THE PROSPERITY OF TARANAKI SETTLERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7168, 11 September 1886, Page 2

THE PROSPERITY OF TARANAKI SETTLERS.

It can hardly be a secret from our readers that we entertain very strong opinions on the question of the prosperity of Taranaki, and of its farmer settlers in particular. Almost every day little incidents como out which go to show that this comfortable view is the oorrect one, and some of these incidents have, from time to time, been given publicity to. In conversation a few days, ago a gentleman related his own experiences ou this subject, and they aro well worth repeating, ilis own words were very much as follow : I went out pigeon-shoating the othor day. Whon I got 60 ' nowhere about whore the birds should be, I turned off into a settler's placo to enquire which was the best part of the bush to visit for my puruoaes. The settler told me whero to go. On my indicating some doubts as to whether I could follow .his directions very clearly, he said, : " WolJ, I'll come with you, and show you the spot." Now, 1 considered myself under an extensive obligation to him already for his kindness in giving me the directions, and I had no liking to put him to further trouble. With these •thoughts in my mind, I said : " Oh, don't go tc so much bother as that. I don't want you to lose a day's work on my account." " Work !" he remarked, " Why, bless you, wo never work noro than three days a week up here." I really cannot conceive o£ a more tranquil existence than that of this farmer who "never works more than three days a week." I knew him some time back when he was earning day wages in town. Ho had then to labour pretty bard six days of tho week, and was not his own master either ; but his existence is now as comfortable and free from anxiety as anyone co ild w ish for. 1 The experiences of anothi r gentleman in the country go much iv the same direction, lie stated ; I have occasion sometimes to go inland to see how several children which have been adopted are getting on- I pay these visits iv my official capacity, and make them onco every Ihreu or four months. Well, I went to one place whero a child ha 1 been taken. The foster-father ami mother lnd. I believe, no children of their own. I told the people what I had called for. Presently the little one was brought in, in a clean pinafore, and generally dressed in a most nuit aud stylish minn:r. I was, of Course, very much pleaßed. The family appearod very comfortable, iiiiJ I stayed to dinner. They thought their corned pork, potatoes, bread, »nd tea were not good enough 10 lay before a town person, I suppose, for I heard them Send off to tho store, some distance away, for a pot of jam. After dinnei I had v look over thu farm. My host told mo tha^ ho was nettiug on very well. Ho had about £100 more to pay to char oil" his pioperty, and get a piopir title. When that .vaa done ho intended, hu wild, to add another room or two to his house, aud mako sonic oilier improvements which he ."nentioned. 1 came away vi ry iavorably impressed with his prosperity. I had occasion to re-visit him several months niter this. The child w.ih again proJuctd, as smart and neat as ever. But 1 was wore thau pleasantly surprised to find that tho improvements which ho tni 1 ho intended to make as soon as ho had cleaiod his farm had been made, and betides that I discovered that ho had actually a lopted yet another child 1