NO. IV. RIVERTON.

Southland Times, Issue 672, 20 May 1867, Page 3

NO. IV. RIVERTON.

It ia perhaps^, digression in ■what is intended as an Agricultural Report, to discant at any length upon any other subject than land and crops. Still the town of Biverton cannot be passed over without mention. It is, with the exception of Inveroargui and the Bluff, the only seaboard settlement in the Province, and it is per* tainly entitled to rank second only to the capital. It is a finely positioned and well laid out town* ship. Approached from tho North Bpad, when first sighted it presents a pleasing riew. The banks south of the Aparima and Furekamu Bivors, that form the Jacob's Biver Estuary, are the first to attract attention ; the high South Biverton range timbered almost to the water's edge, is fringed, aa it were, with habitations of no mean dimensions, and the towering distant Long* wood Ranges make A back ground that renders the scene both pleasing and romantic. The .town is built on tho north side of the Estuary, It command? an extensive land and water view, and is sheltered, from, the westerly winds by tha high land; ef Longwoed., Toil » not only fc woll proportioaed, but a. woll built town* and j premises & spwdily bflootoo of §<?a»iarrabfe im^ t gwlfmesi 1% it «Q9ir^%d kf splendid sgrieulturAl cauntry, ms. j\c«??s*» maritime fACUiti,i;» ef a eh»««tsi?a9t wv& sfiQK&i on t3»& iwp'"^ a ftl

House, and Police Station. The business premises are for the most part large and substantial, equal to mo3t of the first class houses in Invercargill. It is considered that the surest evidence of the prosperity of a town i 3 the absence of vacant houses, if Riverton can be judged from, this standard it must be prosperous, inasmuch as all buildings of any pretension appear to be "well tenanted. During my stay in this locality I took some pains to ascertain the condition, commercially and socially, of this rising town. Commercially, it appears most healthy, a largo trade is carried on with the Lake district, in addition to the country district business which is extensive, and increasing. The only drawback to its* becoming an inpoitant seaport is an awkward bar, near the entrance of tho Estuary, but it is stated that at high tide vessels drawing about 10 feet can come to the wharf, and ships of any size can ride with safety in Howells Roads, about a mile and a half from the township. Socially there is a deficiency. There are no local institutions of either a mental or scientific character — no place of resort where enquiring young men can seek instruction or wholesome recreation. There is also a deficiency in academical institutions. Since the suspension of the Educational Ordinance, the public school has been carried on without Government aid, and numbers about forty scholars. There are also two Sunday schools. This is a matter for congratulation, although inadequate to the requirements of so progressive & district. I observed that the religious denominations were but partially represented. The Episcopalians and the Presbyterians have each neat places of worship, in which service is regularly held, but the other denominations, except the Maories — I am at a loss how to class them — have no etanding. There is a good Volunteer Rifle Company, and from the constant practice the members appear to delight in, a champion shot, it is not unlikely may be found among them to carry off the belt next year. Whatever may be the deficiences observable, Riverton is a pretty, healthy looking, increasing township. South Riverton, the suburban residence of many, is beautiful to a degree. It is situated on the South side of the water, on high table land commanding one of the most mellow and yet remantic views I have ever beheld. Here is the estate of His Honor the Superintendent, and scarcely any thing can be conceived that would surpass it as a gentleman's residence. The view is extensive, embracing ocean, and river, ! level and mountainous scenery in one glance. Riverton is certainly entitled to be ranked among tho most inviting places for settlement that New Zealand can present.