OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 145, 24 January 1874, Page 3

OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US.

We take U n following description of - Tauranga from “ Heed 'uni Brett’s Almanac, 187T >! :—-

’The pri ncipisi settlement in the Hay of Plenty is remarkable as possessing the finest harbour on the East Const between Auckland ami Wellington, aecosdblo in nil weathers mid states of tide for vessels of the largest size, and affording 85 miles of water frontage to extensive tracts of fertile land. The town nr port, commonly known as To Papa, is situated four miles from the Hoads, ami contains the nucleus of a handsome little city, Situated on a peninsula, the drainage is perfect on each side, so that it is impossible for. moisture to accumulate, and the salubrity of the atmosphere is notorious. The township contains two branch banks, six or seven stores, three hotels, two of which are spacious and handsome, and other trades are represented : bakers, butchers, bootmaker h, tailors, builders, druggists, &c, There ia a substantial wharf which projects into about fourteen feet of waiter at low tide, alongside of which vessels of tonnage sufficient for the commerce of the place can lie and discharge. Within the township is a well conducted institute with newsroom and library. There is also a resident clergyman, who perforins service twice on Sunday. The Hay or Pi.EKxy Tim.es is published in'; i settlement bi-weekly. It is spiritedly conducted, and bag had considerable influence in drawing public attention to the requirements and capabilities of Tauranga. The settlors accord it a very liberal support. 'Tauranga ia connected by ft* direct road with Napier through Taupo and the Take country, while a road to Cambridge is in course of construction ; and telegraphic communication ia perfect with every important station in New Zealand. About a mile and a half from the township is a village known as the “ Quarter Acres," beyond which is the celebrated (Into Pa, known as Orccrion, now a small village of about a dozen collages surrounded with well cultivated gardens. The greater portion of the unoccupied country is of an undulating character and comparatively unbroken until near (ho range of hills, which form (ho boundary of the district, so that there is a grout extent of land available for immediate occupation, cons feting principally of rich sandy loam, eminently euitable for grazing purposes, English grasses flourishing luxuriantly. Though the. land ia not of strong enough qualify for producing wheat, yet wheat is cultivated extensively by Europeans and natives, the sample of grain being superior to that from the Middle Island. Toot crops and English fruits are generally very prolific. Tauranga is a place of considerable historical interest owing to the geographical situation between several very powerful and, at one time, hostile native tribes, between whom on many occasions its occupation was long a causa of sanguinary strife. The Ngaitorang i tribes aro at present the principal native inhabitants, although a largo extent of country is still owned by a lew smaller tribes, sumo of which land has been acquired for European purposes by confiscation, purchase, and lease. Thu industries conducted in the district are, besides agriculture and grazing, a brewery, several bouts building, and a Osh curing establishment at Eatikati. There is a weekly mad to Auckland by ateanier, arid twice a week to Napier by coach. Within 'bn dfet.riefc of Tauranga are the two ?>>•-,ring : 1 ■ r t efuent.d Of ZjlaketU cud ih’.Sa, at h All of j which oiiiCes there are harbours lit i- wad ; vrso-iw but at ditficu.'t w;d to