MAHURANGI. (FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2103, 16 April 1864, Page 5

MAHURANGI. (FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Amusements. — Since Christmas social entertainments have been scarce, owing to the public hall having been occupied hy members of the Church of England Special Settlement. An evening's amusement is, however, to como off on Tuesday next ; it is to consist of a tea, dancing, &c. ; the tables are to be provided by private individuals, and the evening's proceeds are to be applied io the internal fittings. The sum of £50 was voted at the last session of the Provincial Council, for the library. I have hoard nothing further of the matter, and am not aware whether the fault lies with tho Executive or the library committee.

Roads. — Our Local Board hns made a start in the formation, of roads ; tenders have been called for and accepted for draining two swamps, between the river and Kaipara flats. The Board seems to go to work with an energy, -worthy of imitation by the Provincial Govcrnmhnl, whose only advance in forming the road to Alberfcland, via Kaipara Plats and the Hote, has been the surveying it, which was done twelve months since. A moro direct lino of communication with Auckland from here, (saving nine miles) by way of the Puke Puke, and Hot Springs is spoken of. This, combined with the projected steam ferry from the North Shore, would put us, as regards distance, on an equality with Drury and other ports south of Auckland. It is to be hoped the boat will be of large tonnage, and thus aftord an opportunity of transporting cattle instead of taking them the circuituous road by Honderson"s mill.

Agbicultithi!, — Our district in this does not for some reason stand very high, in the Aucklandcr's opinion. This, perhaps, ariaos froru parties paying us a flying visit, and judging the quality and capabilities of what they have seen in the immediate vicinity of the river, or from the fact of our not being blessed (as some other settlements are) with an imaginative correspondent. What the land is capable of producing when properly treated, has been proved by Mr. John Trethowen, Parkvale Farm, one of our most energetic as well as scientific farmers. A small paddock of two acres and four chains, yielded 30 tons of as fine potatoes as ever I saw in the colonies, not excepting even Tasmania. The manure used was, I believe, Peruvian guano aud bone dust. I have not ascertained the exact quantity, but it was not equal to that used per acre in Great Britain. Our settlers are pushing forward their operations witli vigour, the high price of produce which has ruled in Auckland, and is likely to do for some time, makes them (to quote Sam Slick ) " feel considerably encouraged." The amount of our exports in timber, shingles, lime, bricks, cattle, gum, farm and dairy produce, &c, would, if estimated, show I think, a, steady and increasing advance, and prove that there, are natural resources within the district, and which only requires an increased population more fully to develop.

District op Wait Aiuim (South),— Mr. H. Morrow, who has been appointed imder the Highways Act, 1862, notifies Mint, jit 6 p m. of the 20th Apiil, he will, At the United States Hotel, in Auckland, dispose of the claims of those who have served notices to be enrolled as voteiß for the electiou of highway trustees for th« *bo?o diitrigfc,