MR BRYCE ON WANGANUI.

Patea Mail, 11 December 1880, Page 3

MR BRYCE ON WANGANUI.

In proposing “ tlic agricultural ami pastoral interests of Wanganui, at <a public dinner, this week, Mr Bryce, Native Minister, said that from the agricultural and pastoral points of view combined, Wanganui stood in the premier position of the Colony, it not of the world. He would not say this if its capacity for wheat growing only was considered, but for grain and grass combined, He found that the Southern papers were occasionaly hard upon him in his capacity as Native Minister, because they said he never forgot that he represented a district to which all the roads of the North Island converged. There could be no doubt but what Wanganui was the natural outlet of the whole of the West Coast district, as well as a large tract of the interior. In stating what he had done about Wanganui’s position as an agricultural and pastoral country ho was not giving only his own opinion, but that of others who wore practical men. Mr Bryce referred to a recent journey along the West Coast in company with Mr Bollcston, Minister for Lands, and the warm admiration expressed by Mr Rolleston of the fertility both of the coast line and also of the blocks inland of Opunakc, Manaia, and Fielding. The agricultural and pastoral interests of such a district could not fail to prosper, as they rested on the best possible foundation.