WANGANUI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 21 May 1853, Page 7

WANGANUI.

[From the "Wellingtoa Spectator.] : ; This settlement, which for a long time may have been considered an out settlement of Wellington, being dependent on it for supplies not produced in the country, is now, by having been recently made a port of entry, placed on an equal footing with the larger towns in Cook's Strait, and keeps up a regular and direct communication with the Australian colonies by means of a vessel well adapted for tl<e purpose; we understand, however, that this vessel, in consequence of the increased trade which has lately, arisen, is to be replaced by a much larger one, Avhich will prove a great convenience to the settlers in the district.

It is gratifying to notice not only the rapidly increasing improvements in the town and its suburbs, both in additional buildings and buildings of a better class, but in the extensive operations which are carried on in the country districts by reclaiming the land from its wild state and bringing it into a high state of cultivation. The farms on both sides of the river are now becoming numerous aud important and in many instances well-ditched and well-fenced and prepared for winter crops ; many of these farms are beautifully situated and contain • natural features which render them very picturesque ; —■ the pretty clumps of bush, the ornamental lake of clear blue water, the winding streams and undulating hills render them pleasing objeots to the eye of the artist, and delightful places of residence now, while their owners can look forward to many years of ease aud contentment as the result of their early toils.

Several flour mills are being erected on the rivet for the natives, and one at Westmea, by Messrs. Taylor Watr, and one has been for a long time in operation belonging to Mr. Joseph Rees, at Papaiete.

An industrial school is about to be established in the town under the auspices of the Government, in aid of.which the sum of £700 lias been already granted, and a large number of men are, employed in draining and fencing the land under the direction of the trustees, and the buildings are to be commenced almost immediately ; by-this institution a great want in the settlement will be supplied,-as hitherto the means of education for the children have been varied and uncertain.

Wanganui is well situated in the centre of a large district, extending from RuusUikei thirty miles to the south, to Waitotara, twenty miles to the northward, and fiuins the natutal outk-t to the whole. The district is one of the richest in the country, and well adapted fur agricultural or pastoral purposes. Amongst the settlers, now in great numb-rs establishing themselves, there are several families from New Brunswick, in British, America, who, we understand, are to be followed by many niore, attracted to this country by iue superiority of the climate.