ABBOTSFORD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 5, Issue 225, 22 October 1861, Page 2

ABBOTSFORD.

{From a Correspondent,) While the people at Napier have teen almost quarrelling about the erection of an English church, the people of Abbotsford and its neighbourhood have built one, -with

pulpit, communion, and sittings forjjgje congregation — all ready to be opened; and Abbotsford can with pride say it had the first English church erected in it that was built in the Province of Hawke's Bay ; and I hope they may have a soul-caring pastor — one that -will care more for the sheep than the fleece. The court house is being painted and will shortly be opened. We have four hotels ; two good stores ; two butcher's shops ; a blacksmith's shop ; a district survey office ; more than one milkman coming, round each morning ; independent of private dwellings — and that on land that within the last two years formed part of a sheep run. In fact so much has Abbotsford progressed, that even its residents are surprised at it. Its desideratum is the want of a good boot-maker's shop, who might depend upon doing -well ; also, a baker. In fact any trade would do well here. We are well supplied with maori produce. Here wood is inexhaustible at a moderate price ; sawn timber plentiful ; and the Waipawa supplies, us with plenty of purest water, and no waterman to pay. We are free from all swamps, and enjoy an air as pure and health invigorating as perhaps any in the world. Everything around us at this time of the year looks green and beautiful. Drays are continually coming and going which, with equestrians flying about in all directions, adds a cheerfulness to the seene — making Abbotsford one of the liveliest little towns you can imagine. In its immediate neighbourhood are some of the finest panoramic views to be seen in the whole of New Zealand ; and the snow-capped Ruahines are visible from* the township ; so that anyone having an idle day and an idle pound to spend might spend them worse than visiting Abbotsford to prove the truth of my assertions. After the interesting account you gave of the progress of the port, I thought it only fair to let you see we inland are striving to go a-head as well. J. G. C.