THROUGH TAIHAPE DISTRICT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 8

THROUGH TAIHAPE DISTRICT.

THE HIGH LAND. IProm Our Travelling Correspondent.) On entering the Tiriraukawa district tho whole country-side wears a green look —green grass, in plenty—and ■ still the' farmers say they need rain badly. Bound tho Mataroa i saw some wonderful grass paddocks, almost like ail averago season. Travelling northwards I saw the reaper and binder at' work cutting excellent crops. Tho country is pretty high about here, consequently tho seasons are a good deal later than lower tloivn country. The high tablelands, all splendid grazing country, most of which have been heavy bush land, are now carTying a splendid sward of grass. All the land this wily, or nearly so, is still tho property of the Maoris, and leased to tho pakeha, who are paying as high os (is. per acre rental. There is also a largo area ol vigorous bush belonging to tho Zs'atives, between here and Turangarere: It is now called Hihitahi. The Maoris are opening their mouths, so wide that none of the millers will look at it. Eight on the top of the high country is also Native land and of very good quality. There is a large area of ploughablo country which is being used for cropping and growing roots. Tho turnips, on account of the dry weather, liavo not been such n success as the owners had hoped. Thero being no metal hero the roads are frightfully dusty, and with a following brcezo most unpleasant to ride over.