NOW AND THEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 20, 21 December 1883, Page 2

NOW AND THEN.

[Correspondent of Exchange.] A few of our readers will remember a time when, somewhere about twelve years after the settlement of Wellington was founded, a steamer called the Nelson was sent out from England to trade on the coasts of New Zealand. Shortly after her ariival it Jwas foundshe would not pay, and was therefore loaded with wool and sent. Home.; Nowy contrast that tune with the present year, when a fleet of powerful luxurious steamers, of modern^ build; circdmriavigate the Islands of New Zealand, touch at all their principal ports, and connect them with Sydney,; New' South rWales,cand Melbourne m Victoria, Vnd>ou¥ave just cause for congratulation. Add to this the evidence of further progress on a grander scale, as witnessed on the 27th of October, 1883, when the steamship Tonganvo, 4000 tons burthen and 4000 horse power, left Gravesend for your colony with about. 65 saloon passengers, 55 second class, and 230 steerage, or m all about' 850"? persons paying their own passages.- Jt a,remarkable sight to look at this niaghiacent ;new ship, with all the latest improvements, including electric lio-hting, steaming away, to perform ,her part m establishing direct steam communication between the Mother country and her young sel^goyerning colpni_l child, New Zealand. . '