To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 35, 7 June 1845, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator.

Sir, —l have just returned fi om a visit to t|iis valley, and among other improvements that have taken place lately, I experienced the benefit of the House of Entertainment conducted by our friend " Jim." The good' fare to be met with there, made me feel quite at home, and the ruggedness and difficulties of the path are almost forgotten- by the cheering idea of a blazing and comfortable hearth at the end of the traveller's toils. This hint will be acceptable to settlers intending to visit this district.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, May 30, 1845. A Settler at Wairarapa.

We have great pleasure in inserting the following letter from Mr. Nixon, of Wanganui. In a letter addressed to us, after recalling to our attention the fact that Petre was formed in February, 1841, by a body of gentlemen and their dependents, who possessed the right of selecting a situation for the New Zealand Company's second settlement, he states, a residence of more than four years has strengthened rather than impaired their opinions then entertained. He proceeds to ask, if "Petre were the depot of runaways, and inaccessible by sea, would Mr. W. G. Bell .have prostituted his experience acquired in the West Indies, Scotland, New South Wales, and Wellington, by concentrating here the ener--gies- of'-his old-age, in pi-oviding a handsome estate for his family ? Would the other practical agriculturists here, also ; men whose determined and persevering spirits have never yet been entirely prostrated by past difficulties, and who, I am proud to say, are determined to meet, with renewed vigour, any fresh embarrassments, remain in a settlement such as the Governor has unjustly described this to be ?" — We submit these questions to Capt. Fitzroy's consideration.