FARMING IN THE NORTH CAPE DISTRICT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 75, 31 March 1902, Page 6

FARMING IN THE NORTH CAPE DISTRICT.

The Rev. C. J. Merton, formerly vicar at Merivale, is spending a Holiday in Christchurch. He is in charge of the northernmost parish in the colony, extending from close to Hokianga Harbour on tins western side of the island, and from Mongonua on the east, right up to the North Cape. Mr Merton has resided in the district for six years, but has had experience of it for ten years, as he engaged m farming operations for some time. He speaks very highly of the country. Fruit grows exceptionally well in *.*, and the settlers cultivate large qtiantitles of maize, which goes sixty bushels to the acre. There has been a development of the dairying industry lately* there being dairy factories at Oruru and Eaitai, and a creamery will probably be established next year in Victoria Valley. This is an extension of the valley that runs through Kaital, Which is situated on Hokianga Harbour. The drawback to the settlers at present is the means of communication with Auckland, Which is poor, although there has been J/ considerable improvement. As the roads are not very good, the settlers have to depend solely on the steamers for sending their produce-to market. It is thought that if there was better communication, a prosperous fruit industry could be established, as many kinds of fruit grow luxuriantly, and without any trouble. Most of the country open for settlement is bust land. There are some very fertile valleys in the district, and Mr Merton thinks that there are farms in the north which will compare very well with those in Canterbury, as far as quality of soil is concerned. Gumdieginff is carried on extensively on the southern outskirts of the district.