North-western District.

In this district, which extends round to Taranaki and Wanganui, the soil is all that can be desired, and is probably one of the richest areas in the Southern Hemisphere. The surface soil is formed by the decomposition of calcareous marls, which underlie the whole country, intermixed with débris from the lava-streams and tufaceous rocks of the extinct volcanic mountains, The noble character of the forest which generally covers the area proves the productiveness of its soil, although at the same time it greatly impedes the progress of settlement.