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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5033, 11 May 1877, Page 2

We hear on reliable authority that the land sales in the Canterbury Provincial District during the month of April realised £60,000. A great extension of the cultivation of grain is anticipated next year, and the earnestness of farmers in that part of the colony becomes apparent when we mention that over twelve hundred of the new patent reaping and binding machines have been ordered for next season, at an average cost of £BO. To keep these machines going during the season it is estimated that six hundred tons of wire will he required. Such important facta as these demonstrate more forcibly than many words the rapid advance New Zealand is making as an agricultural country. With such increase in production we have no reason to fear any financial inconvenience in the future.

At the meeting of the City Council yesterday afternoon Councillor George gave notice of three or four motions, all of which we hope will be accepted by the Council. Corporation offices for the city of Wellington have become an absolute necessity. While there may be differences of opinion as to the advisableness of building a Town Hall, we believe no ratepayer who takes any pride in the city can object to the present proposition. The remarks which Councillor George yesterday made respecting the present offices should convince any waveror. The proposal to form a road through Polhill Gully to Knrori is not a new idea ; but that fact does not detract from the desirableness of the work being done. Twenty years ago it was surveyed by a Hr. Hughes, and since that time the matter has been before the public continually ; and at the present time a series of pegs are in the ground indicating the course taken by the City Engineer when he made a survey two years ago. If such a road were made it would be a great convenience to Te Aro and the centre of the city, for the distance between To Aro and Karori would be reduced to a drive of twenty minutes. The other two

motions are of minor importance, but still aim at achieving fprai-eworthy objects. The only recreation ground in Wellington should be made the most of, and we are sure if the trustees get the vote it is proposed to give them, they will make the Basin Reserve a little more worthy of the city.