1849 - Hursthouse, C. An Account of the Settlement of New Plymouth - CHAPTER V: Statistical and general information...

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CHAPTER V.

BY the original plan of this Settlement, the laud was classed as follows: 550 acres town land, divided into 2,200 quarter acre sections; surrounded by 10,450 acres suburban, divided into 209 sections of 50 acres each; surrounded by 57,500 acres rural, similarly divided into 1,150 sections; making the total 68,500 acres, of which one-tenth was reserved for the natives. Mr. Commissioner Spain, however, awarded a block of only 60,000 acres to the Company, of which rather more than 14,000 have been purchased, leaving 46,000 acres unsold. As explained in the preceding chapter, it is highly probable that the greater portion of this award will eventually be acquired by purchase from the natives; but, as it is not yet in the Company's hands, the actual extent of land to which they have a clear title, recognised alike by Government and by the natives, of which they hold secure and undisturbed possession, is shown by the following statement: --

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PLAN OF THE SETTLEMENT OF NEW PLYMOUTH, 1848.

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Under the new arrangements for the disposal of land in the New Plymouth Settlement, the size of rural sections has been reduced to 25 acres: it is proposed that the suburban land should be limited to a belt round the town and divided into small allotments. The price of a quarter acre town section is fixed at 121. 10s.; of a 25 acres rural section, at 50l. or 2l. per acre--the land to be chosen by the purchaser on his arrival in the Settlement. Of every pound thus received by the Company, 3s. 4d. is allowed towards defraying the cost of the purchaser's passage out; and 10s. expended in supplying labour. Thus, any one who, before his departure, paid the Company 50l. for a rural section, would have 8l. 6s. 8d. returned

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him, and would have the privilege of recommending any respectable mechanic or labourer for a free passage. Full particulars on this subject may always be obtained by writing to the Secretary of the New Zealand Company, 9 Broad-Street Buildings, London.

Considering that Taranaki, as a marked agricultural district, must necessarily have a rather scattered population, it will probably be said that the planners of the Settlement exhibited great want of judgment in reserving 550 acres, or rather 2,200, 12l. 10s. sections for its town. It would easily contain half a million of inhabitants; the "great unbuilt," it looks important on paper, but bears a ludicrous proportion to the actual or probable future wants of the Settlement, and may almost be compared with the old clergy reserves in Canada, retaining tracts of wild land between cultivated parts. One hundred or one hundred and fifty acres, would have afforded ample expanse for the town; and the remainder should have been thrown into small suburban lots. Much of the rural land is worth more per acre than a great portion of the town tract; yet the first sells for 2l.; the other is offered at 50l. per acre. It may he said that four-sixths of these town sections have been sold; but most of them were purchased by speculators from the "plan," and will probably never be valued again as town land.

Of these 2,200 town sections, there are about 800, or 200 acres, still unsold. For the Company, the

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proprietors, and the public, it would be an excellent measure to compress the town by drawing a circle from the Police-office, so as to include only 1,400 sections, the number sold. A purchaser whose section was outside would then exchange it for a Company's section inside, in the order of choice in which he originally selected; and thus, the Company's 800 would all be left outside and contiguous. The Company would benefit in this way. They now hold 800 scattered quarter acres which are utterly unsaleable at their upset price of 12l. 10s.; first, because, in all human probability, not even one-eighth of this number will ever be required as town land; 1 and, secondly, because sections belonging to proprietors can be purchased for half this sum; whereas, if the Company had these 800 sections as a belt round the town, the land would be readily saleable, and at good prices, if divided into five or ten acre lots. The proprietor would gain by having 800 sections withdrawn from an overstocked market, and by the increased intrinsic worth of his section: for, as the real value of town land in any Settlement depends far more upon position than richness of soil or other merits, the reduced size of the town would necessarily improve this position by bringing it

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much nearer to the river, stores, shipping-place, &c. which, here, will ever form the real centre of the town. Almost every purchased section that would lie beyond the circle remains in a state of nature; but in any rare case, where buildings or cultivations existed, the owner might retain his section, or receive an additional one or two inside-- for which purpose the Company should reserve a few, and make the town consist of, say 1,450 sections. The public would gain by exchanging 800 worse than useless town sections for 200 acres of market gardens, orchards, meadows, or small dairy farms: for to such purposes would eventually be applied the five and ten acre lots which the Company would have to sell.

The village contains a granite built church, handsomely fitted up; another, in rustic style, at the Enui; a Wesleyan and a Primitive Methodist chapel, two taverns, a gaol, and police barracks; and an elegant though costly native hospital is now in course of erection. On the different streams running through the village, there are three flour mills, two small breweries, and a tannery: at Moturoa, there are two shore whaling establishments. A Court of Requests is held every month for the recovery of debts as high as 20l. between Europeans, and 100l. between a Native and an European. The overland mail from Auckland to Wellington, carried by natives, passes through New Plymouth; arriving north and south every

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alternate Saturday and departing the following Monday. From Auckland to New Plymouth by the coast, through Manukau and Kawhia, the distance is 199 miles; from New Plymouth to Wellington, through Waimate and Wanganui, 238. The quickest communication either with Wellington or Auckland is by sea, as dull sailing coasters, although generally three or four days in making the trip, can perform it in thirty hours. By a plan, however, which has been suggested, and which would be so admirable in effect that it will perhaps eventually be tried, not only these, but many other sea passages in New Zealand could, with certainty, be shortened more than half. This plan is to place a small steamer at Manukau, to make the voyage from Auckland to the Southern Settlements by the west instead of by the east coast. The following table shows the great difference in distance: --

From Auckland to New Plymouth.. West Coast. 126 Miles. East Coast. 710 Miles.
From ditto to Nelson........West Coast. 280 Miles. East Coast. 665 Miles.
From ditto to Wanganui.... West Coast. 210 Miles. East Coast. 640 Miles.
From ditto to Wellington....West Coast. 300Miles. East Coast. 550 Miles.

On the east coast, there are no settlements; whilst on the west, a steamer would pass New Plymouth, Nelson, Wanganui, and Manawatu. Against this plan of communication, some might urge that Manukau is not a good harbour: shallow banks

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partially obstruct the entrance, but there are three deep channels; and nothing but an accurate survey, and a pilot establishment, are required to constitute Manukau one of the best harbours in the north. Even now, without lights or buoys, coasters occasionally enter at night. There is abundance of coal at Massacre Bay; and, nearer still, it is found at Mokau. For the quick transmission of intelligence, or the transport of military supplies, New Zealand must chiefly depend on water communication. A steamer of about 200 tons, of light draught, leaving Manukau, would carry freight, mails, and passengers, from settlement to settlement, in as many hours as it now occasionally takes days: this would give an immense impetus to trade; whilst in case of further disturbances, such a vessel, able to ascend rivers, carrying troops and supplies, and conveying quick intelligence of native movements, would be almost equal in effective service to an additional regiment.

GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND APPOINTMENTS.

Commander Henry King, R. N. Resident Magistrate and Sub-Treasurer
James Webster, Esq. J P Sub-Collector of Customs, Harbour and Post Master
Thomas Standish, Esq.........Magistrate's Clerk.
Donald MacLean, Esq., J. P...Inspector of Armed Police, consisting of 1 Sergeant, 13 European, and 3 Native Privates.
John Hursthouse .......... Government Auctioneer.
John Watson.............. Acting Pilot and Beach Master.
John Newland.............. Gaoler
Richard Cock.............. Coxswain.

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NEW ZEALAND COMPANY'S ESTABLISHMENT.

William Halse, Esq., J. P...............Resident Agent.
John Rogan ........................Clerk.

MAGISTRACY.

Commander Henry King, R. N.
George Cutfield, Esq.
William Halse.
John George Cooke.
John Tylston Wicksteed.
James Webster.
Donald MacLean.
Josiah Flight.

CLERGY.

Rev. H. Govett, B. A...............Church of England.
Rev. H. H. Turton................Wesleyan.
Rev. R. Ward......................Primitive Methodist.

PROFESSIONS.

Peter Wilson, Esq.............Medical.
George St. George............ Medical.
R. Sherrif Low ..............Medical.
William Turner, Esq...........Solicitors.
Solicitors. Thomas Standish ............Solicitors.
Wellington Carrington........Surveyors
Edwin Harris................ Surveyors.
Messrs Charles and Edwin Davy..Surveyors

EUROPEAN POPULATION.

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BIRTHS AND DEATHS.

Of these eleven deaths, three were accidental. In 1848 the mortality was only three.

NATIVE POPULATION IN MR. SPAIN'S AWARD.
Male Adults............................343
Female ditto............................236
Male Children.......................... 89
Female ditto............................ 6l
729

EDUCATION--EUROPEAN.

A large native industrial school is now in course of erection by the Wesleyan mission.

LAND IN CULTIVATION.

Acres.

Wheat .............................. 766 1/2

Barley .............................. 128

Carried forward 894 1/4

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Brought forward 894 1/4

Oats ................................ 108 3/4

Potatoes ............................ 167 1/2

Turnips.............................. 79

Rye ................................ 5

Maize................................ 1 1/4

Hops................................ 1

Grass................................ 267

Fallow .............................. 85

Gardens.............................. 45

Native clearings, estimated at............ 450

Total.................. 2103 3/4

This gives five acres of cultivated land to each European male adult.

From the impetus given to cultivation by the opening of the "Omata" Block, the statistics of 1849 will show a great increase of cleared land.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE PROPERTY ACCUMULATED BY SIXTY-NINE PERSONS---CHIEFLY AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL -- SENT OUT BY THE NEW ZEALAND COMPANY AS "FREE EMIGRANTS."

312 1/2 acres of Wheat, Barley, and Oats.
10 " Turnips.
80 3/4 " Potatoes.
46 " Grass.
97........Head of Cattle.
143 ......Pigs.
27........Goats.
59........Houses.
238 3/4 acres of Cultivated Land.
180 " Wild ditto.

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An average of 5l. each would probably far exceed the amount of property which these men possessed on landing.

No account is taken of property in money, furniture, &c.

LIVE STOCK.

Since this Table was compiled the number of cattle and horses has been considerably increased by importations from Sydney.

RETAIL PRICES OF ARTICLES OF CONSUMPTION.

s. d.
Wheat, per bush... 4s. to 5 0
Fine Flour, per lb.......0 1 1/2
Seconds Flour do... 1d. to 0 1 1/4
Bread, fine, per 4lb. loaf ......6d. to 0 7
Potatoes, per cwt... 2s. to 2 6
Pork, by the joint, per lb. 0 3
Ditto, by the pig.. 1 1/2d. to 0 2
Mutton ..............0 6
Bacon and Hams.. 4d. to 0 6
Lard..................0 6
Fowls, per pair ........1 6
Ducks, per do.........2 6
Turkeys, each..........2 6
Wild Pigeons, per pair.. 1 0
Eggs, per dozen........0 9
Milk, per pint..........0 1
Butter, per lb.........1 0
Cheese, ditto ..........1 0
Tea, of fair quality, per lb. 3 0
Coffee, ditto ditto........1 10
Sugar, ditto ditto.. 4d. to 0 6
Salt, ditto ditto....1d. to 0 1 1/2
Soap, ditto ditto........0 8
Candles, ditto ditto......1 0
Tobacco, per lb.........2 6
Oil, for lamps, per gal... 2 6
Beer (Colonial) ditto..2 0
Brandy per ditto 16s. to 18 0
Gin, per ditto... 12s. to 14 0

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WEARING APPAREL.

s. d.
Fine clothing little worn, but very dear.
Fustian Trousers ...................... 10 0.
Sailors' Blue Frock Shirts .............. 6 0.
Common Blue Shirts ..........3s. 6d. to 5 0
Men's Boots, Colonial make ............ 20 0
Women and Children's Shoes are very dear.
Common Calico, 36 inches, per yard...... 0 6 1/2
Ditto Prints, per yard.................. 0 8
Blankets, per pair................15s. to 40 0

BUILDING MATERIALS, &c.

s. d.
Red Pine Board, 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch, per 100 superficial ft... 12 0
Ditto, scantling size, not exceeding 6 x 4 inches, per 100 running feet .... 12 0
Shingles, taking 700 to cover a square, per 1000.... 14 0
Lime, per bushel......................3s. 6d. to 4 6
Bricks, from Wellington, per 1000 about.......... 60 0
Linseed Oil, per gallon ........................ 8 0
White Lead, per cwt........................... 56 0
Weather-board Nails, per lb..................... 0 6
Masonry Work expensive.
Cost of Post Raupo Cottage in native style, good for 3 or 4 years ....10l. to 15l.

MISCELLANEOUS.

£ s. d.
Firewood--ten days supply for a moderate family........ 0 4 0
House rent can hardly be given, as but few houses are hired: a comfortable cottage lets for, per week........4s. to 0 6 0
Working Bullocks, per pair...................... 30 0 0
Heifers. each..................................8l. to 15 0 0
Hire of Cart, Driver, and pair of Oxen, per day.......... 0 8 0
Grinding Wheat, per bushel....................... 0 0 6

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70 NEW PLYMOUTH.

£ s. d.
Landing Goods on beach from ship, per ton........5s. to 0 6 0
Passage per Coaster from Taranaki to Auckland or Wellington .....2l. to 3 0 0
Freight from ditto to ditto, per ton.................... 1 10 0
Cabin Passage from Auckland or Wellington to Sydney 8l. to 10 0 0
Freight from Sydney to New Zealand, per ton.... 30s. to 2 0 0
Agricultural Labourers, shorter hours than in England, per day... 0 2 6
Mechanics, per day ................................ 0 5 0

PRESENT EXPORTS OF THE SETTLEMENT.

Flour, Wheat, Bran, Barley, Oats, Potatoes, Onions, Pork, Bacon, Lard, Butter, Eggs, Black Oil, Whalebone.

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SHIPPING WHICH HAS VISITED THE SETTLEMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION.

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TABLE OF DISTANCES.

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The average length of passage from New Plymouth to Sydney would be about 12 days. The passage from Wellington to Valparaiso has been made in 30 days, and to Bombay in 56 days. The passage to Manilla would be about 40 days.

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DUTIES.

£ s. d.
British and Foreign Spirits ..................per gallon 0 5 0
Wines.................................... per cent. 20 0 0
Malt Liquors...............................15 0 0
Tobacco--Manufactured........................per lb. 0 1 0
Ditto--Unmanufactured...................... 0 0 9
Cigars and Snuffs .................................. 0 2 0
British and British Colonial Goods and Produce.. per cent. 10 0 0
Foreign Goods and Produce.................. " 12 10 0
Munitions of War prohibited.

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DUTY FREE.

Glass Bottles (Full)--Specie--Plants and Bulbs--Live Animals-- Printed Books.

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EXPENSE OF PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND, IN THE REGULAR PACKETS FROM LONDON TO THE COMPANY'S SETTLEMENTS.

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These ships are first class, from 500 to 600 tons, carrying experienced surgeons, and sailing under the direction of the New Zealand Company: the dietary and accommodation under their particular regulation and inspection.

Provisions, medicines, and medical comforts are put on board, on a liberal scale, for six months. No trouble is given to passengers in apportioning the fare, which is daily cooked for them, and each passenger is allowed half a ton, or 20 cubic feet space in the hold for baggage. Wines, beer, &c, may be purchased of the steward at certain specified prices, but no passenger can take any private supply of spirits. The average passage of these ships is about 110 days: further particulars may always be obtained from the secretary of the New Zealand Company.

Viewed as the great field for emigration, New Zealand, like the Australian colonies, when compared with America, may at first appear too distant; but an emigrant to New Zealand would reach the scene of his future operations with less trouble than one to Upper Canada, whilst there would be no great difference in the expense. A person of the middle, or upper class, going to New Zealand, would have a cabin passage in an excellent ship for forty-five guineas, and be landed in the settlement where he wished to stop. An emigrant to the Western States, or Upper Canada, would pay 20l for an equally comfortable cabin passage; after

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landing he would have 1000 to 1500 miles further to travel; and, passing through two or three large towns, would probably spend another 20l. before he arrived at his final destination. The voyage to New Zealand is disagreeably long, and here, America has the advantage, although the chief thing-- the "settling down" to sea life--has to be accomplished in either case; and on this point, I think it may fairly be said, that as the New Zealand voyage is much the safest, its extra duration is almost balanced by the trouble and annoyance caused in the frequent reshifting of the emigrant's goods and baggage, which occurs in the transit from New York or Quebec to the Western States or Upper Canada.

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF PUBLIC RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS IN THE SETTLEMENTS OF WELLINGTON AND NEW PLYMOUTH, FOR THE YEAR 1846.

Expenditure at Wellington: --

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[The figures are taken from "The Southern Settlements of New Zealand;" a statistical pamphlet which may be called semi-official.]

"Officially," New Plymouth contributes but little to the revenue, for being chiefly supplied with duty-paid articles, coastwise from Wellington and Auckland, its real contribution only goes to swell the customs receipts of those places; and, as an agricultural exporting Settlement, it necessarily shows a less proportionate revenue than places which, as yet, have to import everything. The actual customs' revenue drawn from New Plymouth in 1846, has been estimated at 800l., which would show the excess of disbursements over receipts to be only about 400l. Here, then, is the only or principal food-exporting Settlement in New Zealand, with a Government expenditure of little more than 400l. in excess of the revenue it contributes, whilst at Wellington this excess is nearly 7,000l. In 1846, almost 6,000l. were expended at Wellington on public works alone; probably even more in 1847--and Auckland would perhaps show a similar expendi-

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ture; whereas the total sum spent on public works in New Plymouth since its foundation, a period of seven years, is under 1,200l.

This profuse but partial expenditure, confined to Wellington and Auckland, has had a most injurious effect on this Settlement and Nelson; it causes a drain of labour, for mechanics and labourers are naturally attracted by the high cash wages which it produces; and it is the cause why Auckland and Wellington alone exhibit those fine roads, bridges, and public works, of such great utility and so attractive to emigrants. It would be absurd to contend that public expenditure should be confined to places which nominally produce the revenue, for wherever there is a government expenditure, or an increase in it, there follows a revenue, or an increase of revenue; as a proof of this, the customs' receipts at Wellington, for 1847, doubled those for 1846. If the Government were to concentrate the troops and the official corps on the barren island of Kapiti, and there commence a large outlay on public works, Kapiti would soon produce the revenue now drawn from Wellington.

It is unnecessary to dilate on the injustice of this partial expenditure, which tends to show the want of some more popular form of government. If the new charter ever comes into operation, it is to be hoped that the representation of each settlement will be proportioned rather to its population than to its official revenue; otherwise Taranaki will not be

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very potent in the councils of the nation, as may appear from the following comparison.

The Taranaki district has lately been gazetted as belonging to the northern division of New Zealand or province of New Ulster; and this, coupled with the recent purchase by Sir George Grey of the residence formerly occupied by the Company's Agent, and a rumour that he intends to reside here occasionally, has induced the belief that he is desirous of effecting an arrangement with the Company, whereby the New Plymouth Settlement shall be "made over" to the Government.

Geographically and politically considered, this would perhaps be a good measure. New Plymouth is twenty-five miles north of Cook's Strait, which is generally regarded as the particular scene of the Company's operations, and by sea, is one-third nearer Auckland than Wellington. New Ulster, or the Government province, including this settlement and having the Patea river for its southern boundary, would then comprise the finest agricultural district in New Zealand; and this would tend to balance

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Mount Eliot--lately purchased by His Excellency Sir George Grey, G.C.B.

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the greater extent, the superiority in harbours and fisheries of the southern or Company's province. And as in the Taranaki district there is a large native population, in common with the whole northern division, it would require a similar kind of legislation, --not that which might be best for almost unmixed European communities like Nelson or Otago.

Whether, however, the Government or the Company would, on the whole, best promote the direct interests of this Settlement, is another question. The great desideratum--the one thing needful--is an increase of capital and labour, that is, a renewal of emigration. Now, on this subject, the Government authorities hold opinions far too sound to dream of yet forming more new and scattered Settlements; and whether they promote an emigration of civilians or only extend the scheme of military colonisation by fencibles, they would certainly concentrate the new comers in or around the Government Settlements. Not so the Company; for their last report almost justifies the fear, that when Otago is so far realized as to have received its first emigrants, they will at once commence the planting of other little Settlements; in which case, New Plymouth could not too soon be made over to the Government. On the other hand, however, if the Company, growing wiser on this point, should direct their energies "to the filling up of the rough outline of the old Settlements," it might well be questioned

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whether New Plymouth would gain by passing from those founders who have expended on it more thousands than the Government have expended hundreds.