AT WELLINGTON'S BACK DOOR

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 11

AT WELLINGTON'S BACK DOOR

A DISTRICT WITH BIG POSSIBILITIES

HT Wellington's Back Door! That aptly describes the position of the district—specially dealt with in this issue—between Paekakariki and Manakau, bounded on the one side by the sea and on the other by the Tararua Range. This country is one of almost limitless possibilities, especially if cut up into small holdings, to which purpose it is eminently suited. There is no doubt but what the Otaki district will eventually become the principal source of supply to the Wellington markets. Perhaps it has already reached that stage. There are numerous market gardens throughout the district, but in the growing of vegetables the Chinese have secured what is practically a monopoly. But there are still openings for others. The advantages offering—a rich, alluvial, loamy soil, and an unsurpassed climate—are not taken full advantage of, but gradually dairying is giving place to other land activities. Of course, there are some quarters particularly adapted to the production of milk, and here dairying has advanced rapidly. Vegetables and small fruits grow readily, and the proximity of the district to the city should be a greater incentive to market gardening than is the case now. Portions of the district—particularly Te Horo—ape flourishing as the result of the cutting up of large estates, and provide a splendid advertisement for smaller settlement All these points are \ dealt with at length in this issue, besides numerous other matters of importance to the district