Dunedin, Saturday, February 19, 1853.

Otago Witness, Issue 92, 19 February 1853, Page 2

Dunedin, Saturday, February 19, 1853.

We last week took occasion to comment upon the progress made in the country distiicts. We this week resume the subject. From the jetty erected on the Taieri bank, which lies rather out of the track of the usual dray road, the main thoroughfare to the country districts traverses the bottom of the spurs of the ranges bounding the east side of the plain, occasionally touching the bank of the river to the ferry. From the jetty but little has been done to improve the road, but it is yet passable for drays during eight or nine months of the year. Along the line there are a few cultivations, but of no great extent, the quantity of land available for agriculture being limited. The cattle pasture on the hills, however, is of an improved description. Wood is rather scarce, until within a short distance of the native village, about 21 miles from Dunedin ; here Lhere is a fine bush abutting on the river, affording an easy and cheap means of carriage to spots less favoured. The lower part of this bush is laid off in sections, which are chosen; and the wasteful process of clearing and burning off has been practised, though not to a great extent, the land under cultivation being very limited. There are several seltleis located here, and some neat cottages and tasty gardens are to be seen. Wood is plentiful, and, we believe, unchosen, on the ranges at the back, though apparently somewhat difficult of access. The reserve for the natives is a fine flat piece of land, well suited for a town. The natives appear to make but little use of it; they follow their usual custom, and prefer cultivating the bush land on the steep sides of hills. The cultivations, at least as much of them as are seen from the road, are extremely slovenly — wheat, oats, and potatoes all growing together ; and more wheat was laid here than we had seen in any other part of the Taieri. The river now turns to the east, and has cut its way between lofty hills to the sea, presenting in some parts most sublime scenery. From the river's mouth, both northward and southward, there is a considerable extent of fine available land, but difficult of access. There are a few settlers located on the spot, of whose progress we cannot speak, not having visited this locality since they com-

menced operations. Thus far all are within an easy day's ride of Dunedin; and although, as a matter of course, cultivation is much more spirited at the head of the plain, from the facility of carriage to Dunedin, a considerable number of cattle are to be seen grazing, in admirable condition, down to the length of the Native Village. The West Taieri district presents if anything a more attractive picture. The available land is more extensive, and lies with a more gradual slope to the plain : wood is plentiful, but would require to be carted some distance. Cultivation has not been carried on to the same extent as in the nearer district, but it is still not neglected. The settlers here — and there are a goodly sprinkling of inhabitants — are chiefly engaged in sheep-farming and cattle rearing. No doubt more will be done in agriculture when the means of communication are increased, which we understand is likely to be j done by the settlers themselves. On the whole, I the Taieri is a remarkably fine district, and affords an available opening for a large population. There are thousands of acres of good flat | land, plenty of wood for years to come, water in abundance, and feed upon the hills in the back country, the extent of which is unknown. Coal and limestone have both been discovered in j the ranges on each side ; and the day may not be very far distant when we may see good substantial farm houses of brick or stone, with blazing coal fires, speaking of comfort within doors — well cultivated fields with neat hedge rows, substantial barns and stacks of corn, shewing plenty without. So much, then, for this much-abused Taieri, so often designated a swamp. We should say, that were it the only available district in Otago, that we had yet a splendid country; but there are other plains greater in extent which their admirers consider as far finer. Undoubtedly, as we proceed to the Southward, the pasturage greatly improves ; and to those who have large capital and seek extensive runs, notwithstanding the great expense of establishing themselves at a distance, they may be better adapted. We return to the ferry at the Taieri. Here the river is a fine stream of considerable width, i and depth enough to float a vessel of 200 or 300 tons, ebbing and flowing with the tide I which appeared to us to flow into the Waihola j ' Lake with rather greater force than up the main branch of the river. After crossing the j river there is but little available land, the spurs of the ranges running down to the water's edge, j A ride of two or three miles brings the traveller \ to a more inviting country : the hills recede and the land becomes more level and available for agriculture. We are, however, apt to think lightly of it, from having seen much finer lands. The wood, too, is rather scarce, unless fetched from a distance, which, however, might be easily done, from the facility of water carriage ; but there must be a combination of labour, and a more extensive population than the Waihola district can as yet boast of, before this desirable consummation can take place. The lake is a beautiful sheet of water, of great extent, abundantly stocked with wild fowl, and affords facility for the creation, by planting trees, of as fine scenery as could be desired. At the head of the lake, a distance of about eight miles from the ferry, is the gorge — an undulating piece of country, some two or three miles wide, well adapted to agriculture, but scanty of timber. The pasturage is remarkably good, extending over easily traversable hills back to the Waipori — a district which may be looked upon as a continuation of the West Taieri. The whole of this country is stocked with cattle and sheep. On passing through the gorge, we come upon the Tokomairiro. This is a magnificent plain — so level that a plough might be drawn in a straight line for miles without interruption. It is just such a plain, one might suppose, in less peaceful times would be chosen as a battlefield to try the fate of empires and of princes. The pasturage cannot be surpassed, and covers the low undulating hills (to which the term grassy downs can conscientiously be applied) with which, like all the other plains in Otago ( it is surrounded. The clear and pleasant little stream, designated the river, is not navigable even for boats, but afford a plentiful supply of mill-power. The district is occupied by extensive flocks and herds, the cultivation being confined to a comparatively small patch, on which some dozen or so of settlers are located in contiguity ; they, however, considering the short time they have resided there, are making vast improvements. Many of the houses are of a more substantial character than any to be seen in the whole of the rural districts ; the fences are good and solid, and the crops in all directions of a first-rate quality. There are some goodly herds in fine condition ; and, from the plenty evidently around, the inhabitants of this favoured spot ought to be contented. The unusual circumstance of so many persons keeping cattle residing so close together is to be accounted for to some extent by there being but one piece of bush from which they can draw their fuel and fencing. This bush is reserved, aud will last them for many years to come. It is

much to be regretted that this system of reserving the woods for general use has not been more frequently adopted. Much of the country is left un. chosen from the scarcity of this indispensable article; and we find greedy individuals seizing upon every section with the least piece of bush on it — not because they want it themselves, but merely with the hope of rendering a vast tract of land unavailable to others, that they may secure it as a run. Yet these people, inconsistently enough, complain of the slow progress of the settlement, — as if other people were to come and stand with their hands in their pockets and gaze at them while they made money. From the Tokomairiro southward the country is undulating, and covered with fine pasture, but unoccupied, except with flocks and herds, and that not fully. A ride of 4 or 5 miles brings in view the Tuakitoto lake, a fine sheet of water 10 or 12 miles in length, navigable for boats. Around the margin of this lake there is a considerable extent of level land, though apparently wet. The greater part, in fact nearly the whole of this country is available for cultivation ; wood, however, is scarce. A further journey of 10 or 12 miles over low grassy ranges brings you to the banks of the far-famed and much boasted Clutha, at the head of the island Inch Clutha. It is certainly a noble stream, of great width and depth, said to be navigable for 50 miles, but running like a mill-race, and presenting a barrier to the country beyond, which will keep it unoccupied for many years, except by a pastoral population. The back country i^ undulating, covered with grass, and well stocked -with wood, dispersed up and down the ranges, rendering it easy of access. The low ground towards the mouth of the river is extensive and level, but abounding in wet marshy places and lagoons. The island is of very considerable extent, but to us it did not appear inviting ; it is level and pretty well wooded; most of it, however, is in private hands. The soil is evidently remarkably rich, as are all the alluvial deposits in New Zealand, and the timber is of a first-rate description. Water is apparently a little too abundant. With all these advantages, it is to be regretted that no means of access has as yet been provided. The settlers in. this district are very widely scattered, ..and their cultivations are but trifling. Some of the good folks have vegetated here for four or five years, but have done little else. We believe, however, that a new light is dawning upon them : the idea of cultivating only as much as will meet their own wants has had the effective do not know whether desired or not) of deterring others from going there. They can never e:\pect a'man to be at the expense of taking down a year's supply of provisions from Dunedin at an enormous expense, when he can go to other districts and buy his necessaries from his neighbours. On the whole we do not see the superexcellence of this boasted distiict. Our opinion of it may not have been improved by having passed the night on the bare hills without food, fire, or blankets ; but we had a fine prospect, and an opportunity of seeing it under eiery aspect — by twilight, starlight, moonlight, dawn, and daylight — yet in no light was it overwhelmingly agreeable ; but an empty stomach is much against the picturesque, and apt to sour the judgment on all points. We cannot see that there need be any jealousy between the scttleis of the vaiious distiicts ; each has its peculiar advantages, and each requires to be seen to be appreciated. Theie is one ad\antage in which all participate : there is not the slightest difficulty in constructing a dray road the whole way from Dunedin to the banks of the Clutha. We believe it possible, even as matters are at present, to take a dray the whole distance, and a few hundred pounds judiciously spent in making fords over a creek or two, and in bridging a few guile} s, would make a good substantial summer road. There is not the slightest difficulty in travelling upon horseback, much less than there used to be in going to the North-east Valley in the early days of the colony. This subject, no doubt, will be amongst the first to occupy the attention of the Provincial Council. If well done, it will be an appropriate monument to mark the advantage of Local SelfGovernment. In conlusion, we cannot .but notice the extremely hospitable manner in which we were received throughout the journey. Peace and plenty, happiness and contentment, are graven upon every object. The children's sunburned ruddy faces, the gudewife's prim cap and white api on, the gudeman's bonnet, plaid, and staff, all speak of health, industry, and comfort, enough to make any one envy the life of a country settler.