UREWERA COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 8

UREWERA COUNTRY.

3II?SI0NER r S EXPERIENCES. fBV Telegraph.—Ovra Correspondent.) TAUMARUXn. this day. The Eev. J. E. Ward. Presbyterian Maori missioner. speaking of a special trip to the Urewera natives, said that the portion ot the country where formerly Rua held sway i≤ now very quiet. The '"prophet" is living quietly at Mangapohatu. and his temple has been demolished. The Government has acquired much native land thereabouts. Xoneellers of land in the blocks being acquired are debarred from using timber on their land, which imposes a hardship on natives. Roads in Tuhoe and Rotorua districts are only just passable lor motor traffic. With prison labour and suitable metal available, it should be possible to considerably enhance the natural beauties and roadiug system of the Eotorua district. There " was much inquiry for land around Galat-a, but he had heard of no successful applicant. One large block had been tied up for over twenty years. The Vrewera forests on the lower slopes were ripe for timber ■milling, but no timber options so far had been authorised. The natives w.ere industrious, raising stock and cutting large quantities of grass seed. It had Tx>en suggested that access to the inner Tuhoe could be obtained by "locking" the Whakatane River in places, and by similar treatment of other streams, so as to allow logs to be either barged or rafted down the stream —a cheaper method than a light railway. A bridgfi ■was badly needed at Te Whaiti. and twenty miles of road from Ruatahuna to Waikarcmoana urgently needed repairs.