memory, and from the many
traces of ancient fortifications u on the
hills, it was probably some hun reds of
years. '
The history of this people is one of -in-
cessant warfare. The warlike spirit of the
race reached its height shortly after the
introduction of firearms in 1820. In "
fierce intertribal struggles that toolr


228
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
in the twelve years following that event,
the tribe of the Taranaki district was
broken, thousands of its warriors slain,
and many of its ople taken into captivity
and reduced to s very.
The first Europeans who beheld Taranaki
were probably Tasman (the Dutch naviga-
tor) and his companions, in December,
1642. On the eveni 0' of Wednesday, the
10th January, 1772,1llie renowned Ca tain
Cook first sighted the mountain, whic , on
the following Sunday, he named “ Egmont,”
in honour of the Earl bearing that title.
On the 10th February, 1772, M. Marion
du Fresno, a French navigator, made the
land here and named the mountain “Le Pic
Masca'rt'n,” after his ship. From this time
to 1839, Taranaki was occasionally visited
by whalers, some of whom established a
station at the Sugar Loaf Islands. In 1831,
when the Waikatos, under their'great chief
' Te Wherowhero, made their memorable
descent on the district to punish the
N gatiawa for having assisted the fighting
chief Rauparaha—and also because Kaeaea,
one of their chiefs, had, in a preceding war,
crucified the Waikato chief Taiporutu in
the gateway of his pa, after taking the pa
at Pukerangiora, and killing and devour-
ing several hundreds of its occupants—they
proceeded to attack N gamotu Pa, near the
Sugar Loaves. This was garrisoned by 350
Ngatiawa, under their chief Warepori, and
six English Whalers and traders, whose
names have been preserved by the Maoris.
These were Barrett, Love, Oliver, Wright,
Akers, and Phillips. The besieged, armed
with muskets and four small merchant-ship
guns, made such a heroic defence that the
Waikatos at last retreated with great loss ;
but after the victory, the N gamotu de-
fenders, with the other Natives of the
district, fled to the South, leaving the
country almost entirely without inhabi-
On the 29th April, 1834, the barque
Harriet, Captain Hall commander, bound
from Sydney to Port Underwood, with a
whaling party under a man named Guard,
ran ashore on the coast of Taranaki proper,
a little to the south of Cape Egmont. For
six days the shipwrecked sailors were
treated as friends, but on the seventh day
a quarrel arose, in which twelve sailors and
twenty-five Natives were slain, and Guard,
his wife, two children, and ten seamen
were made. prisoners. Guard and several
sailors were allowed to depart on promising
to return with powder as a ransom for the
others, and he proceeded to New South
Wales. Arrived there, Guard prevailed on
' e Governor to send H.M.S. Alligator,
Captain Lambert, with a company of the '
50th Regiment, to Taranaki, with the ob-
ject of rescuing the prisoners. Two villages
were destroyed, many of the Natives slain,
and the woman, children, and other cap-
tives were recovered. Among the stores of
the Harriet was a quantity of soap : this
was taken from the vessel by the Natives,
baked in their ovens, and eaten by the
Maoris (who were totally ignorant of its
nature), with what result to them may be
more easily imagined than described.
In the year 1839, a company was formed
in England, called the Plymouth Company,
the object of which was the establishment
of a colony in New Zealand. It was a
joint-stock association, which invested
£10,000 in the purchase of 50,000 acres
of land from the New Zealand Company.
Colonel Wakefield, acting for the company,
in 1839 found many fugitives from Taranaki
on the shores of Cook Strait, and from
them he purchased the land of their fathers,
from which they had been driven, and to
which the dread of their victorious foes
prevented their return. About the end of
the same year the company’s naturalist,
Ernst Diefi'enbach, proceeded to Tarannki.
He found a handful of wretched Natives
there, living stealthily on obscure planta-
tions hidden deep in the recesses of the
forest, while the rest of the beautiful country
was completely desolate. He travelled for
miles without meeting a single person, and
seeing no trace of man e'xce t some de-
serted plantations. While t ere he in-
vestigated the geology, botany, and natural
history of the place, and succeeded in
scaling the lofty mountain. He also, in
conjunction with an agent of the com-
pany, succeeded in purchasing from the
few Natives in possession, their rights in
the soil.
In February, 1841, Mr. Carrington, the
company’s Surveyor, having previously ex-
plored the coast for a site for the new
settlement, and fixed on the Taranaki
district, in January of the same year or-
rived, accompanied by his stafi‘, and the
survey of the district was commenced. On
the 31st March of that year, the barque
William Bryon arrived with the first batch
of immigrants. This vessel was followed
by the Amelia Thompson, which arrived on
the 3rd September, and by her tender, a
small vesse destined for coasting, called
the Regina, which was unfortunately
wrecked on the Taranaki beach shortly
after her arrival. The Oriental arrived on
the 7th November, 184l,and the Timandaro
on 2nd February, 1842, and these were
followed at intervals by the Blenheim and


__T __ 4n _.____
LI


PROVINCE OF. TARANAKI.
233
Rivers, and especially in the neighbourhood
of the Urenui, the soil consists, to a great
extent of a heavy clay admirably suited for
brick making. From the Mimi northward,
the soil is still a clayey loam, and at and near
Mokau the finest brick clay in the Province
is to be found in inexhaustible quantities,
of a quality suitable for the manufacture of
lire-bricks and pottery. Before the war of
1860, several English brickmakers lived at
Mokau, ‘and shipped large quantities of
bricks, but on the outbreak of hostilities
they were 'forced to leave, and from that '
time no English vessel of any description
has entered the river. In the vicinity of
the Urenui River, the finest apples, peaches,
and grapes in the Province are produced,
all of them growing luxuriantly, even in a
wild and uncultivated state. The banks of
the river in many places are festooned with
vines, which, in the season, are laden with
fruit. -
From the Kaipokonui River southward,
the coast line, forming a slight inward curve,
trends in a south-easterly direction for some
thirty miles to the mouth of the river Patea,
which is the southernmost boundary of the
Province on the coast line, though not
bounding it at any other point except at its
mouth, the river running its whole length
through Taranaki. This part of the Pro-
vince, from the sea for several miles inland,
is, as a rule, beautifully level, and mostly
clothed with grass or clover. The land ad-
jacent to the coast is generally open and
covered with fern, phormium grass, or clover,
for a distance varying from one to fiftmn'
miles inland, while the interior is densely
wooded.
Between the Kaipokonui and the southern
boundary of Taranaki, the soil is generally
‘a clayey loam, much stiffer than the soil
north of the Kaipokonui, and very productive.
Taranaki is divided politically into three
electoral districts, viz. :—The town of New
Plymouth, Grey and Bell, and Egmont,
each returning a member to the House of
Representatives. For Provincial electoral
purposes it is, however, divided into four
districts, returning fifteen members to the
Council, viz. :—New Plymouth, 4 members;
Grey and Bell, 6; Omata, 3; and Patea, 2:
Omata and Patea being subdivisions of the
Egmont District. The settled portion of
the Province is, for road-rating purposes,
divided into twenty-six districts, each under
the management of three Commissioners
elected annually by the ratepayers, who, at
the same meeting, vote the rate for the dis-
trict for the ensuing year; the Commis-
sioners superlntendin the expenditure of
the money raised by e rate.
There is a general similarity in the ruling
industries. of the several districts. The
settlers in all are. engaged in agricultural
and pastoral pursuits; in some, the agricul-
tural predominates and in others the pasto-
ral, though in all they are more or less com-
bined. The Patea district. extending from
the Patea to the Waingongoro River, is
Inainlya pastoral district, for which it is
admirably fitted, being for the whole dis-
tance of some twenty-four miles‘perfectly
level, except in the river courses,and covered
with grass and clover. From the Wain-
gongoro to the Stony River, about fifty-four
miles, the land is still in Native hands, with
the exception of the small reserve for a
town at Opunake, and some 800 acres in
private hands at the same place. The
country throughout the whole of this dis-
tance isinterspersed with enormous fields
of Phorm'ium tenant, the New Zealand flax.
Extensive mills were established atDpunalge
about four years ago, and the work of manu-
facturing the fibre was continued until the
autumn of 1873, when the continued fall in
the market value of the article caused the
stoppage of the mills. It is to be hoped that
ere long a more economical mode of manu-
facture may be discovered, or that the fibre
may command a steadier market, and conse-
quently a steadier price, as, ' either case,
these vast fields would speed y be utilized,
and would afford remunerative employment
for thousands. The Natives throughout the
district are quite willing, and even anxious,
to lease the right of cutting the leaf from off
their lands, and it is only the instability of
the market, resulting already, in this Pro-
vince alone, in a loss of several thousand
pounds to the enterprising promoters of the
industry, which has caused the present, and
it is to be hoped, but temporary, collapse.
From Stony River to the Tapuae liiver,
a distance of ten miles, agriculture is the
ruling industry, as it is also of that next in
order, viz. :—from the Tapuae River to the
Paritutu line, the northern boundary of the
Egmont electoral district, a distance of about
five miles, mostly occupied by Europeans.
With the Omata block, about a mile and
a-half beyond the Tapuae, commences the
old settlement (as distinguished from the
military settlements and the confiscated
land), viz., the Provincial estate previous to
1863, which, however, also included the
detached Tataraimaka block of 4,000 acres.
The Grey and Bell Electoral district, from
the Paritutu line to the Mokau River, the
northern boundary of the Province, has a
coast line of about forty-five miles. Of this,
at different intervals, and on an ave e for
two-thirds of the distance, Native ands


234
. w- NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
abut on the coast. The remainder of the
coast line bounds land owned by the set-
tlers. Agriculture is the principal industry
of this ortion of the settlement. The
general eatures of the district have been
already described. The flax industry has
received a check in the remainder of the
Egmont district and in the Grey and Bell,
as well as at Opunake; and of nine factories
for the manufacture of the fibre, which were
at one time at work-in the Province, not
one is at present in operation.
Seven years ago there was only one‘
town in Taranaki, viz., New Plymouth—
the spot on which the pilgrim fathers of the
settlement landed in 1841, and which gave
its name to the Province; for, until 1858,
it was known as the Province of New Ply-
mouth, an Ordinance passed by the Legis-
lative Council in 1858, altering the title to
“Taranaki.” There we're besides two vil-
lages, viz., the Hua and Omata.
New Plymouth contains about nineteen
hundred inhabitants, and is the seat of the
Provincial Government. The aspect of the
town from the sea is charming, with the
ground gradually sloping upwards from the
beach, and a dark green belt of bush still
rising in the middle distance, until the land-
scape culminates in the glorious background
of the majestic snow-clad cone of Mount
Egmont. The central point of the fore-
. ground is Marsland Hill, crowned with the
immigration barracks, most commodious,
but certainly not prepossessing in a pear-
ance. 'In front and to the right and eft of
this point, churches, chapels, and houses are
to be seen peeping from amidst the trees,
which have been plentifully planted by the
settlers. During the war, for a while, the
whole of the inhabitants of the Province,
together with the Imperial troops stationed
in Taranaki, were crowded into a portion of
the town surrounded with trenches. New
Plymouth then for the first time became
unhealthy, consequent on some five thousand
people- being crowded into a space barely
sufiicient for a quarter of that number. It
is, however, a very healthy place, and the
dip of the land towards the sea supplies it
with efiicient natural drainage. At the
census of 1871, the number of houses was
returned as 595, of which 428 were in-
habited, 166 uninhabited, and one building.
Since then, however, great progress has been
made. Very few houses are now unin-
habited (in fact it is difiicult to rent a
house), and many additional ones have been
built, including several shops and stores of
a superior description, and the really hand-
some building belonging to the Bank of New
Zealand, built during 1873.
Lying on the beach at New Plymouth,
and along the coast of the whole of the
Province, but in greater quantity in the
vicinity of the town, is to be seen in great
quantities—constituting, in fact, the prin-
cipal part of its material—the far-tamed,
but until lately unused, Taranaki iron sand.
This hitherto undeveloped resource is about
to be utilized. Two valuable seams of clay
have lately been discovered, and __are now
being worked in the immediate vicinity of
the town, from which very godd bricks are
being made, the immediate result being
that the price has been reduced from
£7. 10s. to £5 per thousand. The town
also contains one iron foundry, one boat-
building establishment, two breweries, one
soap and candle manufactory, and two
printing establishments, viz., those of the
Taranaki News and the Taranalct Herald.
In the suburbs, are a tannery, and a wool-
scouring establishment. The town is under
the management of a Town Board, the
members of which are elected by the rate-
payers. -
Two towns have been established since
the war, viz., Raleigh, more generally known
as Waitara, at the mouth of the river of
that name, and Carlyle, on the Patea River;
the former ten, and the latter ninety-five
miles from New Plymouth.
From its situation at the mouth of a tidal
river easily accessible to vessels of from 100
to 200 tons burden, Raleigh will ere long
be a town of some little consequence, more
"especially when the railway runs through
1 9
and thus brings to it the stock and pro-
duce of the southern part of the Province
for shipment.
Carlyle now numbers more than 150
inhabitants. The Patea River is accessible.
to vessels of small tonnage.
The land is generally suitable for agri-
cultural purposes, grasses well, and when
grassed carries from six to eight sheep per
acre. With the exception of a strip of
open land, varying in breadth from one to
seven miles, the whole face of the country
is covered with heavy bush, in which there
is much valuable timber. The land is sold
by auction at an upset price of 10s. per
acre for bush, and £2 per acre for open
ground.
There is at present very little land in the
hands of the Provincial authorities and
open for sale. Under the New Zealand
Settlements Acts, all the confiscated lands
were vested in the General Government
for_ urposes specified in those Acts, and
all t e sales lately made have been sales of
confiscated land. Lands which have been
acquired from the Natives by purchase, or


236
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
diminished, the climate will become more
and more favourable to the vine. Mean-
while, on many of the hill slo es with any
aspect between north-east an north-west,
the occupation of vigneron might be followed
with profit by adopting the system of Dr.
Jules Guyot, the efiicacy of which against
rains and cold is generally recognized in
France.
5. Hop Growing—There are two patches
of hops cultivated in Taranaki, containing
each ahout two acres, one in its fourth and
the other in its third year of plantation.
These thrive well and yield good returns.
The soil and climate seem to suit the hop
admirab y, and growing them on a large
scale would prove a lucrative s eculation.
Among the industries whic would re-
quire capital to develop them are :4—
1. Phormium F'ib're Rope Factory—The
immense quantity of Phor'mium in the Pro-
vince, and the ease with which it can be
got at, would render a rope-Walk a pro-
fitable speculation. Very little capital
would be required for the undertaking.
2. Phormium Fibre sackcloth and. Bag-
ging Pottery—The establishment of a
factory for fibre spinning and conversion of
the material into sackcloth and bagging
would demand some capital, but would
amply repay any com any that entered
upon the speculation. The extensive mills
belonging to the Opunake Flax Company
could be obtained at a reasonable rate,
and the factory might be built in their
vicinity. '
3. Beetroot Sugar Factory.—In many
parts of the Province, beets rich in saccha-
rine juices might be grown. It must ‘not
be forgotten that soils most favourable to
the development of the root are often not
equally adapted to the development of the
juices. The most fav'ourable soil for the
development of saccharine richness in the
beetroot are chalky loams or clays. Peaty
loams, so fertile for grain crops, are little
favourable to beet, which becomes poor in
sugar, and, above all, when grown in such
soil, contains abundantly salts of soda and
m esia, which render the juice uncrystal-
liza 1s. The proposed establishment of
sugar refineries in the Colony affords
additional reason for turning to 'account the
adaptability of the soil of Taranaki for the
cultivation of sugar beet.
4. A Woollen Factory might be esta-
lished with every prospect of success.
5. Meat Preserving, by salt or otherwise,
would answer.
6. Fish Curing might be profitably
carried on, as we have large quantities of
lish off our shores: kahawai, schnapper,
hapuka, rock cod, &c., besides shoals of
herriuws.
7. Eon-sand smelting. —Although one
largé furnace forIthe melting of iron-sand is
in course of erection, and it is expected
that another will be commenced before the
end of the year, there is yet an opening for
any number of works of the same descrip-
tion, the supply of ore on the beach being
practically inex austible.
A very large area of the Province of
Taranaki is forest land, in which timber and
firewood are very abundant. The trees are.
with two exceptions, evergreen. Most of
them bear blossoms containing nectar, on
which the introduced honey bees and many
of the Native birds feed. The blossoms
are generally not remarkable for beauty,
but they are interesting, and many of
them slightly odnrous. The best timber
from general purposes is that called by the
colonists red pine. 'It is ared, close-grained,
resinous, somewhat brittle, but durable
wood, and is the product of a very hand-
some tree allied to the cypresses. The
branches droop and the leaves are small and
imbricated, so that the terminal shoots re-
semble some of the Cape heaths, or the
small sedum, commonly called stone-crop.
The red pine (Native name, rimu) makes
excellent furniture, taking a high polish,
and frequently exhibiting a pretty grain
It is extensively used for building purposes.
There is ‘another excellent wood called
totara. The tree roducing it is alliedtu
'the yew. This tim er is not-so lentiful in
the Province as the red pine. he timber
of the kahikatea, or white pine, is useful
for furniture and in-door building purposes,
but is useless for exterior work or out-of-
door purposes, as it decays rapidly when
exposed. A tree called uriri, producing
teak or irqnwood, is found near to the sea
and a few miles inland. The timber is very
durable, and is used for bridges, piles.
wheels, and carts. The rate, avery curious
tree of the myrtle family, which is at firsta
parasite, but afterwards embraces and
strangles the tree which supported it in its
youth, yields a dark red, heavy timber, use
ful for wheels, carts, and waggons, and for
the beams of ships. It burns freely, and
is the best of firewood. It makes very good
charcoal, as do also the towai, tawa, puriri,
rimu, and several other denizens of the
Zealand forest. The pukatea is a handsome
tree, the heart timber of which is used for
fencing; sawn, it is also used for roofing-
boards. The kohekohe yields a good fenc-
ing timber, and also makesvery shin les. 1
Besides these, there are many trees
r nc-
ing wood of a softer and less salable


240
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
treatment, immediately admits the patient.
Accidents are taken directly to the hospital
and admitted into the casualty ward at any
hour. No order or recommendation is
required in any case, and the hospital is
free to all persons unable to pay ; for
instance, labourers and others who, by rea-
son of their state, are debarred from working
for their living. Persons able to pay are
charged 2s. per diem. A. separate ward for
Maoris is attached to the building, and also
a lunatic asylum. Out-patients are at~
tended to before 11 um. each day, and some
are visited at their own houses.
The Province makes a grant of £400 per
annum in aid of the hospital funds, and
also pays the cost of repairs and additions
to the building. This sum is however
often found insufiicient, and the deficit is
made up by means of a reading or musical
entertainment, the proceeds of which are
given to the hospital, or by voluntary con-
tributions.
The houses here suitable for mechanics,
labourers, or persons of small means, are
generally built with a lean-to, and with four
rooms, viz., two in the main building and
two in the lean-to. A larger house would
be, say four in the main building and two
in the lean-to. A four-roomed house, as
above, could be rented at from 3s. 6d. to 5s.
per week, according to size and situation ;
a six-roomed house at from 5s. 6d. to 85. 6d.
per week. Houses of more pretensions as to
appearance, and larger as to number of
rooms, can be rented at £20 and upwards.
To each house or cottage there is at-
tached, as a rule, at least a quarter-acre of
garden.
The average cost of erecting cottages is
about the same in town and country,
namely—For a four-roomed house, chimney,
&0., complete, from £100 to £120; a six-
roomed house, chimney, 810., £160.
films To ‘Emcnan'rs.
Most especially are emigrants warned
against encumbering themselves with a large
outfit, or with any more articles of any
sort than they would require during the
voyage and for the first few months, or say
a year, after their arrival. True, apparel is
cheaper in England than here, but it must
not be forgotten that in ordinary boxes the
moth and damp make sad havoc, and the
owner, on arrival at the port, will probably
find most of his or her clothes spoilt. Ap-
parel can only safely be brought out in
soldered tin cases : therefore, the emigrant
should only bring out little, if any, more
than can conveniently be taken out and
aired occasionally during the voyage.
Though he should encumber himself
as few general articles as possible,
should be furnished with some means
allaying the tedium of a long voyage ; so
interesting books, school-books also, ‘n
which to teach his children, if compel!
to do so, if not let him still bring 1
books. The clergyman of his parish-
some other person would tell him the in
appropriate educational works. There!‘
be sure to be some person willing an
to pass his time in a useful manner
parting a few hours’ instruction as
any children that may be on board.
mother will find plenty to do in m‘
and mending for the children, and kee’
them clean—a matter of the first impo
on board shi . The father, if not
should turn 's hand to some occup
say net-making, assisting. the sa'
anything but idleness.
With regard to the route, by all m
try to avoid transhipment: take a v
bound direct to the port of disembarka
your destination. If that cannot be ,'
conveniently—if, for instance, you w
have to wait too long for a ship for N
Plymouth direct—if possible take a‘
bound to Nelson, the most convenient : i
for transhipment to New Plymouth. ‘ ‘, '
On arrival at New Plymouth, the im‘lpmip
grant will probably first proceed to g.
immigration dépot. He should make
short a stay there as possible: he shoul 1;‘
lose no time before looking about him fury’
something to do, and should accept spy-Li‘
thing in the shape of work rather remain idle. ‘Working hours are by n05
means long~fron1 8 am. to 5 p.m.,withé
an hour allowed for dinner ; and even .
while working at whatever he has sethll
hand to, he can still be looking about I- I'
and making inquiries for something - _ ‘ j
if not perfectly satisfied with his then - » i' " _
pation. He should not forget that a I ' ‘
man in the colonies should be able to 7
his hand to almost anything, and the "
versatile his means of making h' :
useful, the more steady and the '
wages he will command. 1
The immigrant is strongly recommen
when he leaves the depot with his f = H
not to go into lodgings, but to take a s_ I‘
cottage at once. A very little fur '
goes a very long way at first in the colo C
and he will be astonished at the variety _ ‘
uses to which packing-cases and boxes .
be turned. A few stretchers, in lieu
beds, can be obtained cheap, and a form 0!
two may replace chairs for a short time,
until he has begun to count his savmgfl-
The emigrant has been recommended n0‘















___
--





10
m
‘0
face page 242


240
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
I
treatment, immediately admits the patient.
Accidents are taken directly to the hospital
and admitted into the casualty ward at any
hour. N 0 order or recommendation is
required in any case, and the hospital is
free to all persons unable to pay ; for
instance, labourers and others who, by rea-
son of their state, are debarred from working
for their living. Persons able to pay are
charged 2s. per diem. A separate ward for
Maoris is attached to the building, and also
a lunatic asylum. Out-patients are at-
tended to before 11 em. each day, and some
are visited at their own houses.
The Province makes a grant of £400 per
annum in aid of the hospital funds, and
also pays the cost of repairs and additions
to the building. This sum is however
often found insufiicient, and the deficit is
made up by means of a reading or musical
entertainment, the proceeds of which are
given to the hospital, or by voluntary con-
tributions.
The houses here suitable for mechanics,
labourers, or persons of small means, are
generally built with a lean-to, and with four
rooms, viz., two in the main building and
two in the lean-to. A larger house would
he, say four in the main building and two
in the lean-to. A four-roomed house, as
above, could be rented at from 3s. 6d. to 5s.
per week, according to size and situation ;
a six-roomed house at from 5s. 6d. to 89. 6d.
per week. Houses of more pretensions as to
appearance, and larger as to number of
rooms, can be rented at £20 and upwards.
To each house or cottage there is at-
tached, as a rule, at least a quarter-acre of
garden.
The average cost of erecting cottages is
about the same in town and country,
namely—For a four-roomed house, chimney,
&c., com lete, from £100 to £120; a six-
roomed ouse, chimney, 81c., £160.
Hm'rs 'ro 'EMIGRANTS.
Most especially are emigrants warned
against encumbering themselves with a large
outfit, or with any more articles of any
sort than they would require during the
voyage and for the first few months, or say
a year, after their arrival. True, apparel is
cheaper in England than here, but it must
not be forgotten that in ordinary boxes the
moth and damp make sad havoc, and the
owner, on arrival at the port, will probably
find most of his or her clothes spoilt. Ap-
parel can only safely be brought out in
soldered tin cases : therefore, the emigrant
should only bring out little, if any, more
than can conveniently be taken out and
aired occasionally during the voyage.
Though he should encumber himself with
as few general articles as possible, yet he
should be furnished with some means of
allaying the tedium of a long voyage ; some
interesting books, school-books also, with
which to teach his children, if competent
to do so, if not let him still bring the
books. The clergyman of his parish or
some other person would tell him the most
appropriate educational works. There will
be sure to be some person willing and able
to pass his time in a useful manner by im-
parting a few hours’ instruction a day to
any children that may be on board. The
mother will find plenty to do in making
and mending for the children, and keeping
them clean—a matter of the first importance
on board shi . The father, if not teaching,
should turn his hand to some occupation—
say net-making, assisting. the sailmaker,
anything but idleness.
With regard to the route, by all means
try to avoid transhipment: take a vessel
bound direct to the port of disembarkation,
your destination. If that cannot be done
conveniently—if, for instance, you would
have to wait too long for a ship for New
Plymouth direct—if possible take a ship
bound to Nelson, the most convenient port
for transhipment to New Plymouth.
On arrival at New Plymouth, the immi-
grant will probably first proceed to the
immigration dépét. He should make as
short a stay there as possible : he should
lose no time before looking about him for
something to do, and should accept any-
thing in the shape of work rather than
remain idle. ‘Working hours are by no
means long—from 8 am. to 5 p.m., with
an hour allowed for dinner; and even
while working at whatever he has set his
hand to, he can still be looking about him,
and making inquiries for something better
if not perfectly satisfied with his then occu-
pation. He should not forget that a handy
man in the colonies should be able to turn
his hand to almost anything, and the more
versatile his means of making himself
useful, the more steady and the higher
wages he will command.
The immigrant is strongly recommended,
when he leaves the depot with his family,
not to go into lodgings, but to take a small
cottage at once. A very little furniture
goes a very long way at first in the colonies.
and he will be astonished at the variety of
uses to which packing-cases and boxes can
be turned. A few stretchers, in lieu of
beds, can be obtained cheap, and a form 01'
two may replace chairs for a short time’
until he has begun to count his savings.
The emigrant has been recommended 11°‘


PROVINCE ‘OF AUCKLAND.
245
is'stunted, forming bushes of from 1 ft. to
6ft. high; but under better conditions it
grows into a tree of considerable height,
and is much esteemed as firewood, and for
the knees of vessels, being very hard and
durable. Other lands, of medium to good
quality, are thickly covered with a species
of fern, the root of which is edible, and is
largely used by the Maoris, who have
attained to great skill in cooking it so as
to render it palatable. The Pho'rm'ium
teams, or, as it is more familiarly termed,‘
New Zealand flax, grows in all parts of the
Province, but is most prolific in moist
ground. The fibre of this plant is the
strongest material known, silk excepted;
and its preparation has created an impor-
tant industry. It is at present chiefly used
for cordage, but it is gradually coming into
use for the manufacture of textile fabrics.
The leaves are sword-shaped, tapering
gradually from the bottom, where they are
thick and woody, and are largely impreg-
mated with a white gum, of a very adhesive
nature, which more or less permeates the
whole leaf. This gum has been used to a
very small extent for commercial purposes,
and might doubtless be more largely utilized.
Another product, growing profusely in
Swamps, is raupo, the leaves of which are
tough and durable, and are largely employed
for the construction of temporary bush
houses. The Maoris are adepts at this
Work, and settlers frequently avail them-
selves of their skill. The raupo makes a
really excellent thatch.
The majority of the cottages around
Auckland have plots of garden of greater
01‘ less extent, and in some of these every
variety of English flowering plant may be
found. Flowers grow with remarkable
luxuriance, many English greenhouse plants
attaining great perfection in the open air.
_The horticultural shows held periodically
111 Auckland are such as few countries
can rivaL
. The scenery of the Auckland Province
18 enchanting. Hill and valley, woodland,
rough cliffs, and quiet little secluded bays ;
bread rivers, lakes, and rough mountain
I torrents ; waterfalls, geysers, boiling springs,
volcanic cones, beautiful natural terraces,
and many other marked natural features,
!§_1‘0\lped in the most picturesque forms, and
filldcd with bright sunshine, tend to make
New Zealand what it has frequently been
called—the natural home of the poet and
the artist.
The timber of the Province is one of its
most valuable products, and (as will be seen
1?)’ Statistics given in the list of industries
10l'lmng part of this paper) it has been the
source of a considerable income to the Pro-
vince. In addition to the large amount of
wood used for local purposes, there is an
extensive export of sawn timber from
Auckland to all parts of New Zealand,
the neighbouring Australian Colonies, and
the South Sea Islands. Chief among the
timber trees—indeed, the king of the Auck-
land woods—is the kauri pine. These trees
in some instances have been found 15 ft. in
diameter and 150 ft. in height. On an
average they may be estimated as yielding,
when sawn into conveniently-sized boards,
between 6,000 ft. and 7,000 ft. of timber,
the market price of which at the mills is
from 9s. (id. to 11s. 6d. per 100 ft. ' The
wood in some kauri trees is prettily marked
or mottled, and is in great demand for
cabinet making, which gives it a special
value. As an illustration of this, we may
instance a kauri tree cut some time ago by
a settler residing about eighteen miles north
of Auckland. The trunk of this tree was
40 ft. high and 37 ft. in circumference,
and it yielded, when sawn, 22,000 ft. of
rich mottled kauri, which was sold for
£500, leaving, after deducting £200 for
expenses connected with the cutting of
the tree and getting it to market, a clear
profit of £300. The kauri is valuable
for shipbuilding as well as all general pur-'
poses, and has been classed at the Germanic
Lloyd’s. It furnishes excellent spars for
vessels, and it is with this timber that
nearly all wooden buildings in Auckland
are erected. Strange to say, the tree does
not grow further souththan 37° 30’ latitude.
It is accordingly unknown in the forests of
the southern part of Auckland Province,
and in all other parts of the Colony. It is,
however, very plentiful north of Auckland,
and for about thirty miles south of that
city. Second in importance to the kauri is
the kahikatea (known in the Southern
Provinces as the white pine). This is a soft
wood, and is used in Auckland mostly for
inside work, for which it is ve well
adapted. The rimu (sometimes ed red
pine) is greatly esteemed for the manufac-
ture of furniture. It is a very good timber
tree, but much more diflicult to work than
kauri, and in every way inferior to that
timber for general purposes. The totara
another variety of pine, is highly valued for
piles and similar purposes; the puriri for
posts, rails, and house blocks, being remark—
able for its ‘durability. The pohutukawa,
which bears large red flowers, blossoming
about Christmas, is in great demand for the
knees of vessels, being very hard, and
having a natural bend in the trunk. The
trees above named are the largest and most


216
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
valuable woods of the Auckland forests;
but there are nearly 100 other varieties,
many of which have special value for block-
making, others for furniture, &c. It was a
common - practice, some years ago, for
settlers to fell and burn off the timber for
the purpose of improving the soil, but they
now rmognize it as a source of revenue, and
it is customary, where practicable, to fell
and square the trees and float the logs to
the nearest saw-milL I The Government are
also taking stringent steps to stop the whole-
sale destruction of valuable timber on
Government lands. The forests are now
pro rl regarded as actual wealth with
whilcxli gature has endowed the Colony.
Auckland Province, like the rest of the
Colon , is destitute of native quadrupeds.
The oreats may be traversed without the
slightest danger from wild beasts, and also
from noxious reptiles, for there are none.
There was formerly a species of native
dog, supposed to have been introduced by
some vessel that had called at the Island
long ago ; there was also a native rat ; but
both dog and rat are extinct, the latter
having been killed off by the European rat.
In many parts of the bush there are wild
pigs, the offsprin of those introduced by
Captain Cook an others ; and pig-hunting
may be regarded as one of the sports of the
country.
The sportsman will find plenty of game.
Pheasants, acclimatized, are ve plentiful in
the Province of Auckland. There are also
native pigeons, ducks, and waterfowL Re-
mains of an enormous wingless bird, known
as the moa, have been discovered in various
parts of the Province ; but the bird is now
extinct, having probably been hunted down
by the Natives for food. Other Wingless
birds, of small size, peculiar to New Zea-
land, are found, but have now become
rare. The mor rk, tui (or parson bird),
kouinako (or be] bird), and a number of
small parrots, relieve thesilence of the woods.
There are, however, but few native singing
birds. starlings, rocks, sparrows, and
other English birds have been introduced,
and are becoming numerous. The sea
teems with excellent table fish, the mullet
and schnapper bein especially esteemed.
Eight varieties of w ales, two of dolphins,
three of seals, and sharks, are caught along
the coast. Sharks are largely used by the
Maoris for food.
MINERAL Rrsounccs.
It is now many years since gold was first
discovered at Coromandel; and to the 31st
llI-ccmber, 1873, not less than 853,688
. of the precious metal had been ex-
ported from the Province of Auckland
alone. There is reason for believing that
the range of hills commencing at Cape Col-
ville, and extending in a more or lac con-,
nected chain across the Islmid, will be
found auriferous in localities as yet unex-
0
The coal measures of this Province are
extensive and wide spread. In several
places, large seams crop out upon the sur-
face. This is the case at the Kawalmwa,
W'aikato, and Whangarei mines, which
alone have been worked, and have already
yielded a large amount of good coal. Work
at the W'hangarei mine has been suspended
for several years, owing to the flooding of
the mine, which abuts on the beach. At
Kawakawa, the scam in the mine averages
124; ft. in thickness, and 100,000 tons have
been taken out. At Waiknto, the seam
being worked varies from 6 ft. to 1:3 ft.
lying horizontally, and yields a fine coal.
At W'hangaroa, a thick seam of pitch coal
has been found, but has never been worked
Brown coal has been found at IMatakans,
Drury, and Mokau. At Drury, this coal
was worked nine years ago, but the mine
was closed in consequence of the cost of
carriage at that time. Probably when the
Waikato railway is completed, the mine
will be re-opened. At Waiapu. Raglan,
Coromandel, Pareugarenga, Awhitu, Wham,
and other places, coal has been found.
Very large coal deposits exist on the West
shore of the F rith of Thames. An English
company is about to open a mine int-his
locality ; and the site being convenient for
shipping, the success of the enterprise may
be anticipated.
There are in the Province two sources
from which it is believed that a large
amount of iron will at some future day be
obtained. The chief and best known of
these is the ferruginous sand found upon
and near the sea shore. The other form in
which iron is found in this Province is the
ordinary ironstone. A sample of stone ob-
tained from a locality not disclosed has
been tested, and has yielded a very large
percentage of iron. The metal, together
with pieces of the. stone, was placed on view
in the Auckland Museum. The Province
has never been fairly prospected for iron-
stone, which is believed to exist in several
extensive tracts of country. Limestone 15
abundant in many parts of the Province, N
also is coal, so that these two principal ele
ments necessary to the reduction of iron 01:9
are readily obtainable. The iron trade 1!
one that will be largely developed in the
future, and which offers now a good 5
for the investment of capital. /


-
(-1
C
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. '
The Gold Fields.
About thirty miles eastward from Auck-
land, is the extensive mountainous penin-
sula named Coromandel. Numerous quartz
veins run through the primary rocks, and
it is in these that the gold is found.
Mining operations were commenced in the
creeks at Kapanga, where rough gold,
washed out of the hills, was discovered.
This deposit was of small extent. The
bills were then prospected, and mining
carried on with varying results, and it is
still continued. During the first eleven
months of 1873, 8,549 tons of stone
were crushed in the Coromandel (that is,
the Kapanga) district, and yielded 14,867
ounces of gold. The Thames gold-field,
situated on the same peninsula, further
south, was opened in August, 1867, much
later than Coromandel ; yet it has altogether
outstripped the previously-prospected gold-
field. The population in the townships
and employed in mining is estimated at
10,000, and the district yields an average
of 10,000 ounces of gold per month. The
right to mine is procurable by any one who
chooses to pay £1 per annum for that
privilege. The miner’s right thus pro-
cured, entitles a person to enter upon and
work any unoccupied ground within the
boundaries of the gold-field. There are
also good openings, for persons having a
practical knowledge of mining, in the tri-
bute system, under which mining companies
let portions of their properties to working
miners, the payment being a percentage of
the yield of gold. The richness of this
field is indicated by the fact that amongst
the pioneers the six owners of Hunt’s
claim, one of the first taken up, obtained
25.000.0unces of gold in a few days’ work.
The Golden Grown paid £200,000 divi-
dends in twelve months; and the_ Gale-
dcnian mine subsequently yielded ten tons
of gold in about the same period of time,
and distributed £572,000 amongst the
shareholders. Other mines have given
handsome returns, although less dazzlingly
rich than those mentioned. The gold-fields
offer great attractions for the investment of
capital and the employment of labour. At
the present time labour is scarce, both at
the Thames and Coromandel; and a sufii-
cient number of practical miners cannot be
obtained. The Government are taking
measures to open up new areas for mining
in both districts; and at Coromandel the
construction of tracks, or forest paths, has
been followed by remarkably successful
results, areas of promising auriferous land
being taken up along the line of road.
There is little doubt that the whole of the
peninsula from Cape Colville to Te Aroha
mountain, a distance of 120 miles, is more
or less auriferous, and will afford employ-
ment to a large mining population for an
indefinitely lengthened period of time.
Pornm'rron AND Parscrru. Towns.
The population of the Province of Auck-
land, exclusive of aboriginals, according to
the census taken in l87l,was 62,335. The
present population is estimated at 66,000.
he population of the city of Auckland,
with suburbs, is about 21,000. Secondin
population is the town of Onehunpa.
situated on the Manukau Harbour, six
miles from Auckland by road, which was
shown by the census of 1871 to possess
a population of 1,913 souls. Both the
Manukau and Auckland Harbours are
navigable for vessels of the largest ton-
nage ; but the entrance to the Manukauis
obstructed by a bar, and requires to be
approached with care. When caution is
used, however, the harbour may be entered
with perfect safety ; and it is mainly byi
line of steamers trading to the Manuknl
that Auckland maintains communication
with the Southern Provinces of the Colony.
These vessels come to the wharf at One-
hunga. Railway trains-run regularly be
tween the two ports. The Waitematahr
Auckland Harbour proper) is a magnificent
land-locked water, branching westwfird
from the Hauraki Gulf, and capable of
affording secure anchorage to hundreds ‘01
large vessels. The city of Auckland is bud:
on the south bank, on rising ground, azd
has a very icturesque appearance. _
wharf, 1,690 t. long, has been constructed
opposite the centre of the town. It afl‘orci
accommodation for vessels of very large ton-
nage, including the magnificent steam?rs
now employed on the English mail serum
arid San Francisco. A graving dock.
capable of taking in large vessels, istebe
soon commenced, and will greatly enhiiufE
the present excellent commercial facihtli>5
of the port. The Waitamata Harbour
extends fifteen miles beyond Auckland'
affording water-way to several country tricts, at present very thinly settled. EN“
one of these settlements, known as R1"?
head, a line of railway has been construe!Ed
by the Government to connect the We"?
mata with the waters of the Kaipam H3"
hour, an immense inlet of the sea on the
West coast of the Province north of?“
city of Auckland. This railway a to be
extended to Auckland. It will open W“
considerable area of good agricultural 11“


252
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Kauri Gum.
This is specially an Auckland product,
found in no other part of the world. Over
a large area of land which has been ex-
hausted by kauri forests in past ages, and
is now barren and almost unfit for cultiva-
tion, the gum that has exuded from the
dead trees is found at a depth of from 2 ft.
to 3 ft. This gum is an important article
of commerce, being found valuable for the
manufacture of varnish ; and it is calculated
that two thousand men have at times been
employed, in various parts of the Province,
digging it, there being no restriction placed
upon the right to dig on Government waste
lands. The great demand for labour in
other directions has reduced the number of
gum-diggers, but the trade still gives em-
ployment to a section of the population.
Its importance may be estimated from the
fact that in the last three years for which
the statistics are complete—namely, 1870,
1871, and 1872—no less than 14,276 tons
of the gum were exported, the va ue of
which amounted to £497,199. The Maoris
bring a considerable quantity to market.
The buying price of first-class kauri gum at
Auckland, in March, 1874, was £30 to £33
per ton. At that price, gum-diggers would
earn from 30s. to £4 a week, according to
the nature of the field they were working
on. The average earnings would, however,
be about £2 a week. The work possesses
attractions for many on account of its free-
dom, the labourer working and resting when
he pleases.
Phormium Fibre (New Zealand Flax).
There are scattered over the Province
numerous mills for the preparation of this
fibre, but in consequence of the fall in price
the quantity produced has lately diminished
considerably; mill-owners finding that the
present rate for good prepared Phormium
(£18 to £20 per ton) will not remunerate.
The chief cost in connection with flax-mills
is the motive power. The machines are all
locally made, simple of construction, and
cheap. The plant itself grows wild in
nearly all parts of the Province, and the
right to cut flax upon waste lands may be
urchased from the Government at a very
ow price. The building required for a flax-
mill need not be a large or expensive erec-
tion ; but it is necessary to have a good dry
store-room and a press for packing the
bales. The profits from flax preparation
depend in a great measure upon the situa-
tion of the mill, and the cost of getting the
green leaf to the mill and the prepared fibre
to market. Boys and women are largely
employed in these mills. The prepared
Pho'rm'ium, suitable for rope-making, ex-
ported from the Province in the year 1873,
was 1,497 tons, valued at £27,783.
Rope Making.
The manufacture of rope from prepared
Phorm'ium is now an industry of some
importance in Auckland, but might be
more entensive. In consequence of the
opposition of English rope makers to the
use of Pho'mmlum, or at least to paying for
it a price proportionate to that given for
Manilla hemp, it has been found more
profitable to manufacture the ropes here
than to export the fibre in bales. Auckland-
made rope generally meets with a ready
market. The cordage from Auckland
manufactories has been tested on Her
Majesty's war vessels visiting the port,
and has been highly commended; and
similar commendations from the ofiicers of
an American and an Italian war vessel,
which visited the port, have been pub-
lished. It has also been put to the most
trying tests in ordinary wear, and has come
out satisfactorily. During a late severe
gale at Auckland, it was found- that the
rope, when subjected to the same strain as
Manilla, remained unbroken, while the
other gave way. This industry is worthy
of the attention of practical rope makers
contemplating emigration, the cheapness
and plentifulness of the material being of
the utmost importance, while the market
in this and the neighbouring coloniesis
almost unlimited. During 1872, cordage
to the amount of 1,057 cwt., and in value
£2,406, was exported from Auckland.
There was also of course a large quantity
used within the Province or sent to other
parts of the Colony. Samples of Auckland
rope in common wear may be seen on most
English vessels trading to Auckland. A
cable of 12 in. in circumference and 120
fathoms long, was lately placed on board
the ship Hindostan, to order, and'shonld
be inspected by all interested while that
vessel is in London.
Soap Boiling.
This industry has been carried on so
successfully in Auckland, that foreign soaps
are shut out of the market. The local
soap is sold at from £22 to £32 per ton.
The dip candles consumed are also all made
in the Province. In 1872, the export of
soap amounted to 322 cwt. The article
produced is really of very superior quality.
Foundries.
The foundries of Auckland are amongst


PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.
253
its most important industries, giving em-
ployment to about 250 hands. The engi-
neers’ shops are furnished with steam
hammers, drills, planing machines, &c.,
and are capable of making very heavy
castings. Nearly all kinds of machinery,
engines and boilers for steam vessels, bat-
teries for crushing quartz, &c., are manu-
factured with expedition. The capital
invested in this branch of industry is
very large.
Distillery and Breweiies.
A distillery has been established at
Auckland, which manufactures a large
amount of spirits of all kinds and of ex-
cellent quality. The breweries are also
extensive, and do a very considerable
business. Breweries have been established
likewise at Onehunga, Thames, Coromandel,
Tauranga, and the Waikato.
. Furniture, Cabinet Making, &c.
The woods of Auckland Province are
eminently adapted for the manufacture of
furniture; and, timber being cheap, sub-
stantial household furniture, such as tables,
drawers, wardrobes, &c., is sold at as low a
P11c8 in Auckland as in Great Britain.
Fancy cabinet making also flourishes, some
of the native woods being eminently
adapted for that purpose. The bulk of
the furniture in use in the Province is
locally made.
Coal Mining.
This industry is one that requires de-
veloping, as there are many tracts of landv
known to possess deposits of coal, which
are yet permitted to lie waste. Some of
these have been referred to in the remarks
on the mineral resources of the Province.
The Kawakawa mine, at the Bay of Islands,
at present gives employment to from 80 to
100 men. New workings are being opened
up. The mine has yielded as much as
3.200 tons of coal in one month, and with
the new workings the yield will doubtless
be large. The demand is much greater
than the supply. The General Assembly
has voted £40,000 for the construction of a
ril-llw'ay from the mine to deep water, in
Order to facilitate shipments. A coal mine
at Whangarei, which was worked some
Yea-rs ago and was subsequently closed, has
lately been re-opened. Capitalists might
find a profitable field for investment in the
provincial coal measures.
Miscellaneous Imlustries.
In addition to those mentioned above,
the following industries have been developed
to a greater or less extent in Auckland,
and generally with considerable success :—
Manufacture of agricultural implements,
boots, biscuits (fancy and cabin) bricks,
bone-dust, baskets, bellows, bookbinding,
cordials, cooperage, coffee-roasting, drain
pipes and coarse pottery, coach building,
fish curing, glassware, (blown and moulded
only), hats, jewellery (chiefly with Colonial
stones and gold), flour, ovens, printing,
preserved meats, sauces, saddlery, sashes
and doors (by steam machinery), sugar
boiling, stone cutting, shirt making, tailor-
ing, tanneries, tinware, venetian blinds, and
other lesser industries.
Industries likely to be Profitable.
There are many industries not yet estab-
lished, which could not fail of success if
started on a proper footing. 0f the larger
and more important works we might men-
tion the manufacture of paper, for which
the Phomium fibre furnishes excellent
material. The extent of the local market
for the product of such a manufactory is
indicated by the fact that the value of the
annual import of paper exceeds £26,000.
Woollen mills have been successfully es-
tablished in Nelson and Otago ; and there
is a good opening for one or more in Auck-
land. The woollens imported into the
Colony in 1872 were valued at £123,283.
Discoveries of kerosine have been re-
peately made in the Province without, ex-
cept in one instance, any boring operations
being made in order to test their value.
Yet the Colony continues to import, yearly,
kerosine to the value of £45,000.
Vine growing and the manufacture of
wine might be carried on with a certainty
of a large profit by any one possessing
practical knowledge and the necessary
capital. The annual import of wine into
the Colony exceeds £74,000 in value. The
duty on foreign wine would be a protection
to the local manufacturer. The climate is
well adapted for the culture of grapes.
Tobacco of excellent quality is being
grown and manufactured on a small scale
eighteen miles south of Auckland, and has
roved remunerative. - This industry might
be advantageously extended, there being a
good local market, as is indicated by an-
nual imports valued at £57,486 for tobacco,
and £19,551 for cigars.
For the manufacture of 250 tons of beet
sugar in the Colony, the Government have
offered a bonus of £2,000 ; and as this root
flourishes in the Province of Auckland,
there is a great inducement for any
capitalist to embark in the industry. The
Auckland farmers express their willingness



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PROVIIN GE OF AUCKLAND.
257
\
the cheapness of land. Under “ The
Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1870,” or, as
it is more generally termed, “ The Home-
stead Act,” provision is made for the acqui-
sition of land .by bond fide occupation and
cultivation. Several blocks of land have
been proclaimed as open for occupation
under this Act, and there is yet much land
of good quality lying unproductive, which
will be brought within the operation of the
Act from time to time as the blocks now
open become settled u on. This Province
is the only one in whic free grants of land
are held out by the Government as an in-
ducement to immigration and settlement.
There is in Auckland a market for much
more produce than the Province at present
raises. The import of breadstull's at the
port of Auckland from lst January to 31st
October, 1872, amounted to 8,489 tons;
oats, 126,497 bushels; barley, 21,258
bushels ; bran, 14,795 bushels ; maize,
85,368 bushels. Potatoes and other pro-
duce are also extensively imported.
How to obtain a Free Grant of Land.
The course prescribed by the Auckland
Waste Lands Act for acquiring a farm, is
simple. Any person of eighteen years of
age or upwards is entitled to take posses-
sion of forty acres of land upon any of the
blocks proclaimed from time to time under
the Act, provided that not more than 200
acres can be held by any number of persons
living in one household. Persons desirous
of taking up sections must proceed to the
district where land has been thrown open,
and after examining the lots and making
their selections, they must lodge an applica-
tion with the duly authorized surveyor,
known as the Resident Surveyor, who lives
near the block. If no previous application
has been entered, the applicant will be held
to be in possession ; where two applications
are received simultaneously, the Resident
Surveyor decides by lot, in the presence of
the applicants. When a lot has been
secured in the manner described, the holder
must, at his own expense, get the land sur-
Veyed, and deliver to the Waste Lands
Ofiice, within six months after taking
possession, a correct plan of the selection.
Upon receipt of this plan, the Waste Lands
Commissioner issues a certificate, and after
three years’ bond fide occupation by the
Individual by whom the land has been
applied for, and one-fifth'cultivation, a
Crown grant will be issued, the occupier
thus becoming sole proprietor. If the land
18 brought into complete cultivation, a
CFOWn grant will be issued at any time
Wlthin the three years prescribed for the
right'by occupation. Provision is made in
the Act for the transfer of the original
occupier’s right at the expiration of one
year from the date of taking possession,
and also for cases of death; but claims
will become void—except in the event of
complete cultivation —unless the land is, in
each case, actually occupied for ‘the term
prescribed in the Act by the person to
whom the certificate has been issued, or his
substitute by transfer. Provision is made
for the purchase of adjoining lands at 10s.
per acre, when desired to complete a farm.
Government Land Sales.
In the remarks on the area of the Pro-
vince, there has been given an estimate of
the amount of land in the possession of the
Government. The general country lands
are usually offered by the Provincial Go-
vernment for sale by auction at an upset
price of 10s. per acre. Lots so offered are
sold to the highest bidder; but any lots
not then purchased remain open for selec-
tion for twelve months. Any person
desirous of securing a section of land may,
by applying to the Waste Lands Oflice in
Auckland, ascertain what lands in any
district have thus become subject to pur-
chase at 10s. an acre. The Government
are opening up roads throughout'the coun-
try districts as rapidly as possible, in which
process they are being aided by Highway
Boards; and these works have been a great
assistance to country settlers without ca-
pital, who have thus been enabled to earn
money for their support, while bringing
their own lands under cultivation.
Improved Farms.
Many farmers with small capital prefer,
and no doubt wisely, to purchase a par-
tially-improved farm, rather than go on to
waste lands and bring virgin soil under
cultivation. These may desire to’ know
what prospect there is of purchasing or
renting farms. Few persons care to go on
a rented farm when they can secure a free-
hold at a. comparatively small price. There
are, however, a few rented farms in the
vicinity of Auckland, which are held at
varying rates. Respecting the prospect of
purchasing improved farms, a better guide
as to price cannot be given than that fur-
nished by the advertising columns of an
Auckland paper of 25th March, 1874.
From a large number of notices of- land
and farms for sale, we select the following :
——“ Farm, 315 acres freehold, and 20,00"
acres leasehold, for ten years, with 60 ‘
of cattle, 900 sheep,'12 horses, fal
implements,six-roomed house and out‘
a


PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.
259
1 ' \
Shipwrights: Trade is very brisk, and
the standard rates of wages inMarch, 1874,
was from 10s. to 12s. vper day.
Stonemasons in demand, at 12s. per day.
Storemen : In country, 30s. and board ;
in town, £2 to £2. 10s. per week.
Servants (female) : General servants,
large demand and few offering. Situations
for many more. Wages, town, Ss. to 10s.
per week ; country, 10s. to 12s.
Tanners: Wages for tanners vary from
£2 to £4 per week; curriers, on piece-
work, from £2. 10s. to £4 ; labourers at the
tanyards, 36s. to 45s. per week. Tanners
and curriers readily obtain employment.
Tailors: Average earnings about £2 per
week, although some steady men cam up
to £4. Good cutters receive about £5 ;
tailoresses, 20s. -
Upholsterers are paid by piece-work, and
average 85. per day. '
As to other trades in general, such as
butchers, saddlers, plumbers, &c., it may be
said generally that the wages range from
£2 to £3 per week.
The common practice where rations form
part payment is to board and cook for the
workmen. The rations, therefore, are not
weighed, but full breakfast, dinner, and tea
are allowed, and fresh meat is invariably
included when obtainable. .At the East
Coast saw-mills, salt meat and poultry
irequently form the chief items of the daily
are.
Wages on Gold-fields.
The following rates rule on the Thames
and Coromandel Gold-fields :—-—
Mine managers, £200 to £500 per annum.
Per day: Good miners, 7s. 6d. to 8s. ;
truckers, 7s. ; blacksmiths, 10s.; carpenw
ters, 10s. ; foreman of shift, 10s. ; engine-
driver, 10s.; bracemen, Ss. 4d.; amalga-
mator, 9s. ; feeders, 6s. ; labourers, 6s.
Cos'r or Lrvnre .
_ The cost of food in Auckland is lower than
In Great Britain, and the labouring classes
use a much more generous diet. House
rent and clothing are, however, dearer.
The cheapness of meat especially surprises
the newly-arrived immigrant. The follow-
mg were the retail prices of provisions in
Auckland in March, 1874. Some'of the
articles are at times lower. Butter and
eggs, for instance, are sometimes sold as
low as a shilling per pound and per dozen
respectively; milk 4d. and 5d. a quart;
3911 potatoes, £3 to £4 a ton. The rates
Elven below are taken'at the dear season of
“19 year. Bread 3%d. to 4d. per 2lb. loaf :
milk, per quart, 6d. ; butter (fresh), ls. 6d.
to 1s. 9d. ; cheese (new), 8d. to Is. ; eggs,
per dozen, 1s. 9d. ; lard, 6d.; fowls, pair,
4s. 6d. to 5s.; ducks, each, 5s. to 6s.;
geese, each, 5s. to 6s. ; turkeys, 5s. to 7s.
3d. ; bacon, er lb., 8d. to 10d. ; hams, 9d.
to Is. ; salt utter, 1s. 3d. to 1s. 6d. ; po-
tatoes, 6s. 6d. per cwt. ; beef, per lb. 4d. to
7d. ; mutton, 4d. to 5d. ; pork, 6d. ; veal,
6d. ; flour, bakers’ price, 3d. er lb. ; fire-
wood, cut, 14s. 6d. per ton, de 'vered.
Wholesale Rates of Breadstufis and
Produce.
Flour, millers’ price, per ton, first quality,
£17 ; fine flour, household, £14 ; Adelaide
flour, £18; Canterbury, £12 to £14; se-
conds, £12; sharps, £7. 10s. ; bran ls. 6d.,.
per bushel ; wheat, Canterbury, N. Z., 5s.
3d. to 5s. 6d.; Adelaide, 7s. 6d.; Auck-
land, 6s. 6d. per bushel. Cabin biscuit per
1001b. retail, 22s.; maize, 7s. 6d., good
very scarce; oats, 4s. 6d. to 5s. per bushel;
potatoes, £5. to £5 10s.; hay, £2 to £4.
10s. per ton ; chafl", £6. 10s. per ton.
ECCLnsIASTICAL.
The founder of religious missions in
New Zealand was the Rev. Samuel Mars-
den, for many years principal chaplain of
New South Wales. He first arrived in
that Colony in the year '1794, and he died
there in 1838. At his residence in Para—
matta he was accustomed, in accordance
with his noted habits of hospitality, to
entertain Maori visitors—as many as thirty
individuals of that nation were on some
occasions observed to be guests of Mr.
Marsden at one time. He formed a high
estimate of the race, and was anxious for
their becoming civilized and Christians.
During his visit to England, in the years
1808 and 1809, he succeeded in making
arrangements for the establishment of a
New Zealand mission; and for that pur-
pose, on his return to Sydney, he was
accompanied by two persons who had
offered themselves for that service. The
massacre of the crew and passengers of the
ship Boyd, however, in 1809, caused the
commencement of operations to be post-
poned, the Governor of New South Wales
forbidding the principal Chaplain to ven-
ture on a visit to New Zealand. This
massacre occurred at Whangaroa, and was
an act of revenge or retaliation, on account
of the flogging of the son of a chief resident
in the district, who, with some other Maoris,
had undertaken to work their passages
on board of Boyd from Sydney to New
Zealand. The prohibition was removed in
1814, and Mr. Marsden then proceeded to
a
n 2


262
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.
Men’s Refuge; Old Women’s Refuge;
Women’s Home (for restoring fallen women).
The Auckland Dispensary is supported
wholly by voluntary subscriptions. .
House RENT.
Four-roomed houses in town, 6s. to 8s. a
week. Five-roomed cottages, 10s. to 15s.
per week, according to situation. Six
rooms, 12s. to 18s. per week. Rates vary
considerably, according to proximity to the
business part of the city.
Cos'r or Enncrnvs Corners.
Allotments in the suburbs of Auckland.
sell at from 5s. to 25s. per foot frontage,
with a depth of from 60 ft. to 100 ft. The
cost of erecting a substantial four-roamed
weatherboard cottage, lined and papered,
is about £150.‘ In country districts, the
price varies according to the-facilities for
felling timber. A four-roomed house, un-
finished inside, may, however, be erected
in most districts for £100. Many settlers
in the North have raupo houses (or whares)
put up for temporary accommodation, and
build permanent cottages at leisure. These
whares may be made tolerably comfortable,
and, if kept in repair, will last for years.
Thae6 Maoris will put one up for from £3
to 5.
Places or FARM S'rocx. '
The following are the current prices in
Auckland for ordinary farm stock, in sound
condition :—
Horses: Staunch draught,l£40; plough
horses, £18 to £25 ; hacks, £7 to £25.
Cattle: working oxen, £10. 10s. each;
stores, yearlings, £2 ; three-year-old steers,
£5 to £6. 10s.
Fat cattle : 25s. to 32s. per 100 lb.,
according to the season.
Sheep: fat sheep, in summer, 3d. per 1b.;
when near shearing, 41rd. per lb.
Half-bred ewes, 1s. 111. to 25s.
Long wools, Lincolns and Leicesters, all
prices, according to quality.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS For A SMALL
FARM’-
The follewiug is the list referred to in
our advice to intendin emigrants. It
comprises, we believe, a the implements
necessary, in the outset, on a small farm in
the Province of Auckland, and shows their
prices at the local ironmongers :—
1;‘. s. d.
1 light iron plough ... 6 10 0
1 set iron barrows... 5 10 0
1 scarifier 4_ 0 0
1 set whippletrees for plough 0 12 0
ldray cart... 16 0 0
1 cross-cut saw 0 15 0
1 hand-loom 0 6 0
1 American axe ‘ 0 7 6
2 spades 0 ll 0
1 mattock or pick... 0 5 6
Wedges, maul rings O 12 6
Seed drill , 0 16 6
Fern hook ... 0 4 6
Scythe O 5 6
Reaping and mowing machines, cheese
presses, chaff machines, corn mills, horse
hoes, pulpers, &c., are not required for two
or three years, and can be always bought in
the Colony at a slight advance on English
prices. All the implements sold are made
expressly for the Colonial market, and can
therefore be depended on as of the right
class. '
ADVICE 'ro In'rnnmuo EMIGRANTS.
A great mistake made by many emi-
grants, particularly those with a little
money arises from the supposition that
nothing can be obtained in the Colony,
or, at any rate, that everything is very
dear in price. Hence they expend a
large portion of their capital, and burden
themselves with goods which they find, to
their sorrow, are absolutely useless when
they reach their destination. A valuable
maxim for emigrants to observe is, “ Pur-
chase nothing you can possibly do without,
but bring your capital in ca"h.” Clothing
brought from England is very frequently
unserviceable in this climate, and English
agricultural implements are unsuited to the
requirements of a bush farm. Many per-
sons contemplating farming in the Colony
bring out a number of tools, which are
placed in the auction mart on arrival, and-
are sold for anything they will fetch, and
that is usually very little. In order to
show intending farmers what is required in
Auckland, and their retail cost at the local
ironmongers, we have given above a list
compiled and priced at the rates current in
‘Auckland hardware stores in March, 1874-
With reference to route, the most simple
and best is undoubedly by sailing vessel
direct. If an immigrant desires to take up
land, he should at once proceed to the
Provincial Waste Lands Ofiioe, and ascer-
tain the blocks open and terms of sale. The
Government Immigration Ofiicer will assist
him in any difiiculty arising’ from want Of
local knowledge. We wouldurge 1111011
r


INDEX.
267
Crown lands in Nelson, how disposed of ..Page 178
—‘ sale of, by whom regulated ............. .. 35










Crown Law Oflice 86
Crown Prosecutors .. 39
Crown Solicitors 89
Customs Department .. 89
Customs Revenue in 1873 ...................... .. 72
Deaths, number of, in New Zealand in 1873 68
Department of Justice ..-. ...................... .. 86
Depositors in Savings Banks in 1872 .. 44
Description of Province of Auckland 243
— of Nelson ............................. .. .. 176
—— of Wellington ............................... .. 185
Differences between the settlers and the Na.-
tives of Tar ' ............................ ..
Discount, rates of, in the Colony... 67
Distilling and brewing in Auckland . . 253
Distilling in Otago ....................... .. . 108
District Court Judges ................. .. .. 88
Domestic animals in New Zealand .......... .. 40
Drapery trades, rates of wages of, in Center-
bury .............................................. .. 136
Drunkenness, convictions for, in 1858 and
1871 ............................................ .. 56
Drury, Auckland ......... .. 248
Du Fresne, Captain, killed by the a 28
Dunedin, the capital of Otago
— High School for Boys ..
~— High School for Girls ..




— population in 1874..... . 100
—— School of Art ............... .. . 116
_ the “ Athens of the Sou 100
_ University .............. . . . . . . .. 116
Earnslau Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 96
Ecclesiastical affairs in Auckland 259
_ in Canterbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 142
_ in Marlborough .. 173
— in Nelson . . . . . . . . . .. 183
—— in Otago 113
_ 1n Taranakn. 238
—~— in Wellington ............................... .. 212
Educational establishments in Canterbury“ 142
__ in Marlborough ............................ .. 172
—_ in tago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 114
— — in 'l‘aranaki . . . . . . . . .. 239
_ in Wellington.. 213
Education in Hawke’s Bay ..
_ expenditure on, in Otag
statistics of .. ..
Egmont District ................................ .. 233
Emigration, regulations of, in anterbury... 150
English Constitution, the basis of that of
New Zealand ..................................... ..
English birds in Hawke's Bay .
_ flowers in Auckland
_ song-birds and game in Canterbury — song-birds in Nelson ...................... .. 184
European roots and vegetables, adaptability
of the climate to produce ............ .2 ..... .. ' 40
Exlpgolrlts for six years, ending December,




—~ from Canterbury in 1873 Extent of Settlement in Auckland .......... .. 247
Exterminating wars among the Natives Farm labourers, wages of, in Hawke's Bay. 223
Farm produce, value of, in Canterbury...... 130
Farm stock, prices'of, in Canterbury... .. 141
_ in Marl orough ..


- Queues-o-


_ in Nelson... 182
_ in'l‘arnnakL. 238
_ in Wellington... . 206, 210
— 1n Westland 1
Featherston, Dr. , 185
hemale domestic servants, wages of, in -
Hewke'sBay ...... .... 223







Female infanticide common with the Mao-
ris ............................ .............. ..Page 22
Fireclays in Canterbury... 133
Fisheries, importance of the. 40
Fish-curing in Marlborough 170
-—— in Otago ‘ 105
in Wellington ................. .. . 207
Fish, river, increasing in number . 40
Fish, sea, list of the varieties of ............. .. 40
Fitzgerald, Mr. J. 11., first Superintendent
of Canterbury .................................. .. 122
Flax and Hemp, culture of, in‘ Otago. 106
Flax, abundant in Westlnnd ........ .. . 159
—— in Auckland .............. .. . 252
— manufacture in Taranaki ..... .. . 236
—— value of, exported in five years . 64 -
Forest land in Hawke's Bay ........... .. 221
Forest trees, their valuable qualities . 40
— of Taranaki ....................... .. . 236
Formations of New Zealand 39
Foundation of Canterbury, the. 122
Foxton, \Vellington .......................... .III 189
Free grant of land, how to obtain, in Auck-


an .............................................. .. 257
Friendly Institutions in Otago. 118
Fruit, great variety of 40
Game, abundant in Auckland 246
——- variety of ...... .. _ 40
General Post Ofiice .. 87
Geological Department .............. .. 88
— formations in New Zealand . 39
Geysers in Auckland ................. .. 249
Glassworks in Otago ...... .. . 105
Gold, alluvial, where found ..... .. 37
-— extraction of, from quartz ........ .. 37
-— first discovery of, in New Zealand. 60
-— found in Westlan ‘ 157
— how obtained ...... .. 37
— quantity exported .................... .. 37
-— value of, exported in 1858 and 1861 60
——-1 yalue of, exported in five years ending
87










.............................. 64
Golden Crown Gold Mine .. 250
Gold-fields of Auckland. . 250
-— of Marlborough..... . 170 '
-— of elson ...... .. . 177
-— not exhausted . . 37
Gold-finding, different in o . 102
—- prospects of, in Marlborough. 170
Government Annuities Department .. 88
Government, form of, in New Zealand .... .. 32
Government land sales in Auckland 257
Government printing oflice ........ .. 88
Government schools in Wellington .......... .. 213
Grain and flour, average prices in Centerb 131
' Grain crop, number of acres under, in 187 68
— of Canterbury in 1872 ................... .. 126
-— of Otago, in 1873 ...... .. 103
Grammar School t Napier ...... ..
Grasses, high feeding quality of the .
Grey and Bell District's ...................... .. 233
Greyrnouth . . . . . . . . .. 157
Grey River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 157
Hamilton Mountain .. 95
Hnwxn's BAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
— agricultural productions ..
-— area of the Province ..
—-— artesinn wells ......... ..




—— attack by the No as n Napier .... .. 220
—— benefit societies.. .. 227
Cape Kidnappers 218
-—— charitable institutions .. ........... .. 224
-— Crown Lands, regulations r purchase 22!
-— discovered by Cook in 1769.... .. 21
—— general description ............. 2L‘


268
NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK.




Hawke's Bay Grammar School............Paga 227
— ecclesiastical affairs 224
— education .................................. .. 224
—— establishment of a Church of England
Mission .............. .. .. 219
-—- farm labourers, wages .....
— female domestic servants, wages o
—— first transaction with the Natives.
-——— forest land ....... ........... ..... ..
— industries


—— land open for sale ........... .. .. 224
—— land reserves for education. .. 227
-—— newspapers published in . 53
— popu ation in 1858 ..... .. 219
—— pulation of Napier . 220
—— ortland Island ...... 218
— provisions, cost of ......................... .. 223
— purchase of the land from the Natives 219
—— quarrel amen the Natives ............. .. 219
— resources of t e Colony ..... .. 220
-—~ Seandinavian immigrants —— sharp practice of the Natives.
— wages, rates of ................. .. .
—- wool, value of in 1873 ................... .. 222
Health of soldiers in the United Kingdom
and in Auckland. ............................. .. 244
Healthy climate of 'l‘aranaki ................ .. 229
Higher education in Canterbury, provisions 1






for .......... .. 45
Hokitika .. 157
Hop cultiva n 106
— in Taranaki ....................... .. . 236
Horowhenua District, Wellington . . 189
Horses, their number in 1871 69
— their rapid increase .................... .. 65
Hospitals and charitable institutions in
Canterbury ..................................... .. 147
-—- in Otago . 118
_- in Westland ................. .. 163
Hours of business in Canterbury.... 137
Houses, numbers of, in the Colony .......... .. 55
Hopse of Representatives, list of Members 85
o .................................................... ..
—— ower of 26
—— ow elected .............. .. 26
House-rent in Marlborough . 172
--— in Nelson ................. .. . 184
—- in Taranaki. 240
_ in Wellington. . 214
— in Westland ..... .. 164
Houses, cost of, in Otago . 119
Hunt's Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Immigrants, arrival of first, naki 228
-—— arrangements for ......................... .. 216










—— care taken of them on their arrival 77
—— extracts of letters from, to their
friends at home ............................... .. 77
_ free grants of land to those who pay
their passage-money ......................... .. 77
_ free passages to ..... .. 76
_ number of assisted ......... .. 77
_ number of in twenty years 54
_ regulations to be observed III the
hiring of, in Canterbury ......... .. 151
Immigration Department 88
Imports in 1872 ....................... . . 59
-_- for six years endin December, 1871... 59
Improved Farms in Auckland ........ .. 257
— in Wellington, prices of . 206
Inducements to Immigrants ..... .. .. 76
Industrial Pursuits of Auckland . . 251
Industries in Canterbury ........ .. . 130
— in Westland .................... .. 160
—— likgy to be profitable in Auoklan 253
_ of awke's Bay. .... . 220
Industries of Marlborough .... ..Psgl 168
of Nelson ' .............. ..
of Otago of .


lllll
of Wellington" . 206
of Wellington Ci . 187 1
rapid development of 60
Inspector of Stores’ Departmen

Institutions of New Zealand. 43 ‘
-— ofWellington City .. 37
Insurance mpanies in Canterbury ....... .. 151E \
Insurance, '
e, Government system of 40
Interest on advances, rates of 67
Introduction of firearms among the natives 227 l
Introduction of the telegraph 4T



Invereargill, Southland ........ .. 101
Iron-sand smelting in Taranaki ............. .. 236 Iron trades, rates of wages of, in Canter-1%
ury .............................................. .. 1
Island Bay fishery .. ‘2r17
Isthmus of Auckland . 247 ‘
Kauri gum ................. .. 2%;
Kauri ine, value of the ...................... .. ‘Zia
Kenda , Rev. Mr. , appointed first resident
m ' trate ....................................... ..


Labourers, advantages to, in Otago .. 119
—— advantages to, in Wellington .... .. .. 210
-—— wages of, in Taranaki ....... .. 237
— demand for, in Marlborough .. .. 171
Labour, kind of, in demand in Wellington 203
—-— required in Canterbury . 134


— required in 0 O ........ .. ..
Labour Market in Auckland. 253
— in Tamnaki .................................. .. 237
Labourers, advantages to in Canterbury... 141
Lake District of Aucklan 249
land and Building Societies in Wellington 215
Land available in Canterbury ................ .. 123
—— great desire to purchase .............. .. . 44
— for special settlement in Westland 155
—— in Wellington, conditions of sale of 204










— in Nelson, how leased ................... .. 174
-— for sale in Hawke's Bay .......... .. .. 224
— money from sale of, in Nelson —-— open for sale in Otago ............. .. — price of, in Westland ................... .. 153
-— purchase of, in Wellington, by de-
ferred payments ............................ .. 205
-_— qua 'ty of, in Wellington ................ .. 204
— regulations for occupation of, in Man-
chester Special Settlement .... .. 216
— revenue derived from sales .. 65
-— under cultivation in Canterbury 129
— under cultivation in Marlborough .... .. 167
-— under" cultivation in proportion to
po ulation ........................................ ..
Lan Laws of Auckland .. 254
— of Marlborough ........... .. . 155
Land regulations of Canterbury . . 127
-— of 0 .................... .. . 103
Land Transfer Office ...................... .. 33
Land Transfer System, explanation of the... 50
-— its equitable character ......... 50
Latest Statistics ............ . 68
Lawrence, Otago .............. .. .. 101
Leasehold Land in Canterbury.... .... .. 130
Lelather trades, rates of wages of, in Cantu" 186
ury .............................................. .. '
Legislative Council, how nominated . .. 2°
— list of members of .............. .. .. 3\5
Legislature, list of Membersof ............... .. 86
Letters, number of‘, received and dispatehed
by the Post Oi‘fice in 1872 ........... .. 45
Life Insurance, Government system .. 45
— its popularity ...................... 46


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