CAPABILITIES OF FATAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1526, 15 April 1882, Page 3

CAPABILITIES OF FATAL.

But for its unpleasant neighbors, observes the Globe, Natal would, no doubt, attract a good many more emigrants from Europe than is the case at present. The country seems to be full of openings for enterprising colonists. In one district a discovery of very fine marble is just reported, and the local residents are indulging in pleasant dreams of the tiuie when they will live in a beautiful town built of that material. At present they chiefly dwell in wooden houses, we believe, only the heads of society owning iron ones. The marble is pronounced by experts quite equal to the finest Italian, and as one high hill is described as wholly composed of the valuable stone, Natal possesses the raw material for infinite statuary should her people ever develop that taste. In another part of the settlement it has been ascertained that indigo will grow to perfection, while some ambitious minds are also concerning themselves with the possibility of producing jute, cotton, and cinchona. As coal of good quality is known to exist in practically inexhaustible quantities, while iron ore of high quality is found in Zululand, if not in Natal itself, all the elements for industrial prosperity appear to be available. It may be a long way off as yet, but Natal is young enough to wait for the good time coming. Perhaps progress may be quickened by the desire of the colonists to be accorded the privilege of self-government. That boon brings with it the responsibility for selfdefence, and it has been found in other cases that this change has served to increase public spirit. New Zealand lagged behind in the inter-colonial race until her people found that they must depend upon themselves for keeping the Maoris in order.