KAIHU.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 24 January 1901, Page 2

KAIHU.

Sinte my last there has been a great ,-tir Jmong the settlers of Mangatu, getting out sleepers, carting them in, and bringing out sawn timber for new houses, additions, etc. Altogether, this has been the most prosperous season they have had. Grass has been abundant, and consequently tbe stock are looking better than ever. Milk and butter are in excess of demand. , Gardens have been very productive, and potato crops promise well. Fruit trees have suffered greatly by continued cold • westerly winds, especially peaches, gooseberries, currants, . raspberries, and strawberries. These thrive and bear well, and vast quantities could be grown for drying, preserving or canning if thero was a factory started. The settlers of Marlboro', some lit miles from Kaihu, evidently consider the future prospects encouraging, for largo quantities of building timber are being carted there, and some very good residences have already been erected. In Katui Settlement, although some have left, those remaining are doing good work, while in all directions are to be seen new clearings and shanties, marking- the site of future homesteads. What is wanted is a greater number of settlers. If the vast area now lying waste were offered, upon terms, such as a lengthened occupation free, provided sufficient work of a reproductive nature is doing, numbers would be induced to settle, either for sheep grazing, or on small areas for raising fruit. The time is not far distant when the present population of this district must look for other means of a livelihood than the kauri and kauri gum. What then? v