WAITOMO.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 6, 30 November 1906, Page 3

WAITOMO.

Several hundred acres of bush have fallen to the bushman's axe in the locality this season, on the properties of Messrs Muirhead and A. McCardle on the Caves road, and Messrs Vicary and Coombes on the northern end of Mairoa road; Messrs Wratten and Reynolds, and others on the Mangapuhui road, and McCardle on the Hautururoad. Should it turn out a good burning season it will mean that about £SOO worth of grass seed will be required after the fire, and eight or ten miles of fencing to erect later on.

Inspector Crowe, of the Education Department, paid a visit here on the 17th inst., and inspected the Oraturi aided school at Mr Berriman's homestead. All the scholars passed into higher standards, a result upon which the teacher (Miss Gladys Menzies).; is to.be complimented. I may say that this school and teacher's quarters were built and provided by Mr Berriman, and approved of by the Education Board and the teacher appointed by them. I think it a pity that more of the farmers in this district, away from village schools, could not follow this example in establishing more farm-house schools, and so assure the education of their children. Messrs Sutton Bros., of Hauturu, have shorn, and have been busy getting their wool out to the station this past week. Mr Berriman and others will start shearing next week. Now that the summer weather is setting in, and the roads are drying up, it is quite certain that many in this district will pay a visit to the caves at Waitomo, which are well worth seeing, The old caves are in the charge of Mr Govier, of .the Tourist Department; and as he has made a thorough study of them, he is able, with the aid of a strong magnesium light, to show them off to perfection. The new caves are the more extensive, and contain some magnificent sights, which are shown to good advantage by Guide Holden. While speaking of these caves, it would be as well to mention that the pleasure of .viewing them would be greatly added to, if. the Tourist Department would provide, as in the old caves, a supply of carbide lights for the use of visitors. An amount of £2OO hae been allocated for the bridge over the Waitomo stream at the caves, and it is hoged the necessary work will be undertaken as soon as possible, as this will be a great convenience to tourists and others visiting the caves. The traffic is confined to the summer time; and the completion of the work would mean a considerable saving of time and labour to visitors, who. now have to walk some distance in order to cross the stream. A similar amount has also been granted for work in connection with the Ruakuri caves, the wonders and beauties of which are attracting larger numbers" of visitors each year, and anything which makes for the convenience of the public will be widely appreciated.