FROM WEST TO EAST.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8954, 10 December 1890, Page 3

FROM WEST TO EAST.

A HURRIED VISIT TO HAWKE'S BAY. {Continued from yesterday.) Some years ago I heard it said that the colony would he benefited were the Government to charter a steamer and run the old Taranaki identities round the colony to let them see something: this would be still true of Wairoa — self-contained and selfsatisfied they pass their life of vegetation. A coach road is mooted and surveyed, which will connect Wairoa with Napier, and regular coach traffic would be established between Napier and Gisborne. The Wairoa people will have none of it, and it ib doubtful whether it will ever be an accomplished fact. However, the people are happy, and so long as a cheque has not to be made up, prosperous and well to do. One very striking feature in all this extreme eastern part is the appearance of the native and half-caste population. There is none of the poverty and degradation we in Taranaki - are accustomed to associate with the Maori. All are well-dressed and well-horsed, treated by Europeans with respect, and are evidently an important compotent part of the community. The greater part of the 8000 acres of rich alluvial flat through which the river meanders is native land; while their neat houses and numerous churches bespeak a higher stage of native civilization than we are used to. Wairoa rejoices 'in another feature, one which annoys very considerably. In Taranaki we have mud. Stuff is called by the same name in Wairoa. An hour'B rain raises a glassy film on the roa-is, on which slides can easily be made. Three wet hours increases this creamy stuff, till the boot sinks comparatively into a yellow paste, which adheres closely, and is only removed with trouble The "papa "rock is said to gradually decay and become an impalpable clay dust, which is supposed to be the cause of tbis sticky nuisance. A mile or two up the river is Turiroa, the discharging station of the packe: s who penetrate to the interior stations. Here are several farms which have been settled for many, years, and are now in fairly good order, but" to. an eye accustomed to the neat live fences 6l the South Island, the bare wires which not only here, but all over the Eaat Coast are universally used, seems at once a waste of moi&ey and loss of shelter. In Turiroa are some splendid shorthorn cattle of the real "beef" type, bred up carefully by the use of imported sires, or, at lea«t, their authenticated gets. The sheep are also exce/fent. The carrying capacity of a few seres of flat land is equal to that of any other part of New Zealand. No doubt, wjt/i greater facility of transit, Wairoa wcafd be a very important district, but w2n'ie surplus stock have to be driven eighty to one hniidred miles to market, it will remain a- very outside place. While isolationists the people, the plagues of New Zealand find out the land. Of late the best pastures — the richest spots— hfi"Q been invaded by a growth of ti-tree — ""a threatens to ruin the runs. It star* ' nail plant, grows to six or eight fe« ■ '' ./and so close that no sheep r /Strate a thicket. The small fam j^his work cnt out to keep it do -•' J?Twill be impossible for the r Ao overtake it. This plague is *■ jn waste patches as far nort> • n s. Wanganui. From the Wa< is advancing the " cottT ' .cb, joining forces with tr"" /^gne which will cause, in s^re heartaches even that the j, r '.e cause of the rapid spread of Ranees is said to be sbeep carrying /^u in their wool. J.JJD. •T' (To le continued.)

In use at hospitals and medical clinics all over the globe ; patronised by His Majesty the King of Italy ; crowned with medal and diploma at International Exhibition, Amsterdam. Trust in this approved article, and rejec all others. (For continuation of news see 4th page )