THE SEASON AT MOERQA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 December 1924, Page 6

THE SEASON AT MOERQA.

(Contributed to Star.) Among tlie many visits to the district by Santa Clans, Moeroa came in for its share on Christmas Eve, when he paid the usual visits to the homes of. the settlers and afterwards remained for a couple of days, receiving great hospitality from these good people. While there he was able to glean some very - useful and interesting information of the district. Situated about'2B miles inland from Eltham •on the main Rawhitiroa road, it claims almost every modern convenience that the back country can, except a first-class road. Although good papa and shellrock have been laid in places quite convenient to the road for the last 10 years, it was not till this year the settlers can claim any important recognition to petitions from the various road boards', but a start has been made along a certain length. A crusher has been installed and a private contract let for four miles, which will bring these settlers a little more in line with some of their more fortunate neighbours. Being situated in fairly hilly country, there i’s not much trouble experienced from southerly gales. Some of the gardens and orchards look in the pink of condition. Strawberries, gooseberries, currants, etc., seem to be doing remarkably well. An interesting plant seen was the Brazilian ink plant.. This was a seed brought from Ivawau Island by Air Flyger, who has'the satisfaction of seeing it growing in his own garden as a matured plant and doing, very well. Farming, though mixed, is", mainly sheep, and big cheques are looked for from this season’s clip. Quite recently the district was visited by two separate American oil expert prospectors. These gentlemen came over from the Waverley side, and pegged off likely spots which, in their opinion, were favourable for oil bores. Some _ time later another party of American oil -men visited the district, and, not knowing of the previous expedition, they also pegged likely spots, and it is remarkable to state that no less than _lB claims pegged out were the identical spots of the earlier expedition. In conversation with gentlemen it was learned that the shellrock and general strata seen in • the district indicate the proximity of the main oil reservoirs. They state that the visible leakage of oil is more than likely far removed from the' main reservoirs," thus explaining their visit' to the district. In short, the settlers are very hopeful ; for the future, and have every confidence in the district.