FROM NAPIER TO TAUPO

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 154, 27 March 1937, Page 13

FROM NAPIER TO TAUPO

Scenes Along the Road

When setting out from Napier to Taupo one sees the great stretch of 7500 acres of marine soil, the gift of the earthquake of six years ago. Miles of drains have been dug across this newly-created plain, and in time this should be a wonderful block of farming land. Even now there is vegetation over much of it, for some tall fescue and white clover has got a footing in places. A few cows were seen grazing in one place and quite a number of sheep here and there. « « *

A few miles from Napier the road runs into high and steep hills, climbing considerably. Coming to a final saddle, one sees below a wonderful scene of “peace and plenty,” the Esk Valley,' wearing a “Garden of Eden” aspect amid the dour hill surroundings. It has been my privilege and joy to* see many most charming places in this favoured country of ours, but none that has given a more wonderful impression of peace, security and prosperous comfort in beautiful surroundings. To its fine old trees the valley owes much of its appearance. There are wonderful elms, oaks, poplars and willows. Doubtless many are of great age, for the school bears the date 1860.

In a mile and a half's run along the valley six Dutch barns were seen. This was more than were scon in the previous 150 miles. These barns provide splendid hay storage. It was strange to see so many in one little spot, aud one could only presume that one farmer set the fashion for the valley—a very excellent fashion.

Twenty miles out from Napier the road wanders along among high hills and steep, clear country, with hills stretching for mile upon mile in every direction. Inspection of a typical pasture here revealed browntop, Yorkshire fog and crested dogstail as the dominant grasses. No clovers were to be seen and little of other grasses. The country was wonderfully green and looked good, light capacity sheep land. Few stock were visible. Judging from odd corners where bracken fern and ti-tree grew unchecked, it was apparent that these hills would readily revert to a wilderness. That the runs were so clean was truly a tribute to what must be excellent management on the part of their occupiers. The sheep seen were well framed, but in light store order. They had no condition but were strong and healthy.

Not for 25 miles did we observe any ragwort, then just three plants in about two miles, one being in a State tree plantation. Then the “yellow peril” came with a rush, at Te Pohue, just 25 miles from Napier there were acres of it. From there on ragwort was everywhere in evidence for miles over the main North Island backbone ranges, The worst scene of all was on the summit of Taurangakumu, 2700 feet up. The whole of this mountain area, as seen from the highway, is riddled with ragwort.

Approaching the summit of the T'tiokura, 2300 feet, 30 miles out from Napier, we ran into a mob of lambs. There were 2700 in the mob, stretched for about a mile and a half along the narrow roadway. Three drovers were in charge, with a dozen or 15 dogs as aides. I wish to pay a tribute to the courtesy aqd skill of those drovers. They knew their jobs and so did their dogs. I only hope other motorists appreciated this as much as we did. » * »

These lambs were returning to their pasturage on Rukamona station, a run of 36,000 acres. That area is equivalent to almost fifteen miles deep on a four-raile frontage. The lambs were of both sexes, woolly and undrafted. Averaged through, they were a splendid line and would have made 20/- a head for the wether lambs on the Feilding market. Some were as big almost as fair two-tooth wethers. Others of course were small late lambs.

A small percentage showed traces of merino blood, judging from their horns, and there was quite a sprinkling of what appeared to be Cheviot heads. Mostly the line was of Romney-cross-breds, fairly fine-woolled.

Beyond this was mile on mile of waste lands; indeed, there was really no farming of consequence for the next

100 miles until one neared Rotorua beyond Lake Taupo. « # ♦

At Tarawera, in the heart of the mountain region, we stopped awhile to watcli a little horsebreaking. About six or eight unbroken hacks xvere yarded, a wild lot in off the ranges but usefully built. Out on the, Kaiangaroa Plains two mobs of wild horses were seen. One appearea to number 30 to 40 head.

Some 26 miles down the Waikato Hirer, from Taupo and 30 miles then from Rotorua, regular farming was again encountered. The familiar roadside cream-can stands appetsred regularly. “Civilisation.” was ag;liu reached.