OHURA VALLEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 5, 23 November 1906, Page 3

OHURA VALLEY.

Settlers in the Qhura Valley have determined to start dairying under the co-operative system. As the state of the roads will not permit them to cart milk to a factory during the season, a number of the settlers have acquired home separators, and are going to establish a central factory, to which the cream can be packed on horses, and made into butter. A movement is also on foot to start a cheese factory, so the spirit of enterprise should lead to a system of monetary return in the near future. This is greatly to be desired, as the back-block settler has a hard time to make ends meet, and is continually paying out money without any possible chance of return until a system of good roads is established. Often the settler is driven to think that such a consumation will never come to pass. An endeavour is to be made to have the amounts, which were placed on the Estimates for road works in the district, expended near the townships of Mangaroa and Matiere. This would enable the small settlers to convey their milk to dairy factories, which could then be started in the settlements. Within a quarter of a mile of Mangaroa there is abundance of metal obtainable to do eight or ten miles of road. In the past, it was considered the road would have to be treated with burnt papa, and the expensive nature of this method was advanced as a reason for delaying the work. The discovery of the metal -close to the settlement has swept away this objection, and it is now hoped that work of a permanent nature will be undertaken without delay. More than a year ago the Settlers' Association applied through the member for" the district for work to be started on the Ongarue end of the Stratford railway, and a premise was obtained that the survey would be put in hand as soon as possible. Nothing has since been heard of it, though in a recent speech in Parliament, Mr Jennings referred to the matter, and hoped the promise would be fulfilled at an early date. Signs of progress continue to manifest themselves in the district. The Settler's Association has now been in existence for about two years, and despite the fact that some of the members have to ride distances of 15 to 20 miles to attend meetings, the Association is actively supported in - the direction of improving the local conditions, Ohura offers a great field for delelopment, and it is to be hoped the present interest will continue, as only by working hand in hand can pioneers of the back-blocks hope to accomplish anything. A movement is on foot to obtain the services of a doctor for the district. The Government has promised a subsidy to the amount of £SO, and the settlers are now being canvassed for the purpose of securing a guaranteed amount equal to £3OO per annum. The project is meeting with general support, and it is intended to ask the assistance of the Medical Superintendent at Auckland in securing a suitable doctor.