PALMERSTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 39, 21 October 1871, Page 8

PALMERSTON.

• (from our own correspondent.) v October 9

The weather during the last fortnight has considerably improved, and the fruit trees, with their blossoms, give evidence that spring, with all its vernal influences,. has fairly commenced. The improvement in the weather has caused a bustle and activity amongst our settlers—the pioneers of civilisation in these primeval forests—that is very pleasing to witness. “ Go-ahead Palmerston” will be our motto, I trust, for some time to come; and it you could see the many changes that have taken place in so short a time, the .buildings that have been erected, the clearings that have been effected, and the roads made, you would admit that the settlers of this locality are deserving of the name, for having accomplished so much, with such insuperable difficulties to contend against. The wlnrrmg ot the circular saw at the timber mill is a musical sound of progress, and the demand tor timber is constantly increasing. As spring advances, the pests of the district are showing themselves, and the advance guard of the moßquito army is now fairly witn us, which I fear will be quickly augmented by the main body. As settlement progresses, however, and the bush is cleared, these pcs ® will retire from the field. A goodly number of intending settlers are anxiously waiting for the Provincial Govern ment to give effect to the Land on De Payments Act. Delays, as you are aware, are dangerous in such matters as these ; ana therefore, it is to be hoped that no unnecessarv delay will be allowed to take place, as w would have the effect of preventing a most useful body of men from occupying lanci amongst us. Many of the roadmen are anxiously looking forward for the new worts that are to be put out by the District Engineer, for the completion of the tramway Ngawakarau, and the commencement ot tne tramway line to Rangitikei.. A report lias got pretty well into circulation here, tnat tn line of road laid down to Rangitikei througn the township of Palmerston is likely io oe abandoned; but I can scarcely give credence to it, inasmuch as the purchasers of sections on that line of road will be seeking redress from the Government, many of them having purchased land on the understanding that tne road would be constructed with all possible speed.

A constable for the district is much needed. At present the peaceable inhabitants are at the mercy of a few lawless men, who, when drunk, commit crimes that should be severely punished. The settlers, however, have no redress, and are compelled quietly to submit to their ruffianly eccentricities. The Dane, on whom Dr Spratt performed a second operation is now rapidly recovering. I notice an important memorandum submitted by Mr Krull to the Government, relative to the manufacture of beet-root sugar. We have sufficient land in this district to accommodate 50 such companies as he describes, and the quality of the land is equal to anything in the world. All we want is population to occupy and cultivate it. The climate is suitable for the growth of the vine, and such is the fertility of the soil, that all vegetables attain a prodigious size. The Government should offer every facility for the introduction of such companies as Mr Krull mentions. With companies established for the manufacture of sugar, flax, and the development of the timber trade, this district would become one of the most important in New Zealand.

A large influx of population to this district will make it imperative on the Government declaring Manawatu to he a port of entry. Many of the settlers are of opinion that this should be done at once. The Manawatu is a noble river; there are three or four feet on the bar at low water, and the rise and fall is six feet. It is navigable for upwards of thirty miles, and offers every facility for shipping.