SEVENTY-MILE BUSH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1501, 9 December 1872, Page 2

SEVENTY-MILE BUSH.

(From the correspondent of the Wellingtoa Independent.) Manawatu Gorge, Dec. 4. The Scandinavian .settlement of Norsewood, in the Province of Hawke's Bay, bids fair to be one of the most important in the North Island. It has now Ueen in existence only six weeks, and the whole line of i*oad for a distance of four milc3 is lined on both sides with neatly constructed residences, gardens are rapidly shooting up about them, bush is faiiing, and what only six weeks ago presented a wild desolate forest scene is rapidly being metamorphosed into a picturesque villa, interspersed at very frequent intervals by small rivulets of the most limpid water. Stores are rising, survey and public works offices are being built, and what speaks more for the advancement of the place than anything else, a gentleman who is one of the oldest and most respected residents of Hawke's Bay, and who has for the last ten year* tilled the office of head master of the Napier Grammar School, Ims been appointed schoolmaster and pastor for the settlement of Norsewood, and will shortly bo taking up his residence there. A large sum has already been subscribe.l towards the erection of a church aud a school house. Scandinavians have been located at Palmerston for more than 12 months, and they cannot yet boast such advance ment. They have neither church nor pastor. The settlers of Norse wood commenced the road work a few days ago, aud are working extremely «*ell, with the exception of a few tradespeople who have never done any outdoor work. We may expect to have a road tit for the coach to run between Napier and Foxton within eighteen or twenty months, which will bring the Empire City within three days' journey of Napier. The road through the Seventy-Mile Bush is one of the most important in the North Island of New Zealand, and will certainly be one oi the best -when finished. It must also be the most profitable, as it is the preliminary step of opening up the extensive tracts of valuable land which at present lies beyond the bounds of habitation. Ten*, of thousands of acres of rich agricultural land will become available which has hitherto been almost unknown. The rich alluvial plains of the Tiraumea valley, of the Manawatu, of the TVlangatua, and all the other nearer tributaries of the Manawatu river will within a few brief years be transformed from their present state to some of the richest farms in New £ea land. It. will take a little time, but where there are such good qualities we need not apprehend a little outlay. It is not like the Taupo road, which has not an acre of agricultural land near it all the way between Napier aud Taupo, which runs for the fiist 60 miles through barren mountainous land, and thence over what might be termed a pumice desert to Taupo mound, a distance of about 40 miles. Yet this road has cost much more than the SeventyMile Bush road, which is comparatively level throughout, and the whole dis tance is surrounded for miles by valuable land. The settlement at Omatuaroa, Tahovaile, also promises to be a very good one. There are about thirty families located there; and very neat houses have been constructed anil gardens made, which impart to the place a quiet homely appearance. Cabbages and other vegetables are making their appearance in profuse abundance, which is proof unmistakeable of the good qualities of the s*oil. I was lather taken aback when stopping at a house which has thw name of a hotel, situate about the middle of the Seventy-mile Bush. The scene that occurred was a most discreditable one, the more particularly as it was on a Sunday. I came in that evening, and everywhere I went were inebriates assuming all sorts of attitudes, of -vhich the horizontal seemed to be the most affected. Natives and Europeaus were scattered indiscriminately from bar to parlor, and from end to end of paddock. Others who were not sq much under the influence of Bacchus were playing quoits. Tea being announced, all who were net too far gone repaired to the supper table, the vile subjects which the loquacious tippler vociferously discuss were amnio Justice to.

Then followed some more imbibition. A coDcertina was brought into requisition, and from it were extracted soundsof the most discordant description. Terpsichorean amusements were entered into, and native girls were whirled round the room at a lively pace, notwithstanding their obesity. Songs were attempted until drink and sleep had prostrated some and given others the wise hint to retire Having gratified my curiosity, I left for another detached house at a very late hour, but here 1 was not free from the noise. Until after daylight next morning the yells and screeches of the drunken Maori women could be heard between the pa and the public-house. I wonder why a man that lets such scenes occur in his house is allowed to retain bis license. However, Ido not suppose he will get it renewed unless he goes in for a great reform. Travellers going through the bush cannot expect to get very much accommodation as it exists at present.