THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTE. AUGUST 1, 1863. OURSELVES.

Ouu Advent was announced by a loud braying of trumpets many months ago, not however by ourselves, for we had no very large amount of ambition, but simply a wish to grow with the young settlement, chronicling its progress from time to time. Others however thought fit to herald us so }oudly for reasons of their own. We recently saw an account of " Our News paper Press" in ah Irish paper, and vavious ones, in which our personal efforts and intentions were made unduly pro minent. Why we have not performed those functions, and played that part we were expected to do, and only make our appearance at this late season, is the sim ple story we have to tell. Our printer, like many more, discovered when too late, that he had entered into the arrangements alluded to at the instance of others, which were quite incompatible under the circumstances in which he found himself placed ; on arrival in Auckland, found the difficulty greater even than he had surmised. He planned trying to com mence a business in Auckland until a more favorable opportunity offered for going to Albertland, but was unable to see the slightest prospect of success. After a stay of several weeks he proceeded to Otago the land of gold ; here in connection with his brother he has succeeded in establish ing a fair business, but feeling that his mission was with the settlement, and wish ful to aid in the work of Progress there, he determined to leave this business and his family in the care of his brother, and has sow returned with a small plant to give to

Albertland the privilege of a Newspaper; This has been the result of long thought and great expence, which however he will count but as little if the settlers in this and the surrounding districts give their hearty support and assistance. We did purpose to take up the story of the Settlement from the period when we issued our last paper on board ship, hence this is No. 3 of the " Albertland Gazette," so that those who wished to possess the history of the Movement would ba able to do so, but as it would encroach greatly on our at present limited space, besides other grave reasons we need not further allude to, we shall shortly insert at intervals only a series of articles under the head of "Re cords of Albertland " with this object in view, and in this we believe we shall have the approbation of our friends. To enable us to publish the news of the surrounding districts, we shall as soon as possible, appoint Agents arid Correspon dents in the various localities,

Our Political creed will be the Liberal side of every question ; believing that li berality of sentiment is closely allied with Progress; advocating and representing the interests of Albertland in particular, and the colony in general; For Albertland, atonce its motto, and the policy of its pro moters. We will endeavor to master the true circumstances and bearing of such measures as may come under our notice, and then freely and independent of any influence, we will advocate the Right and the Truth.

We need scarcely say we have no con nection with any individual or party, but our subscribers, and are determined with His help who governs all things, to do our utmost to promote the true interests and well-being of our fellow settlers. We shall not pretend to make the "Gazette" other- than a Local Paper, giv iug such general news as may affect the district. '.We shall be glad to receive any hints from our subscribers as to improving the paper in any way, and -in particular would offer a liberal use of our Corres pondence column, thus making our paper the real exponent of the public voice. Our arrangements are not very perfect as yet, but the " Fourth Estate" has shown many previous examples of commencing under difficulties, nor do they often suc cumb. Only 20 years ago, the "Auckland Times" was printed with a.mangle! ! We are at present even in worse plight than this, for, owing to the carelessness of an individual we are without press, and there is no mangle in the neighbourhood !! one pair of hands execute all the work in the present sheet, and we have a host of other troubles which we shall not here recount. Suffice it to say that if we should, by dint of perseverance succeed, we shall soon smooth away these minor difficulties, en large our sheet, print it in a more cre ditable manner, and possibly be repaid for our labours. We shall now, we trust for a long time, drop our Editorial curtain and proceed with QUr business.

THE TOWN LANDS QUESTION.

The rise of-Port Albert as a town, will date from the month of January, 1863, ;when the Township lands came legallyinto the hands of the settlers. Until then, these lands were held by Mr. Brame, who exercised over them an irresponsible power, consulting neither B the , wishes nor the interests of those " on whose behalf" alone, he was allowed to purchase them. During these four, months not a step in advance was made; people came and went; adverse reports were spread in all directions; and the doom of Port Albert "trembled m the v^ balance," Nor is it any wonder that it should > have been so, while none could predict, whe ther or not the whole price of these valuable lands might melt away in the hands of specu lators, and not a settler could tell whether ho should ever find a permanent home on the spot where he had pitched his frail tent, or raised his still more frail whare, and from ■which tbe auctioneer's hammer might any day drive him. Uncertainty was the pre vailing feeling, and nothing but a little pa tient courage and determined resolve in those days saved the place. The tide was at its lowest ebb, when by a last desperate effort, the town-lands were secured to the settlers, and placed in the hands of Trustees, and from.that day to this, it has been steadily rising with little variation. The rise of towns and cities has always marked an epoch in the world's history, and in that of individual nations. It broke the feudal sys tem of Europe, and combined with other / influences from which it could not be severed I is gradually effecting the liberty of every enslaved people. One reason at least, exists' for this: it is in towns and cities, (especially . in their rise,) that each individual can most readily become possessed of a little freehold in land. This it ia which raises him to a scale of adequate importance as a man, and accord ing to his character, will impart a dignity and a freedom to all his movements. He has risen from a " hired machine " into a guiding in telligence. On board the Matilda Wattenbacl, and, we believe also the Hanover, it was strongly urged that every holder of a land-order should have the opportunity of possessing a small portion of township or suburban land as soon as the Crown Grant could be secured. The terms on which he should have it were variously suggested, but the principle was maintained by almost the entire body of emigrants. It was fully expected that it would be so. Had this arrangement been carried out, very many would have stayed up here, who are now in Auckland; whether advantage ously to themselves or the place, it may scarcely be for us to judge. This was frus- m trated by Mr. Brame obtaining in his own:''" name alone, the Crown title to the lands *» which had been publicly sold to him as acting " on behalf of the -Albertland Settlers." How- Mr. Brame exercised the power which he. had thus dishonourably secured, we have already stated. Not a yard of Township land could be secured by one of the settlers; not a step that was taken, in reference to them, could be even modified by the Trustees, most of, whom Mr. Brame had himself nominated, but all of y whom he had artfully excluded from any share * ? ofttie authority which'ho. alone exercised. Foes may censure, or friends excuse, but the calm judgment of history will stamp its due odium on this transaction. This state of things was brought to a close in January, when after frequent and wearying efforts, through/the intervention of an able solicitor*- -

THE ALBERTJLAND GAZETTE.

2



PUBLIC NOTICE. FfIENDERS for the following Works on JL the Roads are requested to ibe sent in to the Secretary's Office, 9, Market-st., on or before August 4th. js[o. I.— To■■■cut'to<--iheground, and clear allth stuff on one side. Six yards, wide: From Mr. Collinge's to the Line leading from Market-street. No. 2.-— Thesame work. From Mr. Beecrotts . to Stake No. 1 on the hill at the corner oi secfcibnl64. " .<,.-, No. 3.— The same from Stake No. 1. to Stake No. 2, on the further hill toward Mr. Pettet s. j? 0 4_ The same from Stake No. 2to Stake No. 3, where the Line to Mr. Pettet's joms the Kakaria and Manga wai Line. 0# z.—The same from the corner on the hill opposite Mr. Beecroft's to the corner of Mr. Brame's section. No. 6.— The some from the corner- of Mr. Brame's section to the corner of Dr. Bell s. No. 7.—To construct two Bridges suitable tor drays across the Creek near Mr.Rushbrooks. The tenders to b.e sent in at so much per chain of six yards width. By order of the Trustees, SAMUEL EDGER. Port Albert, Aug. 1,1863.