MANAWATU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 5, 25 February 1871, Page 2

MANAWATU.

.From Ode Own Coeeespondent.] Tuesday, the 14th of February, will be a notable day in the future chronicles of Foxton, from the fact of the immigration of sixty souls into the district. There has not occurred such a similar wholesale immigration before. The colonial steamer Luna arrived at the wharf at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, having been detained some little time at the mouth of the river, and immediately discharged her passengers and cargo. The passengers were Mr A. F. Halcombe, the Provincial Secretary, who came up in charge of the portion of the Norwegian immigrants who are to be located near Palmerston —and which numbered somewhat over eighteen ablebodied men —the rest consisting of their wives and children. They all looked well and cheerful. After housing their stores which they brought up with them, they were lodged in a house by themselves belonging to the Foxton Family Hotel, and from which they were to start at 5 o’clock the following morning, en route to Palmerston.

A large concourse of the townspeople and Maoris were gathered at the wharf to watch the landing of our new settlers, and also to view the largest steamer that has at present paid us a visit. The town was also gaily decorated with flags. It should speak volumes in favor of the Manawatu River, considering that the river is now extremely low from the want of rain, and that it was neap tide also, that a vessel the size of the Luna should be able to come up the river, discharge her cargo, and get out to sea, all within the same tide, and without any contretemps ; and it is to be hoped this trip of the Luna will dispel the bad reports which interested parties have spread concerning it. Some day I hope to see the Manawatu proclaimed a port of entry, with bonded stores, and good wharves, and vessels trading direct with Sydney and Melbourne. There is nothing to prevent this desirable object being carried out, except an increase in the population, and an enterprising merchant, as the island of Kapiti;affords a safe and near refuge Ja gale arise before the vessels could elder the mouth of the river.

The immigrants, I am given to understand, are to be placed in the same position as anyone else, as regards the purchasing of land, the Government merely undertaking to give them a year’s work at the ruling price of wages, and an advance- to purchase stores and a few acres to settle upon at once, and which advances are to be deducted out of their wages. Thus the liabilitiy incurred by the province is the expense of their passage from Norway to England, and from England to here. The work upon which they are to be placed is the formation of a tramway from Palmerston to Foxton, one of the most useful lines that could be carried out, and which will do more to develope the up-river country than any other line, as it will run over thirteen miles of light sandy ground, on which (except at a fabulous expense) it would be impossible to make a good cart road. I hope we may also soon see a tramway carried straight across the new Mana-watu-Pangitikei block, as taking it from the junction of the road to Palmerston, there would not be more than fifteen miles of the line to lay.