Twenty-five Years of Emigrant Life in the South of New Zealand

James Adam

First published by Bell and Bradfute in 1874

Digitised and made available online by the University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services.

Epub © 2013 Early New Zealand Books Collection

ISBN 978-1-927288-10-8

[TITLE PAGES]

[Inserted unpaginated map]

MAP OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO
From Official Surveys

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
OF
EMIGRANT LIFE IN THE SOUTH OF NEW ZEALAND.

BY JAMES ADAM,
LATE MEMBER OF THE PROVINCIAL AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS, OTAGO.

EDINBURGH:
BELL AND BRADFUTE, BANK STREET.
LONDON: GEORGE STREET, 30 CORNHILL.
1874.

PRINTED BY T. AND A. CONSTABLE, PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY, AT THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS.

[PREFACE]

PREFACE.

SINCE I landed in this country, a short time ago, a great many strange questions have been put to me, such as – Why did you emigrate to New Zealand? Is not the voyage dreadfully monotonous? How did you get on when you landed? Is the climate good? etc.

In the following pages I have endeavoured to answer such questions as these, and others too numerous to mention. The chapters are connected together by the writer's experience of what he has seen passing around him during the last quarter of a century. This part, I am afraid, has not been accomplished in a very artistic manner, but I have only done so for the purpose of uniting the subjects without bringing myself too prominently forward. The pamphlet has been written for the benefit of that large class of persons who annually leave the shores of Great Britain for other lands, in search of a new home.

JAMES ADAM.
9 FISH STREET, ABERDEEN.

[CONTENTS]

CONTENTS.

I. WHY I EMIGRATED TO NEW ZEALAND....5

II. FIRST DIFFICULTIES.........6

III. AT SEA – INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE......7
First Impressions – Length of Voyage – A sister's gift – Trial by Judge and Jury – Scene in the Court.

IV. INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE – Continued,......10
A case of catalepsy – Cure – An apology – Learned disquisition – Disease common to New Zealand.

V. LAND HO!..........13
Pilot Boat – Revolutions in Europe – Square the yards – Child overboard – A cannibal chief – Port Chalmers.

VI. MURMURINGS.........15
The Scot and the Jew – Points of resemblance – Aaron stills the people – A day's shooting – Gamekeepers from home – Wild Pigeons.

VII. LOST IN THE BUSH........17
Sensation, of being lost – Remedy – Appointment of guide – Footprint in the sand – Runaway sailors – Crossing Pelichet Bay.

VIII. ORIGIN OF OTAGO.........21
Canterbury rejected – Purchase of Otago – Site of Dunedin – Captain Cargill.

IX. HOUSE-BUILDING.........23
Poor folks turned into Lairds – My Cottage – A Pic-nic.

X. THE CONDAMINE STORE.......25
Mischievous properties of Gravitation.

XI. TRADE...........27
Servants turned into masters – Retail-dealers become importers – A Kelso man – Trade of Otago.

XII. SECOND DIFFICULTIES.......34
Home-sickness – Cure – A Birth – Large Families – A Farmer wants a wife.

XIII. DISCREPANCY OF SEXES........36
Marriage profitable – Twenty thousand marriages – Jeanie's marriage – Needle-women – Dairy-maids.

XIV. REMARKABLE COLONISTS......39
Lowe – Childers – Vogel – An Aberdeen clerk.

XV. POLITICS, ..........44
The Long Parliament – Revenue.

XVI. GOLD............48
Discovery – Chinese Worship and Pride – Blue Spur.

XVII. AGRICULTURE, .........53
Founder – Oamaru – Fertility of soil.

XVIII. LAND ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS......56
Land for emigrants and small farmers – An Otago farm.

XIX. MY NEIGHBOURS........61
The Aberdeen Brothers – Energy rewarded – A Dundee Apprentice.

XX. CLIMATE..........63
Temperature – Prevalent Winds – Rain-fall – Thunder – Birthrate – Death-rate – Pulmonary Disease – Mountains.

XXI. EDUCATION......70
Churches – University – High School – Ladies' School – Primary and Grammar Schools – Proselytism – Industrial School – Libraries – Newspapers – Criminal Education – Dr. Begg.

XXII. SHEEP FARMING.........79
Runs – Value of wool – A New Zealand Duke – Number of sheep – Broadcast Turnips – Fencing.

XXIII. INDUSTRIES.........S2
Woollen-mills – Breweries – Sawmills – Steam-Plough – Banking – Railways – Debt and Assets.

XXIV. THE ABORIGINES.........91
Discovery of New Zealand – Columbus and Kupe – Original Home of Maori – Records – Moa – Education – Progress – Hongi, a Maori chief – Wars – Decay of the race.

XXV. BUSH........... 95
Fern Tree – Pines – Turnip Trees – Blue Gum – Birds – A Lark – Beasts and reptiles – Area of Forests.

XXVI. TO EMIGRANTS........100
Who should emigrate – Hours of labour – Wages.

XXVII. SOCIAL CONDITION.......102
Class settlement – Convict labour – A digger becomes a lord – Volunteers – Humane Institutions – Needle-women.

XXVIII. STEWART'S ISLAND....... 108
Land – Timber – Fish.

XXIX. WAGES AND PROVISIONS.......110

ILLUSTRATIONS.

MAP OF OTAGO.........Frontispiece.

HOLMES' STATION AND WIAMEA PLAIN.....facing page 54

UPPER MATAURA PLAINS AND RIVER.......58

FARM OF SMITH BROTHERS, CLUTHA,... 59

FARM OF STRAIN & SONS, TOKOMAIRIRO PLAIN.........62

I. WHY I EMIGRATED TO NEW ZEALAND.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF EMIGRANT LIFE IN THE SOUTH OF NEW ZEALAND.

I.

WHY I EMIGRATED TO NEW ZEALAND.

ON a dark night, twenty-six years ago, I was passing through Belmont Street, A – – -, when I accidentally heard that two gentlemen from Edinburgh were to address a meeting in the Free South Church on the subject of emigration to the South of New Zealand. Having for some time entertained the thought of emigrating to America, I resolved to hear what could be said about the remote islands of New Zealand and its cannibal inhabitants. On entering the church I saw several gentlemen on the platform, one of whom, Mr. M'Combie, Advocate, was called to the chair, and introduced to the audience the Edinburgh deputation, Dr. Alcorn and the Rev. Thomas Burns. The addresses of both gentlemen were very short, and the information of a very limited kind, for they were speaking of a country they had never seen, and of a life to which they were utter strangers. I was however favourably impressed with what Mr. Burns said. This gentleman, being a nephew of the Scottish bard, might have had some influence upon Scotch emigrants, if there were any poetry in the life of an emigrant, but he made no attempt to elevate the hard facts of an emigrant's life into the region of poetry and fiction. I had sense enough to know that toil, and perhaps danger, were the concomitants of life in New Zealand; but the simple fact that Mr. Burns had resigned his charge

and cast in his lot with the emigrants, and would sail with the pioneers, gave confidence in the statements of the reverend gentleman, so that the seed fell into soil prepared and ready to receive it. At the end of the address I stepped forward and had a conversation with Mr. Burns, who, on returning to Edinburgh, communicated to the Secretary of the Otago Association, Mr. M'Glashan, the substance of that interview, and the result was an immediate offer of a free passage to the South of New Zealand, on condition of my remaining there for a limited time – five years.

II. FIRST DIFFICULTIES.

II.

FIRST DIFFICULTIES.

THE real difficulties of emigrant life do not always occur at the same time and place in different individuals. There is nothing so difficult to foretell as the life of an emigrant; he may be a drudge and a grumbler all his days, or he may be the prime minister of a prosperous colony in ten years. He may land with five shillings in 1848, and die worth £25,000 in 1862, and vice versa. Emigration is a powerful test of the capacities of men, and it is equally severe in testing the character. On receiving the offer of a free passage for myself and family, I was requested to give an immediate answer. I was not long in making up my mind. I accepted the valuable offer, believing that in doing so I was consulting the real good of my family. As soon as my relatives became acquainted with my resolution they endeavoured to dissuade me from emigrating. Even my wife, who at first, had been passive in the matter, now became an active opponent, and sought to enlist my minister, the Rev. Dr. D – – -, in the opposing ranks, but the utmost he would consent to do in the matter was to withhold a certificate of character, believing that would give a temporary check. Opposition was of no avail; the Rubicon had been passed, and I felt it impossible to draw back. And now, after the lapse of twenty-six years of emigrant life, I can honestly say that the

greatest difficulty I ever experienced was breaking away from the loving hearts of a father's home. Never can I forget the last look I had from the steamer, as she bore me away from home and kindred and the place of my birth. On nearing the bar I saw a family group standing at the end of the pier, to have a last look of the son and brother. I stood aloof from the rest of the passengers, and waved my hand. My brother and sister instantly recognised me and waved their handkerchiefs. My aged father (threescore and ten) saw me, and lifted his hat and waved it very sorrowfully, while I beheld his white locks fluttering in the breeze. At last I saw him wipe the tears from his eyes and turn away. I have never seen a scene like that again. Had it been possible, I would have followed him. He never expected to see me again, and, considering his years, all hope was taken from me. Yet we were both mistaken. Ten years later I recrossed that bar on one of the London steamers (not as a steerage passenger), and again waved my hat to the same family group. I embraced both parents, and the old people blessed the day I sailed for New Zealand; and I assure the reader I have no cause to regret it myself; but on looking back to my first day of emigrant life, I unhesitatingly affirm that it was the only difficulty I ever had, and my experience is that of thousands now resident in New Zealand.

III. AT SEA – INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE.

III.

AT SEA – INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE.

First impressions – Length of voyage – A sister's gift – Trial by Judge and Jury – Scene in the Court.

ON 20th November 1847 I went on board the vessel that was to be my home for five long weary months. The first sight of my compagnons de voyage was not reassuring. I saw persons there whom I did not expect to see, but first impressions are not very trustworthy; five months' constant contact with fellow-passengers

gives an insight into character not obtainable by any other means. This knowledge gradually modified first impressions. Some fell by the process, others rose, and some have lived only to strengthen and confirm them: The emigrants seemed to have come from the east and the west, the north and south, but the west was perhaps the greatest and worst contributor. Friendships were formed then which in many cases have been retained in all their freshness for a quarter of a century. The emigrants numbered about 260, and were crammed into a vessel of 400 tons, a striking contrast to the magnificent ships that now, in eighty days, connect New Zealand with Britain. The first bona fide emigrants to America were huddled up in the "Mayflower," and we were equally uncomfortable, so far as the size of the vessel and the length of the voyage were concerned. It has long since been changed times with the emigrant to New Zealand. The finest steamers from the eastern and western hemispheres now carry the mails and passengers from Britain and America to Dunedin in forty-five days; but in the early days of the colony, four and five months was the proper time. Wearisome as eighty days' sailing to New Zealand may appear in comparison with ten or twenty to America, yet I question if the advantages to the emigrant are not greater in the one case than in the other. The long passage teaches the emigrant patience and economy in stowing himself and family afterwards in a small house. Habits of discipline are formed, and the art of making the most of everything, so that when he lands in his adopted country he is not easily put out with every little annoyance, but, on the contrary, his long passage has only fitted and nerved him for difficulties yet to come. Voyages at sea are seldom remarkable if all goes well. We had a good captain; and we no sooner left port than a violent storm in the Irish Sea compelled him to put into Wales. While there, several of the crew were imprisoned; this delay was favourable to the emigrants of the next ship, as we complained of the dietary scale, which was improved in succeeding vessels. Here I received a registered letter from London from my youngest sister, enclosing a present of money as a parting gift. Four days in Wales gave us a fresh

crew, and we sailed away from Milford Haven with a fair wind. Three marriages took place on the voyage, and a good deal of sweet-hearting went on. The most remarkable event that took place on board was connected with a young lad amongst the single men; he was made the butt of one man in particular, who never ceased to domineer over the boy; but the fellow played his joke once too often, for we were all horrified to hear that the boy suddenly sprang upon him, and stabbed him in the abdomen: the boy was instantly imprisoned, but it was found that the table-knife had doubled up, the broad point refused to penetrate the moleskin, and most fortunately the man's life was saved by the merest accident. A trial at once took place, Rev. Thos. Burns judge, and a jury of twelve passengers. The sentence proposed by the jury was a severe reprimand, two days' incarceration, and the head to be shaved. Before the sentence was pronounced, a vigorous defence was made by one of the jurymen, and a strong case made out for the defendant by showing that the lad had for weeks tried by various means to escape from his tormentor, and failed; that the rash act was the resistless impulse of a moment which he now bitterly regretted. The judge summed up, pointing out to the prisoner the enormity of his crime, and the providential manner in which it had been frustrated, condemned him to two days' imprisonment, his hair to be cut quite off (not shaved), and his father to be the executioner; the latter part of the sentence was the only request made by the parents. As soon as the prosecutor heard the sentence, he very impudently told the Court that he did not think it severe enough. Never shall I forget what followed. Dr. Burns throughout the trial had exhibited a quiet, calm, dignified manner; but no sooner had the bold swaggerer uttered the last word than the judge fixed upon the speaker a piercing look, and addressed him in a voice trembling with emotion, and for several minutes he poured out such a storm of withering rebuke as made the fellow quail. He charged him in the most scathing language as the real author of the crime that had taken place, reproached him with ingratitude to God and man, and hinted pretty plainly that he, Mr. Burns, possessed magisterial powers until we arrived in New

Zealand, and that, if the complainant did not conduct himself better in future, he would find that power was one which he could not resist. I have known Dr. Burns as preacher for five-and-twenty years. I have heard splendid bursts of eloquence during that time, but never did I see rage in such a grand and dignified attitude, – the grey locks, the eagle eye, the Roman profile, the right hand stretched forward, the clear voice, the trembling frame, the impassioned eloquence, and the profound silence of the onlookers, made up a picture which it is impossible to reproduce on canvass or paper. The boy afterwards became a respectable settler, but I never knew what became of his tormentor. He left the place, and doubtless his narrow escape would ever after teach him respect for the feelings of others.

IV. INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE-continued.

IV.

INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE-continued.

A case of catalepsy – Cure – An apology – Learned disquisition – Disease common to New Zealand.

A REMARKABLE case of catalepsy occurred about the middle of the voyage. A young gentleman in the cabin, who was very fond of going on deck when other people went to bed, and promenading the poop till midnight, on one occasion protracted his stay to "the wee short hour ayont the twal'." His fellow-passenger, Mr. B., feeling anxious for his return, resolved to go on deck and induce him to turn in; but on entering the saloon he was shocked to find D – – – – prostrate, in a fit of catalepsy. An alarm was instantly given that he was dead; the captain and cabin passengers crowded round in their night-dresses to see the unfortunate young gentleman so suddenly called away. Medical aid was instantly by the side of the young man; and, after a moment's pause, during which time the doctor kept one hand on the head and another on the pulse, he pronounced him alive and his pulse strong and

vigorous. The onlookers then breathed more freely. The first question the doctor put to the young man occupying the same berth was, Is this the first time you have seen Mr. D. in this state? B. answered, with some hesitancy, in the affirmative; but the doctor, with a twinkle in his eye, said he had seen cases of this kind before, and that in a few hours D – – – – would be all right – the man is dead drunk No sooner had the medical opinion been given than the spectators simultaneously cried out, "Impossible, doctor" (the patient was dear to some of the ladies, and an alliance in the future was not improbable); but the doctor, to convince the most sceptical, forcibly opened the eyelid of the squint eye. There was no glaze, but, on the contrary, the patient manifested considerable objections to being quizzed in that way, and adroitly jerked the eyelid out of the doctor's fingers, and remained to all intents and purposes in a fit of catalepsy. A titter now ran through the onlookers. D – – – – was carefully borne to bed, and a sound sleep completely restored him.

The above circumstances threw a flood of light upon a remarkable phenomenon connected with the evaporation of spirits. At one end of the cabin there was a sideboard, on which two decanters of spirits always stood. They were fitted with glass stoppers, which fitted the bottles most correctly. No diminution of the spirits was traceable to evaporation during the day, but there was no doubt of its operation between sunset and sunrise. This freak of nature had long baffled all attempts at solution. It was sought to elucidate the phenomenon by a reference to the porous nature of glass, through which electricity, light, and magnetism easily passed, and that the subtle fluid usually kept in decanters might pass through in the same way. This theory was combated on the ground that, if true, the evaporation would be equal in equal temperatures, whereas the contrary was the case. By an inspection that morning of the decanters it was found that the evaporation during the past night surpassed anything of the kind that had taken place before. Spiritualism would no doubt have been called in to aid in unravelling these phenomena, but, unfortunately, that "science" was then unknown, and the disputants were obliged

to give up their fine-spun theories and fall back upon the old-fashioned inductive philosophy of Bacon: Given a certain effect, and you may reason step by step up to the cause. The hint given by the ship's doctor quickened the dull perceptions of D – – – – 's friends; they began to reason from the spontaneous evaporation of spirits to fits of catalepsy, and from catalepsy to increased evaporation, until the mysterious problem became clear as noon-day.

Next morning the young man was surprised to hear that he had been found insensible! He was quite unconscious of such an extraordinary event! Later in the day, he accidentally learned the medical opinion that had been given of his case; and, with the most consummate assurance, demanded an apology from the doctor. The latter only laughed at him; and the result was, that our model young gentleman, the idol of the ship, had to come down from his high horse. He was shunned by the cabin passengers, and had to seek congenial companions amongst the steerage passengers. Other revelations followed. It was discovered that he had fabricated the vilest calumnies about the captain's character; and when confronted with these, he wrote a most fulsome apology.

The subject of the foregoing remarks left Otago shortly after landing. Twenty years after I met him again at the town of M – – – -., and learned from him that the proprietor of an inland paper had engaged him as editor in chief for two years, and that he would enter upon his duties that day week. Alas! that day never came; he was suddenly seized with his old trouble, and summarily dismissed.

Proprietors of newspapers occasionally suffer from this disease. Instances have occurred of editors being struck down with it on the eve of publishing; and even the medical profession is unable to resist its subtle influence. There is a well-known cure for the disease, but it has never been popular in consequence of its simplicity. An eloquent premier lately introduced a measure in Parliament to cure the disease; and the Permissive Bill is now the law of New Zealand.

V. LAND HO!

V.

LAND HO!

Pilot-boat – Revolutions in Europe – Square the yards – Child overboard – A Cannibal chief – Port Chalmers.

THE longest journey has an end, and it is astonishing how soon those five months of monotonous existence passed away. On the 11th of April 1848 we arrived at the entrance of the Otago harbour – on one side a fine bold headland (Tairoa's Head), oh the other a low sand-pit. Our hearts danced with delight at the sight of the pilot-boat. Four young New Zealanders pulled the boat, the oars bending beautifully to a well-timed stroke. The crew were clad in European garments; they had fine open countenances, one of them slightly tattooed, all of them a little dark in the skin, similar to our own countrymen when browned with an Indian sun. We were delighted with the looks of the natives; but the most remarkable person in the boat was the pilot, a very tall man, with the steer-oar in his powerful grasp, a native of Bristol, with a strong look of the Yankee about him. By a vigorous sweep of the steer-oar he laid the pilot-boat (a whale-boat) alongside our vessel, and in a moment he was on deck in earnest conversation with our captain and Mr. Burns, the latter holding up his hands in utter amazement in consequence of something which the pilot said. What a revolution! The captain no longer commands his ship! the King of France no longer rules the French! thrones and crowns put up to auction and knocked down to the highest bidder – ourselves the subject of greater changes than either. We are now to exchange land for water – the peace of an inland plain for the broad expanse of a troubled sea. In four months our little ark has drifted half the circumference of the globe. But more news. The sister vessel, which sailed from London with the English emigrants on the same day as ourselves, arrived three weeks ago, all well. A favouring breeze from N. E. inflates the flapping sails. "Square the yards"

rings out distinct from the pilot above the hum of many voices. The order is with difficulty performed on the overcrowded deck. Slowly we float to the entrance of the harbour. The farewell swells of the Pacific Ocean bear our tiny bark to the long looked-for haven of rest. A glorious panorama is opening to our view; a thousand white plumed sea-birds fly lazily overhead or skim the water. The children mount the bulwarks, flinging bread to the feathery tribe. Sea-gull, cormorant, and cape-pigeon contend for these morsels, and the ringing laughter of many children complete the harmony of the moving scene. Suddenly that fair scene was changed. A scream was heard, followed by a plunge. The cry of distress, "A child overboard!" Frantic mothers rush to the ship's side. Fortunately there was a gentleman in the cabin who was prepared to risk his life for the youngster. He seized a rope, sprang overboard, and caught the little sufferer just as he floated astern. Assistance was at hand. Both were soon on deck again, the child none the worse for the ducking, and the other ennobled by his heroic action. At the end of a quarter of a century the deliverer, though long since dead, lives in the grateful remembrance of the emigrants.

The passengers now began to crowd round the pilot, asking many questions about the natives, wild pigs, and the country. This was the very thing he wished them to do, and the countenances of many changed as he threw out dark hints about the cannibal feasts of the aborigines, and the probability that the fattest emigrants would get an insight into the manners and customs of the New Zealanders, in which they would be unusually interested. "Look," said he, pointing to the shore, "at old Tairoa, the chief, coming out with his boat to mark off the best of you for the next feast." We all looked in the direction indicated, and there, sure enough, was a whale-boat crowded with natives making for the ship. A rope was thrown to them, and the old chief came on board, a hideous face carved from the ears to the tip of his nose with beautiful scroll work, into which gunpowder had been rubbed to such an extent as gave the face a horrid cannibal look. I introduced myself to his rag-tag majesty, and took him down

stairs to my wife, who gave him some biscuit and beef to eat, which was most thankfully received. This introduction to the aristocracy of the land produced the opposite effect intended by Mr. Driver, the pilot. Preparations were making to bring us to anchor at last. "Is the anchor all ready there?" "All ready, sir." "Let go." A heavy plunge – a harsh grating of the chain-cable as it runs out fast and furious, the ship gives one angry tug at the restraint, and swings round to her anchor in five fathoms water in the centre of a beautiful amphitheatre of hills densely wooded from their summits to the water's edge.

VI. MURMURINGS.

VI.

MURMURINGS.

The Scot and the Jew – Points of resemblance – Aaron stills the people – A day's shooting – Gamekeepers from home – Wild pigeons.

WHEN the first emigrants from Goshen arrived at the confines of Palestine they were seized with a most perverse spirit of contradiction. The promised land was a failure, and the serfdom of Egypt earthly bliss. The spies indeed admitted that the land was good. The ponderous bunch of Eshcol grapes compelled them to admit that fact; yet, with one breath, they said the land flowed with milk and honey, and in the next that it was a land that starved its inhabitants.

The same spirit of contradiction accompanies some emigrants wherever they go. Men who see the same scenes, are braced with the same climate, and live for years in the same district, give the most conflicting and irreconcilable descriptions of one or all of these things. Whence is this? It is the state of mind which they describe, not the actualities of the case. The most unfortunate thing that can happen to an emigrant is to meet a returned colonist whose life has been a failure. Such men never blame themselves: that would be too candid and straightforward. Rather than reflect

upon themselves or their want of perseverance and adaptation to the pursuits of a new life, they reflect upon the country, because it will not adapt itself to their preconceived ideas. On the other hand, the successful emigrant speaks well of the country. Probably it has raised him from penury to affluence, and this circumstance cannot fail to have some influence on his mind also when speaking of a country that has been so good to him.

Next morning before breakfast we were all on deck. The excitement and novelty of the previous day had now worn off, and we began to take a practicable view of the situation. The agriculturists wanted some one to show them how a pair of horses could plough up hills whose sides lay at an angle of forty-five degrees. Weavers from Paisley who had never seen an American axe did not know how trees six and eight feet in circumference were to be removed out of the way of the horses even supposing they could pull up. Others had their doubts whether there was any level land in New Zealand, and some had misgivings about leaving the land of their birth. These murmurings at last reached the ears of our far-seeing leader, Mr. Burns, and after breakfast he called the land purchasers and emigrants on deck, and reminded them that the land they had come to cultivate was not the steep slopes of the harbour, but the rich lands of the Taieri, Tokomairiro, and Clutha plains; that for himself he was delighted with the aspect of the country; it had more than fulfilled his most sanguine expectations, and that, if the plains were as fertile as the hills around them, they would never regret having adopted the south of New Zealand as their future home.

The words of Mr. Burns fell like dew upon the parched herbage. Hope revived like the barometer after a storm, and never sank to zero again. I have often wondered what the reverend gentleman would have said, if instead of the exuberant vegetation of the rocky peaks that surround Port Chalmers, 1 we had been anchored at Littleton, amidst the barren and sterile rocks that threaten to force that little town into the sea. Fortunately he had a splendid text, and his appeal to the surrounding scenery was a most effectual one.

Arrangements were immediately made to send the land purchasers to Dunedin in boats to select their town sections. Another arrangement was entered into with our captain, by which our vessel was turned into a floating barracks for the accommodation of the emigrants' wives and children, until barracks were erected for them in Dunedin, and in the meantime those who had guns went on shore for a day's shooting. These arrangements effectually dispelled the gloomy forebodings of the morning. Shots now began to be heard in all directions in the wood. No gamekeepers were to be seen; Custom-house officers there were none. Wild pigeons, brown parrots, and parson birds began to fall in various directions.

Fortunately no person was shot, which was the more remarkable, as many of the emigrants had guns that day who had never handled one before, and the only way of accounting for this happy circumstance was, that the birds sat on the branches of lofty trees, so that a shot, if it did no good, could not possibly do any harm.

The wild pigeon is a magnificent bird, blue neck, olive wings, and white breast. It lives on the seeds of the white pine and other seed-bearing pines, – -for we have no cone-bearing trees in New Zealand. As many as twenty pigeons will rest at noon on the white pine, hid from the sportsman in its ample foliage, and feeding on the rich clusters of its ruby berries. The flesh is dark in colour, and at certain seasons is highly flavoured with the berries of the Goa (Edwardsia grandifiora), a tree that strongly resembles the oak in the grain of its wood.

1 This town is named after Dr. Thomas Chalmers.

VII. LOST IN THE BUSH.

VII.

LOST IN THE BUSH.

Sensation of being lost – Remedy – Appointment of guide – Footprint in the sand – Runaway sailors – Crossing Pelichet Bay.

THE bracing influences of field sports determined a small party to travel as far as the site of the future new Edinburgh of New

Zealand. This was no easy task, for an impenetrable forest of nine miles lay between the anchorage at Port Chalmers and the town; but as our spirits began to experience the invigorating influence of a new climate, and to feel once more the buoyancy of youth, no warnings or difficulties could daunt our courage or deter us from an enterprise of danger, so off we went next morning "burning with high hope," and found our way as far as Sawyers' Bay (two miles from the ship), by following a surveyor's track: beyond this point we lost ourselves. We travelled all day and half the night up a mountain heavily timbered, in the vain attempt to reach the top, believing that a peep from that altitude would correct our latitude and longitude, and perhaps give us a sight of Dunedin. With this hope in view, and a determination to reach some place where we could rest for the night, we made superhuman efforts to accomplish this object. The sun set, but we struggled on, stumbling over immense blocks of stone for an hour and a half after darkness had fairly set in. There was no moon, and a consultation was held as to what was to be done. The sensation of being lost is one of the most perplexing conditions of life in which man can be placed. No sooner does the conviction of being lost fasten upon the mind than a most irritative sense of danger takes possession of the whole man, and the spasmodic and frantic efforts put forth to correct the error only lead the lost one deeper into the labyrinth. Dr. Smid, a German geologist, lost himself in this manner in crossing a neck of bush twelve miles broad, and was found two years after very little decomposed. Another gentleman was lost on Flagstaff, a mountain beside Dunedin. There is only one way of extricating the lost one from this peril, and that is to sit down and wait until the mind loses the oppressive sense of immediate danger. This calms the nervous system, hope revives, reason resumes her sway, and the mind gradually retraces all the steps of the journey, until it detects the first error. In our case we saw that the first error was in losing sight of the harbour, and we resolved to retrace our steps, by descending till we came to some brook or stream that would lead us to the harbour. It was now near midnight, and quite

dark. I was deputed to lead the way; the others (five in number) agreed to be silent, and not perplex the guide by wrangling and disputation, for in cases of this kind every one thinks he knows best. We had already suffered much from this cause, and the guide determined, whatever the others might do, to follow a particular course.

A start was made, and we began the descent at midnight, and travelled or rather stumbled for an hour, often falling over blocks of stone. A halt was called, for the descent was getting dangerous, and we were afraid of falling over some precipice. We lay down and tried sleep for two hours, when the moon rose and shone out brilliantly.

Whatever fears we entertained for our ultimate safety at one time, they were as nothing to the intense thirst we endured. From eight o'clock the previous day we had not tasted water, and the great exertions we had made to cross the mountain only increased our thirst. Probably we had passed many springs in the dark, but failed to see them. We resolved to avail ourselves of the moon to continue our journey, for the double purpose of nearing the harbour and finding water. After an hour's travelling the moon set and plunged us in darkness. To this day I never could account for a bright moon setting in the way it did that morning. Whether it were from an eclipse, clouds, or an-overhang-ing cliff, we never knew, but whatever the cause we could not proceed, as the ground was fearfully steep. Another halt was the consequence. We cut down fern leaves five feet long and one-foot broad, and spread them under the broad-spreading fern-tree. One of the party had a Scotch plaid which barely covered the whole party. Scarcely had this been accomplished when it began to rain We tried to sleep, and if great exertion could have accomplished such a desirable result we ought to have slept soundly, but our intolerable thirst effectually prevented anything of the kind. We crept close to each other for mutual warmth and to escape the rain, and there we lay for about two hours, longing for the dawning of the day.

Three of our party were runaway sailors, one of whom was sent

aloft at dawn to descry, not the land – Jack had got too much of that – but water. But water was nowhere to be seen. We again began our journey on the principle of descent; an hour's travelling brought us to a saw-pit and a dirty well, which we drank with the avidity of an Arabian caravan lost in the desert. What a sight for a teetotaller – the rush to that muddy hole! The most tempting offer of Hennesy's brandy would have been despised at that moment. Of all God's blessings to man, water ranks next to health. To satisfy the craving of thirst with abundance from the cool crystal fountain is a pleasure man must have stolen from Paradise on the morning of his expulsion from that abode.

The sight of the old saw-pit was to us what the footprint was to Robinson Crusoe: we were saved! Others had been here before. Another sailor (Irish Jim) was sent up a tree to take a survey of our position, but no sooner had he reached the topmost branch than a joyful exclamation burst from him – "I see the harbour, not a mile distant.!" A cheer followed, and next instant every one was climbing a tree. No one would take the unsupported statement of Irish Jim, he must see for himself; a long and satisfied gaze followed. The bearings of the harbour were taken, and away we went, and emerged from the forest in Sawyers' Bay, just as the captain of our ship was passing the bay in search of the runaway sailors. We would have hailed the boat, but as this would have compromised the sailors, and imprisoned them for three months, we remained quiet till the boat was out of sight. Shortly after, a native boat took the sailors on board, hid them in the bottom of the boat when passing the ship, and landed them at the native village at the Heads, where they remained for six months. The rest of us pushed on for Dunedin, crossed the mud flat of Pelichet Bay, wading to the knees in mud which we washed off in the Water of Leith, and at two o'clock arrived at the house of Mr. John Anderson, where we were hospitably entertained by his "guidwife."

Those who now travel the same journey can never realize the difficulties encountered twenty-six years ago. Instead of taking two days to travel from Port Chalmers to Dunedin the journey

can be accomplished in twenty minutes, and instead of crossing Pelichet Bay "on shanks mare," knee deep in odoriferous mud, he may instantly perform that feat in a carriage richly furnished with all the luxuries that art now lavishes on railway travelling.

VIII. ORIGIN OF OTAGO.

VIII.

ORIGIN OF OTAGO.

Canterbury rejected – Purchase of Otago – Site of Dunedin – Captain Cargill.

IN 1840 a number of gentlemen in Edinburgh arranged with the New Zealand Company for a block of land to colonize with their countrymen on certain conditions: –

1st. The land to be sold at forty shillings per acre.

2d. Five shillings of that amount was for survey of land.

3d. Fifteen shillings for emigration.

4th. Ten shillings for civil uses (roads and bridges).

5th. Five shillings for churches, schools, ministers and teachers.

6th. Five shillings for the land.

The New Zealand Company forthwith gave instructions to their chief surveyor to lay off a large block of land for the Edinburgh Association in the Province of Canterbury, but they also gave him full power to explore the whole sea-board of the Middle Island, and, in the event of discovering a better tract of country, he was authorized to purchase it from the natives. After a thorough examination of the island from Nelson round the east coast to Milford Haven on the west coast, and a careful consideration of the merits of Canterbury and Otago, Mr. Tuckett chose the latter as the best place for the new settlement, and on the 31st of July 1844 Colonel Wakefield, in presence of Captain Symonds, Government Commissioner, and Mr. Clarke, Native Protector, purchased from the Ngaitahu tribe seven hundred square miles of land for £2400.

All the native chiefs interested in the disposal of this land were consenting parties to the transaction by a regular deed written in both languages, and the result has been the complete absence of all those embarrassing questions about land titles that paralysed the northern settlements in their early days. A few years subsequently the whole of the land in the south of New Zealand was purchased, including a fine prairie extending from the Mataura River to Foveaux Straits. By this purchase twenty thousand square miles of land were added to the Otago Block, afterwards named the Otago Province.

Dunedin stands at the head of an arm of the sea fourteen miles long, having an area of about thirty square miles. This fiord is the natural highway to the interior of the country, and was probably one of the reasons for surveying the chief town at the head of the Otago harbour, and another reason was a clear mountain stream at the north of the town capable of supplying a city with abundance of pure water. The town was laid off upon wooded terraces rising above one another for a mile back from the harbour.

On my arrival at Dunedin I was introduced by Mr. Burns to his friend and coadjutor Captain Cargill. This gentleman represented the New Zealand Company, and was the leading spirit and founder of the settlement, and I was very much struck by his personal appearance. He was a grey-haired man, about sixty-five years of age, of small stature, a stout walking-stick in his right hand, a shepherd-tartan plaid thrown over his left shoulder, and a broad Scotch bonnet on his head. The countenance had a kind look about it, with a little shade of sadness. The eye had a mild expression, but the shaggy eyebrows altered that a good deal, and gave to the physiognomy a firm and determined look. This gentleman was singularly well-fitted to lead a band of men in any enterprise. He had known what it was to "rough it" in early life, having been an officer in the Peninsular army under the "Iron Duke." What contrasts met in the life of this man! In youth he would be the natty little ensign with gold-epauleted shoulders, white-gloved hands, and a sword dangling at his heels,

or mingling in the stern strife that then shook the world. Now in old age he leads his countrymen, in the peaceful contest with nature, in founding a village, a town, a city, and at last the capital of a province about as large as Scotland. My introduction to this man was of advantage to me ever afterwards. I found him a true friend in the beginning, and he never altered to the day when I saw him laid in an honoured grave. What a fine thing is unalterable friendship! To me he was uniformly kind and respectful, and I am proud to think that the acorn which he planted has become a great tree.

IX. HOUSE-BUILDING.

IX.

HOUSE-BUILDING.

Poor folks turned into Lairds – My Cottage – A Pic-nic.

WHEN the town was surveyed in 1844 maps of it were sent to London and Edinburgh for the inspection of intending purchasers. Amongst other features of the plan there was a line of streets and sections fronting the harbour. Every purchaser knew that ultimately these sections would become the most valuable, and every one resolved to choose town properties abutting on the harbour, but, on the day appointed for this purpose, the whole of the harbour frontage was withdrawn for public purposes – wharves, docks, quays, etc. A regular hubbub was the consequence. This arbitrary proceeding on the part of the New Zealand Company was in direct violation of the contract entered into with land-purchasers in London and Edinburgh, and had there been a competent court in existence in the settlement there can be no doubt that the selectors would have taken proceedings against the Company, and have gained their point. Fortunately we had neither the court nor the superabundance of lawyers we now possess to haggle over the rights of the disputants. Besides, the aggrieved purchasers could not but admit the wisdom, although they still deny the justice of the reservation, and accordingly they were obliged to

choose their properties elsewhere. All who could, chose in Princess Street, and fortunate they were who did so. Princess Street was represented by two surveyors' lines two miles long, and sixty-six feet apart. The street consisted of flax, grass, stumps of trees, creeks and bogs. The town sections contained a quarter of an acre, and only cost ten shillings, and yet they are now let at four, five, six, seven, and eight pounds per foot per annum, and even at that price there is a scarcity of good business sites. Most of the purchasers were poor men, 2 but the judicious investment of those ten shillings ultimately brought in a revenue of from three to eight hundred pounds a year, and placed them or their families in positions of comfort and independence.

Two days after the selection of town land, I applied for the lease of a quarter acre. I was too poor to purchase, and Captain Cargill gave me a temporary lease of a section at £4 per annum. As my family were anxious to leave the ship, I engaged two natives to help me to build a house at three shillings a day, and sent them at once to the swamp for a boat-load of grass to thatch the roof and sides. On my leasehold there was a clump of maple trees, but before cutting them down, I stretched a line through them for the ground-plan of the house: trees which coincided with this line I left standing, merely cutting off the tops, and those which were out of the line were cut down and put in the line by digging holes. By this novel plan the walls were made strong and substantial in one day. The natives then put small wands or wattles across the uprights, about twelve inches apart, fastening them firmly with strips of flax, and over all they laced the long grass to the wattles, did the same over the roof, and at the end of four days my house was habitable. I have owned good houses since, but never have I been able to evoke the pleasure and happiness felt on the night my cosy hut was finished. I could not refrain from going out after dark to contemplate its proportions, architecture, and site. There was a difference of two feet in the breadth of the gables, but as no one could see the four corners of

the house at once, it was never known to any one but myself. Next day I went down to the ship to bring up my family. I fear my wife must have felt some self-gratulation because she was going direct to her own villa instead of a crowded and uncomfortable barracks. My cottage stood where the Empire Hotel now stands, with its busy throng of passengers and coaches, but none of my family could see it for trees. The entrance was through a leafy archway from Princess Street, and at the first sight of the rustic cottage a cry of joy burst from my little girl in my arms, and from the rest of my family. Here was a sweet reward for all my labour and toil, for I was anxious that their first impressions should be favourable. Tea, the never-failing beverage in the bush, was proposed. A fire was kindled outside, and the kettle hung upon a triangle of poles, while the frying-pan was doing duty lower down. That was the finest repast I ever had; I have often been at public and private dinners, and seen the tables groaning under the weight of the feast, but these surroundings were wanting. The cottage, apparently in the centre of an impenetrable bush, the shades of evening closing over us, the gipsy encampment round the fire, the happy countenances of loved ones, the light and shade – turned a plain cup of tea into a delightful pic-nic not easily effaced from the memory. Indeed, the romance of emigrant life, in its first stages, was to me so enviable, that if need be, I would not hesitate for a moment to pass through all the phases of pioneer life again, which, in my case, was full of hard work, pleasure, profit, and healthful exercise.

2 J. Buchanan, a weaver, was the first purchaser, and had a priority of choice over all others, for which he was offered two properties, but refused.

X. THE CONDAMINE STORE.

X.

THE CONDAMINE STORE.

Mischievous properties of Gravitation.

THE rapidity with which I had built my house, its inexpensive materials, and the simplicity of the architecture, procured for me

an order from De La Condamine to build him a store with dwelling-house attached. This recognition of my abilities led to other commissions of a higher order, till I was superseded by Clark and Garvie, both as architect and builder, but the author has never been superseded in the cheapness of his designs and contracts. The contract for the Condamine store was £5, 10s., plans and specifications gratis, and the job paid me well. Four shillings a day was tradesmen's wages then, – not 14s. as now, and I saved money easily.

Condamine was an impetuous man: what he did he did heartily. One day a ship came with goods to Port Chalmers; the goods he purchased, and brought to the new store before it was finished. Mrs. Condamine – who never took much interest in her husband's plans – remonstrated against the goods being brought into her parlour, but he coaxed her into a temporary occupation till the store was finished. There were no shelves, of course, in the parlour, but C. put up a board on two rude joists that crossed the room, and on these he began to pack crockery, pickle-bottles, packets of ground pepper, and cheese, but, poor man, his knowledge of the equilibrium of bodies was so deficient that he put one cheese too many on the overhanging end of the board, and the result was a catastrophe. Mrs. C. was sitting at a table, in a white muslin dress, reading a novel, her whole attention wrapped in the mazes of an intricate plot, totally oblivious of the busy world around her, when a monster cheese, twenty-five pounds weight, fell on her shoulders, and brought her back to the common-place things of life; she gave a theatrical scream, and fled to the opposite side of the house. Unfortunately this was not all. The fall of the cheese having restored the equilibrium of the shelf, the return to a horizontal position was too sudden for the remaining articles, which seemed to be possessed by the demon of mischief – pickles, crockery, Holloway's pills and ointment, leaped as from a springboard and strewed the floor with an assemblage of incongruous articles. Mrs. C. opened her artillery as soon as the noise was over, and demanded of her husband "if she had been brought to New Zealand to be killed by cheese?" Such an undignified mode

of sacrificing a wife she had never seen in all the novels she had ever read. Poor C. calmed his better-half by soothing inquiries about her shoulders, and by an ample confession that the whole affair had happened through his culpable ignorance of the true centre of the earth.

The Condamine store was a complete success, although the proprietor was destitute of all knowledge of such a business. It was three times built, first of grass, then of wood, and at last of iron, and on each occasion it was built on a new site. Money was made, and Condamine at last left his family well provided for.

XI. TRADE.

XI.

TRADE.

Servants turned into masters – Retail-dealers become importers – A Kelso man – Trade of Otago.

STOREKEEPING is one of the most profitable employments in which any one can engage in young colonies. Many who began business in a very small way indeed have left the counter for the desk, and become large importers and wholesale dealers, with a corresponding staff of clerks and warehousemen. As the colony grows older the avenues to successful storekeeping become more crowded. The competitors in this race strive to distance their opponents, and in so doing some fail, but the great majority undoubtedly succeed. A stranger passing through the fine business premises that adorn the main streets of Dunedin would never dream that the men who own such places were once as poor as any ordinary emigrant.

Twelve years ago, Mr. D. was an assistant in the shop of Mr. K. at forty shillings per week. After a service of five years he left his employer, and started a business in opposition, which he had purchased from an old sailor on credit. So well did Mr. D. manage his business that five years afterwards he re-sold the

concern on most advantageous terms. D., having left the retail trade, aspired to the higher grade of business, and forthwith went to Britain, made arrangements for a large shipment of certain goods, and opened a wholesale establishment in a central part of the city of Dunedin. Shortly after, a beautiful and commodious stone building was built for D. & Co. Their trade is increasing, and his partner has opened an office in London for the more expeditious despatch of increasing orders.

The reader must not suppose that the foregoing is an isolated case. There is not a letter in the alphabet which does not represent the name of some one who, after ten or twelve years' serving behind the counter at a salary of fifty or sixty shillings per week, has gradually changed his place from an assistant to a partner of some business that he can call his own. Messrs. B., C., D., E., H., R.., etc., etc., are all representative men for whom emigration has done everything. The first name is that of a gentleman who thirteen years ago was a draper's assistant in the town of Kelso, at a salary probably of thirty shillings a week; now he owns perhaps the finest retail business in Dunedin, employs fifty hands, and pays £250 weekly as wages. This sudden change of circumstances is not peculiar to Dunedin, but is common to the twenty towns that are in the Otago province; and I suppose is common all over New Zealand. Perhaps Invercargill is more remarkable for this class of men than any other town in New Zealand, where three-fourths of the merchant class are self-made men. All honour to the industry and perseverance of such citizens. They are the pith and stamina of prosperous communities; and if they will continue to exert their influence in the direction they have hitherto done, they will not only sustain the trade of Otago in its present prominent position, but increase it to the extent of our own requirements – a point which New Zealand has not yet reached.

The enterprise of the Dunedin merchants has done much for the commerce and prosperity of Otago. By their energy the trade of the port of Otago has reached the proportion of one-third of the trade of New Zealand; and yet so far is trade from being overdone,

it is rather the reverse. Although New Zealand has been colonized for many years, her merchants have not been able to import from Britain the quantity of goods required to supply their own market; and at this moment she is in the anomalous condition of paying the Australian merchants at the rate of two millions sterling annually for a certain class of goods that could be got better and cheaper if imported direct from home. The imports from the Australian colonies for the September quarter of 1873 were over half a million, £91,000 of which was imported by Dunedin. Evidently we still require two or three firms additional throughout New Zealand capable of undertaking the Australian trade in home goods, which for many years they have been carrying on at our expense. How it is that our importing firms cannot overtake our own trade, I know not; but that it would be most advantageous to New Zealand to do so must be self-evident.

The import trade of New Zealand is steadily increasing, and presents us with large figures for a colony still in its infancy. The statistics are taken triennially.

Imports for 1871,

£4,078,193

Imports for 1873,

6,102,811

Increase

£2,024,618

Here we have an increase of two millions in the imports of a people who only numbered about 260,000 in 1871.

The exports for 1873 were £5,435,084, which is an enormous export trade for the diminutive population of New Zealand, and at once stamps this youngest of all British colonies as the richest in the world.

To the Otago emigrant it may perhaps be interesting to know what proportion of this activity and wealth really belongs to Otago.

Imports for all New Zealand,

£6,102,811

Do. Otago,

2,170,940

These figures credit Otago with one-third of the imports of New

Zealand. The exports present to intending emigrants a still more remarkable statement: –

Exports for all New Zealand, 1873, £5,435,080
Exports for Otago, 1873, 2,164,667

Here Otago takes a still more prominent place, and is credited with two-fifths of the export trade of New Zealand, while at the same time the population of Otago is only one-fifth of the colony. These figures indicate great activity and prosperity in a community that sends forth raw and manufactured material to the extent of £36 for every man, woman, and child. This phase of colonial prosperity and abundance is one which the emigrant will look in vain for elsewhere. The imports and exports amount to £72 per head. In other words, the foreign trade of Otago for 1873 amounted to £4,337,607.

The financial year in New Zealand ends June 30, and embraces the above figures. The returns for the September quarter have just been published, and show that Otago is keeping her position in the trade of 1873 and 1874.

Total imports and exports of New Zealand for the September quarter of 1873 and 1874, £2,243,858
Do. do. do. Otago, 726,036

Here the trade of the province of Otago represents one-third of the whole colony. In this quarter no wool is shipped, that export being reserved for the December and March quarters, so that the utmost confidence may be placed in the future of Otago. All that she requires to unfold her resources is British capital and British labour.

TRADE STATISTICS OF PORT OF DUNEDIN for the Six Years ending 30th September 1873.

Comparative Table of Imports and Revenue from Customs at the Port of Dunedin, for the years ending 30th September 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872; and 1873.

IMPORTS.

Year ending 30th September 1868, £1,587,754 4 6 " " 1869, 1,486,803 3 2

Year ending 30th September 1870,

£1,524,650 18 4

" " " " 1871.

1,171,991 0 0

" " " " 1872,

1,565,852 17 1

" " " " 1873,

1,968,298 0 0

Increase 1869-70 over 1868-69,

37,847 15 2

Decrease 1869-70 from 1867-68,

63,103 6 2

" 1870-71 from 1869-70,

352,759 18 4

Increase 1871-72 over 1870-71,

393,861 17 1

" 1872-73 over 1871-72,

402,437 2 11

CUSTOMS REVENUE.

Year ending 30th September 1868,

£205,469 8 5

" " " " 1869,

208,048 18 3

" " " " 1870

201,086 4 l 1

" " " " 1871,

192,536 14 5 2

" " " " 1872,

215,415 11 10 3

" " " " 1873,

255,900 2 2 4

1   Includes £2268, 2s. 10d. of Excise duty.

2   Includes £4073, 0s. 0d. of Excise duty.

3   Includes £5935, 10s. 8d. of Excise duty.

4   Includes £10,564, 0s. 11d. of Excise duty.

Comparative Tables showing the Values of the Principal items of Import at the Port of Dunedin, for the years ending 30th September 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, and 1873 respectively.

(A.) – IMPORTS OF SOFT GOODS.

1869-70.

1870-71.

1871-72.

1872-73.

Apparel

£22,542

£13,612

£14,606

£22,590

Carpeting

8,324

4,002

7,767

15,791

Cottons

2,243

1,104

11, 001

2,393

Drapery

346,725

216,072

342,652

403,799

Haberdashery 5

179

675

20

Hosiery 6

28

...

...

...

Hats and Caps

20,630

13,029

17,153

21,021

Linens

1,328

287

805

1,187

Mats and Rugs

4,373

2,485

3,008

3,245

Millinery

2,915

288

471

...

Oil Cloth

1,264

289

1,037

3,106

Scrim

885

1,046

2,424

4,317

Woollens

13,068

7,306

12,272

13,766

Total

£424,054

£260,195

£413,226

£491,035

5   These appear to be usually entered under the general head "Drapery."

6   These appear to be usually entered under the general head "Drapery."

Comparative Table, showing the Values of the principal items of Export from the Port of Dunedin, for the years ending 30th September 1871, 1872, and 1873 respectively.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1871.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1872.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1873.

Barley

£3,145

£591

£140

Barley, pearl

287

160

220

Bones

57

154

155

Bran

100

410

Building stone

5

...

100

Butter

749

935

8

Cheese

263

142

92

Flax, N.Z.

10,412

11,214

16,936

Flax Tow

...

96

190

Flour

2,048

320

1,101

Fungus

...

1,400

998

Glue

...

95

136

Gold

674,598

652,802

641,330

Grass Seed

82

1,075

1,645

Hides

3,337

5,638

8,599

Lard

410

...

478

Leather

3,539

7,867

10,456

Live Stock,
Ram Lambs

...

100

120

Meats, Preserved,

95,864

113,928

120,575

Oatmeal

2,421

1,520

877

Oats

5,877

10,724

7,991

Potatoes

...

1

10

Shells

...

300

138

Skins

Salted and Pelts

...

47

170

Sheep

60

1,435

2,329

Seal

...

...

720

Tallow

27,908

23,654

29,459

Whalebone

3

182

556

Whale Oil

2,300

1,070

Wheat

4,470

11,503

42,155

Wool

543,967

901,766

1,013,326

Woollen Manufactures,

222

Total exports for same periods,

£1,395,231

£1,770,642

£1,916,294

The quantities of wool and gold exported are as follow: –

Wool,...... 13,224,594lb. 15,255,706lb. 15,543,308lb.
Gold, ..... 169,203oz. 163,022oz. 159,636oz.

(B.) – IMPORTS OF IRON, IRONMONGERY, HARDWARE, ETC.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1871.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1872.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1873.

Brass and brass ware,

£226

£360

£961

Chains

550

408

1,065

Copper, rod and bolt

220

603

129

Copper sheathing

326

606

820

Copper nails

...

78

66

Copper ware

13

271

Cutlery

1,096

796

2,006

Grindery

1, 254

1,616

2,752

Hardware and Ironmongery,

25,441

30,128

61,319

Holloware, 7

55

...

...

Iron, bar and rod

7,436

10,990

19,160

Iron, fencing

11,129

16,064

32,524

Iron, galvanized

12,500

20,885

30,885

Iron, hoop

1,960

3,356

2,580

Iron, pig

1,975

2,722

3,053

Iron, shee

820

2,848

4,138

Iron pipes

1,159

275

2,145

Iron, undescribed

2,025

3,078

958

Lead pipes

557

786

1,755

Lead, sheet

521

1,455

1,770

Nails and screws

4,933

5,906

13,542

Pumps

390

218

594

Tin, block

3,399

8,157

4,682

Tin, sheet

24,882

38,016

15,687

Tinware

153

271

230

Zinc

1,423

580

980

104,452

149,402

204,072

7   Appears to be usually entered under the general head of "Ironmongery."

Comparative Table of the Quantities of Spirits, Tea, and Sugar delivered out of Bond during the years 1871, 1872, and 1873.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1871.

Year ending
Sept. 30, 1872.

Year ending
Sept. 80, 1873.

Spirits,

Gals.

Gals.

Gals.

Brandy

43,651

46,325

52,744

Geneva

16,391

15,243

14,927

Gin

2,295

2,363

2,958

Rum

8,035

8,059

8,782

Whisky

30,703

29,835

29,790

Colonial-manufactured

13,576

22,630

35,215

Totals

115,351

124,455

144,416

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Tea

467,857

548,683

596,358

Sugar

4,721,079

5,040,698

5,357,701

XII. SECOND DIFFICULTIES.

XII.

SECOND DIFFICULTIES.

Home-sickness – Cure – A Birth – Large Families – A Farmer wants a Wife.

HOME-SICKNESS is a disease common to emigrants, and one that is sometimes very difficult to cure. The new land, new scenes, new pursuits, may for a time preserve the strangers from homesickness, but come it must, sooner or later. The new faces that look upon the emigrant are not familiar ones. Comparisons drawn between home friends and colonial acquaintances are not always in favour of the latter, although the latter are really his best friends, ever ready to "help those who help themselves," but shun the idle and dissipated. No amount of kindness or sympathy can heal the wrench of home-separation. Like sorrow for the death of a child, its cure is a thing of time. This differs in different temperaments, but in general home-sickness requires one and a half years to effect a cure. In my own case it was completely met by a busy life and an extensive correspondence about men and things. In particular, I wrote largely about persons who had come from the same place as myself, and who utterly neglected to do so themselves, so that my letters became a source of deepest interest to a large circle of persons unknown to me, for they knew that my letters would always make some reference to their loved ones. And here I would say to emigrants, If you want a cure for home-sickness, write parents, friends, and relatives often – once a month. Those men or women who deny themselves this privilege lose one of the greatest incentives to exertion and success that can be acquired by son or daughter. 3 There is a double pleasure in writing good news to your friends compared with not writing at all, for it encourages the emigrant to increased exertion, that he may write something better next mail, and perhaps to remit a small gift of money to

cheer the declining years of a parent; for this is in the power of domestic servants and ploughmen, many of whom discharge this pleasing duty with great fidelity. "Home-sickness" remained in my family for some months, and was only eradicated by the following proposition to my better-half: – "We must give the country a fair trial. If you don't like it at the end of a year I will send you home again, on condition that you make as much as will pay your own passage." This was considered a great concession, and satisfied my guidwife, who had been a dressmaker on her own account. She at once set to work, and in six months enough had been made to pay her passage to Britain. This result of the needle produced an effect quite opposite to what had been intended, for no sooner did my wife and her sister discover that they possessed the power of returning home at pleasure than the desire to do so left them. They were astonished at the rewards of their own industry, and wisely concluded that a country which could reward the hands of the diligent with such liberality, was not a country to be left for the silly qualms of home-sickness. That was the author's experience of home-sickness. The real cure is success. It was never heard of again, and was soon effectively disposed of.

About this time two very important events occurred in my humble cottage, viz., a birth and a marriage. With regard to the former, which was represented by a son, it is worthy of remark that New Zealand mothers deal far more largely in sons than daughters. Whatever may be the cause, there is no doubt as to the fact. Parents with large families of young children I would not advise to emigrate. If, however, the youngest child is six or seven years of age, the number is a matter of no consequence, as they will find employment suited to their capacity and strength; but if the eldest child is only ten or twelve years of age, such families have lost the golden time to emigrate. They should have emigrated before the first child was weaned, or shortly after being married. This certainly is the proper time for a man to emigrate, but in the case of a woman she should emigrate before marriage, as she is wanted elsewhere.

The next event alluded to was the appearance of a respectable

and well-fogged farmer from the West Taieri Plain, who, in the character of an earnest "wooer," came seeking my sister-in-law. As he lived twenty miles from the object of his love, the courtship was a very short affair; besides, they had emigrated in the same ship, and, no doubt, had often looked graciously at each other during the voyage, and the result was that the minister made them husband and wife. The union has in every respect been a most harmonious and productive one, represented by many sons and daughters, all well provided for.

3 This sin was painfully impressed on me at the evangelistic meeting in the Free Assembly Hall, Edinburgh, on the 8th of May, when an aged mother requested prayer on behalf of a careless son in New Zealand, who had never written to his sorrowing mother.

XIII. DISCREPANCY OF SEXES.

XIII.

DISCREPANCY OF SEXES.

Marriage profitable – Twenty thousand marriages – Jeanie's marriage – Needle-women – Dairy-maids.

EVERY emigrant to New Zealand should provide himself with a really useful woman for his wife. Those who settle with such a partner are sure to succeed. Many who are now prospering there can trace a large amount of their prosperity to her diligent hands. Many young men emigrate without making any provision for a helpmate to follow or accompany them. Their excessive caution may be dearly paid for afterwards, by forming an alliance with some dressy fool that spends all her earnings on jewellery and silk, that she may cope with her mistress, or even surpass her, in the elegance of her attire. Besides, every male who enters the colony alone is adding to the numerous causes that have destroyed the equilibrium of the sexes, and to restore it now requires the introduction of fifty thousand females. This great blank cannot be filled up by the birth-rate of the colony, which is rather increasing the evil. There is only one way known to us of removing the discrepancy that exists, and that is for parents in England, Ireland, and Scotland to give us of their daughters, as the Israelites did to the tribe of Benjamin. So anxious were the elders of Israel to supply that tribe with wives, that they con-

nived at the abduction of the virgins of Shiloh. If it was considered polite and proper to steal maidens for such questionable characters as the Benjamites, surely we give a far stronger and better case for the imitation of fathers and mothers, when we entreat them to give of their daughters, both for service and for marriage, to the respectable colonists of New Zealand. During the last ten years twenty thousand girls have been married there, and the number could not have been much increased from sheer want of the good and beautiful required for such combinations. The great number of domestic servants who annually leave service to enter on household duties of their own, has reduced the number of available servants to such a degree, that the most extravagant wages are demanded by them, and in some cases paid. The general wages may be set down at £30 to £35 per annum; but competent cooks get £40, and in some cases £48. Parents demur to their daughters emigrating, on account of their youth, inexperience, and want of protection; but so far as my observation goes, it is rather the sons than the daughters that need give any anxiety on these grounds. The son may not be a suitable emigrant, as he may not find a master the day he lands from the ship, but these potential circumstances in a son are an impossibility in the case of a daughter. She has only to be satisfied with reasonable wages, when an immediate offer of a situation will be made to her in some respectable family, in town or country, and her remuneration will be found to be higher in proportion than her brother's, whatever may be his profession. Maggie F. and her brother came to Otago eight years ago. Both found immediate employment. Maggie has £120 in the Savings Bank, repaid £16 for her passage, and for a considerable time assisted her scholastic and indolent brother, who failed as a colonist, and returned to Scotland. Maggie has succeeded, and holds her place in the colony as an esteemed and respected girl.

No woman can have more control over her character and future circumstances in life than a domestic servant in New Zealand. Humanly speaking, she has her destiny in her own keeping. She is perhaps better adapted for the wife of a colonist than

any other woman, from her knowledge of domestic economy, – a science of such inestimable value in a large family that the want of it means ruin, the possession of it success. But she is under no necessity of forming an alliance that would impair her happiness, because her remuneration places her in a far more independent position than that of a governess and others. She has an offer of a free passage worth £16; on the voyage her character and comfort are strictly provided for, by stringent rules that have been issued by the New Zealand Government for the preservation of discipline on all emigrant ships under their contract. On landing at Otago a special railway train takes the passengers to the New Emigration Barracks, a palatial-looking building of the most ample proportions, that has been built by the General Government two miles out of the city of Dunedin. The railway runs into the yard of this building. Here the female immigrants enter that part of the building devoted exclusively to their use, and the moment they enter they become subject to the matrons and the rules of the establishment. By these rules board is provided until they are engaged, and the gates are opened at eight in the morning and closed at nine in the evening.

No sooner do the immigrants arrive than the emigration agents offer immediate engagements to ploughmen and domestic servants; in many cases these are engaged long before the ship arrives. If the engagement is not acceptable to a servant, she is at perfect liberty to make other arrangements herself. If a girl wants to save money she should go to a rural district, where the fashions and the dress are not so excessive as in Dunedin.

Sixteen years ago Jeanie R – – , a domestic servant, arrived in Otago from Edinburgh. She entered the service of John Hyde Harris, Esq., and remained in his family for three years. She then left and was married to her "ain Jamie," a fellow-passenger with her to New Zealand, who has now an extensive business in all kinds of tin, brass, and plumber work, and owns one of the finest warehouses in Dunedin. Jeanie is now the quiet mother of a fine family, and the modest wife of a successful Edinburgh apprentice.

The demand for female labour, however, is not limited to domes-

tic servants, although it is evident from the preceding remarks they are much wanted: needle-women and dairy-servants are also in great demand, the former in Dunedin, the latter in the country.

Messrs. Halestein and Co. have authorized me to engage three hundred needle-women immediately for their clothing manufactory. In this establishment all kinds of needle-work will be given, suited to the skill and capacity of girls from thirteen years of age and upwards. Those who are ignorant of needle-work will be taken as apprentices, and gradually led from the simplest needle-work to the management of a machine, while the average wages over the three hundred women will be eighteen shillings a week. Only one condition has been insisted upon by the manager of this establishment, viz., that the girls must bear an irreproachable character. 4

The manufacture of clothes is an entirely new industry in New Zealand, and as Otago has taken the initiative in this most important branch of trade, it will not only add to her export trade, but will increase the value of female labour.

Needle-women are in great demand for dressmaking, mantle and millinery trade, which is annually increasing, – wages twenty-five shillings per week, – while forewomen receive £3 to £3, 10s. per week. Dairy women are also required in increasing numbers, wages £30 yearly. There are also two wool-mills, the looms of which are wrought by women, but I am not aware whether they are full-handed or not.

From the foregoing remarks the reader will not be surprised to learn that we require for Otago 1000 females every two years, in the proportion of 500 domestic servants, 300 needle-women, and 200 dairy servants.

4 See Manager's letter, p. 105.

XIV. REMARKABLE COLONISTS.

XIV.

REMARKABLE COLONISTS.

Lowe – Childers – Vogel – An Aberdeen clerk.

IT is not every man who has been successful in life to whom the term "remarkable" can properly be applied. Remarkable colo-

nists, in the very nature of things, must ever be a fractional part of the community. Although the colonies of Australasia, considering their recent discovery and limited population, can never produce a large number of extraordinary men, yet they are beginning to leave their impress on the sands of time. Foremost amongst colonial men must be placed Mr. Lowe and Mr. Childers. Who would have thought, twenty years ago, that the British empire would have been indebted for many years to a colony at the antipodes for a Chancellor of the Exchequer second only to Gladstone, or a First Lord of the Admiralty second to none in administrative ability; and yet these great men received their political training, not in the British House of Commons, but in the legislative assemblies of Australia. Perhaps the time will yet come when the great colonies, dominions, and dependencies of Great Britain will have one seat given to each of them in the House of Commons. This would be of as much value to the colonies as the appointment of their governors. These representatives of the wide domain of Britain's Queen can veto all acts of the colonists, and, considering the trade and importance of the colonial empire, it would be only just and politic to link them in such a way as would give them direct access to the British Parliament by a member, instead of by a third or fourth person.

New Zealand, though a very young country, is not without men of political eminence. The present premier of New Zealand has entered upon a scheme of reproductive works which have already exerted a powerful influence upon the prosperity of the country, and, if finally successful, will do more for the aggrandizement of New Zealand than all her premiers put together. This celebrated character may be said to be the Disraeli of New Zealand. He comes from the same race, lives by the same means – literature. His parliamentary debut received the same check as his great prototype, and, like him, he at last compelled parliament to listen to him, while he now sways the destinies of New Zealand. How is it that a stranger in a strange land was first rejected, then accepted? Is it the result of mere accident, or of undoubted ability? History is solving this problem.

Another remarkable colonist was thirty years ago a young clerk in the office of the great paper-manufactory of Pirie and Son, Aberdeen. Under an apparently quiet and amiable disposition there existed an indomitable will, that would not be satisfied with a subordinate position. This young man left his situation in Scotland, and made his way to the world's metropolis, where he entered the office of a large establishment, whose ramifications extended to the limits of commerce, and from the desk of a junior clerk he rapidly rose to the highest post in the concern – that of chief correspondent. This latter he also gave up, and started as a merchant on his own account, and for the last twenty years he has been a resident in Otago. Before and after his arrival in that province he took a deep interest in getting representative institutions for New Zealand, and, when Dunedin required a representative for the General Assembly, he was unanimously chosen.

On landing in Otago this young man entered into partnership with the Hon. Mr. E – – , who, for sixteen years has represented Dunedin in Parliament. Previous to that time trade had been under the dominion of an old Sydney merchant, whose great object was to make money, which he did rapidly. Our young friend commenced business on an apparently opposite principle, viz., to create a trade. The influence of these opposite principles upon the history of Otago was most remarkable. Under the influence of the former every one cultivated sparingly, and of course reaped sparingly: the farmer, when paid for grain, clutched the gold with a grasp so tenacious that it was lost to the world, and was never seen again. But under the genial influence of the other principle, the hand relaxed its hold, the gold came forth from its hiding-place, and appeared in some reproductive form.

The young merchant began to impress the community with his ideas. He encouraged the farmer to cultivate more largely. He advanced money on their grain and wool, and in a short time made his influence felt far and near. The old firm, which dealt largely in usurious transactions, took up a hostile position, and tried to drive the new principles and their author from the field. The

leavening process, however, had been too rapid, and the advantages resulting were too widely felt, to be much affected by any opposition.

The young Aberdonian did not stop at building barges and ships, and freighting them to the distant market of California: he drew up a prospectus for the Bank of Otago, and when shares were taken to the extent of £7000, a preliminary meeting was called, directors appointed, and, to the astonishment of the shareholders, a handful of beautifully engraved notes of the Bank of Otago were laid on the table, and the design submitted for approval! The hearts of shareholders beat high at the sight of their own notes; here was what we all wanted, if the manager would but sign the notes. A charter was the only thing wanted, for which an application was forthwith drawn in proper form. Here was a glorious future bursting upon our little town of Dunedin. A career of usefulness lay before the young institution, second only to the Western Bank, but unfortunately Sir George Grey would not grant a charter. The General Government had a bank of their own, and it was not till fifteen years had expired that Mr. Bathgate, as manager, started the Bank of Otago, which, though it had a charter, soon shared the fate of its predecessor in name.

The greatest work of the young merchant, and one that has sustained his popularity in every vicissitude, was the connecting Otago to Melbourne by steam. For many years Otago had been "pooh-poohed" by the older provinces of New Zealand, and a request from the inhabitants to connect them postally by a steamer subsidized out of the revenues of New Zealand was rejected, and a paltry £400 offered by way of a solatium. Poor Otago, that was the day of small things, but fortunately she possessed one colonist who was equal to the emergency. He went to Melbourne, purchased a steamer, and steamed 1200 miles across to Dunedin. Thus, single-handed and alone, he connected by steam the colony of Victoria with the south of New Zealand, thereby satisfying the credulous of the practicability of the thing, and securing a regular mail service and a ready market for the produce of Otago. By this one act was laid the foundation of the

splendid steam-fleet that connects Otago with the rest of the world. In 1871 two hundred and seventy vessels entered and cleared her ports, and many of these were steam vessels. Yet it is painful to know that although the enterprise and spirit thus manifested had done a vast amount of good for Otago, it was most disastrous to the young merchant himself, his business, and his family. He lost his all, and suffered so severely otherwise that he was obliged to retire for a time into private life. "Rome was not built in a day." But the sanguine merchant believed the thing was possible, and in attempting to raise Otago from a position of obscurity to one of prominence, he sacrificed much, and in doing so he sacrificed himself.

In the equatorial regions of the globe the sun sets with a rapidity that is truly startling. The contrast between day and night is presented to the mind in such a limited interval, from the almost total absence of twilight, that reflection is inevitable. The sun of our young friend set just as suddenly; but instead of being in the afternoon, it set at mid-day, and was followed by the darkness of midnight. Many shed tears; all were sad, and very few indeed rejoiced.

Four years' probation was the time imposed upon the young merchant. During this time of silence he retired to his villa on the sea-shore, far away from the busy haunts of men. The chief incident of this period was the capsizing of a boat in which he was a passenger in a squall. Here his days were nearly ended. Half-an-hour afterwards he was found clinging to the boat quite exhausted, and nearly gone. This deliverance was specially gratifying to one whose wife had been saved many years before from a watery grave by the efforts of this drowning man, and his reward for that act seems to have been the interposition of an overruling providence on his behalf when all was given up for lost. But his work was not yet finished, and he soon recovered. At the expiry of four years he was again called to public life by the electors of Port Chalmers. He rose rapidly in public favour, and ultimately the inhabitants of Otago conferred on him the highest honour which it was in their power to bestow, viz., the Superintendency of Otago.

This office he has held ever since, having been elected three times in succession, and altogether must have held the office for about thirteen years.

The time has not yet come to write the history of this remarkable man, but the materials for a striking biography are most abundant, and the variety of light and shade scattered through an eventful life in Scotland, England, and New Zealand will be read with interest some day, when handled by a faithful artist. While there is much in it to warn, there is also much to imitate. One example of the latter must suffice. It is to the splendid determination that has ever characterized this Aberdonian that we are indebted for that beautiful and venerable feature of the General Assembly of New Zealand, whose deliberations for the last eighteen years have been opened by prayer. This acknowledgment of a Supreme Ruler in the legislative assemblies of Australasia is unique. The practice is unknown in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, and but for the sterling qualities of its author, when he carried the proposal against all opposition, it would have been unknown also in New Zealand.

No emigrant should hastily launch on the sea of politics. It is a stormy sea, and the frail bark must buffet the rude waves of envy and malice. There is great danger in crossing the path of others who are engaged in the same trade, and who rejoice in the shipwreck of all who are laden with the same wares as themselves.

XV. POLITICS.

XV.

POLITICS.

The Long Parliament – Revenue.

ALTHOUGH a busy life does absorb all the time at the disposal of an emigrant, yet that circumstance will not justify him in devoting his whole life exclusively to selfish purposes. Long before he has arrived at independence he is called upon to lend a helping hand in public affairs. No matter how averse he may be to politics, if

he is the right man, his fellow-colonists will insist on him devoting a portion of his time to the welfare of his adopted country. This was specially the case with the author, who, though destitute of all senatorial qualities such as are given by nature, education, or social standing, yet he was forced to enter the Provincial Council on behalf of Dunedin in 1856, when New Zealand got representative institutions. Four years he represented the electors of Dunedin, but during that time he built houses, boats, barges, and ships, cranes, saw and flour mills, had a farm in the suburbs, and was general treasurer for the Presbyterian Church, and Property Investment Company.

The first session of the Provincial Council lasted for nine months, and probably would have lasted for as many years had not Captain Cargill, the Superintendent, adopted the tactics of Oliver Cromwell, and dismissed our long parliament in a very unceremonious manner.

There are many incidents connected with the first Council that present the early legislators in a most primitive and unostentatious manner. Parliamentary forms were unknown to us, and we groped our way through these things like school-boys learning their lessons. We had an Aberdonian for first Speaker, and an old town-clerk of Rothesay led the Opposition, ably seconded by Mr. H – – -. These gentlemen were always opposing, but they were absolutely terrified to oust the ministry; that had happened once, when they were requested to form a new ministry. They were solicitors by profession, and acceptance of office, according to a proposition of their own, necessitated the giving up of a lucrative business. This was something more than they were prepared for, so the old Government returned to the ministerial benches, and the Opposition, though most willing to give all the annoyance possible, were equally careful not to commit themselves to the management of public affairs.

The public treasury in 1856 was represented by a revenue of £1800. To dispose of this gigantic sum in the most profitable manner for Otago, was the great and difficult problem before us, and it took nine men nine long weary months to accomplish the task!

What contrasts meet the same men in the same Provincial Council! The first Council met in the Mechanics' Institution, a building 18 feet square, and cost only £130; now they meet in a magnificent hall, the furniture of which cost £2000 and the building £18,000. The councillors numbered nine gentlemen; now they number thirty-six. The revenue to appropriate was £1800, and now it is about half a million. The revenue of Otago, from the granting of representative institutions to the present time, will show the reader a uniform and gradual development of her resources: –

In 1853 the Revenue was

£5,205

1854

10,519

1855

6,519

1856

16,656

1857

24,346

1858

45,427

1859

99,999

1860

97,511

1861

219,692

1862

399,904

1863

469,794

1864

532,539

1865

444,000

1866

410,694

1867

503,755

1868

484,373

1869

422,414

1870

391,924

1871

488,622

(The statistics for the years 1872 and 1873 are not yet published.)

The disposal of these sums in the way most advantageous to the province must ever make the position of the Otago councillor an important and onerous one. The revenue of the first council stood in the proportion of £200 for each member; now it is £13,000; but I doubt if the disposal of half-a-million now-a-days costs the councillors half the anxiety the first members had in disposing of the £1800.

Every person over twenty-one years of age, who owns a certain

amount of property, and has been resident in the colony six months, is entitled to vote for members of the Provincial Council Superintendent, and members of the House of Representatives; but the Governor and the honourable members of the Upper House of Representatives are appointed by the Queen. The former are elected for periods of four years, and the latter for life. The Governor is removed from time to time at Her Majesty's pleasure.

After representing Dunedin for four years I was anxious to withdraw from politics. During that time I had left the town and become a farmer in the suburbs, but my neighbours presented me with a numerously signed requisition to represent Anderson Bay and Green Island, which I did for some years, I suppose to their satisfaction.

In 1857 I was appointed by the Government to visit Great Britain in the interests of the province, and when this was made known to the settlers, they voluntarily came forward and offered to pay the passages of their friends if I could induce them to come out and join them. The result of my visit to this country was that 4000 persons directly and indirectly emigrated to Otago, among whom there were 800 related to those settled in the country. After remaining a year in Britain I returned to face the very persons I had induced to emigrate. These emigrants met me in the heartiest manner, and in every way sought to honour me as the chief instrument in bringing them to New Zealand. Public and private testimonials were willingly accorded to me, and a seat in the Provincial Council offered to me three days after landing. The latter I declined.

From these facts the reader may fairly infer that what I had said about Otago had not been overdrawn.

I do not think it necessary to overstate the facts connected with emigrant life. New Zealand does not stand in need of exaggeration. The plain statements of facts and figures of this rising province speak far more eloquently to sensible men than any overdrawn picture; besides, there is a tendency in the human mind to depict the future in more pleasing colours than the past. As to those induced to emigrate sixteen years ago, it is im-

possible to conceive the prosperity and success of the great majority of them. They have been a credit to themselves and a blessing to their adopted country.

XVI. GOLD.

XVI.

GOLD.

Discovery – Chinese Worship and Pride – Blue Spur.

IN 1859 I removed from the suburbs of Dunedin and went forty miles inland to the plain of Tokomairiro, where I purchased seven square miles of land, two-thirds of which was arable, and the remainder pastoral. Two years later a rich vein of gold was discovered by Mr. Gabriel Reid about twenty miles from Tokomairiro. This discovery paralysed the ordinary pursuits of men. Farmers, tradesmen, and even clerks left their fields, benches, and desks for this El Dorado; even my shepherd, who had £120 a year, demanded double wages, was refused, and left. From that day up till the present time I have been accustomed to sit in the saddle from nine in the morning till three in the afternoon, and have, with the assistance of one of my sons, tended a flock of 4000 sheep, enjoying the most perfect health and pleasure in looking after my own business.

The Tokomairiro plain is one of the most lovely valleys in New Zealand. The traveller from Dunedin enters this plain at the Waihola gorge, with a sort of Mount Ebal on one side, and a Gerizim on the other. The plain is probably the bed of an ancient lake, and when seen from the gorge presents a sheet of about 40 square miles of level land, which is highly cultivated, and dotted all over with farm-houses. In the centre of the plain stands the town of Milton, with its churches and schools. The population of this pretty inland town is 700, and the district attached to it is about 100 square miles in extent.

The discovery of gold was not confined to Gabriel's Gully; in

all directions gold was found extending over an area 10,000 square miles, and the consequence was, that in two years the enormous quantity of forty-two tons weight of gold was sent from Dunedin to London via Melbourne, the latter probably being credited with this amount instead of Otago. Centres of population sprung up in the most out-of-the-way places, which in a few years became towns, with mayors and the proper complement of councillors, who in many instances have made their streets, pavements, and drainage plans on the most modern and approved principles.

The power of absorption which Otago manifested when her mineral resources became known, was perhaps the most amazing thing connected with the discovery of gold. From all parts of New Zealand and Australia the seekers of gold might be seen crowding the decks of ships and steamers. By this means thousands of persons were landed in Dunedin in a few months. They spread their tents for a night in the unoccupied places of the streets, struck their frail tabernacles next morning, and dispersed for the interior as speedily as they had come. They went no one knew whither. On one occasion 6000 persons were landed in about twenty days, and a week after, they were gone. Although the inhabitants of Dunedin were outnumbered by this peripatetic population, yet the utmost regularity and decorum characterized all their movements. Fearing the introduction of lawless characters, the Provincial Government, at an early stage of the gold fever, engaged the most experienced members of the Victorian Police, and by this means ticket-of-leave men were, the moment they stepped on the jetty, gently tapped on the shoulder by the Superintendent of Police, and told to return to Australia forthwith. Daring characters, finding they were known and watched, very soon left the quiet, peace-loving community of Otago, without giving the inhabitants the slightest annoyance. There is perhaps no place in the colonial empire of Britain where the protection of life and property is so complete. The almost total absence of bush in Otago must have contributed largely to this result. There was no escape from Otago for the bush-

ranger but by the Waitaki river, the ferry of which was closely guarded by the police.

The discovery of gold was first made in the vicinity of Tokomairiro; and when the greater discovery of Gabriel's Gully became known, prospectors entered on my land and found abundance of gold on Adam's Flat. Seventy miners were employed upon this ground, for which they agreed to pay a royalty of 2s. 6d. per week; but this was paid with such irregularity, that ultimately I relinquished Adam's Flat to the Government, and received in return a double quantity of land elsewhere. Ninety Chinamen are now on this flat. The Chinese are scattered all over the gold fields, and seem a quiet industrious people, who have come from the seaport towns of the province of Canton. The Presbyterian church has a native missionary labouring amongst them named Paul. I was present at one of his services, when twenty-five of his countrymen engaged in Christian worship. They all appeared able to read and sing, though the latter term, I fear, is a misnomer, according to our ideas. I also visited a Joss-house, and expected to see something inside to personify the Deity; but what was my surprise to find it occupied by three gamblers playing at dice. The only thing in the building indicative of worship was two wooden tables, beautifully engraved with Chinese writing, probably precepts of Confucius. The Chinese never bring their wives; as soon as they make a little money, they return to the "flowery land." The Chinese are said to look upon the European with supreme contempt, no matter how poor he may be himself; and when he is leaving Otago a rich man, that contempt becomes sublime. An amusing instance of jealousy as to superiority of nation and race was related quite recently in the Otago papers: –

"A Maori and a Chinaman engaged in an encounter of wits the other day on the Port Chalmers Railway Pier. The men were fair types of their respective races. On the one hand the Maori, with tattooed features and haughty bearing; on the other, the Mongol, low-browed and crafty of look, with shaven crown and pendent pigtail. The Maori was no other than W. Potiki, well known at the port; whilst the Celestial was one of those who left

yesterday for the land of their fathers in the barque Hadda. The meeting was brought about casually. Potiki, decked out in gorgeous array, with bell-topper on head, was walking up the pier with a medical friend, and meeting two or three Chinamen, who seemed to be impressed by his appearance, patronizingly addressed one of them thus: – 'Ha, John Chinaman, so you are going home, eh?' To which the Chinaman replied not; but after eyeing his interrogator intently for a moment or two, marched up to him, and, placing his fingers on the tattooing on Potiki's face, remarked contemptuously, 'What good that, eh?' Replied the Maori, straightening himself up while his eyes flashed indignantly, 'That welly good joke,' and then came the retort quick and sudden, as with a sweep of his arm he knocked the Chinaman's hat off, and, seizing his pigtail, whirled the Celestial round, at the same time shouting gleefully, 'But what good this, eh?' The Chinaman eyed his antagonist askance, picked up his hat, and silently marched off, leaving Potiki in possession of the field."

One of the richest pieces of land in the gold field is known as the "Blue Spur," near the town of Lawrence. This hill is of great height, and the most powerful means have been adopted to waste and destroy this small mountain. One way of accomplishing this is the diversion of rivers, brooks, or the melting snows of distant mountains, which are led into water-races, and carried for thirty-five miles from points at a higher elevation than the "Blue Spur." To this point all the water-races converge, and then fall in a white cascade over a precipice of clay and gravel, and bear the debris down to the bottom of the hill, separating by this violent process the precious metal from the earthy matter, in which it has been hidden for ages. This process of disintegration is further assisted by long tunnels cut into the mountains, into which two and three tons of powder are packed in casks; and when the tunnel has been refilled with stones and earth, it is blasted at night with a galvanic battery. By this means one hundred tons of earth may be shaken, and then the water is carried to the near rents by flexible tubes of canvas, and the work of destruction goes on. Sometimes these great blasts affect the claim of a rival company,

when they go to law, perhaps paying £4000 of law expenses without any advantage to either party; but so rich are these claims, that they seem to require a great amount of legal advice in the course of a year. One of the holders of a rich claim is the son of an Aberdeenshire farmer, near the Bridge of Don. He happened to "wash up" the night I was at Lawrence, and the result was £500 worth of gold dust. It is impossible to say when this mineral wealth will be exhausted. For fourteen years great bodies of water have been pouring almost night and day upon this "Blue Spur," and it will go on for years to come, and, considering the vast amount of auriferous land which has been discovered – thousands of square miles – it must be many centuries before the treasures of Otago can be brought to an end.

GOLD EXPORT.

The New Zealand Gazette contains returns of the quantity and value of gold exported from New Zealand from the 1st of April 1857 to the 31st of December 1873, and also returns of the quantity and value of gold exported from New Zealand for the years ended 31st December 1872 and 1873. From the first we find the total exports from the different provinces, up to the 31st December last, to have been –

Quantity.

Value.

Auckland

853,688 oz.

£2,989,876

Wellington,

30 oz.

120

Picton,

41,880 oz.

162,322

Nelson,

1,308,332 oz.

5,185,652

Westland

1,810,484 oz.

7,147,311

Otago,

3,209,171 oz.

12,568,120

The total export of gold for the colony was 7,223,585 oz., of a value of £28,053,401. The exports for the years 1872 and 1873 contrasted were: –

1873

1872

Quantity.

Value.

Quantity.

Value.

Auckland,

119,449 oz.

£426,589

104,890 oz.

£369,341

Picton,

907 oz.

3,628

1,682 oz.

6,728

Nelson,

14,064 oz.

56,256

8,550 oz.

34,200

Westport

37,145 oz.

148,580

33,550 oz.

134,200

Greymouth,

80,092 oz.

320,368

68,217 oz.

272,868

Hokitika

67,446 oz.

269,784

671,732 oz.

279,928

Okarito,

3,818 oz.

15,272

2,880 oz.

11,520

Lyttelton

–

–

195 oz.

780

Dunedin

178,813 oz.

715,252

152,324 oz.

609,296

Invercargill,

3,603 oz.

14,603

5,350 oz.

21,400

The totals are, for 1873, an export of 505,337 oz., of a value of £1,970,141; and for 1872, an export of 445,370 oz., of a value of £1,731,261, being an increase, in 1873, of 59,967 oz., of a value of £238,880.

XVII. AGRICULTURE.

XVII.

AGRICULTURE.

Founder – Oamaru – Fertility of soil.

THE founder of agriculture in Otago was a woman. The hesitancy with which persons of means engaged in agricultural pursuits reminds one of the reluctance of Barak to engage with Sisera, and was punished by seeing the glory of his triumphant battle accorded to a woman.

Mrs. S. was left a widow with a small farm in the suburbs of Dunedin. Her husband, who had just put in the seed, said, with a remarkable prescience, to his wife, "I have put in the crop, but I shall never reap it." Before harvest came round he was cut down and gathered to his fathers. The widow was left with the small sum of £12 after paying all her debts, and on this sum she had to provide for a large family, and be prepared for the exigencies of the harvest. This work was nobly accomplished; she and her family braced themselves for the difficulties of a new country. A systematic dairy was begun and carried on for many years; her crops far more than paid her expenses. Up to that time it had always been said that "farming would not pay;" and those who had engaged in it appeared to believe this, as they never relied on it as their only source of livelihood. They were like the angler on the banks of streams who is satisfied with a solitary fish, or at most with small results. But this child's-play would not suit the limited means of a vigorous-minded woman. She felt that she must sink or swim by agriculture – that her all was embarked in it, and she resolved to give it a fair trial; and her efforts have been crowned with complete success. She started her eldest son on a farm in the great farming district of the Taieri plain. The

mantle of the mother had fallen on the child, for in a short time he surpassed all others as an agriculturist. He farmed five hundred acres of land, mostly wheat, but when the gold rush took place he grew oats largely, and sold them at 8s., 10s., and 12s. per bushel. At this moment he is engaged in an important work. The river Taieri sometimes overflows its banks and inundates his land. To prevent this in future, he has, at great expense and labour, erected artificial banks to dam the river at flood-times. This work has been attended with success.

The farmers of the Taieri plain are in general the best farmers in New Zealand. There is no other district where so many real agriculturists are settled together. It was there that reaping-machines, portable steam thrashing-mills, and double ploughs were first introduced. The crops grown there yield generally from forty to sixty bushels per acre, and when the land is laid down in grass it is unsurpassed for richness. The Chief Inspector of Sheep on one occasion saw thirteen sheep to the acre on a Taieri field, and the corners of the field had to be cut down for cattle. The soil of the Taieri plains is a vegetable mould, and yields most readily after a few months' fallow; but in the Tokomairiro plain, and throughout the country generally, a year's fallow is necessary before cropping new land.

Mr. Holmes, a well-known farmer, has 7000 acres, which are now laid down in artificial grass, and stocked with English sheep of the best blood. The New Zealand Land Company have also farmed a great extent of country, which for many miles adorns both sides of the main road from Hampden to Oamaru. The Oamaru settlers have done much for their district, but nature has done more. The climate is the most salubrious in New Zealand; and standing on the rising ground at Holmes's House, the spectator beholds one of the fairest spots on earth. Southward he sees thirty miles of rolling downs, highly cultivated and green as emerald; westward a fine tract of arable land, where the great farms of Messrs. Reid and Menlove are situated. This land runs right back to the base of lofty mountains, whose snow-capped summits rise to an altitude of 7000 feet; north, the beautiful town of Oamaru is

[Inserted unpaginated illustration]

HOLMES STATION AND WIAMEA PLAIN
View extends 40 miles
Banks & Co. Edinburgh

seen on the edge of the sea, beyond the prairie of Waitaki and Canterbury; and on the east the great Pacific Ocean stretches away in an unbroken expanse of 4000 miles to Cape Horn. A subsoil of lime underlies the whole district, most favourable to the growth of wheat and clover. The climate is favourable to pulmonary disease. The porous nature of the soil drains the country rapidly after rain, and destroys the evaporation that is common to land having a clayey subsoil. Clay is common throughout New Zealand. Perhaps the only disadvantage to which Oamaru is subject is a scarcity of rain, the rainfall being rather less in this district than elsewhere on the sea-coast.

The following table will show the comparative fertility of the soil of Otago as compared with other provinces of New Zealand: –

WHEAT.

Average Bushels

per acre, 1873.

OTAGO.

Auckland,

18 3/4

29 1/2

Taranaki

18 1/2

"

Wellington,

18

"

Hawke's Bay

25 3/4

"

Nelson,

13

"

Marlborough,

17

"

Canterbury,

21 3/4

"

OATS.

Auckland,

18 1/2

30 1/4

Taranaki

18

"

Wellington,

20

"

Hawke's Bay,

20

"

Nelson,

17

"

Marlborough,

20 1/4

"

Canterbury,

24

"

BARLEY.

Auckland,

17 1/2

26 3/4

Taranaki,

14 1/2

"

Wellington,

16

"

Hawke's Bay,

24 1/2

"

Nelson,

11 1/2

Marlborough

18

"

Canterbury,

19 3/4

"

It will thus be seen that Otago is one of the best agricultural districts in New Zealand, and compares favourably with any of

the Australian colonies. Over a long series of years, 11 bushels per acre has been a high average yield of wheat in Australia, but in a moderately favourable season an Otago farmer may calculate upon 35 or 45 bushels per acre according to soil, careful cultivation, and selection of seed. The average wheat crop on my farm last year was 44 bushels per acre.

In referring to the progress that agriculture has been making in one portion of Otago, a more detailed reference to the authorized statistics published by the Colonial Government will throw still further light on this branch of the subject, and must be read with interest by agriculturists. The figures were compiled in February 1873, but as matters advance rapidly in the colony, they are to be looked upon as anything but an approximation to next year's statistics

PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

1869.

1873.

Acres.

Acres.

Wheat

21,357

50,781

Oats

49,221

51,695

Barley

3,433

4,897

Oats for green food,

...

12,629

Potatoes

3,604

4,027

Permanent English grasses

106,547

170,958

Other crops

3,493

10,155

Ploughed for crops

33,517

46,423

SUMMARY OF FOREGOING.

Total in cultivation, 1869,

Acres. 221,170

Do. do. 1873,

351,565

Total number of holdings, 1869,

3,023

Do. do. 1873,

3,705

These figures will enable thoughtful men to judge for themselves as to the progress agriculture is making in this province.

XVIII. LAND ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS.

XVIII.

LAND ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS.

Land for emigrants and small farmers – An Otago farm.

THE demand for land in Otago has now become so great that the Provincial Council have resolved to prevent the sale of large

blocks of arable land, from which Invercargill and Southland generally has suffered so much. To prevent this in future, a very wise and judicious Act has been passed by the Legislature, by which the most valuable land is not to be sold but leased, on the principle of deferred payments. By this arrangement the capital of a poor lessee is devoted to the improvement of his land, the erection of houses, etc. The rent to be paid is 2s. 6d. per acre annually. This may be continued for ten years, at the end of which time the land is his own; or if the leaseholder wishes to pay up at the end of three years, he may obtain his title-deeds on payment of 17s. 6d.

In both cases the sum paid for the land is 25s. an acre, but as this is spread over ten years, the real price paid for the land is 13s. 10d. – that is, deducting ten years' interest on this sum from the 25s. paid as rent, is equivalent to an immediate payment of 13s. 10d. per acre. The land for which this sum is asked could all be sold in a month at £2 and £3 per acre, if the Government would throw it open to large purchasers, so that the person who takes land on the principle of deferred payments has the land given to him at one-half of its real value.

An applicant for this land can get fifty acres or two hundred acres, if desired, but this quantity cannot be increased, except in the case of large families whose sons are of age to take up land on their own account: –

1st. – There are certain conditions annexed to the occupation and purchase of this land, the chief of which is the bona fide occupation of the land, and its improvement

2d. – The land must be fenced by the end of the third year.

3d. – One-tenth of the land must be cultivated before the end of the lease – that is, before the end of the ten years, or if the title-deeds are wanted up at the end of the three years, one-tenth of the land must be improved, in either case, as the emigrant may elect. Thirty thousand acres of land have been set apart as an inducement to agriculturists and ploughmen to emigrate to Otago. That I

might speak authoritatively I went and visited this land, and took a sketch of it, which is annexed. In the foreground is a level block of land about twelve miles across, and it is the land on the left bank of the river that has been set aside for small farmers or emigrants when they are able to settle on it. This block of land has the following characteristics: –

1st. – It is good land that can be ploughed at once by setting fire to the grass.

2d. – The Great Southern Trunk Railway runs through the centre of it. The earthwork is already done, and the line will be opened in two years.

3d. – Coal has been found all over the district, about six feet from the surface.

Lastly. – When one-third of this block is sold, another block will be proclaimed adjoining the above. There are sixteen agricultural districts in the province which have been cultivated to the following extent: –

Total number of Acres under Crop,
(including Sown Grasses).

Bruce

30,081 3/4

Caversham,

10,573 1/2

Clutha,

32,486 1/4

Dunstan

3,786 1/2

Mount Ida,

1,968 1/2

Port Chalmers,

3,338 1/2

Roslyn

2,500 1/2

Taieri,.

31,151 1/2

Tuapeka

8,012 3/4

Wakatipu

8,707

Waikaia

3,603 3/4

Waikouaiti,

30,471

Waitaki,

79,654 3/4

Mataura,

36,573 1/4

Riverton

19,041 1/4

Wallace,

3,191

Total

305,141 3/4

The soil of the province of Otago is excellent, and well adapted to the cultivation of grain of all kinds. Its depth, however, can-

[Inserted unpaginated illustration]

UPPER MATAURA PLAINS AND RIVER
Land on left back for sale on deferred payments
Banks & Co. Edinburgh

[Inserted unpaginated illustration]

FARM OF SMITH BROTHERS CLUTHA
Banks & Co. Edinburgh

not be judged of by the weight of the crops grown, as flax has been found growing ten feet high upon a soil not more than six inches in depth; and luxuriant crops of wheat have been raised from soil five inches deep. The climate of Otago is the real source of its fertility, and when the soil is exposed to its influence for ten months it yields a much greater crop. Inch Clutha, Waikouaiti, and other localities, have rich soil from two to three feet deep, which yields sixty bushels per acre. Heavy timber grows upon Inch Clutha, a delta seven miles long, in the centre of the Clutha river, with fine natural scenery.

Flax and grass land is the only kind cultivated now; it is cleared at a much less outlay than bush land. Flax land is prepared for the plough at twenty-five shillings per acre; grass land, by merely setting fire to it, is at once fitted for being ploughed. There are no stones, and it turns over to the plough the same as lea.

RETURN of Lands and their Classes in the Province of Otago at 3lst March 1873.

Class.

Acres.

Forest

1,421,000

Lakes,

284,800

Barren,

2,346,240

Agricultural,

9,308,600

Southland,

3,000,000

Total Area of Otago,

16,360,640

Area under Pastoral Leases,

6,404,498

License

20,000

" Agricultural Leases,

65,572

" Coal-Mining Leases (No. of Leases 35),

1,585

Area sold or otherwise disposed of within Hundreds,

1,126,256

" outside Hundreds and outside Goldfields,

36,686

" within Goldfields,..

71,992

" within Goldfields previously held under Agricultural Leases.

11,428

Area unsold within Hundreds,

314,144

Area of Hundreds,

1,440,400

In the north of Otago there are some large farms: that of Mr. Reid of Elderslie, though not the largest in New Zealand, is one of the best-conducted.

Elderslie consists of eighteen thousand acres, of which about one-half is under crop, and in course of cultivation, viz.: –

In Wheat,

2,200 acres.

In Barley,

700 acres

In Oat

500 acres

Rye Grass for seed,

50 acres

Prairie Grass for seed,

200 acres

Rape for seed,

50 acres

Rape for feed,

800 acres

Total quantity in Crop,

4,500 acres

There are also 1500 acres in permanent pasture (English grasses), 50 acres in plantations, principally Californian trees, and 3000 acres of stubble and new land preparing for sowing after harvest, with rape, prairie, and English grasses.

Mr. Reid has three six-furrow ploughs at work on his farm, besides two and three-furrow ploughs. The six-furrow ploughs have a seat for the ploughman, from which he can adjust the plough to any depth. Eight horses are managed by one man, and the furrows are from one to three miles long. These ploughs have completely superseded the steam-plough. They have revolving coulters 17 1/2 inches in diameter, sharp as a knife, thereby reducing the draught to a minimum.

Mr. Reid also owns one-third of a farm on the Taieri plain, which consists of 8000 acres freehold, and 2500 of leasehold. There are on this farm eleven hundred head of cattle, and ten thousand sheep fattening for the Dunedin market, for which purpose this farm is specially adapted. There are 2500 acres in English grasses, and 1100 acres of rape, which grows on this farm in a most extraordinary manner.

One of Mr. Reid's neighbours (Mr. Menlove) has 5000 acres of grain crop this year. The average yield is thirty bushels per acre, and the wages paid on the farm amount to £8000. Last year he tried the London market with the produce of one field (30,000 bushels) of Tuscan wheat, which was highly esteemed, and realized 7s. 6d. per bushel.

There are thirty-seven hundred farmers in Otago whose farms range from twenty to twenty thousand acres. Any one paying

his passage to New Zealand may obtain twenty acres of land, and if there is a family, twenty acres will be allowed for the elder sons, and ten acres for the younger, provided it is claimed within sixty days after landing. – (See page 97.)

XIX. MY NEIGHBOURS.

XIX.

MY NEIGHBOURS.

The Aberdeen Brothers – Energy rewarded – A Dundee Apprentice.

MY nearest neighbours were two young men from Dundee, and two brothers from Aberdeen. The Aberdeen brothers were for a time employed at sawing timber, and had so little knowledge of the proper mode of sharpening a saw, that their labour was double what it might have been.

The elder brother was a man of great energy, and an enumeration of the things in which he engaged reads like a catalogue. He was bushman, sawyer, boat-builder, flesher, farmer, hotel-keeper, mill-owner, brewer, grain and flour merchant, gold digger, and quartz-crusher. In all these (except the last) money was made by the elder brother so fast that he twice retired and went to Great Britain, and gave his family a good education in Scotland, while he lived in his villa at Clifton on an income of £900 a year.

This energetic but restless spirit landed without anything, and succeeded in a remarkable degree, was much respected for his go-ahead qualities and personal worth, but the last accounts of him indicate that he has retired for a third time from business, and is on his way to California. That is one of my neighbours.

The other brother was a boiler-maker, which business he left at the end of his apprenticeship. The two brothers were very different in the conduct of their business, and yet both succeeded equally well. The younger brother had a quiet and unobtrusive way all through life, and is perhaps at this moment more respected than any other man in Otago for his upright and consistent character. For a while he was associated with his brother in the purchase of stock, but afterwards became a farmer. He pays £1000

annually in wages, owns 4000 acres of freehold land, and farms the rich delta at the mouth of the Waikouaiti river, sending 15,000 bushels of wheat and 700 tons of potatoes annually to Dunedin. He also owns a large flock of sheep, and has attained a position he never could have reached as an Aberdeen boilermaker. This is my second neighbour.

My other two neighbours were equally remarkable. One of them had been a Dundee apprentice, and came first to the province of Nelson, where he met his partner Mr. A., and afterwards settled in Dunedin. This choice was fortunate, both for themselves and for Otago. Nothing seemed to come wrong to these men; they could saw timber. for building a store, cut their own firewood, and reduce the 4 lb. loaf one-half in price. After a few years, they bought a small flock of sheep and some land in the Tokomairiro plain, and when they dissolved partnership Mr. A. became the second farmer in the Taieri plain, having 1500 acres of arable land (500 acres in crop) and 3000 acres of pastoral land well stocked with Merino and Leicester sheep.

The Dundee apprentice, Mr. S., to whom allusion has been made, is of all my neighbours the most remarkable. This energetic man began emigrant life without any capital, but he had what is equally valuable in new countries – willing hands and a willing heart. These were early disciplined to habits of industry. On leaving Dunedin for the country he became a small farmer in the Tokomairiro plain (a district thirty-five miles from Dunedin). About five years after, he purchased the lease of a run in the neighbourhood from an old London meal-merchant, who had no taste for sheep-farming. This run has 60,000 acres and 40,000 sheep. Since that time he has been breaking up about 1700 acres a year, from which he takes two crops of wheat or barley, and then sows it down in English grass. He has now thousands of acres in this state, and can keep 20,000 sheep on artificial grass. The newspapers from the colony by last mail have three separate advertisements of his calling for contracts to break up and cross-plough three separate blocks of land, each of 1000 acres. All this is in addition to what is being done by his own farm-

[Inserted unpaginated illustration]

FARM OF STRAIN & SONS (OF 2000 ACRES) TOKOMAIRIRO PLAIN
Banks & Co. Edinburgh

servants. The crop of Mr. S. will realize £8000, and the wool £12,000.

There has been nothing adventitious in the lot of this clearheaded man. He never went gold-digging or picked up wealth in lottery fashion by speculations in quartz mines. He and his family did the work that lay to their hands, and they have reaped well-merited success. There are many who make themselves ridiculous by their success, but on Mr. S. it has not made the slightest change; he has never forgotten that he was once a Dundee apprentice. Although there has thus been nothing adventitious in the state of Mr. S.'s affairs, no emigrant need aspire to reach his position, or be disappointed because he cannot do so. He has distanced all competitors from an innate vigour of mind and a peculiar facility of adaptation to surrounding circumstances.

The success of Mr. S. is not, however, an isolated case. The poor Roxburgh shepherd who first tended Mr. S.'s little flock of 500 sheep now drives to church in his phaeton, with his children dressed in the extreme of fashion. This shepherd now owns 13,000 sheep and a large quantity of freehold land – the result mainly of a thorough knowledge of sheep. The influence which wealth has on a man's position is similar to what it has in Britain; it is never in the ratio of that wealth. Some who are very poor are far more esteemed and honoured without wealth than the mere upstart with a tainted name will ever be. The public keep a correct register of moral character, and estimate men accordingly. This is as it ought to be. In some respects wealth has a more subordinate place in the colonies than in the mother country.

XX. CLIMATE.

XX.

CLIMATE.

Temperature – Prevalent winds – Rain-fall – Thunder – Birth-rate – Death-rate – Pulmonary disease – Mountains.

THE soil of New Zealand is good. It is peopled with the Anglo-Saxon race. Christianity is the dominant religion. Educa-

tion is universal and abundant in Otago. All fruits and flowers common to Britain grow in perfection, and the colony is in a most prosperous condition; but what would all these avail if the climate was unhealthy and our offspring sickly and wan? The climate of Otago is one of its chief recommendations. It is absolutely free from those waves of intense frost that passed over Canada two years ago, and it is equally free from the scorching heat of Australia.

Three causes contribute to produce this uniformity of temperature, viz., the latitude, prevailing winds, the configuration of the Middle Island, and its mountains. The latitude and longitude of New Zealand correspond to that of France and Spain, the inhabitants of Otago being the antipodes of those who live in the south of France. The city of Dunedin is three degrees nearer the equator than Paris, yet the mean temperature of both places is nearly the same. The following Tables, containing the result of many years' observations, will furnish some idea of the climate: –

TABLE I.

TEMPERATURE AT DUNEDIN FOR YEAR ending June 30, 1857, and its results, as compared with the Five preceding Years.

TEMPERATURE AT DUNEDIN FOR YEAR ending June 30, 1857, and its results, as compared with the Five preceding Years.

Highest degree of temperature throughout the year, 79 deg.5 on December 29, 1856.
Lowest degree of temperature throughout the year, 26 deg.5 on July 27, 1856.

TABLE II.

TABLE II.

These Tables establish – what is the highest quality of any climate – the uniformity of temperature. Next to purity of atmosphere must be reckoned the equability of summer and winter, both of which are common to Otago.

The Isle of Wight is the most southern residence of the Queen, the most uniform as to temperature, and comes nearer to the general climate of Dunedin than any other portion of Great Britain. The annual mean temperature of Ventnor in the Isle of Wight is 51 deg.5, while at Dunedin, 1872, it is 51 deg.4.

The absence of the extremes of heat and cold appears to depend upon the size of the island. The Middle Island is 500 miles long and 150 miles broad, and lying, as it does, in a slanting direction, across 8 degrees of longitude and 6 of latitude, the westerly gales are intercepted, and bend to the shape of the coast. These winds, from whatever direction they blow, always blow from the sea, and communicate to the land the equable temperature of the Pacific Ocean. There are only two winds on the east coast.

The north-east winds blow 174 days in the year, and southwest 129 days. The other 62 days are either calms or wind across the island.

The high chain of mountains to which allusion has been made exercises a powerful influence on the climate. It is apt to be imagined that the islands of New Zealand would be more valuable were they less mountainous, but this is doubtful. These great reservoirs of snow are the perennial source of our clear streams and broad rivers, and are as indispensable to the climate

of New Zealand as they are to the fertility of the soil, as it is to their attraction of the clouds that the Otago farmer is indebted for the seasonable showers which secure his crops, cattle, and sheep from scorching droughts at one time, and tropical rains at another.

The rain-fall of a country enters largely into the consideration of climate and agriculture. As a farmer, I would say that of Otago is perfect. The mean rain-fall for each of the last ten years, viz., from 1863 to 1872, has been 32 1/2 inches; in 1871 it was the same as in London, in 1872 the same as in Edinburgh.

On the level parts of England and Scotland the rain-fall is 25 and 28 inches respectively, but on the west coast of both countries it ranges from 45 to 65, while in Cumberland the mean is 127 inches, and this is much exceeded in other mountainous regions farther north. Otago compares most favourably with Great Britain in this respect.

During five years the average number of days without rain has been 233, and the number of rainy days as compared with other countries is – Scotland, East Coast, 142 days; West Coast, 200, London 178, Otago 140 days.

These figures present the climate of Otago in an aspect in which it is not generally known. For some time that part of Otago called Southland was regarded as too moist in its climate, but during the last seven years it has undergone a great change, probably the consequence of increased cultivation. Dunedin compares favourably with the capitals of Ireland, Canada, and America, the rain-fall of which is –

Dublin, 31 inches.
Quebec, 40 do.
New York, 55 do.
Dunedin, 32.7 do.

Thunder-storms are less frequent than in Britain, and when they occur, the electric cloud discharges its contents on the mountains, so that accidents from lightning are almost unknown.

There is about the atmosphere a purity and lightness, of which

persons newly landed are quite sensible, producing a buoyancy and elevation of spirits which they never experienced before. Sixteen years ago a son of mine came to this country, and was sent to school; but he was taken from it nine times in consequence of severe colds, and at last he was sent back to Otago, his cough being something fearful; this continued during the voyage, but it completely left him the day after landing in New Zealand. Children born in the colony furnish a good index as to the salubrity of the climate. Other causes no doubt contribute to health as well as the climate. The crowding of the inhabitants is far in the future, and the child of the poor man never knows what it is to want wholesome food. The following table gives approximately, during the last twelve years, the proportion of births and deaths to every thousand persons living: –

TABLE III.

[Table of births and deaths]

These figures show for the year 1871 one birth to every twenty-four and a half persons, and one death to every ninety-eight and a half persons living – in other words, about one per cent, of the people die! This is a condition of things that places the climate of New Zealand, and the health of its inhabitants, before all other countries. A reference to the following table shows that the mortality of other lands is double and treble that of New Zealand: –

TABLE IV.

ANNUAL DEATH-RATE PER 1000 OF POPULATION.

ANNUAL DEATH-RATE PER 1000 OF POPULATION.

Frost and snow are rarely seen about Dunedin, and the latter is always dispelled by the meridian sun, but in the highlands of the interior snow is to be seen all the year round.

The mildness of the winter is such that the farmer would prefer more frost to destroy the weeds, but this again is counterbalanced by other advantages, such as breaking up new land when the ground is moist, and carrying on all kinds of out-door work as in summer. On my farm one hundred and twenty acres of virgin soil was broken up last year by a pair of Pirie's double furrow ploughs, and the work was done in a winter month.

The out-door labourer has nothing to fear from stormy days, for he cannot in any circumstances lose more than a week in a single winter. The effect of climate is further illustrated by the circumstance that sheep and cattle, whether on plains or mountains, never leave their pasture lands. The growth of grass and other plants is retarded in winter, but to a very different extent from what obtains in Scotland. The weeping-willow, for example, remains in a dormant state in this country for five months, while at my place in Otago it puts forth its buds and leaves two months after the fall of the autumn leaf.

For twenty-six years I have been accustomed to exposure in a variety of ways, but have never had a week's sickness; and the appearance of the children in a country school convey but one impression – that of exuberant health. Though the climate of

Otago is everything that a reasonable man can desire, I would not advise those of a consumptive tendency to emigrate thither, and I would warn the friends of such persons against the folly of sending their invalid relatives to die on the voyage, or amongst strangers in the hospital of Dunedin. Several cases of this kind are known to the writer. Such persons should go to Auckland or Australia, or if they must come to Otago, they should at once proceed to Manuherikia, an almost rainless district in the interior, or perhaps to the high, cool, clear atmosphere of Queenstown on the margin of Wakatipu, – a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains from six to nine thousand feet above the sea-level. These places are far in the interior, and require a certain amount of strength to bear the fatigue of such a journey.

Dr. D., who had lost all his family from pulmonary disease, stands out in contrast to the foregoing remarks. He is constitutionally liable to the disease that has cut off all his friends. He took three voyages to New Zealand as a ship's doctor, with great advantage to his health, and he has finally settled down as a medical practitioner in one of the sea-coast towns of Otago, in the enjoyment of excellent health.

The winter weather, as in Scotland, is generally reserved for the spring. Our bad weather consists of south-west rains on the east coast, and snow on the lofty mountains which traverse the interior of the Middle Island, and which rise from 3000 to 13,000 feet above the level of the sea. This Alpine range makes New Zealand "a land of hills and valleys, of brooks and streams, out of whose mountains thou mayest dig" gold (not brass); gold being actually dug out of the mountains at the rate of one ton every seventeen days!

XXI. EDUCATION.

XXI.

EDUCATION.

Churches – University – High School – Ladies' School – Primary and Grammar Schools – Proselytism – Industrial School – Libraries – Newspapers – Criminal Education – Dr. Begg.

THE finest building in New Zealand is the First Church in Dunedin. It is pleasant to find architecture exerting her highest effort in the cause of religion. This building is the property of the Presbyterian Church of Otago. In a certain sense religion is the highest kind of education of which man is capable, fitting him for a vast amount of useful work in this world, for in general it is good men who take the most prominent part in all enterprises of a benevolent or educational nature.

Christianity is the religion of New Zealand. The heathenism of the aborigines of New Zealand nowhere meets the eye. The Maori is professedly Christian. Temples for the worship of the true God are scattered over the length and breadth of the land, and the Sabbath is universally acknowledged and respected by all orders of men, except by draymen and railway officials. Even the Jews, who observe their own Sabbath, close then.

The prevailing sects are to be found everywhere, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Independents, Plymouth Brethren, Jews, Christian Israelites, etc.

The Presbyterians are the most powerful body in Otago, and have thirty-eight congregations, four presbyteries, and a Synod. They have done much hard pioneer work in connexion with the settlement of Otago. The other denominations are in point of numbers in the order in which I have put them, and the Episcopalians and Roman Catholics have each a bishop exclusively devoted to the interests of their respective churches.

The next educational institution is the University of Dunedin. Here five professors exert their skill in preparing our youths for the higher departments of mental labour. The University is a fine structure in the Grecian style, built of white stone, and presents a most graceful elevation on three sides. There is a

clock-tower with illuminated dials, and the most approved machinery to regulate the time. The front elevations have broad balconies supported on Corinthian pillars, white as marble. The pillars were turned on steam-lathes, and are perfect in form, with richly carved capitals. The Oamaru stone, of which the University is built, is capable of being wrought in the highest style of carving – bunches of grapes, fern-leaves, birds on wing and feeding their young in the nest; and these devices form part of the ornamentation of the Presbyterian cathedral, and of the University of Dunedin.

The interior of the University is perhaps still more interesting. First, English and classics are taught by Professor Sale, mathematics by Professor Shand, moral philosophy by Dr. M'Grigor, chemistry and the physical sciences by Dr. Black, and law by Mr. Stout. A professor of anatomy has been advertised for in Edinburgh, and will proceed to Dunedin immediately. So far as known to the writer, none of our professors have sought notoriety by writing against the Bible, like the professors of the greater universities of Oxford and London. If Darwinism is amongst them, it has not yet manifested itself. The Presbyterian church endowed the important chair of moral philosophy with £500 at the opening of the University, and this year they have raised the salary to £600, and intimated to the University Council their willingness to endow the chair of theology with £600. 5 This is creditable to the Presbyterian church, and indicates great energy and sound judgment in extending her patronage to the last two chairs, for it is from such chairs that much of the infidelity has issued of late years.

The High School is the great preparatory institution for fitting youths for commercial pursuits, and for the University. This school is on the model of the Edinburgh High School, and is gradually finding its way to a high position, the Government being anxious to have it in the highest state of efficiency.

Ladies' High School. – This is an institution corresponding to a

large extent to the High School for boys. This establishment has been in existence for some years, and has been a complete success. Indeed, it has eclipsed the relative institution of the boys, as it has had a fairer start and a more hearty co-operation from the beginning. The inhabitants generally give a higher education to their daughters than is given by the same class of persons in Britain. The Girls' High School was established in 1870, its object being to impart a thoroughly useful and liberal education, combined with careful moral and religious training. The ordinary course of instruction embraces a thorough English education, viz., Reading, Grammar, Composition, Elocution, History, Natural Science, Geography, Writing, Arithmetic, Singing, French, Needle-work, Drawing, Dancing, and Gymnastics.

The terms are, Day. Pupils (ordinary course).......£2 Per Quarter.
Day Boarders (extra)...........£8 Per Quarter.
Resident do. (including day-school fees and washing)....£15 Per Quarter.

Mrs. Burns is the Lady Principal who presides over the whole establishment, boarding as well as education; in the latter she is assisted by professional gentlemen, five of whom are visiting Masters; the other teachers are Governesses.

This school is so evidently gaining in public favour and confidence, that it has been found necessary to make arrangements for conducting its operations on a more comprehensive scale. It is contemplated to remove the boys to the new rectory, which hitherto has failed in its purpose as a boarding establishment, and to devote the whole of the present High School buildings to the purposes of the Girls' School. This arrangement will entail a complete and separate staff of teachers for the girls, which will be more than counterbalanced by the increased available boarding accommodation, and there can be little doubt that the very excellent management that will by this new arrangement be made still more perfect, will add to the already large attendance.

The school has now been in existence for four years, and has met with unprecedented favour, and the highest class this year has gone through an elementary course in Chemistry, Zoology, and Physiology.

There are six Grammar Schools, situated respectively in the towns of Invercargill, Oamaru, Port Chalmers, Milton, Lawrence, and Queenstown.

The primary and grammar schools – schools on which the great work of education mainly rests – occupy a position similar to the old parochial schools of Scotland. Wherever fifty children are found located three miles distant from another school, the Government erect a school-building, and endow it with £50 annually from public funds until the district increases in size. When this occurs, the "side school" has its designation changed to a district school; the salary of the teacher is doubled, and a portion of the fees added as supplement. Salaries of teachers in district schools vary from £150 to £300 per annum. The number of children who attended school in 1872 was 8662, or one-seventh part of the whole population of the province. This gives 14 per cent, of an attendance, which is the same as that of Scotland. But taking into consideration the great number of adults introduced by emigration, the percentage must be nearer to Prussia, which is the highest in the world.

The cost of education in Otago is £23,306, and the cost of each pupil to the State is £1, 15s. 3d. There is an educational endowment of land, which brings annually about £8008, 12s., and from other sources £3638, 1s. 11d. The two sums reduced the actual payment from ordinary revenue to £8261, 10s. 10d.

The common schools are under the control of school boards elected by the residents in the school district. The number of a school board is generally seven. All matters pertaining to the school are absolutely in their hands. The question of reading the Bible in the schools never disturbed the public mind, till the appointment of Dr. Moran as bishop of the Roman Catholics. The law, however, has always been, that any parent objecting to his child reading the Bible, which is generally done in the first half-hour of the school, would have his wishes respected in that matter, and, with the exception of a fabricated case, got up in the inland town of Milton, and brought under the notice of Bishop Moran by one of his priests, no one has ever complained of the good, sound, and

substantial education received in Otago. The case of the Roman Catholic child was thoroughly sifted and reported on by a commission appointed by the Government, and the result was anything but creditable to the priest chiefly implicated, for both parent and child denied in the most emphatic manner the charges brought against the Protestant rector of Milton Grammar School. Father Coleman, who was the chief accuser, has never, so far as I have heard, had the courtesy to apologize to Mr. Ross for the flagrant charge he brought against that gentleman. Jews and Christians have nothing to fear at our public school. Not a single instance of proselytism has occurred in the schools, which have been in existence for five-and-twenty years.

Industrial School. – Some years ago, the question of an Industrial School was prominently put before the Government by the late Superintendent of Police, Mr. Branigan. He was requested to furnish a return of the number of vagrant children who were under no restraint, and the number was sufficient to induce the Provincial Council to make provision for their education; and there is now a regular Industrial School, where the children are educated and taught to work, and the advanced boys are let out to respectable persons for so much a year. All money received as wages is banked by the Institution, and, when settled in life, it is handed over to them.

The results of the Industrial School are so satisfactory, that as an educative agency it is second to none in Otago, for it has been the means of providing a comfortable refuge for the distressed, and turned stray waifs into blessings, who would otherwise have become criminals, and added to the expense of the country in watching the matured wickedness of neglected youth. Some of these children have considerable sums of money at their credit, and the habit of saving having been acquired, they are labouring earnestly to add to these savings.

The cost to the State of these children is 4s. 10 1/2d. each. This includes maintenance, fuel, light, salaries, and incidental expenses. The boys are employed in garden-work, and the girls in household work and sewing.

Libraries. – Another means of education largely patronized by the young are our public libraries, of which there are 70. The Government aid small communities by gifts of money for the formation of libraries in proportion of £2 for every £1 subscribed by the inhabitants.

Newspapers. – There are seventy newspapers in New Zealand; the number published in Otago is thirteen, of which three are daily, two bi-weekly; but every little town has its paper specially devoted to local news. The daily papers are well conducted, no expense being spared in procuring the best informed men to occupy the important post of editor. These men are generally the most advanced thinkers on the side to which their paper belongs, and it is not often that the dailies descend to matters of a personal nature, but generally treat all subjects from a public point of view. This is the highest style of journalism, and although that point has not been reached, yet these papers will bear favourable comparison with journalism elsewhere.

The number of newspapers despatched from New Zealand in 1871 was .... 1,622,728
and the number received........ 2,266,934
Total..................... 3,889,662

These figures show that ignorance at least is not common to the people of New Zealand, or they would not seek to digest such quantities of newspaper literature. It is a curious fact that ignorance seems favourable to sanity. The following table shows the state of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum: –

EDUCATION OF PATIENTS ADMITTED DURING 1873.

Males.

Females.

Total.

Can read and write

41

13

54

Can read only

10

4

14

Can neither read nor write

...

...

...

Unknown

4

2

6

It is worthy of remark that the nationality of the inmates only credits Otago with one of these lunatics, although native-born Otagonians must be about one-half the population.

Gaol. – The great object of this Institution is to educate the lawless members of the State in peaceable and industrious habits. For this purpose criminals are made to work for their own maintenance and supervision, so that instead of being a burden upon the well-doing members of the community, as in Scotland, they are a source of profit. The number of prisoners received during the year 1873 was 404, and the number discharged was 407.
The cost of boarding and supervision amounts to £5861 12 10 3/4
and the earnings of the establishment to £6491 18 0.
Total gain to the State, £630 5 1 1/4

All the other educational institutions of the country require to be aided largely from the public purse, and the money will prove a valuable investment to the next generation, but the education of the vicious has gradually been made self-supporting, and is now beyond that point.

It is gratifying to find public men in this country willing to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand on questions of social reform. In his lecture in Aberdeen Dr. Begg said: – "In the matter of prison discipline New Zealand was also far advanced, as the criminals were kept at profitable labour, not in competition with artisans, but at works which would not be otherwise undertaken, and which were a public advantage. Mr. Caldwell 6 had brought the system to great perfection in the Dunedin districts, and had made the criminals more than self-supporting. Dr. Begg thought this might also be done here, if we were not so much overrun with functionaryism and oppressed with red-tapeism; and he would be glad to give a subscription for the purpose of bringing Mr. Caldwell over, to show how the criminals might be made to earn their own living, and more. In New Zealand poor-rates were as yet unknown. Long may that system exist there, and he would rejoice to see that question taken up in this country, great and apparently difficult as it is. A far more easy lesson might be learned on the question of criminal labour. He never could understand why a man that could, out of prison, not only

support himself, but support a wife and family, the moment he gets into the hands of the public authorities should become so utterly helpless that he could not even support himself – (laughter). If a man had strength enough to break heads and windows, he was certain, if put to the test, that he would be found strong enough to do work that would be useful. At all events he stood upon the maxim, 'If a man will not work neither shall he eat' – (laughter and applause). We were accustomed to read of the dreadful state of prisons in the past, but now we have turned the prisons into palaces – (hear, hear). The captain of the ship that carried him out to Australia told him that he once carried out a cargo of criminals from London to Tasmania, and he said he was obliged to treat those men far better than his own sailors. That was just a specimen of the lackadaisical and silly notions that we have on this subject. Men ran out with their feather-beds to catch those who throw themselves out of the windows of social life instead of letting them feel the frost, as the Scotch phrase it, and instead of making them work for their own maintenance. In New Zealand the criminals are made to work, and not as in this country at a crank, but at good remunerative labour; neither was it labour that interfered with the ordinary labour of the community. They did not make them shoemakers or tailors, so as to bring this public labour to compete with the ordinary labour of industrious men, but they made them work at something which would not otherwise be done, and the doing of which would benefit the public interest. For instance, they were employed at levelling down hills, and public works were in this way carried through much cheaper. But in this country we are so bound up with functionaryism and red-tapeism that men won't budge from the use and wont of the present management, and the result is that the community is saddled with a heavy expenditure. There is an old saying that magistrates are a terror to evil-doers, but it was turning the opposite way, and evil-doers were becoming a terror to us – (laughter). He was in favour of this out-door work, as it did the criminals a great deal of good. There was nothing more irritating and unsatisfactory than turning a crank and grinding the air" – (laughter).

The law of New Zealand permits the flogging of criminals, and the application of a few links to the feet of those who attempt to escape; and the knowledge of this fact seems to have a salutary influence, as I know of only two cases where they have been applied during twenty years. In the report of the Governor of the Dunedin Gaol for 1873 he says, – "The uneasy feeling which invariably pervades a body of prisoners after an attempted escape, culminated here in the flogging, for continual insubordination and refusal to work, of one of the prisoners who made the abortive attempt alluded to; and another prisoner, of somewhat similar stamp, also undergoing a very lengthened period of punishment. Corporal punishment had not been inflicted in this gaol for many years, and the results were very noticeable, both the men punished being now well-behaved. The firmness displayed by the visiting Justices on these occasions, and the determination at all hazards to enforce due regard to the discipline of the establishment, absolutely demands from me the most public recognition; and I am thankful for this opportunity of placing upon record the obligations I am under to these gentlemen for the manner in which they have supported me in the maintenance of discipline.

"The health of the prisoners has been very good during the year: the Provincial surgeon has regularly attended the establishment.

"The religious instruction of the prisoners is attended to by the chaplains of the various denominations. On all occasions the behaviour of the prisoners has been quiet and attentive; and although in such a large body of men of all ages, and taken from almost every grade of society, there must exist of necessity extreme varieties of character, still I have reason to believe there are many among them who are really anxious to prove by their future lives that they have profited by the severe lessons of the past."

The appropriation for education, 1873, in primary schools, for all New Zealand, was £54,676, while for Otago the sum was £23,306.

In education the province is in a healthy condition, and is still advancing. The appointment of another Inspector is mentioned in the Otago papers: –

"Assistant Inspector of Schools. – There were twenty-nine appli-

cants for the office of Assistant Inspector of Schools on the 14th. Mr. Donald Petrie, M. A., of the Universities of Aberdeen and Melbourne, was unanimously appointed by the Education Board. Mr. Petrie is also senior classical master at the Scotch College, Melbourne. He has had a varied and most valuable experience, and is highly recommended by trustworthy and competent authorities."

5 In addition to these University endowments, the Presbyterian Church annually pays £18,373 for Christian and missionary purposes.

6 Governor of Dunedin Gaol.

XXII. SHEEP FARMING.

XXII.

SHEEP FARMING.

Runs – Value of wool – A New Zealand Duke – Number of sheep – Broadcast Turnips – Fencing.

NEW ZEALAND was for a long time supposed to be ill-adapted for the growth of wool. Sixteen years ago the writer was asked by an intelligent person if sheep would thrive in Otago!

The development of Otago has in a great measure been brought about by the enterprise of sheep-farmers in search of grazing country. The Otago Government wisely offered sheep-runs for fourteen years to those who discovered them, on payment of a few pounds annually, and on condition that the runs were partially stocked with sheep (500) in six months. Sheep-farmers traversed the country in all directions to spy out the grazing land, and in a short time the country was explored to the Billowy mountains on the west, and the discovery of immense areas of pastoral country may be said to have finally determined the prosperity of Otago. The sheep usually depastured on the waste land of the province is the Merino; but the New Zealand Land Company and others have imported long-woolled sheep with great advantage to themselves and the province. The long-woolled sheep are common on the lowlands, but the Merino is the best for the highlands of Otago.

The extent of a run generally depends on natural boundaries such as rivers, brooks, and mountains, and vary in size from fifteen thousand to sixty thousand acres.

Up to 1866 the small sum of £4000 was all the rent the Government received for six million acres; but a law was passed in that year which converted the £4000 of rent into £50,000 annually. This was accomplished by offering to add ten years to existing leases, which would expire in a few years. Tor a while it was thought none would avail themselves of this privilege, but ultimately all the run-holders agreed to pay the increased rental, and receive an increase of tenure. The consequence of this act was a great increase in the revenues of Otago, a great increase of sheep – for some of the runs had never been fully stocked, – a great increase in the export of wool, and general prosperity of the place. The real author of this change in the rent-roll of Otago was Sir F. D. Bell, who was a member of the Provincial Council at the time of its passing, and first suggested the idea to the Government.

In 1853 the wool trade of Otago was represented by the trifling sum of £300; but the following table shows how it has increased: –

In 1854 the value of wool was £5,000
1855, . . . 8,901
1856, . . . 19,591
1857, . . . 18,318
1858, . . . 38,215
1859, . . . 60,058
1860, . . . 47,805
1861, . . . 119,450
1862, . . . 192,596
1863, . . . 256,281
In 1864, . . . £340,549
1865,... 393,087
1866, ... 513,956
1867, ... 585,136
1868, ... 572,939
1869, . . . 642,867
1870, ... 730,593
1871, ... 689,182
1872.......
1873....... 7

The total wool export for New Zealand from 1853 to 1873
amounts to ............. £19,783,588
and for Otago for same period (as shown above)... 7,556,028 8

Here we see the wool industry of Otago rise in twenty years from, nothing to seven and a half millions sterling, and the next twenty years will see that great sum doubled, even at the present rate of production; for the run-holders are increasing the grazing-powers of their runs by cultivation. In the south of the province Mr. Campbell has advertised for the ploughing of ten

thousand acres in one of his runs. This gentleman leases an area equal to any dukedom in Great Britain.

Sheep-farming has now become so prosperous that fears are entertained that they will buy up the whole country, and it is to prevent this that the arable land has been reserved for small capitalists and emigrants on deferred payments (see page 56). All the land would be taken up at £2 per acre, and it is perhaps the highest test of the value of the waste lands of Otago that sheep-farmers would give such a price for land in its primitive state; but the natural grasses are very abundant, and well adapted for sheep pasture.

The number of sheep in 1871 was... 3,731,445
Cattle........ 143,609
Horses........ 25,804
Pigs........ 20,024

There are about seven and a half millions of acres leased in the province, and the quantity for all New Zealand is fifteen millions of acres. But as the area of New Zealand is similar to the area of Great Britain and Ireland, what must the future of New Zealand be when its seventy million acres of surface are utilized, and stocked with sheep and cattle? The day is not far distant when the gold of the white man will purchase the last acre of the Maori. No purpose of man can stay the rapid stride of destiny in this direction. Everything has been done to pamper, to please, and preserve the most splendid savage in the world, but it will not do. The very revenues which he derives from leasing his lands to the white man only accelerates the great work of Maori decay. When that work is complete, New Zealand will rise with renewed strength and vigour to take that place amongst the nations which position, climate, people, and Providence have assigned to her.

The profits of sheep-farming induced me, thirteen years ago, to sell my land in the suburbs of Dunedin, and purchase seven square miles of beautiful land, most of it arable, and surrounded with twenty miles of substantial sod fence. The farmers are largely engaged in the breeding and fattening of sheep. Turnips are grown for winter feed on a plan that supersedes thinning. This

is a kind of labour that cannot be got except through Chinamen, who take contracts to thin turnips at 5s. per acre; but the plan to which I allude is this: – 3/4 lb. of turnip seed is mixed with a sack of sids or shillicks, and put into a grass sowing-machine, which sows a bag to the acre. Thousands of acres are annually sown in this way, 3/4 lb. of seed being uniformly distributed over an acre. They come away beautifully, and the sheep are netted upon them in the ordinary way. Last year the writer weaned 1000 crossbred Leicester lambs upon thirty-two acres of oats and rye-grass, and this kept them for four months in fine condition.

There are thousands of miles of fencing on the runs of Otago. Two kinds of fencing are used, post and wire fence, and sod dike, with double ditch. This sod bank is built like a stone wall, four, five, and six feet high, with ditches on each side: it is a sheep-proof fence, and costs 14s. per chain. It is 3 feet thick at the base, and 15 inches on cap sod. Farmers use the same fence for cattle.

7 Statistics of 1872 and 1873 are not yet published.

8 Otago Guardian.

XXIII. INDUSTRIES.

XXIII.

INDUSTRIES.

Woollen-mills – Breweries – Saw-mills – Steam-plough – Banking – Railways – Debt and Assets.

THE progressive character of Otago may be inferred with tolerable accuracy from the mere enumeration of local industries. The woollen mill of Mr. A. J. Burn, which has been a complete success, has been purchased by a company for the purpose of doubling the production of tweed, blankets, stockings, and yarn. There is also a factory erecting near Dunedin for the manufacture of flannel serge and blankets. There is a number of breweries which produce first-class beer, and a large distillery with £30,000 worth of spirits and gin in bond. The spring which supplies the distillery has been purchased from a famous total abstainer for ever, at so much, and converted into an alcoholic stream. There are foundries and boilermakers: an iron steamer was lately built, and her engines made in Dunedin. Meat-preserving companies killing 4000 sheep and 150 bullocks weekly; boot and shoe factories;

rope, brick, tile, pottery, gas, candle, and soap works; sash and door factories. The largest concern of this kind is in Dunedin, which manufactures doors, windows, and all kinds of mouldings by the mile. Here the files for sharpening the circular saws are driven by machinery; a touch of this wheel-file instantaneously grinds the teeth to the proper form. Sixty-eight men and boys are employed at the establishment of Messrs. Clayton and Gibbs, and the whole is under the direction of an accomplished Yankee. Americans certainly surpass all other nations in the manipulation of timber, and here the process may be seen in perfection, from a broom-handle to the most elaborate mouldings. There are cheese, confection, and biscuit manufactories; quartz, bone, flax, flour, barley, rice, coffee, pepper, and oatmeal mills, driven by water and steam; collieries all over the country; some are wrought in the usual way, but the majority are surface collieries, which are wrought in the same way as stone quarries; some of the seams are twenty feet thick. There is a clothing factory just opened which wants 300 needle-women at once (see letter of manager at page 105.) There is an agricultural implement manufactory busily engaged in the manufacture of all labour-saving machines, and notably in ploughs with two, three, four, five, and six furrows mould-boards. The steam-plough has been completely superseded by these simple and handy machines; they are drawn by six and eight horses, and the driver sits on the plough and directs its breadth and depth at pleasure. The number of the horses may appear to Scotch farmers a hindrance at the end of the rig, but where a rig is three miles long, that is a matter of small consequence. The friction is reduced to a minimum by the use of a revolving coulter 17 1/2 inches in diameter, sharp as a cheese knife, and in a six-furrow plough the draught is reduced by one-half. There are no stones to blunt the fine edge of these sharp coulters, which shows conclusively how easy it is to break up virgin soil. (See page 60.)

Banking, in a certain sense, is both a general and a local industry, and is the truest register of the commercial and industrial transactions of the community which can be found. In 1871, the

number of Post-Office Saving Banks throughout New Zealand was eighty-one, of which twenty-seven were in the Province of Otago; 4615 new accounts were opened, and the total deposits (including additions to open accounts) amounted to £357,654, 14s. 6d. on the 31st December of that year.

There are other five banks in Dunedin, viz., the Bank of New Zealand, The National Bank of New Zealand, The Bank of New South Wales, The Union Bank of Australia, and The Bank of Australasia. The head offices of these banks are in Dunedin, Auckland, Sydney, and London. The report of one of these institutions must be taken as a sample of the others, merely premising that it is the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New Zealand, and the twenty-fourth report.

The Bank of New Zealand. – "The directors have much satisfaction in announcing the result of the past half-year's operations, which, notwithstanding the increased competition, and the maintenance of low rates during the whole period, justifies them in recommending the usual appropriation for dividend.

The net profit at 30th September, after making full allowance for all debts known to be bad or doubtful, and for the usual reduction of bank premises and furniture accounts, amounts to.

£37,737..17..3

To which has to be added – Balance of undivided profit at 31st March 1873

8,654 3 6

Making a total available for division, of

£46,392 0 9

The following appropriation of which is now recommended: –

To payment of dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum,....

£30,000 0 0

To bonus of 2s. 6d. per share equal to 2 1/2 per cent, per annum.

7,500 0 0

To balance carried to profit and loss 'New Account,'

8,892 0 9

£46,392 0 9

"The dividend and bonus will be payable at head office, Auckland, on Friday, the 24th October, and at the branches on receipt of advice.

"For the Board of Directors,
"C. J. Stone, Chairman"

"AGGREGATE Balance-Sheet of the Bank of New Zealand, at 30th September 1873, including London Offices Balances, at 30th June 1873.

Dr.

Bank Stock

£600,000 0 0

Reserve Fund

180,000 0 0

Notes in circulation

375,169 0 0

Bills in circulation

1,351,755 10 5

Deposits and other liabilities

3,183,531 1 4

Balance of profit and loss account at 31st March 1873

8,654 3 6

Net profit for half-year

37,737 17 3

£5,736,847 12 6

"The Chairman said: I rise to move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet you have just heard read, and in doing so allow me to congratulate you on the gratifying result of the past half-year's operations, and to recommend a dividend and bonus equal to 12 1/2 per cent. Gentlemen, we hear sometimes of the dulness of trade, but these things, like the showers that pass over our head, are only local when you see our deposits amount to over three millions, our bills and notes circulation reaching over £1,700,000. It is, I think, an evidence of the growing wealth and increased spending power of the colony.

"Dr. Campbell seconded the motion."

BANK RETURNS.

The New Zealand Gazette published lately a general statement of the liabilities and assets of the various banking corporations

trading in the colony for the quarter ended December 31, 1873. From this we find that the liabilities are: –

Notes in circulation,

£709,305 1 0

Bills in circulation

101,578 11 10

Balances due to other banks

64,372 1 6

Government deposits

1,115,428 13 11

Deposits not bearing interest

2,479,180 19 6

Deposits bearing interest,

1,412,199 11 1

– making a total of liabilities of £5,882,322, 18s. 10d. Against this the assets are: –

Coin

£1,325,797 18 1

Bullion

312,857 7 0

Notes and bills of other banks,

30,386 9 6

Balances due from other banks

52,591 7 3

Landed property

145,397 7 6

Notes and bills discounted

2,597,476 1 3

Colonial Government securities,

157,600 0 0

Other founded securities,

3,175 1 6

Debts due (exclusive of bad),

3,307,602 7 9

Other securities,

526,109 7 7

– making total assets of £8,458,993, 7s. 5d., of which coin and bullion amount to £1,638,645, 5s. 1d. There is a further return of capital and profits, showing the total capital paid up of the banks to be £4,350,000, 10s., the amount of last dividends declared £253,750, and the amount of reserved fund at the time of declaration of such dividends £253,750. These dividends were as follow: – Bank of New Zealand, 12 1/2 per cent.; Union Bank of Australia, 13 per cent.; Bank of New South Wales, 15 per cent.; Bank of Australasia, 10 per cent.; and National Bank, nil.

Water Supply. – There is a Water Company with a capital of £40,000, with which they have constructed a reservoir ten acres in extent about a mile from Dunedin. The water is led through the town in very strong pipes,. The pressure is 150 lbs. to the square inch, and answers the purpose of a fire-engine without the intervention of machinery. Small hydraulic engines are driven with the water on the same principle as the steam-engine, and answer admirably for light work.

Railways. – The greatest work of an industrial nature is the railway scheme of New Zealand. The first work of this kind was

undertaken by the Provincial Government of Canterbury, and was designed to connect the harbour with the great plain of Canterbury and Christchurch, the capital of that province. The Otago Government also completed the survey of a railway from Dunedin south to Balclutha, a distance of sixty miles, and a private firm constructed the railway from Port Chalmers to Dunedin on a guarantee of 8 per cent, on £80,000.

Three years ago the present premier of New Zealand, Mr. Vogel, propounded the scheme of State railways, by which the General Government of New Zealand undertake the construction of all railways throughout the colony. New Zealand is about 900 miles in length, and 767 miles of railway have been authorized; a large portion of this distance having been already contracted for. The General Government has purchased all the existing railways, so that New Zealand will be able to manage her railway system from a central office in a complete, uniform, and economical manner. This department has been two and a half years under the management of an eminent Scotch engineer, Mr. Carruthers, and is a remarkable instance of rapidity of development and of high organization.

The author of this great work made the following remarks on the indebtedness of New Zealand at a banquet given to him in Dunedin the other day: – "Because certain gentlemen have chosen to enter upon various problems or speculations as to what might be the indebtedness of the colony in certain circumstances, it has been assumed in some places, and especially it has been assumed outside the colony, that we were ignorant of our indebtedness. Let me take a homely example. If any one of you were called upon to pay the price of a dress for wife or daughter, you would know the amount when the bill was placed before you; but if you had presented to you an infant girl, and were asked to calculate the cost of dressing her from the cradle to a presumed old age – (laughter) – you would think it a very difficult calculation to enter upon, and, at any rate, you would agree that the possible amount would be very different from the present cost of the child's outfit. (Hear, hear.) But, while making the calculations to which I have referred, as to the indebtedness of the colony, the makers of them

have claimed the right to speak potentially upon financial questions; and they have insisted upon their right to mix up present liabilities with possible indebtedness for indefinite purposes, when some undefined time shall have arrived. I shall state as briefly as possible what are the facts of the case. The amount of our debt on the 30th June last (after deducting the amount invested in New Zealand securities on account of Sinking Fund) was – On colonial account, £6,465,900; on provincial account, £3,156,200; or, together, £9,622,100. As far as the provincial indebtedness is concerned, the amount is, no doubt, ultimately a colonial liability; but, at the same, it is secured, primarily, upon the Land Revenue of the colony; and of the nature of that security you may gain an adequate idea, when I tell you that, between the 1st July 1872 and the 20th December 1873, the land revenue of the colony, exclusive of receipts on amount of Gold and Native, amounted to £1,370,000. When you know that in a year and a half the land revenue, subject to the exceptions named, yielded £1,370,000, you need not, I think, be fearful as to a liability of a little over £3,000,000, with such a security at its back. (Applause.) There remained on the 30th June, to be negotiated, £2,352,600 of loans already authorized; thus making a total, when all the loans authorized up to June last have been negotiated, of £11,974,000. Beyond that amount there was required to complete the railways authorized up to the end of the session of 1872, or 767 miles of line in all, £1,886,900; and adding that amount, the total will be £13,860,900. But that is not the amount of our present indebtedness. It is the amount of the debt that will exist when 767 miles of railway have been completed; when £1,000,000 has been expended on immigration; when £200,000 has been spent in acquiring native lands; when £400,000 has been devoted to making roads in the North Island; and when £300,000 has been spent in works upon the gold-fields. Then, but not until then, the total indebtedness of the colony may be estimated at £13,860,900. That debt will include £6,000,000 for public works, of which, at the date I have mentioned, only some £2,000,000 had been expended. When the question is raised, What will be our position when all that money

is expended? no one is entitled to take the present position of the colony as the sole test, and to ignore the fact that by the expenditure of £4,000,000 on public works during the time that has to elapse, to say nothing of natural and ordinary progress, the prosperity of the colony must be increased, and a state of things be created different from that which now exists. (Applause.) It is absurd to suppose, if anybody does suppose, that a trunk railway through each island is to be constructed for £2,000,000 or £3,000,000. By the time the trunk line is completed, with the various branches already commenced, the public debt must be very much increased; but it will be a misfortune to the country, if you fail to see that you will then have good value for your money, in the immense addition to your population, and the means of traversing the country from end to end which will have been provided. (Applause.) What I have next to say will at any rate not be uninteresting, as an evidence of what we may look for in the future. I have obtained a return of the revenue received during a little less than six months – from the 1st July to the 27th December – together with returns for corresponding half-years. From the 1st July to the 31st December 1870, the receipts into the Consolidated Fund were £474,000; 1871, £485,000; 1872, £494,000; and for 1873, for a few days less than the half-year, the receipts reached £625,000; being an increase over the corresponding period of last year of £131,000, or at the rate of £262,000 a year. I ask you, then, to recollect that if we have to pay additional interest because of an increased amount of borrowed money, we have additional means out of which to pay it. (Applause.) The Land Revenue returns are yet more remarkable, as an indication of the prosperity of the country. In 1870 the land revenue amounted to £194,000; for 1871 it was £230,000; in 1872 it reached £500,000; but for 1873 it was no less than £1,116,000. In fact, the receipts during 1873 exceeded those of the previous three years. (Applause.) Before I leave the question of the financial position of the colony, I will ask you to recollect that the true indication of the pressure of a public debt is not to be found in any mere statement of figures of amount without considering sur-

rounding circumstances. The mere amount of debt tells nothing; the annual amount which is to be paid as interest tells little more; nor does even the division of that amount amongst a stated number of persons tell anything conclusive, unless you go also into the question of the means out of which it is to be paid. A person who earns £50 a year may be less able to afford to pay £5 than another who earns £70 may be able to afford to pay £10. I speak not unadvisedly when I say that, in dealing with the question of the pressure of a debt, you have to consider first the number of persons who have to meet it, and then the amount of the earnings of those persons out of which they have to satisfy the requirements of the revenue. Then, and then only, you are able to arrive at a fair conclusion. When that test is applied you find that New Zealand does not by any means compare badly with other colonies, or even with large nations. I entered into this question very fully last session, and those who care to study it will find in Hansard a long dissertation upon it. I will now simply state to you a few figures representing conclusions to which I came. Taking the amount of the interest on our debt, exclusive of that for public works and provincial, the charge amounts, as far as I have been able to ascertain, to 1.2 per cent, of the average earnings of the population; inclusive of public works, but still excluding provincial, the annual charge is 1.6 per cent., or, including both public works and provincial, the annual charge amounts to 2.4 per cent, on the average earnings of the population. But I ask you to recollect that in making a comparison with other countries, it is in most cases fairer to take the amount of the indebtedness exclusive of provincial and public works, because from the sale of lands, and from the works, there are special revenues from which to meet the indebtedness excluded. With some exceptions these are not elements of revenue in countries with which we have to compare our public debts; and when we take the amount of our debt, omitting that portion of it which is either charged on the land or is for works which elsewhere are provided by private enterprise; the annual charge is, as I have stated, 1.2 per cent, on the average earnings of the population. If we make a comparison with the

United Kingdom, we find that the average there is 2.8 per cent, of the average earnings of the population. In the United States it is 2.7; in Russia, 2.5; in France, 2.3; in Austria, 2.2; and in the German Empire, 1."

The debt of New Zealand will require large additions for some years to come before it will amount to even one-half of the expenditure of some of the railway companies in Scotland, and when it has reached the sum named by the Honourable Mr. Vogel, there will stand opposite that debt all the public works of New Zealand for the last eighteen years, and 767 miles of new railways with complete rolling stock, and 70,000,000 acres of land. Any firm or company whose books show such liabilities and assets would be accounted prosperous.

XXIV. THE ABORIGINES.

XXIV.

THE ABORIGINES.

Discovery of New Zealand – Columbus and Kupe – Original home of Maori – Records – Moa – Education – Progress – Hongi – Wars – Decay of the race.

THE history of New Zealand and its discovery by the Maori dates from the middle of the fourteenth century, or about a century before Columbus was born. The contrast between the discoverer of America and the discoverer of New Zealand is all on the side of the Maori. Columbus's mariners were a continual source of uneasiness and trouble to him. They fully expected every night that their ships would fall over the edge of the world and tumble them into the midnight of chaos. The Maori fearlessly launched his war canoe in search of a great island in the Southern Ocean, three thousand miles distant from his tropical home. No fears disturbed those savage navigators about their craft falling over the edge of the world. In their case "ignorance was bliss;" in the other it was a curse, and, but for the energy of one man, would have been followed by the most disastrous failure.

The first Maori who braved the dangers of the Southern Ocean, and discovered the unknown land of New Zealand, was the great

chief Kupe. This he accomplished in the canoe Matahourua, in company with his brave warriors and their wives. It is creditable to the discoverer of New Zealand that his thirst for geographical knowledge of the new-found country was more intense than that of the discoverer of America, Columbus erroneously imagined he had discovered the continent of America, and returned to Europe under that belief, yet it was only the island of Guanahani, but the New Zealand discoverer no sooner refreshed his crew, than he circumnavigated the north island, and named its principal rivers, bays, and mountains, which are substantially the names they still bear.

Nine other canoes followed the Matahourua in rapid succession. Each canoe had its chief and a faithful band devoted to his interest. The names of these canoes and their captain chiefs are still carefully preserved in the traditionary records of the tribes, whose progenitors they bore through storm and tempest to the land of the Maori.

There are two questions connected with the early history of New Zealand that are difficult of solution. The one is a philological, the other a nautical question. The concurrent testimony of the natives is that the first ten canoes came from Hawaiki. The only island in the Pacific Ocean that has any resemblance in name to Hawaiki is Hawaii, the largest of the Sandwich Islands. Two difficulties occur here. First, the languages of Hawaii and New Zealand are not similar. To this it may be remarked that an unwritten language would change very much in five hundred years – even the written language of Scotland five centuries ago is almost unintelligible to many now-a-days. Secondly, the distance of the Sandwich Islands, 3000 miles, is thought to be too great for frail canoes to navigate; but to this objection the answer is – that the canoes of the Polynesians have often encountered great storms successfully; besides, the nearest land the Maori could have come from is twelve hundred miles from New Zealand, and if they navigated the stormiest part of the journey, they would have less difficulty through the trade winds. The other question is, that the Maori must have come from Raratonga, because it is nearer than Hawaii, and the language is a little nearer to Maori than that of the Sandwich Islanders. The advocates for this theory get over

the Maori tradition of their ancestors coming from Hawaiki by saying it is a figurative expression. This supposition is rather gratuitous, for the traditions of the New Zealanders are in general most trustworthy. There is a deeper question than the original home of the Maori – Why did he expect to find a great island in the far south? Here speculation may exhaust herself. There is evidence that a race existed in New Zealand prior to the landing of the Maori, who were contemporaneous with the giant Moa bird, whose head was twelve feet high when standing on the ground.

Maori Records. – The mode by which the New Zealander preserves the records of his tribe is both interesting and instructive; and the systematic and fourfold manner in which it was done, shows most conclusively that the greatest accuracy was sought in recording the history of the past. Some of the tribes possess a genealogical tree, or stick, on which a notch is cut for every generation since they landed on the shores of New Zealand. The custodier of this record was invariably the priest of the tribe. It was the duty of the priesthood to hand to their successors the genealogical stick, and all that had been learned from their predecessors of the history of the tribe – their quarrels, – wars, – and extent of their lands. Further, at certain seasons the tribe was assembled, like the Jews, for historical instruction, when the priest rehearsed the leading events of their history. And lastly, the son of the chief from his infancy was taught the names of his forefathers, and the great incidents of their lives. When he grew up he never left his father's side; in season and out of season, in the house and on the field, in fishing and hunting, the universal theme was the history of the tribe – the wars they had waged, – the tribes they had conquered, – and, in particular, the unavenged wrongs of his forefathers. No matter how great the interval that had intervened, these proud chieftains taught their children never to forgive, until the family stain had been wiped out by the best blood of their enemies. Another important part of a chief's education was the boundary of his dukedom. For the purpose of riveting the boundaries more firmly in his mind, he was taken to the confines of his country, and made to cultivate a portion of it, that in the event of his title ever being questioned

he could refer to these outside cultivations in proof of ownership. So thorough was the historical training of a young chief, that some of them could recount the history of his tribe for twelve generations back. These facts attest the accuracy of Maori traditions.

Their progress, after landing in their adopted country, seems to have been very great. For centuries they seem to have increased very rapidly, Maori mothers having been known to have ten, and even twelve children; but the zenith of Maori prosperity is long since past. From 1814 to 1840 sixty thousand of the flower of the race perished by the hands of their own countrymen. Up to that time not a single emigrant ship had sailed from Britain for New Zealand, so that the colonists are free from all blame in these exterminating wars, which resulted in great measure from a foolish present of fire-arms made to Hongi, a New Zealand chief, when on a visit to the King of England in 1822. Hongi became the Buonaparte of New Zealand. He carried all before him; like Napoleon, he revelled in victory and bloodshed, until he involved his tribe and nation in hopeless decay – a decay that is irresistible and sure, and which will only terminate with the last New Zealander, not "on the broken arch of London bridge," but in his own untidy, cheerless, and dirty home. The extinction of the Maori is a mere question of time. They feel they are a doomed race, and look forward to it with the resignation of the fatalist. In Canterbury and Otago they never had a dispute with the colonists, and yet there is not a native to be seen where they once roamed in thousands. Wherever you go, there is hardly a native child to be seen, only half-castes, and even these in the second generation are sickly and puny-looking. Whatever may be the cause, it is beyond human control. If it is the judgment of Heaven, it must be in consequence of the fierce and horrible passions of their forefathers being visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation. Putting the decay of the Maori in this hypothetical manner may be objectionable to some, but it is most difficult to account for the decadence of the race if you ignore an overruling providence; but the next forty years will speak more decidedly in the direction indicated than anything that can be said

on this most painful subject. That natural causes are at work is readily admitted. For example, I have seen a Maori chief on a warm sunshine day walking about with a red blanket wrapped closely round him, and the perspiration oozing from every pore of his body, and at night lie on the cold damp ground, with nothing more than the red blanket. He catches cold and dies of consumption, or some other irresistible disease. And this state of matters is not mended by building a house for him, or even in providing him with money, food, and clothing. The Maori will live in his own way, mingling civilized and savage habits in the most incongruous and pernicious manner. Every one must be familiar with the ridiculous way in which they are reported to have combined heathenism and Christianity in the North Island during the last native war.

The Maori feels he can no longer cope with the Anglo-Saxon. He sees that he is destitute of his energy and perseverance; that the European prospers where the native would starve; that the white man is not a fighting man, but when he fights he is sure to win; that the prestige of the Maori is gone; that the land which his forefathers wrested from others has been wrested from himself by the gold of a race that will never die. He plainly sees that his countrymen are dwindling away, and that nothing can resuscitate the glory of the past. He has lost all hope, and become a confirmed fatalist, looking on the exterminating future as an invincible foe.

XXV. BUSH.

XXV.

BUSH.

Fern tree – Pines – Turnip trees – Blue Gum – Birds – A Lark – Beasts and Reptiles – Area of forests.

THE bush of New Zealand differs from other countries. It has a dark, dank look, the foliage is generally dark green, and so close that the rays of the sun even at noon scarcely penetrate the leafy canopy. Locomotion in the bush is necessarily slow. Sometimes a dead pine, forty feet long, and two or three feet in diameter,

obstructs the path; at another supple-jacks and prickly thorns bar all progress. The intervening space between large trees is filled up with a rich undergrowth of young trees and ferns; the latter alone number fifty varieties in the vicinity of Dunedin. Here the tree fern grows in perfection, and is the most beautiful plant in New Zealand. This tree requires age to show its graceful drapery, but looks prettiest when it is about ten or twelve feet high, although it attains double that height in very secluded places. The fronds are six and eight feet long, and one and a half feet broad, giving to the tree the appearance of a gigantic green parasol, highly figured, and having a long slender black stem. The wood of the fern tree is valueless, yet it is sometimes made into picture frames, and these are regularly spotted like the skin of the leopard.

Beautiful as is the fern tree, it is almost equalled by the young rimu. This is a tree that attains maturity in two hundred years, and is always beautiful; but when five or six years of age, its long, graceful, cord-like leaves hang down like the weeping-willow, and give it an appearance quite different from the aged tree. Thousands of these young trees have been transplanted because of their beauty, but only to wither and die.

The principal native wood used for building purposes are the White, Red, and Black pines, and Black birch; also Miro and Totara, both of which have a grain like cedar. None of these trees have cones. There is a great variety of other trees used for fencing, fuel, and food. The Hini-hini is the most useful tree for a man who settles in the bush, where there is no grass for a cow. I have often seen on a stormy night a bush farmer take an American axe and cut this tree for food to his cows; and so fond are they of the green leaves and small twigs, that the moment they see the axe in the farmer's hand, they commence to low and run after him. They stand quietly by while a tree six or eight inches in diameter is being felled, and the moment the crash is over they rush forward and devour the leaves. Two such trees make an excellent supper for half a dozen cows, which they munch with the relish of turnips.

Persons settling in the bush in Stewart's Island, and such localities, will find the Hini-hini and the laurel leaves of the

Broadleaf (a large tree, generally hollow) most excellent herbage for cows, and the milk makes rich butter. As the Government offers land to persons paying their own passage to New Zealand, I would advise hardy bushmen and fishermen to settle on such land. They do not need much capital, the fencing is all round them, and the crops can be put in the moment the bush is felled, dried, and burned off.

The following extract is from an Act passed in October 1873, for giving free grants of land to certain immigrants: –

"Immigrant paying own passage to New Zealand entitled to land of value of £20 for himself, and if with family, like portion of land for each adult member.

"2. Every person of the age of eighteen years, and not exceeding sixty years, arriving in New Zealand after the passing of this Act from the United Kingdom or elsewhere than any of the Australasian Colonies, including Tasmania, who shall have paid the cost of his passage to New Zealand, and who desires to settle upon and cultivate land therein, shall, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, be entitled to a free grant of a piece of land to the value of twenty pounds.

"And if any such person be the head of a family, the value of the piece of land to which such person shall be entitled shall be proportionate to the number of the members of such family the cost of whose passage shall have been paid by him, that is to say: –

"In respect of his or her own passage, land to the value of twenty pounds; and in respect of the passage of each member of such family of the age of fourteen years or upwards, land to the value of twenty pounds; and for each member of such family of less age than fourteen years, land to the value of ten pounds.

"Family, what may consistof.

"Members of a family, for the purposes of this Act, shall include wife, child, grandchild, nephew and niece of the head of the family: Provided that no person shall be entitled to such free grant of land unless he shall, before leaving the place of departure for New Zealand, have obtained from the Agent-General of New Zealand, or any person appointed by him for the purpose, a certificate in writing that he and those members of his family in respect of whom he claims to be entitled as aforesaid are suitable immigrants.

"Immigrant must make claim.

"3. Every person claiming to be entitled to land under this Act must, within sixty days after his first arrival in New Zealand, apply personally to the Immigration Officer under 'The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870,' at the port or place where he arrives, or, if there be no such Immigration Officer at that port or place, then to such Immigration Officer whose office shall be nearest to such port or place, and furnish to such officer a statement of his claim to be so entitled, showing when and by what ship and at what port or place he (or he and his family, as the case may be) arrived, and from what port or place he or they emigrated, and the name and age of himself, or of himself and each member of his family, as the case may be; and he shall then, or within sixty days thereafter, furnish such proof of the truth of the statement as shall be required by the Immigration Officer.

"Claimant to be registered.

"On the Immigration Officer being satisfied of the truth of such statement, the name of such person shall be registered by the Immigration Officer in a register to be kept for the purpose, together with the amount in value to which he shall be entitled to select land under this Act in respect of his own passage, or his own passage and that of his family, and every such person so registered shall be deemed a registered immigrant.

"At any time within five years registered immigrant may apply for land to be purchased for him, if he has resided continuously in New Zealand.

"5. At any time within five years after the arrival of a registered immigrant in New Zealand, such immigrant may apply to the Minister to purchase for him land to the amount in value to which he is entitled according to such register, if such immigrant shall have resided continuously in New Zealand from the date of such arrival until the time of applying to the Minister, but not otherwise."

The Blue Gum (Eucaliptus) has been acclimatized from Tasmania, and forms the chief feature in the numerous plantations that ornament and shelter the villas of our prosperous settlers, giving to the rural scenes of the country a cosy and home-like look. This tree grows with a rapidity unknown in its native clime, being twenty feet high in ten years, and fifty feet in nineteen years, with

fine straight stems. They are evergreen, and cast their bark and leaves so imperceptibly that no change is visible in the winter, and when they are in seed they are covered with white-looking roses, having a resinous smell.

There is a very large white pine bush near Invercargill (the second town in Otago), in which there are sixteen saw-mills, and at Riverton, thirty miles distant, there is a great forest, chiefly Red pine. These forests will far more than supply our wants for the next hundred years, and is a good district for sawyers to settle in

New Zealand does not possess a single good singing bird, but the plumage of some of them is very beautiful. The following is a list of the birds: – The sparrow hawk, tui or parson bird, bell bird or mocker, wood robin, yellow breasted tit, pied fan-tail, yellow-top paroquet, brown parrot, wood pigeon, black oyster catcher or red bill, pied oyster catcher, weka or wood hen, Paradise duck, little teal, grey duck, two species of gull, cormorant or black shag, pied shag, white throated shag, also another species of shag locally called the "blue shag," perhaps the most abundant on the coasts of Stewart's Island, easily shot, and pretty highly esteemed by the sailors as an article of food, the little penguin, the great penguin. This bird was caught alive on the rocks in Half-moon bay.

The Acclimatization Society has introduced a great number of birds, amongst which the lark is conspicuous. The last Sabbath I was privileged to spend in my New Zealand home, a happy lark rose at my feet, winging his way to heaven in ever widening circles, and chanting his matin hymn Strange memories were awakened by the heavenly song, and a strong wish to know if I ever would stand upon that spot again, and hear the lark singing.

There is an agreeable and pleasing sensation in wandering through the primeval forests in the south of New Zealand which is not to be found elsewhere. In other places a sense of undefined danger is apt to steal over the mind, but here the traveller feels he has nothing to fear from man, beast, or reptile. No black snakes, centipedes, grizzly bears, or tigers disturb the universal silence and repose that reign on every side, and the benighted traveller lights

his fire, boils his billy, wraps himself in his blankets, and goes to sleep with a sense of complete security. The quantity of forest land in Otago is estimated at 2570 square miles.

The terror of man in an uncivilized state is an evil that must enter largely into the calculations of an emigrant. The strife that was waged for many years between the North American Indians and the first settlers is one of the most terrible episodes of American colonization, and has to a limited extent been re-enacted in Tasmania, Australia, the North Island of New Zealand, and is going on at present in Fiji. These drawbacks to progress and prosperity never have, and never can, blight the energies of the southern settlements; and it is doubtless to the total absence of such disturbing elements that Otago and Canterbury have for many years been the richest and most populous provinces of New Zealand.

XXVI. TO EMIGRANTS.

XXVI.

TO EMIGRANTS.

Who should emigrate – Hours of labour – Wages.

IN concluding these chapters I cannot refrain from giving some advice to those who may be inclined to emigrate.

Who should emigrate. – The great question for you to consider is this, Are you really a suitable person for a young colony? for the whole question of emigration is one of adaptation. If you are adapted to colonial pursuits, go; if you are ill adapted, stay. From what has been said in the foregoing pages, any one may form a correct idea of what is to be done in a new colony.

When the writer emigrated twenty-six years ago, he would have given anything for the information scattered through these pages. He was afraid that he was not suitable for a young colony, as he was destitute of all agricultural knowledge; but, fortunately, he

was mistaken, and found by experience that he was adapted to the country, and the country to him.

Who should not emigrate. – I would not advise a large family to emigrate, unless the elder children are able to work for themselves; neither would I advise delicately-trained governesses or clerks, nor persons who have consumption developed to a certain extent, nor broken-down schoolmasters and clergymen: all such persons do wrong to emigrate. Youth, health, vigour, and skill are the requisites of the successful emigrant.

Hours of labour. – The hours of labour are in general eight per day. Farm-servants go out to plough after breakfast, and are in the plough at eight o'clock in the morning, and knock off at five in the afternoon, with an hour for dinner at midday. These are the hours of labour amongst tradesmen. Wages of farm-servants, £50 to £60 a year. Tradesmen, 10s. to 14s. a day. Needle-women, wherever the nature of the business will admit of it, work only eight hours a day. There is also for shop girls and needle-women certain holidays in the year, and the half of Saturday secured as recreation. Wages, needle-women, 18s. to 25s. per week.

Labour Market. – The following returns have been furnished by his Honour the Superintendent: –

List of Ships that arrived in Otago, and the number of Immigrants in each, from 29th December 1873 to 31st January 1874.

Ships.

From what Port.

Date of Arrival.

Statute Adults.

City of Dunedin

Glasgow

29th December

114

Surat

London,

1st January,

223

Dunfillan

London,

16th January

137

Total

474

LIST OF IMMIGRANTS engaged through the Immigration Office, Dunedin, from 29th December 1873 to 31st January 1874, and the current Rate of Wages given.

Class.

No.

Current Rate of Wages.

Blacksmiths

5

12s. per day.

Bootmakers

8

£3, 10s. per week.

Bricklayer

1

12s. per day.

Carpenters

18

14s. per day.

Coopers

3

10s. per day.

Dairymaids

3

£40 to £45 per annum.

Dressmakers

2

From 20s. to 25s. per week.

Engineers

2

12s. per day.

Farm-servants

42

£52 to £55 per annum, and found.

Female cooks

6

£40 to £45 per annum, and found.

Female general servants

61

£30 to £35 per annum, and found.

Gardeners

5

£60 to £65 per annum, and found.

Grocer

1

25s. per week.

Groom

1

20s. per week, and found.

Harness-maker,

1

£3, 10s. per week.

Harvest men

5

£2, 10s. per week, and found.

Housemaids

16

£25 to £30 per annum, and found.

Housekeepers

3

£50 per annum.

Miners

2

4s. per ton displaced.

Nursery maids

3

8s. to 10s. per week.

Painters

2

10s. per day.

Platelayers

2

8s. to 9s. per day.

Ploughmen

3

£60 per annum, and found.

Shepherds

2

£60 per annum, and found.

Tailors

10

£3 to £3, 10s. per week.

Weavers

9

As per agreement.

COLIN ALLAN, Immigration Officer.

XXVII. SOCIAL CONDITION.

XXVII.

SOCIAL CONDITION.

Class settlement – Convict labour – A digger becomes a lord – Volunteers – Humane Institutions – Needle-women.

THE whole of the Middle Island has been colonized on a basis that would provide for religious and secular instruction. Nelson first, Otago next, and Canterbury last; and although the idea containing this plan has been long since given up, yet friends and foes readily admit that it was a great advantage to the first settlers. The founders of these settlements took for granted that it would

be a most difficult matter for an infant colony of three or four hundred persons, scattered over a large tract of country, to secure the regular services of a clergyman or schoolmaster, unless they could come to some definite arrangement before leaving this country. Even in the Highlands of Scotland there is difficulty in this respect, and how much more so in a mixed population at the other ends of the earth? Accordingly the social condition of those settlements is very high, and that of Otago, with which I am best acquainted, will not suffer by a comparison with any district in Great Britain.

New Zealand has never been cursed with convict labour. When Earl Grey, some years ago, asked the provinces if any of them would accept of this moral blight, the universal voice of all the provinces was, Away with them! – we will not enrich ourselves to the ruin of posterity and our adopted land. This is one cause for the high social condition of Otago, and another is the great care that was taken by the founders of the colony to secure a superior class of emigrants, none of whom were convicted of crime, for the first ten years of the settlement, so that Judge Stephen, who lived among them for nearly two years without a case, was at last removed by the General Government to another sphere in the North Island.

Otago, like all other British colonies, is peopled from every quarter of the globe, but its pith and stamina is British blood. Foreigners are not entitled to a vote in public affairs; but if they renounce their own country, and apply to the Sheriff to be naturalized, they are admitted to all the privileges of British subjects.

There is another class often sent to the colonies – ne'er-do-wells. These invariably belong to the upper classes, and are sent out by their friends on the most specious promises of future assistance, or perhaps with the portion of goods that falls to their share, and the result is a mad gallop to ruin, degradation, and poverty. Loosed from all the restraints of home, they soon display their downward tendency, and are shunned by respectable people. One or two of this class have been sought for and found. A digger one day suddenly became an Irish earl of £20,000 a year. It is a

pleasing fact that the young men born in Otago have not shown a tendency to the drinking customs of the age.

The volunteer movement has aided the cause of temperance very much, for the best shots have found that a steady aim is best secured by abstinence, and nothing will induce them to peril the prospect of the champion belt for the indulgence of drink.

I have frequently seen a whole squad of crack shots competing with the rival shots of another district, and nothing was served as refreshment but ginger beer. The following is an extract from the Otago Times. The top-scorer is the first emigrant boy born in Dunedin, to whose birth reference is made in page 35, and is, on the whole, a fair specimen of colonial youths, who have gone into the volunteer movement with great spirit, and a determination to be efficient in time of need: –

"COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

"No. 2 Scottish, competed at the Anderson's Bay butts this morning for choice of company representatives. Nine members came to the range, Sub-Lieutenant John T. Douglas, the officer appointed by the company, being in charge. The weather was dull, with wind from the right and left rear. The ranges, as on the previous day, were 200, 400, 500, and 600 yards, with seven shots at each. The scoring throughout was good, that of Adam with a total of 85, being first-class from beginning to end. At 200 yards Adam was top-scorer, with 27 out of a possible 28; at 400 yards Buchanan with 23; at 500 yards Adam, with a like score; and at 600 yards Taylor, with 16. The scores, in detail, were: –

200 yds.

400 yds.

500 yds.

600 yds.

Tl.

Adam, 4434444

3324234

3423344

0422420

85

Jamieson, 4342322

0344344

3240334

4233343

83

Taylor, 3344444

3333233

3033333

3042430

83

Creagh, 2344343

3434233

2333334

0233042

8O

Wilson, 4442243

4334033

3232433

2023203

75

Buchanan, 4433444

3343343

4322420

2002200

72

Spalding, 4332433

2333433

0330403

2330034

71

Lindsay, 4424332

4302300

2032333

2343003

65

Proudfoot, 4432223

3330203

0034230

0 retired."

There are several humane institutions supported by voluntary

contributions to an extent that reflects the highest credit upon the public. The first of these is the Hospitals.

The up-country hospitals are supported by the public and the Government on the principle of pound for pound. The hospital of Dunedin is a Government institution. The building is a square massive block, and was erected for £17,000. It has a large piece of ground attached, is well lighted, and ventilated on the most approved principles. The cost of each patient per annum is £38, 5s. 5d., the annual cost of the hospital is £5700, and it is presided over by Dr. Hulme.

The Lunatic Asylum is a Government institution in the suburbs of Dunedin, with fine grounds attached. A great many of the patients recover – 78 per cent., while in Great Britain it is only 36 per cent. This institution costs annually £4340, and is presided over by Mr. Hume and Dr. Hulme.

The Benevolent Institution is chiefly supported by the public, for the benefit of indigent and orphan children. There are a great many churches, and a greater number of hotels. There is also a Choral, Acclimatization, and Caledonian Society, a Jockey and Regatta Club.

BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

The First Church cost.... £17,000
The University..... 30,000
The Hospital......17,000
The Lunatic Asylum, temporary building.
Benevolent Institution, "

Provincial Buildings, devoted to Government,
Post-Office and Telegraph, cost.. 20,000

Custom-House, banks, churches, business premises, etc., are all wonderful buildings for such a young place as Dunedin.

There is a magnificent graving-dock capable of accommodating war vessels of any size, which cost £55,809, 7s. 1d.

The following is the letter alluded to in page 39: –

"New Zealand Clothing Factory,
Dunedin, 23d December 1873.

"Dear Sir, – It affords me much pleasure to open a correspon-

dence with you, feeling assured, from the reputation you bear in Otago, that you are the right man in the right place. I only regret not being in a position to nominate labour for this colony. I may state I am but a recent arrival myself, having landed within a month at the Bluff, went from thence to Queenstown, the magnificent scenery of which is almost indescribable; from Queenstown I came here via Tuapeka and Tokomairiro. The valleys the whole way from Lawrence look beautiful; good sheep and agricultural country all the way.

"On my arrival in this city of Dunedin I was struck with its magnitude. The importance of the place is at once recognisable from its extent of valuable buildings, large amount of good roads, kerbing, channelling, lighting, and other good sanitary requirements. The enterprise and energy of its business men is not second to any city I have visited, and I honestly believe, if the present Government policy is persevered in, the future of New Zealand will be great.

"I have come here to settle from Melbourne, Victoria, where I have resided for the past twenty years, and where I was the first man to introduce the industry I am now engaged in, that of a clothing manufacturer, which had its birth just fourteen years gone. There is to-day not less than five thousand men, women, and girls employed in this industry in Victoria, with a wages roll of something between three and four hundred thousand a year, to the almost utter exclusion of European goods; and I sincerely trust I shall be as successful in keeping as large an amount of wealth in this country, and thus induce a population from the overcrowded workshops of Europe to this healthy and prosperous province. As far as my experience goes, skilled labour is almost unobtainable, and if they were to be had, I am prepared at once to employ two hundred men, women, boys, and girls, and in a year from now to double the number. By the system I have laid down, our factory will be worked by a great sub-division of labour, which will enable us to employ a large amount of unskilled labour; and any intelligent person may learn in a very short period how to earn a living – for example, the machine work is

confined to one division, the cutting to another, tacking another, finishing to a fourth, button-holing to a fifth, buttoning to a sixth, ticketing to a seventh, pressing to the eighth, over-seering to a ninth; and so the garment is completed, each worker becoming in time such an adept at the small part falling to his or her share, that not only are the goods got up in first-class style, but all employed make good wages. I calculate the average earnings, say of two hundred people, comprising men, women, boys, and girls, ranging from 2s. 6d. per week up to £4, at eighteen shillings per week.

"The two-and sixpenny hands are girls of twelve years of age learning their trades, as we make it a rule to pay them from the day they enter the factory – taking them at the above age for twelve months as apprentices, giving them 2s. 6d. per week for the first six months, five shillings for the second six, ten for the third six, and so on; but wherever a girl or boy shows aptitude, as I am glad to say they often do, we are not bound by this law, but advance them more rapidly, as they deserve. A woman who knows her business as a tailoress can make from 30s. to 40s. per week, fifty-two weeks in the year, and unlike the old country (which, with all its faults, I still love), every child a man has here is a blessing, for each one brings something into the general coffer, instead of being a drain on it; and although I have and do employ a large amount of juvenile labour, I have not been a hard taskmaster, as my testimonials will prove. I am proud to say I hold some very handsome ones, subscribed by the labour I have been connected with in Victoria, and from which I have culled an efficient staff of teachers to assist me in this my new undertaking, and all of whom, with one exception, were my own apprentices, and have been in my employ from five to ten years, are all volunteers, and in the enjoyment of good salaries.

"It has always been a source of gratification to me to assist the deserving, by teaching them how to be self-dependent and independent, and if I should induce any who may find it a struggle to gain a livelihood in the old country to come and dwell here in this land of plenty, their prosperity will be my pleasure, and I shall be amply repaid for the slight trouble they may occasion me.

"Accept, dear Sir, my sympathy in your present undertaking, and believe me at all times ready to afford you information. Wishing you every success, – I remain very faithfully yours,

"J. F. ANDERSON,
Managing Partner in the firm of
HALLENSTEIN BROTHERS & CO.,
New Zealand Clothing Factory, Dunedin."

XVIII. STEWART'S ISLAND.

XXVIII.

STEWART'S ISLAND.

Land – Timber – Fish.

THE South Island, or Stewart's Island, is a portion of the province of Otago, and is about the size of Perthshire, very mountainous and densely wooded. In this island there are some of the finest harbours in the world, and it is rich in fish all round the coast and in the harbours. Shell-fish are caught in great quantities, and shipped by steamers trading from Invercargill to Dunedin. The Government lately invited Shetland and Orkney fishermen to settle there. Small grants of land were to be given, and boats and lines provided, with provisions for six months, but these kind efforts on the part of the Provincial Government to foster fishing-enterprise have not been responded to with energy, and, so far as real effort is concerned, they were not likely to do anything while the provisions lasted. After two months, none of them had cleared an acre, or planted a potato, or caught a fish, and yet the water is teeming with fish. I never heard of indolence displaying itself in a more unworthy and objectionable manner than had been done by these emigrant fishermen at Port-William.

If Stewart Island was in Europe, its coast would be as valuable as the fishing-banks of Newfoundland, and the island itself will become most valuable some day, from the number of its fine sheltered bays, rich soil, and heavy timber, suitable for ship-building purposes. There are about 25,000 acres of available land, which only require a thousand Nova Scotians to turn land and fish to good account.

"The whole country to the west and south-west of Port Ad-

venture is low and comparatively level for miles. The ironwood timber with which it is at present encumbered will, one would think, some day command a price that will pay for its removal; and then thousands of acres of good ground will be added to the productive resources of the island.

"The teeming abundance of fish in the bays and off the coasts of Stewart Island, the excellent edible qualities of some of the species, and the facility with which they are caught, offer unusual inducements to establish here a fishcuring industry on a large scale.

"The Barracouta, Thyrsites atun, & fish well known in Dunedin, is very abundant on rocky bottoms all round the island. With no other appliance than a slip of wood with a nail driven through it, and attached by a piece of cord to a supple rod, we caught them in Kaipipi Bay at the rate of one every minute.

"The Groper or Hapuka, Oligorus gigas, frequents deeper water, and is found in large numbers off Stewart Island. Its usual weight is from 30 to 60 lbs., sometimes attaining, however, according to Captain Hutton, a length of six feet, and weighing 120 lbs.

"We drew on board from 600 to 700 lbs. weight of this fish, in less than two hours, while becalmed one day.

"It was no unusual event with us, on raising our net in the morning, or late in the evening, two hours after setting it, to land 200 lbs. weight of fish of excellent quality, chiefly Moki, Latris ciliaris; Trumpeter, Latris hecateia; Blue Cod or Rock Cod, Percis colias; and Red Cod, Lotella bacchus.

"The Flounder, Rhombosolea monopus, is very common on the muddy bottom at the head of the bays and coves, and at the mouths of the creeks all round the coast. In addition to those mentioned above, we caught without much trouble a large number of Butter-fish and Kelp-fish – the former with hook and line, in Kaipipi Bay, the latter in our nets, along with the trumpeter and others already mentioned.

"Oysters of large size and good quality are found in great abundance in some of the bays. Cross and Scollay send annually a considerable supply into the Dunedin market. By judicious treatment and strict surveillance over the beds in the close season, this industry might also be largely developed.

"While in Paterson Inlet, we received from the Bluff a basket of fish that had been driven ashore there in immense numbers; covered the beach, we are told, for miles.

"They were, it appears, pursued by large herds of porpoises; and when, in their efforts to escape these, they approached the surface of the water, it was only to be pounced upon by the mutton-birds, which hovered over them in dense clouds, and literally covered the sea over a large area.

"The fish measures from 3 1/2 to 5 inches in length. It is closely allied to the English sprat, Harengula sprattus, if not a variety of it.

"In flavour our party considered it quite equal to the European sardine.

"From the abundance of this fish at certain seasons off the coast of Stewart Island, its excellent quality, and the facility of curing it, it should become, at some future time, the staple of an important industry." – Report by Dr. James G. Black.

XXIX. WAGES AND PROVISIONS.

XXIX.

WAGES AND PROVISIONS.

The following list of Wages Rates has been compiled from unimpeachable sources: –

TRADES.

Bakers

per week,

£2, 10s. to £3.

"

"

with board, 30s., 40s., and 50s. for 3d, 2d, and 1st hands.

Blacksmiths

per day,

10s. to 14s.

"

"

Shoers, 10s. to 12s.

"

"

Hammermen, 7s. to 8s.

Bootmakers

per week,

£3 to £3. 10s.

"

job work, per pair,

Wellingtons – making, 15s.; closing, 10s.

"

"

Watertights – making, 9s.; closing, 3s. 6d.

"

"

Elastic sides – making, 12s.; closing 9s.

Brewers

per week,

£3, 10s. to £4.

"

"

Maltsters, £3 to £4, 10s.

Brickmakers

per 1000 bricks,

18s., for tempering clay and making.

Builders

per day,

Stone-masons, 12s. to 14s.

"

"

Bricklayers, 15s.

Butchers

per week,

£2, 10s. to £3.

Cabinetmakers

per week,

£3 to £4.

Carpenters

per day,

11s. to 12s.

Coachbuilders

"

14s. to 15s.

"

"

Wheelwrights, 12s. to 14s.

Engineers

"

10s. to 14s.

Founders

"

12s. to 14s.

Gardeners,

"

8s. to 10s.

Millers

per week.

£3 to £3. 10s.

Painters – House

per day,

10s. to 12s.

" – Coach,.

"

12s. 6d. to 15s.

Paperhangers

"

10s. to 12s.

Plumbers,

"

12s.

Printers – Typographic

"

"

Compositors,

per 1000,

1s. 4d.

"

per week,

£3, 10s. to £3, 15s.

"

overtime, per hour,

2s.

Pressmen

per week,

£3, 10s. to £3, 15s.

"

overtime, per hour,

2s.

Overseers

per week.

£4 to £5.

Lithographic,

"

£3, 10s. to £4.

Paper-rulers

"

£4.

Saddlers,

"

£3 to £3, 15s.

"

piece work,

Collars, each, 8s.

"

"

best saddles, each, £3.

"

"

weekly average, £3.

Sail-makers

per day.

10s. to 12s.

Sawyers – Bush

per 100 feet,

4s.; average weekly earnings £3, 12s.

Sawmill hands,

per week,

£3 to £3, 10s.

"

"

Drawers out, £2, 14s.

"

"

Engineers, £3 to £3, 10s.

"

"

Foremen, £4, 10s.

Tailors,

"

. £3 to £3, 10s.

"

piece work,

Coats, double-breasted frock, 40s.

"

"

" single or walking, 28s. to 30s.

"

"

" sacs, 22s.

"

"

Vests, 10s. to 11s.

"

"

Trousers. 12s. 6d.

" cutters

per week.

£5.

Watch and Clockmakers Jewellers, etc.

"

£5.

FEMALE HANDS.

Shopwomen

per week,

£2 to £2, 10s.

Dressmakers

"

25s. to £2. 10s.

Milliners,

"

20s. to £2. 10s.

Needlewomen,

"

20s. to 30s.

Machinists: –

Crimean Shirtmakers,

piece work,

18s. per dozen, and other goods in proportion.

FARM AND STATION HANDS

Ploughmen

per annum,

£50 to £70, with rations.

General hands

"

£45 to £50.

Married Couples

"

£65 to £100.

Shepherds

"

£55 to £65.

Head do.

"

£80.

Stockmen,

"

£60,

Overseers,

per annum.

£100 to £120, with rations

Married couples: – Where wife cooks,

"

£70 to £80, "

Shearers,

per 100,

17s. to 20s.

DOMESTIC SERVANTS, ETC.

Female: –

Good general

per annum,.

£30 to £35.

Housemaids,

"

£35.

Cooks,

"

£36 to 40.

Nursemaids,

"

£25 to £35.

Laundresses,

per day,

5s. to 6s.

"

per doz.,

3s. to 5s.

The eight-hours' system is the universal rule for all kinds of day work, and in every trade. The warehouses close at 4 o'clock, and the shops at 6 o'clock (Saturdays excepted) throughout the year.

Both masters and men, employers and employed, have been consulted in the preparation of this list.

Prices of Provisions, etc. – All the necessaries of life are procurable at moderate rates. The following list of retail prices has been compiled from authentic sources, and may be relied on as being correct: –

Bread, best white, 7d. to 5d. per 4 lb. loaf.
Flour, per ton, £13.
Butter, 8d. to 10d. per lb., according to season.
Honey, 9d. to 1s. per lb.
Cheese, good Colonial, 1s per lb.
" English, 1s to 1s 6d. per lb.
Milk, 4d. per quart.
Oatmeal, per bag of 25 lbs., 5s.
Potatoes, per 100 lbs., 4s. to 5s.
Tea, from 2s. per lb.
Coffee, 1s 6d. per lb.
Sugar, 5d. to 6d. per lb.
Meat – mutton, 3d. per lb.
" beef, 4d. per lb.
Pork, 7d. to 9d. per lb.
Bacon, good Colonial, 1s per lb.
" English, 1s 3d. to 1s 6d. per lb.
Fowls, 4s. per couple.
Eggs, 1s per dozen, according to season.

Fish of various kinds are cheap and plentiful, large barracouta, weighing from 4 to 6 lbs., being sold at from 4d. to 6d. each.

Ale, good Colonial, of excellent quality and flavour, 2s. to 2s. 3d. per gallon, in small casks for domestic use.

PRINTED BY T. AND A. CONSTABLE, PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY,
AT THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS.

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REMITTANCES OF MONEY TO NEW ZEALAND.

THE BANK OF SCOTLAND issue at their HEAD OFFICE and BRANCHES,

FREE OF CHARGE,

LETTERS of CREDIT, payable in all the principal places in NEW ZEALAND, for the Use of Emigrants and Others.

TO EMIGRANTS AND COLONISTS.

THE NATIONAL BANK OF SCOTLAND issue BILLS of EXCHANGE, FOREIGN CREDITS, and DRAFTS, suitable for all kinds of Remittances to the COLONIES and FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

They are Payable in

Canada.
United States.
South America.
California.
West Indies.
Cape of Good Hope.
Egypt.
India.
Australia.
New Zealand.
China.
Japan.

NATIONAL BANK OF SCOTLAND.

The National Bank of New Zealand (Limited).

Incorporated 14th August 1872. under the "Companies Acts 1862 and 1867," and under an Act of the Session 1873 of the General Assembly of New Zealand.

HEAD OFFICE – 37 LOMBARD STREET, LONDON, E.C.

CAPITAL, £2,000,000, in 200,000 Shares of £10 each.

First Issue, 100,000 Shares, on which £3 10s. per Share has been called up – £350,000. – Number of Shareholders, 1645.

Directors

Chairman – CHARLES MAGNIAC, Esq., of Messrs Matheson & Co.
Deputy-Chairman – DUDLEY ROBERT SMITH, Esq., Banker.

Col. Sir Thos. Gore Browne, K. C. M. G.
Sir Charles Clifford.
Alexander Grant Dallas, Esq.
Isaac Earl Featherston, Esq.
William Smellie Grahame, Esq.
Edward Brodie Hoare, Esq.
John Morrison, Esq.
William Whitehead, Esq.

Manager – WILLIAM JOHNSTONE STEELE, Esq.
Bankers THE BANK OF ENGLAND and BRANCHES. MESSRS BARNETTS, HOARES, HANBURYS & LLOYD.
Solicitors – MESSRS FRESHFIELDS & WILLIAMS.
Auditors – Messrs QUILTER, BALL, & Co.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL AGENTS.

In China – Messrs Jardine, Matheson, & Co. In Calcutta – Messrs Jardine, Skinner, & Co. In Ceylon – Messrs Armitage Brothers, Colombo.In Singapore – Messrs Scott, Witham & Co. In Manilla – Messrs B. A. Baretto & Co. In Mauritius – Messrs Scott & Co. In Australia – The Oriental Bank Corporation. The Bank of South Australia. The English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank. The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. In Tasmania – The Commercial Bank of Van Diemen's Land. In New York – Messrs Howland & Aspinwall In San Francisco – The London & San Francisco Bank, Limited.

The Bank has Agents or Correspondents in all the principal Towns of England.

AGENTS IN SCOTLAND.
The Bank of Scotland.
The British Linen Company Bank.
The Aberdeen Town and County Bank.
The National Bank of Scotland.
The Clydesdale Banking Company.
The Caledonian Banking Company.

AGENTS IN IRELAND.

The Bank of Ireland.
The Provincial Bank of Ireland.
The National Bank.
The Royal Bank of Ireland.
The Belfast Banking Company.
Messrs Boyle, Low, Murray & Co., Dublin
Messrs Guinness, Mahon & Co., Dublin.

BRANCHES AND AGENCIES IN NEW ZEALAND.

ADAM BURNES, Esq., Inspector and General Manager, Wellington.

Auckland.
Balclutha.
Blenheim.
Cardrona.
Christchurch.
Coromandel.
Dunedin.
Grahamstown
Greymouth.
Hamilton.
Invercargill.
Lyell.
Napier.
Nelson.
New Plymouth.
Oamaru
Palmerston.
Port Chalmers.
Queenstown.
Reefton.
Riverton.
Switzers.
Taieri.
Tauranga.
Temuka.
Timaru.
Tokomairiro.
Wanganui
Wellington.
Winton.

THE LONDON OFFICE-

Grants Drafts on New Zealand payable on demand, or Bills of Exchange at Thirty or Sixty days' sight; and these may also be obtained of any of the Bank's Agents throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Receives Deposits of £50 and upwards, on terms to be ascertained on application.

Opens Current Accounts for the convenience of its New Zealand constituents.

Negotiates Drafts against Goods, on hypothecation of Bills of Lading, Invoices, and Insurance Policies.

Collects Bills payable in New Zealand.

Undertakes the Agency of constituents connected with New Zealand, the purchase and sale of New Zealand Government and other Securities, Shares, &c, receiving the same for safe custody, and drawing the Interest or Dividends thereon as they fall due; and

Conducts every other description of Banking business between London and New Zealand.

W. J. STEELE Manager.
37 LOMBARD STREET LONDON E. C. May 1874.

UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA.

ESTABLISHED 1837.

Paid-up Capital, £1,250,000. Reserve Fund, £400,000.

HEAD OFFICE BAITS BUILDINGS, LOTHBURY, LONDON.

COLONIAL BRANCHES.

VICTORIA.
Melbourne.
Geelong.
Ballarat.
Sandhurst.
Portland.

NEW SOUTH WALES.
Sydney.

QUEENSLAND.
Brisbane.
Rockhampton.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Adelaide.
Port Adelaide.

TASMANIA (VAN DIEMEN'S LAND).
Hobart Town.
Launceston.

NEW ZEALAND.
Auckland.
Wellington.
Napier (Hawke's Bay).
Gisborne (Poverty Bay).
Nelson.
Hokitika (West Coast).
Christchurch
Lyttleton (Canterbury).
Timaru
Dunedin
Oamaru (Otago).
Invercargill

The Bank grants Letters of Credit, or Bills at Three or Thirty Days' sight, upon its Branches, at the customary rates, on the money being deposited. Similar Letters of Credit may be procured from its Agents in all the principal towns throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Bank also negotiates, and sends for collection, Bills on the Colonies, the terms for which may be obtained on application at this Office.

AGENTS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
The National Provincial Bank of England.
The London and County Bank.
The Bank of Liverpool.
The Lancaster Banking Co.
Parr's Banking Co., Warrington, &c.
Messrs Swann, Clough, & Co., York.
Messrs Beckett & Co.,
Messrs Wm, Wms. Brown & Leeds, &c. Co.
The Halifax and Huddersfield Union Bank.
The Bradford Commercial Bank.
Messrs Garfit, Claypon, & Co., Boston, &c.
Moore & Robinson's Nottingham Banking Co.
Lloyd's Banking Co. Birmingham
The Town and District Bank,
The Birmingham Banking Co.,
The Northamptonshire Union Bank.
Messrs Bassett, Son, & Harris, Leighton Buzzard, &c.
Messrs Foster & Co., Cambridge, &c.
Messrs Bound, Green, & Co., Colchester.
Messrs Grant, Gilman, & Long, Portsmouth.
Messrs Maddison, Atherley, & Co., Southampton.
Messrs Cave, Baillie, & Co., Messrs Sir William Miles, Bristol
Bart., & Co.,
The West of England and South Wales District Bank.
The Gloucestershire Banking Company.
The County of Gloucester Bank.
The Devon and Cornwall Banking Co.
Messrs Bolithos, Sons, & Co., Penzance,
Messrs Tweedy, Williams, & Co., Truro,
Messrs J. M. Williams & Co., Bedruth,
Messrs Dingley & Co., Launceston, &c.
Messrs Vivian, Grylls, Kendall, & Co., Helston
The Bank of Ireland.
The Royal Bank of Ireland, Dublin.
The Northern Banking Company.
The National Bank of Scotland.
The Commercial Bank of Scotland.
The Union Bank of Scotland.
The City of Glasgow Bank.
The Clydesdale Bank.
The Aberdeen Town and County Bank.

JOHN BRAMWELL, Manager.

THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

Bankers to the General Government of New Zealand, the Provincial Government of Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, &c.

Paid-up Capital, £600,000. Reserve Fund, £180,000.

HEAD OFFICE – AUCKLAND.

Branches and Agencies: – In VICTORIA (AUSTRALIA) MELBOURNE.

IN NEW ZEALAND –

Akaroa.
Alexandra.
Arrow.
Ashburton.
Blenheim.
Carlyle
Charleston.
Christchurch.
Clutha-terry.
Coromandel
Cromwell.
Dunedin.
Gisborne.
Grahamstown.
Greenstone.
Greymouth.
Greytown.
Hokitika.
Invercargill.
Kaiapoi.
Lawrence.
Lyell.
Lyttelton.
Marton
Mataura.
Napier.
Naseby
Ngaruawahia.
Nelson.
New Plymouth.
Oamaru.
Palmerston.
Picton.
Queenstown.
Rangiora.
Reefton.
Riverton.
Ross.
Roxburgh.
Southbridge.
Stafford.
Tauranga.
Temuka.
Timaru.
Tokomairiro.
Waikouaiti.
Waitahuna.
Wanganui.
Wellington.
West Port.
Wetherston.

This Bank Grants Drafts on any of the above named places, and transacts every description of Banking Business connected with New Zealand and Australia on the most favourable terms.

The London Office receives Deposits at Interest for fixed periods, on terms which may be learned on application.

F. LARKWORTHY, Managing Director.
No. 52 OLD BROAD. STREET, LONDON, E. C.

THE OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY (LIMITED).

Incorporated under "The Companies Act, 1862."

Capital, £500,000, in 100,000 Shares of £5 each.

FIRST ISSUE, 50,000 SHARES.

Directors.

A. L. Elder, Esq. J. Harbottle, Esq. A. Morrison, Esq. J. R. Morrison, Esq. J. D. Thomson, Esq.

Auditors – J. Sawyer, Esq., C. H Robinson, Esq.
Bankers – The Bank of Scotland, for London and Scotland.

Committee in Otago.
W. J. M. Larnach, Esq. and A. W. Morris, Esq. (Manager

Bankers – The National Bank of new Zealand, Limited.
Offices – 5 ADAM'S COURT, OLD BROAD STREET, LONDON, E. C.

Agent in Edinburgh – JOHN AULD, Esq., W.S., 21 Thistle Street.

This Company receives Loans on Debentures, in sums of not less than £100, for 3 years and upwards, at 5 per cent, per annum, payable by Coupons at the Bankers of the Company in London, on 1st January and 1st July. These Loans are amply secured by the uncalled Capital of the Company, as well as by First Mortgages on Land and House Property in New Zealand, which are carefully selected by the Local Committee in Dunedin for all advances.

AFFLECK FRASER, Secretary.

FREE AND ASSISTED EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

P. Henderson & Co.'s Regular Line of Packets from Clyde to New Zealand.

[Ships and] Tons Regr.

CITY OF DUNEDIN.... 1084
WILLIAM DAVIE.....840
JAS. N. FLEMING.....992
PETER DENNY......997
CHRISTIAN M'AUSLAND.. 962
MARGARET GALBRAITH.. 841
HELEN BURNS....... 798
AGNES MUIR......851
WILD DEER.......1016
OTAGO.........992
JESSIE READMAN..... 962
CANTERBURY.....1250
DUNEDIN........ 1250
INVERCARGILL.....1250
WELLINGTON (building).. 1250
AUCKLAND (building)... 1250
NELSON (building).... 1250
ALBION (building).... 1250
SCOTIA (building).....1250

One of the above fine vessels leaves Clyde for Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, about once a month, under contract with the Agent of the Provincial Government.

These ships, built expressly for the New Zealand Passenger Trade, have splendid accommodation in the Poop for Cabin, and in the 'Tween-Decks for Steerage Passengers.

Free and assisted Passages are granted; application for which must be made to George Andrew, Esq., 3 Hope Street, Edinburgh.

A duly qualified Surgeon accompanies each ship.

Goods and Passengers taken at through rates to all other New Zealand ports. For Rates of Passage and further information apply to

P. HENDERSON & CO., 15 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow.

BOOKS ON EMIGRATION

Sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, 12 Bank Street.

GENERAL HINTS TO EMIGRANTS, containing Notices of the various Fields for Emigration; with Hints on Preparation for Emigrating, Outfits, &c. &c. With Directions and Recipes useful to the Emigrant. Map and Diagrams. 2s.

THE EMIGRANT'S GUIDE TO NATAL, by R. J. MANN, F. R. A. S., F. M. S. Map. 2s.

THE EMIGRANT'S GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland, by J. BAIRD, B. A. Map. 2s. 6d.

THE EMIGRANT'S GUIDE TO TASMANIA AND NEW ZEALAND, by J. BAIRD, B. A.. 2s.

The above two volumes, 12mo, cloth boards, price 5s., under the general title of –

THE EMIGRANT'S GUIDE TO AUSTRALASIA, comprising Australia (New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland), Tasmania, and New Zealand1. By the Rev. J. BAIRD, B. A. With Maps of Australia and New Zealand.

AGENT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF OTAGO.

JOHN AULD, ESQ., WRITER TO THE SIGNET, EDINBURGH.

OFFICE 3 HOPE STREET, EDINBURGH.

All Communications to be addressed to the office.

George ANDREW, Secretary.

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