THATCHER’S SUMMARY FOR ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 83, 22 January 1863, Page 4

THATCHER’S SUMMARY FOR ENGLAND.

We beg to present our readers with our summary for transmission to Europe, but this being our first effort of the kind, it is only fair to give our friends in England some idea of the Province and its capabilities. Napier Province, as our readers are well aware, is an immense territory cotnpvehenda large portion of the Northern Island, and is bounded on the north by Auckland, on the south by Wellington, on the west by Wanganui, and on the east by Janisch’s auction mart. Napier, the capital, is a magnificent city with a population of 120,000 souls, and is beautifully laid out with parks, public gardens, fountains, &c. Our readers who have been in Paris will have some faint idea of the beauty and size of this magnificent city. Though not possessing so large a building as the Tuileries, or even Notre Dame, still the Council Chamber may vie with either in point of architectural beauty. The English Church is a noble erection, not unlike St. Paul’s. The Custom-house is similar to its London prototype ; in fact, many new arrivals have been struck with the extraordinary resemblance. Among the many beautiful buildings of this grand city wo may mention the Bank of New Zealand, and we may confidently assert there is not in all England a banking establishment like it. The Union Bank is pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, and is the aristocratic establishment—doing business only with the first class people or the Upper Ten Thousand. The Bank of New South Wales docs an immense business, and is awaiting the arrival of an extra safe and two additional clerks from Auckland. It is thought before long a mint will have to bo established here, as it has long been a serious want. The port is a populous town, andputs the new arrival in mind of Bristol. The wharf there is a monument of provincial industry. Large ships are daily arriving, and discharge their cargoes into railway trucks alongside. The depth at low water is 17 feet. The port is guarded by a fine war steamer, the Huntress , of 300 horse power, which has lately’ been fitted up with Lancaster guns, and cruises about the harbour for the protection of the shipping. The land around Napier is chiefly in the possession of the natives. Hapuku is the reigning monarch, and has thirteen wives, and has lately proposed a matrimonial alliance to the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and is awaiting the arrival of his future bride by the first steamer. The land around Napier is remarkably rich, but being thickly timbered, costs a great deal for clearing. The Civil Commissioner is a Mr. Russell, who has introduced several bills for the benefit of the district, among which his celebrated Elephant Bill figures conspicuously. It seldom rains in Napier, but we have heavy dews. The chief products are wool, potatoes, Maories, auctioneers, J'.P.’s, hides, land-sharks, and soldiers.