EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9162, 18 September 1888, Page 5

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

MR. PATON AT TAURANCA. [by telegraph—own correspondent.] Tauranga, Monday. Mr. Paton, the representative of the English Emigration Office, was met in the bush yesterday by His Worship the Mayor, who on the way down pointed out the site at Oropi for the village settlement, and fully explained the capabilities of the soil, the nature and value of the timber, and many other particulars of interest. Mr. Paton made particular inquiries as to the cost of clearing and laying down the land, and the amount that would be realised from the timber on the ground, and the estimated produce per acre of the land cleared, the nature of the crops that could be produced, and a rough estimate of the yield ; and also as to the cost of getting the crops to the market, and the average prices different crops realise. When coming out of the bush, and on leaving Oropi, Mr. Paton was charmed with the magnificent view that was obtainable, and considered the trip down from the Lakes a most enjoyable and delightful one. He was also struck by the extent and variety of the many valuable timbers, &c., in the Oropi bush. On arrival at Tauranga, it was arranged that Mr. Paton should be taken down to the thriving settlement of Te Puke, but as he had to reach Te Aroha in time for the train in on Tuesday, the visit had to be abandoned. Mr. Paton was shown all round the suburbs, and Ohimoetai and round the beach, and saw all the farms in the vicinity in different stages of cultivation. Before leaving Mr. Paton expressed himself astonished at the enormous area of good agricultural and grazing land in the immediate district, as he had no idea the district was so extensive. In the evening Mr. Paton was interviewed by a number of leading settlers, when he said that his visit had created a most favourable impression on his mind with regard to the capabilities and future of the district. In the course of conversation, Mr. Paton drew a very favourable contrast between such a climate and district as this as a field for emigration and such places as North America where farmers can only work for a limited period each year. He seemed to think it a pity the Government were not assisting emigrants to the colony, as if so it would counteract the flow of emigration to America, where the passage money was only nominal, and the land given for nothing. With a view of obtaining further particulars regarding the suitability of the district as a home for English emigrants, Mr. Paton left with the Mayor a document with a number of questions that have to be filled up and forwarded to the English Emigration Department.