, 1877-11-30
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
FROM LOPEZ ISLAND.

Arriving here yesterday afternoon
ON the steamer Dispatch, we proceed
ed to look around; and, upon the i'm.
pulse of the moment, began to criti.
cizo. The steamer landing is in
pleasant little bay, on the west side
Of the Island, and next to the passage
between it and San Juan. A store
and = post. office are kspt here by
Mr.. Hutchinson who trades with the
farmers on this as well as neighbor.
ing islands. But to our criticisms:
The number OF settlers who came
down to the Office and anxiously
waited fo- their mail was indicative
of an extensive adjacent settlement,
and to note the absence of wharf at
which to land, gives one an unfavor-
able idea Of the thrift and enterprise
of these people-especially as they
live upon an island, where all com
munication with the outer world is by
water. 1t is mistaken policy which
leads so many of our sturdy farmers
to believe that the building of sub,
stantial wharves End spacious ware.
houses must he left among the last
stages Of growth and prosperity. If
these farmers will only try the exper
iment, they will soon find that the
building Of such wharf and ware.
house as lies easily within their pow
er, will not only materially enhance
the value of their real eatate, but will
make their produce worth from three
to ten cents more per bushel than it
now is. Business men Of all kinds,
and especially traders will always
buy produce more readily where they
are assured that vessel can go at
any time and find it stored, ready to
ship; besides the unnecessary cost OF
canoeing and Tightening off freight is
tax the size of which is only real
lied after it is abolished. Let the
citizens addressed, accept few
friendly suggestions, go to work in
earnest, and the wharf question will
soon beat least off of thsir minds.
The roads across this island, so far
as we saw, are passably good--con
sidering the age Of the settlement. 1t
must be remembered that out Of the
forty or fifty actual settlers here, but
very few came prior tolast fall. Their
efforts in bringing the land under
cultivation, erecting houses, barns
and fences, certainly show industry
and even thrift. The amount Of good
farming land on this island, proper
tioDate to its size, is greater than on
any Of the archipelago. Most OF it is
now occupied; however there are yet
several very fair claims vacant. The
high ridges that run across the is
land partake of the characteristics Of
all high lands on or near Puget
Sound, being either a whitish clay,
or gravelly soil, and supporting
growth of white ard yellow fir, hem
lock, etc. Between these ridges are
basins consisting of the best Of farm
ing land--being in part of peat form
alton, and in part regular river bot
tom sediment.
On the southern side o the island,
where We did little professional re
connoitcring, two very pretty little
bays were discovered, suitable for &C
commodating any vessel that might
have business to bring them here. 1t
might be well enough to call attention
to tho fact that post Office ought to
be created for and established upon
one Of these bays. Of the settlers on
the Island We were informed that at
least thirty could be much better ac-
commodated by having poSt.office
at one Of the points named. There
are enough people here anyway toI
demand two post offices, and besides,
more are coming. Soon oil the availa-
Bile farming land will be doing duty
IN atfording nourishment to the pro-
duce that is to form part of our val
uahle exports.
Among other things in connection