NEW PLYMOUTH.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 52, 4 March 1843, Page 207

NEW PLYMOUTH.

From the commencement of our paper, we have always felt desirous of recording the progress not only of Nelson, but of the colony of New Zealand generally. All the other settlements of importance have their "respective newspapers, in which their capabilities and their Wants are from time to time duly set forth and commented upon ; but the only information hitherto published respecting New Plymouth has been an. occasional paragraph in the New Zealand Gazette, and one valuable communication from a gentleman residing there, which appeared in our own columns about six months since. If so little is known of this interesting district in the two neighbouring settlements, we cannot feel surprised at a complaint which recently appeared in a Plymouth paper, stating that they knew positively nothing of what their countrymen were doing. The return of a fellow-settler from a recent trip to New Plymouth enables us to communicate a few facts, which we believe will be interesting to the majority of our readers.

Tbe situation of New Plymouth, in every respect but that of having no harbour, is probably the finest that could be conceived. The land is principally fern of recent growth, with shrubs and young trees interspersed, the whole having been at one time wooded, but cleared and cultivated by the natives, who, until within the last ten years, had resided there in considerable numbers. It is therefore easily cleared, the fern-root being much less difficult to eradicate than that of longer standing. The country is of an undulating character, and free from the description of hills which unfortunately is rather too frequently met with in most other parts of New Zealand. One of the great advantages of this is that the whole settlement is formed in one block ; the suburban lands forming a belt behind the town, and the rural lands immediately behind these. The population (amounting to 1,000 Europeans and about 300 Maories) is essentially agricultural. Unlike most new colonies, there has hitherto been little rage for storekeeping, and the majority of the settlers are residing on the Jand they are cultivating. There are very few labourers who have not their one or two acres of garden or potato ground, a circumstance that must in a great degree tend to promote their independence a.nd happiness. Although provisions are dearer than at Nelson or Wellington, neither mechanics nor labourers have ever received the wages that have been paid in those places. Our friend informs us that he took great pains to ascertain the general feeling among the labourers, and he assures us that it was highly satisfactory. Captain King, the police magistrate, appears to be a good specimen of the " fine old English gentleman." He is fast bringing three or four sections into cultivation, and has thirty acres of wheat of very superior growth. Many of his fellow colonists are scarcely behind him. From the great quantity of potatoes in the ground, there is every probability that they will be both plentiful and cheap. The Devon Road, running from the town to the Waitera (a distance of twelve miles), opens a large number of sections, suburban and rural. Five or six rivers have to be crossed ; over two of these bridges have already been J erected, and a suspension-bricige for the 1 largest is in a forward state. The bridle road from New Plymouth to Wanganui (which will afford the means of land communication between the former place and Wellington) is nearly completed, indeed, sufficiently so for all purposes of travelling ; Mr. Cook, another valuable New Plymouth settler, having left Wellington about a fortnight since with a drove of 50 head of cattle and 150 sheep. Taranaki was at one period the spot where probably a larger quantity of flax was dressed than in any other place in these islands ; and we are happy to state that the Company's Agent is endeavouring to promote this most useful branch of New Zealand commerce, by, among other means, causing the children of the labourers to be taught the process of dressing at their schools. The settlers are full of hopefulness, and are living on the best terms with one another. The latter fact may perhaps be accounted for by the circumstance of there net being a lawyer in New Plymouth.

We hope to be able to make some atttagement by which we shall be able for tn^Tuture to give more infornfation, not only as regards New Plymouth, but the many other settlements along the coast which are fast forming; and, should our present number reach Wanganui, we shall be happy if any friend' there will acquaint ua with what the settlers are doing.