TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 655, 16 February 1859, Page 3

TARANAKI.

We have New Plymouth papers to the 29th ult. They contain no news of interest excepting the following'paragraph relatingto the advantages of New Zealand, and Taranaki in particular, as a sanatarium for invalid soldiers of the Indian army. It is quoted from the Annual Medical Report of Dr. Wilson, Colonial Surgeon of Taranaki :—

" Though we have had no epidemics during the year both the missionary arid other gentlemen, who are officially and frequently called on to visit them (the Maories) in their kaingas and pahs, concur in the opinion that, generally, the deaths exceed the hirths. Buf, in the instance of the European community, the ratio is extraordinarily inverse, as indeed has been most remarkably demonstrated by our statistical reports ever since the annual census system hi>s been adopted by tl c province. And assuming from former annual returns that our population this (now just closed) year is a little over or under 2500 of both sexes and of all ages, the mortality of the period has amounted to only fifteen, and of this number two are classed as old age and general decay, one as casualty from a drunken freak, one as delirium tremens from, of course, the same inciting cause, and six infants whose span of life ranged from still-born up to eight months. While, on the other hand, oiir births mount up to one hundred and twenty-four, thus bearing, even to the general bill of mortality, as eight and a half to one!

" But, indeed, it may be irrefragably affirmed that whether with regard to the mildness and inconsiderable variableness of its climate, or to the diversity and' amenity of, its scenery, or to its general sanative adaptation to the European constitution, or as a temperate renovative site for the hot climate invalid, there is not in the whole British dominions a more physically health-gifted spot than New Plymouth.

" Finally, and assuming that a depot for the health-bruken soldiers of our Indian army is to^be established in.the Colony, it is a sense of duty, and no interested advocacy that makes me say—there is no settlement on these islands better adapted for the end now anticipated, or in which the system of military surveillance would be so little required, or where desertion could be so readily defeated."