OTAGO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 67, 17 April 1852, Page 5

OTAGO.

We have received by the " Henrietta," the Otago Witness up to the 3rd instant; the following is an interesting article upon the present condition of Otago : —

The fourth anniversary of the landing of the first party of settlers has passed, and Otago is now four years old. The progress of the settlement is very obvious to those who arrived in the " John Witcliffe" or " Philip Lang." The buildings were then, at most, half a dozen, surrounded on all sides by bush, flax and fern , to those who have arrived since the town of Dunedin was considerably advanced, the alterations are not so apparent, but nevertheless, every day new houses are springing up in all directions. Which way the town was likely to spread was a matter of discussion for a length of time, and is hardly yet decided ; but it has had a tendency for some time to fill up in the back streets, rather than to spread to the right or left; on the whole, the buildings in Dunedin have not increased so rapidly as they did about two years since, there has rather been a gradual tendency to occupy the suburban sections immediately around the town ; and many picturesque villas are dotted amongst the green trees at the back of the town belt, giving a liveliness to the natural beauty of the scenery, and speaking of snug firesides and peaceful homes as a great improvement upon the mere mud hovels with which we were compelled for some time to be contented. The chief buildings to be noticed as additions to the town are, a new store opposite the jetty, built of wood, but in a much superior style of architecture than any we have hitherto "seen ; a court-house built of wood, hut a <rood substantial building; the Government offices are also under the same roof; this building is used as a Church by the Members of the Church of England, for which it is well adapted ; —an Hospital has also been erected, a little out of the busy part of the town towards the North-east Valley; this building also exhibits a decided improvement in architectural design. The hotels have not increased in number, but much improved in extent and accommodation. The jetty has been lengthened to low water mark. The streets are improving rather by private contributions than public expenditure ; for although the sum of £230 has been voted by the Legislative Council, the whole revenue having been absorbed by official salaries, the money has not been forthcoming: indeed,since the retirement of the Company, nothing material lias been done in road-making, the most important subject for the consideration of the settlers. The harbour presents a much busier scene:

boats are constantly passing to and from the Port. The number is much increased ; a barge, capable of carrying 40 tons, a schooner of 20 tons, and several smaller craft have been built in the settlement.

Port Chalmers is progressing but slowly, bg,t still is improving. Two brick stores and several better class houses have been erected: a church is also in course of erection.

The country and suburban districts present the greatest advancement; the houses in these directions are of much superior quality to those with which the first settlers had to be satisfied.

Fields of grain and potatoes are enlarged, and the plough is at work in earnest. Sheep and cattle are fast increasing. The last harvest was abundant, and the crops were all saved in good condition. Everywhere the decided improvement in the condition of the settlers is apparent.

Births are incessant, marriages numerous, and deaths but few: on the whole the settlement is in a highly satisfactory state. But it is much to be regretted, that since the retirement of the New Zealand Company we have had no statistics upon which to form a judgment of our progress.

It is true the Government have taken a census ; but as the results arrived at are never given to the public until a year or two after they are obtained, in a country where changes are so rapid, as in a new colony, they become only a matter of history, and of no practical use to the settlers. It would be most desirable to know how near we are to, or how far we are beyond, the point of supplying our own wants. These statistics are of the utmost importance at home to intending emigrants, and we shall endeavour to collect them, although it is somewhat of an expensive undertaking; but as in attempting it we have no power to require information, we trust the settlers generally will assist us in a work of such general utility, and not do as they have hitherto done with regard to their promises of accounts of their crops, leave us to fish for information and guess at conclusions.