WANGANUI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 807, 27 April 1853, Page 3

WANGANUI.

This settlement, which for a long time may have been considered an out settlement if Wellington, being dependent on it for supplies not produced in the country, is now, by having been recently made a port of entry, placed on an equal footing with the larger towns in Cook's Strait, and keeps up a regular and direct communication with the Australian colonies by means of a vessel well adapted for the purpose ; we understand, however, that this vessel, in consequence of the increased trade which has lately arisen,' is to be replaced by a much larger one, which will prove a great convenience to the settlers in the district* It is gratifying to notice not only the rapidly increasing improvements in the town and its suburbs, both in additional buildings and buildings of a better class, but in the extensive operations which are carried, on in the country districts by reclaiming the land from its wild state and bringing- it into a high state of cultivation. The farms on both; sides of the river are now becoming numerous and important and in many instances well ditched and well fenced and prepared for winter crops ;- many of these farms are beautifully situated and contain natural features which render them very picturesque ; — the pretty clumps of bush, the ornamental lake of clear blue water, the winding streams and undulating hills render them pleasing objects to the eye of the artist, and delightful places of residence now, while their owners can look forward to many years of ease and contentment as the result of their early toils. Several flour mills are being erected on the river for the natives, and one at Westmea, by Messrs. Taylor & Watt, and one has been for a long time in operation belonging to Mr. Joseph Rees, at Papaiete. An industrial school is about to be established in the town under the auspices .of the Government, in aid of which the sum of £700 has been already granted, and a large number of men is employed in draining and fencing the land under the direction of the trustees, and the buildings are to be cpmmenced almost immediately ; by this institution a great want in the settlement will be supplied, as hitherto the means of education for the children have been varied and uncertain. Wanganui. is well situated in the centre, of a large district, extending from Rangitikei thirty miles to the south, to Waitotara, twenty miles to the northward, and forms the natural outlet to the whole. The district is one of the richest in the country, and well adapted for agricultural or pastoral purposes. Amongst the settlers, now in greaf numbers establishing themselves, there are several families from New Brunswick, in British America, wno, we understand, are to be followed by many more, attracted to this country by the superiority of the climate. The want of roads in this district is still much felt, though the difficulty and expense of maI king them would be comparatively trifling owing to the facilities offered by the features of the country. We are glad to learn that the proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, who has charge of the ferry at the town, has given orders for the construction of a punt capable of taking in a team of bullocks and dray for the accommodation of the settlers on the southern side of the river,' A considerable extent of land has been sold in the district by the Government within the last six months, and the disposition to purchaseland, which was evidently bri the increase, received a powerful stimulus from the land regulations issued by the Governor. It is hardly necessary to say that the proceedings which have recently been instituted in the Supreme Court to prevent these regulations from coming into force, have excited considerable dissatisfaction and indignation among "the Wanganui settlers, who feel that a serious injdry and great discouragement have been thereby inflicted on' the growing prosperity of the settlement.