A vessel has been sent to Massacre Bay from Wellington for specimens of building-stone, for the purpose of erect ing barracks and other Government works, A cargo of samples has been collected, and put on board the Ann and Sarah, and we understand that it is con sidered some are well adapted for build ing purposes. Several samples collected in the neighbourhood of Motueka, have ahro been taken to Wellington by the Emily.
We hear from a gentleman just ar rived from Otago, that that infant settle ment is showing every sign of life and activity. The settlers who have arrived are greatly pleased with the country, and are looking forward confidently to the fu ture. We can see no impediment to the success of this new colony, for it will escape most ofthe drawbacks which have clogged the wheels of the older settle ments, and. we believe a finer country does not exist in New Zealand. Some of the Sydney papers, as well as our Auckland cotemporaries, delight in sneer ing at the Otago settlement, and all man ner of absurd things have been said .of it. If we mistake not, Sandy will very little regard the kind friends who com raissorate his misfortune in being placed on so inhospitable a spot, but will invite them to come and see him in half-a-dozen years hence, when they will tell a differ ent tale.
