POERUA NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 July 1901, Page 4

POERUA NOTES.

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

A few hours journey from Greymouth on tho Otira railway lino is the Foorua Settlement, as nourishing, interesting and picturesque a place as could well be imagined. Some few years ago the land was private property in its natural state without any Bign of human habitation within many miles. Since then it has been purchased by our Liberal Government, divided into soetions, and now affords a very comfortable living to about a score of settlers with their wives and families. The precise locality of the settlement is about sevon miles from Lake Brunner, on the eastern side of the Crooked river, and extends in a semicircle some two miles back towards the foot of Gra ite Hill and Mount Howe, adjoining But ola's cstato on the south, The

scenery here is second to nono on the Coast, which is saying a great deal, the splendid views which are to bo obtained of the snow covered mountains with their gorges and waterfalls extending downwards to the mi'es of pakihas below, are Bights to which well repay a visit. One difficult the traveller to this region finds himself confronted with is the long journey from the Railway station to the Settlement, in all about seven miles, but should there happen to be a conveyance belonging to one or the other of the settlers, he invariably finds himself invited to take a seat, and as the scenery along the route is something to be admired, he ■ usually concludes that the journey was performed in quick time. Boadmaking and bridge building is being carried on'extensively. A competent engineer is in charge of the work, and considering the weather which has prevailed during the last few months, besides other difficulties in view, tho work has proceeded very rapidly indeed. One or two footbridges have lately been constructed across the creeks on the road from the station, and have proved a boon to the settlers and travellers, and likewise a credit to tho contractors. Roads are being made where they are most required, but it will be a considerable time yet before they are all completed. The one which is most needed and at which work has been started, is a road to the Railway about half way between Poerua and Te Kinga. This will bring the Settlement within two miles of a station, but it will tako a good wbile to complete, and will entail considerable expense, as the ground is of a very swampy nature and road metal is hard to procure, but until it is completed and a Railway siding erected, the Poerua settlers will be unable to send much of their produce to the market. Already the district is being famed for.stock and crop ; last season potatoes, turnips and other products of the soil attaind an enormous size and qua'ity, while sheep and cattle equalled the best to be found in the colony, and this year even better results are expected. Some of the settlers are apparently taking an early view of Christmas, as there are several healthy looking lambs about a couple of weeks old to be seen in the paddocks. As there are a large number of young persons in the neighborhood, it is of course, reasonable to suppose that some form of amusement will.be indulged in to wile away an occasional long evening. So once or twice a week a general muster of the youth and beauty takes place, and under the guidance of a popular young lady, they are instructed in tho art of dancing, and spend a very pleasant hour or two.

The annual midwinter ball, which first t3ok place last year, was held a few evenings ago, and was a monstrous success. The room was nicely decorated, and several flags were conspicuous, showing that patriotism has penetrated even into this remote corner of the King's Dominions. Tho population turned ous in force for the occasion, and a few visitors present from Be'l Hill, Jackson 3, and Moana, were all intent on enjoying thomselves. The music having struck up, about 20 couples took the floor, all of whom, especially tho local folks, appeared to have been thoroughly well initiated into the mysteries of the light fantastic. Mr Peary (violin), and Mr H. Hasto (accordion), discoursed sweet music, and Mr F, Feary and Miss F. Feary admirably acquitted themselves as M.C's. There was an abundance of sandwiches, and all kinds of good things were handed >round by the iadies and done ample justice to by all present. During the interval we had a display of local talent of no mean order, songs, recitations, and step-dances were contributed, in a style which evoked no small amount of admiration. As daylight appeared the singing of "Auid L»ng Syne" brought a very enjoyable entertainment to a close.

The school which waa opened here about a year ago has an attendanca of abeut fifteen and ia a perfect model of neatness. The teacher ia a general favourite with young and old, and the children under her care receive | ?very attention. The school has latelv boen fenced and thera appears to be a plentiful supply of firewood, so that the comforts of the young folks are well attended to. There is also a school at Poerua Station with an attendance of about a dozen, and, as usual, in these outlandish districts, the teaoher is very popular and takes a great interest in her duties. A young lady had a very unpleasant experience at the Settlement about a fortnight ago, having been lost in the bush tor a whole day and night. It appears she went into the bush to head a cow, and taking the wrong direction wandered about all day in the thick; scrub. "When night came on though it' was very dark, she still kept up her search for civilization, and at 4 o clock the following morning was met by the search party about five miles from home, little the worse of her adventure, but a striking example of the pluck and endurance of the Poerua girls.