THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTE. NOV. 4, 1863.

We have-always taken pleasure in no ting the progress of any place, and espe cially the locality where we reside. We might instance, many little things in this way connected with our Settlement, and wecould as readily point out many little drawbacks, not the least of which is the nbsence of any regular trading vessel to this and neighbouring ports; repeatedly during the last few months have we fallen short of stores from this reason ; sometimes nay frequently, there are contrary winds, jand'other causes not worth here referring to, the result is that several times our peo ple have suffered severely from this cause, iiay are actually suffering while we write.

Thereis a ray of hope that some im provement will take place in this respect, for-we read with considerable pleasure the speech of his Honor the, Superintendent, on opening the |6th session of the Pro vincial Council on the 25th ult., but the passages we quote below are fraught with Importance to the numerous settlers in and aroud this district:

"I regret exceedingly that owing to the great pressure of public business, T have been unable to carry qut^xny intention of visiting the Northern part 6f the prol- ince, but trust that I may be able to do so at an eariy date.

The growing trade and importance of Kai para and other districts to the North, renders if; very desirable that a subsidy should be of fered for suitable steamers to rim between that port and Manukau on the West Coast, wnd between the. Bay of Islands, Wang-arei, jMatakana, Mahuraughi and the East Coast."

We are glad to see that the Government Sftj #Hve to the importance of the Kaipara,

~ ~ . the.large'bodies of settlers located within this district belonging to the Albertliind , party, to say nothing- of the-numerous Country Land-holders on the Kaipara, the Wairoa and the Otamatea rivers, are now consuming large quantities of stores, and will shortly be in a position to export produce "of various kinds, and for this a means of transit will be required; thus this great boon will be a necessary one, and we shall look with great anxiety to the discussion of the project by the Council. We have inserted the proceedings of the Council on the 9th ult. wherein our inter ests have been discussed. Whether we shall get either a tram-road or a steamer remains to be seen, but Mr. A. O'Neill the member for the Northern Division, has taken the first steps towards opening out a means of transit, and we presume a sur vey will be made in accordance with the motion carried on that occasion. We cannot however help observing that the long-projected road to Mahuranghi would be more direct, and in every way more convenient us far as the Albertlanders are concerned, and we trust it will be comple ted at no distant period, whether we get the additional boon or not, and there is little room for doubt that both projects are equally desirable and necessary. Indeed if some step be not speedily ta ken, there is a danger lhat Auckland will lose the principal part of the trade, as the difficulties endured by the people have been such that they have had it in con templation to endeavor to open a trade with Sydney.* As to the feasibility of this idea, we are not just now prepared to con sider. ■'■'/.■"'• We meant, when we began to write, to say something about his Honor calling to see us in the course of his tour. Our space 'will not allow us to say more than that his presence would be welcome to every man on the block, and we feel sure he would derive considerable pleasure from the visit.

THE TOWN LANDS.

" The Daemon of the settlement," it has been said, "is selfishness," It might be more cor rect to say the daemon of human nature. Theologians have come to the conclusion that it is the one all-embracing sin of our fallen humanity, while moralists have coolly affirm ed that it is the only dominant principle in men's motives and actions. Practical!}'- we find it .to be tire one great stuHiblmg-blocit in the way of all that is truly great. It is when we listento these varied assertions, that we are forced, ever more resisflessly to the con viction that it is not less an imperative duty than an arduous task, to banish this said daemon from both our personal and our social life. ■

With whatever mistakes and failures, it is on this principle that the attempt has been made to use and dispose of the Town Lands of Port Albert. If the Settlers have been seeking supremely their own self-interest, it has been in violation of higher, honourable principles avowed, and not with admitted and base servility to this demon passion. It may however be accepted as some eyi

that selfishness has-not ruled alone' in'this matter, that scarcely any of !the<sections of Suburban Land have been takenythe conditi ons "being" felt* by several who desire- these lands, as too hard, and the price too high; al-o several who had taken Town lots, have relinquished them for the same reason. The practical result of .the Conditions is that iv a very short time, all the sections in Market street, numbering 25, and some in tlic adjoin ingl street, will both be under cultivation and have more or less substantial houses erected on them. We can bear to be' regarded as. fanciful and visionary, or as insincere and self-deluded in maintaining some principles, that rise above ordinary commercial self interest so long as the restrictions the settlers have imposed on themselves in reference to, their own Town Lands are actually curbing their tendencies to speculative aggrandise ment, and at the same time promoting the general good. Month by month Port Albert wears more and more the aspect of a pleasant and industrious village, and will doubtless make still more rapid strides than it has done, now that the government reserve is surveyed and laid out in unison with the occupied and projected streets of our own. It has long been the wish of many at Port Albert to meet the views of our Albertland: friends in Auckland, in reference to their pos session of some of these Town Lands A/ suggestion has beenmade that mi^ht probably accomplish this; viz: that a distinct position should be set aside for their exclusive pur chase at an equitable price. It might very naturally be desired by those who will long have been associated together in Auckland,, that either in coming to reside, or holding property here, they should have their sections contiguous ; just as the settlers in Port Albert have maintained a similar claim, and thereby secured a real street, instead of being scat tered at random over a square mile of land. We are enabled to state that the trus ees are all favourable to this project, and if it should meet the views of our Auckland-Albertlanders. there is little doubt that the settlers will empower the trustees to carry it out. The gradual rise of Port Albert we regard as a settled thing, and the more of our Albertland friends that share in the advantages of its. progress, with the more hearty pleasure shall we watch its steady growth.

TRUSTEES' MEETING.

The Trustees held a Meeting on Oct. 21st, when applications were received and granted as follows : J. Hindle, No. 31; E. Brown, No. 32 : Jas. Turner, No. 5; J. Bailey, No. 19; H. W. Cottlc, No. 8; S. Stephcnson, No. 24, on town lands in Port Albert.

The Secretary reported that no reply had been received from the Superintendent rela tive to employment for the people. Letters received from Mr. Hindle respecting the loan, and from Mr. Cocks and Mr. Cray, resigning all claim to town lands, and other communi cations. ~ Ordered that the road to the new Market site be commenced on Monday next, under the superintendence of the Secretary, and the following persons to.be employed at the rate of '5s per day to be paid in orders of a given form: Jtamsbotlom, Watson, Cooper, Oldneld, Cha.pman,'Burdett, and Judd. The Trustees then proceeded to view the new road line, and gave instructions how the work should be performed. '■ ?,

The Progress arrived in Onehuhga from Porft Albert on Oct. 11th. " *■<■

2

THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTI3,



NOTICE is Siei°el>y givei that in case the following persons neglect to fulfill the Conditions on which all allotments are sold in the town of Port Albert by the dates respectively affixed %o their names any deposit money paid will be forfeited and they will cease to have any claim on fsuch Town Lands. Captain James, Oct. 31, 1863. .George Shaw, „ „ „ Win. Everett, Nov, 31. „ "VVm. Worker, „ „ „ J. Beecroft, „ „ „ H. Little, „ „ ~.. C. D.Cray, „ „ „ H. Watts, „ „ „ W. H. Pettes, Dec. 31st. E. Cutforth, „ R. Nicholson, „ By order of the Trustees, SAML. JOHNSON, Secretary. Port Albert, Sept. 3, 18G3. ' PUBLIC NOTICE. ALL Applications for land, " Town, " or " Suburban," in Port Albert, must jn future be made in writing, through the Secretary. By order of the Trnsfees, SAML, JOHNSON, Secretary- Port Albert, Aug. 22,1863.