Formerly called New Ulster. DIVISIONS : 1. AUCKLAND, in the N. Capital, Auckland, the seat of Government, with a population of 10,000. The Metropolitan see of the English Church in New Zealand. Waiapu, a native bishopric, comprises that part of North Island lying to the E. of Auckland. 2. TARANAKI, in the W. New Plymouth, the capital. 3. WELLINGTON, in the S., the oldest and most important settlement in New Zealand, embraces a large tract of country E. of Cook's Strait, including the fine inlet of Port Nicholson. Wellington, the capital. The see of an English Bishop. 4. HAWKE BAY, in the E. Formerly known as the Ahuriri district. Capital, Napier, on the shore of the bay. 2.-SOUTH Formerly called New Munster. ISLAND, DIVISIONS : I. NELSON, in the N.W. Capital, same name. 2. MARLBOROUGH, in the N. E., separated from 3. CANTERBURY, on the E., a Church of England settlement established in 1850, includes an extensive tract of fine grazing country. Capital, Christchurch, see of a Bishop. Lyttleton, on the harbour of Port Cooper, constitutes its shipping port. 4. OTAGO, on S.E. Founded in 1847 by a body of Scotch emigrants in connection with the "Free Church" of Scotland. Dunedin, at the head of Port Otago, the capital. 5. SOUTHLAND, in the S. W., a rapidly rising settlement. Capital, Invercargill. V. THE CHATHAM ISLANDS. V.-THE NAME. Discovered by Lieut. Broughton, of H.M. brig Chatham, and named after the vessel. SITUATION.-A group of three islands lying about 350 miles E. of South Island, New Zealand. AREA.-300 square miles. POPULATION.-Scanty, and chiefly Maories of the worst character, as the islands are considered " a nest of rogues. PHYSICAL FEATURES.-The surface of the island is undulating. There are a few hills, but the highest does not exceed 800 feet. Some of them are regular pyramids, and all are of volcanic origin. On Chatham Island, the largest of the group, are two pyramidical rocks, called "The Two Sisters," about 100 feet high. There are several lakes, the largest being Wanga, 25 miles by 7. The climate is mild and agreeable, and the air cool and moist. HISTORY, &C.-Discovered by Lieut. William Robert Broughton, of H.M. brig Chatham, and taken possession of by that officer in the name of his Britannic Majesty, Nov. 29, 1791. Government.—A dependency of New Zealand. VI. THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS. SITUATION.-A group 180 miles S. of New Zealand. POPULATION.-Very small. PHYSICAL FEATURES.-Of volcanic origin, rising 1,300 feet above the sea. Covered with trees and ferns. Climate moist and cool. Good harbours. Chief port, Port Ross, on the N. side. HISTORY, &C.-Discovered by an English merchant ship in 1806, and were at that time uninhabited. Soon found to be well situated for ships engaged in the whale fishery. Granted to Messrs. Enderby by the Crown for their exclusive possession as a whale fishing station. I' CONCLUSION. T was of old a boastful expression of the Spaniards, that on their King's dominion the sun never set. This may be truly said of the dominions of the British Crown. When sinking from our view in the Western Ocean the orb of day is rising in our Colonies in the New World; and, as the settler in Australia, or the wearied soldier on the parched plains of India, watches his receding rays, he may picture them glancing brightly on the dewy hills of his native home. Truly then we may exclaim : "Far as the breeze can bear the billow's foam, Survey our Empire, and behold our home!" Our Empire being so large and important it will be at once interesting and instructive to enquire I. Why it is so-II. When it became so, and-III. What relation the colonies bear to the Mother Country. I. WHY is the British Empire so large and important? First there was of course a desire to possess foreign territory. This naturally arose as soon as England wanted more corn than she could grow at home, and again when she felt the need of an outlet for her surplus population. As soon as these wants were felt it became the duty as well as the interest of the mother country to find a soil on which her enterprising sons could employ themselves without her losing the benefit of that labour which is her just due. II. WHEN did the British Empire become so large and important? It is of modern growth, dating no further back than the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Prior to this the population was never in excess, owing to desolating wars at home and abroad; and, again, competent navigators and proper vessels were not at our command. III. WHAT relation the Colonies bear to the Mother Country. It is a fourfold one. Ist. They serve as "fortified posts" to guard our ships and commerce, e.g., Heligoland, Gibraltar, Malta, and Mauritius. 2nd. They serve as "Refreshing Stations" where our ships may call and take in provisions, water, coal, &c., e.g., Gibraltar, St. Helena, Mauritius, Aden, the Falkland Islands, &c. 3rd. They serve as "Fields for Emigration," e.g., Canada, Cape Colony, Australia, New Zealand, &c. 66 4th. They serve as Entrepôts" for the purchase of 66 Raw Produce" and the sale of " Manufactured Goods," e.g., Singapore, the West African possessions, &c. It may be noted also that so long as England can keep her people honestly employed it is to her interest to keep them at home, as by this means every person contributes to the revenue of the country by everything he eats, drinks, wears, or uses; but when that can no longer be done emigration must take place. Our Empire being so large and important, correlative duties attach both to our government and our people. The government should govern righteously, and the people should cultivate a submissive spirit. Let it be remembered, too, that true religion begets true liberty and genuine love, and that by the amazing spread of Great Britain's domain Providence is opening the way for the diffusion of His truth, so that the prediction may be accomplished, "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. |