CAPTAIN WILLIAM JACKSON BARRY ON POVERTY BAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 2034, 14 November 1883, Page 2

CAPTAIN WILLIAM JACKSON BARRY ON POVERTY BAY.

[To the Editor of the, Hei.ald.] Sir, — Allow me, through your columns, to express my surprise, after the lapse of 45 yeara, when I visited this bay on a whaling expedition, at the wonderful strides that have been made in the settlement of Poverty Bay, and the rise and progress of such a pretty little town aa Gisborne. I have, during my present stay, made it my business to visit several parts of this thriving district, and in nothing am I so much astonished as finding the soil of such excellent quality, and capable of producing auything the hand of man may plant. As an agricultural district it could hold its own against any place in New Zealand, being rich and fertile. I visited yesterday the splendid farm belonging to Major Westrup, where I was shown grass not to be beaten anywhere. The land is evidently capable of carrying twelve sheep to the acre. But one matter astonishes me, and that is, that so little attention is here devoted to the production of vegetables. Instead of importing, there ought to be sufficient exportation to supply a third of the inhabitants of the colony with vegetable food. It is evident that the Government have shamefully neglected the interests of this splendid part of the colony in not affording those in authority the means whereby to open up the laud, "and ensure its settlement by an industrious population. Your harbor is the best between Auckland and Wellington, and should be utilised as a harbor of refuge. It is, therefore, the duty of the Government to lose no time in providing a proper breakwater. The production the district is capable of would soon repay the outlay, and add materially to the wealth of the colony. I intend, before leaving, visiting the Oil Springs, and shall report to the world, in the new book I am about to publish, full information on the subject of your oil deposits, which I am certain from indications I witnessed last evening so close to the town aa Makaraka, that there is a great source of wealth yet to be developed in this locality. Near the Roselaud Hotel I lit my cigar last night from the flames that wore produced by applying a match to a pipe leading from a water tank there. I intend to visit Mr. Barker's and other estates in this district, anil shall not leave without reporting my opinion upon them. I am convinced there is a grand future before Gisborne and Poverty Bay. William Jackson Bakry. Gisborne, Nov. 14th, 1883.