TARANAKI

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1760, 30 August 1862, Page 3

TARANAKI

[from our own correspondent.] Taranaki, August 23, 1862. By this steamer there is scarce anything to write about, all around-appearing to be in a most perfect state of stagnation, not the slightest attempt being made towards cultivating the out farms. To convince you that this does not arise from indolence, but from the uncertainty of our position, I may state that sections within the boundaries of the town are rented at the rate of £20 an acre per annum for the purpose of growing vegetables and garden produce. The Natives both north and south are in an apparent state of quietude, watching in all probability the tide of events. The carrying out of the roads seems still a qucesta. vexata. The line as laid down by the Engineering Surveyor is opposed by the Com mittee of the Council, from its lying so immediately along the coast, it will not be of much value to those settlers whose property ia close to the bush. It is the general wish that the road should run further back so as to increase the value of the bush lands. Could some definite hope be given of future peace and quietude for the future, all is ripe with some assistance for immediate and. rapid progress. Our iron sand which is now satisfactorily, proved to be of real value, would soon be rendered a marketable commodity. The Superintendent and Council have addressed a memorial to His Excellency Sir G. Grey praying that immediate steps may be taken towards relieving Taranaki from its present de plorable situation, with a proposition for raising i' 200,000 for compensating the settlers for their losses and thus enable them once again to strive by honest industry to replace their former comfortable homes. All these movements are good, as they tend to evince that the sad gtate of pauperism to which we for the last two years have beon reduced has not quite conquered our love of independence^ r W. I. G.