PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT ON THE PLAINS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2157, 24 January 1881, Page 4

PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT ON THE PLAINS.

The Hawera correspondent of the " Waneaui Ohroniole " says that settlement in that district goes on apace, numerous buildings being in course of ereotion both at Mania and on several of the rural allotments on the plains; and, notwithstanding the season of the year, ditch and bank fencing is being proceeded with. What haa been pnt up seoms to stand well, despite the prediotions to the contrary of the pioneers. The pigs hove had a hard time of it, as both pukoha i and Maori have been ootive in the work of extinction. Nowhere in the distriot is progress more noticeable than in tho bush country between Normanby and Stratford. Large areas of bush have been felled on both eides of the road, and the majority of those who purohased land immediately after the " Maori scare," have comfortable homes on their holdings, with neat gardens attached, and a few acres under grass. Bush settlements, as a rule, advance slowly, as men with capital have been tardy in purchasing bush while fern land was to be had, but tho Ngaire settlement seems to be an exception. It numbers amongst its occupiers a fair sprintling of the wealthier olass of settlers, and although the land is not yet twelve months sold, their mark can be seen in the extent of somo of the clearings.