IN THE COUNTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 January 1914, Page 6

IN THE COUNTRY

A VISIT TO THE KOKATAHI DISTRICT. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., on his return from Kaiterangi and Kokatahi districts, had a chat with a Hokitika Guardian representative. Mi' Keddon was the (/nest of Mr Richard Harcourt while at Kaiterangi. During the stay he was able to pay a visit to the Hokitika Gorge—a beauty spot which Mr Seddon considers is not half enough patronised. This year in the dairying districts Mr Seddon reports an abundance of food for stock. The lotus major has proved a splendid summer food and particularly at Mr Houliston's farm it is growing luxuriously. Dampness and weeds do not prevent its thriving. Haymaking has been somewhat interrupted by the unseasonable showers, and it seems a pity that ensilage making is not more encouraged. With an uncertain climate there would be no loss such as takes place when heavy rain falls during hay making. All round, the district the settlers are improving their herds, and some valuable stud stock have been imported. At the Upper Kokatahi red deer have made their appearance. There is some speculation as to whether these are the red deer liberated at Lake Kanieri, or whether they are some deer that have made their way from the Rakaia. The deer at Lake Kanieri came from the Chirnsides in Victoria, whereas those at Rakaia are descendants of Scotch deer. It was reported that two moose were seen near a lake not far from Mr Tom Meharry's place, but this report is not generally accepted; At Upper Kokatahi the rabbit nuisance has become serious. Oat croos have been destroyed, and unless something, is done at ones! the outlook for the future will be bad indeed. The place is over-run with j the pest. Mr Seddon who has seen what; havoc the rabbits have wrought in Otago and on the Haast riverbed, says that Upper Kokatahi will be every bit as bad unless something is done immediately. The rabbits are along the roads, on the riverbeds, in the fields, in thousands. It is a wonder that trapping is not carried out as that has become in Otago and other places a lucrative busiiuys. To keep them out rabbit netting will have to be used. Blackberry bushes and gorse affords shelter and harbour to the rabbits, rendering it difficult to get the pests out. It is a fairly good season for fruit at Kokatahi, and a splendid one for vegetables. Mr Seddon noticed that where any special treatment had been given the land in the way of applying fertilisers, the results were wonderful. The question of river encroachment was frequently discussed, and the settlers are considering the reply from the Minister of Public Works, wherein he suggests the formation of a river board. Mr Crough, Mr Diedrichs and others have been heavy losers bv the river erosions.

Mr Secklon speaks hopefully of the whole district, and compares it favourably with other dairying and grazing parts of New Zealand which he has lately visited.