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Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 105, 29 March 1856, Page 2

New Zealand Probinces. NEW PLYMOUTH.

[Fiiom our own Correspondent]. March 22, 1836. The barracks are now finished. They occupy a commanding position on Mnrsland Hill, and add considerably to the finish of the town. They appear to be designed somewhat after the Great Exhibition, and would look all the better if a centre tower could have been added. All the troops have left their tents and are now safely and comfortably housed. The remain • der of the 58th detachment left U3 a week ago, per Zingari, and our complement is now three companies of the 65 th, with Sappers and Miners, and Boyal Artillery.

Our native relations continue as they were. The natives 6aem too busy to fight. They are daily bringing bullock-carts into town with all sort 3of produce for sale : wheat, oats, potatoes, peaches, cape-goose-berries, &c, which they hawk about from door to door with unwearied perseverance and success. Can you take them in ? You had better try : most likely you will yourself be victimized. It is pleasing to see this advance they are making in civilization, and there i.j plenty of room for them in the country, and for a large increase to our European population as well, if they would spare some thousands of acres of their wuste lands.

The farmers and exporters here are dealing very cautiously, hoping that markets will rise. It is difficult to prognosticate, but the prices now offered will hardly pay the grower. Potatoes are unsaleable ; very little wheat is exchanging hands : the millers offer 10s. per bushel, the growers demand 12s.

Our roadstead has been very much improved by moorings having been laid down, so that with ordinary precaution nothing but a little inconvenience may be suffered here by Ship-Captains. The Wesleyans of this place had a gala day, last week, on the occasion of laying the fouudation stone of their new church. It is to be in the gothic style, in dimensions 50 feet by 30, with a gallery at one end: it is to cost with the purchase of the site, £1,100. If ifc is carried out according to the design, the place will be an ornament to the town. The stone-laying was a very interesting affuir. I did not count the number?, but there could not have been less than four hundred persons present. Many of your readers may probably be interested in the affair, so I send per mail a copy of the Herald containing an account of the day's proceedings. The native question is deepening in interest throughout the Auckland province. At Waikato t>> to the south, at the Bay of Plenty to the east, and at Kaipara to the north, disorder and tumult and open collision are the rule. The want of a firm hand ever since Sir George Grey left us is makin? itself felt. Natives must be treated with justice and righteousness ; of course no one will take an exception to this course ; but firmness and resolution are as much required as justice and righteousness. I must close abruptly, as the steamer is off.