CHAPTER I. THE COLONY.
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THE
NEW ZEALAND SETTLER'S GUIDE.
CHAPTER I.
THE COLONY.
THE colony of New Zealand, consists of three Islands, situated between the 34 deg. and 48 deg. of south latitude; these Islands, known as the Northern, Middle, and Southern Islands, have been by act of Parliament divided into six Provinces; of which Auckland, New Plymouth (or Taranaki) and Wellington are in the Northern; Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago in the Middle Island. The Southern, or Stewart's Island is insignificant, containing only about one million acres. The climate of the Islands, generally very healthy, is more equal and agreeable in the provinces of Auckland and Nelson, and on the east coast of the Northern Island, than in the other settlements.
New Plymouth, Canterbury, and Wellington (in particular) are subject to high winds; while Otago, by an occasional frost and fall of snow, and it is said now
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and then the suspicion of a fog, reminds its settlers of the comforts of such phenomena at home.
From my own observation, I consider the climate of any part of New Zealand, superior to the most salubrious parts of Australia. From what I have gathered from books and personal inquiry, I do not believe the climate of the Cape, or any part of our American Colonies, can be compared with that of New Zealand. Indeed I may venture to say, that the climate of New Zealand is more suited to animal and vegetable life than the climate of any colony of the British Empire, Tasmania perhaps excepted, which Island, had it never been a penal settlement, would rank with New Zealand as an Englishman's home.
While considering the effect of the New Zealand climate on the European constitution, I cannot do better than quote from Mr. Swainson's " Auckland," the medical returns, made by Dr. Thomson of the 58th Regiment; the results being gathered from two years careful observation of the effect of the climate upon the health of two thousand soldiers, quartered in New Zealand.
As the men were located in all parts of the Northern Island, these returns and the comparative observations formed upon them, and similar medical returns kept at other military stations, will allow a fair estimate to be formed of the comparative healthfulness of the Islands in general.
From these tables it appears, that for a similar
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space of time, to every thousand men, twice as many were admitted into hospital in England as in New Zealand, while the mortality of those admitted was about eight and a half in New Zealand to fourteen in England. Of fever cases there are six times as many in England as in New Zealand; and of 47 cases only one resulted in death in New Zealand; of pectoral or lung diseases, three cases were admitted into hospital in Great Britain to one in New Zealand; out of an equal number admitted in either country, seven terminated fatally in Great Britain to four in New Zealand. Bowel complaints are more prevalent by half in Great Britain than in New Zealand. Brain and liver diseases are nearly the same in the two countries. Complaints of the eye appear to be more numerous in New Zealand; but I consider that this was brought by the troops from Sydney, and that it could not be easily eradicated in a crowded barrack, as the disease was prevalent only amongst the military.
Comparing New Zealand with foreign stations, it appears that the comparison is greatly in favour of New Zealand.
With regard to pulmonary diseases, there are in Malta two cases for one in New Zealand. In the Ionian Islands there are three cases to two in New Zealand. At the Cape of Good Hope there are five cases for three in New Zealand. In the Mauritius there are the fewest number of cases treated after New Zealand, the proportion being about four in the Mauritius to
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three in New Zealand, but the mortality is twice as great in the Mauritius.
In Australia pectoral diseases are twice as numerous, and twice as fatal as in New Zealand.
| STATIONS. |
Annual ratio of Mortality per 1000 among the Troops from all Diseases at |
No. of Men attacked annually out of 1000 by Pectoral Complaints. |
Average Number of Deaths out of 1000 Men during a year from Pectoral Diseases. |
| Malta |
18 |
120 |
6.0 |
| Ionian Islands |
28 |
90 |
4.0 |
| Bermuda |
30 |
126 |
8.7 |
| Canada |
20 |
148 |
6.7 |
| Gibraltar |
22 |
141 |
5.3 |
| Cape of Good Hope |
15 |
98 |
3.0 |
| Mauritius |
30 |
84 |
5.6 |
| Australia |
11 |
133 |
5.8 |
| New Zealand |
8 1/4 |
60 |
2.7 |
Of cases of fever there are five in Malta, the Cape, and Australia, to one in New Zealand. Of liver complaints there are two cases in the before-mentioned places to one in New Zealand.
Prom the same returns it appears, that fevers, liver complaints, and diseases of the stomach and bowels, are much more numerous and fatal at the Cape, Malta, and Australia, than in New Zealand.
In proof of the favourable influence of the climate on human life, I may mention that I have frequently, within the last four or five years, conversed
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with a native of the Province of Auckland, named Tanewa, or Hooknose, who remembered Captain Cook. Tanewa was accustomed to relate to "his friends, the Europeans," how that celebrated navigator pleased him as a child by patting him on the head, and that "his love was very great" for the Pakeha (English) ever since.
Summer is much longer in New Zealand than in England, although scarcely ever warmer, the nights are always cool and refreshing. Spring and autumn are warmer than in England, and the coldest day in winter is not colder than an English autumnal day. The winds in spring and autumn are occasionally disagreeable, and the rain is as plentiful during the year as in Great Britain.
There is neither snow nor frost to delay agricultural pursuits. Ploughing can be carried on through the year, and sowing through the greater part of it. Grain crops are generally got in during autumn grass may be sown during the autumn and spring quarters; the autumn sowing is thought the safest.
Potatoes are planted in spring, but I believe with proper care they might be set during the whole year, and that autumn planting would answer well if the sets were put in deep enough. I draw this conclusion from what I have seen of the self-sown roots. The seasons are the reverse of those in England; spring commences in September, summer in December, autumn in April, and winter in June.
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In the summer a calm commonly prevails until about 10 or 11 o'clock in the morning, the heat is then moderated by a sea breeze, which usually dies away at sunset.
Fruits, flowers, and vegetables thrive well. Figs, peaches (even as standard trees), grapes, and melons ripen in the open air. Strawberries, cherries, apples, plums, peaches, and nectarines do well in most parts of New Zealand. But gooseberries and currants do best in the south, and at New Plymouth. The peaches, when carefully cultivated, are equal in flavour to any grown in England.
The growth of grass is scarcely ever checked by winter cold. Geraniums, stocks, verbenas, and other flowers may be seen to blow during the coldest seasons.
The change in the weather from month to month is very gradual. The climate is suited to horses, sheep, cattle, and poultry. The increase of sheep is reckoned to average 90 per cent., while the deaths are below one per cent. Where there is bush for shelter, horses and cattle will do well through the year without stable or shed. Horses and cattle imported from Australia generally thrive well with the change of climate, where they are sufficiently fed; and if the breed be judiciously crossed the stock greatly improves. Eventually New Zealand will compete with Australia in rearing horses for the Indian market.
Few countries possess a greater variety of soil than these islands.
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In the same district may be found volcanic, alluvial, stiff and light clay, and sandy soil, each description within a short distance of that of the most opposite nature. As I purpose more carefully to refer to the climate and soil, in separate chapters on the several provinces, I will only at present observe, that it behoves settlers who may desire to farm to be careful how they select their allotments. Stiff clay lands may be well suited to those who have capital, but to a man of small means, I would recommend the volcanic and light soils, as more calculated to yield immediate money returns, with which to carry on farming operations. Flax and swamp lands are often of a rich nature, but require considerable outlay in draining. With regard to bush land, it is considered to be good where the growth of timber is large; the growth of kauri pine, however, usually indicates a poor soil.
Bush land, when cleared, yields a better crop the first year than fern land: the fern land requires a summer fallow to sweeten.
When convenient to a township, it pays to clear bush land, in other situations a settler would do best not to select more than one-third of bush land; firewood, posts and rails are dear, and unless on a man's own property, form a considerable item in farming expenses. The bush is also useful for protection and food for cattle.
Where wood and raupo are convenient, the emigrant does well to build a first house of raupo, a sort
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of swamp flag, and unsawn wood. Natives may often be found to erect a good bouse of this sort for from £20 to £30, which, if well thatched with reeds, will last for seven or eight years.
Emigrants' outfits can be obtained at the shortest notice at Messrs. Silver's, 3 and 4, Bishopsgate Street Within. Agricultural implements and machines of the best description are provided at Twallin and Co.'s, 117, Bishopsgate Street, by whom a most useful wheat-mill and flour-dressing machine has been introduced. Blackwell, 259, Oxford Street, may be depended on for supplying saddlery of a superior quality.
