DU V860 THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES i '/,/. THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF NEW ZEALAND. A COLLECTION OF PAPERS BY EXPERIENCED COLONISTS ON THE COLONY AS A AVHOLE, AND ON THE SEVERAL PROVINCES. EDITED BY JULIUS VOGEL, C.M.G. J.-.-- . c S^;^. ■ ;^:/ LONDON: ^rintrt for tfjc ©obrvnmcnt oC iitb ^ralautt, fig WYMAN & SONS, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. 1875. toSDO^f: kd sons, piunteks, gkeat quees street, liscolk's-ins fieub, v.-.c. LIST OF PAPEES AND THEIE AUTHOES. 4o5 V- -0- Introduction Discovery and Early Settlement op the Colony The Native Kace Present Form of Government Climate, and Mineral and Agricultural Resources Animal and Vegetable Productions \ Some of the Institutions of the Colonv "^ Notes, Statistical, Commercial, and Industrial S - Latest Statistics The Editor Pafjeld The Hon. W. Fox, M.Ii.R. ... 17 The Hon. Sir D. McLean, K.C.M.tl., M.H.R., Native Minister The Hon. W. Gisborne, Com- missioner of Annuities ... 26 Public Works Department Immigration Department ... Official Directory... Dr. Hector, Colonial Geologist.. 35 Mr. Travers 40 Mr. Woodward, Public Trustee. . 43 Ditto 54 f Mr. Brown, Registrar-General... 68 I Mr. Batkin, Secretary to the Treasury ... 68 Mr. Seed, Secretary to the Cus- toms ... ... ... ... 68 Mr. Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works 75 Mr. Haughton, Under Secretary for Immigration ... ... 76 Mr. Cooper, the Under Secretary 85 I Prepared by Mr. J. McIndoe ... 92 ^^ the Superintendent of Can- \ prepared by Mr. W. M. Maskell 121 )N, M.H.R. I WESTL.VND.-Furnished by the Superintendent of West- ) prepared by Mr. J. Driscoll ... 157 land, the Hon. J. A. Bonar, M.L.C. 3 Otago. — Furnished by the Superintendent of Otago, Mr. Mac ANDREW, M.H.R. Canterbury. ^Furnished terbury, Mr. Rolleston Marlborough. — Furnished by the Superintendent of j Marlborough, Mr. Seymour, M.H.R., Chairman of V Prepared by Mr. A. Maskell ... 164 Committees of the House of Representatives. J Nei;son M N.-Fumished by the Superintendent of Nelson, ) p^pared by Jlr. C. Elliott ... 173 r. Curtis, M.H.R. ) WELLINGTON.-Furnishcd by the Superintendent of Wei- ) prepared by Mr. H. AndersO.v 185 lington, the Hon. W. Fitzherbert, M.H.R., C.M.G. j ^ ■' The Manchester "Special" Settlement Prepared by Mr. A. F. Halcombe 215 Ha^v'KE's Bay. -Furnished by the Superintendent of ) prepared by Mr. W. W. Carlile 218 Hawkes Bay, Mr. Ormond, M.H.R. ) '■ •' Taranaki. — Furnished by the Superintendent of Tara- ) Prepared by Mr. C. D. WiiiT- naki, Mr. Carrington, M.H.R. j combe 227 AUOKLAND.-Furnished by the Superintendent of Auck- f ^'l^^^'] assiSe°d by M'^ T-'w.' land,Mr.WiLLUMSON,M.n.It. p ^h^HV/? A Lkv.s. ' 213 CONTENTS. Discovery op New Zealand pp. 17-26 The early inhabitants — probably Malay emigrants — similarity of their language to that of the Sandwich Islanders— Tasmau, 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 coasts— 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 barrenness of the Islands upon better acquaintance — he tries to improve the condition of the islanders — he introduces the sheep, goat, and pig— the two hjst fail, but the pig rapidly increases— he plants several vegetables — his last visit in 1777 — P>.ev Samuel Marsden visits the Islands— the English Church Missionary Society founds a Mission at the Bay of Islands — commercial agencies established — a Eesident and a Resi- 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 Company— the Wakefield system— improvement in New Zealand since the first colonist landed— 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. The Native Eace pp. 26-31 Interesting character of the Maoris — their brave and warlike nature— their ready acceptance of the arts of civilized life — the agricultural settler now finds eager imitators among the Natives— rapid decrease in numbers of the aborigines — intending emigrants have been deterred from New Zealand by what has been written of former conflicts with the Maoris— that state of things has completely passed away— before the advent of Europeans intertribal wars were incessant — possessed of a certain degree of civilization, yet without a literature, the Maoris devoted their faculties solely to war, planting, and fishing- the dangers the first emigrants to New Zealand bad to contend with trivial in comparison with those overcome by the early settlers in America — traditionary account among the Maoris of their first arrival at the Islands— evidence in support of the theory of their Malay origin— the introduction of firearms among the Natives— Rev. Mr. Marsden from Sydney, lands in 1814, and commences to preach to the Natives— the spread of Christianity amongst them— Churches and schools built — general sketch of a Maori— the Ngapuhi tribe— the most important one, and the first to acknowledge Her Majesty's supremacy — Tamati Waka Nene, their late principal chief— his loyalty and friendship for the English— the New Zealand Government erect a monument to his memory- instance of the good feeling at present existing between the Natives and the Govern- ment—adoption of the European dress among the Maoris -general improvement among them in t*heir 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 cultivators— favourable reception of the railway system among them. The Present Form op Government pp. 32-55 The Government of New Zealand similar in practice to that at homo — the direction of afi'airs vested in representatives chosen by the people— qualification of a voter, and of a member of the House of Representatives — power of the Colonial Legislature — right of assent or dissent rests with Her Majesty — rare instances in which assent has been re- fused — Ministers must possess a majority in the House — division of the Colony into Provinces — the Local Governments— the leading characteristics of the British Constitu- tion preserved in that of New Zealand. 6 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Descriftion of Climate and Mineral and Agricultural Eesources of New Zealand jjp. 35-40 Dimensions of the Islands — their distance from England — their provincial divisions — mountainous character of the country- — extinct and active volcanoes— in the North Island the loftiest hills are not alvpays 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 — largo 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 Koot 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 of the Institutions of New Zealand pp. 43-53 Introduction of Savings Banks— and of Post-Office 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-Oifice — remarkable increase in its business — average number of letters to each individual — the increase partly due to reduction of rates — number of Post- Offices in the Colony — Mail Services by sea — Money-Orders issued and paid in New Zealand between 1862 and 1872 — commission paid upon them — Telegraphy in New Zealand — its rapid extension —the number of interprovincial 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 — the 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 lately built — while lodgment has been well attended to. Education has been still better looked after — Vital Statistics — Criminal Statistics — Convictions in 1851 and 1871— Imports and Exports — increase in the Exports of Grain, Preserved Meats, 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- land — increase in the export of Wool — important development of industrial pursuits — Land and Building Societies — comparison of the Imports and Exports of Victoria, New Zealand, and New South Wales — Table showing the Exports of Gold, Wool, and Grain from Victoria, New South Wales, and New Zealand — great desire to purchase land — proportion of land held to population — increase of Stock — promising aspect of the Collieries —Marvellous expansion of the Banking business — assets and liabilities of the New Zealand Banks — reduction in the rate of Discount — vast imj^rovement in the prosperity of the Colony to be expected. Latest Statistics y]). 68-74 Population of the Colony in 1874 — Death-rate in 1874 — comparison 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 — average rate of Wages in 1873 — average prices of Provisions and Live Stock "'873— the Customs Revenuj of 1873— Revenue collected from 1863 to 1873. The Public Works Department pp. 75, 76 Until 1873 Public Works almost at a standstill — passing of the Immigration and Public Work.<5 Act — impetus given by that and cognate Acts to Public Works, ;• trticularly Road-making— extension of Railways and Water-races for the Gold diggings. CONTENTS. 7 Immigration > jpp. 76-85 Aid given by the New Zealand Government to immigrants — establishment oi an Immigration Department — satisfactory results from its work— arrangements for the Immigrants on their arrival — number of Immigrants in ] 873 — their rapid incorporation into the various trades — specimens of Letters ftum the Immigrants to their friends at home — their satisfactory character. Official Directory i:>p. 85-91 Composition of the Legislature — the House of Representatives— Superintendents of Provinces— Civil Establishment— Colonial Secretary's Office — Patent Office — Department of Justice— Crown Law Office — Public Works OfBce — Colonial Treasurer's Office — Stamp Office — Audit Office— General Post-Office— Telegraph Department— Customs Department Native and Defence Office — Secretary for Crown Lands Department — Land Transfer Office —Registrar-General's Office — Geological Department — Printing Office — Inspector of Stores' Department — Immigration Department — Government Annviities' Department — Departments in the General Government in the Provinces— Customs — Postmasters — Commissioners of Crown Lauds — Armed Constabulary — Provincial Governments. THE PEOVINCES. The Province of Otago , .-. %'>p- 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— diiference 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 result of their exer- tion's, the opening up of the country by means of good roads and bridges — Immigration assisted — establishment of a line of Glasgow ships — bonus offered for a local steamship lino— introduction of Banking business — Spiritual affairs 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 exported from 1861 to 1874 — prices of Provisions and Rates of Wages in 1850, 1860, and 1873— establishment and rapid increase of Building Societies — Public Amusements- trivial character of the Criminal offences— geographical description o'f the Province — its healthy climate— increase in the number of towns — Dunedin, in all its arrangements well suited to be the capital — it bids fair to be the " Athens of the South " — Port Chalmers, the principal seaport — it has already a large ship-building trade — Oamaiti, the shipping port of the largest pastoral and agricultural districts of the Province — its facilities for sea- bathing—valuable character of its Flour— activity in the Gold-fields — 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 abundant and remunerative labour to tho skilful and industrious workman— Sugar-making from Beetroot specially suited to Otago— as is also the growth of Flax and Hemp — valu- able quality of the Native Woods — facilities for bringing the sawn timber to the coast — Gold found in almost every district — Coal equally ab\uidant — value of tho Building Stone — varied and extensive manufacturing interests of Otago — Flour Mills — preparation of Wool for the weaver — tho Mosgiel Woollen Factory produces Cloth of excellent quality — Tanneries — Meat-preserving establishments — Timber, Furniture, and Metal Trades — 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— largo 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 — toleration 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 thii-d — great interest in education shown by the Colonists — list of Educational establishments — Dunedin University— School of Art— success of Athenreums, Public Libraries, and Mechanics' Institutes— all Public Schools aro unsec- tarian — tho number of Pupils in 1872 — summary of expenditure on Education, 1872 — 8 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Hospitals and Charitablo 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 objections a man has to leaving his native land — in his new home he has none of the disadvantages and more than the advantages of his former life — useful hints to intending emigrants. PKOvmcE OP Canteebuey , fjp. 121-154 Foundation and design of the Colony — the Canterbury Association — difficulty in ac- quiring a suitable site— purchase of the land from the Maoris — surveys made and preparations for receiving the new settlers — arrival of the first batch of immigrants frcm England 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 Agricultiiral produce in 1873 — average yield of grain — energy displayed in road-making — powers of the Koad Boards to levy rates — owing to the character of the country road-making comparatively easy — the Industries of the Province — the climate of Canterbury similar to that of England — severe droughts and excessive rainfall have occurred but exceptionally — mean temperature — land regvilations — adaptation of the country for agriculture — free selection of land at a proper price — right of purchase — periodical land sales — waste lands may be rented for pasturage at low rates— land still available — laud 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 — Woi>l and Grain the two chief articles of production- — Quantities and Value of Exports in 187-j — average prices of Grain and Flour from 1869 to 1873 — want of skilled labour in the Colony — desirability of offering State assistance in promoting certain industries — Woollen manufactures — Preserved Meat and Fish curing — probabihty of Silkworm culture — Timber, and Timber planting — though Canterbury is not a well-wooded country some parts are densely wooded — Spread of young plantations — Mmeral 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 particularly in Agriculture and the Build- ing trades — rates of wages — Provincial Public Works completed and in progress — Railways — many projected public works would be carried out if it were not for the scarcity of labour — advantages offered to immigrants — Canterbury specially suited for small Farmers — owing to the mildness of the climate Stock 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 lands reserved for educational purposes — establishments and endowments for higher Education — foundation of a Public Library at Christchurch — the work of the New Zealand University in Canterbury — administration of the revenue devoted to Education — Hospitals and Charitable Institutions — Christchurch Hospital — Lyttelton Orphanage — the Limatic Asylum — the modern system of kindness adopted — Canterbury well supplicil 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 tho Immigrants — Law and Police — Commercial Companies and Associations — Miscellaneous Societies — successful introduction of many English song-birds by the Acclimatization Society — PubUc amusements— Summary of advantages which Canterbury presents to settlers. Province op Westland jjp. 157-1 04 Purchased from the Natives in 1861 — its geographical boundaries — regulations for the disposal of land — blocks set apart for special settlement — valuable agricultural ti'acts between the low-lying hills and the main range — Gold and Coal are both found in Westland — abundance of fish 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 exiaortation — rates of Wages in Westland — Public Works in progress — prices of the necessaries of life — the religious element — no State aid to religion beyond the reserved lands — means of Education — great uniformity of temperature. Pkovince op Maelbokough ])ij. 164-173 Its geographical position — area of tho Province— description of its physical geo- graphy — originally part of Kelson — made an independent province in 1859- present fc rm CONTENTS. 9 of GoTcrnmont— 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 valley to remembrance — districts of the Provr'ce — Land Laws — average price of Crown Lands — 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 indu, tries 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, Antimony, and Hematite have all been found,|though not in abundance — demand for all kinds of labour— rates of Wages — prices of Stock, Provisions, and Clothing — inducement to Immigrants — facilities for Education — the religious denominations in the Colony — advice to Immigrants. Peovince OP Nelson _Pi?. 173-181 Introductory — reasons for founding the settlement — Captain Wakefield selected to lead the expedition — difficulty in choosing a site — Port Cooper first thought of, but relinquished on account of the objections of the Governor of 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 — difficulty in obtaining sufiicient 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 tho Natives and Settlers— general description of Nelson — the Blind Bay District— rich character of its soil — improvement in the circumstances of the settlers — if this district does not equal other agricultux-al 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 Amuri 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 Nelson — the local Industries — great value of the forest trees — Nelson surpasses all other parts of New Zealand in minerals— prices of stock and provisions — Wages of labourers — nnsec- tarian character of education — success of Building Societies in Nelson — splendid climate enjoyed in Nelson — the Colony offers exceptional advantages to the better class of immigrants. Pkovince of Wellington i^i^. 185-214 Early history of the Province — originally a dependency of New South Wales — made independent in 1848 — genei-al description of the Province — its geographical boundaries — the city of Wellington — ships of any size can always find a secure anchorage in Port Nicholson — progress of the city — Institutions and Societies — the West Coast— description of the districts of Ngahauranga, Porirua, and Horokiwi — the land admirably suited for agricultural puqjoses — Otaki, a Church of England Missionary Station — the Mauawatu district produces the native flax in abundance — tramway through the bush — exportation of railway sleepers — yast quantity of valuable timber — Scandinavian immigrants— tho 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 gi'ound 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 Natives — beauty 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 — Nukumaru, on the site of a strong pa formerly held by the Native^, is now in a settled and prosperous district — the Confiscated Lands — large sections stiU waiting the influx of immigrants — pacific attitude of the Natives — general character of tho laud in Wellington— Conditions of Sale of Public Lands— what the unsold Lands are available for — Lands in private hands for sale — advice to immigrants with small means— chief articles of production 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, suro of plenty of occupation — rates of Wages — abundant dietary of the agricultm-al labourei- — Public Works in progress — advantages ofiered in this Province to agricultural labom'ers — consparison of their condition in Wellington to their former lot in England— prices of Farm Stock and of Provisions — Ecclesiastical organizations — there are already fifteen Churches and Chapels in the City of Wellington— all religious denominations are represented in the Province — Education — the schools are partly free, and aro wholly unsectarian — there are also some good private schools — Charitable Institutions — House Kent in towns — cost of erecting Cottages in the country— Building Societies — their successful oxierations. 10 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. The Manchester " Special ^' Settlement ^p. 215-217 Founded by the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation — an-ival from England of the first batch of immigrants — prospect of a highly remunerative result, both for the immigrant and for the Corporation. Peovincb of Hawkers Bay ^jj. 218-227 Discovered by Captain Cook in 1769 — first business transaction between him and the Natives — sharp practice on the part of the latter — Cape Kidnappers — origin of its name — after Captain Cook's time, Hawke's Bay but rarely visited by white 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 Napier — 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 of Education — introduction of English trees, birds, and fish — Land and Building Societies. Peovince op Taranaki ]3p. 227-243 Early history of the Province — origin of its name — warlike nature of its early in- habitants — visited by Captain Cook who named Mount Egmont — stranding of the Harriet — 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- racter — 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 from the sale of land — present and possible industries — as usual in New Zealand the forest trees are extremely valuable — building stone and coal are both found, besides several minerals — rates of Wages and prices of Provisions — the religious element — means of Education — in certain cases education is free — poverty and want all but unknown in Taranaki — rents of Houses— hints to immigrants. Province of Auckland x'P- 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— Coal 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 pursuit — the natural phenomena of the Lake Districts — the geysei's^the Gold-fields of the Coi'omandel 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 pursuits — the Timber trade — Ship- building — Kauri Gum, what it is and where found — preparation of the native Flax — liope-making — cordage has been made equal to that from Manila hemp — imlimited 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 Act" — 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 — Picligious matters — the P>,ev. Samuel Marsden founds a Church of England Mission here in 1809 — his high estimate of the Maoris — favour accorded to the missionaries by the Maori chiefs — establishment of aWesleyan Mission- it is badly treated by the Ngatipo tribe — Bishop do Pompallier founds a Ptoman Catholic Mission in 1837 — means of Education in Auckland— Charitable Institutions- House rent and tho cost of erecting Cottages — prices of Farm Stock and Agricultural Implements — advice to intending Emigrautt. Index , ^.205 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. -0-0^9^0 c MAPS. The South Island of New Zealand Page 92 The North Island of New Zealand 185 PHOTOGRAPHS. Martin Valley, Nelson "6 DUNEDIN ^J2 Ltttelton 1^^ PiCTON 1C5 Wellington 210 Napier 220 Parnell 249 WOOD ENGRAVINGS. Mount Egmont and Ranges, Taranaki 1-^ Sketch of a Maori Chief 20 Government House, Wellington '^3 Agricultural District, Shag Valley, Otago -^1 Supreme Court, Auckland 51 Court House, Oamaru, Otago 54 Gold Quartz Mining (>1 Panorama of the City of Wellington 84 Dunedin, from the Bay 97 Port Chalmers H^' Christchurch 124 Timaru 139 Skeleton op the Extinct Moa 1-15 IIokitika River, from the town of Hokitika ■ 156 Francis Joseph Glacier. From a Sketch by the Hon. W. Fox 161 Phormium^tenax, or New Zealand Flax. From a Photograph by Mr. Mundy 169 Panorama of the City of Nelson ^'''^ River Grey, from Greymoutii 1'^ Wanganui Bridge l'^~ Wairarapa Bridge 201 Suburbs of Napier 221 Panorama of New Plymouth 227 A Creek in New Zealand 231 Auckland , 242 Governor's House, Auckland 255 INTRODUCTION. IN 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, ns 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- tinctness 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 for wealth 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, Viut most of them independent accounts of separate localities. In editing these papers, the difficulty 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 supply clear evidence to the reader that there is hardly a Province in New Zealand, the residents 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 physical features, and in resources, whether mineral or agricultural. In "specialities," therefore, there is no doubt nuich 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 naturally induces imitation, and hence, perhaps, the exist- 14 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. ing industries may have become too deeply grooved. The fact that sheep and wheat have been so successful in the South, does not make it a necessary consequence that they are the most suitable productions for the North. Amongst the benefits an influx of population will bestow on the Colony, may be anticipated that of an impetus being given to new industries, suitable to the circumstances of the several parts of the Colony, but which in the early days were overlooked. Those who incline to make New Zealand their home should not form extravagant 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 famUy 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 congregated. Norway, for example, would not be ashamed of the fiords of the West Coa^ of the Middle Island: the glaciers there would also respectably contrast with glaciers elsewhere. The hot springs of the Lake district are more marvellous than the geysers of Iceland. It is a country with an immense extent of seaboard compared with its area, with splendid harbours, many, if not extensive, rivers, fine agricultural land, magnificent forests, and lastly, one which, besides possessing in abundance the key to manufacturing 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 penetrates its length and breadth, and railways are being constructed throughout it. In course of time, it nuist carry a population of millions, and every acre of available land must become valuable. Yet with the knowledge that this must be, there is so little capital, not required for industrial uses, that millions of acres of land are open to ]")urchase 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. It 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 earn- 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, 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. Again, in the Colony, against the public debt there is to be placed an immense and valuable estate in the land which stdl 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. ; making together £l. 17s. 4d. But taking the test of the average earnings of the population, the charge per head on account of New Zealand's total indebtedness, is computed to be 2"4 per cent, on the average earnings, while in the United Kingdom it has been computed at 28, 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 o the population. The Provin- oidl indebtedness is secured on the Crown lands, and these, at a moderate 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 Zealand, 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 average burden on the profits of the people may still remain unincreased. Whilst 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 information obtained from the Census as at the latest moment is procurable. Some interesting revenue returns are also given. It mil bo observed that the two great branches of revenue, the Colonial and Provincial, are alike increasmg 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 disadvantixge 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 dififerent systems, ifc may be observed that the object of them aU is to promote settlement, their framers holdings in many cases, distinct views as to the circumstances and conditions most likely to promote that object. It is important to remem- ber 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 difi"erences in the land laws arise only partly through opposite opinions as to what is most likely to promote settlement, and are principally to be set down to the different nature of the lands and the circumstances of the 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 deske 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 everj 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 fiuuily, whose passage is also paid. Two children are reckoned as an adidt. 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 thought that for aU persons New Zealand is a suitable home. It is a land of plenty to the colonist who can do work such as the Colony requires, or who can employ 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 sufficient justification for a voyage to New Zealand. Above all, let those be warned to stay away who think the Colony a suitable place to repent of evil habits. -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 fiiUings and weaknesses in a land of strangers : strangers, moreover, who are quite sufficiently impressed with the active and hard reali- ties of life, and who, being the architects of their own fortunes, have no sympathy to throw away on those who arc deficient in self-reliance. This 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 Mm to write and to introduce his sou, 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 JlOO a year till he could do something better. The young gentleman who j)resented this letter at once intimated that a loan of JlO 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 prodigals 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 difficulty that exists in keeping servants for any length of time, on account of the readiness with which they are able to get 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 appears 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. AU, however, who have a knowledge of New Zealand wiU corroborate the statement that this Colony gains a singular hold upon those who for anytime have resided in it. There are very many persons who have realized a competency, Avho 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 offers, appear to weigh as nothing with theni, 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 afflicted 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 \'iew of New Zealand ; and it is hoped that, in its pages, the merits and demerits of the Colony will 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 OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF NEW ZEALAND. DISCOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND : ITS THEN CONDITION, EARLY SETTLEMENT, AND PROGRESS TO DATE OP REGULAR COLONIZATION, 1840. NEW 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 immigrants, not indigenous ; and that when they came, 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 a 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- ence of New Zealand known to 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. In the latter year Captain Cook reached them, in the course of the first of those voyages of great enterprise which have made his name illustrious. Cook was a self-made man. He begau life as an apprentice on board a Whitby collier engaged in the coasting and Baltic trades — the roughest experience that could be had of the business of the sea, but an excellent school to make a practical seaman. But to be a mere practical seaman did not content Cook. After becoming a mate in the merchant service, he entered the Eoyal navy, and by strenuous perseverance and diligent use of leisure hours, he became an excellent mathematician and astronomer, and a skilful nautical surveyor. He 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 prosecute new voyages of discovery into the little- explored southern seas. Cook's ability was recognized, and, with the rank of lieutenant in the navy conferred upon him, he was appointed to conduct the expedition. The first of Cook's voyages of discovery began in August, 1768, when he was sent to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus, an astronomical event of great importance, B 18 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. which required considerable skUl and know- green, backed up by steep hills covered ledge to note in an intelligent manner, with lofty trees, and an underbrush of Having performed this duty, his instruc- velvety shrubs, arranged by the hand of tions directed him to visit New Zealand, of Nature far more tastefully than could have which nothing more was known than the been done by the Loudons or Paxtons of little that Tasman had told. After a run of the civilized world. Ship Cove, Cook's eighty-six days from Tahiti, having touched favourite rendezvous, was one of these at some other places, he sighted the coast of beautiful nooks — a spot where, as he ob- New Zealand on the 6th of October, 1769. served, if a man could live without friends, On the 8th he landed in Poverty Bay, on he might make a model home of perfect the east coast of the North Island. It is isolated happiness. To every Englishman, interesting to those now in the colony, or whose colonizing taste has been inspired by intending to go there, to know what appear- his boyish reading of Kobinson Crusoe — ance it presented at the time of Cook's (,and with how many is not this the case ?) — arrival. The aspect of most countries from these charming little bays seem to realize the sea is less prepossessing than their the exact idea of his imagination ; and if internal features, and this holds good of the he could be content to live as Robinson greater part of the east coast of both islands lived, with his little flock of goats, his of New Zealand. Portions of the west coast parrot, and his faithful dog, " the world for- of both, however, present views, from the getting, by the world forgot," these are the deck of a ship, unsurpassed in any part of spots where he would be provided with the the world. For instance, the hundred miles surroundings necessary to carry out the of Southern Alps, whose snowy peaks idea, and give him all that his fancy could pieice the sky at a height of nearly 14,000 paint or his heart could wish. While there feet, their sides clothed with dense ever- are large tracts of country in New Zealand freen forests, in the very bosom of which which present no pleasant feature except to e gigantic glaciers, and their base chafed the calculating mind of the sheep-farmer or by the resounding surf of the Pacific Ocean, the agriculturist, there are others, and they Then there is the stately cone of Mount are neither few nor far between, such as Egmont, rising near 10,000 feet, in solitary those to which we have alluded, which com- grandeur, from an undulating wooded pla- bine all the grandeur and beauty that can teau almost on the margin of the sea. delight the eye of the most fastidious lover There are also the stupendous precipices of of nature, the painter, or the poet. And Milford Sound shooting up sheer many much of this must have lain under Cook's hundreds of feet from an almost fathomless eye during his visits to the country, depth of ocean, frowned down upon by the The spot where Cook landed, however, snowy summits of the great Alpine range, though by no means repulsive, was not one while cascades of nearly 1,000 feet fall head- of the most inviting portions of this country long down their sides. These great features to look at. HiUs of no great height or remain to this day as they were at the grandeur, backing a moderate-sized flat at period of Cook's arrival. Nor has the general the head of a bay, whose horns were two character of the country, as a whole, been not very commanding white cliff's, did not much changed, in its principal features by afford a prospect either very imposing or the progress of colonization. More of it, very inviting. At the present time it is no doubt, was then in a state of nature ; the site of a very prosperous and flourishing but much of it is so still. Dense forests, European settlement ; but at the time of exhibiting new and beautiful forms of vege- Cook's visit it was all barren and unoc- tation, including the gigantic scarlet flower- cupied,exceptbya few Natives of unfriendly ing myrtle (one of the largest forest trees), character. No fields of waving com, no the graceful 'tree-fern, and the bright cattle luxuriating on meadows of the now eastern-like Nikau palm, clothed the moun- celebrated Poverty Bay rye-grass, drowsily tain slopes and much of the undulating chewing the cud, or waiting with distended lower country. Elsewhere, vast plains of udders for the milking-pad ; no hamlet, no brown fern, or coarse yellow and hay- church spire, no cottages with children coloured grasses, or big swamps bearing the running in and out, no sign of civilization,, farinaceous raupo and the native flax of the material plenty, or social life. It must country, the well-known Phormium of com- have required an eye of faith to see it as it merce. Then there was the feature with now is, and to believe that in just one which the voyagers, from their long visits hundred years it would exhibit the picture to Queen Charlotte's Sound, would be so which now it does. famUiar, — the little retiring cove, -with its The circumstances of Cook's first landing sandy or pebbly beach, its few acres of level were unfortunate. " We landed," he says, WM . ri; i!Hi!!i!t''t;'3 DISCOVERY 015' NEW ZEALAND. 21 " abreast of the ship, on the east side of the river, which was here about forty yards broad ; but seeing some Natives on the west side, with whom I wished to speak, and finding the river not fordable, I ordered the yawl 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 Avero 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 oflF 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 inusket 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 piece was fired, which shot him dead. When he 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 flight. At the report of the musket we drew to- gether, 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 1S.36. " 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 thunderbolt 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 difficult 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 impossible. Other collisions, attended with similar fatal 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, except a 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 diflicult 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 place 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 dealing. Whether any other method were possible, 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 ZEALAND 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, ftt 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." (Whately, 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 skUl 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, clubs, 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- sisted of those plants, of eels and sea-fish, rats, occasional dogs, wild fowl, and hniiian 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 any idea 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 in the bloody struggles which resulted ; the consequence being, as Cook observes, a habit of personal watchfulness which was never for a moment 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 daUy 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 daUy 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 stiU 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 01 life were such as theirs, and who DISCOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND. 23 lived within a circumscribed area, could long continue to exist. We do not believe that the advent of the pakeha has in any degree accelerated the inevitable event, perhaps the reverse has been the case. Cook did -what little was possible towards improving the condition of the New Zealauders. He tried, but failed, to establish the sheep and goat : neither long survived the attempt. He was more successful with the pig, which rapidly- increased, tUl, at the time of arrival of the colonists, nearly the whole Islands were found thickly stocked with wild herds, the descendants of his original importation. He also left the potato behind him, which succeeded well, and to a great extent sup- plemented the kumera, taro, and fern root. He also planted and gave to the Natives the seeds of other vegetables and garden plants; but though their remains may be seen in the wild cabbage or turnip, and some other degenerated plants, the Natives appear not to have succeeded in their cultivation. He also scattered among them a good many English tools and implements, and some articles of clothing, which, though no doubt soon worn out, gave the Maori a taste for European luxuries and necessaries of life. We can add little to the picture Ave have drawn of New Zealand at the time of Cook's arrival. Reference to the accounts of his voyages will supply, in a most graphic and interesting form, the details of the events and observations which space has compelled us to summarize. To those who may wish to know more of the Maori in his primitive state and earliest transition, we recommend Judge Maning's most interesting volume of " Old New Zealand," and his not less graphic description of the war in the North. A volume in the Family Library, published by Knight, entitled "The New Zealanders," contains an authentic and original account, written by a saUor, who was shipwrecked, and lived several years in the country, between the period of Cook's visit and the arrival of missionaries and traders, and will well repay perusal. There are nume- rous other publications, many of which will give further information. Cook visited New Zealand several times during his three voyages of discovery, and altogether spent 327 days in the country or circumnavigating its coasts. He quitted it for the last time in February, 1777, just two years before his melancholy death at Hawaii, in the Sandwich Islands. Within a few years afterwards New Zealand began to be occasionally visited by whaling ships ; but, with the solitary exception of the ship- wrecked sailor whose record is above re- ferred to, no European is known to have resided there before 1814, In that year the Rev. Samuel Marsden, Colonial Chap- lain to the Government of New South Wales, visited the Islands, and, under his auspices, and on his urgent representations, the Church Missionary Society in England established a mission, the headquarters of which were located at the Bay of Islands. From this time traders from New South Wales began to establish agencies for com- mercial purposes ; and individual Euro- peans, who were employed by Sydney merchants, or who traded on th€ir own account, laecame attached to numerous native villages, where they were treated with considerable respect, and regarded as the valuable property of the particular hapu or chief who had had the good luck to secure their residence among them, accom- panied by the various advantages which flowed from their presence. Then numerous whaling and lumbering establishments were planted by the Sydney merchants on the coasts of both Islands. These consisted of the very roughest specimens of the sailor class, of runaways from ships, or refugees from the convict prisons of Botany Bay. Alliances were contracted between these men and native women, from which sprang a numerous progeny of haK-castes. These whalers and sawyers had many fine charac- teristics about them : they were brave and hardy, pretty well disciplined in all that concerned their business, and many of them experienced in mechanic arts. Low, exceedingly, as' the morale of many of them was, it was yet above that of the savage ; and there is no doubt that, to a great extent, their presence tended to bring the native nearer to civilization than he was before. There were, however, spots of deeper darkness than the rest. As the whaling fleet of the Pacific increased, hundreds of ships made Kororarika, in the Bay of Islands, the only town or village then established by Europeans, the place of their periodical refreshment. Their crews, released after a long detention on board ship, plunged into the lowest dissipation, in which the natives became their partners, and the town of Kororarika, which had grown into a considerable place on the strength of the whaling trade, was at times turned into a veritable pandemonium. For proof that this is no exaggeration, we refer to the first of Dr. Lang's letters to Lord Durham (1839), where the reader will find the testimony of an intelligent eye - witness, and facts in detail, but which, bad as it is, scarcely re- veals so dark a picture as has been painted 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- office, 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 evU, and the choice between the two was offered to the Maori, as it has been offered to others aU the world over, and ever since the world began. The irregular kind of colonization which was thus going on was attended with innumerable evUs, 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 "Eesident Magi- strate," the Kev. Mr. Kendall, one of the missionary body ; then a " Kesident," Mr. Busby, But these " wooden guns," as the natives called them, were entirely without power, and the effect of their presence very little felt by either Maoris or Europeans. The Colonial Office 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 Britisli Government had Avaived, 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 American statesman, had proposed an organization in England for the purpose. But nothing practical was attempted tiU 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 land from 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 population as 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 high as to prohibit, for a considerable time at least, its purchase by the labouring man, thus DISCOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND. 25 corapelling 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 feUow-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 few 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 general 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 seaport of the old country : he sees shops, with plate-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 skiU ; asphalte pavements and macadamized streets leading out to suburbs thick with comfortable and even handsome mansions, surrounded by well-kept gardens, gay with brOliant flowers and semi-tropical vegeta- tion. Amidst all this he may, perhaps, in any of the towns of the North Island, notice a stray 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-guardSj 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 off ; and the aptitude of the native for trade and barter, and bis 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 tiU 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 capital. 3. New Plymouth, also founded by the New Zealand Company,in September, 1841. Preliminary expedition, August, 1840, 4 . Nelson, founded by the Company in October, 1841. 5. Otago, founded in March, 1848, by a 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. THE NATIVE RACE. A MONG the numerous races of men with ^M. 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 tlie 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 carefuUy 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 speeddy appreciated and propa- gated ; and when, with the influx of Euro- peans, agricultural implements were im- ported, he soon rendered himself familiar with them, and the plough with its team of bullocks replaced the old clumsy imple- ments. Whatever 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- THE NATIVE RACE. 27 tion such as these, and the spread of Christianity among the natives, which drew attention to the Maori race, and which have caused regret for the decrease of their numbers. How rapid that decrease has been, may be judged when it is known that in 1820 the Native population was roughly estimated at 100,000 souls, and that now it amounts to only about 40,000 ; 37,000 of whom are in the Northern Island ; the remaining 3,000 being found in the Middle Island. When coiL^idering the merits and attrac- tions of the colonies or countries to which population is invited, the intending emi- grant who inclines favourably to New Zealand is often deterred from giving further thought to this Colony, because of what he is told, or of what he reads on the subject of the Maoris. Their past savage life and customs — their old cannibal habits, and the fiery disposition which kept them for years at warfare with the Europeans, now in one part of the island, now in another —are familiar to the readers of the numerous books and pamphlets respecting the Colony. Such statements have been accepted as proof that all Natives are hos- tile, and that emigration to New Zealand virtually iheans settling in the midst of a barbarous population, always on the look- out for plunder. A statement of facts explanatory of the present condition of the Maori race will enable an opinion to be formed as to the correctness or otherwise of the notion that the colonist in New Zealand is exposed to danger from the natives. It is a fact that the Maori is warlike by nature. Before the appearance of Euro- peans in the country, intertribal wars were incessant ; and after the arrival of Euro- peans, various causes led to conflicts of more or less importance and duration between the white man and the coloured — conflicts, however, which never became a war of races ; for, whenever a body of natives took up arms, there was always found a still larger number who espoused the cause of their new friends, the "pakeha," or stranger. With regard to the fighting proclivities of the Maoris, and the prominence which has been given to them, there are two remarks to be made. In the first place, the Maori people, as found by the Europeans, were possessed of a certain degree of civili- zation, the remains, it is thought, of a higher state from which they had degene- rated. They recognized the rights of pro- perty ; they had a code of laws and honour ; they had a religion, with a dim idea of a future state ; and their minds were gifted with the power of expansion — that is, they could, and did, easily learn. Having no other way in which to employ their intel- lectual faculties, they devoted them chiefly to one art — that of warfare ; and but three occupations found favour with them — war, planting, and fishing. To find a comparison for the stage they had thus reached, and one which is to their credit, we need only look to Great Britain. The Ancient Britons stained or painted their bodies, if they did not tattoo themselves ; and they fought lustily amongst each other, until the Romans came and established colonies in their midst. In the second place, the promi- nence given to the fighting qualities of the Maori arises from his having been brought before the world after the newspaper had become part and parcel of colonization. We have not upon record any sensational telegrams, daily leading articles, or even weekly records of the dangers and diffi- culties overcome by the early settlers in America; though tradition and local his- tories inform us of numerous disasters, of wholesale massacres, and of defeats sustained at the hands of the Red Indians, before the white man could firmly plant his foot upon the soil. But with New Zealand and the Maori it has been difi"erent. The world at large, reading accounts of past troubles and present occasional disputes, and knowing little or nothing of the actual condition of the Maori race, has accepted it as a fact that perpetual strife exists between the colonist and the native. A simple account of the Maoris in past times is necessary to show the glaring con- trast between the man-eating chiefs of two generations ago, and their weU-dressed de- scendants, who not only have votes, but who sit in both branches of the Legislature. There is not any record as to the origin of the Maori race. Its arrival in New Zealand is, according to tradition, due to an event which, from its physical possi- bility, and from the concurrent testimony of the various tribes, is probably true in its main fixcts. The tradition runs that, generations ago, a large migration took place from an island in the Pacific Ocean, to which the Maoris give the name of Hawaiiki, quarrels amongst the natives having driven from it a chief Avhose canoe arrived upon the shore of the North Island of New Zealand. Returning to his home with a flattering description of the country he had discovered, this chief, it is said, set on foot a scheme of emigration, and a fleet of large double canoes started for the new land. The names of most of 28 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. the canoes are still remembered ; and it is related that the immigrants brought with them the kumera, the taro, seeds of the karaka tree, dogs, parrots, the pukeko, or red-billed swamp hen, &c. Strong evidence that there is truth in this reported exodus, is supplied by the facts that each tribe agrees in its account of the doings of the principal " canoes " — that is, of the people who came in them — after their arrival in New Zealand ; and that there is also agree- 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 fif- 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 those islands, migrated to New Zealand. There is some evidence in support of the alleged Malay origin of the Maoris, or rather there is evidence of de- scent from 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 reaping was known by astronomical signs, and each season was ushered in by festivals which were held when certain conjunctions were seen in the heavens. But now there remains only superstition, which promises success or failure 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 voyage in 17G9, and on his subsequent visits, Ca^jtain Cook learned the warlike character of the Maoris ; and in 1772, the French captain, Marion du Fresne, 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 Lun^ville, had put a leading chief in irons. 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 weapons. But gradually the supply of muskets 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 Europe — conflicts became rarer, and the slaughter 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 clergymen went through the land, and did their best to root out old superstitions, to substitute for them the teachings of the Scriptures, and to promote education. Gradually they brought about a marked 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 superstitions and beliefs, mixed with a creed perverted from the Old Testament, that Christianity among the Maoris received a blow. " Hau-hau " (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 up it and rebellion at the same time, although 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 present con- dition — not with the past condition of the small section of the race which was in THE NATIVE RACE. 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 Imperial officers, but brought to a close by colonial forces under colonial officers, 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 average English- men, but the leg bones being shorter, and the calves largely developed.* The skin is of an olive - brown 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, possibly from the amount of smoke to which they are exposed in " whares," or cabins, destitute of chimneys. The voice is pleasant, and, when warlike excitement has not roused him to frenzy, every gesture of the Maori is graceful. Nothing can be more dignified than 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 incongruous assembly. In bodily powers, the Englishman 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 most opposite and contradictory qualities are ascribed to them — that they are in a transition state. Some of the chiefs 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 village. The great majority have ideas partly European, partly Maori ; while a small section, professing to adhere to old Maori ways, depart from them so far as to buy or to procure articles of European manufacture, whenever they can do so. They are excitable .:nd superstitious, easily worked upon at times by any one who holds the key to their inclinations and who can infliuence 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 precedent. They are fond of such discussions ; for many a Maori is a natural orator, with an easy flow 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 and most liberal, and shamelessly mean and stingy. They have no word or phrase equivalent 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. During planting time, men, women, and children labour energetically ; but during the rest of the year they will work or idle as the mood takes them. When they do commence a piece of work, they go through with it well ; and in road- making they exhibit a fair amount of engineering skill. It has been already stated that the Northern Island of New Zealand contains a native population of about 37,000 ; but it must not be 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 Ngapuhi, which inhabits the northern portion of the North Island, within the Province of Auckland. It was among the Ngapuhi that the seeds of Christianity and of civilization were first sown, and among them are found the best evidences of the progress which the Maori can make. Forty years ago, the only town in New Zealand, Kororareka, Bay 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 English supremacy, yet, when subdued by English 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 Ngapuhi." Their leading chief died lately. He was a man to whom the Colony owed much, and who may be taken as a type of the Maori 30 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. gentleman of rank. Tamati Waka Nene (Thomas Walker 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 tirst 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 honourably followed. His funeral was attended by a 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. Durmg 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 to his memory. Since then, the Ngapuhi 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 Ohaeawae, then held by a section of Ngapuhi in arms, and the slain were buried near the spot where they fell. Recently, however, the natives, h± their desire to prove their friendship, have 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 Tslanrl. Mrmy of the roads are being constructed by native 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- 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 handsome and po wer- fully-buUt 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 they have had with Europeans. Among the Ngapuhi, 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 whare has given way to tlie 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, tC the ways of his fathers ; but poor or careless must the Maori be, especially if a THE NATIVE EACE. 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 CouncQ and the House of Eepresen- 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 aU 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- tions for schools. For the support of them, a sum is granted annually by the Legislature^ which has to be supplemented by the ■Nativeg, who give lands as endowments fur 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 ride 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 pupUs 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 stiU 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 or lease, it shall retain a suflSciency to enable 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 stUl held by the Natives, who are aiding largely in the opening up of the country. By the Maoris generally 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 difierence between the New Zealand No five as he now is, and the wild savage he is too often falsely represented to be 32 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. THE PEESENT 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 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 Responsible Government, which, for prac- tical 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 power is vested in the Governor and two Cham- 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 years, 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 for six months a house, in a town, of the yearly value of i>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, speaking generally, qualified to be elected a member of that House. There are, however, certain special disqualifications for membership, such as grave crime, bankruptcy, and paid office (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— and in a very few cases are required to be re-. served for the signification of the pleasure — of her Majesty. But there have not been, in the course of the twenty years since the Constitution was granted, more than half a dozen instances of disallowance or refusal of assent. The Legislature has also, with a few exceptions, ample power to modify the Constitution of the Colony. 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 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 province) for the elec- tion of a Superintendent, or (in a district) of a member 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 DESCRIPTION OF CLIMATE, &c. 35 of Law, Coinage, Postal Service, Light- houses, Crown Lands, &c., respecting M'hich Provincial Councils cannot legislate ; and on all other matters their legislation is con- trolled and may be superseded by any Act of the Colonial Legislature inconsistent therewith. Otherwise, Provincial Councils can legislate for the peace, order, and good government of their respective provinces, and can raise and appropriate Provincial revenue. The administration of Provincial government is vested in the Superintendent, sometimes with and sometimes without any advising or controlling Executive Council, and is regulated by Provincial and Colonial laws. Legislation concerning the sale and dis- posal of Crown lands and the occupation of gold fields is exclusively vested in the Colonial Parliament ; but the administra- tion of such laws, and the appropriation of revenues arising thereunder, are practically dealt with by Superintendents and Pro- vincial Councils. As a rule, resolutions passed by a Council respecting modifications of the land laws of its province, are given effect to by the Colonial Legislature, There are also, in most towns in the colony, municipal bodies, such as Mayors and Town Councils in England, invested with ample powers for sanitary and other municipal purposes ; and there are in vari- ous country districts elective Road Boards, charged with the construction and repair of roads and bridges, and with other local matters. There are also in each Province central and local Boards of Health, ap- pointed under a Public Health Act, and having authority to act vigorously, both in towns and in the country, for the preven- tion and suppression of dangerous infectious diseases. The above short summary of the system of government in New Zealand, suffices to show that the leading characteristics of the British Constitution — self-government and localized self-administration — are preserved, and in fact extended, in the New Zealand Constitution ; that there is ample power to regulate its institutions, and to adapt them from time to time to the growth and pro- gress of the Colony, and to its varied re- quirements ; and that it is the privilege of every colonist to take personal part to some extent, either as elector or elected, in the conduct of public affairs, and in the promotion of the welfare of the com- munity. DESCRIPTION OF CLIMATE AND IvIINERAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OP NEW ZEALAND. NEW ZEALAND comprises two large islands, known as the North and South Islands, with one of smaller size called Stewart Island. They are situated in the South Pacific Ocean, nearly at the antipodes to Great Britain. The islands form one extended line for a distance of nearly 1,200 miles, their gene- ral direction being towards the south-west ; but a straight line from the North Cape to the South Cape would not exceed 900 mUes in length. Their average breadth is about 120 mUes ; but no part is anywhere more distant than 75 miles — or rather more than the distance from London to Brighton — from the coast. Their area is nearly 100,000 square miles ; almost equal to that of Great Britain and Ireland. Their dis- tance from Great Britain is about 12,000 miles, and from Australia about 1,200. The North Island is about 500 mUes long, its greatest breadth being about 250 miles. Its area is about 44,000 square mUes, or rather less than that of England. The South Island is about 500 miles long, its greatest breadth being 200 miles, with an area of 55,000 square miles, or about the size of England and Wales. It is separated from the North Island by Cook Strait, thirteen mUes across at the narrowest part — a feature of the greatest importance to the country, from its facili- tating intercommunication between the different Provinces without the necessity of sailing right round the Colony if it was in one island. The North Island is divided into four Pro- vinces, viz., Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington. Taranaki and Hawke's Bay lie on the west and east coasts respectively, between the two more important Provinces of Auckland on the north and Wellington on the south. The South Island is divided into five c 2 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 aff"ording 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 aU 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 fiUed 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. Climate. 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 30°. 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 August in England, are the two warmest months in New Zea- land ; and July and August, corresponding to January and February in England, the two coldest, excepting in Nelson and Wel- lington, at which places the mean tempe- rature is lowest in June 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. Nel- 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 4 DESCRIPTION OF CLIMATE, . d. £. 8. d. £. ». d. t:. s. d. 1863 2 15 1,059 4,711 8 1 349 1,8J9 9 1,410 6,590 17 1 18H3 2,201 9,613 11 11 4,740 21,944 3 1 4,645 24,14i 7 5 11,586 55,703 1 5 Ibfil 4,2tJ7 19,427 1 4 7,700 35,741 6 4,625 23,388 10 2 16,592 78,556 19 6 1865 fl,2!)3 29,74i 15 1 7,756 33,426 11 5 3,188 15,406 17 2 17,338 78,576 3 8 188« 8,924 42,8i3 4 7 9,238 41,987 15 4,548 23,9H8 5 3 22,710 108,779 4 9 1867 10,293 49,498 13 ;i,242 40,998 14 n 4,938 25,115 5 1 21,473 115,610 13 188S 11,898 64,342 18 6 9,241 40,681 13 9 4,715 23,288 11 5 35,854 118,211 3 8 1869 14,3)5 63,897 1 10 9,263 39,939 8 « 4,859 23,381 14 7 28,427 127,218 4 11 1870 1K,821 73,344 U 9 9,624 41,472 3 7 5,419 25,637 12 7 31,884 140,454 7 11 1871 20,514 88,646 9 7 10,4'i7 41,197 IS 3 6,370 24,653 5 9 38,291 157,397 13 7 1873 Total 28,156 120,125 14 S 10,619 44,535 9 9 5,885 26,347 17 7 44,ti60 191,009 2 123,668 j 561,375 5 3 88,889 389,541 10 4 48,192 237,190 15 11 261,103 1,178,107 11 6 Money Orders Paid in the Colony, Year, Wh BRB ISSUBD. Total. In the Colony, Uu ted Kingdom. Australian Colonies. No, Amoant. No. Amount, No. Amount. No, Amoant, £. a. d. £. «. d. £. «. d. &. s. d. I8t;2 2 15 102 515 11 8 56 294 1 160 821 13 « ■» . ^ 3,067 9,169 4 6 415 1,824 8 658 3,077 13 7 3,040 14,070 IS 9 1864 4,243 19,417 10 5 675 3,274 2 2 697 3,776 1 7 6,620 26,487 14 3 1865 6,218 29,283 13 10 762 3,568 15 10 700 3,712 1 6 7,680 36,fi63 11 1 1866 8,888 42,768 10 9 1,100 5,021 14 9 917 4,753 3 10 10,903 53,513 9 4 1867 10,353 49,931 17 2 1,198 6,649 3 10 1,108 6,570 6 4 12,659 61,151 6 4 186S 11,903 54,349 8 3 1,401 6,502 3 1,294 6,685 1 3 14,598 67,536 13 6 1869 14,250 63,820 15 5 1,218 6,630 18 8 1,272 6,382 4 3 16,740 75,833 18 4 1870 16,798 73,245 8 3 1,1S6 5,523 4 4 1,267 6,055 6 11 19,221 84,833 19 6 1871 211,514 8S,593 3 1,396 6,217 11 5 1,318 5,914 18 7 23,228 100,724 10 3 1873 Total 27,983 119,676 1 2 1,504 7,078 8 8 1,459 6,803 15 3 30,948 133,558 4 11 123,222 550,268 10 10,827 50,805 13 10 10,646 53,024 14 144,795 654,098 17 10 These figures show that between 1863 (the first complete year of the system) and 1872, the number and amount of orders issued in the Colony increased nearly four- fold, and that in the same period the number of orders paid in the Colony in- creased tenfold, and their amount between ninefold and tenfold, the amount in the latter year being just nine and a half times as large as in the former. In the Colony, as in England, the amount for which any money order can be drawn is limited to .£10, nor can more than one for that sum be obtained in favour of the same person by the same remitter on any one day. The commission charged on in- land orders is 6d . for sums under £5, and Is. for sums exceeding £5 ; on orders pay- able in the Australian colonies, double the above rates ; and on orders payable in the United Kingdom, rates varying from Is. on sums under £% to 5s, for sums exceeding £1. For inland orders by telegraph, a commission of 4d, in the £ sterling is charged, besides Is. for the transmission of the message. Telegraph, This, which has been entirely the growth of the last few years, is now becoming one of the most important institutions of the Colony, and is entirely in the hands of the Government, Its commencement was due, partly to the necessities of military service in the districts south of Auckland, and partly to the impetus given to the Southern Provinces by the opening of their gold fields. There were enormous difficulties to overcome, the country being to a large ex- tent rugged and wild, while the Islands being divided by Cook Straits, rendered it necessary to undertake the laying of a telegr:;ph cable to connect them ; yet not- withstanding this, the work has been pushed on so rapidly that in July, 1873, the Telegraph Commissioner reported "that 2,35G miles of line had been completed, carrying 4,574 mUes of wire," The entire 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 mUes 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 sentwas5,791,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 Office was £770. Is, 4d. ; and deducting therefrom £289. lis. as fees for the telegrams sent, there was left to the Post Office £480. 10s. 4d., or rather more than £l. 14s. per cent, on the total sum transmitted. Wellington, Christchurch, and Duuedin, and their sub-offices, 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. Is. lid. per mile. Thir- teen new offices 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 cf«t of the signals, department, and main- tenance of lines, and charging the receipts with 6 per cent, on the capital expended (£224,580. lis. lid.), 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 17 "02 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 eqiialled 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 Office. 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 telegrau^s '^as less than 5^ to each 100 letters, or about one-eighteenth part ; but in 1872-73, 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. 'Jable showing the Number of Interprovincial Letters forwarded during the Year ended 31st December, 1872 ; Number of Telegrams despatched in each Province during the Year ended 30th June, 1873 ; and Proportion of Telegrams to every 100 Letters ; together with a similar Eeturn for the previous Year : — 1872-73, 1871-72. Province, Number of Letters, Number of Telegrams, Proportion of Telegrams sent for every 100 Letters. Number of Letters, Number of Telegrams. Proportion of Telegrams sent for every 100 Letters. Wellington Marlborough Nelson . . . Canterbury Westland Otago Southland Hawke's Bay Taranaki.., Auckland 418,842 62,813 202,150 421,092 194,722 755,430 95,795 101,741 48,748 577,039 105,372 15,851 52,376 73,071 35,137 126,368 21,935 21,497 8,721 108,632 2515 25-23 25-90 17-35 18-04 16-72 22-89 21-12 17-88 18-80 318,497 52,802 161,309 375,467 182,915 644,536 77,866 82,740 34,755 4S7,134 70,604 12,258 29,921 52,616 26,558 I 114,512 16,638 5,097 83,563 22-16 23-21 18-54 14-01 14-51 15-85 20-10 14-66 17-15 SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND. 49 1872-73. 1871-72. 1870-71. 1869-70, 1868-69. 1867-68. Total No. of Letters... 2,878,372 2,418,021 2,626,947 2,374,060 2,749,488 1,938,578 Total No. of Telegrams 568,960 411,767 312,874 185,423 146,167 106,104 Proportion of Tele- grams to every 100 Letters 19-76 1702 11-91 7-81 612 5-47 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 Avas 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 Id. 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 telegi'aph, 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 reach of the telegraph wires, without the inevitable delay required by the course of post. That this is a great convenience to the 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. lis. 7d. During the following year the orders were 2,485, and the amount, £11,332. Is. ; 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 pound sterling, besides Is. for the message), 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 idso bo sent to or through England from any telegraph office 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 Wales and Queensland in guaranteeing the interest on a sum not exceeding £1,000,000 sterling (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 Normantown, in Queensland, to Singa- pore. When this shall have been carried into eifect, 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 alaility and energy of the general manager, Mr. Charles Lemon. Having read in an English publication a paper by Mr. E. S. Culiey, 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 offices, 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 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. D 60 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. At all events, the arrangement may be said to have doubled the capacity of the Cook Straits cable. Land Transfer 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 1 870, 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 change from the old system, let it be sup- posed that a town acre had been originally laid 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, effected 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 well as powers of attorney, the non- production of any one of them rendering him unable to deal with his estate, and all requiring to be recapitulated, should he desire to seU 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 to be paid for his labour in investigating titles, and for his responsibility in 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- prietor 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 thenceforth 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 a further 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 sufi'ered injury through the issue of a certificate, may receive fair compensation. It is gratifying to add that no claim of this kind has been made in the threeyears 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 effected, 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, whUe 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 Office, 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 aU the requirements of the community. Public Trust Office. There is another institution peculiar to New Zealand called the PubUc 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) 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 Office Act pro- poses to substitute a permanent officer 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 wiU have ceased to act." The Act was brought into operation on the 1st of January, 1873 ; and by another Act passed in that year, 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 akeady 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 office ; 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, Avho 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 Public Trustee 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 officer instead of having the name of some person proposed, into whose fitness for the office the Court would have to inquire. It must he added that, for the protection of persons placing property in the Public Trust Office, the Colony is made ultimately responsible ; but at the same time, to j^re- serve the public 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 Treasurer and the Attorney-General of the Colony are members ; nor can any money be issued without the signature of one of the Commissioners of Audit. Newspapers. The following newspapers are published in the colony : — Otago. — Dunedin : Daily Times, Guar- dian, Evening Star, daily ; Witness, Southern Mercury, Tablet, weekly. — Oamaru : North Otago Times, twice weekly. — Lawrence : Tuapelca Times, twice weekly. — Tokomariro : Bruce Herald, twice weekly. — Waikouati : Herald, weekly. — Naseby : Chronicle, weekly. — Clyde : Dunstan Times, weekly. — Cromwell : Argus, weekly. — Arrowtown : Observer, weekly. — Queens- town : Wakatipu Mail, weekly. — Inver- cargill : Southland Times, Southland News, thrice weekly ; Weekly Times and News. — Kiverton : Western Star. Canterbury. — Christchurch : Lyttelton Times, Press, Star, daily ; 'Times, Press, weekly ; Illustrated Netvs, monthly. — Timaru : Herald, South Canterbury Times, thrice weekly. Marlborough. — Blenheim : Express, twice weekly ; Times, weekly. — Picton : Press, weekly. — Kaikoura : Herald, weekly. Nelson. — Nelson : Evening Mail, daily ; Colonist, thrice weekly. — Westport : Times, twice weekly ; Neios, 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. Wellington. — "Wellington : Independent, Evening Post, Tribune, daily ; New Zealand Mail, weekly ; Walca Maori, fortnightly. — Wanganui : Chronicle, Evening Herald, daily ; Chronicle, Herald, weekly. — (irey- town : Wairarapa Standard, twice weekly. H AWKE Bay. — Napier : Herald, Telegraph, daily ; Times, twice weekly ; Telegraph, weekly. Taranaki. — New Plymouth : Herald, News, twice weekly. Auckland. — Auckland : Southern Cross, New Zealand Herald, Evening Star, daily ; News, Herald, weekly. — Thames : Adver- tiser, Evening Star, daily. — Coromandel : The Mail, Neiv^, thrice weekly. — Tauranga : Bay of Plenty Times, weekly. — Gisborne : Poverty Bay Standard, twice weekly. — Waikato : Times, thrice weekly. Various denominational or special publi- cations, trade-circulars, &c., are omitted from this list. 54 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. NOTES STATISTICAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL. THE numbers and condition of the people Males naturally claim attention first. An in- Females complete return exists for the year 1843, from which it is estimated that the popula- tion in that year was,- Total 7,264 5,924 13,128 The following table shows the numbers at the end of each quinquennial period since 1851 : — Table showing the Numbers of the People and their Centesimal Increase for each of the following Quinquennial Periods. 1851. 1856. 1861. 1866. 1871. No. No. In ease. No. Increase. No. Increase. No. Increase. Males Females Totals 15,035 11,672 25.356 20,184 68-6 72-9 61,062 37,959 139-1 88-0 125,080 79,034 104-8 108-2 156,431 110,555 25-0 39-8 26,707 45,540 70-5 99,021 117-4 204,114 106-1 266,986 30-8 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 iii a subsequent part of this paper. It may be added that the estimated population at the end of 1872 was, — Males 162,404 Females 117,156 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 i^ew Zealand has continued to present inducements sufficient 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 21 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 * If the proportion stated by Mr. Domett * The census was taken in February, 1871. had been maintained, the numbers born in The numbers given in the preceding table the Colony would have been 67,970, instead are those at the close of the year. of 64,052. 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 : — Immigrants 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 bom in the Colony 64,052 Total 256,393 NOTES STATISTICAL, &c. bo at tho census of 1867 the proportions of 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 1871 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 nunierical increase of the population, for in 1858, out of every 1,000 persons nearly 310 were males between the ages of 18 and 60, while in 1871 (taking the nearest ages given, viz., 15 to 55), there were 364 males out of every 1,000. The wealth-producing power of the community had thus incresised 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 imderstood by observing that in the ten years ending in 1872 the population of Great Britain had increased just 8 per cent., whUe 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 mUes,* 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.f 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 wero 463 * These figures, and also those relating to New Zealand, are taken from "The States- man's Tear Book " for 1873, but it is sot stated whether any allowance had been made for portions of the United Kingdom which cannot be profitably occupied. t In 1872 there were rather more than four persons to each square mile, or 411 on every 100 square miles. inhabitants. In 1871 there were only 448* 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 diS'erent kinds in each 1,000 houses were as fol- lows : — 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 5) 3 „ ... 125 132 5) 4 „ 144 178 J' 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 difficulty in making comparisons in this particular, because, in 1858, the population was divided in the educational returns into those wlio 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 1 2 ; 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 bearing the same proportion to the half of those between 12 and 18, as the whole number attending school bore to the whole number of children and youths between 6 * Including ranpo buildings and tents. 5G 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 15), 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 Wales, 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 Eesident Magistrates' Courts, besides 1,418 convictions for drunkenness. There was, therefore, 1 person out of every 48 convicted of some ofi'ence, besides 1 person out of every 42 convicted of drunk- enness. In 1871 there were 144 criminal convic- tions in the Supreme Court, 18 in District Courts, and 6,824 in Eesident Magistrates' 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 dilferent Provinces : — Table showing the Comparison between Criminal Convictions and Convictions 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. Pkovince. 1858. 1871. Offences. Drunkenness. Offences. Drunkenness. No. Proportion to Population. No. Proportion to Population. No. Proportion to Population. No. Proportion to Population. Auckland Taranaki Wellington Hawke'a Bay... Neleon ... ) Marlborough ( Canterbury ) Westland... J Otago Totals ... 229 41 198 23 200 267 273 1,231 lin 79 1 „ 65 I „ 59 1 „ 66 1 „ 46 1 „ 34 1 ,.25 1 „ 48 737 35 373 57 185 31 1,418 lin 25 1 ,, 75 1 „ 32 1 „ 163 j 1 „ 48 j 1 „ 224 1 „ 42 1,758 93 527 81 419 77 1,434 573 2,024 1 in 35 1 „ 48 1 „ 46 1 „ 75 1 „ 54* 1 „ 68 1 „ 33t 1 ,. 27 1 » 34 1 „ 38 1,940 36 383 95 198 53 454 277 1,246 1 iu 32 1 „ 124 1 „ 63 1 „ 64 1 „ 114 1 „ 99 1 „ 103 1 „ 55 1 „ 56 1 „ 57 6,986 4,682 N.B. — For the year 1871 the numbers bers give the total proportion of offences to given in the census are taken, as that is the population as 1 in 37, instead of 1 in 38, latest detailed account showing the popula- as given above, the latter being the true tion of the diff'erent Provinces. The results proportion to the estimated population at are not strictly accurate, as the same num- the end of the year. * The proportions for Nelson and Marlborough, taken together, are — offences, 1 in 56 ; drunkenness, 1 in 111. t The proportion .=) for Canterbury and Westland, taken together, are — offences, 1 in 31 ; drunkenness, 1 in 8&. NOTES STATISTICAL, .fee. o\) There are no means at hand for com- paring these results with similar ones in England, but apparently the convictions in the Superior Courts in New Zealand are more numerous (proportionately) than those in England and Wales, the numbei's 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 and Industrial. The imports and exports of the Colony afford the readiest mode for estimating its commercial position, while the comparison of amounts at diflerent 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- port in that year were, apparel, boots, shoes, hats, caps, &c., £415,970 ; di-apery, 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 snuff, £77,474. The principal items of export were, gold, valued at £1,730,992 ; wool, £2,537,919 ; grain and flour, £118,733 ; kauri gum, £154,167 ; Phormium (New Zealand flax), £99,405 ; hides and tallow, £90,551 ; pre- served meats, £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 scarcely 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 stimulated 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 a§ follows : — Ships inwards Aggregate burden . . . Aggregate crews ... Ships outwards Aggregate burden . . . Aggregate crews . . . 775 300,302 tons 13,866 men 743 285,366 tons 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 : — £. s. cZ. Imports, per head 18 8 Exports, per head 18 5 Customs' duty, per head 2 18 Land revenue, per head... 1 16 Gold duty, &c., per head 8 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. 16a. £18. 8s. Exports £82,656 £5,107,186 Ditto per head of population ^£5. 15g. £18. 5s. Shipping — inwards 160 775 Shipping — outwards 157 743 Customs' duty ... £18,658 £813,278 Ditto per head of population £1. 6s. £2. 18g. Land revenue ... £616 £504,717 Ditto per head of population lOd. £1.163. Gold duty and revenue ... £114,055 Ditto per head of population ... 88. 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. 60 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. The first time in which gold was regarded as of sufficient 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 £40,000 was the pro- duce of New Zealand. In 1861 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 year gold was again discovered in Massacre Bay, 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 Eeed 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. In twenty years, that is to say from 1853 to 1872, the quantity increased from 1,071,340 lb., valued at £66,507, to 41,886,997 lb,, 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 witnessed a 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-miUs, 109 saw-mills (including, in many cases, sash, door, planing, and moulding works), 69 breweries, 22 boiUng-down and meat - preserving works, 3 brick 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-engines, of a power exceed- ing that of 3,000 horses, 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-harrows. The annual pro- duction of butter was 5,199,0721b. ; 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. The following tables, which were appended to the financial statement of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer for 1873, will show the relative circumstances of Victoria, New NOTES STATISTICAL, 6 502,861 519,182 208,682 218,668 226,618 237,249 248,400 266,986 £. 11,315,638 8,921,986 9,424,565 9,984,452 9,089,067 8,935,797 6,412,442 4,553,594 5,736,817 6,334,888 6,069,820 7,577,014 5,657,601 5,179,393 4,825,312 4,841,400 4,360,941 3,967,098 £. s. d. 17 11 5 13 7 4 13 15 6 14 10 12 10 9 11 17 6 14 17 10 3 12 5 13 1 12 1 14 12 27 2 3 23 13 8 21 5 10 20 8 1 17 11 1 14 17 2 Exports. Value. £. 9,433,473 9,972,333 11,697,893 9,539,816 9,103,323 11,151,622 6,057,585 4,834,505 4,878,344 7,875,577 6,302,577 8,048,426 4,396,100 4,479,464 4,268.762 4,090,134 4,544,682 5,171,054 Eate. £. s. d. 14 13 15 2 3 17 2 13 8 4 12 1 1 14 16 5 14 9 10 16 10 9 16 4 6 12 10 8 15 10 21 1 4 20 8 18 IG 9 17 4 9 18 5 11 19 7 4 New Zealand, including Aboriginal Natives (36,000 in Number at present). £. £. s. d. £. £. s. d. Year 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 „ 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 303,986 3,967,098 13 1 10 5,171,054 19 7 4 Average of Six Years. £. £. s. d. £. £. s. d. Victoria 696,027 9,611,917 13 16 2 10,149,743 14 11 8 New South Wales 475,533 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 in the Colony, and for Exports the produce or manufiictures of such Colony. 64 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Table showing the vahie of Gold, Wool, Grain, and other Agricultural Produce (including Flour, Butter, and Cheese), Timber, and Flax, exported from the Colonies of Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand, for the Five Years ending 31st December, 1871 ; with the Rate per Head of Population. AfiTICLES, Victoria. New South Wales. New Zealand. Value. Eate. Value. Eate. Value. Eate. Year 1867. Gold Wool Asricultnral Produce Timber Flas Totals Year 1868. Gold Wool Agricultural Produce Timber Flax Totala Year 1869. Gold Wool Agricultural Produce Timber Flax Totals Year 1870. Gold Wool Agricultural Produce Timber Flax Totals Year 1871. Gold Wool Agricultural Produce Timber Flax Totals Average of 5 Years. Gold Wool Af^ricultural Produce Timber Flax Totala £. 5,738,993 3,650,611 122,972 2,960 £. s. d. 8 14 5 10 7 3 7 1 £. 129,619 1,711,322 198,916 17,541 £. s. d. 5 9 3 16 5 8 10 10 £. 2,724,276 1,580,608 37,532 16,105 4,256 £. s. d. 12 9 2 7 4 7 3 5 15 5 9,515,536 14 8 3 2,057,398 4 11 10 4,362,777 19 19 6,629,465 4,567,182 194,350 8,024 9 13 9 6 13 5 5 8 3 125,293 1,879,751 264,277 12,707 5 4 4 6 11 3 8 2,492,721 1,516,548 127,704 15,653 8,137 11 6 13 10 11 3 14 9 11,399,021 16 13 1 2,282,028 4 17 9 4,160,763 18 7 2 5,363,759 3,235,091 58,983 7,552 7 10 10 4 11 18 2 309,053 3,162,522 296,562 23,159 12 9 6 10 4 12 2 10 2,341,592 1,371,230 142,307 22,338 45,245 9 17 5 5 15 7 12 1 10 3 10 8,665,385 12 3 8 3,791,296 7 16 1 3,922,712 16 10 8 4,891,781 3,119,899 99,898 1,003 6 15 4 6 1 2 9 386,930 2,741,141 165,894 22,037 15 4 5 9 6 7 10 2,163,910 1,703,944 183,472 18,323 132,578 8 14 3 6 17 2 14 9 16 10 8 8,112,581 11 3 10 3,316,002 6 11 9 4,202,227 16 18 4 5,423,687 4,287,011 75,924 6,733 7 8 8 5 17 6 2 1 2 *910,825 4,748,160 57,367 58,371 1 18 5 9 2 11 2 2 2 3 2,788,368 1,606,144 203,506 20,479 90,611 10 8 10 6 3 15 3 16 6 10 9,793,355 13 8 5 5,774,723 11 5 9 4,709,108 17 12 8 5,609,537 3,771,959 110,425 5,254 7 19 10 5 7 5 3 2 2 372,344 2,848,579 196,603 26,763 15 8 5 19 10 8 3 Oil 2,502,173 1,555,695 138,904 18,580 56,165 10 8 10 6 9 10 11 7 16 4 8 9,497,175 13 10 7 3,444,289 7 4 10 4,271,517 17 16 5 * The amount of Gold Coin produced in the Mint in Sydney from Gold received from other Colonies luia been deducted from the Total Export of Gold as shown in the Export Return of New South Wales. NOTES STATISTICAL, &c. G5 The returns of land in occupation, and of the various kinds of stock held by the set- tlers, 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 difficulty " 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 effect 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 :— Table showing the Revenue derived from Sales of Land for each of the Years from 1858 to 1873, both inclusive : — £ s. d. YearendingDec. 31, 1858... 147,539 9 2 Year ending Deo. 31, 1859... 223,564 3 8 Year ending Dec. 31, 1860... 195,447 1 3 Year ending Dec. 31, 1861... 284,727 1 6 YearendingDec. 31, 1862... 508,171 12 10 YearendingDec. 31, 1863... 381,568 13 Year ending Dec. 31, 1864... 593,222 10 Year ending Dec. 31, 1865 . . . 330,423 16 2 Year ending Dec. 31, 1866... 522,626 6 2 YearendingDec. 31, 1867... 276,690 7 5 Year ending Dec. 31, 1868... 173,215 4 Year ending Dec. 31, 1869... 115,587 3 4 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... 1,038,310 13 4 Total for sixteen years £5,371,190 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 £l 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| 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 7^ times. The proportions of the laud to the population, by which it was held, had also largely increased ; for in 1858 there were but -1 acres fenced, and 2^ acres under crop for each individual ; while in 1871 there were nearly 26^ 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 average for each family of 98j acres of freehold land ; while, including freehold and leasehold lands, there were for each family 118 acres of land fenced, and 18j 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 acrts 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 Colony are thus being turned to account, and it may be expected that grain and flour wiU 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 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 average rate of Is. 4d. per lb., and in 1871 at less than 10 jd. Thus, while the value had increased sixfold, 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 Is. 3d. per lb. The collieries are as yet in their infancy ; but promise to be of the greatest value before long. Eaihoads 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 banking esta- blishments that are doing business therein, 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 ibr 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 same time, but it did not do much, and is tclicved to buvo collapsed at a very early 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, in December, 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 amounting to £227,759. On the other hand, they had 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 lia- bilities at this date were £600,507, Os, 7d., and their assets £'848,955. 16s. Id. 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 exjDansion 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 five banks held among them coin amount- ing to £1,344,799, bullion £252,980, and Colonial Government securities ^157,600. Their notes in circulation were £701,439 ; they held Government deposits amounting to £990,244 ; other deposits not bearing 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. Is. lid.; and their total lia- 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 : — * The return shows the names of six, but one was io process of beioi; absorbed in another thut had purchased its butjineus. NOTES STATISTICAL, ic. 67 Table showing the Total Assets and Liabilities of the Banks in the Colony of New ZK.VLAND, in the Form prescribed by " The Bankers' Returns Act, lb58," for the Quarters ending respectively on the 31st of December, 1858, and the 3Uth of September, 1873. Assets. December, 1858. j September, 1873. Coined gold and silver and other coined metals Gold and silver in bullion or bars Notes and bills of other banks Balances due from other banks Landed property Notes and bills discounted Colonial Government securities Debts due to the banks Securities not included under other heads Totals £ s. d. 187,257 10 2,623 14 1 7,987 14 10 14,073 16 10 520,702 6 3 1,772 7 1 69,570 10 6 44,968 5 8 £ s. d. 1,374,799 2 9 252,980 10 29,417 9 2 290,087 1 10 144,108 19 10 2,216,896 2 5 157,600 2,817,162 11 8 480,694 13 5 848,955 16 1 7,763,746 1 11 Liabilities. Notes in circulation Bills in circulation Balances due to other banks Government deposits Deposits not bearing interest Deposits bearing interest Totals 86,026 2 3 33,212 19 6 74,244 6 7 179,264 7 2 227,759 5 1 600,507 7 701,438 15 10 40,639 17 169,327 9 8 990,244 1 2,431,782 5 7 1,411,916 7 1 5,745,318 15 3 The significance of these figures will become more apparent by observing some of the facts which they disclose. Thus the indebtedness of the community to the banks is shown to have increased from £635,241. 23. 5d. to £5,514,753. 7s. 6d., or nearly ninefold, but the indebtedness of the banks to the Government and the public for notes in. circulation and deposits had increased from £567,294. Is. Id. to £5,535,381. 8s. 7d., or almost tenfold. Putting these facts into another form, it may be said that in 1858 the banks had advanced to their customers £67,947. Is. 4d. out of their own capital, but in 1873, the whole of their advances did not equal their notes in circulation, and the money of the public deposited with them, by the sum of £20,628. Is. Id. This is a fact of great importance, as it shows that, so far as the banks are concerned, the whole business of the Colony is being carried on by means of its own capital, and not by borrowed money. It is also noticeable that the amount of the notes of the banks in circulation con- siderably exceeds that of the floating for uufuuded) debt of the Colony. Possibly some day the Colony that has the ultimate liability in respect to this note-circulation, may claim to have the profit also. The rate of interest on advances has been materially reduced within the last two or three years. Until then, 10 per cent, was the ordinary, or it might be said the minimum, rate, for much higher rates were often paid, the single exception being that interest added to accounts by the Supreme Court was fixed at 8 per cent. The rate of dis- count at the banks was nominally 10 per cent., but really 11 and l-9th per cent., as 10 per cent, interest was deducted from the amount of the bill. Bank discount has since been reduced as low as 5 per cent, (although it has again risen to 6 per cent.), and advances on real property are freely made at 7 per cent., and even 6 per cent, has been taken in exceptional cases. This has permitted many things to be undertaken that would have been impracticable pre- viously, while the public burdens have been lightened through the advantageous rates at which money has been raised. The reduction in the rate of interest hns operated most beneficially to all who are E 2 68 NEW ZEALAND 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 efiect) only a 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 im- ported from abroad, and the impetus that these again give to the increase of popula- tion, wiU all so act a'ad re-act upon each other — population causing production, and production stimulating the growth of jjopu- 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 MARCH 1st, 1874. THE population of the Colony (exclusive of aboriginal Natives) on the night of the 1st March, 1874, was as follows : — Province of Auckland 67,345 „ ofTaranaki 5,843 „ ofWellington 29,730 „ ofHawke'sBay ... 9,218 „ of Nelson 22,566 „ of Marlborough ... 6,143 „ of Canterbury 58,770 „ ofWestland 14,845 „ ofOtago 85,082 Chatham Islands, estimated for 31st December, 1SI73, as no census returns have as y been received ... br'l no I et f 299,542 Being an increase, since the census of February, 1871, of 4.3,291, or 16-88 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 per 1,000 persons living. The mean death-rate of England for a period of 30 years, viz., from 1838 to 1868, was 22-40 per 1,000 persons 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 Wales, of 65 years of age and over, was 46"2 per 1,000 of the population. In 1871, in New Zealand, the proportion of persons of 65 years of age and over was 10-7 per 1,000 of the population. The following table shows the deatli rate of some of the Australian Colonies for the year 1872 :— New 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 11-38 „ The European States average 1 death in 34 to 40 persons living. Russia averages 1 in 50. New Zealand averages 1 in 90. In the month of February, 1873, the number of acres in grain crop was as follows : — Estimated Produce : Bushels. Average No. of Acres. V."!"!;! = Bushels per Acre. Wheat ... 131,797 3,188,696 24 Oats ... 90,9.58 2,618,085 27 Barley ... 15/2GG 325,101 21j LATEST STATISTICS. 69 Estimating the wheat at 5s. per bushel, the wheat crop in 1873 was worth i/'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 iu February, 1874, so far as at present ascertainable, is given Province. 1873. 1874. Auckland 5,455 ... 5,190 Taranaki 1,428 ... 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 . 112,446 ... .. 120,009 Westland 13 ... 9^ Otago ... . 107,373 ... .. 119,163 The total number of acres under these grain crops in 1873, was 244,021, and in 1874 was 264,014^. The following figures give the estimated average yield per acre of the grain crops mentioned, in the various Provinces in 1873 :— Wheat 18J Auckland, bushels Taranaki ,, Wellington ,, Hawke's Bay ,, Nelson ,, Marlborough ,, Canterbury ,, Westland „ Otago „ 18^ 18 25J 13 17 211 29i Oats. 18i 18 20 20 17 20i 24 18 30i Barley. 17i 14i 16 24i Hi 18 19f 26| The average yield of wheat per acre in the undermentioned Australian Colonies In New South Wales, 1873... „ Victoria, 1872 „ South Australia, 1873 ... ,, Tasmania, 1873 New Zealand average, 1873 Bushels. 16-32 13-45 11-50 18-62 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- ficial grasses in the month of February of the years 1873 and 1874 respectively, was as follows : — 1873. 1874. Auckland ... 198,427 214,699J Taranaki ... 30,949 41,069 WeUiugton ... 250,211 270,679 Hawke s Bay ... 79,594 115,366 Nelson 38,735 43,650 Marlborough ... — 20,308 Canterbury ... 195,420 245,518 Westland ... 1,957 2,121^ Otago 170,958 227,985 The returns of Marlborough for 1873 are not given, as inquiry recently 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 : — Sheep 9,683,651 Cattle 435,877 Horses 80,477 Table showing the Mean Temperature, Maximum, and Minimum, of the Atmosphere in the Shade, also the Total Kainfall registered, for the Year 1872, at the under- mentioned Places : — Mongonai Auckland Taranaki Napier Wanganui Wellington Nelson Christchurch Hokitika Dunedin Queenstown Southland Temperature of Air in Shade. Mean Daily Range. Total Rainfall. Mean. Maximnm recorded. Minimum recorded. Fah. 62-9 60-2 58-4 59-7 56-7 55-8 56-7 53-6 54-1 51-4 51-4 49-6 Fah. 91 on 20 Jan. 90-4 on 3 Feb. 83-4 on 31 Dec. 940 on 6 Feb. 88-0 on 21 Feb. 830 on 22 Dec. 900 on 24 Jan. 95-7 on 24 Jan. 82-4 on 21 Feb. 88-0 on 28 Jan. 83-2 on 31 Deo. 85"0 on 18 Jan. Fah. 35 on 27 June 34-0 on 10 July 31-0 on 5 Aug. 300 on 16 Aug. 300 on 16 Aug. 315 on 16 Jane 25-0 on 27 July 21-5 on 16 June 27-4 on 15 Aug. 27-0 on 15 Aug. 21"5 on 15 .Tune 170 on 14 June Fah. 150 13-9 170 17-0 16-6 11-6 20-9 150 12-0 14-7 16-7 18-7 Inches. 46-900 42096 63-640 23-940 38-120 50945 78-610 19-741 123-210 27-393 28-880 o tan O 22s. to 35s. with board 55s. per week, with board 20s. to 30s. £55 to £80 £65 £50 to £55 12s. to 15s. 12s. to 16s. 12s, to 14s. 12s. 12s. to 14s. £60 to £100 303., with board 8s. to 10s. day, without board 303. per week 10 a t< 03 • ->3 • r^ 00 vo ira W3 ,2 "C ^ .p. 0-1 vo »« '2 • S cS c« c3 r o'O^ p ^ S 1: pi ft ft ^ <» 1 «« <« i u 03 ft 00 n3 §^ CC ^ dcD=t<«2 • • ft "-t . rd 03 -M : : ^ r-i r-i r-{ <-{ r-i ^ ;-i !h ^ o^©j2 : S g § CO i-l 1 ill - : CO r-l T3 1 rd n w 1^ TJ ^Ti SSoorororocooo PcS'^cS S^'+Ji-lr-lrHi-li-lr-l ^ ^H m.-m.-S OOinoQojinroin (mP-^P Crt<^r-lr-lr-lrHr-ir-< •^^ So ^;i^ .ja o,P (S CfJ oq ?l7;^ojtntD7i 10 t,-OT'03^^^"^OOOOC)0S S '^ l^ rrl CO 05 C)* „ a P d (N rH r fci ,2 -^ 0^00 ;:f g .d ^^^.^. S ."t; 00 ."S 00 CO 02 I-l 1-1 to S S^ •: : : 03 to 1(3 t* 1—1 : : a H '^*^^^-^ A m m m £ gro gO 050505 .a. ^Ss3-2 • ■ -"^-^ -2-2 «rt ft^ (M cq d 10 p 03 CO ^ DQ : : p : ^^3 -t^ : : 0) ; r-l . p, to "» m CO : : -a a 03 <1 a> 3 .... Ph 2 'O i^ TS T) f^cSo O'^??00 • • -W -O cons ft ;zi<:rt«rt':rt^,^^^^r^ m ^ r-l i-H iH !-H «0 M m I-l m I-l N ^ u ^ 2 a .0 ft_j3 03 "*^ d 03 a d pq i :-^ :^ : : : : i ; i : : : ^ :42 : : !h : : : : : ^ 5 1 : : ft : ■ c : : "^ : : : : : : :-S :a .^9 : : : : ■ '2 ■g5'^.-| • • ■ -o F & a £< -S S ^ ft.13 « fe Ph Pm cq cc 02 S P5 CC CO p: .■g : : : -0 ^ oT . • • 'S ."S ft - ® : : : "^ ^ „ : ft ra" -.2 ''S . . rM d . og ■ • ^-^ • ii^ ■ i"|l s~t d c3 02 C5 fei-q Pt, c3 d ,d c3 ^ ft ': ^ :S d 1 g^53 : d „.-^'-' g kJ rp P^ S .S ft ^ -S S c ^ d * aj g fe £ S'^ ^ g-^ a s » £ HI d S fl 03 iz; 02S P 02 CO t-i 03 P d •a d • a 3 3 •T3 O O M O r-l 0» l>«0 CO O O ^ CO S 'n '3 O ■>? -Ji i-< lO ^ 05 W « O T? O r-IO OiH rH ^ O O 9 05 g « _2 O O O O O «^ T? O r-l ^ a^ _ o . eiicD r-i oo o o o rH o CO o 2 o -n 3 ^o ooo o "^o ^ 6 o — ,■ ^ O O i-H O iH CO CO O CO .-1 O rH M w =^ M CO m M O 'T3 ^ CO o ^ o i-H o -H iH o -H ■* us o o o o -2 o o o oo O 3 "'^i 1^ MOSiH oo O oo iH O "5iH O TO ^ o ooooo^ *!o o 3 1 o " O 03 • 'rj^OlMOOOOGOOO CO g r^mo^'^'^'J'-^'-i^^oo ,^ r— t ^ri Hi O "^ CO « O M O O O O rH »o '^ o : _o _o ^ 3 _o o O O O O CO CO O C(?IBrHOOOOOiH O c3 S^^3<;^ OOOO O O OrH XI ti a o M O -« Hri-e< H« ■^'■» «!'» rgOCOiN(M005COCO O OOOOO'TCOitS^^OkOCOOO oJOrHOi-IOOiH-rJi O OiOOUiOOOOOOOO^JCOlO C^vft ,H O O O O O -1 O CO O O O iH O O O OOOOO O o 1 o _^ it3 00(N0OI>»aO W OOCfJCO Jt>«31>CO-r-C0O O OCOOOCO ^1> CO ■* rH CO M CO O wOMOOOOrHO i> O'^OOOOOOOOOOCO-tJIoo e^JiO rHO O O oo >H O 0>0 O O (M O O O O O O O O O O 1 O O . . rgOOC^iCOOOeOO O CrtO5rto5^M«0^WrHi0C5OO "—I (N . •OWOrHrHOi-HN O -So-S® — OOOOOOONOO '~* '"' ■ ^-^ • . u Ci3I>rHOOOOOrH O O O O ia S O O O O O O O O O rH \n CO ^ ^ ■73 ^ r§ ■TS o CO iH i> CO CO CO o CO ^ o ^ (S :^ -^ so CO lo CO rH w CO CO o \n o lo . o r o o o o o o o n ■000 O OOOOO^COiOT?-^rHiOOCOO wO'^OOOOrHOS O OOO-*»OOOOOOOOf0'f rH O O O O O rH O CO rH C5 O O O O O O O O O O O rH T3 3 -»1 r^gOOiMNOOSOOO O OOOOO^eOO-^eOrHiOOOO tiOiMOrHOOi-t(M CD o»ooc:5\ooooooooco-*o CfJ lO rH O O O O O rH O O O 00 O rH O O O O O O O O O O 'u O © Q) tt) -O O fl ^ ^ /3 rC ■ -^ : • • • -l-ilim-J ^ = ^ = ^ ^ ^ ^ cqpqcacqcqoOfeO i-5 a ^ « cq m H H ^ 72 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. CUSTOMS REVENUE, 1873. TABLE showing the Clstoms Revenue at the HEADS OF xtBVENUl!,, if 3 P O a -a p 9 a 1 3 3 3 be a 3 i a a 1 g .a 3 a ■3 a tm a a a "Si g "a! 3 u '3 3 12b. 63. 5s. 2s. 6d. 3d. 43. Is. 3d. Is. 6d. 3d. 5d. Id. 3a. 6d. 103. 08. 3s. 23. 6d. is. Is. 6d. is. 6d. 3d. 5s. Is. 33. 6d. 33. 2s. la. 3d. 2d. Id. id 308.' in 5 £ 51419' 4893 2889 21158 38 5366 2490 639 12857 1284 2 20501 27 138 185 12947 2762 2i.»76 555 13rt 1878 3H3 113 55 982 6 105 5H5 810 1437 104 3149 563 3263 43 25783 47 12081 £ 6502 102 488 1521 416 134 13 207 4 455 4 121 20 8 9 "io 1 "io '"7 8 17 36 326 1 265 £ 1043 29 177 "51 1 "17 32 1 "1 ... £ 155 417 ""e 70 3 ] £ 548 49 652 "53 "e 11 4 J. ""1 "5 "1 £ 62 49 13 is'o 1 £ 2695 207 43 685 168 50 190 3 306 3 18 "9 "3 2 5 '"a "1 49 285 16 £ 3493 101 66(' 1 204 25 349 685 1 1 6 186 50 31) 18 4 68 18 5 "23 "11 13 9 "25 5 16 451 158 £ 11241 64 131 2303 53 1116 276 1447 30 1 1834 6 ■■■ 7 168 46 3H 65 129 3U 10 1 160 9 4 31 77 145 lli 159 27 143 1619 6 ?98 £ 24434 170 1401 6618 74 4030 2569 67 5376 908 4 8683 25 50 56 5969 1(198 1068 430 209 1158 248 104 2 w u 3 *3 a ^1 a, 3 a W 0* IS s .a b' u a a a •3 p a 3 c a d £ s £ Quantities. c 3 a > "a 11 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 679 530 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 4«9 4(» mill 827 "is 1131 129 53 4148 117 38 56544 lb. 14136 11864 192 147 3926 4 2162 4782 4092 160 10387 36 158? 1036 14 26021 7 2342 850 773532 „ 20800 „ 90699 260 90792 376 "47 "21 1481 "723 2074 1265 "72 633f' 16 "835 360 8770 "866 193 181080 gals. 36216 33230 825 277 498 396 9 2066 115 46 3134 254 25 217280 „ 13580 12853 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 236628) lb. 59157 52907 414 78 153 233 1014 4 "'2 241.0 3 154 7 64792') „ 576 „ 6849 12 6095 64 8i 9 6320 1454 3373 3892 39 12473 46 1106 788 25316 3179 607 22842960 „ 95179 89251 1 17 5 53 22 7 708 No. 177 103 57 *■■ 2 "' 1 25 6:i 6S ... 164S0 lb. 412 437 32 2 3 11 82 "' 6 111 6 1050 cwt. 525 648 5 2 2894 222 956 1051 7080 328 106 20361 70( 241 218048 c. ft. : 54512 79351 33b 59 267 174 1132 4L 5 4241 91 X 70967 „ 1 1)0.45 16378 284 87 265 365 935 (■ ... 2783 123 24 66008 „ b251 10384 161 4 17 29 28S 22 8 915 43 3 27020 „ 2702 3286 168 2 ... 1 2085 136 230 1443 17:1 54 63960 „ 4797 7840 607 42 1.54 177 1831 3< 17 2912 126 K 183960 „ 9198 10693 50 5 4(= 4!- 20-1 g 4 593 38 3 672S0 „ 1682 2080 64 1 9 10 121 6 2 337 7 C4400 „ 805 801 1 4 4 7 4 24 6 1 516 cwt. 129 "264 32 131 81 1288 2! 15 1953 164 9 30885 „ 6177 6781 62 28 68 42 Ifi 4 23 24 1646 „ 288 608 21 7 5 45 '7 91 6 "'4 2380 „ 357 365 lOrt ""ifi 27 36 413 10 "3 57fc 32 3 21290 „ 2129 2513 2 282 27 63 60 "'] 11149 fif 2 2147 169 29 124560 „ 6228 63''7 132 25 102 16) 97( 16 17 2073 92 b 409520 lb. 68^.9 6958 7 2 4 134 13 48840 „ 407 658 194 "460 6' 8 1537 "'37 32 3374 177 "41 2968560 „ 12369 17366 193 31 101 390 221 3449 755 5 3O0864O „ 6268 8336 2 454 2 183 690 710 18G& 10 6 144 33 46.1.6 2354 418 15 24U „ 15169 2111 2071 "3 '"4 539(3 "840 2717 2248 "44 16547 '"3 1406 419 4S361 2533 215 127 07 3263 38 1 13 12 77 8 11 23 8 312 293 1 211" 707 1894 255t> 16 1019 6327 2 150 171 12906 823 90 41383 33803 910 754 40730 16186 39011 35292 126373 299 14678 9072 282964 25251 5440 13 965800 ... 7u6 707 31352 22303 40903 37370 1366 98074 21 11717 6452 225140 23064 4748 ... 813279 1 Excise Warehouse for mixing with New Zealand distilled spirits. imposed an ad valorem duty of 10 pev cout. iu lieu of them, from the 29th of July, 1873. W. Seed, Secretary and Inspector. 74 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. COLONIAL AND PROVINCIAL HEYENUE, CoMPAEATivE Table of Kevenue COLLECTED by the Colonial Government, for the Teji Years ended 1872-73. Ordinary Territorial Total Revenue. Revenue. £. £. £. Financial Year 1863-6-1* 706,683 3,352 710,035 Year 1864^65 .. 731,685 24,392 756,077 Year 1865-60 .. 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 35,500 1,155,410 Total 3 . 9,501,842 122,155 9,623,997 * The financial year ends on the 30th June. Eevenue Collected by the Colonial Government during the Nine Months ended Saturday, 28th March, 1874. Ordinary. Territorial. Total. 1st July, 1873, to 28th March, 1874 ... £1,009,874 £75,858 £1,085,732 Comparative Table of Revenue, Colonial and Provincial, for the Ten Years ended 31st December, 1873. Colonial. Peovincial. Total Total Ordinary. Total Territorial Colonial and Ordinary. Territorial Ordinary. Territorial. Provincial Calendar Years £. £. £. £. £. £. £. 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 941,532 9,612 142,234 735,657 1,083,766 745,269 1,829,035 1867 1,090,375 10,168 149,609 508,775 1,240,044 524,943 1,764,987 1868 9S0,(;83 7,335 121,939 417,988 1,102,022 425,323 1,527,9 i5 1869 1,U1•2,^^10 5,608 152,958 376,543 1,195,768 382,151 1,577,919 1870 970,121 9,611 148,222 327,539 1,118,343 337,200 1,455,543 1871 947,789 2,376 129,291 377,407 1,077,080 379,843 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 1 52,682 267,420 1,226,315 1,518,638 1,278,997 2,797,635 THE PUBLIC WOEKS DEPARTMENT. 75 THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. IMMIGRATION 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 Avanting 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 to mcur 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 telegraph works. The administration of these 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 becapie 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, namelj^ 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 consequently of the department in charge of that 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 horse traffic, 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 imder 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 5.50 miles of railway through- out the country. In addition to this, Parliament has sanctioned a further length of 360 miles, for which surveys and plans are rapidly being prepared. The whole of the above railways are to cost, when completed with their equipments, about £5,500,000. It is estimated 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 tlie 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 afford permanent employment for many thousand persons of all classes. It is not necessary further to particularize 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 portion of the Act. The Agency in England received fuU 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 officers was appointed through- out the Colony, whose duty it is to receive and care for tlie 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 cha,rge 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 necessary, bringing the emigrants to the port of embarkation 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 special settle- ments in the thickly-timbered country in the Provinces of Wellington and Hawke's Bay, and they are reported to be thriving and well doing in every waJ^ It is pro- posed to extend this class of immigration IMMIGRATION. during the next two years, as being eapeciiiUy suitable for the settlement of forest lands, of which there is a large area in both Islands. The eetiiblishment of special settlements in various parts of the Colony, where immi- grants will be assisted to obtain freeholds under a system of deferred payments or otherwise, is proposed in order to afford opportunities to men with families, whose means are moderate, but who are in a position to place some small amount of capital upon the land. " The Immigi-ants Land Act, 1873," has further provided in this direction, by authorizing free grants of land to the value of £20 to every immigrant and each adult of his family who after being approved by the Agent-General may have paid their own passages to the Colony ; such grants, of course, to be contingent upon actual residence on the location selected. The present position of the New Zealand immigration scheme may be thus summa- rized, — 1. Absolutely free passages* to the Colony with, in some cases, assistance for transit to port of embarkation, and outfit. 2. Reception of the immigrants upon arrival in the Colony by officei-s of the Government, and for a few days their housing and main- tenance in comfortable depots. 3. During those few days immigrants are rationed at public expense, and if they do not find employment at or near the ports, are forwarded to depots up-country. 4. Immi- grants nominated by their friends in the Colony are forwarded, if so required, free of expense, to the place of residence of the person nominating. The number of immigrants introduced by the General Government, under the Public Works and Immigration Acts, up to the 31st March last, amounted to 17,879 souls, of whom 7,738 were nominated by their friends. In bringing these to the Colony, ninety-one ships were employed, the average length of voyage being under ninety days. The immigrants introduced have been immediately disposed of ; in fact, the supply of all kinds of labour has been, and remains, inadequate to the demand. There have been occasional instances where artisans, having only know- ledge of one branch of a particular trade, e.g., " fitters," &c., from the manufacturing towns, have found a difficulty in accommo- dating themselves to the requirements of * It 13 not intended to continue for any length of time to give free passages. Shortly, the immigrant will probably be required to fT've a promissory note for the repayment of ttt least a portion of the cost of passage. the Colony ; and, as a rule, workmen of this class should not be encouraged to emigrate to New Zealand. Country mechanics, general blacksmiths, fiirm labourers, shep- herds, ploughmen, and female domestic servants are certain of employment, with good wages and comfortable homes. To illustrate practically what is really the state of things in the Colony, we print the follow- ing extracts from letters written by their friends to persons whom they wish to induce to emigrate. These letters, being upon forms furnished to the nominators and sent in with the applications, are forwarded post free by the immigration officers : — Extract of Letter from A. B. to William D., of Newington Causeway, London. Mr. D., — I am sure if you come to this Colony you will get steady employment at your trade at painting, paper-hanging, or plumbing. You could get 12s. a day, and as many places for your family at good wages. I should also advise Mary's husband to come out, as here is from 8s. to 9s. per day offered for men of his occupation on the railway. I do not know his name, so I cannot send him a copy. Yours, March, 1874. A. B. Extract of Letter /?-o??i DaxielH, to G. J., of Lambeth Walk, Lambeth, England. I MAY tell you New Zealand is the best part of the colonies for a poor man to come to, as there is plenty of work for industrious persons, and good wages. I remain, dear friend, March, 1874, Daniel H. Extract of Letter /rom George S. to Thos. S., of Flushing, Falmouth, Cornwall. Dear Brother, — You say you would like to come out to New Zealand : come, by aU means, and come at once ; the wages you would get here is more than double (from 8s. to 10s. per day), and living just as reasonable as in England. You need not be under any anxiety, as there is plenty or work for a good workman like yourself. I shall be glad to see and to entertain you. There are a great number of yoimg fellows at Flushing who would do well out here instead of half starving at home. You can try to induce them to come with you, and as many respectable females as you can possibly get. They can all come by the same apphcation and by the same ship as you would come by. Hoping in a short time to see you out, Yours affectionatelv, March, 1874. G. S. NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. When you write to the Agent-Geueral, 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 £b to get to ship from Flushing. Extract of Letter/rom James M. to Martha F., of Paisley, Scotland. Dear Martha, — 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 /rom Charles McN., Boot- maker, Christchurch, to John S., Gates- head-on-Tyne, England. \Oth December, 1873. Dear John, — I have this day nominated you and your famUy 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 £lb 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 is very smart, of course ; her hours of work are from half-past 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ; and you could depend on getting from 50s. to GOs. 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 comfo.vts 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 arc much shorter, being from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another, schooling for childi'en 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 l^ayments 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 woidd 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 passaige 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 Mart 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, Is. per dozen. Ham, 6d. to lOd. per lb. Clothing reasonable enough. Tradesmen of all kinda 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. li., I have no doubt, if you should re- IMMIGRATION". •'J quire, would 'write for you to tho Agent in London. 1 am, dear Uncle and Aunt, Your ever fond Niece, Mary G. P.S. — I have sent for my father, mother, sisters, and brother, the same time as I did for you, that you may be together. I have also sent for Patrick C, ■wife, and family, who will do well here. Copy of Letter from Jeremiah R., of Can- terbury, N.Z., to Bessie p'., of Coolatin, County Wicklow, Ireland. Sth December, 1873. This is a very good country for all that are inclined to get on. You will get from £20 to £25 a year, and when you wish to marry, you will have no difficulty in getting a husband. I like the country very well. I am sure if the people of Ireland knew what a fine coimtry it is, many would come out. I got employment at once at £1 per weel?> 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 difficulty in getting out by Avriting. I think it will cost you £1 for outfit. Copy of Letter /rom Jesse W., Canterbury, New Zealand, to Daniel W., Briuklow, near Coventry, Warwickshire. I3th January, 1874. Dear 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 every week 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. Jesse W. Letter from Rev. M. L. C. to Charles A., of Gloucester Street, Commercial Road, E., London. I2th January, 1874. Take a few hundred young men aud women with you, particularly carpenters and tradespeople, or farmers with a little money. We 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 Agnes P., to Charles 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 got a free passage on applying as directed above. Extract of Letter from A. M. to Thomas M., of Shetland. 18th January, 1874. I invite you all to come out here ; we are getting fine wages. The country is fine and healthy. Wages are — for labourers, 8s. a day ; carpenters, 12s. ; blacksmiths, 10s. to 15s, ; shoemakers, £'i 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 /roi7i Jemima S. to Mart C. H., of Shetland. ISth 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 fiimily, 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 153. and even 20s. From the Southland Times. Copy of a Letter from Richard Golding, an immigrant by ship Scimitar, to the Barrack Slaster, Immigration Depot, In- vercargUl. Dear Sir, — 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 good wages, and a good home to go to. On 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 uiinuto we came to the depot. I can 80 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 my fellow- immigrants for your never-tiring kindness 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, R.A. ; Major Dickson, M.P. for Dover ; the Earl of Gilford, Lady Cock- bourne, 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 eight hours' work. I have myself left a good 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 iu life to come here. The above-named gentlemen wiQ 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, &c., Richard Golding. 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 spoils them— old ones will do very weU ; also 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 have her own bag, which you will be allowed to keep in your berth, and you will get to them when you like. Let the boxes be properly addressed, and stitch an ad- dress on each of the bags. You should have a small box for three shilUna 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 £,'ood 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 stUl, for there is always some scan- dal and bother going on : so be advised, and keep by yourselves on the voyage. I forgot 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 frocks to wear in the tropics. You would need three, which you can have in your box, as you will get them out, there being a general turn-out of boxes to let the people 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 to 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. Since 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 ofier- ing free passages to all who can pass the selection. We do not want paupers or IMMIGKATION. 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,' came 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 Avere 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 engaged at 10s. The climate seemed to strike them. One also remarked, ' How clean aU 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 England and Scotland, must ob- serve a marked 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 poverty are not to be seen. It is undoubtedly pleasing to see the tidy smartness of the young women, married and single. People 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 difficulties. Here, things are taken more naturally. As regards immigration, I enclose a summary of wages ofi'ered to artizans and others, from a local paper." The following Letter, written by Mr. Johjt Fraser, of Christchurch, in the Province of Canterbury, is copied from an Edinburgh paper, the Dai/?/ JSevieio, of 11th Dec. 1873. Sir,— 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 giving a brief account of the manner in which those who came here with me three months ago were treated by the imndgration authorities, both throughout the voyage from England and on our arrival here ; ako by briefly alluding to the prospects and inducements held out in this Colony for immigrants, and by comparing these vrith what is to be met with in the IJnited 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 ail 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 whereby I had every opportunity to see and know the 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 chartered 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 sufficient 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 mLxture 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 other arrange- 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 injuries sustained by the passengers and crew when our ship was disabled in the Bay of Biscay. After the usual inconveniences of a long confinement on board ship, we arrived at 82 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. the port of Lyttelton, Canterbury, in the latter end of June (the middle of winter here), and as "we had fever on board were very properly and to our advantage ordered into quarantine, on Ripa Island, where we were received with great kindness by the master and matron, Mr, and Mrs. Plumber. We spent the next ten days there ; every one cleaning up and preparing his kit for colonial life, the men working a few hours daily, making paths, &c., around the build- ings, which were not quite finished for our reception. The arrangements made upon this Uttle island for the comfort of unfortu- nate immigrants are certainly very good, and the hospital wards and all the other arrangements for the comfort and separation of the sick are upon the most modern and approved principle. During our stay there we were supplied with abundance of fresh provisions, and whatever was required for the use and comfort of the sick was granted on demand. On the 8th of July we were taken on board a small screw steamer and conveyed to Lyt- telton, where we all expected to be thrown upon our own resources ; but not so — a train was there in readiness to convey us to bar- racks, near Christchurch, where all those who had no friends to go to might remain, free of expense, untU they got employment. At the same time, the authorities advertised that so many of different trades were there awaiting employment, and the result was that nearly aU of them were engaged the next morning at the following rates of wages : — Married couples, £60 per annum, and found ; single men, farm labourers, £S6 to .£52 per annum, and foimd ; boys, £10 per annum ; single women, general servants, £20 to £30 ; and nurses £12 per annum. All those who had the good fortune to be tradesmen got from 10s. to 12s. per day of eight hours, that being a day's work here. In a few days more we were scattered all over the Province, the Immigration Officer forwarding those that had friends up the country to their desti- nation free of expense. All these facts will clearly show that it is not necessary to have much money at the time of landing in this Province to insure success ; on the contrary, those who have money will not accept a rough-and-ready job untU their money is spent, and necessity compels them to do so ; whereas the man that had no money at the time of landing took the first employment he got the chance of, and by the time the other man commences work the cards are changed, and the one who landed poor, and may be penniless, is better off than the other. I always found this to be the case in America and Canada as well as here. It is now about three months since we came here, and during that time I have frequently come across several of my feUow-passengers, both men and women, and after an inter- change of the usual congratulations, " How are you getting on, and what are you doing ? " are invariably the next questions, and in every case the answer has been — " First-rate." I am happy to say that I have hitherto been able to return the same answer. I will now give the price of pro- visions, &c., that they may be compared with the above rates of wages : — Beef, 3cL to 4d. per lb. ; mutton, 2d. to 3d. per lb. ; 4 lb. loaf, 5d. to 6d. ; tea, sugar, coffee, butter, cheese, eggs, &c., about the same price as in the old country. House rents and coals are half as much again, or 50 per cent, more than at home ; and clothing, boots, &c., about 15 to 20 per cent, more than at home. A working man can live in any of the boarding-houses in Christchurch for 15s. to 16s. per week, and have a variety of butcher meat three times a day. Spiri- tuous liquors cost 6d. a glass everywhere here ; but " God forbid " that any person wUl come here with the intention to drink his surplus money. If there should be such a person, allow me to inform him that there is a well-conducted lunatic asylum here, and that one for drunkards is in course of erection ; in either of which it is more than likely he will end his days. " The Mysteries of Glasgow Whisky " would be a joke to the " Mysteries of Christchurch Spirits," if they were similarly dealt with and exposed in the public papers. The class of people that is required here is the actual working class, — men and women who are neither afraid nor ashamed to work, and not very particular what kind of work they turn their hands to. All such people are bound to better their condition by coming here, not only as servants, working shorter hours and better fed and paid than at home, but with the prospect of being either landowners or busi- ness people after a few years of toil : what they could never aspire to in the old coun- try. It is not the man or woman who always enjoyed a luxurious life in a com- fortable situation in the old country that realizes most the advantages of coming to a country like this ; but the poor, hard- wrought man who could barely afford from his small earnings a sufficiency of the ne- cessaries of life to himself and his family. I do not mean to say but the first man will make more money here than in the old country ; but there is a considerable differ- ence between gratifying the mind with a heavy purse, and satisfying the era- 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 daUy 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 £'i 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 i-'20, and a very good serviceable horse can be bought for half that sum, and even for less money. A good mUch cow can be Ijought for £4. 10s. to £b. 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, oi-phanage, lunatic asylum, and a pri.^uu ; from all of which it must be admitted that tliis 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 ofBcers come on board and commence to examine the lugLrage. 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 duplicate of which is given to the owner to redeem it at Castle Gardens. Immigrant and luggage are then transferred to a steam- tug, or a barge, to be conveyed to the land- ing-stage. After lauding, 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 go up country to look for work to do so without delay, as their stay in town will be expensive, aijd 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 office, 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 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 affiliation, and dis- claims any future allegiance to his mother countiy ; 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 people 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 I must say that 84 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. tliere 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 resbrt to it from all th^ nations of Europe and elsewhere every year. No sensible person will for one moment think tliat the .sea voyage across the Atlantic will change their habits, though it may cure them of the bile. I must not leave you under the impression that every one the 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 officers ransack your baggage on arrival ; no land- sharks impose upon and mislead you ; no extremes of climate biu-den 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 by an efficient police force, rendering life and 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 office in the Pro- vince without the ceremony of affiliation 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 person who can live comfortably ill Great Britain to go to that Dominion ^vith a view to better his condition. Not only has he the extremes of climate to endure, which will prevent his working 1 iiore than eight or at the most nine months in the year, but 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 8s. in this Province. I have seen strong able men working in different capacities, in Canada for 75 cents (3s. l^d.) per day, and endur- ing the rays of a scorching sun to burden tlieir toil. I admit that there is plenty of work for many thousands of innnigrants 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 1 saw in Great Britain, in proportion to the population, it may be thought that I am prejudiced against Canada ; but 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-thu'd of them (at least) are only to be found in the United States, where they are much better paid. Provisions are cheaper than in Britaiu, 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 prm- ciple of acquiring land ; but Avhat 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 immi- 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 difficulties to contend with, not only to the working man, but to the farmers as well, as they have to staU-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 people here have come from there, I conclude that this is at least as good a field for immigration, with a much more prefer- able climate. I have now given you a brief summary of my observations and experience in those OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 85 parts of the world that are the chief " fields for eniij;i';itioii," 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 to be found Ijlenteously and with considerable ease. It maybe 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 countr}', are fresh in a person's memor3% that he can best see the advantages of richo'? and plonty such as are everywhere to be met with here. The subject is one tlmt 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. GOVERXOR. The Most Noble the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., Governor and Coramander-in- Chief. Cabinet. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Premier, Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster-General, and Tele- graph Commissioner. Sir Donald McLean, KC.M.G., Minister for Native Affairs. Edward Richardson, Minister for Public Works. William Hunter Reynolds, Commissioner of Customs. Secretary for Crown Lands and Land Claims Commissioner. Minister of Justice and Commissioner of Stamp Duties, Daniel Pollen, Colonial Secretary. H. A. Atkinson, Minister of Immigration. Wiremu Katene — Without portfolio. Wi Parata — Without portfolio. Agent-General. Agent-General for New Zealand in Lon- don — Isaac Earl Featherston. Legislative Council. Sveaker — J. L. C. Richardson Chomman of Covimittees—M. Richmond, C.B. Members. Acland, J. B. A. Baillie, W. D. H. hartley, T. H. Bonar, J. A. Brett, De R. J. Buchanan, A. Buckley, G. Campbell, R. Chamberlin, H. Domett, A. Edwards, N. Farmer, J. Fraser, T. Grace, M. S. Gray, E. Hall, J. Hart, R. Hohnes, M. •Johnson, G. R. Johnston, J. Kenny, W. H. Kohere, M. Lahmann, H. H. Maclean, E. Mantell, W. B. D. Menzies, J. A. R. Miller, H. J. Ngatata, W. T. Nurse, W. H. Paterson, J. Peacockc, J. T. Peter, W. S. Pharazyn, C. J. Pillans, F. S. Pollen, D. Renwick, T. Rhodes, W. B. Richardson, J. L. C. Richmond, M., C.B. Robinson, W. Russell, H. R. Scotland, H. Stokes, R. Taylor, C. J. Taylor, J. P. Waterhouse, G. jM. Whitmore, G. S. Wigley, T. H. Williamson, Jas. Cleric of the Council — L. Stowe. Clerk- Assistant — G, W. Jordan. House of Representatives. Speaker— Sir F. Dillon Bell. Clmirman of Committees — Arthur Penrose Seymour. 86 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. House of Representatives — continued. Members. Andrew, J. C. Atkinson, H. A. Bell, Sir F. D. Bluett, W. J. G. Bradshaw, J. B. Brandon, A. de B. Brown, J. 0. Brown, J. E. Bryce, J. Buckland, \V. T. Bunny, H. Carrington, F. A. Greighton, R. J, Curtis, O. Cuthbertson, J. R. Fitzherbert, W. Fox, W. Gibbs, W. Gillies, J. L. Gillies, T. B. Harrison, W. H. Henderson, T. Hunter, G. Ingles, H. A. Jackson, W. Johnston, W. W. Katene, W. Kelly, T. Kelly, W. Kenny, C. W. A. T. Luckie, D. M. Macandrew, J. McGillivray, L. McGlashan, E. McLean, D, May, J. Mervyn, D. H. Montgomery, W. Munro, J. Murray, W. A. O'Conor, E. J. O'NeiU, C. Ormond, J. D, O'Rorke, G. M. Parata, Wiremu Parker, C. Parker, G. B. Pearce, E. Pyke, V. Reeves, W. Reid, D. Reynolds, W. II. Richardson, E. Richmond, A. J. RoUeston, W. Seymour, A. P. Sheehan, J. Shephard, J. Shepherd, T. L, Stafford, E. W. Steward, W. J. Studholme, J. Swanson, W. Taiaroa, Hori Kerei Takamoana, Karai- tiana Thomson, J. W. Tolniie, W. A. Tribe, G. H. Vogel, J. Wakefield, E. J. Wales, N. Y. A. Webb, H. R. Webster, G. White, J. Williams, J. W. Williamson, J. Wilson, SirCracroft, K.C.S.I., C.B. Wood, R. G. Civil Establishment at Seat op Government. Governor and Commander-in-Chief — The Most Noble the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G. Private Secretary — Aide-de-Camp — Extra Aide-de-Camp — Clerk of Executive Council — Forster Goring. Clerk of Parliaments — F. E. Campbell Clerk of Writs — G. S. Cooper Deputy Clerk of Writs— A. C. P. Mac- don aid Clerk- J ssistant— G. Friend Second Clerk-Assistant — J. P. Stevenson Interpreter — T. E. Young Assistant Librarian — Ewen McCoU Superintendents of Provinces. Auckland — John Williamson Taranaki — Frederick Alonzo Carrington llawke Bay — JohnDavies Ormond Wellington— Wm. Fitzherbert, C.M.G. Nelson— Oswald Curtis Westland — James Alexander Bonar Marlborough — Arthur Penrose Seymour Canterbury — William RoUeston Otago — James Macandrew Premier — Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G. Secretary to Cabinet — G. S. Cooper Secretary to Premier — E. Fox. Colonial Secretary's Office. Colonial Secretary — Hon. Daniel Pollen Under Secretary — G. S. Cooper Assistant Under Secretary — A. C. P. Macdonald Chief Clerk— A. M. Smith Clerk -R. H. Govett. Patent Office. Patent Officer — J. Prendergast Registrar — C. J. A. Haselden. Department of Justice. Minister of Justice — Under Secretary — R. G. Fountain Chief Clerk— C. J. A. Haselden Record Clerk— E. F. Norris. Crown Law Office. Attorney-General — J. Prendergast Assistant Law Officer — 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. 0. CaUcott 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. Czerw'onka, 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 — 0. H. Pierard, G. R. Card Record Clerk— H. T. Pycroffc Computer — C. A. Knapp Engineer — A. G. Fowler. OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 87 Public Works Office — continued. District Engineers — J. Stewart, Auckland ; J. T. Stewart, Manawatu ; C. Y. O'Connor, Christchurch ; F. H. Geisow, Greymouth ; W. N. Blair, Dunedin ; W. Brunton, Invercargill ; A. D. Dobson, Westport. Resident Engineers — W. H. Clark,Waikato ; A. C. Turner, Tauranga ; J. Breen, Rangi- riri ; D. M. Beere, Te Aute ; 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, Oamaru ; G. P. Williams, Oamaru ; D. A. McLeod, Waitaki ; W. Paisley, Tokomairiro ; W. E. Brunton, Inver- cargill ; Alex. Aitken, Grahamstown. Colonial Architect — W. H. Clayton Accountant — W. A. Gardiner. Colonial Treasurer's Department. Chief Office. Colonial Treasurer— Hon. J, Yogel, C.M.G. Secretary to the Treasury, Receiver-General, and Paymaster-General— C. T. Batkin. Accountant to the Treasury— J. C. Gavin Clerk for Loan and Trust Accounts — T. Truman. Receiver- GeneraVs 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. Paymaster General's Branch. Chief Clerk and Cashier— W. Best Clerks -J. H. Gillard, J. B. Heywood, M. McCredie, J. McGowan, J. C. Davie, D. Camming, 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 Branch. Chief Clerk— H. Blundell Clerk— W. W. Bodman. Public Trustee^ s Office. Public Trustee and Accountant in Bank- ruptcy— J. Woodward Clerk— C. D. de Castro. Stamp Office. Commissioner — Chief Clerk and Accountant— H. E. de B. Brandon Klerks — Edward L. Ingpen, William Withers. Audit Office. Commissioners of Audit. Auditor-General— C.Knight,M.D.,F.R.C.S. Comptroller— J. E. FitzGcrald, C.M.G. Deputy Auditor and Chief Clerk— J. G. Anderson. Clerks— C. H. Snow, James Davis, Henry Hartwright, R. E. E. Plimpton, L. C. Roskruge, R. O'Connor, H. Halse, F. Back, J. Churton, C. L. Wiggens. General Post Office. Postmaster-General — Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G. Secretary — W. Gray 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. HalliweU, W. S. Rodger, W. Hickson. Telegraph Department. General Manager — C. Lemon Accountant — Abraham Sheath Chief Clerk— A. T. Maginnity Electrician— W. H. Floyd 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 — Hon. 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, C.E. 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. WUson. Native and Defence Office. Native Minister — Hon. Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.G. Under Secretary for Native Afl'airs— H. T. Clarke Assistant Native Secretary — H. Halse 88 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Native and Defence Office — continued. Acting Under Secretary for Defence — Lieut- Col. W. Moule Chief Clerk— T. W. Lewis Accountant — R. J. Gill 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. Gerk— 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) — Under Secretary — C. E. Haughton Chief Clerk— H. J. Masters Clerks— 0. 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, Christchurch. Reoristrar-General of Land and Deeds— J. S. WiUiams. Registrar-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. Assistant Geologist — Clerk— R. B. Gore Draughtsman, &c. — John Buchanan Analyst — Wm. Skey Messenger — John Smith. Printing Office. Government Printer — G. Didsbury. Inspector of Stores Department. Inspector of Stores — Lieut.-Colonel E. Gorton Chief Clerk— C. A. Humfrey Clerks — John Curry, Sydney Dando. Immigration Department. Minister for Immigration — Hon. A. A. Atkinson Under Secretary — C. E. Haughton Chief Clerk— Accountant— J. F. Ballard Clerks— E. 0. Gibbes, R. Lynch, G. T. Waitt. Immigration Officers, also Emigration Officers under Passengers Act. Auckland — Dr. Pollen Immigration Officer — H. Ellis Thames— D. G. McDonneU 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 Hokitika — F. A. Learmonth Christchurch— J. E. March Timaru — F. Le Cren Oamaru — Dunedin — Colin Allan Riverton — T. Daniell Invercargill — W. H. Pearson, Government Annuities Department. Commissioner— W. Gisbc^ne 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. Judicial. Supreme Court Judges. Chief Justice — Auckland — Sir G. A. Amey. Puisne Judges — Wellington— A. J. Johnston Nelson and Westlaud — C. W. Richmond Canterbury — H. B. Gresson Otago— H. S. Chapman. District Court Judges — Auckland and Grahamstown — T, Beckham New Plymouth — H. E. Kenny Napier, Waipawa, and Gisbome — T. S. Weston Westport, Reefton, Charleston, Ahaura, Hokitika, Greymouth — G. W. Harvey OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 89 District Court Judges — c(mtinued. Timaru, Oamaru, Tokoraairiro, and Inver cargiU— C. D. R. Ward Otago Gold Fields -W. Gray. Registrars of the Supreme Court — Auckland — L. O'Brien New Plymouth— H. E. Kenny Napier— D. Guy Wellington— A. S. Allen Nelson— E. W. Bunny Blenheim — J. Barleyinan Christchurch— E. S.'Willcocks Dunedin— E. ff. Ward Invercargill— W. Stuart. Resident Magistrates — Auckland— T. Beckham Onehunga, Papakura, and Waiuku— Pt. 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. Eraser Maketu— F. E. HamHn Opotiki— H. W. Brabant Poverty Bay— S. Locke, W. K. Nesbitt, and J. H. Campbell Taupo— 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. WUlis Wairarapa— H. S. Wardell Napier— H. B. Sealy Wairoa— F. F. Ormond Nelson — L. Broad Collingwood — F. Guiness Westport — J. Giles Reefton — C. Broad Cobden— C. Whitefoord Blenheim— S. L. Muller Picton — J. Allen Havelock — W. Whitehorn Christchurch — C. C. Bowen Lyttelton— W. Donald Kaiapoi— G. L. Mellish Akaroa — Justin Aylmer Timaru — B. WooUcombe Hokitika— G. G. FitzGerald Greymouth— W. H. Revell Okarito — M. Price Dunedin — J. Bathgate and I. N. Watt Port Chalmers— A. R. C. Strode 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. Sheriffs — Auckland— H. C. Balneavis Taranaki — Hawke's Bay— J. T. Tylee Wellington— J. C. Crawford Wairarapa— H. S. Wardell Wanganui— J. T. Edwards Nelson — L. Broad Marlborough— S. L. MuUer Canterbury — A. Back Westland— G. G. FitzGerald Otago— I. N. Watt Southland— H. McCulloch. Crovm Solicitors — Auckland— F. M. P. Brookfield Taranaki— A. Standish Hawke's Bay— J. N. Wilson Wellington— C. B. Izard Wanganui— 0. B. Borlase Nelson — H. Adams Canterbury— T. S. Duncan Westland— S. M. South Otago— B. C. Haggi4;t Southland— T. M. Macdonuld. Crown Prosecutors — Westland— S. M. South Westland North— J. B. Fisher Timaru— J. W. "White Oamaru— T. W. Hislop Tokomairiro — W. Taylor. Deputy Commissioners of Stamps. Auckland — T. Kissling Taranaki — A, S. Douglas Napier — Hanson Turton Nelson— E. W. Bunny Marlborough — J. D. Bam ford Canterbury— T. W. Maude Westland- J. M. Batham Dunedin— E. ff. Ward Southland— W. RusselL Customs. Secretary and Inspector — Wm. Seed. 90 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Customs — continued. 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) Greyraouth — D. Lundon Picton — J. Allen Lyttelton and Christchurch— W. Mills Hokitika— E. Patten Dunedin — J. Hackworth Invercargill and Bluff Harbour — A. J. Elles. Suh-Colledors of Customs and Officers in Charge of Ports. Mongonui — E. W. Patieson (acting) Onehunga— H. N. Brewer Hokianga — S. Von Sturmer, officer in charge Havelock — "W. Whitehom „ Kaikoura — J. Goodall „ Russell — E. B. Laing „ Wairau — J. Barleyman „ Okarito — R. J. La Nauze, Sub-Collector Akaroa— R. A. Buchanan, officer iu charge Timaru— C. E. Cooper, Sub-Collector Oamaru— T. W. Parker „ Riverton — B. Bailey, officer in charge Chatham Islands — S. Deighton, Sub- Collector Stewart's Island— J. B. Greig, Coast- waiter. Head Postmasters. 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 Commissioners of Crown Lands. Auckland— D. A. Tole Taranaki— C. D. Whitcombe Wellington— J. G. Holdsworth Hawke's Bay— H. B. Sealy Commissioners of Crown Lands -cowt. Nelson— H. C. DanieU Marlborough — 0. 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 A ccountant — 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-Inspectors, 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— WUliam G. Stack. Surgeons — John Carey Patrick J. O'CarrolL OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 91 Armed Constabulary — continued. A Siistayit-Surgemis — Frederick W. Armitage * William L. Jackson Sauiuel Walker. Provincial Governments. Auckland. Superintendent - His Honor John William- son, M.H.R. Executive Council — Provincial Secretary, John Sheehan, M.H.R. ; Provincial So- licitor, A. Beveridge ; Provincial Trea- surer, G. M. Reid ; without office, P. Dignan. Taranaki. Superintendent — His Honor Frederick Alonzo CarringtoD, M.H.R. (without Executive). Hawke's Bay. Superintendent — His Honor John Davies Ormond, M.H.R. (without Executive). Wellington. Superintendent — His Honor William Fitz- herbert, C.M.G., M.H.R. Executive Council — Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, Henry Bunny, M.H.R. ; without office, George Hunter, M.H.R., W. H. Watt. Provincial Governments — continued. Nelson. Superintendent — His Honor Oswald Curtis, M.H.R. Executive Council — Provincial Secretary, Alfred Greenfield ; Provincial Treasurer, Joseph Shephard ; Provincial Solicitor, Albert Pitt. iVestland. Superintendent — His Honor James Alex- ander Bonar, M.L.C. (without Executive). Marlborough. Superintendent — His Honor Arthur Pen- rose Seymour, M.H.R. (without Exe- cutive). Canterbury. Superintendent — His Honor William Rolle- ston, M.H.R. Executive Council — President, William Montgomery ; Provincial Secretary, Ed- ward Jollie ; Secretary for Public Works, T. W. Maude ; Provincial Solicitor, T. E. Joynt. Otago. Superintendent — His Honor James Mac- andrew, M.H.R. Executive Council — Provincial Secretary, Donald Reid ; Provincial Treasurer, George Turnbull ; Provincial Solicitor, R. Stout ; without office, Dr. Webster, Mr. Lumsden, 92 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. THE PROVINCES. SoDTii Island Otago. Canterbury, Westland. Marlborough. I Nelson. Jm NoRTU Island ( Wellington. } Hawke's Bat. ') Taranakl ' Auckland. THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO. E.4.RLY History of the Province. THE portion of the Middle Island of New- Zealand known astheProvince of Otago, Avas, 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, a missionary 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 having been purchased from the New Zealand 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- lifif" 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 steep hills densely wooded to their summits, without 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 couldgrowtheir own, thetime of their arrival being near the beginning of winter, must all have tended to damp their enthusiasm. Now-a-days, such doubts or discomforts cannot exist. Accurate charts and splen- did lighthouses along the coast command the mariner's confidence ; and on arrival at the Heads, a powerful 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 Blufl", 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 diffi- culties. Bracing themselves to sufi'er 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 efi'ortg. 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- REFERENCE. B occdts madA ^ Roads uicourse of construjcUon . _ Hoods Survey eoi... . Horse trojcfijS Horse tracks uvnrogress. Prav7nx:iAx7.Roadj. Coach tracks &c.. _ ItoUlMrays irt'ode RazlM/ayS in. Course of cmistrncfinn Bailwdys surveyed . ]]^r(n^uwiaJ,RwLlwoLys ' \m course of cojisfrux^tLon .] .Z^ovTJ7A:zaZ'Iladwa^s surveyed . I*rovaux£(ZllaMM^ays proposed. Woiter T^jxces .. -f-t -» + ++ SCALE OF MILES. REFERENCE BoadsmaiJU Roads inu>iirse of construifn-" ^^1^ Beads Surveyed /£:)rse trcu^ . _ Sorse trachs t/iprogr&ss PrcvuiciaiRoaas. Coiuh fr.i.hs^. UmlMctyi made.. .. -, RxulwavS ux Course ol' cciiMrncUoi Railways surveyed, ProvincicJ Bmlways I ,(«. Course of co7isfriLclu>n .] ^ovuiA:iaZ limlways surveye<7 Provw/xal Bailways proposed WaferRares .... . . . .. 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, Avas 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, wdth its library, reading, and class rooms. At the close of the first year of the settle- ment, the population consisted of : — Males. Females. Total. Town of Dunedin ... 210 204 44-J, „ Port Chalmers 23 10 38 Country 153 105 2G3 Total 426 319 745 The Customs Bevenae was .. £1,253. 53. 2d. Expenditure... , £053. Ss. 7d. Notwithstanding the visible signs of ma- terial progress, and the means for mental improvement which were provided, elements of discord existed in the young community ; and, judging from the newspapers and other documents, the strife was a hard and bitter one, the questions in dispute being, — 1, ""iVas the settlement to continue a class one? 2. Were the soil and climate suited for agriculture ? 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 Neivs took a strong position with reference to the second question, maintain- ing that Otago was not suited for the growtli of cereals — and certainly there was a show of reason for this view, as little was done to test the soil, settlers finding it eiisier to make a living by stock-raising than by cultivating — and several efi'orts were made to form a company to import flour. But a decided answer has been given in the affirmative, by the fact that to the veiy places from which it was intended to draw the supplies of breadstufls for ■ , -he now sends out of her abundance. T'' J list ship which sailed to Sydney took a large 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 of 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 grant- ing 01 a constitution to the colony, Otago 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 Coun- cil on 30th December, 1853, marks the first epoch in the history of Otago. Prior to this date, there was no responsibility for the conduct of public aflfairs. Now, there was a responsible body possessing 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 people," and " an erection the like of which 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 "Treasury 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 aa they best can." What they had to do was, provide for expense of government, form roads and budd 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 i;2,000 a year must have been a pleasing task ! Yet a determined start was made, and the Pro- vince began, and still contiuuci, its onward march. The governing machinery \v:is at first neither extensive nor expensive ; it has now assumed considerable proportion 5. The principle of subsidizing ;ocal eSbrts for the construction of roads aod bridges was adopted at the first meeting of the Council. There is scarcely a district which h not intersected and opened \X[ by local roads, and the main roads formed and kept up by the Government render it f. R.) Carpenters (good), 10s. to lis. per day of eight hours. Masons (good), lis. to 12s. per day of eight hours. Bricklayers (good), 12g. to 14s. per day of eight hours. Plasterers (good), 12s. per day of eight hours. Painters (good), 10s. per day of eight hours. Plumbers (good), 12s. per day of eight hours. Iron Trades. (J. A.) Blacksmith, 10s. per day of eight hours. Engineers, 10s. per day of eight hours. Iron-turners, 10s. per day of eight hours. Moulders, 10s. per day of eight hours. Millwrights, 10s. per day of eight hours. Pattern-makers, 10s. per day of eight hours. Tailors. (G. F.) Journeymen (good) average £3. 10s. to £4 per week. Leather Trades, {J. Bros.) Riveters, £2. 10s. to £3 per week. Finishers, £3 to £3. 10s. per week. Bootmakers generally, £2. 10s. to £3 pel week. Curriers (good), £4 per week. Drapery Trades. {W. P.) Apprentices or youths, first year, 10s. per week ; second year, 20s. per week ; third year, 30s. to 40s. per week. Junior hands, 40s. to 50s. per week. Experienced hands, new arrivals, 50s. to 60s. per week. Experienced hands, of Colonial experi- ence, 80s. per week. First-class saleswomen and mUliners, 50s. to 60s. per week. Second-class saleswomen and milliners, 20s. to 40s. per week. I PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. 137 Hours of business, 9 a.m. 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 area very large number of 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 a very great amount. 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 CouncU for various pubKc 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 far as 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 and walls with brick and cement. Up to the beguming of 1 873 there were finished and opened in Canterbury, chiefly from Provincial revenue, about fifty miles of railway, including the two above meutiuued and another from Christchurch northwards to Kangiora. These railways are constructed on what is called the " Irish " gauge, 5 ft. 3 in, wide, and, by Act of the General 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 Authorized and in Construction, The rnilways in course of construction, or likely to be soon commenced, first claim attention. In the first class are : — 1. The extension of the Northern Railway a dis- tance of fourteen miles from the present terminus at Rangiora to Amberley, a vUlage 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 tliis line has been let at a cost of, for the Ashley bridge £21,000, and for the remainder of the line £21,600, The line is to be on the 5 ft. 3 in. gauge. 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 RoUeston station on the Southern Railway, to the Malvern Hills. This, which is also on the 3 ft. 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 Ellesniere, 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, 1874, 6. A line from Timara 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, 3 ft. 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 i-SjOOO. 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 Hunuiui, 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 wiU 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- tata. 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 be wanted for them. Possibly, as time goes on and the traffic 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 .£42,500 for ordinary schools), ^158,200 for " Bridges," i£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 difficulty 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 RoUeston.'' 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 offer 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 the great 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- PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. Ul venience by the difiBculty of procuring labourers for shearing or harvest, owing to the numbers engaged on tlie public works. Moreover, the price at which contracts can profitably be taken has of late years very considerably risen. Advantages offered to Labourers, Mechanics, Small Farmers, &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 prices of the necessaries of life, can support these 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 procurable, and the greater part of it is well adapted for cultivation. The increase, every year, of the quantity of culti- vated land is a proof that agriculture in the Province has hitherto been successful. The great drawback, up to the present tune, 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 respect. Canterbury will, it is hoped, in a very few years be so far provided with railways, that every district wiU have easy means of 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 immigrants, that, owing to the general mildness of the climate, no special care has to be taken of stock in the winter time. Sheep and cattle can be left out in the fields all the year round : horses have usually, if running loose, a rug 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 off the native grass. Agricultural machinery is coming into use more and more each year. Reap- ing and tlu'eshing machines have been common for a long time past ; but steam cultivation has not as yet been found pro- fitable. A system of reaping, as used 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 engaged in industries, it is probable that although manufactures and miaing 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 Phormium fibre), and paper mills. Indeed, the absence of skilled workmen has been the chief reason why these industries have not been already undertaken. Prices of Farm Stock. 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, £b to £8, say average £6. lOs. Mixed cattle, consisting of cows, heifers, and steers, £3. 10s. Merino ewes, 4s. 6d. each ; Merino wethers (lean), 5s. each ; Merino wethers (fat), 8s. each. Cross-bred ewes (jfrom Merino ewes and long- wool rams), 10s. ; ditto wethers, 15s. Average price of fat bullocks, 20s. per 100 lb. Average price o^ fat wethers, 2|d.perlb. Pure long-woo' sheep bring high prices according to bn-ed and condition. These prices must be taken as the average of the year. They vary froiu time to time, particularly as regards sheep, in the value of which the fleece forms an im- portant element. Prices of Necessaries of Life. The following may be taken as a fiiir average of prices of the ordinary neces- saries of life for 1873 : — Tea, say from 2s. 6d. to 5s. per lb. 142 Sugar, say from 5d. to 6|d. per lb. Bread, say from 6d. to 7d. per 4 lb. Butter, say from 9d. to Is. 2d. per lb. Cheese, say from 6d. to 9d. per lb. Mutton, say from 2d. to 3d. per lb. Beef, say from 3d. to 6d. per lb. Bacon and hams, say from 8d. to 9d. per lb. Fish, say from 4d. to 6d. per lb. Beer (Colonial), say from 90s. to 170s. per hhd. Beer (English), say £lO. 10s. per hhd. Coals, say from 50s. to 75s. per ton. (The last article is chiefly imported front Newcastle, in Australia. It is probabh that the opening of the Canterbury coa mines will soon reduce the price verj materiallv.') NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. price very aterially.) Fowls, say from 4s. materially.) Fowls, say from 4s. per couple. Ducks, say from 5s. to 6s. per couple. Geese, say from 6s. to 8s. per couple. Eeligious Bodies, As far as can be ascertained, the follow- ing list comprises the most important eccle- siastical organizations in the Province ; but, as has been already observed, the popula- lation comprises members of almost every form of Church and sect, and even includes several Chinese. There are, therefore, probably many who are not contained in the list below. The Church of England in Canterbury is governed by a Bishop (who is also Primate of New Zealand) with a chapter and canons. The cathedral in Christchurch, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, is not yet much more than commenced. Some years ago a sum of over i,'6,000 was expended in constructing the foundations, which are very massive, and for a long time no further steps were taken in the matter. In 1873, however, ^5,000 was devoted to the com- mencement of the walls, to a height of about 9 ft. all round ; and it is expected that gradually the work may be proceeded with, though the size of the building wiU necessarily cause its completion to be con- siderably delayed. The total cost of the work is estimated at ^50,000. There are, besides, nine churches in Christchurch and its suburbs, one at Lyttelton, and others in the various country towns and villages. Services are also held, when possible, at many of the up-couutry residences and stations. The Roman Catholics of Canterbury form part of the Diocese of Wellington. In Christchurch, there are services at the chapel every morning, and on Sundays in the evening. There are also chapels at Lyttelton, Timaru, Temuka, Rangiora, Akaroa, Leithfield, and occasional services are held at various country places as oppor- tunity occurs. There at present but five priests in the Province, but hopes are enter- tained that the number may soon be increased. Adjoining the chapel in Christ- church is a Convent of Nuns of the order of Our Lady of Missions, who conduct a large school for girls, well attended by scholars of all denominations. There is also a boys' school attached to the church at Christchurch, and to that at Lyttelton. The Wesleyan Methodists have two large chapels in Christchurch, and others in the suburbs, in Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, T'inaru, and many country places. The Presbyterians have also two chapels in Christchurch, and several ministers stationed in diff'erent parts of the Province. There are, besides, in the towns and more populous country districts, congregations, with many chapels, of Baptists, Indepen- dents, United Methodists, and of other re- ligious bodies. The Jews have a synagogue in Christchurch. During 1873 a church was erected in the capital for the use of those emigrants from Germany or Scandi- navia, who belong to Protestant denomi- nations. The affairs of the Church of England, which has large landed property, are managed by the Capitular Body, a Diocesan Synod, and a body of Trustees ; and there is also a Commission specially appointed to supervise the work on the cathedral. The Catholics, Wesleyans, and Presbyterians conduct their affairs in the manner usual in each case. There are branches of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge connected with the Church of England, and the Bible Society, of which persons of many denomi- nations are members. Educational Establishments. The Province of Canterbury has, especi- ally of late years, devoted large sums of money and enacted various Ordinances for the furtherance of primary and superior education. It will be convenient to divide the subject into several branches, and then to summarize the information. The di- visions will be, — 1. The system adopted for primary education ; 2. The provision made for increasing the teaching power ; 3. The establishments and endowments provided for higher education ; 4. The New Zealand University in connection with Canterbury ; 5. The probable prospects and present ad- ministration of the revenues and property appropriated to the purposes of education. The present r(!inarks will be confined to PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. 143 public education ; but there are, both in Christchurch and the country, many private schools, elementary and otherwise, where large numbers of children are educated. 1. — Primary Education. The first Ordinance of the Provincial Council relating to this matter was passed in the eighth session, 1857. It was a short and simple enactment of which the most important clauses provided that certain sums of money, amounting to £2,200, should be divided between the Church of England, the Wesleyans, and the Presby- terians, and the charge and control of the schools were handed over to them. School fees were to be paid, and an Inspector of Schools was appointed. In 1863, another short Ordinance was passed, appointing a Board of Education, under whose control the public schools of the Province were placed, and who were empowered to decide upon applications for grants of public money in aid of schools. In this Ordinance, mention is made for the first time of " Local Committees " for dis- trict schools. The first step was also then taken towards withdrawing the control of public education from the various religious bodies. In 1864, a still further advance was made. " The Education Ordinance, 1864," provided — 1. That on application from the inhabitants of any locality, the Board of Education might take steps for proclaiming such locality an educational district. This was to be done by taking a majority of the votes, for or against, at a public meeting of householders and landed proprietors. 2. That if a district were thus formed the meeting should proceed to elect a School Committee, who should take charge of educational matters within the district. 3. That the Board of Education should have power to grant to the districts, for the es- tablishment of new schools, any sum not exceeding three-fourths of the estimated cost of the necessary buildings, the Local Committee providing the other fourth. 4. That for this last, and other school pur- poses, the Local Committee should have power to raise within the district a rate payable by every householder, such rate not to exceed 20s. for each house. 5. That the Board might make, to any school established under the Ordinance, an annual grant of .£75, but that no alteration, except as specially provided, should be made in respect of schools established before the passing of the Ordinance ; such schools, however, to be placed under the charge of Committees. 0. That schools established in connection with any particular religious denomination should be entitled to receive special grants in aid, the control of the religious teaching in such schools being left to such denomination. Religious instruc- tion in the district schools was to be under the control of the Local Committee. No special grant made as above provided was to exceed £2 for every child in average attendance. 7. Provision was made for the inspection of all public schools. 8. Three schools, namely, Christ's College Grammar School and the High School (both in Christ- church), and the High School, Lyttelton, were excepted from the Ordinance, and were to receive annual grants in aid of from .£200 to ^300. Such are the most impor- tant provisions of this Ordinance, which, as may be seen, was a long step in advance of those which preceded it. A short and not important Ordinance was passed in 1865, referring only to matters of detail in connection with the Local Committee. Another short Ordinance, referring to the collection of the rates above mentioned, was passed in 1868, but was in the same year repealed. In 1871 an Ordinance was passed con- solidating and amending the law relating to education. Its principal provisions were — 1. That in educational districts a rate, not exceeding 6d. in the pound on the annual value of the property in the district, might in certain cases be levied for the purpose of erecting or maintaining the school buildings. 2. The amount to be granted by the Board of Education towards erecting new schools was raised from three- fourths to five-sixths of their estimated cost, the district providing one-sixth. 3. The school fees hitherto charged in the district schools were made to cease in 1872, and instead thereof every householder re- siding within a radius of three miles from the school was to pay an annual sura of 20s. and a further sum of 5s. for every chUd between the ages of six and thirteen. Not more than 20s. was however to be paid for any number of children by any house- holder, so that the maximum amount to be contributed by him could not exceed £2 per annum. The provisions of the foregoing Ordinances relating to grants in aid of de- nominational schools and to religious instruction were embodied also in this Ordinance. In 1872 an Ordinance was passed pro- viding that existing clauses relating to the election of School Committees should not apply to the towns of Christchurch, Timaru, 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 bring under the operatioji of the Ordinances the 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 Ordinance, 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 m the various Ordinances, uutU 1872 ; and as Christchm-ch, 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 public education in Canterbury, and this Ordinance 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 r6sumd, 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 primary public education is under the control of a Board of eight members, appointed and removable by the Super- intendent. The Board entertains and decides 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. No fees are charged in any public school, but every householder residing within a radius of three mUes from the school has to pay ,£1 per annum, and a further sum of 5s. 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 £l, 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 imder the Board, the system of elementary education comprises reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, geography, history (sacred and profane), and English grammar. No 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 fixed according to the number of children attend- ing the schools, but no male teacher receives TROVINCE 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 place within the reach of every child in the Prorf'jico 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 buUdings, salaries of teachers and officers, 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 offer 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 as yet rented, but are sure to be so before long. These reserves are let by public tender, in blocks of not less than 100 acres each, applications being considered once a month. 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. — The Establishments and Endoivments 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 usefid 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 quality of the teaching has been so good, that the school has attained what may be called a pre-eminent position in New Zealand. The Rev. J. C. Andrew, who was appointed in 1873 as inspector of this and kindred institutions under the New Zealand University, reported in most favourable terms of the efficiency 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 sufficient to maintain its efficiency. Coming to the higher educational esta- blishments supported 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 sufficient 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 wdl 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 Collegiate Union " will be adverted to in considering the next portion of the subject. It is not out of place to mention, in con- 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 iu 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 usefulness will be very largely increased. A Mechanics' Institute and Library has been in existence iu 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 foimd 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 coUege, 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 luider 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 wiU doubtless not be long delayed. In the meantime, the University hits commenced its career, and may be con- sidered to be fully established as far as this country is concerned. Its work in the various Provinces is carried on by the affilia- tion to it of the his/her 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 wUl become the institution affiliated 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, EngUsh 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, mental philosophy, political economy, and jurisprudence. Although necessarily a work of time, it is hoped that few years wUl l^ass before instruction can be efficiently given in these subjects. The University does not, however, confine itself entirely to working through the afii- liated institution. It grants degrees in the same manner as other universities, and, moreover, from the funds at its disposal, establishes scholarships, of which the number and value depend, as yet, upon the revenue available. This is not the place to enter 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 Appropriation of Revenue devoted by the Province to Education. The necessary information on this head may be gathered from the foregoing remarks. Briefly, the funds available in Canterbury for education are derived, firstly, from annual votes of the Provincial CouucU ; secondly, from areas of land set apart as reserves and endowments ; thirdly, from rates and contributions from the people. The first amounts are expended, for primary education, by the Board appointed under the Ordinance as above stated ; the second are administered by a " Steward of Eeserves," who has power to let the lands to tenants on certain conditions ; the third are paid over to the Board and dealt with by them, as are the first. It is evident that the first, or the annual votes of the Council, are dependent on the state of the Provincial revenue, and may therefore be expected to be not always so large as they have been of late years. The second and third sources of revenue, depending on the increase of population, which is a matter of certainty, and the SIvKLIiTON OF TQE EXTINCT JIOA. PKOil A SrCClilliN IX IDE CAXItRBUiJY lllSi;i.M. PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY, 149 general prosperity of the country, which is, to all appearance, probably also increasing, may fairly be expected to grow larger every year. Summarizing as briefly as possible, it may be stated that, as regards primary education, the system in force in Canter- bury is secular or undenominational, iu which the State, refusing to recognize any responsibility for giving more than the rudiments of material and commercial in- struction, has placed the means of obtaining such instruction within the reach of the poorest inhabitant. The multiplication of school districts, the abolition of school fees, and the provision that no person shall pay more than £2 per annum for having his children taught, whilst all have to pay something whether they have children or not, have rendered it easy for any one to insure for his fiimily the benefit of instruc- tion in at least those subjects enumerated in the Education Ordinance. As regards higher education, the Provincial authorities have been evidently eager to supply ample facilities ; and, with the various district schools, the colleges, museum, and lecture- halls, with their attendant scholarships and other incentives to progress, there seems to be in Canterbury almost every provision made befitting so young a country for instruction for the young. Hospitals and Charitable Institutions. Exclusive of several private hospitals maintained by various medical men, there are in Canterbury two hospitals, one at Christchurch and one at Timaru, with a casual ward in Lyttelton for cases of acci- dent in the harbour, on board ship, &c. The Christchurch Hospital is situated on the banks of the Avon, in a healthy posi- tion, and surrounded by tastefully laid-out grounds. The annual vote of the Council for its maintenance amounts to a little under £5,000 at present. The hospital has now accommodation for about 130 patients, and a further increase is contemplated, which will admit about 70 more. In 1873, about 1,300 out-patients were also treated. New and extensive fever wards have recently been built, containing excellent accommo- dation, and capable of being quite isolated from the rest of the building. The statf of the hospital consists of one resident house- surgeon, two visiting surgeons, two visiting physicians, one ophthalmic surgeon, and four consulting surgeons and physicians. According to the regulations, patients are supposed to pay towards their maintenance £\ per week for the first six weeks, and lOs. per week afterwards, whUst in the hospital ; but, practically, the institution is kept as much as possible for those who cannot afford to pay for medical advice, and who are admitted gratis. The hospital at Timaru is a similar insti- tution, of a smaller class, maintained by the Government at a present annual cost of about £1,200. The Orphanage. This is established in Lyttelton, on a site overlooking the harbour. It is capable of accommodating about 120 children, and is managed, at a present annual cost of about i,'2,500, by a master and matron, with a staff of nurses. It is a purely public insti- tution, and is very satisfactorily conducted. The children, as soon as they are old enough, are apprenticed to various trades, or sent out to situations as domestic servants, &c. There were, about the close of 1873, 94 children in the Orphanage. The Lunatic Asylum. This is situated on a piece of land con- taining about 50 acres, three miles from Christchurch. It will accommodate about 160 patients. Large additions have lately been made to it, and the male and female wards are now entirely distinct and sepa- rate. There is also a separate establishment in the same grounds for the reception of confirmed drunkards, who are sent for various periods to the lunatic asylum by the Magistrates. The institution is entirely a public one, but if the relatives of patients can afford it, they have to pay a small sum per week for their maintenance. The annual cost to the Province is about £8,500. The system adopted in the asylum is, according to modem practice, one of kind- ness and moderate control. The buildings are lofty and well ventihited, the food good and plentiful, and every care is taken to provide, where possible, recreation and amusement for the patients. Christchurch, which possesses a theatre and several halls for various entertainments, is hardly ever without the presence of some professional performers, and many of these, besides the local amateurs, take opportunities of giving entertainments to the patients at the asylum. CJiaritahle Aid. Besides the above local institutions, the Provincial Government of Canterbury pro- vides liberally for the maintenance of those who, from accidents, or old age, or other causes, are unable to support themselves. 150 iqEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. The Charitable Aid Department, which in 1873 cost i£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. A number of men who have, from various causes, so far lost the use of their limbs as to bo 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 neglected to look after them. It was therefore decided, in 1872, to build, on a piece of land about eighteen miles from Christchurch, a large industrial school, and this is now in operation. It is intended, Avhen 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, wiU 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 branches 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. Cost of Cottages and Other Residences. Prices of Building for Cottages. Cottages, two-roomed, 24 ft. X 12 ft. (in town) £45 Cottages, two-roomed, 24 ft. X 12 ft. (in country) .£50 Ruling rates of rent for dwelling-houses in town : — Four-roomed cottages, from 10s. to 12s. per week. Sbc-roomed cottages, from 15s. to 208. per week, according to position, &c. Family houses, from £70 to £120 per annum, according to position, &c. Emigration Regulations — Hints for 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 efficiency 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 aU 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 Officer and the Immigration Commissioners. If the state of health is satisfactory, the Commissioners go on board and inspect all the arrangements. The immigrants are mustered, and inquiries made as to comfort, discipline, and general conduc* of aU 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. All the compartments of the ship, the PROVING R OF CANTEUDURY. 151 RnTs;ery, hop;pitals, lavatories, closets, &c., are inspected, and any defects noted. In case of complaints or bad conduct on the part either of the officers in charije or of the immigrants, a strict inquiry is insti- tuted before the report of the Commissioners is sent in. As soon as the inspection is over, the immigrants are landed with their luggage and proceed by special train to the deput 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 effect from some respectable householder. Each engagement is superintended by an officer of the department, and duly entered in books kept for that purpose. The cur- rent rates of Avages 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 1" The following are amongst the answers lately given, and are fair average speci- mens : — J. M., married, from Jersey, says: " There is no difficulty 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, says, " 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., single man, says, "Work is so bad in Loudon, that many hundreds would come out if they were not afraid of the long voyage, Lettei-s home from emigrants would help to do away with that feeling." M. A. M., 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 ctirried 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 ho is comfortably lodged and fed, and every possible facility is placed in his waf for ol^taining a good situation. Begulations to be observed in the Hiring of Immigrants. 1. Applications for married couples, single men, and tingle Avomen, are received at the lmmigralioi\ Office for some weeks previous to the 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 BarKick Matron to assist persons desirous of engaging female servants, by pointing out those 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 po-sted 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 made in writing by employer and servant, and witnessed by Immicration Officer. The oriffinal aaree- 152 NEW ZEALAND 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 Officer, and by him to the Government. 9. Immigrants who have accepted service must leave the barracks without delay, and cannot be re-admitted. £egnlations 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 Officer. 2. No person is allowed to enter the barracks except by an order from the Immigration Officer. 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 31st 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. No, immigrant must write upon, or in any way damage any of the buildings. 7. No 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 Officer. 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- main in the barracks after obtaining em- ployment, except with the permission of the Immigration Officer. 10. Any immigrant leaving the barracks before being engaged, unless authorized by the Immigration Officer, 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 Officer 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 office under the Colonial Government, although the necessary buildings and other expenses are borne 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 officers 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. Thg Police Department is under the control of the Provincial authorities. The force, an exceedingly efficient one, is at present composed of a total, including offi- cers, 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 Companies and Associations. The usual facilities for transacting busi- ness are of course not wanting 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 National Bank of New Zealand (Limited). '• -ese, besides their head offices in Christ- church, have branch establishments and agencies in various country towns, such as Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, Timaru, Ashburton, Kangiora, &c. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and the Trust and Agency Company of Australasia, have also offices in Christchurch and other towns. Several insurance companies are likewise established here, such as the London and Liverpool and Globe, the Eoyal, the London and Lancashire, and others, of English origin, and the South British, National and Standard Companies, started in the Colony. Chrietchurch, Timaru, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, and Rangiora possess Fire Brigades, of which the organization and efficiency are highly spoken of. There are several Building and Invest- ment Societies, which render very valuable assistance to those who are desirous of acquiring 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. lis. 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. lid., 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 further payment. The fees and charge-s are exceedingly moderate. These Societies are much used in Canterbury, and are found to be of great assistance : almost every one is enabled to build himself a comfortable home, 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 jDussing mention, especially the first, which, thanks to the opening of a steady trade with Europe in 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. Miscellaneous Societies, &c. 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, goldfinches, bullfinches, and other birds of the 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 tho- 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 apparently doing well and breeding. Of fish, 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, they will take kindly to their new home, and, when sent to the sea, increase and nniltiply. In the way of native game. New Zealand is not so well suppUed as some other countries. The principal game is wild ducks (of which there are several species), wild pigeons, parrots, and the swamp hen, a large and beautiful 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 difficult 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 be amply supplied in this respect. Canterbury colonists have always given great attention to the planting of trees and the production of flowers and fruits. There is a Horticultural 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 a well- wooded and orna- mental country. A passing reference may be made to the public amusements of the people of Canter- bury. 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 coimtry 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- tain a plain, impartial description of the Province 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 offers 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, knoAving 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 wiU find his property secure, the climate, as a rule, excellent, and the cost of living low ; and he will also 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 neighbours, is steadily and surely rising to prosperity. To the immigrant of what is called the working class, whether mechanic or ordi- nary labourer, Canterbury ofi'ers 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 difference between a life of penurious flrudgery 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 popyla? ideal of " colonial " life wUl 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 differ- 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. ( 157 ) THE PKOVINCE OF WE8TLAND. IN 1861 the whole of the land coinprisini^ tlie Province of Westland wus purchased by the Government froiu 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 andTakerei, after having served under Te Eauparaha 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 Eiver, killing and taking prisoners nearly all the existing inhabitants, Niho and Takerei settled at the mouth of the river Grey, and parties 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 Hohonii 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 tlie 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, tiie Municipalities of Hokitika and Greymouth, and the Road Board districts of Paroa, Arahura, 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 seat of local government, and is the principal town in the Province. It has a iariie trade 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 settlement. 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 Kanieri, Kokatahi, and Mahinapua townships, this district contains the mining centres of Blue Spur, P.ig Paddock, Woodstock, and Eight- 158 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Mile, and the farming district of the Kokatahi Valley. Gold mining, timber- cutting, and farming are the chief industries of this district. A company is now engaged bringing in water from Lake Kanieri to the mines. The works connected with this undertaking wUl be finished about September, 1874. In several cuttings along this line of race gold has been found, and the race, when finished, will help materially to increase the yield of gold in the district. The whole of the timber exported from the port of Hokitika is cut in the Kanieri district. There are large areas of agricul- tural land, not sold, in the Kokatahi VaUey, and between it and the Hokitika River. The Totara district extends from the Kanieri district to the Mikonui River, and includes the town of Ross, and the mining districts of Donoghue's, Donnelly's Creek, and Redman's ; the tributaries of the Totara and Mikonui rivers being all auriferous. The mines near Ross were worked chiefly by steam power : gold has been found in them in six different layers, in depths from 50 ft. to 450 ft. Most of these mines are at present flooded out, and perhaps will remain so till capital is introduced into the district to work the mines on an extensive system. A large race (surveys and plans of which have been prepared) to carry water from the Mikonui River, to near Ross, is much needed, and would prove reproduc- tive, as the deep claims can be worked with water-power far less expensively than with steam. The main industry of this district is gold mining, which is extensively carried on in the terraces. The Okarita district comprises all that part of the Province between the river Mikonui and the southern boundary of the Province. Gold mining is the only occu- pation followed in this district. There are scarcely any mines being worked inland, except up one or two of the rivers ; the miners rest satisfied with obtaining gold easily in the beach workings. In many of the beaches of this district (as well as in other parts of the Province), after bad weather and a heavy sea, the sand on the sea-beach is found impregnated with gold, and, after the sand has been scraped off the beach and the gold extracted, there is likely to be, after the next heavy sea, a similar quantity of gold found in the beach sand in tlie same localities. The district has had but little attention paid to it, either by the miners or settlers. It has two splendid hiirbours — Bruce Bay and Jackson's Bay ; and rivers with good entrances and depth of water. It has easy access to the Province of Otago and the East Coast, by the saddle at the head of the Haast River, and it pos- sesses large tracts of auriferous land, fine agricultural land, and splendid grazing country and timber. A few months since gold was found near the Haast : about 200 miners went there, but the rush taking place during a continuance of wet weather, may of the miners returned. Those who remain there appear to be getting payable gold, and no doubt it will not be long before an extensive gold-field will be discovered, and attention be called to the place. A great deal of land in this district, prin- cipally along the river banks, is taken up for pasturage purposes as cattle runs. There are blocks of land in this district laid off for special settlements, to enable settlers to obtain land on easy terms. Of the total area of Westland (4,442 square miles) the mountain ranges and forest lands occupy 2,843,141 acres, the rivers and lakes 29,759 acres, and open country 172,800 acres ; making in all, 3,045,700 acres. The Governor may, on the recommendation of the Provincial Council and Land Board, authorize the sale of blocks of land, not less in area than 160 acres, at 10s. per acre ; or blocks of 20 acres and upwards may be purchased of the Land Board at £l per acre. In the immediate vicinity of townships or other centres of population, land in blocks from 1 to 10 acres in extent may be purchased at auction, at an upset price of £2 per acre. The- price of land in the towns of Hokitika, Grey- mouth, and Okarito is .£48 per acre ; and in the towns of Marsden, Greenstone, Golds- borough, Stafford, and Kanieri, £Z5 per acre. No charge is made for surveying and pegging out any land purchased from the Government. For the purpose of forming special settle- ments in the southern portions of the Pro- vince, three blocks -in the Okarita district have been set apart ; one, containing 20,000 acres, between the Mikonui and Wanganui rivers ; one, containing 50,000 acres, from the Saltwater River southwards for seven- teen miles, of a depth of three miles and a quarter ; and one of 50,000 acres, extend- ing from the Haast River to two miles south of the Arawata River. The land in these blocks is classed as town, suburban, and rural, and can be purchased at the price of lands in the other parts of the Province. If not sold, it may be disposed of by being leased for seven years, in the following manner : — Unsold town lands, in sections of not less than one-quarter acre, nor more than half-acre, to one person, at a yearly rental of 30s. per acre ; suburban lands, in blocks of not less than 10 acres, THE PROVINCE OF WESTLAND. 159 at 6s. per acre per year ; and rural lands, in blocks of not less than 25 nor more than 250 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 of the land by auction, and whatever amount the land fetches above the rent due and ex- penses 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, &c., 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 inland tracks lately cut 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 a line 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. There 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 a homestead, with a market to dispose of liis produce, wiU find it a not very difiicult task in the Province of Westland, where the land can be easily purchased from the Government. The chief productions of Westland are gold, timber, and coal. The value of gold is £'.i. 16s. per oz. ; saAvn timber, 8s. per liundred feet (superficial) ; timber in logs, 5s. per hundred feet (superficial) ; coal, at the pit's mouth, 10s. per ton ; at Grey- moutli, the port of shipment, 18s. per ton ; and in Hokitika, 25s. per ton. These prices of coal will be much 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-curing a profitable occupa- tion, more especially it" 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 meu 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 difficidties and expense of obtaining provisions. There are blocks of land set apart for special settlements, and immigrants can easUy 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 aU cured fish exported up to the end of 1879. Flax is found in all parts of the Province, the moist climate of Westland 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 luxuriant!}'. Samples of the only kind dressed by the Maories, have the appear- ance of delicate glossed satin. Another kind, the tai, is remarkable for its Jength 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 ilax. 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, olothes-pegs, articles of turnery, &c., will find the Pro- vince a fit place to exercise their skill and ingenuity. ShipbuUdiug could be largely 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, and a supply of bark being at hand, tanneries could be cheaply worked, and would yield hirge profits to the owners, as the demand for leather is very great, 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 pay. 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 ^ jtash 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 jjer 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 soutli bank of the Grey liiver (opposite tlic Ilrunncr mine), at Lake Kanieri, in several places in t 'le Eoss dis- trict, at the north of the Oka:.-ita lagoon, and at the Paringha Kiver. A ( ompany is now opening up the Grey mine, and parties are similarly engaged at the Kanieri 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 difficulties in obtaining labour. When the Waimea and other races are fairly started, the difficulties 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 : — 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 £b per week ; farm labourers, 30s. \ to 35s. per week, with board and lodging ; ■ coal miners, 4s. per ton, working in a seam i of coal from 12 ft. to 21 ft. thick. J It is not customary in Westland 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 .nllowing tlieni less thaii THE PROVINCE OF WESTLAND. 163 10^ 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 Okarita, and from thence to the southern boundary of the Province. Eoad from Greenstone (Pounamu) to Lake Brunner, and to the boundary of Pro- vince of Nelson. Road from Taipo River to Nelson Pro- vince i;iaBell Hill. Surveyors are now enfjaged 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 Mikonuirace 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. Besides these works in course of construction, the exten- sion of the Hohonu race, Totara and Jones' Creek, the Alpine and the Okarita Lake i-accs, and the roads and public works in hand will give employment, for years to come, to ordinary labour. I'wery labouring man may feel himself perfectly independent in Westland. If he is not contented with the employment offered hira, he can always provide for himself l)y gold mining, with the chances of obtaining much more than a mei'e living. From the records, there never was a dis- trict that exported so much gold in pro- portion to its population as Westland has done since its first settlement. The price of ordinary farm stock, sound and in good condition, is — For working: bullocks, .£9 ; working horses, £30 ; mixed cows, £i ; and sheep (601b. carcase), 10s, per head. The following are the prices of the ordi- nary necessaries of life : — • Flour, 8s. per 50 lb. bag. IMutton and beef, 3d. to 6d. per lb. Butter, 9d. per lb. Potatoes, .5s. per cwt. Cheese, lOd. per lb. Ham and bacon, 9d. to Is. per lb. Tea, 2s. 6d. per lb. Sugar, 5d. per lb. Churches of all denominations are rop- ported by voluntary contributions. They receive no state aid, excepting the land; reserved in the several townships for th© use of each religious body. The Church of England. — All that parfc of the Province sonth of the Tercniakau is in the dioceso 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 places : —Hokitika, Greymouth, Ross, Goldsborough, Stafford, Greenstone, Maori Gully, Five-Mile Beach, Okarita, and a church is in course of erection at Kiinieri. 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 churches, catechism is taught every Sun- day. Presbyterian churches, under the Pres- bytery of Westland, 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 miniister 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 teachors 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 Hokitika a lunatic asylum and a Benevolent Society. 164 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. The rents for ordinary dwelling-houses in Hokitika and the country townships are, for a four-roomed cottage, 63. to 8s. per week ; but at Greymouth the rents are at least half as much more than in Hokitika. Land being so cheap, persons generally own the cottages they live in. There is a Building Society at Greymouth, and the Hokitika Savings Bank makes liberal advances at reasonable rates to small borrowers. The cost of erecting cottages, both in town and country, is at the rate of about 5d. per cubic foot : that is, a two-roomed building, each room about 10 ft. square with 8-ft. walls, would cost about ^35. No one with a family should attempt to come here without some money to keep him and his family for a few weeks, to give him time to look around for suitable em- ployment ; but it is different with single men and women. If they desire it, they can get employment the day they arrive in the Province. The climate of Westland is so uniform that the same clothing may be worn in the hottest day of summer and the coldest day of winter. The nearest port to ship for is Nelson : from thence in a few hours one can arrive in Westland. PROVINCE OF MAHLBOEOUGH. Description. THE Province of Marlborough is situated at the north-eastern extremity of the Southern Island, its boundaries being on the north, a portion of the Strait dividing the two Islands, on the east the coast line down to the mouth of the Eiver Conway, and on the south and west the Province of Nelson. Its total area is about three million acres, of which 200,000 acres may be described as agricultural land, 1,300,000 acres as well suited for pastoral occupation, 50,000 acres forest land fit for cultivation after clearing, and the remainder hUly or mountainous country, heavily timbered, or of a rugged and bleak aspect. At the present time, there are about 18,313 acres broken up, and cultivated or sown in artificial grasses, about 525,000 acres have been disposed of to settlers, and there remain about 2,500,000 acres stiUin the possession of the Crown, and to be obtained under the Provincial waste lands regulations. The physical geography of the country may be described as a succession of parallel valleys and mountain ranges, running something like north-east and south-west, the most northerly and westerly valleys being those of the Pelorus and the Eai, to which further reference will be made in regard to the valuable '.imber trade which is carried on in the districts tornied by them. In the valley of the Wakaraarina, a tributary of the Pelorus, discoveries of gold of no sma-U magnitude have been made. The Wairau Valley, the next in a southerly direction, is mainly an extensive plain, comprising some 100,000 acres, the land being of a rich loamy character, similar in many respects to the plain of Canter- bury, the vegetation consisting of extensive fields of the most luxuriant growth of flax, and in the drier portions and at the bases of the hUls, of fern and tussock grass. This fertUe plain is watered chiefly by the rivers Omaka, Opawa, and Wairau, with their tributary streams ; the rivers themselves being navigable for a distance of about twelve miles by coasters and small steamers, and the smaller streams supplying abun- dant water-power, easUy made available for mills and factories of various descriptions. Further still to the south are the Awatere, Clarence, and Kaikoura districts, a great portion of which is at present occupied by extensive sheep-runs ; but the excellent quality of the land, and its evident capa- bility for agricultural purposes, point out that, at no distant date, these will become the centre of a large producing population. Already at the southern extremity of the Province, and gradually but steadily en- croaching upon the pastoral lands surround- ing it, is situated a farming settlement of increasing importance, with a town and port of its owD, called Kaikonra. PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH. 165 What is now the Province of Marl- borough formed, under the Constitution Act of 1852, a part of the Province of Nelson, the northernmost of the three original divisions of the Southern Island, and continued so up to the time when the energy of the settlers in the Wairau and surrounding districts succeeded in severing the political connection of the north-eastern from the remaining portion of the Province, and giving to the latter the advantages of local seLf-govemment. On the 1st of November, 1859, availing themselves of the provisions of "The New Provinces Act, 1858," the inhabitants of those districts separated from the parent stock, and form- ing a new division under the name of the Province of Marlborough, entered upon a career of independence and self-govern- ment. Local Government. The Local Government of the Province is similar in most respects to that of the eight other Provinces of the Colony, being, how- ever, somewhat less complicated in its action than that of the Provinces first established under the Constitution Act. Up to the year 1870, the Provincial Government un- dertook the entire charge of receiving and disbursing that part of the public revenue not under the control of the General Govern- ment of the Colony ; but at that date the Province was subdivided into five lesser divisions or counties, viz. Wairau, Picton, Awatere, Kaikoura, and Pelorus, each having its Road or County Board, with power to levy rates, within certain defined limits prescribed by Act, for the main- tenance of its roads and other local pur- poses. The governing bodies of the towns resemble those in other parts of the Colony, with like powers of rating and of making regulations for order and regularity. Population and Progress. At the time of the dismemberment of the original Province of Nelson, the popu- lation of the separated districts forming the new Province of Marlborough was about 1,000 ; at the census taken in 1871 it was somewhat over 5,000 ; and at the census in March, 1874, the population had increased to 6,143. Small as were the resources of the new Province at the time of separation, that movement was the commencement of an era of prosperity and progress. Roads were formed, population increased, ab- senteeism was gradually replaced by bojid fide settlement, and communication between the various districts was opened up. Year by year its industrial capabilities have in- creased, until at the present time, in pro- portion to its size and population, it may be considered one of the largest exporting Provinces of New Zealand. In wool, it rivals Canterbury ; in timber, Auckland ; in the development of the flax industry, it is second to none ; while in agricultural and general produce it also holds a high posi- tion. Nowhere in the Colony has local self- government been enjoyed with such a zest as in Marlborough, showing the healthy in- terest taken by the settlers in the welfare of their country ; and however strongly at times the battle of politics may have raged, it haa never interfered with the principles of good government. Nowhere else in New Zealand have public aflairs received so much attention, or been carried on with such economy. The seats in the Provincial Council, the Road and Education Boards, the Borough and Town Councils, have all been filled by active and zealous men, seek- ing no remuneration for their services, but freely devoting their time and energies in the endeavour to further the development and advance the prosperity of the Province. In point of beauty, and even grandeur of scenery, the Province of Marlborough may compare favourably with any part of the Colony. The Pelorus Sound towards the north presents an aspect perhaps un- equalled for variety and romantic grandeur. Resembling in many respects the lochs of Scotland, the heavily-timbered slopes and clear running streams of the interior recall the picturesque quietness of the Devon- shire valleys ; and these joined to the dis- tinctive features of the New Zealand bush, combine to form a picture which is else- where unsurpassed. It may be described as a beautiful inland sheet of water, with innumerable arms and deeply-indented bays ; so that although the main channel is not more than thirty miles long, it com- prises a coast line of upwards of five hundred miles. Separated from the Pelorus Sound by a neck of land about three miles wide, is Queen Charlotte's Sound, a sheet of water of a similar character, having two outlets, the north channel being the larger. This is used by vessels entering from the north or west. The other entrance, or Tory Channel, scarcely a quarter of a mile in width, is used in communication with Wellington and the east coasts of both Islands. At the bottom of this somid is situated the port of Picton, a small but prettily-situated town, deriving its princi- pal importance from being the nearest port in the South Island to Wellington in the North Island. Large quantities of timber 166 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. are shipped from this port to all parts of the Colony ; and when the railway connecting it witia the interior of the Province, now in course of construction, has been completed, it will in aU probability become the entrepot of a large and important export trade. Districts. 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-runs. 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 it 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 Eiver. 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, r.nd of those still in course of construction, their frequency has been much diminished, and a slight and temporary inconvenience is now the 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 upset 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. Kural (land suitable for agricultural purposes). 4. Pasture (being such as, from its hilly and broken character, and the inferior quality of its soil, appears unsuitable for agricultural purposes). 5. Mineral. To^vnships 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. Kural, 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 Cro^vn Lands (an officer 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. Laud for which no bid is made at a public auction sale, may be purchased at any time within 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 selects a block of land, which is assessed in the same manner as land for sale by auction, and on his signifying his approval of the assessment, the work is proceeded with, and the land reserved from public sale for the space of twelve months. On the completion of the works, the contractor is entitled to receive a Crown grant of the land selected by him. PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH. 167 Pastoral leases and licenses are granted over unoccupied pastoral lands to any person who applies for them, the terms being, for leases fourteen years, with the right of renewal at the expiration of that period at double the original rent, and for licenses fourteen years. The license differs from the lease by simply giving the right of grazing over the land taken up ; while the lease, of course, gives the exclusive right of using the land for the fall term of its duration. The rent under a lease is deter- mined by the Waste Lands Board, but the Act prescribes that it shall be charged upon the carrying capability of the land, at the rate of 3s. 6d. a year for each head of cattle, and 7d. for each sheep. The rent under a license is Irl. an acre for the first seven years, and 2d. an acre for the second term of seven years. Licenses for felling timber on the forest lands of the Province are also issued to bushmen aud settlers, the fee being £1 per acre per year. Mineral lands, or those supposed to con- tain minerals, are let under lease by the Waste Lands Board, for any term not exceeding 21 years. The average assessed price of the Crown lands in this Province at the present time may be quoted as follows : — Town lands, £lb to JlOO per acre. Rural lands, £1 per acre. Pasture lands, 7s. per acre. Bush or forest lands, £1. 5s. per acre. ^Mineral lands (mostly held under lease). The practice of renting improved farms is not very general in this Province ; but little difficulty would be experienced by persons wishing to do so, and favourable terr^za 6,000. It is contemplated to erect a large organ iu the Town Hall, and to use it for colonial musical festivals. The Colonial Museum, under the superintendence of Dr. Hector, F.R.S., is remarkably extensive and com- plete. There is a Philosophical Society in connection with it, which holds occasional meetings there, when able original papers are often furnished by members. It may here be mentioned that Welling- ton was originally built round the edge of Lambton Harbour, and subsequently ex- tended north and south over the Thorndon and Te Aro flats. Even this did not prove sufficient for the growing population, and a large central tract was reclaimed from the harbour for business sites. This, too, is being rapidly covered with buildings, and fresh reclamations are about to be under- taken both on the north and south sides of the part already reclaimed. Gasworks were established a few years since ; and a com- plete system of waterworks has just been constructed by the Corporation, and is in full operation. There are several important institution?, PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 187 some being maintained by Government and aided by public contributions, such as the Provincial Hospital, -which, although ex- cellently conducted, has become wholly inadequate to present requirements, and will probably soon be replaced by a new buildinj? ; also, the new Lunatic Asylum, one of the best and most admirably man- aged establishments of the kind in the Colony, Some are supported exclusively by the public, such as the Athemeum, which possesses a small library, and is being developed to accord with the general progress of the place. There is also the Choral Society, a very efficient body, whicli has proved itself capable of undertaking the highest works of musical art ; and the new Orchestral Society, an instrumental offshoot of the former. Of friendly societies, the number and variety are very great, and new ones are being formed continually. The number of cricket clubs, boating clubs, &c., is unusually large for the size of the place, and is being constantly augmented. There is a public ground for cricket and athletic sports, which will in time be a very good one. It has a pavilion, or grand stand, of imposing proportions. The aquatic clubs have a perfect fleet of boats, which compete in regattas during the season both at home and abroad. The Jockey Club holds annual races, at which liberal prizes are offered, inducing considerable and often victorious competition from rival Provinces. The Caledonian Society has its annual gathering and athletic sjDorls on New Ye;ir's L)ay, which invuriably attract large crowds, as elsewhere ; vigorous contests for the prizes offered being stimulated by their liberal amount. The Horticultural Society holds frequent shows during the season, which would be creditable to a much larger town. There is a handsome theatre, built and owned by a joint-stock company. The Freemasons have a Masonic Hall, which, although not of large size or especially striking exterior, is internally most taste- fully designed and decorated. The Odd- fellows' Hall, a large and convenient build- ing, is much used for public amusements. There is a spacious and well - equipped Gynjnasium. The Botanical Gardens are beautifully situated and well kept ; the number of plants is being increased both rapidly and steadUy, as is also a small zoological collection kept in the gardens. There are about fifteen churches and other places of worship, representing the various recognized religious bodies. The principal streets are either macadamized or asphalted, flags being only used in one or two cases. The shops, hitherto small, are now mostly being either rebuilt or enlarged on an extensive scale ; and the increasing retail as well as wholesale business seems to warrant this enlargement. It may be added that the climate of the city is remarkably equable in temperature — mild in winter and moderate in summer. The wind is occasionally high, and although strong winds are more frequent, yet there is not a greater average of gales and bois- terous weather than in most of the other New Zealand seaport towns. Wellington only needs proper sanitary arrangements to be one of the healthiest cities in the world. The ruling industries of Wellington may be gathered from the description of the city itself. It being mainly a seaport, a considerable number of the inhabitants are engaged in those branches of trade and handicraft which tend to supply the re- quirements of shipping. Hence, several foundries— one of large size — find ample work in the repairs, additions, and altera- tions constantly needed by the fleet of steamers belonging to the New Zealand Steani Shipping Company, whose head- quarters are at this port. Again, the patent slip affords facilities for overhauling and repairing vessels ; and the gas-works, rail- way, &c., all, either directly or indirectly, give employment to many. Other indus- tries are continually being started, but it is probable that Wellington's main business for a time will be that connected with her large shipping trade and excellent port. The West Coast — Ngahauranga — PORIRUA — HOROKIWI — THE PaIKA- KARiKi Hill. The western division of the Province possesses a coast-line extending from the Patea River on the north to Cape Terawiti on the south, and includes between the sea and the back mountain ranges, some of the finest open country and valuable timbered land to be found in the Colony. A brief description of these districts will convey to the mind of the intending emigrant a cor- rect idea of some of the advantages which the Wellington Province offers as a field for settloment. The journey from the City of Wellington to the West Coast can be made by Cobb's coaches, which run twice a week to i^itea, a distance of 160 miles. The road skirts the shores of the harbour for three mi^es, running parallel with the Hutt Railway line, and then strikes inland up a wooded .^vine called Ngahauranga, on emerging from which the village of John- sonvillo is reaehed. Further on is Tawa 188 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Flat, the country adjoining being somewhat broken into ridges and gullies. 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 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 hU], 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 Ij 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 ox'iginally 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), which is about twenty- four miles from Wellington, the ascent of the Paikakariki Hill commences, the road winding up a steep side-cutting, 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 ije. Standing on the crest of the hUl, 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 Ean- 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 ofl^, may be discerned the per- petually snow-capped Mount Egmont, in the Taranaki Province, which rises in a perfect cone, from a base of thirty miles in 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 Country between Paika- kariki AND Manawatu. The descent of the Paikakariki Hill is 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 Paika- kariki Hill Avill be altogether avoided. From the foot of the hill up to within a short distance of the Waikanae River, nine miles north, the land, which is .flat and un- dulating, being mostly pastoral country, has nearly all been bought by the Crown from the Natives and sold to settlers. There are 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 next reached, extends from the Waikanae to the 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 bands of the Natives, but as the ownership has been determined by the Native Lands Court, and negotiations are pending for the pur- chase of the several blocks, it is practically certain that by the time these pages are published, nearly the whole of the fine district extending from Waikanae to the Manawatu River, including an area of 330,000 acres, will have been purchased by the Crown and thus rendered available for occupation and settlement. The road from Waikanae to Otaki is at first by the sea beach, and then strikes inland to the village, which is i^rettily situated about two miles from the sea, and adjoining the river bank. Otaki is a Church of England missionary station, which was for many years under the pas- PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 189 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- I rounding the vUlage 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 hUls 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 ue»r the Otaki and Ohau Kivers. The Horowhenua district extends from the Ohau to the Manawatu Eiver. 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 bush land close to the hills. There are several inland lakes to 1)0 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 pine, and other valuable sawing timbers. In some of the blocks extending towards the Manawatu Eiver 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 I not of the same superior quality, wUl ulti- ' mately be utilized, as capital and labour become more abundant. In fact, it cannot be doubted that when the negotiations now in progress for the purchase of the blocks leferred to are completed, and the district thrown open for settlement, it wUl support a large population in conifort and pros- perity. The Manawatu District — Foxton — Palmerston and the Gorge, It is, however, after crossing the Mana- watu River and reaching Poxton 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 tramway terminus for the reception of tim- ber and other produce brought from the interior. The rails run right down the wharf for the convenience of shipping those matei'ials. The Manawatu is a bar river with 9 feet of water on the bar, and as much 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 soU is light and well fitted for grazing purposes, many parts being also suitable for light crops, such as potatoes, and also for gardens and orchards. The district produces flax {Phormiv/m tenax) in great abundance, and several mUls 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 Fox- ton to Palmerston, a township situated twenty-five miles distant in the very centre of the bush country. This tramway runs for about twelve mUes 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 or by river. Now the freight from Foxton to Palmerston by the tramway ia very moder- ate, besides which a cheap and expeditious 190 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. means of carriage is aflforded 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 Avith grass, and erected rough but weather-tight timber huts for themselves and families. The town of Palmerston is situated on a natural level clearing of about 1,000 acres in extent, suiTOunded 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 Eangitikei ; while the tramway Avill 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 sawing timber. Per- haps in no other part of the 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 cut 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 the block pur- chased by Colonel Feilding for the Emigrant and Colonists' Aid Corporation. This block, which contains 106,000 acres, chiefly of the finest undulating forest land, stretches inland in an easterly direction to the Euahine Eange, and has a frontage to the Eoad line from the site of the Scandinavian settlement to its own boundary near the Pohangina Eiver. The high quality of the land in this block, its abundance of valuable 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 i still continues through the forest for nine j miles, but occasional vistas of small natural i clearings can occasionally be seen. On | * See eection headed, "The 'Manchester' Special Settlement." 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, down a 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 aod picturesque. 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 one 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 sufiiciently broad for ordinary traffic, 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 ia reached, by crossing which the line of road to Masterton in the Wairarapa, or eastern dimion 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 fonning the metalled road through the Seventy-Mile Bush, to connect the west coast with the Wairarapa, Avas being rapidly pushed on, from the JVfana- watu side, at the date of writing this ; and that now coaches from Wanganui and Patea as well as from Napier, Wairarapa, and Wellington, meet by way of the gorge, thus establishing communication throughout every part of the Wellington Province. The road from the gorge to Napier — 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. Lookijig 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 aff"orded 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 foiling 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 the districts thus described may be stated in a few words. The Foxton district possesses threo flax- mills, 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 bo rapid. The Palmerston 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 wUl 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 Eangitikei - Manawattt Block — Oroua — Sandon — Small Farm Settlement — Middle, Lower, and Upper Rangitikei — Marton Town- ship. Returning to Palmerston as a starting- point, and following the road towards Rangitikei, 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-capped Ruapehu in the far distant north, the Paikakariki Hill on the south, and the sea on'the west, being visible on a clear day. After crossing Moimt Stewart, the road passes through the block of open land which was set apart for sale on de- ferred payments, and the block of the Hutt Small Farm Association, both being situated in the Sandon and Carnarvon districts. A small township named Sanson has been formed on the Hutt small farm block, the road passing through it, while in the vicinity are the houses and fenced-in farms of the settlers, who, though only recently come into occupation of the land, are clearing off 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 in occupa- 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 population is Bull's, situated on the north side 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 a large 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 only a small amount of land is under crop, but a considerable area has been sown with English grasses. The country lying be- tween Bull's and the Lower Rangitikei consists of good grazing land with light soil. The holdings are mostly large, being chiefly stations, where horses, cattle, and sheep are raised. Two good metalled roads branch from Bull's, one being the main line to Turakina, and Wanganui, the other leading to Marton, nine mUes off, and the township of the Upper Rangitikei district, and thence through the " Bonny Glen " to Turakina, where it joins the main line to Wanganui. The land between Bull's and Turakina is open country, with bush in the far back- ground. It is chiefly occupied for grazing j purposes, but a large portion of it is first- j class agricultural land. The other road i leading to Marton passes through settled : country, the holdings being pretty large, j varying from 600 to 3,000 acres each. The Upper Rangitikei district includes the \ country lying between Bull's and Marton, { a distance of nine miles, and thence in a 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 Marton, 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, Avith holdings ranging from 120 to 600 acres. The pubEc buildings include court house, post office, 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 New 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 Tnrakina 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 Marton, 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 cottage freeholds. 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 generally 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, Avith occasional undulations, for a considerable distance inland. A few miles onward, the 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 fl.ix. 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, afi"ord 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 No. 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 by a 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 Co., of London, and the erection was successfully carried out by a colonial contractor, Mr. Henry McNeUl. 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 Taupo 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 offices 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 slam, 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 Li an Odd Fellows' Hall, four churches, a public hospital, and several schools in the town, while the private houses include many handsome villa residences. The Wanganui is a bar river, the depth of water ranging from 9 ft. to 14 ft. 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 Ruapehu towering above all in the distance, combine to form a lovely picture. Again, on as- cending the table lands, level and undula- ting plains can be seen below, extending mile upon mile ; and besides Ruapehu inland, the volcanic cone of Mount Egmont to the north-west, and the great mountain ranges of the Ruahine, Tararua, and Rimu- taka to the south-east, are distinctly visible in clear weather ; while to the south, some of the islands near Nelson, 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 of an artist. Such are some of the views on the INIangawhero, where the river runs 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 tint of the tawhero contrasting with the white blossom of the ake. Like all towns and districts in the Wel- lington Province, the land resources of 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 and sheep to be found in the Colony are bred in the Wanganui district. Indeed, for horses, sheep, and cattle, Wanganui bears a very high reputation ; while for the wool grown in the district, one flock-owner recently took five prizes at the Sydney Intercolonial 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 1st November, 1873, sundry steamers left Wanganui 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 of wool and flax, most of what is exported is sent to Wellington, and thence tran- shipped to Great Britain, the amounts being thus classed under the general head of Wellington exports. The Country Inland from Wanganui. At the back of the belt of open level land 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, at a distance of about fifteen miles inland, they attain an elevation of from 2,000 feet to 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 difficulty 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 grassy country, known as the Waimate or Patea 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 Taupo plains and Patea country, in which the Waikato, Wangaehu, Hautapu, and Moawhango (the latter two of the main branches of the Raugitikei) 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 via 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 difficulty 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. The Country North op Wanganui — Kai Iwi — Maxwellton — Nukumaru — The Waitotara Block — The Confiscated Lands — Okotdku Block — Wairoa — Whenuakura — Patea — Northern Boundary of the Province. 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 HUl, from the summit of 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-built 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 wUl 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 VaUey, 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 gnlly on the right. Crossing Okehu stream, a short distance further u^j the ascent, the bush is left behind, and the first glimpse of the fertUe Waitotara block obtained. Two or three houses here on the left are called Maxwellton, while on the right is a beau- 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 Nukumaru, now the site of a snug roadside inn, built a few yards from the famous Maori stronghold, Tauranga 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 block being the scene of continual skirmishes. In the country adjacent to Nukumaru, settlers' houses had been burned, their cultivations destroyed, and their cattle driven off. That state of things has now happily passed away for ever. Titokowaru 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 PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 199 miles, is rapidly becoming occupied and settled. Moreover, the whole district is being opened up by roads; bridges span the streams ; and Cobb's coaches run twice a week between Wanganui and New Ply- mouth, crossing in their progress the con- fiscated lands. The pa at Tauranga Ika is now in ruins, and a brick kiln has been erected on its site. The scenery at Nukumaru possesses a degree of quiet, rustic beauty which is very pleasing. On the right is forest, and on the left the open country stretches out in an undulating plain towards the sea. Proceeding northwards up the coast, the country becomes more open, the bush re- ceding further back, and leaving a large expanse of clear land between it and the sea. The Waitotara block contains about 35,000 acres, and is bounded on the north by the river of that name, which is reached three miles beyond Nukumaru. That part of the land in the block which is near the sea is somewhat sandy, but a little inland it much improves in character, while close to and in the bush the soil is of the richest description. The bush is nine miles inland, but this by no means forms the last of the open country, as there is a large extent of open and undulating coimtry behind it. Ihe country between Nukumaru and the Waitotara lliver presents all the appear- ance of a settled and prosperous district. The whole of the block is occupied by settlers, the holdings averaging from 200 to .500 acres, with a few larger ones varying from 600 to 2,500 acres. The settlers' houses are generally large and handsome buildings, while the land belonging to each is enclosed by substantial fences. The land is chiefly used for pastoral purposes, and the chief productions are cattle, horses, sheep, and wool. The Waitotara River is now being bridged. The scenery near the river is varied and picturesque. It flows through a narrow valley hemmed in by hills on each side, with the sea in front, and a background of bush. Much of the bush has been cleared near the river banks, and settlers' houses are dotted here and there in the open spaces. On the north side of the river, a small township is springing up, and indications of progress are to be seen on every side in the clearings and cul- tivations made by the settlers. This locality possesses many interesting reminiscences of the past. In the vicinity is the Wereroa \)3i, and the gardens and cultivations near the bush have been the scene of more than one hard-fought encounter. The north side of the Waitotara River marks the beginning of the confiscated lands, which were formerly held by Natives who had taken part against us in the war. That portion of this land lying immediately north of the Waitotara is called the Okotuku block. Ascending the hUl to the table land above, a good view of the surrounding country for several miles can be obtained. For nearly fourteen miles back to the bush it consists of open, undulating country, broken by bush gullies. The open country is chiefly pastoral land, but the soil being of good quality, much of it will ultimately be put under crop, as holdings become more subdivided and population increases. Close to the bush the land is very rich, and many open flats are to be found in the interior. Seven miles onwards is situated the town- ship of Wairoa. There is a redoubt here occupied by a small body of Armed Con- stabulary ; also an hotel, some stores, and other buildings. The district surrounding Wairoa is either already occupied or in course of being so. Town sections of one acre, and rural allotments of sixty acres, have been granted by the Government, out of the confiscated lands, to military settlers, which in some instances have been occupied by the recipients. In addition to this, a large strip of land abutting on the road-line from Waitotara to Waingongoro, a distance of forty-three mUes, has been laid off as a railway reserve, and that portion of it lying between the Waitotara and Patea rivers sold by auction. As a result of this, settle- ment is rapidly progressing all along the coast from Waitotara to the northern boun- dary of the Province. There is a considerable amount of confis- cated land in the Wellington Province still left to be disposed of, most of it, however, being back country. From time to time, as the country is opened up by roads, this will bo brought into the market. The de- scription of the country already given ap- plies generally to the remainder between Wairoa and the Whenuakura River, six miles further on, save that the country near Wairoa stands on a higher level, and com- mands a view of the sea. The Whenuakura is a narrow stream, now being bridged. Between it and the Patea River is situated the Whenuakura block, which in some measure resembles the Okotuku block, with the exceptions that the open country which it contains is more level and extends a greater distance inland, and that it is broken by fewer bush guUies. The land is, on the whole, of even finer quality than that in the Okotuku district, and there is the same back-ground of bush country. A line stretching inland from the mouth 200 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. of the Patea River forms the northern boundary of the Wellington Province. The Patea is a bar river, with a depth of 6 ft. at high water, and as much as 10 ft. 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-office, telegraph station, and other public offices. The other build- ings 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 afi'orded 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 ridges and valleys, with a back-ground of bush, but behind that there are many open clearings. The Hutt and Waiearapa. 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 oS to the West Coast, a few miles further on the Hutt bridge is reached, which, together with a small village, is situated at the lower part of the valley. This village is a pretty country suburb of Wellington, and containsj in its vicinity some highly-cultivated pro- perties of considerable extent, as well as numerous small holdings. The valley con- sists of rich alluvial land, the whole of which is thickly peopled, A few miles further up are two villages, called the Taita 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 steep wooded spurs proceeding from those ranges, and valleys lying between them. After leaving the Upper Hutt, the Mungaroa is the next point reached, on passing which the ascent of the Rimutaka Hill, a spur of the Tararua range, com- mences. The summit of the hiU is reached by a side-cutting, and the descent on the other slope by similar means leads to the lower part of the Wairarapa valley. The township of Featherston is situated at the base of the hill and the lower end of the valley. The township is small, consisting of only a few scattered houses, with the usual court-house, post-office, telegraph station, and hotels. The whole of the sur- rounding district consists of pastoral land, the country being open and level, with a little bush in some places. Two miles beyond Featherston is the Tauherenikau 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 town- 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 street contains numerous handsome shops, hotels, 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 and library ; also a public hall, A newspaper published in Greytown has a considerable 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 in large quantities from the Wairarapa dis- trict. Flax is also manufactured, and wool largely grown, so that a very extensive carrying trade is concerned in the convey- ance of these staple productions to Wel- lington, while large quantities of general PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 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 Mastertou, the latter being eleven miles from Greytown, Ls open arable laud, a good deal of which is placed under crop. The description of Greytown applies generally to the township of Mastertou, 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 Mastertou. The trade and prosperity of Greytown are in a great measure promoted by the custom of the stockowners and station hiinds of the lower valley ; and in the case of Masterton, the farmers of the Opaki phiin 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. Projected Eoads to open up the Country — Description of 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 contemplated, the whole of the blocks of unsold Crown lands in the 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 Waugaehu River, ultimately leading into a beautiful and fertile valley, nine miles long by threc-quartei-s of a mile broad, the land being of the very finest quality. Another intended road, from Alfredton to Castle Point will 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 Napier on the east. This will ultimately be the route taken by the trunk railway line which, starting from Wellington, wiU traverse the Wairarapa, run through the Seventy-MUe 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 Gorge. The main road line from Masterton to the Manawatu Gorge runs in the first place through a block of splendid bush land, contaming 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 Eiver 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 fur 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, agricultiural land of the same quality, and presenting the same characteristics as that already described, which would afford 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, flat, bush land. The un- dulating nature of the land would, how- ever, uufit a largo portion of it for plough- ing, and hence it is more adapted ior p;xstoral 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 branchhig from the Kopuaranga River. The remainder of the block, though some- what more broken, is also suitable for pastoral purposes. It wiU be understood from the foregoing observations that the 204 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. greater portion of this block is admirably fitted for special settlements, and that much of the land is of fine quality. It should also be borne in mind that, as the land abutting on its southern boundary is already settled upon, the location of additional population on the best portion of the block would ultimately secure the settlement of the country in an unbroken line from Master- ton to the Seventy-Mile Bush. The con- templated railway line runs from Masterton to the Seventy-Mile Bush, in an almost due northerly direction, through the centre of the block, over a country which presents no engineering difficulties whatever. The construction of this railway would prove of inestimable advantage to the proposed settlements in this block, as not only open- ing up a large area of valuable land, but also as affording the means of cheap and expeditious transit to the Wellington market for the large amount of stock, produce, and timber which will ultimately be obtained from the district in question. To the north of this block there is another valley, averaging about eight miles in breadth, which extends to the Hawke Bay boundary of the Province, and consists of fine open tawa bush, the land being in some parts slightly undulating, but nowhere do the hills exceed 50 ft. in altitude. The soil is of excellent quality, and abundantly watered by numerous streams. The whole of this open bush land is admirably adapted for the purpose of small-farm settlements. From the summit of Mount Bruce a fine view can be obtained of the level, wooded, and undulating country which extends from the saddle to the Manawatu Gorge, and from the Tararua range far on towards the East Coast. That extensive forest land must embrace an area of at least 600 square miles, which, now that it has been opened up by the main road line, wiU begin to be occupied, and in course of time will sup- port a large population of industrious settlers. The road line from Masterton through the Seventy-Mile Bush has been already opened up. Beyond the saddle, a point eighteen miles from Masterton, there is a large extent of level land of superior quality, extending to the gorge. The cream of this country has been untD lately in the hands of the Natives, the Government having only recently purchased it. The road crosses the gorge near the junction of the Tirauraea and Manawatu Rivers. Very little is loiown about the Tiraumea valley ; but, judging from information gathered from Natives, it is evident that there is a considerable extent of level country which is totally unknown to Europeans, and even to many of the Maories themselves. The road through the bush opens up about 100,000 acres of good country. In the centre of the bush the road skirts two clearings, viz., Te Hawera and Tutaekara. Te Hawera contains about 200 acres of flat grassy land, and Tutaekara about 400 acres. Having thus reached the Manawatu Gorge from the eastern side, as has already been done from the western, the general description of the Wellington Province is now complete. General Quality op Land, and Condi- tions OP Sale of Public Lands. In order to describe the general quality of the unsold Crown lands in the Province, it will be necessary to take the different districts separately. In the district on the left bank of the Wanganui River, the character of the country is that of a succession of table flats, separated from one another by gullies with streams flowing through them. The flats and their northern slopes are mostly covered with fern or scrub, while the southern slopes are generally wooded. The soil is, for the most part, of good quality, though in some places the flats are replaced by narrow clay ridges with precipitate sides. The Parae-Karetu block, situated between the Turakina and Rangitikei Rivers, con- tains some very good fern land along the valley of the Turakina, and extending some distance back from it over the low hills. There is also some fine undulating fern and grass land towards the north-east corner of the block, and some rich, flat, heavily- timbered land in the valley of the Porewa. The remainder of this block is nearly all timbered, more or less heavily. The block contains 46,000 acres, and the soU varies, but its general character is good, and much of the land is well suited for agricultural settlement. In the Manawatu district there is still a good deal of bush and some open land for sale. In the case of the former, the soil is of the richest quality, and in that of the latter, the higher parts of the land are well adapted for laying-down in grass, while the low-lying portions wUl, after drainage, -which is easily practicable, become valuable agri- cultural farms. The large tract of country extending along the west coast, in a southerly direc- tion from the River Manawatu to the V.'.iikanae, and reaching back to the sum- PEOVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 205 mit of the Tararua ranges, the purchase of which the Goverument is at present nego- 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 timbei- being of valuable quality. Towards the ranges the country becomes more hilly, but nearly all of it is suitable for grazing, A large 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 equal 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 crop, or lay down in grass, one-tenth part of 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 auction, the upset price being usually £l an acre for country lands, and propor- tionately higher prices for town allotments. The purchaser at auction has to make an immediate payment of one-tenth of the purchase-money, and the balance at the end of a month. Any sections ofi"ered at auction, but not sold, can be taken up afterwards at the upset price for cash. What the Unsold Lands are available for. 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 oats having been produced to the acre in the vicinity of WanganuL 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 growing. All kinds of English fruits grow luxuriantly, 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. Improved and Unimproved Lands 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 aU cases the price of land in private hands, either improved or unimproved, is con- 20G NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. piderably higher than the price paid to the Crown in the 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 laud in this Province, and the plan of purchasing surveyed Crown lands at ^'1 an acre is much more advisable. Improved 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 cixses 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. Chief Articles of Production, and 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 23 per lb. Flax {Phormium tenax) ^18 to £22 per ton. Tallow £.35 to £38 „ Sheep skins 6d. to 2s, 6d, each. Hides 15s, to 18s, „ Butter (salt) 6d, to Is. per. lb. Timber 12s, to 22s. per 100 ft. Furniture timbers 20s, to 30s. „ Preserved meats (in tins) 4d. per lb. Fat cattle 20s. to 23s. per cwt. Sheep 8s. to 15s. each. Horses £5 to £50 „ Store cattle 40s. to 60s, „ Hams and bacon 7d. to 9d, per lb. 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 sufficient for local consumption. New Industries. In addition to the industries already existing in the Province, there are several others which could with advantage be at 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 wooUen 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 locali- 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 pur- sued, wheat will be grown, and flour-miUs 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 manufactory might be added to the flax-mill with advan- tage and profit. This latter industry exists to a very slight extent, but there are many PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 207 openings for canying it on in an extensive way, with the certainty of reaping a large return. The nianufiicture of woolpacks, sacking, and wrapping paper could be established with advantage in this Pro- vince. The port of Wellington is well adapted as a site for ship-building operations, and the same may be said of Wanganui. 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 wUl in time admit of large expan- sion. As the Wellington Province is capa- ble of producing enormous quantities olf^. fniit, 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 a 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 manufiicture. At Island Bay, three miles from the city of Wellington, there is a splendid opening for a 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 Straits are warehou, moki, butter-fish — all which are good for curing — also hapuku, ling, and rock cod. The number of fish to be caught is practically unlimited, and the curing process can be cheaply accomplished. The local demand for the cured fish has always much exceeded the supply — when such 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. Amount or Timber, and the Means of OBTAINING IT. Proportionately to its area, there is no other Province in New Zealand which pos- sesses so large an acreage of viiluable timber as Wellington, or which afibrds 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 bush is accessible by road from Masterton. Stretching north from this block, there are 30,000 acres of similiu: bush ; whde 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 mQes 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 JNIanawatu to the city of Wellington and other places, will in the future be large. The timber consists chiefly of totara, matai, rirau, kahikatea, and rata. The saw-mUls 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 sufficient is known of this country to judge of the commercial value of its timber ; but the bush further north to the rear of Mount Egmont, which is now being opened np by the formation of the mountain road to New Plymouth, contains much good sawing timber. The districts previously described wiU, however, afford an abimdant supply of timber, both for building purposes and for public works, for many years to come, 208 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. beside furnishing a large quantity for export to the Middle Island, in the shape of railway sleepers, pUes, and telegraph poles. Minerals. No mineral discoveries of importance have been made in the Wellington Pro- vince ; but it is not therefore to be con- cluded tbftt 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 wUl be found, are the least known. Coal is known to exist in the Upper Wanganui ; and gold has been found there, but whether 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 mUes 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 cliffs in the neighbourhood of the Manawatu Gorge. Mills and Factories. 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-miUs 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 Eangitikei district, and in one or two places north 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 WeUington, where the manufacture of doors, sashes, &c., is carried on upon an extensive scale. In the same place there is a steam flour-mUl. There are two flour-mills in the town of Wan- ganui, three at Kangitikei, 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 in operation, employ a considerable number of hands, principally boys, who receive wages ranging from 10s. to £l per week, with 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 felknongeries 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. The Kinds of Labour in 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 Mana- watu district, good bushmen, axemen, and sawyers are especially wanted. In the towns, from the large extension of building operations, carpenters, bricklayers, painters, plumbers, &c., are in demand ; whUe, 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, boUer-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 insuffi- cient. Any man acquainted with a trade which is pursued here to any extent, can at once find remunerative employment. The essential thing is, that the new comers should be able to do some one or more things well, the doing of which is required in the Province. Rates of Wages. As the result of careful inquiries insti- tuted by the writer in every part of the Province, it has been found that a singular PROVINCE OP WELLINGTON. 209 equality in the rates of wages prevails throughout the country districts. As a rule, skilled mechanics get higher wages in the chief town, but this is more than coun- terbalanced by the advantages possessed by the mechanic settled in the country for investing his savings profitably, and quickly getting into business on his own account. The following may be taJicn as the current rates : — Married couples, £50 to =£70 per annum, and found. Farm labourers, £40 to £00 ];er annum, and found. Carpenters, 12s. per day. Blacksmiths, 10s. to 12s. per day. Bricklayers, lOs. a day. Painters, 1 Is. a day. Sawyers, 8s. 6d. to lis. 6d. per 100 ft. (making au average wage of from £3 to £4 a week). Fencers earn from £2. 10s. to £3. 10s. per week, working by the piece. Sheep-shearers, 20s. per 100. lioad labourers, 6s. to 8s. a day. Good ploughmen, 25s. a week. Shoemakers, lOs. a day. Tailors, £3 to £3. 1 Os. a week. Journeymen bakers, £2. 10s. to £3 per week. Tanners, lis. a day. Saddlers, 10s. a day. Pattern - makers, boiler - makers, and moulficrs, 10s. to 14s. a day. ]\Iillwright^, 12s. a day. Labourers in stores, £2 to £2. lOs. a week. Female domestic servants, 93. to ISs. per week, and found. Barmaids, £52 to £75 per annum, and found. First-class hotel cooks, £2 a week, and found. In the Upper Manawatu district, the average earnings of the sawyers working in the bush are £4 a week ; and such of the Danes and Scandinavians (who, in their own country, would earn probably only a few shillings a week) as are skilled in the use of the axe, make £4 a week as squarers of timber. At Rangitikei, there is a great want of married couples for farms and sta- tions, and they can command from £70 to £100 a year, and found. In the Wairarapa district, the demand for all kinds of country labour is as great as on the West Coast. TuE Food of Wobkinq Men. In scarcely any instance is the system of allowing rations pursued in the Wellington ProTince. If a married couple is engaged on a farm or station, they share in the comfort and abundance of the house, with- out restriction. If au unmarried farm labourer is working for a small farmer, he usually sits at the same table with his master and mistress ; if employed on a large farm, or on a station, he lives with the other men, who all take their meals in the kitchen of their employer's house, or in a separate building. These meals are abun- dant in quantity, and provided entirely without reference to rations. Beef, mutton, and porlc, wheateu bread, potatoes, vege- tables, milk, tea, butter, and cheese are the usual staples of a working man's meal in the Wellington Province. Compared with the poor and stinted diet to which ho has been accustomed at home, the agricultural labourer will find himself iu a veritable land of Goshen. Provincial Public Works in Progress, OR LIKELY to BE COMMENCED DURING THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS. In addition to the General Government public works connected with railways, roads, and bridges, which are either already going on or are contemplated in this Province, and the current Provincial works now in course of execution, there will be numerous extensive and important public works exe- cuted by the Provincial authorities within the next two or three years. It is proposed to expend on roads for the opening up of Crown lands at present unoccupied, no less a sum than £90,000, as soon as the ueces- sary labour can be obtained, besides which a further sum of £30,000 wUl be expended on bridges on the east and west coasts of the Province. A system of roads is in course of being constructed, to lead to and open up the valuable land recently acquired in the Parae-Karetu block, situated inland of the Turakina River. An entirely new inland line of road, fifty miles long, from Paikakariki to Manawatu, will also be con- structed, at a cost of £25,000 ; in addition to which, when the necessary surveys have been completed, a new line of road will bo made to the West Coast, along a route avoiding the Paikakariki hill. Bridges are to be constructed across the Rangitikei, Manawatu, Ohau, Waikawa, Otaki, and Waikanae Rivers, on the same coast. In the Wairarapa, and on the East Coast, roads opening up communication with Castle Point, and giving access to large blocks of land in the eastern division of the Province, are to be formed ; also a lo.id from Tinui o 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 Ruaraahunga, 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 Arc 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 offices, is already in progress. Altogether, the Wellington Province can offer abundant employment to those who may make it their future home. Advantages offered by the Provikce TO Labourers, Mechanics, and Small Farmers. The working man of whatever class, whether he be road 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, if he chooses to exercise ordinary industry and frugality. The farm or station hand, with his high wages and food provided besides, can easily 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 bum off the fern and sow it in grass. 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 smaU 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 afforded for the establishment of new industries, and in the majority of cases it is found that the men who avail tliemselves 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 fuU 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 sometims be obtained in the town, but the country offers other and greater advantages. In the first place, greater econcnny 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 afforded of keep- ing cows, &c. ; and growing vegetables PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 211 ■wonderfully reduce the domestic expeudi- tuie. 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 liimself 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 be;,'inning3. 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 makmg 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 iuvest- ments he is thus enabled to make, rapidly increase in value, and lay the foundation of his ultimate prosperity. Prices of Farm Stock, 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 and the Middle Island, the prices of sheep and other stock vary according to demand and season, always falling after shearing. Fat wethers, Aveighing 6U 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 £A ; bullocks, four years old, £5 to £6 ; draught oxen, .£10 to £15; sheep, 8s. to 15s., according to quality. Marton is the largest inland centre of population for the Kunijitikci district, imd 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 parts of the Wairarapa. At Grey- town milch 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. ] Os. each ; over that age, £3. Fat sheep bring 8s. to IGs., and ordinary, Gs. to lOs., at Masterton. Prices of the Ordinart Necf^saries OF Life. In the country districts, the price of flour is IBs. to 19s. per 100 lb. ; potatoes, 3s. to 5s. per cwt. ; tea, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per lb. ; sugar, 6d. to 7d. per lb. ; 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 15 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 fromld. to4d.perlb. Mutton ... ,, 3d. to 4d. „ Pork 6d. perlb. Veal 6d. „ Lamb 3s. to 4s. per quarter. Flour, 2d. per lb. or 15s. per 100 lbs. Potatoes vary according to season, from 4s. 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, 6d. to Is., according to season. Tea, from 2s. to 3s. per lb. Sugar, coarse 4id., fine 5hd. to6d. per lb. Coffee, Is. 6d. to Is. 8d. per lb. Rice, 3d. to 4d. per lb. Barley, 4d. per lb. Cheese, from 8d. to Is. per lb. Bread, 3d. to 4d. per 2 lb. loaf. Soap, 4d. to 6d. per lb., according to quality. Candles, Is. per lb. ' liirpnrtofl iiims, preaenreg, 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. Ecclesiastical Organization and Pro- vision FOR Religious Ordinances, 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 wUl 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 aU events one of the religious denominations become sufficiently 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 ApostoUc 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 buUding capable of seating 600 or 700 persons, and having a small peal of bells, a rare thing in a New 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 Te Aro end of the town, and contains sitting accommodation for about 500 persons. The 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 Aro, 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 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 300 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 of the latter district — Matarawa — two small churches have been erected, one of which is occupied by the Presbyterians, the other by the EpiscopaUans and Methodists unitedly. In Turakina, fifteen miles south of Wanganui, there is another Presbyterian PROVINCE OF WELLTNGTOK 213 Church, under the Reverend John Ross, and also a small Romnn Catholic chapel, the latter being visited occasionally by the incumbent in town. At Marton, 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, and 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, Johnson- ville, and Porirua, are all well supplied in this way. The Educational System. The educational system in operation in this Province may be very briefly explained. Under an Act of the Provincial Council, passed in 1871, the Province was divided into ten districts, and a central Education Board formed, composed of ten members, being one representative from each district. The office of the Central Board is in Wel- lington, 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 ca\)itation tax of five shillings per head (payable by the parents) on all children between the ages stated who attend the Government schools, or who, while not so attending, are not being educated else- where. Children being educated at private schools are exempted from the operation of thb 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 ha,ve 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 Avhether the children attend, during that period. There are ftfty-nine Government schools at present open throughout the Province, and seven others on the point of being opened. A stafl' of seventy teachers and 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 aff'orded in this Province will be of the most satisfactory kind. Charitable and Benevolent Institutions. The only organization of the kind which exists in the Province is the Wellington Benevolent Institution, Avhich 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. Eive 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 difl'erent denomina- tions. 2U NEW ZEALAND 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. Eelief 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 ; stUl, 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 Magistrate. Cases of distress calling for relief, which come before the Resident Magistrate, can be dealt with out of this fund, with the consent of the Pro- vincial Government. House Rent in Towns and Cost of Erecting Cottages 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 of the same size, but of a superior kind, at lis. to 15s. Comfort- able six-roomed houses, in good situations, range from £40 to £'60 a year, and larger establishments fi-om £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 fottage (including a brick chimney) could be buUt 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 cottage of the same size, but of a better description, lined, papered, and fitted with the ordinary conveniences, would cost £150 ; 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. Building Societies. Although the high rents for houses in towns are heavily felt by people with fami- lies, yet the frugal settler need not be long 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 means to 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 eveiy £50 borrowed, which, with the original subscription, makes 15s. 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 for a site for a cottage. He then joins a Building Society, tnkes 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 Society wiU amoimt toabout£2. 58. amonth ; and in the course of seven years the whole debt, principal and interest, will have been paid, and the house and land become his 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 Imd 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 pre- sent three in existence — two recently started, and the other of rather older date, caUed the Wellington, Trust, Loan, and Investment Company (Limited). The latter, however, as its name imports, ex- tends its operations over a wider area than is usually covered by a Building Society. It has a capital of £100,000, divided into 10,000 shares of £10 each. This Company owes its origin to the Wellington Mutual Investment Society, which carried on the operations of an ordinary Building Society for nine years in a highly successful manner, and then transferred its business to the Trust and Loan Company. The numerous benefits which the Mutual In- vestment Society bestowed upon the com- munity, may be judged of by the fact that during the period mentioned, a sum ex- ceeding £835,000 passed through its bank account, much of which was advanced in small sums to members for building pur- poses. One of the other newly-started associations alluded to is called the Wei- PROYINCE OF WELLINGTON. 215 Ungton 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 lOs. persharepermonth 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 by a sum of £41. 10s., at the end of the second year by £32. 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. 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 dale 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 aftbrded 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 per month. Members who confine themselves 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 primary ad- vantage of such Societies is the fiicilities 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. THE "MANCHESTER^' SPECIAL SETTLEMENT. Leaving the Manawatu Gorge and going \\estward 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 block is twenty miles in length and about eight miles in width, with an area of 106,000 acres, and being the sub- ject of an interesting and important colo- nizing operation, which promises a consider- able success, is worthy of more than a passing notice. In December, 1871, the Hon. Colonel Fielding, as representative of an English company, presided over by the Duke of Manchester, and called " The Emigrant 216 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. 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 difficulty in selecting a favourable site, and making terms with the Colonial and Provincial Governments, Negotiations resulted in the purchase of this block at 153. 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 countiy 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 a busy 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 largo 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 on to the Fielding to-\vnship, 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-roomed 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 saM'ing of timber, erection of houses, fencing, well-digging, brickmaking and bricklaying, bushwork of all kinds, and the hundred- and-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 first 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 Ts. to 9s. a day at axe work if amenable to instruction ; whUe 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 lauds for settlement. The immigTant 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 20 to '100 acres ; and at the end of seven years, or at any time before, be has a right to pur- chase the fee-simple at £3 per acre. As the PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. 217 block is 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 forruation 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 proiit 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 aero 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 the quarter-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 is assured. So soon as the timber is re- moved, English grasses, cereals, roots of aU 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, fruits for jams for other markets. It is difficult to leave this interesting subject. We may look back some three mouths when two or three surveyors' tents were the only evidences of human habita- tion. We see now some thirty Avooden 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 tho 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 luggage, or stores, or timber, or gravel for the newly-made roads. We notice a cloud of steam from the already- fired brickkiln— the earnest of future homely firesides. Dense volumes of.«moke appear, denoting a bush 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 carnages 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 ; Avith 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 (218) THE PROVINCE OF HAWKE'S BAY. A LITTLE more than a century has passed since the shores of Hawke's Bay Avere first seen by European eyes. On the morning of the 12th October, 1769, the good ship JSndeavour, imder 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 within a 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 them, and some " stinking 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 oflered 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 regard to my demands or remonstrances, and soon after, with the fishing boats, put off from the ship." Portland Island, as we have mentioned, was so named from its similarity — as viewed from the northward — to Portland Island, in the English Channel. The buy 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 ship's side to hand up what we bought," says Captain Cook, " was little Tayeto, Tupia'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 the beach, who appeared to be either dead or wholly disabled by their wounds. To the cape off which this unhappy transaction hap- Pu THE PROVINCE OF HAWKE'S BAY. 219 pened, I gave the name of Cape Kid- iiappers." After Captain Cook's visit there was a long interval during which the shores of Hawke's Bay remained unvisited by white men. In the early part of the present cen- tury it began to be a resort for whalers, some of whom from time to time settled down among the Natives, and became what are known as Pakelui-Maoris. If they were men of energy and capacity, as was not un- frcquently the case, they attained, as a rule, positions of influence, and their influence, in spite of all that has been said to the con- trary, we believe was, on the whole, bene- flciul. Mission stations were established by the Church of England in 1843, and by the Ivoman Catholics in 1851. It is not possible to fix any date at which it can be said that the settlement of Hawke's Bay was founded. In the cases of the Can- terbury, Otago,and Cook Strait settlements, they have this date definitely fixed by the arrival of the ships bearing to their shores the first colonists. Hawke's Bay, however, was settled diff"erently. Its natural advan- tages of soil and climate, as soon as they becjxme known, drew settlers, in ever in- creasing numbers, from the South. As early as 1848, blocks of Native laud were being taken up extensively as runs, in spite of the precariousness of a tenure dependent altogether on the goodwill of the Natives. This description of irregular settlement had gone to such a length by the end of 1850, that it was felt by the then Government that the time had come for endeavouring to acquire a landed estate from the Natives. In the December of that year, accordingly, Mr. Donald McLean, now Native Minister, went to the district as Land Purchase Com- missioner ; and the purchase, from the chief Te Hapuku, of some blocks in the interior, including those which now form the exten- sive and very valuable Pourerere and Home- wood estates, was eff'ected simultaneously with the purchase of Scinde Island, now the site of the town of Napier, and the surrounding district, from the chief Tareha Te Moananui. From this date forward Hawke's Buy became daily better known, and every month brought new settlers into it. The Land Purchase Department at the same time extended its operations, and further large tracts of country were acquired. On the 5th April, 1855, the township of Napier having been laid out in sections, was sold by auction. The duty of naming the streets devolved on the Hon. A. Domett (the author oi Ranolph and AmoJua), then Crown Lands Commissioner in the Pro- vince ; and to his literary and scientific enthusiasm, we sappose, it is that we owe it that they bear the names of Shakespeare, Emerson, Browning, Brewster, Dalton, &c. During the years between 1850 and 1860, the strides made by the town and district were extremely rapid. In 1858, the Euro- pean population had reached about 3,000. The community then began to feel itself able to stand alone, and a general desire was expressed fur the local management of its aftairs. The result was, that it was in that year constituted a " new Province," with its Superintendent and its Provincial Council. The Natives resident in the Province itself have always maintained the most; friendly relations with the European set- tlei-s. Even in the earliest times, when they largely outnumbered the latter, their disposition towards them was uniformly pacific. In 1857, an intestine quarrel broke out between two sections of the Hawke's Bay Natives. A skirmish took place, in which some half-dozen people (all, of course, Maoris) were killed. Some alarm being felt by the European settlers as to the possible ultimate results of the struggle, Moananui, the leading chief of the suc- cessful faction, wrote as follows to the local newspaper : — " Hear us. You have nothing to fear from us. Do you suppose that we are so fond of fighting, that we are anxious to have two enemies, the Pakeha as well as Te Hapuku ? No, our own quarrel is sufficient. Let the settlers re- main in peace amongst us. We would not act treacherously towards the people of our country. Were we to turn on them, we should be shutting up the road by which we receive many advantages." There is much more than idle profession here, — there is close reasoning. Moananui de- serves much credit for his sagacity in per- ceiving that he could best allay the sus- picions of his European neighbours, by showing them that his tribe were perfectly alive to the personal advantages which they derived from the maintenance of friendly relations with them. Te Hapuku's faction were equally decisive in their professions of friendship towards the Pakeha. The struggle, we may remark, ended by the retirement of the latter to their hereditary lands at Poukawa, some thirty miles in- land, leaving Moananui and his party in possession of the extensive and valuable Ahuriri Plains. The only other instance of hostilities within the settled districts of the Province, occurred in October, 1866, when a band of about a hundred Natives, belonging for the most part to the tribes inhabiting the south-eastern districts of Auckland, led on 220 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. by one of their prophets, who told them that the town of JNapier would be given over to them, came down and located them- 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 band, 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, in that respect, is as secure as Canterbury or Otago. Of late, too, it has come to be looked 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 Description, Eesources, Industries, &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 pastoral districts of Leicestershire. The northern part, though still excellent sheep country, is generally more broken. Napier, the port and chief town of the Province, is buUt on a peniusula 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 towns have a more prepossessing appearance as they are approached. The curve of the coast line to the southward, as viewed from the hill, never fails to recall to those who have travelled in Italy, the aspect of the Bay of Naples. The resemblance is due, no doubt, in no small degree, to the fact that Napier is pretty certain to be viewed under a sky as cloudless, and in an atmo- sphere as clear and as balmy, as those of the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea itself. The present population is about 3,000. It has four churches, one of them, at least, a building with some pretensions to architec- tural beauty. There are now four banks, including one on the eve of commencing operations. There is an Athenaeum, which compares very favourably with similar institutions in other parts of the Colony. Indeed, societies and institutions for the promotion of culture and the provision of amusements, artistic and intellectual, flourish in Hawke's Bay. The schools, both ele- mentary and higher, are numerous and efiicient. There are three newspapers — two daily, and one bi-weekly. The shipping accommodation of the port, as it at present stands, is inadequate for the rapidly- increas- ing trade of the place, and works are now in progress which will, within a year, greatly increase it. Large vessels cannot enter the inner harbour. They lie with safety in the roadstead ; and steamers trade 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 the centre of the Ahuriri plains. They are about 80,000 acres in extent, and they form a district which is not surpassed in pro- ductive capacity by any district of similar size, even in Great Britain. Crops of all descriptions can be grown on them, in the highest perfection, without the use of manure. Wheat is found to succeed better after root crops, otherwise it grows too rankly. The portion of them devoted to pasture, which is at present the greater portion, is found to be capable of keeping from live to seven large, long-woolled sheep per acre all the year round. They are watered by three large rivers, which also receive their drainage. They possess, further, an advantage of almost priceless value, for at any point of them, by an expenditure of from ^20 to £50, an un- failing reservoir of the purest water can be tapped. An artesian pipe is driven 50 ft. or 100 ft. into the earth, and water gushes forth, to be thenceforward like the springs of nature itself in omne volubilis wvum. It P!ll'l,|., Ik'' IIIW.i '■Jillij 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 supply is an essential requisite— and what industry is there for which it is not? — 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 rapid progress as soon as the railway is opened, and, with the increased facilities for carriage, cropping becomes more profitable than the deptistur- ing of sheep. There are several thriving townships in different 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 Napier is Waipawa, one of the largest and most flourishing of the inland town- ships, having its churches, public hall, &c., as have Meanee and Havelock. To the north and east of it is an undulating district of great extent, well suited for agrriculture. It has, up to recently, been occupied as shecp-faniis, 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 fli)urishinc; 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 aU the year round. Thence to Porangahau, twenty-five miles further to the south, 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 traffic of several large and progressive districts, the most important and extensive bemg 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-mUls will spring up in large numbers there, as they have done in other districts in simUar circum- stances, and the locality will become a thriving and populous one. The land, when cleared, is excellently 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 through the bush, now near completion. It will form part of the main southern road of the Province, and will aflurd the means of openuij^ cyuch com- 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 bi'oken 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 township north of Napier. It has some thousands of 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 Taupo 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 busiaess is already done, by the Napier storekeepers and merchants, with Taupo ; and as the number of tourists that armually 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 growth of pasture during the winter is ordinarily 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 year's clip of wool was between ,£200,000 and £300,000. Eveiy year, of late, it has been steadily increasing, and a stiU 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 added to. We have remarked above on another feature of the industry — the sub' division of large sheep-farms into small ones as settlement progresses. It is be- coming daily more observable. Cattle- breeding also occupies a prominent place among rural pursuits. Some of our herds 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 as 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 gracing, 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 153. to 17s. per 100 ft., our main supplies still come from Auckland by coasting vessels. The value of the import, we believe, is about £80,000 annually. The deficiency in the local supply is due chiefly to the high cost of carriage, or, in other words, the scarcity of labour. When the Seventy-Mile Bush, which contains the finest totara in the North Island, in un- 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 that an export trade, destined to assume im- mense proportions, will spring up. The starting of saw-mills in the Seventy-Mile Bush at present afi'ords an excellent oppor- tunity for investment. The other valuable forests in the northern part of the Province THE PEOVINCE OF HAWKE'S BAY. 325 will be shortly opened by roads, and will contribute to the wealth and the lubour- 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 is 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 of sugar-beet, and the manu- facture 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 reasoa why one, if established here, should not prove equally successful. The culture of the hop (for which we believe the Seventy-Mile Bush land is especially suited), of the vine and the tobacco plant, the manufacture of jams and ' sauces, and many other pursuits of a like character, all hold out excellent prospects of prolit to any who may think tit to engage in them. The following rates of wages have been furnished as those ruling in the various trades and industries in the Province ; — Tradesmen, per Day of Eight Hours. Carpenters ... Bricklayers Painters ... Blacksmiths Tailors liopeuiakers (Shoemakers 10s. tolls. 10s. tolls. 10s. to 12s. 10s. to 12s. 8s. to 10s. 13s. 10s. to 12s. Brickmakers and Masons... ILs. to 12s. General Labourers ... 6s. to 8s. Farm Labourers, per Year (all found). Married Couples ! £60 to £70. Single men £50 to £60. Single 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 labourers 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 pitblic 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 aifecting the rates of wages. In addition to the Paki Paid Eailway, 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- johiing 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 aU the year round : — Bread, per 4 lb. loaf... 9d. to lOd- Beef, per lb. ... 3d. to 5d. Mutton, per lb. ... 2d. to 4d. Butter, per lb. ,, 3d. to Is. 6d. Tea p«rlb 2s. 3d. to 3s. Sugar, per lb. ... 5d. to 6d. 226 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. CofiFee, per lb. ... Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. Potatoes, per ton ... £2. 10s. to £4' Coals, per ton, about. . . £2. 10s. Firewood, per ton ... 153. 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 £l 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 crops of all descriptions, and the forests abound 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 application to the Com- missioner of Crown Lands for the Province of Hawke's Bay, accompanied with a deposit of one-fifth of the purchase money. He will thereupon receive a license to occupy the land. In order that he may be able to exchange this license for a Crown grant, it is further required of him — 1st. That Avithin 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 jmid. 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 greater than those offered under the Waste Lands 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 bo anticipated, is taking place mairJy in the districts through which 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 aU have places of 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 gentlemen 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 system in force, the Act provides that the maximum amount of school fees chargeable in common schools shall not exceed Is. 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 rim 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 given either before or after them. All schools estab- lished either by religious denominations, or by any body of private individuals, which 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 afi'airs of most of the schools are in the hands of local Committees, subject to the supervision of the Provincial authorities. One of the PKOVINCE OF TARANAKI. 227 Napier common schools is endowed with an estate which brings in a large sum annually, and a handsome and commodious school building is being erected in connection with it. The teaching in all the town schools, and in most of the country schools, is satis- factory and efficient. A system of inspec- tion was established two years ago, which is found to be producing good results. Considerable reserves were made in all the townships, at the time of sale, for educa- tional purposes, and large additional re- serves for the same purpose were set aside by the Council last session. They will become yearly more valuable, and will enable the common school system to be made even more efficient, extensive, and liberal than at present. A grammar school, where the higher branches are ably taught by an Oxford graduate, exists in Napier, and is largely attended. It is owned by a proprietary company, and no effort is being spareel 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, partridges, and small birds brought here from time to time are breeding in various plantations where they Avere turned out. Another large shipment of birds left 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 arc 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 TARANAKI. Early History of the Province. 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 Aotca, 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 'folcoviaru, comnianded by a chief named Manaia, who was compelled to flee from his native country on account of a murder 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 conmiitted to memory, and from the many traces of ancient fortifications upon the hills, it was probably some hundreds of years. The history of this people is one of in- cessant warfare. The warlike spirit of the race reached its height j;hortly after the introduction of firearms in 1820. In the fierce intertribal struggles that took place 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 people taken into captivity and reduced to slavery. The first Europeans who beheld Taranaki were probably Tasman (the Dutch naviga- tor) and his companions, in December, ]642. On the evening of Wednesday, the 10th January, 1772, the renowned Captain Cook first sighted the mountain, which, on the following Sunday, he named "Egmont," in honour of the Earl bearing that title. On the 10th February, 1772, M. Marion du Fresne, a French navigator, made the land here and named the mountain " ie Pic Mascarinj'^ 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 Ngatiawa for having assisted the fighting chief Rauparaha — and also because Kaeaea, one of their chiefs, had, in a preceding war, crucified the AVaikato 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 Ngamotu Pa, near the Sugar Loaves. This was garrisoned by 350 Ngatiawa, under their chief Warepori, and six Englisli whalers and traders, whose names have been preserved by the Maoris. These Avere 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 Ngamotu de- fenders, with the other Natives of the district, fled to the South, leaving the country almost entirely without inhabi- tants. On the 29th April, 1834, the barque Harriet, Captain HaU 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 Walo3. Arrived there, Guard prevailed on the 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 Dietfenbach, proceeded to Taranaki. 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 except some de- serted plantations. WhUe there 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 ar- rived, accompanied by his staff, and the survey of the district was commenced. On the 31st March of that year, the barque William Bryan arrived with the first batch of inmiigrauts. This vessel was followed by the Amelia Thom-pson, vth.\c\i arrived on the 3rd September, and by her tender, a small vessel destined for coasting, called the Ilegi/M, which was unfortunately wrecked on the Taranaki beach shortly after her arrival. The Oriental arrived on the 7th November, 1841, and the Timandara on 2nd February, 1842, and these were followed at intervals by the BUnkdm and PROVINCE OF TARANAKI. 229 Essex. The immigrants were from the English western counties — Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Hants ; they numbered nearly 2,000, and were selected so carefully with regard to character, that for many years crime was almost unknown in the Province. The majority were agricultural labourers and miners, but there were some tradesmen and professional men. The first work performed was the erection of huts to live in ; these were chiefly constructed of the broad rush of the country, after the fashion of the Natives, and were thatched with sedge. Every able-bodied man was engaged in making roads, constructing bridges, and cutting lines through the fern and forest lands. When the immigrants landed, the few Natives who greeted them were miserable and dejected. Many of them at times were absolutely naked. After a while, gaining confidence, they came out of their hiding- places in the forest, and from distant places on the coast, in order to see the white man, to marvel at his Avorks, to trade with him in fish, firewood, and potatoes, and to share in the blankets and other tilings which had been promised in payment for the land. The first unpleasantness between the races arose through a quantity of goods which had been promised not being forthcoming. To rectify this, the Chief Surveyor, Mr. Carrington, wrote to Colonel Wakefield, and that gentleman despatched the schooner Jewess, freighted with the promised articles. The vessel was imfortunately wrecked in the Strait, and the Natives never received the goods, but they accepted the intention for the deed. After this afi"air had been thus amicably settled, the great chief of the Waikato tribe, who had conquered the tribes of Tarauaki, sent a subordinate chief named Te Kaka (AnyLici, the Parrot) with 200 men to claim the land by right of conquest. This claim was satisfied by the English Governor, Hobson, paying the chief i'150 in money, two horses, two saddles, two bridles, and 100 red blankets. A part of the bargain made with the Natives was, that one-tenth of the purchased land should be returned to them when it was surveyed ; and in order to expedite their civilization, it wa.s judged prudent to give them their reserves in the midst of the lands selected by the Europeans. As soon as the surveys were completed, the immigrants began to take up their allotments, to build and to cultivate. A village was soon formed on a beautiful and level tract of land, about six miles from the township of New Plymouth. Scarcely had this been done, when a number of slaves, the original owners of the district, were set at liberty through tlie entreaties of the Eev. John Whitely, a Wesleyan missionary, who has since fallen by the hands of those to whose wellare he devoted his life. These manumitted slaves, who, of course, had not received any part of the payment for the laud, became insolent and tyrannical, and demanded that the land should be given up to them. At length, a Commissioner, Mr. Spain, was sent by the Home Govern- ment to investigate their claims. He de- cided against them, and made an award in favour of the New Zealand Company ; but, discontent still prevailing — being, if any- thing, rather increased by this decision — Governor Fitzroy reversed the award of the Imperial Commissioner, declared all the Europeans trespassers for the time being, and gave back all the country lands to the Natives ; with the uuderstandine, however, that on the extinction of the Nau>^: title, by purchase or otherwise, the dispossessed settlers should re-enter on their original selections. This was a great blow to the settlement ; many settlers left, and further to reduce it, the Governor induced many of the Cornish miners to go to the Govern- ment settlement at Auckland, to work a newly discovered mine yielding copper and manganese. Some of the best settlers were compelled to go into the heavily- timbered lands and hew out for themselves farms with the axe, while thousands of acres of fine open land were left a barren and totally unproductive waste. The land was given back to the Natives in 1844, and during the succeeding ten years a few small blocks were repurchased at great expense , and in the face of much opposition. Then / a land league was formed, the outcome of ^ which was the great war of 1860. There were, however, a few things that tended to cheer the pioneers of the settle- ment in the midst of their severe struggles. The country was very healthy — the year would pass without a single death occurring in the community. The earth also yielded abundantly— wheat just chipped in with a mattock returned rich harvests of golden grain. Mills were erected, and quantities of fine flour exported. Grass also flou- rished ; Dutch white clover sprang up in all directions ; and butter soon became an article of export. Poultry became plen- tiful, and the bee produced great quantities of honey. The settler found comfort, and if his farm brought little cash to his pocket, he was amply supplied by it v/ith all the necessaries of life, and was cheered by seeing the daisy, primrose, and other British 230 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. flowers, and all the fruits of his native land, flourish in luxuriance round his humble cottage. General Description of the Province. Situate on the west coast of the North Island, between the 38th and 40th parallels of south latitude, with a population of about 5,400, the Province of Taranaki contains, in proportion to its area, a greater extent of land suitable for cultivation than any other Province in the Colony ; while its bracing yet genial atmosphere, and the noted salu- brity of its climate, evidenced by the troops of rosy children, point it out as one of the most eligible settlements the intending emi- grant could select for his future home. Geologically, Taranaki is a volcanic country. The underlying formation is a bluish marl of the older tertiary series ; but, except for about twenty miles of the north- em part of the Province, it is overlaid by a great mass of trachytic rock. This is covered with a deposit of yellow earth, consisting of ferruginous volcanic tufa of varying depth, but sometimes extending to 90 feet. In this tufo occurs the titanic iron sand, which is likely very speedily to be utilized, and to become a considerable source of wealth to the Province. In addition to the peak of Taranaki, or Mount Egmont, which rises to the height of 8,270 feet, there are two considerable mountain ranges of a pictu- resque character, also the cone-like Sugar Loaf Peak and Islands, and many ridges and small detached hills, which are com- posed of trachytic rock or trachytic breccia. Where the marl rises to the surface, the land is adapted to the production of Euro- pean fruits. The vine and the apple-tree thrive well upon it. On the volcanic soils, grapes, root crops, wheat to some extent, and the peach-tree flourish. The area of the Province is 2,137,000 acres, and of this at least two-thirds, or about 1,500,000 acres, is good agricultural land, suitable for settlement. There are only 175,000 acres in the hands of settlers. The balance is still in the hands of the General Government and the Natives ; the portion at the disposal of the Provincial authorities being insignificant in quantity. The most noticeable features of the country are these : Taking the coast line, it will be found that the central portion of the Pro- vince, from New Plymouth to the Kaipo- kanui stream, is circular in form ; so much so, that if one leg of a gigantic pair of com- passes were placed on Mount Egmont, and a semicircle were described with a radius of fifteen miles, it would aptly delineate the coast for a distance of forty-five miles. For the greater part of this distance the land — which on the coast line is low and rocky to within a few miles of Cape Egmont, while from that point it rises, and presents, as an ocean front, an unbroken line of cliff's ave- raging 100 feet in height — rises gradually inland in the direction of the mountain, and is divided at intervals by valleys, most of them containing rivers or streaTns, running more or less in a direct line from the moun- tain to the coast. Between these valleys are plateaux, generally very level, and the soil consists of a rich, black, vegetable mould, from nine to eighteen inches in thickness, overlying the volcanic tufa. The following table will be of use in showing the mode in which the land of the Province now occupied or owned by settlers has been acquired; and as the land held by Europeans under Native owners is also given, it shows an acreage rather higher than that before stated : — ^ Ar&a of Settled Districts of Taranaki. Acres. The old settlement, including Ta- taraimaka, Bell Block, and Omata ... _ 38,197 Subsequent acquisitions by pur- chase (Hua and "Waiwakaiho, and Tarurutangi) 29,093 Military settlements 97,800 Confiscated land sold by General Government 10,000 Native lands held under Crown grant, which have been pur- chased by or leased to Euro- peans in the East and West Waitara blocks 10,090 Settled area 185,090 Of this, only 35,744 acres were in crop, or broken up ready for cropping, in Feb- ruary, 1873. This acreage was in 492 holdings, and included land laid down in permanent artificial grass. From New Plymouth, the coast trends in a north-easterly direction to the Waitara Eiver for a distance of about eleven miles. The land here is less divided by gullies, and the soil is of the richest description — much of the same character as that between New Plymouth and Kaipokonui. North of the Waitara, the coast line runs for ten miles in an easterly direction to the Urenui Eiver, and thence again in a north-easterly direc- tion for about twenty-five miles to the river Mokau, the northern boundary of the Pro- vince. From the Waitara northwards, the soil is styfer, and well adapted to grain crops ; while between the Oneiro and Mitni A CHEEK, IN NEW ZEALAND. PROVINCE OP TARANAKI. 233 Rivers, and especially in the neiglibourhood of the Urenui, the soil consists, to a ive closeness of atmo- Q 2 244 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. sphere which characterizes English summer nights ; a refreshing breeze from the sea towards the land cools the air, and renders it exceedingly pleasant. In the winter, heavy rain falls, and occasionally there is a very slight nip of frost ; but snow and ice are almost unknown. The beautiful climate of Auckland has always been one of its greatest attractions, not only to persons coming from abroad, but also to those resi- dent in the Colony. The healthfalness of the climate is strikingly indicated by the fact that during a period of ten years the births registered in the Province exceeded the deaths by 12,112. During the month of February, 1874, the births of 107 chil- dren were registered, and only 19 deaths. The percentage of deaths to births was thus only 1775, a very much lower average than prevails in England and other European countries. Wise and stringent precautions having been taken by the Government, small-pox has never succeeded in making a lodgment in this Colony. Serious epi- demics of any kind have happily been unknown. Cases of measles and scarlet fever are also of rare occurrence. The diseases most prolific of fatal results are diarrhoea, dysentery, and diphtheria, the victims being mostly children. The chief causes of death to adults is shown by sta- tistics to be phthisis, heart disease, and apoplexy. The climate of Auckland is specially beneficial to asthmatic patients ; and the northern portions of the Province — particularly the Bay of Islands — are recommended by medical men for persons suffering from diseases of the lungs. The warm lakes and sulphur springs in the Eotorua district have become famous for the cure of rheumatism and kindred diseases. Medical statistics have been of such a satisfactory character as to lead to the suggestion that British troops, whon withdrawn from tropical climates, should be stationed for some time in the Province of Auckland, in order to recruit their health, instead of being removed at once to England. It may be mentioned that there are in the Province of Auckland several settlements formed by Nova Sco- tians, who left that Colony in search of one free from the severe Canadian winters, and who have been remarkably successful in farming sections of the waste lands of the Province. The Government offer every possible indi ement for the formation of such special s rtlements, by setting apart blocks of land 1' e, and aiding the immi- grants on arrival. The folU-wing remarkable table is ex- tracted trom the well - 1 oown standard work, "The Story of New Zealand," by Arthur S. Thomson, M.D., Surgeon-Major, 58th Kegiment : — Infantry, Infantry, Unite*! New Kingdom. Zea}and. Fevers 73 4 Eruptive Fevers 7 1 Diseases of the lungs. 171 94 Diseases of the liver... 8 3 Diseases of the sto- mach and bowels . . . 63 71 Diseases of the brain.. 7 6 Dropsies 2 — Eheumatic affections.. 54 35 Venereal affections . . . 277 30 Abscesses and ulcers.. 124 84 Wounds and injuries.. 58 79 Corporeal punishment 5 — Diseases of the eyes. . . 48 46 Diseases of the skin . . . 95 7 All other diseases . . . Total ... 52 45 1,044 505 " This table is thus read : — Out of every 1,000 soldiers in the United Kingdom, 73 were annually admitted into hospital with fevers, and out of every 1,000 soldiers in New Zealand, only 4 were admitted with fevers." Natural Products. The native vegetation of Auckland is, without exception, evergreen. The forests, in winter as in summer, are leafy ; and grass which becomes withered during the summer months, springs up rapidly with the winter rains. Apples, pears, and other exotics, or imported trees and plants, with few exceptions, shed their leaves during the autumn and remain bare, as in England, throughout the winter season. The Auck- land forests differ very much from the Australian bush, inasmuch as there is here a thick and almost impenetrable under- growth. Chief among the plants forming "^ this lower vegetable kingdom, are beautiful ferns, of which 130 species are found, 42 of which are unknown in any other country. The supple-jack, a strong running plant, which crosses and twines itself through the shrubs and trees, is an obstruction to loco- motion through the bush. There are many very pretty flowering shrubs, and the nikau, a small species of palm, the pith of which is edible, is found nearly everywhere. Con- siderable areas of land around Auckland are covered with ti-tree, which on poor soil PEOVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 245 is stunted, forming bushes of from 1 ft. to 6 ft. 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 cookiu;:; it so as to render it palatable. The Phormium tenax, or, as it is more familiarly termed. New Zealand liax, 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- nated 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 largel}' utilized. Another product, growing profusely in swamps, is raupo, the leaves of which are tough and durable, and are largely employed for the construction ef 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 or 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 in Auckland are such as few countries can rival. The scenery of the Auckland Province is enchanting. Hill and valley, woodland, rough cliffs, and quiet little secluded bays ; broad rivers, lakes, and rough mountain torrents ; waterfalls, geysers, boiling springs, volcanic cones, beautiful natural terraces, and many other marked natural features, grouped in the most picturesque forms, and gilded 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 by statistics given in the list of industries forming 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 AuckUind 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. 6d. to lis. 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 £3U0. The kauri is valuable for shipbuilding as weU as aU 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 south than 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 thiity miles south of that city. Second in importance to the kauri is the kahUcatea (known in the Southern Provinces as the white pine). Tliis is a soft wood, and is used in Auckland mostly for inside work, for which it is very well adapted. The rimu (sometimes called red pine) is greatly esteemed for the manufac- ture of furniture. It is a very good timber tree, but much more difficult 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 246 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. valuable "woods of tlie AuclcLnid 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 recognize it as a source of revenue, and it is customary, where practicable, to fell and square the trees and float the loss to the nearest saw-mill. The Government are also taking stringent steps to stop the whole- sale destruction of valuable timber on Government lands. The forests are now properly regarded as actual wealth with which Nature has endowed the Colony. Auckland Province, like the rest of the Colony, is destitute of native quadrupeds. The forests 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 ])arts of the bush there are wild pigs, the oll'spriug of those introduced by Captain Cook and others ; and pig-hunting may be regarded as one of the sports of the country. The sportsman will find plenty of game. Piieasants, acclimatized, are very 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 thu Natives for food. Other wingless birds, of small size, peculiar to New Zea- land, are found, but have now become rare. The morepork, tui (or parson bird), kouinako (or bell bird), and a number of small parrots, relieve thesilence of the woods. There are, however, but few native singing birds. Starlings, rooks, sparrows, and other English birds have been introduced,, and are becoming numerous. The sea teems with excellent table fish, the mullet and schnapper being especially esteemed. Eight varieties of whales, two of dolphins, three of seals, and sharks, are caught along the coast. Sharks are largely used by the Maoris for food. MiNEitAL Resources. It is now many years since gold Avas first discovered at Coromandel ; and to the 31st December, 1873, not less than 853,688 ounces 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 less con- nected chain across the Island, will be found auriferous in localities as yet unex- plored. 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 Kawakawa, Waikato, and Whangarei mines, which alone have been worked, and have already yielded a large amount of good coal. Work at the Whangarei mine has been suspended for several years, owing to the flooding of the mine, which abuts on the beach. At Kawakawa, the seam in the mine averages 12i ft. in thickness, and 100,000 tons have been taken out. At Waikato, the seam being worked varies from 6 ft. to 18 ft., lying horizontally, and yields a fine coal. At Whangaroa, a thick seam of pitch coal has been found, but has never been worked. Brown coal has been found at Matakana, 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 ro-opened. At Waiapu, Raglan, Coromandel, Parengarenga, Awhitu, Whau, and other places, coal has been found. Very large coal deposits exist on the West shore of the Frith of Thames. An English company is about to open a mine in this 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 lurge 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 is abundant in many parts of the Province, as also is coal, so that these two principal ele- ments necessary to the reduction of iron ore are readily obtainable. The iron trade is one that will be largely developed in the future, and which offers now a good field for the investment of capital. PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 247 For many years, copper mines were ■worked, with English capital, at the islands of Kawau and. Great Barrier. The per- centage of copper obtained, was large, and the lodes of considerable jnagnitiide ; yet the undertakings proved unprofitable to those engaged in them, and the mines, al- though not by any means exiausted, were abandoned. This want of success was at- tributed to the dearness of labour and the want of cheap coal. In addition to the lodes of copper above mentioned, others are said to have been discovered. Silver and lead have been obtained in moderate quantities from the gold-bearing reefs of Coromandel and the Thames, but no well-defined and. distinct lode of either metal has yet been discovered. Tin, with one exception, and that on the Thames gold-field, has never been found in the Pro- vince. Good cement has been found in the Ka- wakawa coal mine and other parts of the Province, and its preparation for market has been commenced, at JVIahurangi. Fire- clay, found in the Waikato di.strict and other places, has been put to a more prac- tical test. Waikato fire-clay was employed in the retorts at the Auckland glass works, and found equal to the best Stourbridge clay. Good clay for bricks exists in many parts of the Province, and brick-making is carried on extensively. Pottery clays have so far been applied only to the coarser kinds of ware, such as drain pipes, &c. Dr. Hochstetter, when in Auckland, directed attention to a series of extensive seams of clay on the Karaka Flats, beyond Drury, which he pronounced to be equal to the best Bohemian clays. These seams have not been opened up. Petroleum has been found in various dis- tricts of the Province, and a company to test the kerosine springs of Poverty Bay has been formed, the plant for which has been obtained from America, as well as some men acquainted with the oil -workings there. Area and Extent of Settlement. The total area of land in the Province of Auckland is computed at IG, 500,000 acres, of which the portions sold from the 1st of April, 1856, to the end of 1872, were 1,575,471 acres. In !Maroh last, there re- mained in the hands of the Provmcial Go- vernment 1,300,228 acres ; but much of this is poor land, which cannot fairly be classed as suibible for settlement. The General Government retains in its posses- sion the confiscated lands in the Waikato and Manukau districts, of which 517,000 acres are still available for settlement. There are other confiscated lands on the East Coast. The Government are now pur- chasing from the Maoris large blocks of land, which Avill materially increase thi^ area available for occupation by immigrants. By the agricultural statistics of 1873, is appears that there were 3,842 holdings in the Province, and 224,578 acres had been broken up ; 88'36 per cent, of which had been laid down in grass, and are rapidly being individualized. From the 1st of July, 1872, to the 30th June, 1873, titles were issued by the Native Lands Court to aboriginals for 221,776 acres in this Pro- vince. The maps of claims made in the Native Lands Court up to 30th June, 1873, include 2,977,958 acres in the Auckland Province. These legal operations are pre- liminary to the power of selling by the Natives. The Province is divided into counties, electoral districts, and highway districts ; but a simple division, which will easily be understood on reference to a map, is that formed by the isthmus on which the city of Auckland is built. We shall, for conveni- ence, divide the Province into two parts, namely, that lying north and that south of the capital. In pursuance of this division, we shall speak first of the north. The Isthmus of Auckland is formed by her indentation of the Waitemata Harbour on the East Coast, and the INIanukau on the West. North of the city, the Province forms a peninsula about 200 miles in length, and of an average breadth of about thirty- five miles, varying from six at the narrowest to sixty-six miles at its widest parts. This peninsula is indented on the West Coast by the Kaipara Harbour, an immense inlet of the sea, which, with the rivers flowing into it, affords water communication to about 900 miles of country, and drains about a million and a-half acres of land, much of which is of good agricultural quality. There is a bar at the entrance to this harbour, but it is navigable by vessels of the largest tonnage. A considerable proportion of the land around the Kaipara Ilavbour produces vahiable timber ; two large saw-mills are at work in the district. Various settlements have been formed along the shores of the harbour, chief of which are the Albert-land settlements, on blocks of land allotted in forty-acre grants to Nonconformist immigrants who arrived in the Province in the years 1862 and 1863. A large portion of the land so alienated from the Crown has not been settled upon, but is held by persons resident in Auckland, from whom it maj"" be purchased at a low 248 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. price. The many settlers who have gone upon their hinds are steadily improving them. The WaLroa River, which is navigable by large vessels for nineteen miles from its mouth, and for boats many miles further, discharges itself into the Kaipara Harbour. The land on the banks of this river is heavily timbered, and well adapted for settlement. The Oruawharo, Otamatea, and Hotea Rivers, falling into the Kaipara, also open up much good land, suitable for the location of immigrants. North of the Kaipara, on the West Coast, is Hokianga Harbour, which also opens up a considerable area of wooded land, and is the outlet of a large timber trade. The climate is specially adapted for fruit-growing. On the East Coast of the peninsula, there are several good harbours, including the Bay of Islands, one of the finest harbours in the world, and Mangonui, also a capacious and safe har- bour. These ports have been whaling stations from the earliest period in the history of the Colony, and are also the natural outlets of important agricultural districts. There are still thousands of acres in both districts suitable for settlement, muck of which may be purchased cheaply from private owners. In an Auckland auction mart, during the year 1874, good land at Mangonui was knocked down at less than 2s. an acre. The Government hold 15,0U0 acres in that district. The whole of the peninsula north of Auckland is more or less settled by a very scattered population, located around those parts of the coast where an outlet for pro- duce is obtainable. There are, however, still large districts available for settlement. The land is generally broken and of very unequal quality, many tracts being barren and unfitted for tillage, while there is much good land, and such as ofters great en- couragement to settlers with little capital but possessing a practical knowledge of farming. The large seaboard has given rise to a fleet of smart cutters and schooners built in the Province, which trade between the various coast settlements and Auckland. The chief pursuit of the northern settlers is the rearing of cattle. Sheep-breeding is extending ; but the cultivation of cereals has hitherto been carried on only to a very limited extent. Isthmus of Auckland. The Isthmus of Auckland, connecting the northern peninsula with the southern part of the Province, is about twenty-five Tniles long. Nearly the whole of the land upon it is well cultivated and fenced. The farmers specially study the rearing of pure-bred stock, and their flocks include some of the finest sheep in the Colony, the produce of English imported stock of first- class quality. In addition to sheep-breeding, grazing and the growth of hay engage the attention of the farmers settled within twenty miles around Auckland. The cultivation of root crops has been neg- lected ; wheat, with the present demand, is found to be most profitable. The land along the isthmus is generally undulating, broken, however, in many places by the cones of small volcanoes long extinct. Southern i)art of the Province. Drury, a settlement on the Great South Road, twenty-two miles south of Auckland, stands at about the terminal point of the isthmus. Beyond that point the Province widens out until it attains a breadth of over 200 mUes. The distance from Auck- la,nd to the extreme south-eastern limit is also about 200 miles. The centre of this great tract of country south of the capital is watered for 300 mUes by the River Waikato, and its tributary the Waipa. The Waikato is the longest and most important river in the Colony. It takes its rise at the Tongariro and Ruapehu mountains — two volcanoes 7,500 ft. and 9,195 ft. high respectively, situated in the Province of Wellington. About thirty-five miles from its source, the river becomes lost in a fresh- water lake twenty-five miles long, called Taupo, within the boundaries of the Province of Auckland, and emerges on the southern side of the lake, at an elevation of 1,250 ft. above the sea level. It flows for some miles along the Kaingaroa plain, an almost level, and at present bare and uncultivated tract of land of light quality, sloping to the East Coast, and which would probably grow splendid grass. For many miles along the , course of the river the country is of volcanic/; origin, and is all of it Native territory. Th^ land here is very much broken, and in some parts heavily timbered. For thirty miles, the river flows across an extensive table- land, some portions of which are 2,000 ft. above the sea level, and which is compara- tively unexplored. The Waikato River emerges into settled territory a few miles above Cambridge, a frontier European set- tlement 104 miles from Auckland. The country from that township to Ngaruawahia, where the Waikato is joined by the Waipa River, is nearly all good agricultural land, and is being rapidly brought under cultiva- tion. In the Cambridge district alone, there are 27,000 acres laid down with grass and 12,000 acres in crop. In Te Awamutu, an adjoining frontier district, 150 miles of PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 249 fencinct have been done, 15,000 acres laid (luwii ill orass, and 1,500 fat cattle are sent annually to the Auckland market. Other Waikato districts show equally favourable results. In this part of the Pro- vince, settlement has been more successful than in any other ; and that the settlers do not themselves consider their position inse- cure because of their occupying confiscated lands, may be iufeiTcd from the fact that land within eight or nine miles of Cam- bridge township (which is only a few miles from the boundary of the confiscated coun- try) is valued at £3 per acre, and township acre allotments at £120. This land was mostly purchased from the military grantees, a few years ago, at a very trifling price ; and it has more than quadrupled in value during the past four years. The Waipa River, which joins the Waikato at Ngaruawahia, is navigable as fiir as Alexandra, the fron- tier European settlement in that direction. Between the two rivers there is an extensive chain of swamps, much of which will no doubt ultimately be reclaimed by drainage. Although settlement has not extended along the Waipa so rapidly as on the Waikato River, very considerable progress has been made. The Waikato district is reached from Auckland by a good metalled road, which strikes the river where it bends west- ward in its course to the sea, thirty-eight miles south of Auckland. A railway is also being constructed by the Colonial Government. To the east and west of this road, before it reaches the Waikato River, settlements have been formed. Amongst those to the west, Mauku, Waiuku, and Pukekohe are the most extensive. South- west of Drury, there is a large area of land Avholly unfit for cultivation, but containing, it is believed, good pottery clay, wlxich has not been tested. Beyond this, where the land is of good quality, with a fair pro- portion of forest, settlement has gone on very rapidly. To the east of the Waikato River is the Thames Valley, watered by two large rivers, with tributaries. This vaUey contains some splendid land not as yet settled upon. Farmers in this district would obtain a good and convenient market for their produce at the gold-fields town- ships situated at the mouth of the rivers. The chief settlements on the East Coast of the Province south of Auckland, are Tau- ranga and Poverty Bay. Around Tauranga there are extensive tracts of undulating land, on which English grasses, fruits, and root crops grow luxuriantly ; and there is a fair area laid down with wheat. The har- bour is navigable for vessels of considerable tonnage, and is well sheltered. Poverty Bay, like the Waikato, is a.ssociated in the minds of persons not possessing local know- ledge, with the idea of Native disturbance ; yet so rapid has been the advance of settle- ment in this district, that there are now 500 houses, 300 mUes of fencing, 280,000 acres occupied by Europeans as sheep runs, 10,000 acres occupied for grazing and til- lage, and 15,000 sheep. The Government owns a larcre quantity of land in that district available for settlement. On the West Coast of the Province, south of Auckland city thriving settlements have been established at Raglan (which possesses a very good harbour) and at the Manukau Heads. About 1,000 pigs, 1,200 bales of prepared Fhormium, besides wheat, oats, potatoes, &c., are sent to Auckland annu- ally from the port of Raglan alone. Lime- stone and coal are found in the district, and lime-burning is carried on to a considerable extent. In the Raglan or Whaiugaroa dis- trict, and the adjoining district of Karioi, many thousands of acres of good land are available for settlement. The Lahe District. About thirty miles inland from Tauranga, and connected with that settlement by a line of coaches, is the Auckland lake dis- trict, abounding with the most wonderful natural phenomena. There are three large and many smaller lakes, the water in some of which is of a sky-blue colour. For mUes the surface of the earth around Rotorua and Rotomahana Lakes is in a state of perturba- tion : holes and puddles tilled with boiling mud abound everywhere. The great attrac- tions of the district, however, are the geysers and magnificent terraces. These wonderful terraces are formed by a silicious deposit from the warm — in some places boiling — water that flows over them. The chief terrace, or rather series of terraces, one above the other, is 300 ft. at the base and 150 ft. high, the front being of circular form, and the whole structure grand and stately in appearance. On the lower ter- races are hollows filled with the warm water flowing over, and forming natural marble baths. The water in them is of a deep blue tint, and the surface of the terraces exhibits a great variety of colours, pure white, pink, and blue predominating. This district is now much frequented by tourists, as well as by invalids sufi'ering from rheumatism, sciatica, white swelling, &c., and it will doubtless, when better known, attract visi- tors from Europe. There is a large area of arable land in the district, which the Natives 'J are willing to lease, and this is being rapidly "V acquired by the Goyernmenu for settlement. 250 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. The Gold Fields. About thirty miles eastward, from Auck- land, is the extensive mountainous penin- sula named Coroniandel. Numerous quartz veins run through the primary rocks, and it is in these that the gold is found. Mining operations were commenced ia the creeks at Kapan^a, where rough gold, ■washed, out of the hills, was discovered. This deposit was of small extent. The hills 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 Kapauga) 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 anyone 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 ounces of gold in a few days' work. The Golden Crown paid ^200,000 divi- dends in twelve months; and the Cale- donian mine subsequently yielded ten tons of gold in about the same period of time, and distributed i'572,000 amongst the shareholders. Other mines have given handsome returns, although less dazzlingly rich than those mentioned. The gold-fields off"er 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 foi 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 lino 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 tune. Population and Principal Towns. The population of the Province of Auck- land, exclusive of aboriginals, according to the census taken in 1871, was 62,335. The present population is estimated at 66,000. The population of the city of Auckland,- with suburbs, is about 21,000. Second in population is the town of Onehunga, 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 Manukau is 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 by a line of steamers trading to the Manukau 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 Waiteinata (or Auckland Harbour proper) is a magnificent land-locked water, branching westward from the Hauraki Gulf, and capable of afibrding secure anchorage to hundreds of large vessels. The city of Auckland is built on the south bank, on rising ground, and has a very picturesque appearance. A wharf, 1,690 ft. long, has been constructed opposite the centre of the town. It aifords accommodation for vessels of very large ton- nage, including the magnificent steamers now employed on the English mail service md San Francisco. A graving dock, capable of taking in large vessels, is to bo soon commenced, and will greatly enhance the present excellent commercial facilities of the port. The Waitamata Harbour extends fifteen miles beyond Auckland, affording water-way to several country dis- tricts, at present very thinly settled. From one of these settlements, known as River- head, a line of railway has been constructed by the Government to connect the Waite- mata with the waters of the Kaipara Har- bour, an immense inlet of the sea on the West coast of the Province north of the city of Auckland. This railway is to be extended to Auckland. It will open up a considerable aiea of good agricultural land PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 251 north of Auckland, now difficult of access, and will atlbrd communication by steamer and rail to the whole of the settlements on the Kaipara Harbour. The Waikato Rail- way, the construction of which is rapidly progressincj, will, when completed, bring the country for eighty miles south of Auckland into direct communication with the capital. The shippiiicj trade of Auck- land is already irreat, and is fast increasing. During the year 1872, for which the Go- vernment statistics are complete, 170 ves- sels, of a gross tonnage of 54,257 tons, and carrying crews numbering 2,21(j men, entered the port of Auckland from places beyond the Colony, in addition to a large number of coasting craft. There are owned and registered at lihe port of Auckland 43 sailing and 6 steam vessels of over 50 tons register, and 124 sailing and 14 steam vessels of under 60 tons register. The majority of these were built in the Pro- vince. From its unequalled position be- twen two fine harbours, being also near to the gold fields, and in the centre of the provincial traffic, as well as being in a position to command the South Sea trade, Auckland gives promise of becoming a great commercial city. It now possesses many fine public buildings and piivute residences. The Thames gold fields townships of Grahamstown and Shortland are well built, but there is no reliable cstin;ate of the present population. It probably 7uim- bers 6,000. Kapanga, the township of the Coroinandel gold field, possesses several excellent hotels ; but the population is scattered over a number of small townships convenient to different centres of the field, and consequently no large township has been formed. Nearly every settlement or agricultural centre of importance throughout the Pro- vince has its township site, with a few buildings erected thereon — church, school, stores, and hotels being generally earliest on the ground. There is a large number of these embryo townships north and south of Auckland, in addition to those mentioned in the foregoing portion of this paper. Industrial Pursuits. Timber Trade. Apart from gold mining, to which we have already referred, and agriculture, which wo shall notice presently, the chief industry of the Province is its trade in timber. There are twentv large saw-mills and many smaller mills at work in various parts of the Province. lu 1872 the quantity of timber exported from Auckland Province to places beyond the Colony was : — Sawn, 3,623,361 ft. ; laths and shingles, 360,800 ; logs, 1,553 ; palings, 700 ; spars, 153 ; not otherwise described, 238 tons, 13 cords, 634 packages. In addition to this, a larger quantity than that sent from the Colony was shipped to the Southern Provinces. The timber trade is rapidly increasing, and the returns for 1873 wilj doubtless show larger results. The capabilities of the Auckland s;iw-mill3 may be gathered from the fact that at the Te Kopura (Kaipara) mill, the largest in the Province, there were loaded during January, 1874, nine vessels, each carrying from 23,786 ft. to 106,682 ft. and taking in the aggregate 490,090 ft. of timber. The establishment of small mills capable of cutting from 4,000 ft. to 5,0U0 ft. a day is becoming of frequent occurrence, and has been found to pay even better, pro- portionately to the amount of capital in- vested, than larger mills. This is a branch of industry to which we would draw special attention. The forests, being wide spread over the Province, cannot be reached from the large mills ; and there are still numerous places where small mills could be estab- lished with advantage. The large mills are generally placed in situations convenient for shipping the timber, and are kept sup- ])lied with logs by lloatage down the creeks. The timber trade gives employment to numerous small vessels, and has in this way stimulated the provinci.d industry which we shall class second, namely — Shipbuilding. The possession of suitable timber and other facilities has led to the development of an important shiplmilding industry in this Province. Auckland-built vessels are well known, and may be found in all the Southern colonies. From the 30th June, 1853, to the 30th June, ISW*, there were built, in the Province of Auckland, 22 steam and 482 sailing vessels. During the last four years this number has been very largely added to. Repairs and alterations to vessels can be cheaply and expeditiously efl'ected. A conmion practice has been to construct vessels at suitable places along the coast, in close proximity to forests, from which the necessary timber can be ob- tained. Auckland can show a larger fleet of small craft locally built than any other port in New Zealand or the Australian colonies. The ruling rate for the construc- tion of vessels thoroughly staunch and faith- fully built is £8 to £9 per ton, builder's measurement, for hull and spars. 252 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Kauri Gum. This is specially au 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 unlit for cultiva- tion, the gum tliat has exuded from the dead trees is found at a depth of from 2 ft. to 3 ft. This guiu 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 value 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 ]\Iarch, 1874, was ^£30 to £33 per ton. At that price, g'j^m-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 fiax upon ■waste lands may be , purchased from the Government at a very low 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 einployed in these mills. The prepared Phormium, suitable for rope-making, ex- ported fjfom the Province in the year 1873, was 1,497 tons, valued at £27,783. Bo2)e Making. The manufacture of rope from prepared Phormium 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 Phormium, 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 officers 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 st#iin as ManiQa, remained unbroken, while the other gave way. This industry is worthy of the attention of practical rope makers contemplating emigration, the cheapness and pleutifalness of the material being of the utmost importance, while the market in this and the neighbouring colonies is 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 should 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. Fou7idries. The foundries of Auckland are amongst PROVINCE or 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, Ac, and are capable of making very heavy castings. Nearly all kinds of machinerj', 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 Breweries. 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 price 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 land knoAvn 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 railway from the mine to deep water, in order to facilitate shipments. A coal mine at Whangarei, which was worked some years ago and was subsequently closed, has lately been re-opened. Capitalists might find a profitable field for investment in the provincial coal measures. Miscellaneous Indristrics. 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 (fimcy and cabin) bricks, bone-dust, ba.skets, bellows, bookbinding, cordials, cooperage, cofFee-roastinj, 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. Of the larger and more important works we might men- tion the manufacture of paper, for which the Phormium 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, yearh", 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 proved 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 willingnesa 25i NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. to giaw the necessary crop, if a local mar- ket for their produce be guaranteed. The coast hsheries are capable of being largely developed. A Government bonus of 4s. per cwt. has been offered for all salt or preserved fish prepared in, and exported and sold out of, the Colony between 1st Au- gust, 1872, and 1st November, 1879. At pre- sent over £18,000 worth of preserved and £8,000 of salted fish are being imported into the Colony annually. No attempt has been made to utilize the pottery clays of the Province, although earthenware, owing to breakage, commands a high price. The imports of earthenware each year amount to over £16,126, and of china to £5,241. The climate is well adapted for the growth of hops, which are now cultivated to a small extent, but there is still £28,000 worth imported annually. We shall enumerate below a number of articles now imported for which the material might be found within the Province of Auckland, and their manufacture might, with skilful manage- ment, become thriving local industries. The figures appended represent the value of the goods of each class imported in the year 1872 : — Bags and sacks {Phormium fibre suitable), £91,932 ; buckets and tubs, £1,436; brushware and brooms, £11,929 ; bottled fruits, £8,099 ; cement, £10,540 ; confectionery, £17,769; matches, £26.227 ; tobacco pipes, £7,747 ; twine, £6,363 ; vinegar, £7,042 ; woodware, £9,386. That many of these industries have not been commenced before is no doubt due to the numerous openings for the investment of capital in the Colony which present them- selves to investors. The Government offer a bonus of £5,000 for the production of 1,000 tons of iron in the Colony. The Classes likely to Succeed in Auckland. It must be understood that large manu- factories for lace-making, stocking-making, and similar industries, which give em- ployment to a considerable population in Enghmd, have not yet been established in Auckland, nor in any other part of the Colony. The trades requiring skilled la- bour are principally those enumerated in the list of industries noticed in the preced- ing pages. For example, twist hands, and other persons employed in lace and stock- ing manufactories or cotton-miUs, need not go to the Colony seeking employment, unless prepared to forsake their old modes of life and to strike out new paths. If adapted to this, and industrious, no one need despair of success. There is no open- ing for additional retail shops in Auckland ; but persons possessing a small or large capital, and prepared to commence manu- facturing industries, cannot fad to succeed : this is the class most wanted. In conse- quence of the extensive public works now going on, labourers are in great demand. The great wants of the Province are practi- cal farmers and agricultural labourers. Farm labourers may here become landed proprietors. By hiring out their services from time to time to neighbouring settlers and on pubUc works, whUe bringing their own properties under cultivation, they may — as many have done before — found for themselves comfortable homesteads. The great complaint of employers of farm labour in the Province is, that the best men so soon leave them to commence on their own account. Female servants cannot fail to succeed here, if honest and industrious. The immense imdeveloped mineral wealth of the Province of Auckland holds out, as we have shown, almost unequalled induce- ments to capitalists ; but persons practically acquainted with nuning, even though pos- sessing little capital, have good chances of success. Acres of ground known to con- tain coal, iron, or copper, have been offered for sale at very low prices. The known gold-producing districts of the Province are only very partially developed, while other districts believed to be gold-bearing are not yet opened to mining enterprise. These ofier good fields for the employment of a large mining population. Another class for whose circumstances the Province has peculiar advantages, is that of persons who have small private incomes. If these only knew the cheapness of living and the comfort in the colonies, they would no longer endure the miseries of straitened circumstances. Pensioners may live better on their pay in Auckland than in England ; and this class is already largely represented in the Province. Persons without means and with no particular calling wUl find themselves better off in an old country: they need not emigrate. The same may be said of those who hope to secure a Go- vernment situation, or have vague notions that gold may be got in the colonies without work. The^e had much better remain in Europe. Industry is necessary to success in every part of the colonies. Land Laws. Special Advantages of AucUand. The special advantage of Auckland to farmers and others who contemplate ulti- mately settling to agricultural pursuits,^ is PROVINCE 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 upon. This Province is the only one in which free grants of laud 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 breadstui's at the port of Auckland from 1st January to 31st October, 1872, amounted to 8,489 tons ; oats, 126,497 bushels ; barley, 21,258 bushels ; bran, 14,795 bushels ; maize, 85,3G8 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 acquii-ing 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 throA\Ti open, and after examining the lots and making tfceir 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 Office, within six months after taking possession, a collect 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 is brought into complete cultivation, a Crown grant will be issued at any time within 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 Office in Auckland, ascertain what lands in any district have thus become subject to pur- chase at lOs. 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- pittil, who have thus been enabled to earn money for their support, while bringing their own knds under cultivation. Improved Farms. Many farmers with small capital prefer, and no doubt wisely, to purchiise 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 20,000 acres leasehold, for ten years, with 60 head of ottttle, 900 sheep, 12 horses, farming implementSjSix-roomed house and outbuild- 258 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. ings, price ^2,000 ; or without the sheep £1,000." " Farm of 300 acres at Waiuku, 150 acres in grass, with eight-roomed dwel- ling-house." "Desirable homestead and farm of 200 acres, all fenced, in Waikato district." "Farm of 60 acres at Hunui, with small house, a few acres in grass, price £60." " Farm of 30 acres, nineteen miles from Auckland, with good residence, stab- ling for forty horses, coach-house, barn, &c., price £460." " For sale, price £600, a com- fortable homestead and 1,600 acres of good land, situated in the Gulf of the Thames, ten miles from Grahamstown. The improve- ments already made will give and imme- diate return to cover interest on the amount of the purchase money." " For sale, in one or more lots, a block of 2,800 acres, princi- pally volcanic land, fenced and considerably improved, about thirty-five miles by rail from Auckland, with a passenger station in the centre of the property." There are other similar announcements, with offers of large estates ; but those cited above are sufficient to show that farmers desirous of purchasing improved land will not be left without choice. The Labour Market. The following list of rates of wages has been compiled from what was actually being paid in Auckland and the surrounding districts in March, 1874. It is to be ob- served that in all mechanical trades, and for labourers in general, the standard day's work is eight hours. Shops usually close at six p.m., except on Saturday. Agricultural labourers : Very great de- mand, especially for men having a general knowledge of farm work. Married couples (with board), £60 to £70 per annum ; general farm labourers, 15s. to 20s. per week (with board) ; ploughmen, 15s. to 20s. per week (with board) ; boys able to milk, 7s. to 10s. per week. Accountants and book-keepers, from £3 to £5 per week — demand very limited. Bakers : good demand. Wages for fore- men, £2 per week and board, or £2. 10.s. without board. Coach-builders : First-class hands, 10s. per day ; second-rate tradesmen, 8s. Coach- painters, similar rates. Business is brisk, and good artisans are required. Boot and Shoemakers : Journeymen earn from 7s. to 83. per day of eight hours, but men working on piece earn up to £4 per week. The trade is very well supplied at present with labour. Bricklayers : Trade is very brisk. Brick- layers, lis. per day ; hodmen, 8s. Bushmen, 25s. per week and board, estimated as equal to £2 per week. Bottlers, and men employed about brew- eries and distilleries, £2 to £2. 5s. per week. Boys for country stores, t&c, 8s. to 12.'?. per week and board. Blacksmiths, 9s. to lis. per day. Carters (in town), £1 6s. to £2 5s. per week. Wagoner.^ (in country), £2 to £2. 10s. per week. Cabinet-makers, 8s. per day when em- ployed constantly in the shop. Cooks : Male, 20s. to 6O3. per week ; female, 15s. to 20s. Carpenters : Trade brisk ; wages, 93. to 10s. per day. Clerks : too many ofiferrng ; wages, £2 to £3 per week. Coal-miners (at Kawakawa) : Most of the work is let by contract. Skilled coal-cutters can earn from 10s. to 12s. per day, and are scarce. Labourers at the mine receive from 6s. to 7s. ; engineer, 12s. ; stoker, 9s. ; carpenters, 8s. to 9s. ; blacksmiths, 9s. to 10s. per day. Drapers' assistants : Wages vary in different establishments from £2 to £4 per week. Ditchers, 5s. 6d. per day. Gardeners : landscape, 9s. per day ; ditto, plain, acting as grooms, 15s. per week and board. Governesses, £50 to £70 per annum ; nursery, £30 to £50. Housemaids : In gentlemen's families, 12s. to 15s. per week ; in country hotels, 12s. to 15s. ; in town hotels, 10s. to 15s. Engineers : Business brisk : 250 men employed in the local workshops ; wages, 8s. to 12s. per day, according to skill. Labourers on the roads and railways : Demand in excess of supply. Wages 6s. to 7s. per day. Mniiners meet with ready employment at from 20s. to 40s. Needlewomen earn from 12s. to £1 per week. Jewellers (working) : Trade supplied. Wages, £3 per week. Millers, £2. 5s. to £3 per week. None offering. Painters : The current rates are 8s. to 9s. per day. Printers : Compositors, £2 to £2. 5s. per week ; newspaper work. Is. per thousand ; pressmen, £2 to £2. 5s. In country offices compositors earn from £2. 5s. to £2. 10s. ; stone-hands and clickers, £3 to £4. 5s. Polishers : Piece-work, at the rate of about 8s. per day. PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 259 Shipwrights: Trade is very brisk, and the standard rates of wages in March, 1874, was from 10.s. to 12.s. per 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 lor many more. Wages, town, 8s. to 10s. per week ; country, 10s. to 12s. Tanners : Wages for tanners vary from £2 to £i per week ; curriers, on piece- work, from £2. 10s. to i>4 ; labourers at the tanyards, 36s. to 45s. per Aveek. Tanners and curriers readily obtain employment. Tailors : Average earnings about £2 per week, although some steady men earn up to £4. Good cutters receive about £5 ; tailoresses, 20s. Upholsterers are paid by piece-work, and average 8s. 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 frequently form the chief items of the daily fare. 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. (id. to 8s. ; truckers, 7s. ; blacksmiths, 10s. ; carpen- ters, 10s. ; foreman of shift, 10s. ; engine- driver, 10s. ; bracemen, 8s. 4d. ; amalga- mator, 9s. ; feeders, 6s. ; labourers, Cs. Cost of Living. 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- ing 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 ; and potatoes, £3 to £4 a ton. The rates given below are taken at the dear season of the year. Bread 3M. to 4d. per 21b. loaf : milk, per quart, 6d. ; butter (fresh). Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. ; cheese (new), 8d. to Is. ; eggs, per dozen, Is. 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, per lb., 8d. to lOd. ; hams, 9d. to Is. ; salt butter. Is. 3d. to Is, 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. per lb. ; fire- wood, cut, 14s. 6d. per ton, delivered. Wholesale Rates of Breadstuff s 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 Is. 6d., per bushel ; wheat, Canterbury, N. Z., 5s. 3d. to 5s. 6d. ; Adelaide, 7s. 6d. ; Auck- land, 6s. 6d. per bushel. Cabin biscuit per 100 lb. 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 ; chaff, £6. 10s. per ton. Ecclesiastical. 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. Duruig 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 Wale.s: 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 Ncav Zealand. The prohibition "was removed in 1814, and Mr. Marsden then proceeded ta K 2 260 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. New Zealand for the first time, making the voyage in a brig (the Active) which he had purchased for missionary purposes, and having with him the first three mission- aries to this country, and also some chiefs of the Bay of Islands who had been his guests at Paramatta. The expedition ar- rived at Rangihoua, on the north side of that bay, in December ; and the first cele- bration of public worship was there con- ducted by Mr. Marsden, on the Sunday following, which happened to be Christmas Day. Mr. Marsden visited New Zealand in all seven times. From the Bay of Islands and its neighbourhood the opera- tions of the Church Missionary Society were gradually extended to the Thames, and to the central and southern districts of the North Island. The favour accorded to the New Zealand mission at the outset by the neighbouring Natives was mainly due to the influence of a remarkable young man, Euatara, the principal chief of Eangihoua, who is also noted as having introduced into New Zea- land the cultivation of wheat and the making of flour and bread. Euatara had been, in early youth, very anxious to visit England and to see King George, and for this purpose he left his native country in the year 1805, when about eighteen years of age. After various adventures, and having suffered much hardship, he arrived at the docks of London, in a vessel called the Santa Anna, in 1809. Here he was defrauded of the stipulated wages, pre- vented from being much on shore, and finally put on board the Ann, a ship which was leaving for Sydney. In this ship Mr. Marsden was a passenger, returning from his visit to England ; and a few days after the commencement of the voyage he ob- served on the forecastle a man of dark colour, who appeared to be sickly and dis- consolate. This was Euatara, who, in con- sequence of the attentions of Mr. Marsden and others, recovered his health, and at the termination of the voyage remained for some months at the principal chaplain's residence, where he employed himself chiefly in learning agriculture. On leaving for New Zealand, he took with him a supply of wheat. In 1814, Mr. Marsden des- patched his brig, the Active, to the Bay of Islands, with an invitation to Euatara to visit Paramatta again, and to bring with him some other friendly chiefs. A present highly acceptable to Euatara was conveyed to him on this occasion, that of a hand-mill for grinding his wheat. The invitation was j'f'cepted, and among those who accora- vi "j'.l Kii;i*-.ra was his uncle HonLn, a chief already noted as a warrior, and after- wards a person of great celebrity. The whole party returned to New Zealand in company with Mr. Marsden, near the end of the same year (1814). The Active on this occasion carried also a number of horses, oxen, sheep, and poultry ; and this was the first naturalization in New Zealand of any quadruped larger than the pig. Eua- tara became ill during Mr. Marsden's visit, and died soon after. Like Hongi, without becoming a disciple of the new religion, he favoured the protection of missionaries, and cultivated the acquaintance of the Pakeha. WhUe not less adventurous than Hongi, he was exempt from that fierce love of war by which his uncle was charac- terized.* The Wesleyan mission in New Zealand was founded by the Eev. Samuel Leigh, who took up his residence at Whangaroa, among the tribe Ngatipo, in the year 1823. George, the notorious chief of Ngatipo, was at that time dead ; but his spirit of hostility to the whites appears, in some measure, to have survived in his tribe. The missionaries at Whangaroa were so treated that on one occasion they fled to the church missionary station at Kerikerijt but they soon after returned. In 1826 the mission premises at Whan- garoa were finally plundered and destroyed by a portion of Hongi's forces, in his war against Ngatipo. This violence was in contravention of orders given by Hongi. The missionaries took refuge in the church missionary stations at the Bay of Islands, whence they proceeded to Sydney. After a few months' stay there they returned to New Zealand, to Hokianga, on the north- western coast, where, in 1828, they es- * " He was indeed a noble specimen of human nature in its savage state. His character was cast in the mould of heroes. At the very period of his death, after ten years of as much privation, danger, and hardship as nature could well bear, his cour- age was unsubdued, and his patriotism and enterprise unabated. He told Mr. Marsden, with a air of triumph, ' I have now intro- duced the cultivation of wheat into New Zealand. New Zealand will become a great country. In two years more I shall be able to export wheat to Port Jackson in exchange for hoes, axes, spades, tea and sugar.' He had made arrangements for farming on a large scale, and had formed hia plan for building a new town, with regular streets, after the European mode Had he lived, he would have been the Ulysses of his Ithaca, perhaps its Alfred." — £v'V of Marsden. i On the we^t of the Bay of Islands. / PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 261 tablished a permanent mission. The ope- rations of tlio Wesleyan Missionary Society were gradually extended on the western side of the Island. A French nobleman and ecclesiastic, Bishop de PompalUer, founded the Roman Catholic Mission in New Zealand. Ac- companied by two priests, he landed at Hokianga in the year 1837. Sections of the Native tribes in the northern portion of the Island, and also in the central and other districts, accepted adhesion to the church of that accomplished and benevolent prelate. At the time New Zealand was con- stituted a British Colony, the greater part of the aboriginal race professed the Chris- tian religion, and the movement was in rapid progress. The rapidity of the change ixt that time may be ascribed, in a great degree, to the eagerness with which the Natives universally acquired the art of reading ; while the only books printed in the Maori language were portions of the Holy Bible, and other publications pertain- ing to religion. Auckland and Taranaki combined con- stitute at present the diocese of the Anglican Bishop of Auckland. In the Auckland Province, there are thirty-one other clergy- men of this denomination, of whom seven are Maoris. The Presbytery of Auckland comprises fifteen clergymen. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland presides over fifteen clergymen. The clergymen of the Wesleyan Church are fourteen. The other ministers of religion in the Province of Auckland are as follows : — Independent or Congregational, 5 ; Primitive IMethodist, 3 ; Hebrew, 1 ; Baptist, 1. There are a few other congregations not classified as belong- ing to any specified denomination. The ecclesiastical endowments of any denomi- nation are scanty, and the ministrations of religion are maintained chiefly at the expense of the several congregations. Education. In the city of Auckland there is a well- endowed institution named the Auckland College and Grammar School, which is affiliated to the New Zealand University. The income accruing from the endowments is at present about .£1,100, and is increas- ing. In connection with the CoUege and Grammar School there have been established ten Provincial scholarships, each of which is tenable for two years, and entitles its holder to receive SM a year and free tuition at the Grammar School. The appointments to all the scholarships aro made according to *he results of public competitive examination. These scholar- ships are of two kinds, "open scholarships," which are four in number, and " common school scholarships." The former are open to all competitors whatever of the male sex, and within the required limits of age. The latter are restricted to the pupils of the " common schools," that is, the schools supported by the Board of Education, by means of grants made by the Provincial Council, and certain educational endow- ments. The Auckland Board of Education consists of the following members : — His Honour the Superintendent of the Province, the Provincial Executive (consisting of four members), the Speaker of the Provincial Council, four gentlemen elected annually by the Provincial Council, and three members appointed for Kfe by the Judge of the Supreme Court in Auckland. The Board of Education has the supreme management of the Auckland College and Grammar School and of the Common Schools. In all the Common Schools, instruction is given gratuitously to pupils of both sexes. The course of study at these schools comprises the usual requisites of a sound English education, with instruction of girls in sewing, &c. The number of these schools is at present 113 ; the number of teachers is 179. The Anglican Church has a weU-endowed institution located a few miles from the city, called St. John's College, in which candidates for the ministry of that Church are educated, and a general education is afforded to other students. There is also a Church of England Grammar School in ParneU, a suburb of Auckland. To each of these institutions some scholarships are attached. In the city and neighbourhood, many schools, especially for young ladies, are carried on by private enterprise. Charitable Institutions. The Provincial Government supports wholly the Provincial Hospital, which is situated in the city of Auckland, and the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, which is within a few miles of the city. The following charitable institutions are aided by Pro- vincial grants : — The hospital at the Thames ; the hospital at Kapanga (Coro- mandel) ; the Orphan Home, Parnell, which is in connection with the Anglican Church ; St. Mary's Orphanage, in connection with the Roman Catholic Church ; St. Stephen's School, Anglican, occupied chiefly with children who are Maori or half - caste ; Home for Neglected and Criminal Chil- c'ren ; Ladies' Benevolent Society ; Old 2G2 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. JNIen'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. Cost of Erecting Cottages. 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-roomed weatherboard cottage, lined and papered, is about i;i50. 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. The Maoris will put one up for from £'3 to £5. Prices of Farm Stock. The following are the current prices in Auckland for ordinary farm stock, in sound condition : — Horses : Staunch draught, £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 lb. ; when near shearing. 4|d. per lb. Half-bred ewes, Is. Id. to 25s. Long wools, Lincolns and Leicesters, all prices, according to quality. Agricultural Implements for a Small Farm. The following is the list referred to in our advice to intending emigrants. It comprises, we believe, all the implements necessary, in the outset, on a small farm in the Province of Auckland, and shows their prices at the local ironmongers : — £. s. d. 1 light iron plough ... 6 10 1 set iron harrows 5 10 1 scarifier ... ... ... 4 1 set whippletrees for plough 12 1 dray cart 16 1 cross-cut saw ... ... 15 1 hand-loom 6 1 American axe ... ... 7 6 2 spades 11 1 mattock or pick ... ... 5 6 Wedges, maul rings ... 12 6 Seed drill 16 6 Fern hook 4 6 Scythe 5 6 Reaping and mowing machines, cheese presses, chaflf machines, corn mills, horse hoes, pulpers, &c., are not required for t\\'o 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 to Intending 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 numi)er 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 intendin^f farmers what is required in Auckland, and their retail cost at the local ironmongers, wc 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 innnigrant desires to take up land, he should at once proceed to the Provincial Waste Lands Office, and ascer- tain the blocks open and terms of sale. The Government Immigration Officer will assist him in any difficulty arising from want of local knowledge. We would urge upon PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. 263 intending settlers not to take up land at haphazard off the map ; for however willing the Government officers may be to assist, they cannot possibly say what particular piece is good land or what bad ; and the immigrant's future success largely depends on his choice of good land. It will repay him, therefore, to visit the ground before selecting. The best rules to be followed in making selections are :— Secure a river or road frontage. Mixed bush indicates a good soil ; but where there are many kauri or puriri trees, or where kauri gum is found beneath the surface, the soil is invariably poor. Wherever fern grows to a good height, the soil is of fair quality ; but where the land is covared with low ti-tree scrub and a plant known as the native fuchsia, which bears a small yellow flower, the soil is poor. Clay soils, when worked, yield well ; volcanic soils are light, warm, and yield Avith but little cultivation, but are soon exhausted. Flax laud is generally good, but where swampy, requires drainage and fallowing. With the exception of bush land, all soils require fallowing for a year. The customary mode of dealing with bush land is to fell the bush and remove the best for sale, if possible, letting it lie from the end of October till March of the next year, when the fallen timber is to be burned off. Wheat and grass can be sown broadcast between the stumps, as soon as the ashes are cool, without breaking up the soil or covering up the seed. It is not always that wholly bush land can be obtained ; but persons selecting should see that a portion of their selection is bush land, as it is of paramount importance to have the material for firewood, building, erecting fences, and similar works, within easy reach. INDEX. Aborigfinal inhabitants of Taranaki claim tho land Pa«7tf229 Agent-General in London, Dr. Featherston appointed 185 Agricultural areas in the South Island 39 leases in Nelson, how issued 181 Improvement Works in Otago Ill produce of Canterbury 73,125 — — produce of Hawke's Bay 220 productions of Marlborough 167 productions of Wellington 20.5 Agi'iculture, improvement in 40 in New Zealand 38 Ahuriri Plains, the 220 Alluvial gold, where found 37 Amounts to the credit of depositors in Sav- ings Banks in 1872 44 Amusements in Canterbury .' 154 Animal productions 40 Area of Hawke's Bay 220 of settlement districts in Taranaki 230 of ^\ellington 185 Artesian wells in Hawke's Bay 220 Articles of produce in Wellington, chief 206 Aspirincr, Mount 96 Assisted and free passages to Immigrants... 76 Attack by the Natives on Napier 220 AUCKLAJTD 243 agricultural implements required 262 area of province 247 Bay of Islands 248 Charitable Institutions 261 climate of. 244 ■ — — coal, abundance of 246 coal-mining 253 copper mines 247 cottages, cost of erecting 262 Drury 248 ecclesiastical matters 259 education 261 ■ — — farm stock, prices of. 262 flax growing 252 foundries 252 game and fish, abundance of 246 gold-fields, richness of the 250 Government land sales 257 house rent 262 improved farms 257 industries 250, 252 — — Isthmus of Auckland 248 Kaipara Harbour 247 Kapanga 251 Kauri gum 252 Kauri pine, value of the 245 labour market 258 Lake District 249 landlaws 254 Manukau Heads 249 minerals found in 246 natural products 244 newspapers published in 53 noxious reptiles, freedom from 246 Onehunga 250 percentage of deaths to births 24t population and principal towns 250 Auckland, wholesale prices of provisions.Pay? 259 Raglan 249 rainfall in 1872 243 rope-making 252 settlement, extent of 247 shipbuilding 257 silver and lead 247 soap boiling 252 temperature 243 Thames Gold-field, the 2.50. the first seat of the Government 26 timber trade 251 timber trees 245 wages, rates of 258 wages on gold-fields 259 Waikato River 248 Waitemata Harbour 250 West Coast 249 Audit Office 87 Am-iferous sand, or gold drift 37 Balclutha, Otago 101 Banks, amount of their business in 1858 and 1873 66 assets and liabilities of, in 1858 and 1873 67 their first establishment in New Zea- land 66 Bay of Islands ■ 248 Beetroot cultivation in Canterbury 132 Benefit Societies in Hawke's Bay 227 Ben Nevis, Otago 96 Black coal seams 38 Blind Bav, Nelson 177 Blue Spur Gold-field, Otago 101 BluffHarbour 96 Bonus for plantations in Canterbury 133 Botanical Gardens, Wellington 187 Boundaries of Marlborough 164 of Westlaud 157 Brickmaking in Westland 160 Building-stones in Canterbury 133 Building Societies in Napier 227 in Nelson 183 in New Plymouth 243 in Otago 112 in Wellington 214 Building Trades, rates of wages of, in Can- terbury 136 Busby, Mr., appointed first Resident 24 Bush land in Wellington, cost of clearing... 191 Cabinet, list of Members of the 8.5 Cabinet-making in Auckland 253 Caledonian Society in Wellington 187 Cannibalism prevalent formerly amongst the Natives 22 Canterbury 121 agricultural produce in 1873 125 average yield of grain in 1872 126 blacksmith's wages 136 bonus for plantations in 133 bricklayers' wages 136 building-stones 133 building-trades, wages of the 136 Church of England in 142 clay iron ore 133 266 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Canterbury, climate Page'127 coalmines ■ 133 commencement of the Colony 1 22 — — Commercial Companies 152 cottages, cost of 150 design of the Colony 121 desire for improved dwellings 134 drapery trades, wages of the 136 ■ ecclesiastical matters 142 • educational establishments 142 Emigration regulations 150 engineers' wages 136 English song-birds and game 153 farm produce, value of 130 farm stock, prices of 141 fireclays 133 Fitzgerald, Mr. J. E. the first Superin- tendent 122 founded as a Church of England set- tlement 25 grain and flour, average prices of 131 higher education, provision for 145 hospitals and charitableinstitutions... 147 hours of business in 137 immigrants, regulations to be observed in the hiring of 151 immigrants, regulations to be observed while in barracks 152 industries 130 iron trades, wages of the 136 Insurance Companies 153 --■ — labour regulation 134 labourers, advantages to 141 land available 128 ■ — land purchases 129 land regulations 127 Jand under cultivation 129 lawand police 152 leasehold land 130 leather trades, wages of the 136 limestones 133 living, cost of 141 Lunatic Asylum 149 Lyttelton Orphange 149 masons' wages 136 mechanics, advantages to 141 — mineral resources 133 miscellaneous societies 153 New Zealand IJniversity 146 newspapers published in 53 ■ no fees charged in the public schools 144 painter's wages 136 paper-making 132 plasterers' wages 136 plumbers' wages 136 popular amusements 154 preserved meats 132 public schools 144 public works 137 quartz sands 133 railways under construction 137 returns of the first wages which immi- grants received in 1873 134 revenue of in 1858 and 1873 122 road rate 126 runholders' rights 128 sericiculture 132 skilled labour required 131 small farmers, advantages to 141 small farms 129 tailors' wages 136 telegraph 126 temperature 127 timber planting 132 wages, rates of 131 Canterbury, woollen manufactures Page 132 Cape Kidnappers 218 Carlyle 234 Cattle and sheep, their numbers in 1 87 1 69 their rapid increase 65 Cattle exported from Wellington during 1871-73 197 Charcoal manufacture in Taranaki 235 Charitable Institutions in Canterbury 147 in Hawke's Bay 224 in Nelson 184 in Wellington 213 Christianity, rapid spread of, among the Natives 28 Church of England Missionaries in Hawke's Bay 219 Churches and chapels in Wellington 212 Classes likely to succeed in Auckland 254 Clay iron ore in Canterbury 133 Climate : rapid and sudden changes of weather and temperature 36 at Taranaki, equable 36 at Wellington, variable 36 of Auckland 243 of Canterbury 127 of Nelson 184 uniformity of, in Westland 164 Clutha River 96 Coal in Canterbury 131 localities where found 38 suitable for domestic purposes 38 Coal-mines 38 in Canterbury 133 Coal-mining in Auckland 253 Collectorsoi Customs 90 Collingwood 177 Collision with the Natives in Nelson 176 Colonial Legislatui'e, power of 32 Colonial Secretary's Office 86 Colonial Treasurer's Department 87 Colonists, arrival of the first batch of, in Nelson 174 in Nelson, early troubles of the 175 Commercial Companies in Canterbury 152 Commissioners, Deputy, of Stamps 80 Commissioners of Crown Lands 90 Comparison of the health of troops at home and in New Zealand 244 Confiscated Lands in Wellington 198 Constabulary Department 90 Cook, Captain, lands in Poverty Bay in 1769 18 comes into collision with the Natives, and kills their fighting general 21 Native account of the arrival of 21 attempts to introduce the sheep, goat, and pig 23 plants the potato and other European vegetables 23 visits Hawke's Bay 218 Copper mines in Auckland 247 Cottages, cost of, in Canterbury 150 in Manchester " Special " Settlement 216 in Marlborough 172 in Nelson 184 — — in Taranaki 240 in Wellington 214 in Westland 164 Criminal convictions in 1858 and 1871 55 Crofton township, Wellington 193 Cromwell, Otago 102 Crown Lands Department 88 Crown Lands, average price of 167 in Hawke's Bay, regulations for pur- chase 224 INDEX. 267 Crown lands in Nelson, howdisposed of. .Page 178 sale of, by whom regulated 35 Crown Law Office 86 Crown Prosecutors 89 Crown Solicitors 89 CuBtoms 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 Taranaki 229 Discount, rates of, intheColony 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 Canter- bury 136 Drunkenness, convictions for, in 1858 and 1871 56 Drurj', Auckland 218 Du Fresno, Captain, killed by the Natives.. 28 Dunedin, the capital of Otago 90 High School for Boys 115 High School for Girls 115 population in 1874 100 School of Art 116 the " Athens of the South " 100 University 116 Earnslau Mountain 96 Ecclesiastical affairs in Auckland 259 in Canterbury 142 in Marlborough 173 in Nelson 183 in Otago 113 in Taranaki 238 _ in Wellington 212 "Educational establishments in Canterbury.. 142 in Marlborough 172 in Otago 1*14 in Taranaki 239 inWelUngton 213 Education in Hawke's Bay 224 expenditure on, in Otago 117 statistics of 56 Egmont District 233 Emigration, regulations of, in Canterbury... 150 English Constitution, the basis of that of New Zealand 32 English birds in Hawke's Bay 227 flowers in Auckland 245 song-birds and game in Canterbury ... 154 song-birds in Nelson 184 European roots and vegetables, adaptability of the climate to produce 40 Exports for six years, ending December, 1871 59 from Canterbury in 1873 130 Extent of Settlement in Auckland 247 Exterminating wars among the Natives ... 228 Farm labourers, wages of, in Hawke's Bay. 223 Farm produce, value of, in Canterbury 130 Farm stock, prices of, in Canterbury 141 in Marlborough 172 in Nelson 182 in Taranaki 238 in Wellington 206,210 in Westland 163 Featherston, Dr., appointed Agent-General 185 Female domestic servants, wages of, in Hawke'sBay 223 Female infanticide common with the Mao- ris Paffe 22 Fireclays in Canterbury 133 Fisheries, import;\nce of the 40 Fish-curing in Marlborough 170 in Otago 105 in Wellington 207 Fish, river, increasing in number 40 Fi.sh, sea, list of the varieties of 40 Fitzgerald, Mr. J. E., first Superintendent of Canterbury 122 Flax and Hemp, culture of, in Otago 106 Flax, abundant in Westland 159 in Auckland 252 manufacture in Taranaki 236 value of, exported in five years 64 Forest land in Hawke's Bay 221 Forest trees, the: r val aabl e qualities 40 of Taranaki 236 Formations of New Zealand 39 Foundation of Canterbury, the 122 Foxton, Wellington 189 Free grant of land, how to obtain, in Auck- land 257 Friendly Institutions in Otago 118 Fruit, great variety of 40 Game, abundant in Auckland 246 variety of 40 General Post Office 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 Westland 157 how obtained 37 quantity exported 37 value of, exported in 1858 and 1861 ... 60 value of, exported in five vears ending 1871 .'. 64 Golden Crown Gold Mine 250 Gold-fields of Auckland 250 of Marlborough 170 of Nelson 177 ■ not exhausted 37 Gold-finding, different methods of 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 office 88 Government schools in Wellington 213 Grain and flour, average jirices in Canterbury 131 Grain crop, number of acres imder, in 1873 68 of Canterbury in 1872 126 of Otago, in 1873 103 Grammar School at Napier 227 Grasses, high feeding quality of the 40 Grey and Bell Districts 233 Greymouth 157 Grey lUver 157 H;imilton Mountain 96 HawkJ':'8 Bay 218 agricultural productions 220 area of the Province 220 artesian wells 220 attack by the Natives on Napier 220 benefit societies 227 Cape Kidnappers 218 charitable institutions 224 Crown Lands, regulations for purchase 224 discovered by Cook in 1769 218 general description 220 268 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Hawke's Bay Grammar School Page 227 ecclesiastical affairs 224 education 224 establishment of a Church of England Mission 219 farm labourers, wages of 223 female domestic servants, wages of ... 223 first transaction with the Natives 218 forest land 221 industries 220 land open for sale 224 land reserves for education 227 — • — newspapers published in 53 ■ population in 1858 219 populatioa of Napier 220 Portland Island 218 provisions, cost of 223 purchase of the land from the Natives 219 quarrel among the Natives 219 resources of the Colony 220 Scandinavian immigrants ,,, 221 sharp practice of the Natives 218 wages, rates of 223 wool, value of in 1873 222 Health of soldiers in the United Kingdom and in Auckland 244 Healthy climate of Taranaki 229 Higher education in Canterbury, provisions for 145 Hokitika , 157 Hop cultivation in Otago 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 House of Representatives, list of Members of. 85 power of 26 how 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 250 Immigrants, arrival of first, at Taranaki ... 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 fi'ee passages to 76 number of assisted 77 number of in twenty years 54 regulations to be observed in the hiring of, in Canterbury 151 Immigration Department 88 Imports in 1872 , 59 for six years ending 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 likely to be profitable in Auckland... 253 of Hawke's Bay 220 Industries of Marlborough Page 168 of Nelson 181 of Otago 105 of Taranaki 235 of Wellington ?06 of Wellington City 187 rapid development of 60 Inspector of Stores' Department 88 Institutions of New Zealand 43 of Wellington City 187 Insurance Companies in Canterbury 153 Insurance, Life, Government system of ... 45 Interest on advances, rates of 67 Introduction of firearms among the natives 227 Introduction of the telegraph 47 Invercargill, Southland 101 Iron-sand smelting in Taranaki 236 Iron trades, rates of wages of, in Canter- bury 136 Island Bay fishery 207 Isthmus of Auckland 247 Kauri gum 252 Kauri pine, value of the 245 Kendall, Rev. Mr., appointed first resident magistrate 24 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 208 required in Canterbury 134 required in Otago 107 Labour Market in Auckland 258 in Taranaki 237' Labourers, advantages to, in Canterbury... 141 Lake Districtof Auckland 249 Land and Building Societies in Wellington 215 Land available in Canterbury 128 ' great desire to purchase 44 "^ for special settlement in Westland ... 158"~ 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 173o open for sale in Otago 103 » price of, in Westland 153 purchase of, in Wellington, by de- ferred payments 205 - — quality of, in Wellington 204 regulations for occupation of, in Man- chester Special Settlement 216 revenue derived from sales of 65 under cultivation in Canterbury 129 under cultivation in Marlborough 167 under cultivation in proportion to population 65 Land Laws of Auckland 254 of Mai-lborough 166 Land regulations of Canterbury 127 of Otago 103 Land Transfer Office 88 Land Transfer System, explanation of the... 50 ■ its equitable character 50 Latest Statistics 68 Lawrence, Otago 101 Leasehold Land in Canterbury 130 Leather trades, rates of wages of, in Canter- bury 136 Legislative Council, how nominated 26 list of members of 85 Legislature, list of Members of 85 Letters, number of, received and dispatched by the Post Office in 1872 45 Life Insurance, Government system of 45 its popularity 45 INDEX. 269 Limestone in Canterbury Page 133 Live Stock, prices of, in 1873 71 Living, cost of, in Auckland 259 in Canterbury I4l in Wellington 211 Longwood forest 96 Lyttelton Orphanage, the 149 ]\Iail Services to the Colony 46 Malaura River 98 Males and Females, disproportion in the numbers of 54 Manawatu District, Wellington 189 Manchksteu "Special" Settlement 216 cottages, cost of building 216 immigrants, arrangements for 216 immigrants, the first 216 ' land, regulation for occupation of 216 origin of the settlement 216 price paid for the land 216 rapid progress of the Colony 217 • wages, rates of 216 Manufactures of Wellington 208 prices of, in Otago 105 Maoris, their ignorance of the mechanical arts 22 their primitive weapons 22 probable Malay origin of 17, 28 cannibalism among 22 their brave and warlike nature 26 general description of the 29 their appreciation of European appli- ances 26 tradition respecting their arrival at the Islands 27 anxiety among, for an English educa- tion for their children 31 Marlborough 164 area of 164 agricultural productions 167 Blenheim, the capital 166 — — boimdaries 164 cottages, cost of building 172 creation of the Province of 165 ecclesiastical matters 173 education 172 farm stock, prices 172 fish-curing 170 flax industry 168 gold-finding, prospects of 170 house-rent 172 industries 168 labour, demand for 171 lands, average price of Crown 167 land laws 166 Local Government 165 minerals discovered 170 newspapers published in 53 paper-making 170 population 165 provisions, prices of 172 temperature 167 wages, rates of 171 wastelands, how disposed of 166 wool, amount exported in 1872 167 Marsden, Rev. Mr. commences to preach Christianity to the Natives 2S MarslandHill 234 Marton Township, Wellington 192 Massacre Hill, Nelson 176 Maungatua Mountain 96 Meanee 221 Mean temperature in New Zealand 69, 73 Meat-preserving in Marlborough 170 Mechanics, advantages to in Canterbury ... 141 wages of, in Tai-aaaki 237 Member of House of Representatives, qua- lification of Page 32 Milton, Otago 101 Mineral resources of Auckland 246 • of Canterbury 131 Minerals found in Otago 107 inWestland 160 in Wellington 208 in Marlborough 170 in Nelson 182 Miscellaneous Societies in Canterbury 153 Moa, a wingless bird, remains of the, found 246 Molucka 177 Money Order System, introduction of the... 46 Money Orders, commission on 47 ■ is.sued and paid from 1862 to 1872 ... 47 Money-Order Telegrams, number sent in 1872-3 48 their convenience 49 Mount Egmont, or Taratiaki 227 Municipal divisions of Westland 157 Napier, Hawko's Bay 220 Native and Defence Office 87 Native birds of New Zealand 246 Native population, the 27 its rapid decrease 27 Native quadi-upeds, none in New Zealand... 246 Natural phenomena of Auckland 249 productions of Auckland 244 Nelson 173 agricultiu-al leases, how issued 181 Blind Bay District ._ 177 Building Societies .' 183 — — Charitable Institutions 184 climate 184 College 183 collision with tho Natives 176 colonists, arrival of the first batch of... 174 colonists, early troubles of the 175 cottages, cost of building 184 Crown lands, how disposed of 178 ecclesiastical matters 183 English song-birds 184 farm stock, prices of 182 gold-fields 177 house rent 184 industries ._, 181 lands, how they may be leased 178 land, money derived from sales of, how disposed of 173 Massacre Hill 176 minerals 182 newspapers published in 53 origin of the name 173 provisions, prices of 182 — — - temperature 184 wages, rates of 183 West Bay District 177 New PljTuouth Disti-ict 233 Newspapers, number received and de- spatched by Post-Offico in 1872 45 New Zealand Company, tho noble objects of its founders 24 attempts colonization 24 sends its fii-st expedition under Colonel Wakefield ._. 24 its ruinous controversy with the Im- perial Government 25 New Zealand, distance of, from England ... 35 discoveiy of, by Tasman 17 first visit to, by Captain Cook 17 climate of 36 extinct volcanoes in 36 mean annual temperature of 36 becomes a station for whaling ships... 23 270 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. New Zealand, animal and vegetable produc- tions Page 40 • capability for growing food crops 39 its soil 39 New Zealand University 146 Ngapuhi tribe, the chief among the natives 29 its loyalty to the English 29 North Island, area of 35 Notes, statistical, commercial, and industrial 54 Oamaru, the bathing resort of Otago 90 Officers in charge ot ports 90 Official Directory, the 85 Okati district, Wellington 188 Otago, area of 96 • beetroot sugar-making 106 ■ Benevolent Institutions 118 Building Societies 112 Dunedin, the capital 99 early settlers 92 • ecclesiastical matters 113 education 114 expenditure on education in 1872 117 fertility of the soil 102 Friendly Institutions 118 first emigrants from Great Britain 92 flax and hemp culture 106 founded as a Free Church of Scotland settlement 35 gold, amount exported up to 1874 95 gold-fields in, first discovery of 94 grain crop in 1 873 103 healthy climate 99 hospitals 118 house rent 119 industries 105 labour required 107 labourers, advantages to 119 land fitted for agriculture 90, 102 Lands open for sale 103 Lunatic Asylum 118 Licences for timber-cutting 106 minerals found 107 newspapers published in 53 originally intended as a Presbyterian settlement 92 — — provisions, prices of, in 1850, 1860, andl873 95 political divisions 99 ■ population in March, 1849 93 produce and manufactures, prices of . 104 public works 112 pupils in public schools in 1872 117 rations allowed to labourers 112 revenue and expenditure in 1849 93 Scottish character of its scenery 96 wages, rates of, in 1850, 1860, and 1873 95 wages, rates of, in 1874 112 Palmerston C!ity, Wellington 190 Palmerston, Otago 101 Paper-making in Canterbury 132 ■ — — in Marlborough 170 in Otago 105 Patent Office 86 Pelorus Sound 165 Percentage of deaths to births in Auckland 244 Petroleum 38 equal in quality to that of the United States 38 Phormiam tenax, or New Zealand Flax, abundance of the 159, 225 Picton, Marlborough 165 Pig, introduced by Captain Cook 17, 23 Planting of trees. Government bonus for ... 133 Plymouth Company, formation of the, in England 228 Political division s of Taran aki Pafje 23S Population, compared with that of Great Britain 55 increase of, in two years 68 in each quinquennial period from 1851 to 1871 inclusive 54 of Auckland 250 ■ of Hawke's Bay in 1858 219 of Marlborough 165 - of Napier 220 of New Plymouth 234 of New Zealand in 1843 54 on March 1, 1874 68 Port Chalmers 96 population of 100 Portland Island 218 Port Nicholson 186 Postal rates ■. 46 Postal revenue, its increase in fifteen years. . 46 Postmasters, Head 90 Post Office, number of letters and news- papers received and desspatched in 1872.., 45 Post Offices, number of, in 1872 46 Post Office Savings Banks, amount of de- posits in 45 ■ increase of deposits in 43 Potatoes planted by Captain Cook 17, 23 Preserved meats of Canterbury, high cha- racter of 132 of Wellington 207 Produce, prices of, in Otago 104 Productions of Nelson 181 Provincial Councils, how elected 35 their powers 35 Provincial Governments, lists of Members of 91 Provincial Hospital, New Plymouth 239 Provisions and live stock, prices of, in 1873. 71 Provisions, wholesale prices of, in Auckland. 259 cost of, in Hawke's Bay 223 in Marlborough 172 in Nelson 182 — — inTaranaki 238 in Wellington 211 in Westland 163 Public Schools of Canterbury 144 Public Trust Office 50 Public Works Department 75 rapid development of the Railway Sys- tem, by the 76 Public Works Office 86 Public Works in Canterbury 137 in Otago 112 in Wellington 209 Pupils in Otago, number of 117 Purchase of Taranaki from the Natives 228 Quartz reefing 37 Quartz sands in Canterbury 133 Queen Charlotte's So\md 105 Queen, the, represented by the Governor... 32 Railways in Auckland 250 under construction in Canterbury 137 Rainfall, average duration of 37 in 1871 37 in 1872 69 of Auckland , 243 Raleigh, Taranaki 234 Rations allowed to labourers in Otago 112 Raupo leaves 245 Registrar-General's Office 88 Registrars of the Supreme Court 89 Resident, Mr. Busby appointed first 24 Resident Magistrates 89 Resident Magistrate, Rev. Mr. Kendall ap- pointed 18 Resources of Hawke's Bay 220 INDEX. 271 Revenue, Colonial and Provincial, for ten years Paye 74 of Canterbury in 1858 antl 1873 122 ofWellington in 1854 and 1874 185 Richmond, Nelson 177 Rlverhead, Auckland 250 Riverton, Otago 101 Roads projected in Wellington 203 Road-rate in Canterbury 126 Roman Catholic Church in Wellington 212 Rope-making in Auckland 252 Runholders, rights of, in Cantcrburj' 128 Salaries of school-teachers in Wellington ... 213 Sale of Crown Lands, by whom regulated... 35 Savings Banks, pi-ivate, list of, in 1872 43 yearly progress of, since 1867 45 Saw-mills in Otago 106, 111 Scandinavian immigrants in Hawke's Bay .. 221 — in Wellington 190 Scenery of Auckland 245 ofWellington 191 Scottish character of the scenery, Otago ... 96 Sea fish, the abundance of 40 list of the varieties of 40 Sericiculture in Canterbiu-y 132 Seventy- Mile Bush, the 221 Sheep exported from Wellington during 1871-1S73 197 Sheriffs 89 Shipbuilding in Auckland 251 Ship Cove, Cook's favourite rendezvous 14 Shipping trade of Auckland 251 Silkwonn culture in Canterbury, success of the 132 Skilled labour required in Canterbury 131 Small farmers, advantage to, in Canterbury 41 Small Farm Settlement, Wellington 192 Small farms in Canterbury 129 Soap boiling in Auckland 2.52 Soap, strange use of, by the natives 228 Soil in Auckland 39 in the western district 39 its composition 39 South Island, area of 35 Southland, creation of, into a Province 94 Sporting in Nelson 184 Sugar made from beetroot in Otago 106 Supreme Court Judges 88 Supreme Court, Registrars of the 89 Superintendents of Provinces, list of 86 Stage coaches in Wellington 187 Stamp Office 87 Stamps, Deputy Commissioners of 89 Stewart Island 35 Table of the area of Geological Formations 39 of imports and exports, and revenue for 1846 and 1872 59 showing the assets and liabilities of the banks in New Zealand, in 1858 and 1873 67 showing the average prices of pro- visions in 1873 71 showing the average rates of wages in the several provinces in 1873 72 showing the criminal convictions and convictions for drunkenness in 1858 and 1871 66 showing the Customs Revenue at each of the several ports of New Zealand, in 1873 72 showing the mean temperature in the shade, and total rainfall in 1872 69 Money Orders issued and paid, from 1862 to 1872 47 showing number of inter-provincial letters sent in 1872 48 Table showing the number of Savings Banks in 1872 ParjeU of population and its increase for each quinquennial period from 1851 to 1871 inclusive 54 showing value of imports and exports for six years 63 showing the Revenue collected by the Colonial Government for ten years 74 showing progress of Savings Banks since 1867 45 Taieri River 96 Tailors, rates of wage.s of, in Canterbury ... 136 Tamati Waka Nene, chief of the Ngapuhi .. 30 - his recent death 30 monument erected to his memory 30 Taranaki 227 area of the Province 230 one of settled districts 230 building societies 243 Carlyle 234 charcoal burning 235 cottages, cost of building 240 Crown lands 235 description of the Province 230 ■ ecclesia-stical matters 238 education 239 farm stock, prices of 238 fierce intertribal wars 228 first settlers 227 fish curing 236 flax manufactories 236 fruit preserving 235 Grey and Bell District 233 hop-growing 236 house rent 240 immigrants, arrival of first 229 industries, present and possible 235 iron sand, great value of the 234 ■ labour market 237 Land and Building Societies in 243 land, for what suited 234 MarslandHill 234 New Plymouth the capital 234 — newspapers published in 53 origin of name 227 Plymouth Companyformed in England 228 political divisions 233 provisions, cost of 238 - — Raleigh 234 purchased from the Natives 228 small holdings, price of 235 soil suitable for Drickmaking 233 Stony River 233 — — sugar from beetroot 236 survey of, commenced 228 • timber, abundance of valuable 236 tobacco growing 235 troubles of the early settlers 229 visited by Colonel Wakefield 228 visited by Tasman in 1642 228 wages, rates of 237 ■ whaling party lands 228 Tasman visits the North Island in 1642, and names it Now Zealand 13 ■ he loses a boat's crew in Massacre Bay 13 Telegraph Department 87 Telegr.aph, its introduction 47 Telegrams, charges for 49 number of, transmitted in 1872-3 48 Temperature, mean annual, of New Zealand, compared with London, Edinburgh, and New York 36 of corresponding months in New Zea- land and England S6 272 NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Temperature, rapid changes of Page 36 extremes of, do not vary greaily 26 of Auckland 243 of Canterbury 127 of Marlborough 167 of Nelson 184 Thames gold-fields 251 Thames mines, the 37 Timber-cutting, licence for, in Otago 106 planting in Canterbury 132 trees of Auckland 245 • trade of Auckland 251 Titaroa Mountain 96 Tobacco growing in Taranaki 235 Tory Channel 165 Town Councils, powers of 27, 35 Treachery of the natives to some ship- wrecked sailors 228 Volcanic character of Taranaki 230 ■ mountains 36 Volcanoes in Auckland 248 Voter, qualification of 32 Wages inl873 70 - — ■ in gold-fields of Auckland 259 • rates of, in Auckland 258 in Canterbury 134 in Hawke's Bay 223 in Manchester "Special" Settlement 216 in Marlborough 171 in Nelson 183 inOta?o 112 in Wellington 208 in Westland 160 Waikato River 248 Waitemata Harbour 247 Wakefield system, adoption of the 18, 24 Wanganui Bridge, Wellington 194 Waste lands, how disposed of in Marl- borough 166 Water, fresh, abundant in Hawke's Bay ... 220 Wellington 185 agricultm-al productions 205 area of the province 185 articles of production, chief 206 Benevolent Institution 213 building societies 214 bush land, cost of clearing 191 cattle exported during 1871 and 1873 197 charitable institutions 213 ' churches and chapels 212 confiscated lands, the 198 cost of living 211 cottages, cost of erecting 214 created an independent colony in 1841 185 Crofton, a teetotal tovraship 193 divided into two provinces in 1848 185 education 213 farm stock, prices of 206, 210 fish curing 207 Horowhenua District 189 house rent 214 improved fai-ms, prices of 206 industries 206 institutions 187 labourers, advantages to 210 labour, kind of, in demand 208 land and building societies 215 • land, purchase of, by deferred pay- ments 205 Wellington, lands, conditions of sale of. .Page 204 Manawatu i5istrtict 189 manufactures 208 Marton township 192 minerals found 208 newspapers published in 53 Okati District 188 • Palmerston City 190 • Port Nicholson, capabilities of 186 preserved meats 207 provisions, retail prices of 211 public works in progress 209 public works likely to be commenced 209 revenue in 1854 and in 1874 185 roads projected 203 salaries of school teachers 213 Scandinavian settlers 190 sheep exported during 1871 and 1873... 197 Small Farm Settlement 192 stage coaches 187 • wages, rates of 208 Wanganui Bridge 194 Wellington City, description of 186 West coast, description of the roads through the 187 — — wool, amount exported in I873 197 Westland 157 area of 158 brickmaking in 160 climate, uniformity of 164 conditions of holding land on lease ... 159 cottages, cost of building 164 - — — ecclesiastical matters 163 educational resources 163 farm stock, prices of 163 fish, abundance of 159 flax, climate suitable for 159 geographical boundaries 157 gold discovered in 1864 157 gold-mining 159 Hokitika, the capital 157 hospitals, and charitable institutions... 163 house rent 104 industries 160 land set apart for special settlements 158 minerals ... 160 municipal divisions 157 newspapers published in 53 price of land ' 158 productions of the Pi'ovince 159 provisions, prices of 163 timber, licence to cut 160 wages, rates of 160 Wesleyau churches in Welhngton 212 West Bay, Nelson 177 West coast of New Zealand, great natural beauty of 18 West coast, Wellington, description of the roads through the 187 Whale fishmg in Otago 105 Wheat crop of 1873, value of 69 White pine of Auckland 245 Woollen manufacture in Canterbury 132 Wool exported from Marlborough in 4872. . 167 from Wellington in 1873 197 value of, exported in five years 64 value of, exported in 1853 and 1872 ... 60 value of, in Hawke's Bay 223 Working hours in Taranaki 240 THE END. nTKTIiR". ORVAT OVKKN ITBBBT, I.0ND0K, 'W.O. fV^ THE LIBRARY TmiVERSTTY OF CALIFORNU -^ 58 01227 0277 wmmM mmmlii mmliflllA m