TAHAKOPA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2237, 14 January 1897, Page 25

TAHAKOPA.

By G. W. D. This river and district, as yet comparatively little known to the general public, is situated about half way between ChaslaiidH and Ow*ks, and is easily reached by the main CatlinsWaikawa road, the river being 14 miles from Owaka, the present railway terminus, and nine miles from Ratanui. After » pleasant ride of about six and a-half miles from Ratanai, the road for the most part being enclosed on each aide by heavy bash, with here and there a comfortable-looking hdmestead, we suddenly smell salt water, and there is opened to view one of the prettiest sights it hag been my privilege to witness. A large amount; of money ha* been expended on the road near the beach, the formation being principally solid rock. On the upper side and close to the beach we notice perpendicular rocks up to 2Coffc or 300 ft high, formed by Nature ages ago, and amongst which many semi-aquatic plants and shrubs reign supreme in their majestic glory, with no one but a stray visitor to dispute their right to live and multiply as they and their predecessors have done for thousand* of years before. As we stand about; five chains' length from , the beach, enamoured with the view, we see to the right acres -of the noble rata, favourite flower of the forest, in full bloom, and the thought presents itself that to the independent tourist and. the lover of such natural scenery no view could be much better appreciated. The native holly, the manuka, and many other trees, shrubs, and smaller plants are to be seen just now at their best, and each variety adds ' its quota to the charming view. While looking at the rata tree*, the deep green foliage of which is almost hidden from view by the heaps of, bright scarlet bloom, I fancied I would like just one of them in London, and ait down to hold a bag for the people's pennies. Looking across the beach and Tahakopa Bay we notice the Tautnka headland, distant about j seven miles from this point, stretching out sea- '' wards apparently about two miles. Leaving this lovely spot, we ride to the hard, sandy . beach, where scarcely a particle of seaweed, ; stone, or shell is to be seen, and the Band is so solid when wet that a horse leaves . his footprints scarcely an inch deep. This beach, with its surroundings, will some day become a great attraction for tourists. It is two and a-quarter miles in length, and almost level, the waters of the -mighty ocean receding a long distancn from the dr.) sandhills. For ' walking, riding, or driving on, this beach is of the best that could* be imagined or wished for. From the Tahalcopa end of the beach, looking ' back eastward, we have a fine view of Long Point and Pillan's Head, with White Head m the distance. Inland we have the noted land mark Table Hill and tho MacLennan Valley, which I intend to do my*elf the pleasure of visiting at an early date. Thi* is the holiday <f the year at Tah&kopa, and many settler-, arc assembled on the south <ude of the Taha&opa riiver to do honour to toe New Year and their friends. A Highlander it baing rowed down the river, the while discoursing sweet music on the bagpipes, which I think never sound so well as j on or near a river or lake. Tati sports having been reported before, I shall pass on up the south tide, and mast agaiu no'e the large quantity <>f rata trees growing a!on*r the river bank, and reaching many yards over th« water all the way from the mouth of the river to the general ■tore erected several years ago by MessrsDabinett and Young. Hers we find the baker, the boatman, the postmaster, the general storekeeper and what not all in one person, and ■when the large new store about to be erected is finished, visitors will read the signboard of genial George Scott, general merchant, Papatowai. Patiing on up the Tnhakopa Valley we notice many comfortable-looking homes with large clearing!, and 'considering the age of the settlement there are some good gardens to be Been en route. To the right, left, and front nearly all is land of very superior quality, and I note with a good deal of satisfaction that settlers here are not leaving many trees in their clearings to be blown or burned down at some future time, and be a source of continual trouble. Settlers hereabouts evidently know that " good grass cannot be grown under a tree." Amongst the visitors to the valley I recognise an old friend, Mr TV. Martin, Sheriff of the Oamaru District Court, who owns a good farm here, and is spendiog his holiday by baildiog a commodious dwelling, a work which his sons will undoubtedly appreciate. Further on, and about three miles from Mr Scott's store, which I omitted to say is near the river ford, we reach the home of Mr D. Fea, the " laird o' Kintail," now comfortably established on that " eye of the land " said to have been "picked. out" by Mr T. Mackenzie some years since, and before a road or a section was surveyed. This property, so far as lam able to judge, is the largest and best property in the whole forest, comprising an area of 1420 acres, 250 of which have been sown with British grasses, and there is besides nbout 50 acres of good open land in its native state, and little else growing on it but the native tussock grass and flax Mr Fea's property extends to about two miles and three-quarters on each side of the road, his new substantial residence and farm steading being about the centre of the property. The heuse and outhouses, when finished, will contain § about 12 rooms of commodious dimensions, and will bs fitted and finished with every necessary convenience. The live stock consists of cattle and horses only at present, »nd they have an abundance of grass and shelter, with the result that all are in first-class condition. Although Mr Fea does not expect to make a money fortune out of Kintail, he is well satisfied with his prospects, and very soon he will receive a return for his outlay. Thanks to Mr and airs Fea's , usual and extended hospitality, I had » good time at Kint&iL and the gems of music kindly rendered by this musical family added much to the charms of my' visit, not the least of the charmers being Johnnie, Mr Fea's eldest son, a youth of only 15 summers, above the average height, and weighing upwards of 12 stone— a big specimen of "New Zealand Norseman." .' By the invitation of Mr R. Q. Diack, late of ; Shag Valley, and now manager of the Tahakopa Dairy Factory, we were privileged with an inspection of the first factory erected in this district. The main building coven an area of about 900 square feet, and adjoining there is a commodious boiler room. The milk supply at present is only about 200 gal per diem, but is 1 increasing in quantity daily, with a prospect of ' the snpply running up to 400 gal or more next leason. An ample supply of water is obtained by means of a hydraulic ram, while the milk rat, press, and other requisites are all in accord With the l»te«t improvements. Mr Diack is ibout to remove to the Owaka Factory, when !Ur W. Stewart, late assistant at Batanui, will 1)0 promoted to the management at Tahakopa.

(Mr Dewar's sawmill is near the dairy factory, but at the time of my visit the workman wer« holiday, making. Mr Dewar has cut a large quantity of timber, and has, I am informed, a full book of orders. A little further along we visit the comfortable home of Mr and Mrs Lory, the pioaeer settlers of this valuable and fertile valley, and happily few are able to relate the many hardships such as Mr and Mrs Lory willingly endured for the ultimate benefit of themselves and those who followed them in their pilgrimage to the Tahakopa wilderaew. Mr Lory owns about 400 acres of land, of a value and quality bimilar to thai; owned by Mr Fea, and has added many ~ improvements to his home, suoh »» a good garden, store, &c, and other conveniences which tend to make life worth living. Mr Lory sends the milk of 30 caws to the factory, and that number will be considerably increased next jear. Above Mr Lory'ti homestead Mr Gideon Scotfc owns a fine farm of about 500 acres of superior land ; but as my time at Tahakopa — not to mention apace here — was limited I mn-jfc leave further notice of Mr Scott's property and also that of many others until a future occasion. Tahakopa b?ach, river, valley, and people hold many attractions for visitors, and there is a big future in store for the district. Tha want of good metalled main roads is at present the greatest drawback to the prosperity of the settlers,, but time will remedy the evils of mudholes and other difficulties. The Tabakopians have good reason to be proud of their district, their neighbours, and the many attractions they possess — not the least of these being the presence of an almost unlimited supply of river fiah, trout being very plentiful. lam not good at telling fiih yarns, but I saw ou<? " brushing away the blur-tailed fly" which »ppuar«d to reach about half-way across, and ilying like a bird Fenring tue waste-paper basket, I must close with the hops th»t by writing these notes I may add to the comfort and help to improve the health of prospective visitors, as also to increase the welfare and pro?perity of the aottiers of T*hakop», and my efforts will not have been in vain.