PROSPECT IN THE COUNTY RIDINGS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8616, 13 June 1924, Page 3 (Supplement)

PROSPECT IN THE COUNTY RIDINGS

THE K AI i K A XI R J i ) IN C. ’1 |>c Cnumy of Tam mg a i-m;-j ris-s live Ridings. On the v.-r An side cf tin harbour are Kal’k.iii, Tc Puna and Wimnapu Ridings, and cn «i.c eastern side Tc Puke and Maketu. The Katikati Riding phis Hie (>h:ni muri County ' ■ rn ■- ary <ui the Waiiii Plains, a very large extent r f flat country extending from the sea. to the ranges and now crniing to the front as a dairying area. This Riding extends eastwards as far a.s the Ar.iigatcto River, and includes the districts of Athenian, Katikati and a. portion of Aougaiete. The Ruling has a

a navigable nv?r for launches vonne. ting wan Tauranga Harb-. ur, and shipping iTdliri'.: in the a]ta]-- ! 1 y ! and con’s sir ! am pmHict ini-; made c> od r-e ,•" riansimt, b m this vriii mtnn.ih b '. displam 1 almost c-iurk iv idi* railway. There is ever.- ' i;rr:m:r that the mmr. lev years' will a murkc 1 <h v: ’oinnon.. in vt- Asi-ict. * l * eras proximity R, sir mvo-Alp the AH:;;. |, j" England," Nmm rornhii- s-'tvie:am h--;d. Rr Vicar t.lm Rev, E. Wayne. Tim No - T’nU' -d. the main on- in Hr distiir, is in the same localiiv, and hys a large number on the re. 11. The Nc-. 1 scho-J is beyond the Tuapiio River, m the Athuiroe district, v. iiexe 1 Is:;a is idso a pest and iclc--phc-nc- off; of. There- is another school at Waitekche, thrso cr four miles cn the Tauranga side cf thetownship. The district is served tv rn _ extensive telephone system", which is linked up with the Tcurango and Waihi exchanger, Katikati is wall catered for in the matter cf public and business facilities. Tt should also ts noted thai the district ptssesr.es a good asset in the public domain of one hund-W I aerf-s, known ns the Katikati Heads, a very elevated area, guarding the western c-nfranee to the harbour at 80-wen town. The Katikati Heads 1 Jcmain Beard control's the reserve, which lias a very fine outlook over land and sea. Right- at hand is attractive fishing, and numerous visitors are new patronising the resort, which promises to become- one of the most popular watering places in the Auckland Province. Residence sites are let by the Beard at ■£t per annum and between thirty and forty, .houses.-,, are now erected on the reserve. There is also an accommodation house and stoves and the Board is determined- to do everything possible tn- increase the popularity of, this charming resort. The reserve is three miles by road from Athenree, and eight or nine miles by water from the Katikati township, with which there is ferry connection.

long frontage to Tauranga Harbour, .and many tidal rivers pstrniL good use being made cf the western portion rf the harbour for tiansporl, boating and fishing. There is direct launch communication between Tauranga. and Kalikali, goods from and tc- Auckland being transhipped at the pcit of Tauranga. For a long period the town of Waihi has been the main market, “fer fruit and general produce grown on Katikati farms, and as good prices are always obtainable the proximity of such a. reliable market has been appreciated and fully availed cf by th nsettlors. Katikati is connected with the Waikato district by means of Thompson’s Track, a route ever the ranges, which is cf great convenience! for the movement of livestock between Waikato and the Western Bay of Plenty. The district is well served with motor cars, which run daily between Tauranga and Waihi and pass through the Katikati township. Katikati boasts cf a splendid climate, which is assured by .its proximity to the sea. and the protecting bush-clad hills at the hack. . Railway construction is row nearing the- township and it is expected that by the end cf the present, year the first section of the East Coast Main Trunk Railway from Waihi to- Tuapiro, near Katikati, will be available for traffic. This will be an undoubted boon to the district. The Government recently accepted the tender of Sir William G. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Company for the constructs -n of the uncompleted link of railway between Tuapiro and the Wairpa River, near Tauranga and it is anticipated that the whole district will be linked up by rail with Tanranga in about three years. The Katikati settlement was founded bv the late Mr Oe.irge

In a district where dairying is the staple industry - the butter factory is an ’important institution. The factory and buildings arc- located close- to the Waitckohe River. About twenty-two years ago the Katikati. Co-operative .Dairy Company, Ltd., was established by a small band nf enterprising settlers, including Mr M. J. Stewart (now reddimr in the Old Country), Mr

Vesey St e want, who brought, out many people', from tha Old Country, the voyages being made in specially chartered ships in 1876 and 1878. The only hotel between Tauranga and Hikutaia, near Thames, is in the Katikati township, twen-ty-five miles from Tauranga. General stores and other premises cater for the trading and business requirements of the community. Regular stock sales are held in the district by two of the leading auctioneering firms —the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., and the Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Auctioneering Co., Ltd. The latter company also holds sales on the Waihi Plains, which are within easy driving distance. :i In the year 1879, the late Captain A. C-Turner laid off . the, Waterford township, now known as Katikati, on an elevated flan on,,the western side of the XT retain River. Here the courthouse, police station, post and telephone office and a store were built by Mr W. J- Gray about 1881 or 1882. Subsequently, MiGray erected a flourmill, sawmill, and blacksmithing and coachbuilding premises, which lie conducted for many years. The- blacksmithing and coachbuilding works are now conducted by Air F. Smith. A new drapery shop, the public hall, the Presbyterian Church, the public library "and rending room are all in l!]e same locality." Nearby are the Agricultural and' Pastoral Associa t ion's commodious buildings and showpeus, also the Uretard Domain, a; well-sheltered picturesque reserve overlooking the -harbour, i he grounds are well patronised by the sportinrr community lor football, cricket, and all outdoor games, and the district is very fortunate in ja ssCSsino sncli a hue well-planted, level ground. The site chosen lot the railway station and buildings is not far uwav. and the tact that it will be in the centre of the township will be appreciated by tiro settlers. The Public Works Department has already built, two residences for the railway officials. The hotel and a number of other business premises are on the eastern side of the 1 retain River, which divides the town into l two sections. The Dretara is

C. E. Macmillan (now Parliamentary representative for the Tauranga constituency, who was the secretary almost from the inception until recently), and Mr E. Earl, a successful dairy farmer who has been prominent in introducing high-class Friesian cattle into the district). The erection of the dairy factory' at Waitekohe followed. From its inception success has attended the operations of the company. Tc-day the factory draws supplies of homoseparated cream from a wride area, and judicious management has ensured to suppliers throughout a splendid price. The pastures carry a fine sole of the best English grasses and stock fodder require-, ments are supplemented by green maize, kumikumi, turnips, etc. Nearly : all the farms are intersected by splendid rivers, with shingle courses, thus ensuring plentiful supplies of water within easy reach of the cattle, so essential where the dairy farmer seeks the fullest return for his capital labour._ The; lactation period of the herds in the Katikati district is a long one, the mild climate being a contributing factor in this direction as it permits of the cows coming to- profit in Juj} and August. The Company is in a sound financial position and possesses substantial assets in the shape of land, buildings and plant. There is still much ‘and. in the district awaitimr full development, and the prospects for the industry in the district arc very bright indeed. The directors cf the company are Messrs E. Marshall (chairman), E. Cloutniau, D. D. Potts, VV . J- Andrews, F. Kendall. C. E. Macmillan, M.P.. and J. T. Warman._ The manager of the iactory is Mr N. A. Riomquist. win? has been associates i with the organisation fur sixteen Tears. Mr F. G- Raines m the m.rctarv to the company.

Sheen-raising ami the fat ten lug cl cattle are included m Katikati s farming industries, and arc carrion on with success by a number of landowners. Many farmers also specialize in rearing store cattle, which are eager!v sought after by outside buyers. Mixed cropping receives attention, maize—which doss well ail over the district -- being the

t ARMING AnD .ALLIED ;IOTERKI^Q^^|L\^.CAERffiD- ON -THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE

y 1 P Fh inters als... grow iaiimkiani;; and turnips extensively. Tlie cropping ■ f lucerne is being i,‘.c;t up and : I :is f. -.Uler is doing :I, especially «.n the farms' near tit, svabmvd. A profitable produce :ii ! fruit tiade is vanned cn wnh the iown cf Waiiii, and when the di, -i i'-i Is connected with ,thc railway tins class cf trade, is likely tc 1.0 considerably dcvel. Ped, as the cinnate and ;ci! arc particularly adapted ter the raising cf early pioIn:-.- and fruits. In many parts of tin d.i.o,not the river Hats arc very iei tdc and are considered to be ‘-■(jti.-.l i v any Sand in the Bay of Plenty. The bu.-h ad fern country ;•[ which large areas await the expenditure cf capital raid labour—are readily convertible, to a productive state and respond generous'y to proper treatment. The main and by-roads are all under the control id the Tauranga County Council, the Kadkati Road Board having been merged some time ago. A fair length cf the main road has been metalled, the coals having been met by loans .sanctioned by the ratepayers, and the voting cf subsidies by the Government. The East Const Main Road runs through the Riding, and when the railway is operating as far as Tuapiro will be called upon to carry greatly increased traffic, as Tuapiro will bo the temporary railhead and provide the nearest railway access for a large section of the people: of the Western Bav of Plenty,

The- Agricultural and Pastoral Association is the leading organisation in the Katikati district. It is a very live institution and the annual shew is thoroughly indicative of the fanning industries cf the district. At the exhibition, held in February last, the cattle formed a highclass exhibit, and the dairy stock especially prove conclusively that the introduction of cattle from notable butter-fat producers is having the effect of raising the standard cf the milking stock of the district. Katikati is fortunate in having in its ranks fit' farmers many enterprising settlors, whose sincere aim ami desire is to farm the land well and so improve production. Each year sees a steady increase in prosperity. The district lias still a large area of land awaiting settlement, and the railway will assuredly encourage new settlers to come iii and assist development. That beneficial results are being achieved is illustrated hv the evident prosperity all over the district, which

serves to emphasis© in no uncertain degree the bright -prospects of one of the most favoured areas of the Auckland Province. TE PUNA RIDING. The Te Pima, Riding embraces the area of land between the Aongatet© and Wairoa Rivers. There are many splendid farms in this Riding, which includes the districts of Kaimai, Aongatete (part), Wainni, Waipapa, Whakamarama, Omokoroa, and Te Puna. Dairying is the staple industry, but general grazing, cropping and timbermilling are also carried on. Daily motor services between Tauranga and Waihi; run through the district. Much of Te Puna’s territory fronts the western portion of Tauranga harbour, and the district is therefore , served by sea. transport as well by road. Three wharves are located at various points and enable hunches and other craft to make full use of the rivers. The Wairoa, the boundary' between Waimapu and Te Puna, Ridings, is the main waterway and is navigable for some miles from its mouth. This river is ’crossed by a large ferro-concrete-bridge. A good wharf was constructed at Omokoroa some years ago by the Whakamarama- Land and Timber Company and there is another wharf in proximity to Captain A. A. CVapp’s farm.

An extensive area in the southern portion of Te Puna Riding is 'known as Kaimai. The TaurangaMatamata Road, giving the nearest connection with the Waikato' railway, passes through Kaimai and daily motor services are established

dr.ring the summer. The railway and motor cars enable travellers to mrake the journey between Tauranga and Auckland in one day, and consequently these services are well patronised. A fair sum of loan and grant moneys is available for metalling portions of the Kaimai Road, and when this is expended it is hoped that, the road will he available for traffic right through the year.

The Whakamarama, Land and Timber Company has been operating in the Whakamarama district for nearly twelve years and has been responsible for advancing the progress of Te Puna, in a very materia! degree. The Company’s interests are managed by Mr H. H. SharpHu, whoi before coming h> this district had a long experience in fanning and sawmill mg' in the South Island. The Company’s property ati Whakamarma; is extensive, and they have l an. up-to-date sawmill operating in the bush. Tito industry finds employment for many men. The: mill is connected with the harbour by a 3ftl 6in tramline, built of the best steel rails. The terminus of (he lino is at Omokoroa. There the l Company has a substantial wharf, where scows arc loaded direct!, for Auckland and elsewhere. Steady 'icopreyvom-efut: noticeable in the Te Puna Riding; but there is much land still available for settlement, which must inevitably, follow the advent of the railway.

At genera] store w'as recently established at To Puna and is filling a long-felt want-. If the railway construction is pushed ahead no- doubt, business activity in other directions will be manifested in the- district, as (he demands of a- large body of employees will offer opportunities for trading. Educational needs arc supplied by several schools and postal facilities are available at various places in tire Riding. The settlers recently made a combined effort and collected thei necessary money to- build a substantial hall, which was -erected on the main road near Messrs Armstrong Bros.’ farm. The building is known as tire To Puna Memorial Hall and is in memory of the young men from lire neighbourhood who made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of liberty and justice. The hall is used as a place of assembly for meetings and worship and has been made much use of since it was op-ened by the late Sir William Kerries, whothen represented the Tauranga electorate in Parliament.

There are several peninsulas and a. large area, near the coast, which are admirably adapted for mixed farming, grape culture, and citrus growing. For the man with the time to- spare pleasure is provided by boating and fishing, and quite a number of property-owners possess sailing and power boats. Of recent years several large properties have been subdivided and many new settlers have com© into the Te Puna Riding and are making very creditable progress. Other large landowners have in mind the subdivision of their holdings, and with railway communication practically assured in about- three years, it is no exaggeration to assert that Te Puna, by reason of its pleasant location and incomparable climate, will attract- many outsiders to takeup their abode there. WAIMAPU RIDING. Tire extensive area of land between the Wairoa and Waimapu Rivers is known as the Waimapu Riding and is one of the most important districts in Tauranga County- It has a frontage to the harbour and extends many miles inland as far as the Rotorua County boundary. This Riding comprises (lie

districts of Oropi, Tururu, Te Eanga, Gate Pa, Omanawa, Tauriko, Cambridge Road, Judea, Bethlehem, V/airoa, and Otumoetai. General farming, fruitgrowing, and sawmilling is carried on. Gate Pa is the most thickly peopled of all the country districts. It adjoins the borough of Tanranga and lias the benefit of the borough waterworks and electric current. It is connected with the borough by a. metalled road, and a motor 'bus service runs regularly between the town and Gate Pa. Tire Gate Pa battle, one of the famous engagements of the Maori War was fought in the locality and was shortly afterwards followed by the fight at To Ranga. Some years ago the Church of England authorities built a memorial church on the site of the Gate Pa. Unfortunately the fortifications cf this historic ground have been dismantled and practically nothing remains to-day to mark the spot. The new hospital, which is being built at Tanranga, is in the Gate Pa district, not far from the borough, boundary. The Bay of Plenty Jockey Club’s racecourse is also located at Gate Pa. It is a

valuable reserve and is one of the best natural courses in New Zealand. On this reserve are the golf links also. The racing track is a bout a mile in circumference, and the appointments consist of totalizator house, luncheon, refreshment, stewards', secretary's, jockey’s, and ■weighing rooms, with special enclosures. The club conducts a one-day telalisator meeting annually, which is well patronised by outside horseowners and the sporting public. A number of racehorses are trained in Tanranga, the Waikareao beach and the racecourse offering the best of facilities for the working of horses, and when the through train touches the district, there is every likelihood that a. number of additional horse-trainers will make Tanranga their headquarters. The forest lands in the Waimapu Riding are being worked by the Tanranga Rimu Company, who' have their sawmill at Tauriko, on the Wairoa River. The logs arc hauled from the bush country and sawn at.' the mill. The timber is then placed on punts, which are (owed down the river to Tanranga harbour, where (he timber is tran-

shipped to Auckland and ether pens. The Kinui Company s eperatit as have been m an extensive scale anti the industry has been the means cf distributing a large amount vi money :u the district. The only salevards between To Puke am! Katikiv are at Judea. <n tlie W.dui.tpu Biding, and. nvu funis of auctioneers he'd regular sales in these yards. I he dude i and ( Hum-etai districts form a. large pininsula in o'u s: proximity t«> the Be rough of lauvanga, item which they are separated by an extensive tidal v-tuarv known as the Waikanao. A pertim .. f the O'.miu.etai district, ha? been formed into a special luting area an I a lean of .02.700 has been raised in order u cviismiei a bridge autl iv;> l l wiy . mbankmonf ever the narrowest part cf tin- \Vaikarc;v Estuary. This roadway will joiincct with the borough at the scuthwcslern comer cf the domain etui vill then junction near this rpot wiih Hamiheu Stivei., which connects with the business area cf ’lauranga. This connection will place a large area cf country Pud in close proximity to the town. The districts cf Ounneetai and Judea have the benefit cf electric current. Bcst-h possess splendid outlooks to the sea and easy access to long

stretches of beach. They arc amongv the best lemon and maize-gr->w-ing aleas in the Uoininicn. ’Lite mail who to-day ja esc.-hs ‘ a fair acreage in these area? is lucky, as lands have been sold in the Iceaiilic; as high as XT 85 per acre. There has been a marked increase of rc‘'iit yeats in the closer .settlement ol these two districts and when the aikareac bridge and roadway are c«.nat.ruclcd no liuubt ■ many mere p.V'ple will be cue. urag:-J to settle at (hunmetai. Acres another arm V the sea, westward from Otunr. :- ; u 'y ihPdclrvn, a very nice hva 1 - ity with a elteeruful aspo-i to the ■ ta - To the southward of Beth'cotu is the Wairoa district. Sorre <T the best kept farms in the county are sent at Bethlehem and Waina, and at. the latter place are Beiutcnant-Ccione! Mavtkld’s orchards, the largest in 'Entranca tuuiuy. where fruit of all kinds is crown The Waiinapu Biding is well served with school, postal and ide phone facilities, while in several districts the be rough e’cctricitv service is available. There is pVntv of room for many more 'settlers in livs Biding and where the land is properly tilled the returns compare very favourably with thosri cf the best districts of the Bay of Plenty.