General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1872 Original Publisher: G. Lamb Subjects: Maoris Missions Maori (New Zealand people) New Zealand Missions, New Zealand History / Australia

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 Excerpt: ... of labour. This delusion generally vanishes within a few days after their arrival; but it is sometimes followed by an unfair depreciation of the real value of the land, without a proper discrimination of the several kinds which are sometimes met with within the range of a few miles. Some immigrants, of a hopeful temperament, resolve at once to grapple with the difficulties of a new sphere, and generally succeed; while others, of a desponding bias, wish they had not left their fatherland, and commence their colonial life with tears and indecision. The most obvious division of the land for the purposes of the farmer, is that of the open country and the bush. Each requires a proper treatment, and each is selected according to the taste and object of the proprietor, and the capitai which he can command. The open country is generally preferred, on account of the facility with which the plough may be introduced, and the first widespread crojs be raised. But other distinctions should be kept in view, and some of them are very important; for many thousands of acres, in some districts, are scarcely worth cultivating, and other extensive tracts still worse are to be found, which would certainly ruin the persons who are unfortunate enough to settle upon them, with a hope of supporting their families by agriculture. A few such cases have occurred, producing loud complaints and heavy losses. This subject deserves the special attention of farmers on their arrival, some of whom are likely to act upon the advice of persons whose object may be to dispose of land which they know cannot be sold to experienced settlers. Tbe labouring man should embrace the first opportunity to obtain work with fair wages, without binding himself for any considerable term, except in pari icula...

ROBERT WARD is the author of eight novels, including Shedding Skin; Four Kinds of Rain, which was nominated for the Hammett Award and was a New York Times Notable Book; and Red Baker, which won the PEN West Award for Best Novel. A former writer and producer of Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, and New York Undercover.