The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-08-30 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND AN.D ITS RESOURCES

THE following interesting communication has
ceived by a gentleman in Liverpool, and, from the respect-
ability of the writer, may be relied upon as a fair state-

been re-

ment of facts :

Canterbury Settlement, New Zealand,
April 1, 1853.
DEAR --, Your letter reached here, but in consequence
of my absence from home, having taken a trip to Mel-
bourne, I could not answer it sooner, nor indeed even now
but imperfectly, as my dear wife forwarded it to me under
cover to Melbourne ; but, having left there previously to
its arrival, I do not expect to see it for some time, and can
only rely on her recollection of its contents.
With regard to my visit to Melbourne and the diggings,
I cannot say that I did much in the shape of making
money. I cleared my expenses, however ; and, when I
calculate on the colonial experience which I acquired, I
am perfectly satisfied with the result. Experience here is
almost better than money ;—indeed, of the two, I prefer
the former.
__ _

Melbourne is well worth going to see ; and, if you are
disposed to learn from what you see going forward there,
the time so spent is as nothing, compared with the benefit
you derive from it. I need not here enter upon a detailed
account of the place, as while there.l sent you papers by
every opportunity that presented itself. One remark,
however, I would make, and that is—its great inferiority
to New Zealand, both as regards climate and very many
other advantages ; nor does it bear any comparison to
New Zealand, if you at all study comfort. With regard to
money matters, however, things are different. There are
fortunes being made every day in Melbourne, not all by
digging for gold at the mines, but by any business you
may choose to commence. A person, having possession of
a public-house for twelve months, can comfortably retire
on a fortune of several thousand pounds.
Notwithstanding all this, I am an advocate for Nev
Zealand ; nor have I for one moment changed my mind
since first I came to it—three years ago, one of the little
band of colonists who set out from Gravesend. Though
fortunes are not to be made here so rapidly, there is what
is much better—a beautiful and certain climate, security
for life and property, civilised society, a flourishing branch
of our own dear English Church, combined with that real
comfort and happiness which you cannot purchase for
thousands elsewhere, particularly in Australia.
With regard to my future movements, I cannot say
anything very definite at present. I shall either accept of
a very good offer which has been made to me to remove to
Wellington, or at once proceed to a sheep station. The
latter I would prefer; but, of course, in that I must be
regulated by circumstances, it being very expensive to
commence a sheep station, particularly when you cannot
command large sums of ready money, though you may
have other descriptions of property; however, I am not
easily daunted, and am determined to make a bold effort.
The land over which the government has control is now
reduced to ss. and 10s. per acre. This is making sad
havoc here amongst those who purchased from the Canter.
bury Association at £3 per acre, particularly as we are in
daily expectation of hearing that the home government
has assumed equal power over this settlement as over the
other parts of the island. Now would be the time to
make purchases—say 1,000 acres for £250. Believe me,
these chances will not be allowed to pass by the thousands
which, more than probable, we may expect here after the
news reaches England.

I would strongly advise you to come out, and if you
think of doing so, advantages are now to be gained which
you will never have an opportunity of embracing again.
I have nothing to add to, or detract from, my opinion
already conveyed to you in former letters—further than
that greater inducements exist now than ever did before
—particularly with regard to land, which I need scarcely
say will be selected as purchasers arrive—each selection
after the first having disadvantages compared with that
previously made. Should you make up your mind to
come out, I need not say that, whether I am here or else-
where in the Colony, you shall not want a house, or such
little comforts as I can afford you. Ido not mean to dis-
pose of the property which I have here, consequently it
will be at your service ; and as it is more than probable I
shall make a future or more permanent home up the coun-
try, I shall take care to leave ample directions with a mer-
cantile firm here—who transact the Association's business,
and, in fact, that of any other ships arriving from England
—by which you will be guided to my whereabouts. I
give you the names of the firm, and that of their agent in
London, through whom you can at any time forward to
me letters, &c., direct.
In coming here, I would particularly advise you to bring
merchandise instead of money ; you will be sure to reap a
handsome reward—very few consignments coming here
now—people at home preferring Melbourne and Sydney.
I do not speak for the supply of this settlement alone :
there are six others with this equally in want. You
would be perfectly safe in bringing out £5OO or £6OO
worth of strong Blucher boots, with plenty of nails in
them, also a quantity of ladies' boots ; in fact everything
to cover the feet and body, of a strong description. There
would also be a market for ladies' commodities—there
being many fashionable women here, and all through New
Zealand. In truth, Ido not think you could err in bring.
ing out anything which your own good sense would dic-
tate as requisite for a new country. I would not, however,
be much in favour of taking farming implements, as I
scarcely think that they would meet with a quick sale.
You would want some, however, for yourself, and should
bring materiel for the erection of a mill for grinding
flour, meal, &c. It would pay well here. Of course the
milling materiel would be prepared, and be suitable to
work by water. The machinery should be of the best
construction, and newest and best design. You would
also require to bring additional stones to those required
for immediate use, together with ample instructions for its
erection.

This will, in a short 'time, become a great country for
agriculture. Indeed it is now before any of the other
settlements, and a good mill would be a fortune in itself.
Some carts, of a strong make, would pay; and you could
pack soft goods in the bodies of them. You must pay
great attention to packing, as by it much money may be
saved.

Bonded goods yon would also have immediate sale for.
I mean brandies, wines, whiskey, porter, and ale, in
bottle and wood. Brandy you could bring in case and
wood—as much as you like. You cannot bring too much.
If .I had such here now, I could dispose of £lO,OOO worth
of it at cent. per cent. profit, and perhaps more. Teas
and oilmen's stores, together with tobacco, would also
pay. You need not mind sugar, except loaf, which would
sell ; but this article I do not know much of. Bed and
other blankets would pay, particularly red blankets. Kid
and other gloves, are much wanted, as well as ribbons,
&c. In fact all kinds of wearing apparel, particularly
that of a strong kind. Blue serge shirts, of every variety,
are in great demand : every one here wears them. Fur-
niture that would pack or fit into a small compass would
pay well—such, for instance, as those cane-seated chairs,
which you may buy before they are put together. Sta-
tionery of all kinds you can sell. Cloth caps, and Jerry
or " wide-awake" hats would do also ; but be sure to bring
no regular hats, as they are not wanted here. You might
take out some corrugated iron—l mean the light descrip-
tion, such as is exported to Australia, for building pur-
poses : it is wanted here for houses. A quantity of clover
and grass seeds, &C., would pay well, as also painted rose
nails, m cans of 100 lbs. weight. In fact, as I have
already said, you would be safe in taking out any sub-
stantial thing of this kind; and I dare say you can find
some of the late improvements in machinery which would
answer well here.
I would recommend you to call on the New Zealand
men in London ; you will easily make them out at the
Adelphi and elsewhere, but have nothing to do with the
Canterbury Association people, further than hear what
they have to say. Buy no land join no parties till you
get here, and then you can judge for yourself, without re-
gretting it hereafter. Bring a well-selected stock of goods,
and your expenses here will be of no consideration. As to
your insuring your property, I will not advise—but I
would not. You will have a duty of ten percent. to pay
on almost everything you may take out—that, however,
is nothing. I forgot to mention the necessity of bringing
out a lot of cart harness and saddlery, also some Sheffield
and Birmingham ware, guns, &c. You might take two
or three strong carts, for, as we have passable roads, they
will be in demand.

I must now wind up this epistle, leaving many matters
for another letter, when I shall have more time to think
of them. However, I have rcferred to the main points,
with the exception of a winnowing machine or two, and
other things requisite for the mill. Of course, some of the
articles which I have enumerated you can either take, or
let alone, as you please; but of all things, do not forget
the slops—brandy, ale, porter, &c., and shoes—they pay
so well, that you cannot take too much of them.
Should you come, may the Almighty send you safe ; and
lam confident you will never regret it. You will prolong
your days, and that of your dear wife and children. We
have no sickness here, and I refoice in the day I left Eng-
land. Write to me at once by the shortest route ; and I
shall lose no time in attending to it.

P.S.—I send this letter by way of Wellington to go by
the Stately, just leaving for Australia, whence it will be
forwarded per steamer to England. I have just made
arrangements with some gentlemen to go up the country
in about ten days, and when I return I shall probably
be better able to write to you with reference to my future
plans. I wish you would send me out a case of goods
—boots and kid gloves, and fashionable ladies' dresses.
Let me, once more, advise you to come out. You would be
surprised to see the numbers of highly respectable people
who are daily arriving here, and the land is being quickly
snatched up. I almost feel tempted to take 1,000 acres for
you. You must look sharp, and do not any longer waste
your time at home, fightinp for a mere subsistence. I
sincerely hope your wife will have better sense than to
oppose your wishes. This climate would give her a new
constitution ; but she must prepare herself for plenty of
riding on horseback, bringing with her, of course, a com-
plete equipment of riding gear, in the shape of habit, saddle,
&c. All the ladies here travel on horseback. The country is
at present rough, and consequently that mode of convey-
ance suits it best.

PROTESTANT BURIAL-GROUND AT MADRID.—A cor-
respondence has recently passed between Lord Howden,
the British ambassador at Madrid, and the Spanish Go-
vernment, with reference to the construction of a cemetery
for Protestant British subjects who may die in that town.
The Spanish Secretary of State writes, wider date May 24,
that permission has been granted to construct a cemetery
of this description "on the Hill of St. Dannaso, outside the
gate of Toledo," to be subject, however, "to the hygienic
or sanatory rules, required by similar establishments ;"
but that "no church or chapel, nor any other sign of a
temple, or of public or private.worship, will be allowed to
be built in the cemetery;" that "all acts which can give
any indication of the performance of any Divine service
whatsoever are prohibited ;" and that, "in the conveyance
of the dead bodies to the burial-ground, any sort of pomp
or publicity shall be avoided. " Lord Howden, in his reply,
points out the impossibility of the British Government
availing themselves of the power to construct a cemetery (!)
subject to such preposterous and insulting regulations, by
which the body of a deceased English Protestant would
have to be conveyed by stealth—probably at midnight—
to the grave, and buried like a dog. " I cannot conclude,"
he adds, "without stating my deep regret that the course
of Spain is such as to produce a gradual alienation in the
opinion of the English public, out of which will most in-
fallibly result a state of feeling which no government can
control or oppose."