OTAGO.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 642, 9 June 1852, Page 3

OTAGO.

(Fiom the " Ougo Witness,"' May 3.) fijThe fourth anniversary of the landing of tlie „ st party of settlers has passed, and Otago is now four years old. The progress of the settlement *s very obvious to those who arrived in the John Wickliffe or Phillip 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 lias had a tendency for some time to fill in the back streets, rather than to spread to the right or left ; on the whole, the buildings in r>unedin 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 sceneiy, and speaking of snug firesides and peaceful homes as a .gi'cat 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, but a good substantial building ; the Government offices are a,lso under the same roof ; this building is used as a Church by the Members of the Church of Eng- | land, 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 hot increased in number, but much improved in extent and accommodation. The jetty has been lengthened to low water mark. The streets ' arc improving rather by private contributions than public expenditure ; for although the sum of £230 has been voted <]>y 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 and 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, clirec-, tions are of much superior quality to thobe t w ith 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 List 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 incessent, marriages numerous, and* deaths but few : on the whole the settlement is in a highly satisfactory state. But it is much to bQ\ regretted, that since the retirement of the New Zealand Company we have had no statistics .upon which to form a judgment of our pi ogress.