AS OTHERS SEE US.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 974, 20 December 1882, Page 3

AS OTHERS SEE US.

A gentleman who has been taking a run through this district, gives his impressions to the Fielding Star as follows; —The country between Wanganui and Waverley appears at its best during this season. The large green fields, beautifully dotted and ornamented with clean, healthy-looking sheepand herds of fine looking cattle, speak in unmistakeable terms of an old and prosperous settlement. The farmhouses also attract attention by their neat, comfortable, and in many cases grand appearance. A large square house with verandah on three sides, describes in a few words many of the better class ; at least there are half-a-dozen to be seen, to all appearance, built from the same plan. The country between Waitotara and Hawera seems to be well settled on ■ for a depth of at least 10 miles from the coast. The evidences of rich ■ soil and prosperous settlement seem to increase until you reach the thriving town of Patea, the third and last river harbour between Wellington and New Plymouth that is likely to be used to any extent as a small port. Patea must become, eventually, a place of considerable importance. Even now it shows signs of great vitality and progress. The hotels, banks, and stores, ar.e mostly creditable buildings. I must not forget to mention the greatest source of discomfort to be met with in travelling on the coast at present. A few days of fine weather-make the dust on the roads between Waverley and Hawera (30 miles) a perfect plague. Of course the railway will soon put an end to it. About 10 miles more to Patea is expected to be opened in about six months, but in the mean time the daily coach is equal to a “.time hall,” as the settlers far and near may know its whereaboats by the clouds of dust it raises. I will always pity the poor travellers by coach in summer time ; the dust must be a 1 so a great trouble, to business people in the various towns. Between Patea and Hawera we saw a Maori having a wash at a small stream on '.the road side. The coachman told ns he was blind, and was well known for miles around as being able to go out into his paddock, catch his horse, ride int town, stop at .the hotel, have his glass of beer, go to his store, do his marketing, come back to where he left his horse, and mount and ride home, as if there were nothing the matter. -No doubt his faithful horse should he credited with a good part of the performance;