UPPER RANGITIKEI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2492, 14 March 1867, Page 4

UPPER RANGITIKEI.

(FBOM OTTR OWN CORKE3PONDENT.)

Mardi, 1867. The weather here is everything that could be desired for farming operations ; tho crops are all gathered in, and considering the heavy rains and •wind of last month, very little corn or crops have been damaged. The fnrmcrs tire taking advantage of this fine weather and aro busily employed with their machines thrashing and winnowing the corn in tho open air. There aro seven or eight thrashing machines now at work in this district, and it is reckoned that it will take them three or four months more before all the corn is ready for the mill or the market. There are two flour mills on the banks of the Tutaenui, kepfc # by Messrs Henderson and Sons and Mr Galpin, which aro a great acquisition to the district. The land extending from tho Manawatu to the Upper Rangitikei reminds me of the Canterbury plains, as seen from the top of Port Lyttelton hill. The best of the land is fit for pasturage or the plough, and may well be styled the " Garden of Wellington." Wood and' water are abundant; finer fruit or better vegetables I have nover seen grown, either at home or abroad; peaches, apples, pears, &c, are splendid, the largest and most delicious I have met with in the island ; cabbages, the largest and whitest I have seen, and, which is rare for New Zealand, without blight ; cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins in abundance. There are thousands of acres of the best land both here and in the Manawatu block uncultivated, it may well be said of it that it is a " land flowing with milk and honey," and future generations will have cause (when settled down on the Manawatu) to bear in grateful remembrance the name of our worthy Superintendent, Dr Feafcherston, whose forethought and.knowledge caused him to procure for them such a line country to settle in. Houses are springing up hero every day. It was only a short time ago we had no roads ; settlers had a difficulty in making out their own houses. We have now splendid roads through the district and new one3 opening up every day, thanks to our Provincial Government, who have not only given us good roads but have granted a subsidy to that enterprising firm of Cobb & Co, for running bi-weekly mails to and from Wellington. It is an established fact that the moment a country is opened up by roads for traffic it takes its first step towards prosperity ; but when a first-rate Jehu, with four in hand with Her Majesty's mail drives regularly through, it is then tho Yankee motto " go a-head."

Why is it that people arc so fond of crowding together in your large towns, with wages barely sufficient to meet their daily wants ? What competition there [is in the different trades for the lease of a shop or the purchase of a. building plot ! Why is it they like so much to bo huddled together inhaling impure air ? Why is it that they are so infatuated as not to look out for a comfortable home for themselves and children ? Perhaps their answer would be, tell us how we can better ourselves and we will. Those that are able I would 1 advise to purchaso land hero or in the Manawatu, and to those who have not rash at their command, but what is better, health and strength, I would eay, work. There is bread and work for all, i.e., those that are willing to seek for it, and when you are able purchase a small farm for yourselvos and leave an independence to^ your children, and your tottering steps and grey hairs will go down the smoother to your long homo, knowing that your children are provided for.

In the midst of prosperity and plenty around me there was nothing gave me more pleasure or greater satisfaction than to see the interest taken by the inhabitants under the fostering care of their government in the education of their children. "Wherever there are new settlements jyou will see school-houses and places of worship, and although separated by half the globe from the home of their fathers, they do not forget that their father's God is over present with them, to bless them in their labors by day, to protect and guard them by night, and to be more especially with them on His holy Sabbath, when they meet together to offer up their prayers and tribute of praise to His Divine Majesty.