The report of the Peers' Committee on "The Present State of New Zealand and the Expediency of Regulating the Settlement of British Subjects Therein" has been in our possession for a considerable time, but from various causes we have been unable until now to address ourselves to the very brief and indefinite resolutions of which it exclusively consists, and still less to the voluminous appendix of evidence whereon that resolution has been founded. Whether the colonial possessions of the Crown ought or ought not to be extended is a question which their Lordships purposely abstain from giving any opinion about, and after declaring that "the exertions which have already beneficially affected the rapid advance of the religious and social condition of the aborigines page 29affords the best present hopes of their future progress in civilisation," they simply subjoin a recommendation that those exertions ought to receive support "in whatever way it may be deemed most expedient to afford it." This is in truth the sum, and nearly the ipsissima verba, of their report. In other words, while it distinctly appears from the evidence that the beneficial exertions in question are none other than those of the Church and Wesleyan Missionary Societies, the noble committee cautiously decline to state what kind of support should be given to these exertions, through what agency or channels it should be conveyed, from what quarter, private or public, it should emanate, as well as under what regulation it should be placed. From all this we are entitled to infer that the divers colonisation schemes, prospective profits, and Arcadian visions of the New Zealand Association have found marvellously small favour in their Lordships' eyes—an inference which we feel confirmed in by the fact that that sordid imposture has received this dry treatment from the committee, not in the absence of abundant evidence in its favour, but in spite of the earnest and tradesmanlike evidence of many of its office-bearers and expectants, who from one cause or another constitute a majority of the witnesses. But, although the terms on which the committee have reported the result of their inquiry is sufficiently laconic and vague, it is due to their Lordships to say that their numerous interrogatories were put throughout with admirable precision, depth, and consecutiveness. Each of the witnesses had a full and dispassionate hearing—in some instances even to repletion. A few of them, we suspect, had a rather fuller examination than they altogether cared for; while the New Zealand philanthropists, who are understood to court publicity for their plans, were favoured with such a flattering scrutiny as entitles the substance thereof to be transferred to our columns, which shall be done for them by-and-bye with a candid and impartial hand. Before proceeding, however, to an analysis of their evidence, there are various little facts and cross lights elicited by the committee which, as serving to illustrate the true objects of the New Zealand Association, have a prior claim on our notice. Be it known that the Earl of Durham, as head of a certain mercantile company, lays a claim to about a million of acres, wheedled out of the native chiefs, at a price not exceeding £50 for the whole. With a view of getting this transaction ratified and legalised, his Lordship agrees that in the event of the association obtaining a charter from Parliament or the Crown, the immense territory thus grasped at by himself and partners shall, for a suitable consideration, be disposed of to that body, with whom he has not only joined in trade, but actually adjusted the terms of the transference to the satisfaction of both parties. His Lordship, in contradistinction to Baron Thierry, who is also a large claimant may be designated, not unfitly, Baron Practice. In fact, the French Admiral's pretensions are as nothing, compared with those of the noble Earl; and if any persons have wondered what it could be that made Mr Gibbon Wakefield such a pushing abettor of this New Zealand job, the circumstance of that gentleman being taken by his Lordship under his vice-regal wing to Canada as a temporary solatium for the non-realisation of their Polynesian hopes, affords a disclosure intelligible, we think, to the blindest bat in Christendom. Again, one of the witnesses examined by their Lordships was Lord Petre, a committeeman of the New Zealand Association. His Lordship, a very downright personage, while acknowledging that he is "not very minutely acquainted with the objects and plans of that body," frankly declares not only that "the members who attended its meetings are interested;" but, having an intention of sending out one or two of his own sons, "he expects pecuniary advantage therefrom;" and adds, "all the gentlemen I have been in communication with seemed to view it in much the same light as I did myself." Moreover, "one or two connections" of his Lordship "having large families" have spoken to him very seriously upon the subject, considering it likely to furnish office or land or employment for them; in short, that it would be "advantageous to their general prospects." Identified with Lord Petre in aim and expectancy, though much more chary in confessing it, is a Dr G. S. Evans, page 30an active partner of the New Zealand firm, whose evidence is given at great length. This gentleman, it appears, is a barrister "not now practising"; but, although he is "living on his property," he is so satisfied that a change might better the circumstances of his family that, provided arrangements can be made for their "comfortable existence," he is determined to emigrate to New Zealand with his wife and children. Doubtless a barrister might chance to be very useful there. Various offices must probably be set a-going and salaried, which none other than an able gentleman could fill. Moreover, the existing European settlers, whatever their successors may be, are little better than lawless depredators. Even the natives, with all their advanced civilisation, are but a litigious set of rogues at best. Wherefore, as there must be no lack of practice for a sound and experienced lawyer, it is not surprising that Dr Evans should be casting about for a share of it in reasonable time, especially as he declares that unless quick work be made in chartering out the association, "next year we fear the colony will fall into the hands of adventurers." The learned pleader conceives that convict labour or slavery is absolutely indispensable to the establishment of the settlement. But the most remarkable evidence of all is that of the Rev. Dr Hinds, a clergyman of the Established Church, who has embarked in the association, and given his testimony with such original views of justice and morality as entitles it to distinguished attention. The rev. gentleman, being, of course, unaware that the Committee of the Church and Wesleyan Missionary Societies have loudly protested against his darling project, declares that their New Zealand Missionaries, differing from their respective boards (of which there is not the slightest proof), "are decidedly witnesses in his favour." And, besides being a strenuous advocate for the Christianisation of the aborigines, Dr Hinds assured their Lordships that "even a bishopric is proposed," with the view of facilitating that object; whereupon, on the committee reminding this gentleman that his association's bill only provided that emigrants might be permitted to apply for the appointment of a bishop—a privilege which they would surely possess irrespective of any such permission at all—the reverend deponent, finding that he had presumed too much on the ignorance of his interrogators, was fain to reply, with somewhat baffled brevity, "Just so." It is also asserted by this disinterested and respectable clergyman that the projects of the New Zealand Association are to be prosecuted on a trust footing, as it were, for the ultimate benefit of the natives; nay, he even goes the length of saying that "the New Zealander, as soon as he is capable of it, may become Chief Justice, Governor, or Bishop, or hold any other office!" Just so, Dr Hinds, and may we all live to see it.—The Times (London), October 19, 1838.

Anglo-Zealand Lottery.

A novel and interesting scene might have been witnessed on Monday at the rooms of the New Zealand Land Company. The purchasers of land in the first township of New Zealand, or their representative, had met to see the drawing of lots by which the order of choice was to be determined. Persons of rank and both sexes had then and there assembled. Lords and "gentlemen well born and bred, with ladies fair" matrons and maidens, were met to try their fortune, among grave men of business and of science, comprising not a few who, with Penn's faith, inherited his colonising propensities. Ladies were perhaps the most daring speculators; but the fact that in the course of five weeks £100,000 had been paid by persons of all ranks for 100,000 acres of land lying somewhere near the Antipodes, and not yet even surveyed, proves that the colonising spirit for which the Anglo-Saxon race have always been renowned yet lives and gains strength in Britain. Perched on a table at one end of the room stood a beautiful boy, about to dispense the gifts of fortune from a couple of tin boxes. For an anxious moment, as each lot came forth, doubtless the imagination of many stretched far into futurity, and they beheld in their mind's eye splendid towns, with churches, theatres, market places, page 31docks crowded with argosies, even palaces and parks, in the land of promise. It was remarkable the purchasers of many sections and large tracts of land were unfortunate, while they who had bargained for single sections and the representatives of the natives obtained priority of choice. For the first time in undertakings of this kind was the welfare of the natives really regarded. The missionaries, as Dr Lang tells us, took care of themselves. The New Zealand Company have set aside for the benefit of the aborigines one-tenth of all the surveyed lands in town and country. Their portion on Monday was 11,000 acres, which, as the orders are already at a premium, bears the proportionate value of £12,000. It is also worthy of mention that their lots of land are mixed up with the white man's lots, so that their chance of civilisation is much better than if they were banished to a "Black town" on the frontiers. Whenever a good number for the natives was announced, the assembly invariably cheered.—Spectator, August 3, 1839.

In a communication from the chairman of the New Zealand Company to Lord Stanley, dated January 25, 1843, he writes:— "Although the company by way of recompense for the moment and to comply with the exigencies of public opinion, has paid down what, according to received notions, was a sufficient price, the real worth of the land they thought they gave only when they reserved as a perpetual possession for the natives a portion equal to one-tenth of the land which they had purchased from him. This was a price which could not be squandered away at the moment, but which as time passed on the inalienable value must continually and immensely increase for his benefit and that of his children. Heir of a patrimony so large, the native chief, instead of contemplating European neighbours with jealous apprehension, as a race destined to degrade and oust him, will learn to view with delight the presence, the industry, and the prosperity of those who, on labouring for themselves, could not but create an estate to be enjoyed by him without toil and risk. Nor is this design confined to barren speculation. In every settlement which we have formed, a portion equal to one-tenth of town as well as rural allotments has always been reserved for the natives. In the lottery by which the right of selection was determined the natives had their fair chance and obtained their portion of the best numbers."

The Empire City In 1839.

John Pearce, who sailed for New Zealand on board the Duke of Roxburgh from New Plymouth, October 5, 1839, writes under date April 6, 1840:— "This place, which is Port Nicholson, is 12 miles from the mouth of the harbour to the beach, which is three miles. Out of this runs a river through a rich valley 50 miles up country. To-day we go to Thorndon. Thorndon Bay is a delightful place. It is eight miles across the harbour, and forms a complete amphitheatre, bounded on three sides by the sea, good anchorage, and safe shelter for any number of ships;. excellent water, good clay, and, it is said, plenty of coal, iron, and limestone. Vegetation seems constantly going on. In our garden parsley grows in abundance down nearly to low-water mark. The natives never think about seasons. They never dig, but take a piece of wood and root up the ground and turn over the soil, and if there are eight potatoes they take up seven, and just cover the one over and leave it to grow. We finally left the ship on the 6th March, Colonel Wakefield lending me a tent for a shed. On Saturday I gave three yards of calico for a pig 401b weight. The part which I sold brought me 12s. On Saturday night it rained tremendously, and we were as badly off as if we were in the open air. I sat three hours with an umbrella over Mrs Pearce, after which we rolled ourselves up in our blankets and slept soundly. The next morning was as gay as possible, and we felt no cold. People here do not take cold as in England. I commenced business on Monday, the 9th. The Glenbervie and Adelaide arrived in port at night. I have now the wooden house up, and am very page 32comfortable. It is the first house in town. The bank is to open on Thursday. The land is going up very much. One town acre sold this morning at £300, and all seems going on well. Prices are hardly yet settled. Flour, 6d per lb. I had the first bullock consigned to me, and sold him at 1s per lb. Sugar, 6d; tea, 5d; coffee, 2s. Wine cheap, spirits cheap; ale and porter, 2s per bottle. Clothes and shoes will be very dear, but there is hardly any saying what will be the settled price, as there is not a day passes but that some one or two ships arrive from Sydney with general cargoes. Saturday the first horses were landed, which had a prodigious effect on the natives. There is likely to be abundance of labour. Capital seems flowing in from all parts. Already we have one ship from Port Philip, one from Launceston, one from Hobart Town, and one from Adelaide, and eight or ten from Sydney, and schooners and coasters in lots. There are no reptiles or venomous thing of any kind. There is abundance of the finest fish in the world, so that anyone may live as cheaply as he wishes. There is no corroding care. The natives are pleased. I could fill ten sheets if time allowed me."—MS. letter addressed Mr John Sabell, Birmingham, in Record Office, Sydney.

New Zealand Colonisation Scheme.—Mr Polack, Etc.
From The Times (London), April 5, 1839.

Considering the eager avarice and extensive machinations of the New Zealand Associationists, it would be marvellous indeed if they could not command the usual Old Bailey exculpation by suborning the customary number of witnesses to swear them a decent character. Not that the whole of their members are all alike implicated in the fabrication of such evidence; by no means. We are quite sure that Sir George Sinclair and Mr Francis Baring, who have unaccountably got themselves mixed up with the venture, would heartily despise anything of the kind. But the more selfish and bustling managers of the case are men of a different kidney. For the most part they are the victims of desperate fortunes or of a distempered optimism; in other words, a motley confederation of embarrassed speculators and credulous dupes, who, being united under a specious but unreal harmony of purpose, are prosecuting by common concert incompatible objects, according as their vice or virtues incline them. Here, as in most plots of a similar kind, the evil influence predominates. In proportion as the upright are lulled into an inert confidence, their artful deceivers are mischievously active, and accordingly the exculpatory evidence adduced before the Peers' Committee exhibits ample proof of the skill and industry employed getting it up. We appeal to the record itself. One of the most prominent witnesses in favour of the scheme is a Mr Joel Samuel Polack, a worthy and wandering offshoot of the seed of Abraham. The said Joel, a retailer of ardent spirits to the sailors and fugitives in New Zealand, having sworn that he has not kept a "grog shop," covers his loaded stomach with the following unpaid-for depositions:— "Resided six years in New Zealand. Understands the language, but, though conversing often with the natives, learned from Europeans that colonisation would be liked much by the New Zealanders. The introduction of more Europeans would be looked upon by them as a mode of introducing quiet into the country. Bought five pieces of land from them. When negotiating the purchase they said, 'You are going to steal our land from us!' Native population in New Zealand has decreased. Swears that the principal cause is infanticide, and yet also swears that the 'principal cause' of the decrease was the wars on the first introduction of firearms! Wars have increased since Europeans have been there, but not through Europeans. Cannot account for the wars having increased. It is supposed that the Europeans have caused it." There is, however, one thread of truth in honest Joel's web. "Ladies," he says, "do not like celibacy in New Zealand." This, we think, may be reasonably true; but, whether or not, we are scandalised to find, according to another respectable page 33deponent, that so crack a witness in favour of colonisation is not to be 'believed, "under any circumstances, even upon his oath." We therefore feel released from disturbing this worthy Israelite's testimony; only we must add that the New Zealand Associationists seem to have had no great bargain of him. The fact is, that in his anxiety to earn their protection of his land purchases, he has literally destroyed them with over-feeding; though, as far as he himself is concerned, his character, we have no doubt, is just as good as ever it was. But there are other exculpatory witnesses of much higher consideration; and if we are constrained to hold their testimony quite as cheap as Joel's, it is not because we question their veracity, but because we distrust their judgment. Here, however, we must make a decided exception on behalf of J. Z. Nicholas, Esq., who, although favourable to the formal establishment of a colony, on account of the irregular and lawless way in which New Zealand is now being colonised by stealthy adventurers, declares that the natives "who would not object to sell their land would still object to having the government transferred from their chiefs" into their hands; which is just tantamount to saying that, as far as New Zealand is concerned, the interference of the association, if not of Downing street itself, ought to be resolutely cashiered. There are, however, divers deponents by whom the plans of the association are more tenderly dealt with. For example, Mr John Platt, who, happening to be no longer employed by the Church Missionary Society, and expressing his willingness to undertake another engagement to New Zealand, if Providence were presenting one (have the association no snag appointment that might suit?), endeavours to give that latter body an important lift by doing what he can to disparage the labours of his other colleagues, the missionaries, by whom the association has been so successfully opposed and forestalled as to have induced the Peers' Committee to report that their "exertions" are entitled to the "support of her Majesty's Government," as pre-eminently "beneficial to the rapid advancement of the religious and social condition of the aborigines." Mr John Flatt is somewhat sharp upon this head. Acknowledging, as he is constrained to do, that "the labours of the missionaries have upon the whole been successful," he nevertheless gives a hitch to the association as follows:— "The chiefs are anxious to sell their land. It might not be proper to reserve certain districts for the natives, unless they would cultivate those reserves; but they are not in the habit of cultivating more than is absolutely necessary. Secular things press so heavily upon the missionaries on behalf of their children that their labours have not had all the effect which they might otherwise produce. At present they are cultivating their land. To use the words of the Rev. Henry Williams, they are just holding on for their children, seeing that they have no other prospects. The missionaries who purchase land are only those having large families. The native children do not receive much at present of Christian doctrines. The instruction devolves almost wholly upon the wives of the missionaries, and having their domestic duties and their own families to attend to, they do not give much time to it."

Take that, ye self-denying and calumniated, messengers of peace! And be all the more thankful that it comes from your ancient fellow-labourer and friend, Mr John Flatt! It is, however, a solace to these inestimable men that nearly all the other witnesses bear an honourable testimony to their indefatigableness and successful labours; while, with respect to the Wesleyan Missionaries, it is declared by one gentleman who had ample opportunities of knowing the religious attachment of the natives under their care, that "he saw the greatest display of Christian feeling that could be imagined among such people," and beheld "five hundred of them assembled at public worship particularly attentive and decorous." But Mr John Flatt, having gratified the association by a blow at the church missionaries, prosecutes his lawful calling as follows:— "If emigrants of respectability and pious persons could be induced to go there (if there is an opening), their labours would be as productive of good as the missionaries." "Does not think that the emigrants need be page 34confined to respectable people alone, for if the majority were respectable it might have a good influence upon the remainder and keep them within the bounds of moderation. If any number of persons going out were accompanied by some system and regulation of law (exactly, John, what the association professes to provide), I believe that the New Zealanders would receive them with open arms." So much for this worthy servant of all work, who, happening to be out of a place just now, is manifestly a candidate for employment with the usual willingness to make himself "generally useful." The association, doubtless, will not lose sight of this, especially as John has a thirty years' written character, which was produced for the edification of the Peers' Committee, and understands, moreover, "the management of a farm." Judging, however, by the tenor of their Lordships' report on the missionaries and in favour of missionary labour in New Zealand, it would appear that the association has not taken much change out of John's evidence, and therefore without subjecting him to a cross-examination we proceed to another witness. The Rev. Samuel Hinds, D.D., a clergyman of the Established Church, who has no personal knowledge or experience of the New Zealanders, or experimental knowledge in any shape or form, is called in, and deposes as follows:—

"He is a committee member of 'The Association,' is favourable to colonising, because numbers of respectable and provident persons, putting confidence in our publications, would emigrate immediately, especially from Scotland; and this feeling amounts to a claim upon the British Parliament to expose the unsoundness of those publications: no, but to improve their circumstances, which require some change for the better." Here the learned doctor distinctly admits that what he strenuously advocates is mainly a monetary consideration for bettering other people's circumstances, and in order that there may be no mistake touching the extent to which the graspings of avarice are to be facilitated and practised by the associationists he declares, as an additional reason for embarking in his favourite enterprise, that "capitalists can hardly employ their capital so as to sufficiently remunerate them by an investment in this country." It would therefore appear, according to this heavenly-minded gentleman, that neither railways, nor canals, nor insurance offices, nor waterworks, nor gas companies, nor house property, nor land purchases, nor East India bonds, nor bank stock, nor any form of known investment, nor any amount of realisable profit in this country can satisfy the ravenous pecuniary cravings of the class for whose benefit Dr Hinds's association is constituted. What sort of a quid pro quo the poor New Zealanders are likely to get by this sordid and rapacious adventure we need not stay to conjecture. But, as the doctor tells us (contradicted by the Rev. Mr Wilkinson, who had been upon the spot) that "the natives have little or no chance of civilisation at the present," we infer that the great equivalent that they are to receive for being swindled out of their territory and deprived of their sovereign rights is that species of civilisation as an exemplary encouragement to which Dr Hinds put forth the following novel principles of Christian morality:— "Lord Durham's million of acres (which, according to Mr E. Baring, were purchased for £40 or £50) are to be transferred to the association, and are considered to have been fairly purchased. As regards future transactions, we propose that a purchase should be made of the Sovereignty as well as of the fee-simple of the land." Of course, they will be conducted on the same scale of upright bargaining and fairness of equivalent which the doctor had previously honoured with his high moral sanction. But hear how he proceeds: "The only principle which it is important to maintain is this— 'If you go into a country inhabited by savages, and take possession of their land and become sovereigns of it, you infringe their rights.' (By what, good Doctor? Not by the act of plunder itself) if you do not consider their benefit as well as your own. If you were treating a child (to take possession of his land, observe, for that is the point in question) you would not infringe the rights of the child simply by acting and deciding for him; but you would infringe his rights if you acted and decided for your benefit and not his. So page 35with respect to savages." Let the country take this as a specimen of what the New Zealand Association really is. A highwayman has only to declare that he takes possession of your purse for your own benefit as well as his, and if he leave you a sovereign or two your rights are not infringed. This is the homily of Dr Hinds.

Sailed for New Zealand, Samuel Winter; Robertson, master. Passengers: Rev. Mr and Mrs Mason, Mr and Mrs Palmer, Messrs Murray, Cormac, Weavil, Ballingal, Brodie, and Foster; and 17 in the steerage.—Sydney Customs records, October 22, 1839.

[This appears to be the first indication of settlement immigration to New Zealand.]

Colonisation Of New Zealand.

We warn the humbler classes of British society to receive all the accounts of emigration with caution and distrust. Let them weigh well and make many inquiries before they quit the places of their birth, even deformed as they now are with prisons, workhouses, etc. New Zealand is an infinitely greater distance than Upper Canada, and to this more remote region we see vast temptations held out to the sons and daughters of labour in this country. Are there no miseries of the middle class in this case? We know that those who tempt emigration have just as great an interest in the work as those who took their victims from the warmer climate of Africa. They are become purchasers of vast tracts of land, the worth of which must entirely depend upon their being cultivated. We observe in a morning paper of Monday a flourishing account of a grand dejeuner given at the West India Dock Tavern by a company "who have purchased 600,000 acres from the aborigines," and are on the point of despatching a vessel to that new land of promise. The soil is rich, the climate divine, the natives "not only exceedingly friendly," but impatient to offer a reception to their new guests. Yet we observe that the vessel which is now upon the point of sailing for that region carries "eight guns, abundance of ammunition, and, though she carries no merchandise except such as shall be fit for barter with the natives, her crew considerably exceeds the average number for such a ship. This is one of the methods, we suppose, by which amicable feelings are indicated. Mr Hutt, the chairman of the company, officiated as chairman at this banquet also. Lord Durham, forgetful, we apprehend, of the account which he had already given of the blessing of emigration to Canada, graced the board with his presence and the project with his approval. Lord Petre and Sir George Sinclair were also present, and each stated that he was going to send a son; and no doubt the possessions which they had purchased may require the superintendence of those whose nearest connexions have so great an interest at stake. But what interest has the labouring emigrant that should drag him from his native home? "The blessed truths of the Gospel are to be there also diffused; their object," it is said, "is to instruct, and not to enslave—to protect, and not to exterminate." Such are the expressions of Sir George Sinclair. "To instruct," we suppose, from the mouths of eight cannon, "to diffuse Gospel truths" by a larger ship's crew than is generally to be found, and prepared with "abundance of ammunition." Our motive in these remarks is to instruct our countrymen at Home also, not to be deceived by specious pretences and pompous narratives. There is nothing said in favour of this expedition which we do not recollect to have been said in recommendation of those the issue of which Lord Durham has described. The object of the New Zealand expedition is the acquisition of wealth to a few at the expense of life and health to the many.—The Times, London [May 1, 1839].