Some keywords in the header are a local Electronic Text Collection scheme to aid in establishing analytical groupings.
Only material relevant to the scholarly edition of the poetry of
It is very important to the rapid progress of this settlement, that practical information relative to its agricultural capabilities, should extensively be made known. Some persons in a thoughtless mood and others with malicious purpose, have made statements relative to the expense of clearing our wood lands, which have had the effect of keeping at home several well instructed in the business of farming, possessed of means sufficient to enable them to apply their knowledge with good advantage among us, whose purpose it was to be with us, and who would have been here before this time had they not been possessed of the false impressions under which they now labour.
We have been informed that persons have written home, declaring that it would cost £40 to clear an acre of land in New Zealand. Sometime since we saw a letter in an English paper, containing a statement to the same effect, and we remember hearing a sanguine man, long since deceased, make a similar declaration, but with the qualification that “even at such a cost, the pursuit of agriculture, would be profitable in this country.” Not one of these parties had cleared an acre of ground, and though they may all be good agriculturalists, they were all equally ignorant of a bush or colonial life, their testimony was therefore valueless. But it is a common practice to confound agricultural knowledge with a knowledge of clearing land, which a moments reflection will convince any person, that the two kinds of knowledge have no necessary connection, and that the one may be possessed in perfect ignorance of the other. This confusion however exists, and has had a mischievous effect, to counteract which every effort should be made. We are not aware of any efforts that would meet the case so perfectly as furnishing the actual necessary expenses which have been incurred by those of our settlers, who have proceeded to deal with the bush in a truly business like manner. There are many who are now most industriously employed in waring with the bush, who complain that they lack congenial neighbours with whom to combine in overcoming many evils only to be cured by the aid of a joint power. To these gentlemen we say, furnish the inducement, and you will soon be possessed of social intercourse, and the requisite powers of combining to obtain those means of communication you so much need. That inducement would be aided by a statement of amount of your own outlay, and the probable profit which will ensue. We are happy in being able to say, we have noticed that instead of having been dismayed by an acquaintance with the bush, our settlers with increasing knowledge, increase in confidence of the result of their arduous, energetic and manly pursuit. Under these circumstances we feel confident that the results will be most satisfactory, and we hope at no distant date, we shall have been provided with a mass of facts on the important subject, bringing conviction to the mind of every man, that if he will go to work in the right manner, he will find agriculture as profitable as it is healthful in New Zealand.
We have inserted in another part of our paper an extract
from a very long letter written by
Look at the seemingly useless swamps covered with an
abundance of wealth in the shape of phormium tenax which, were
the spirit of enterprise awakened enough to rouse every
energy; might be converted into gold-and yet in a proper
manner. It is true an association was formed to try and have
it brought to some use; but like all infantile and hasty
attempts to arrive at something great, it began its proceeding
not only at the wrong chapter, but exactly at the wrong end of
the book. Much indeed has been said, and hinted at through
the medium of our columns, but all to no purpose, since
nothing has been done; machines too have been reported to have
been made for preparing it by one or two individuals, who
seemed to have had their eyes fixed upon the meteor prize,
without examining the course they thought to pursue, and
without directing their aim, and trying hastely to grasp the
prize have failed in the attempt. After more than twelve
months experimenting, and carefully investigating the
principles of preparing the New Zealand (not for
spinning, as some may suppose, but for exportation) I
venture to say that I have arrived at that conclusion, that
had I the means to finish what I have begun every one in the
colony would have reason to rejoice. As I think there is
nothing more detestable in human nature than a monopolizing of
all advantages to one’s self, when a whole community can be
benefited by them, without hurting the source whence they
flow, I would be happy to offer my services where I saw a
corresponding spirit of enterprise existing on the part of
others, who would be willing under my directions to put the
work into immediate execution. One instrument could be made
for a few shillings, according to a model I could show about
the size of a pocket snuff box, but even this when compared to
another made to work on a different principle, though it
should cost as many pounds, would not be so profitable in many
respects. I do not pretend to say, however, what the amount
of it would cost; nor would I proceed to make it myself, even
though I were paid, because I am no mechanic, and therefore,
unskilled in the handling of tools with that necessary
exactness requisite to give justice to the working of the
machine. But what I would advise, to go the right way to
work, would be productive of much good, and even though a
failure should happen it would neither be great or hurtful.
As it is prudent in all things to be economical, therefore the
plan that I would advise, I trust, will be appreciated and
wrought upon. Let a company be formed, say of about 200 or
300 or more shares, at five or ten shillings each, the half of
each share paid into the hands of a treasurer on subscribing,
and let two or three of the committee as may be appointed,
such as Mr. Boyton, or others who understand something of
machinery but such as have not yet tried their powers of
invention on flax machines - let them wait on me after giving
a weeks notice, and if they show that the company will
guarantee to set about the work without fail, (as the cost
cannot at most be much) at least of a machine in a small form;
so that the company may have the satisfaction of judging for
themselves before anything greater be attempted, I will unfold
my plans and give every necessary information on the subject.
But let it be understood that may plans only are to be
followed up, and the expense of workmanship and materials, to
be defrayed from the funds subscribed. As for myself I should
feel exceedingly happy at seeing the work completed, such,
Mr. Editor is all that I, as one of the community can do, for
the welfare of the Colony, and I trust, that the offer I this
make will be duly appreciated by a discerning public.