NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 126, 14 October 1846, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH.

The Madras, which left Nelson on the 27th of August, arrived at New Plymouth on the Ist of September. This vessel was boarded as usual by the pilot, but the captain did not think it necessary to avail himself of his proferred services or advice, but came to an anchor in a ,highly dangerous position, near the Sugar Loaves, with the wind blowing fresh from the north-west. The swell which set in soon convinced him of his mistake, and before he had half his cargo out he was glad to slip his cable and stand to sea. The vessel was afterwards seen in the offing, and it was supposed she would have returned to pick up her anchor, but it appears she proceeded on to Wellington. Wheat is bringing ss. to ss. 6d. a bushel, and as this is a highly remunerative price to the growers, they are bringing into cultivation as much land as possible. If the settlement had not been restricted by Captain Fitzroy to a small block of 3,500 acres, agriculture would have received a great start at Taranaki this year. The mill erected by Oliver, all of materials found on the spot, is at work night and day, and, with its two pair of stones, grinds upwards of 400 bushels of wheat weekly. The Carbon is constantly employed in conveying the produce of this settlement to Wellington, where it finds a ready market. The oil taken at Taranaki this season is about fifty tuns, the greater part of which was taken by Captain M'Laren, of the Ralph Bernal. An importation of cattle is expected from Sydney in about two months, as Mr. M. Evans, who went up the other day in the Fanny Morris, received orders for seventy head. A new church, built of stone, was to be opened on Tuesday last. It is in the old English style, the interior fittings of rimu, forming altogether a handsome building. The arrival of the Government Brig was anxiously looked for, as all salaries were six months in arrear.