The Manawatu Times. WEDNEISPAY, JANUABY 30, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 32, 30 January 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNEISPAY, JANUABY 30, 1878.

Distance lends a charm to almost everything, but, perhaps, more especially to places. It is now a universal custom for persons living m One place to become anxious to visit others at a distance, and, during the journey, to make use of their pencil and note-book freely. "We frequently read lively ; descriptions of places situated along the lines commonly traversed by that numerous; army of martyrs who are continually trotting over the globe forthe-expreßs purpose; of gratifying' the public taste : for something new: We have just had an interesting account of a journey from the East Coast to the West, furnished by a JSTapier contemporary, who has done the theme justice. He has given the public his opinion freely, and, we must admit, 'intelligently, but it is evident that lie is, as he says, a stranger m this land of ours. The rapid improvements which havelbeen achieved during the past five years m this upper district are perfectly amazing to visitors' who are m no way prepared by previous knowledge to expect $hat tilings m general have advanced to the degree witnessed by them, on their arrival here. Our public road's are goodj though narrow ; the bridges are something beyond the common run of such structures ; and the towns present an animated and business appearance unusual' in settlements;- so young. Settlement has progressed at a wonderful rate, and that under uncommon dijfic ul ties. These facts are all patent to the traveller/along our main thoroughfares,: who, perhaps, leaves us with the impression that such improvements are only to be found m such places. This is not the case ; let him direct his steps towards and through the Manchester ' settlement, and there lie will find the public improvement's of the country progressing- at the same rapid and satisfactory rate. He ."will .find large, and commodious buildings .m the various' townships^ good roads and ■ bridges along the /principal lines [connecting those townships ; he will

find thousands of people located where, a few years ago, it was thought by ma iv madness to attempt settlement ; he will see thousands of acres of the most valuable land reclaimed from the wilderness, and signs of solid prosperity and contentment among the population m that large and, soon to become, very important district. Theinhabitants of this particular part have had difficulties to encounter which might have driven them to despair but for the energetic guidance of those who were placed over them by the company, cou-pled with -the financial arrangements which secured employment to all who were willing to avail themselves of it. To this provision the districts surrounding Feilding and Halcotnbe are indebted for their present prosperity. Under the same system settlement goes steadily on, and will continue until the whole block is opened up and sold to those who are willing to occupy and improve the land. The Kimbolton ■ road, which connects Feilding with the Kiwitea settlement, is now being made as fast as the weather will permit. It is formed for about six miles from Feilding, and, m the course of a few days, ,\vill be metalled throughout that distance. There now remains only about three 'miles of this important line, to . form and metal, through the' Manchester Block. This work will . be steadily pushed on during the 1 winter, and the entire length opened for traffic next summer. When completed,, this road will increase the usefulness and comi merce of Feilding, as by this route the settlers m the Kiwitea district will draw their supplies and forward their exports to market. This of itself is something important for Feilding to look forward to, as the .settlers m that, at present, remote land will soou number thousands. With . the o pening of the railway line to Wanganui m a few weeks, there will be a largely increased timber trade. This will immensely benefit the Manchester district as the bulk of the land is covered with the^best description of marketable timber. ' The bush will soon be dotted with saw mills and the export trade will be doubled. This will of course increase the supply of the useful and niuch desired "circulating medium" m the place. Indeed the prospects of this part of the country, including Halcombe and its surroundings, are much brighter than they have ever been. The demand for land continues, and.sections for settlement are purchased as quickly as they can be surveyed.