WAIKARI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7845, 28 April 1886, Page 5

WAIKARI.

[FKOH A COBBBBPONDENT.] This district appears to be almost forgotten. That its prosperity is on the wane, lam quite sure. What can be the reason ? The worthy member for Cheviot iB our representative in Wellington, and it cannot be his fault altogether that we are going to the wall. Perhaps the fault lies with ourselves; may be the troubles of business take up all our time. The township is divided by its situation, and that may affect the opinions of the residents, and cause them to differ on the course to be pursued to make things a little more brisk. Before the railway came this way,: the original Waikari was built on sections ! adjoining the North road, but the railway terminus was put somewhat over a mile away on the Howley Down road. One hears so much about this everlasting depression, that the word is becoming hateful: more especially to those old Colonists who cannot reproach themselves ! with extravagance; and when they are told to " labour and wait," naturally get " riled." Why, all cur oldest and best settlers have done nothing else ! Perhaps the district has tasted the bitters of dear land; but we can't be blamed for that. If Borne of us have bought dear land, there was no choice. The good land was bought many years ago in large blocks, so that we have not been free agents, but had to take what could be got, and give what prices were demanded. It has been our misfortune, and also, as we have discovered, a mistake to settle on what is, according to published returns, the largest and most valuable property in New Zealand, viz., Glenmark. The northern extension to Culverden has left our little village stranded. There are here all the necessaries, in the way of business people, to make a thriving settlement: Three large, well-found stores, two large and commodious hotels, four blacksmiths, two wheelwrights and coachbuilders, baker, two butchers, two timber merchants, saddler, various carriers, several contractors (with extensive plant), watchmaker, tailor, shoemaker, &c, &c. I see by advertisement that our largest carrying firm have declared their intention of selling absolutely their extensive plant of horses and waggons. These men have done good work, and have been most useful in supplying the needs of the northern wool kingß before the growth of the railways. Some of the business people had a mind to shift up to Culverden, but they are deterred from so doing through the restrictive terms and unsatisfactory tenure offered by the trustees of the Culverden estate (the grasp of the dead hand), and yet another reason. The Amuri people are not satisfied with the present terminus, and they have given out that they will not rest content until the north line is extended to the north bank of the Waiau river. They contend that, as the river is already bridged by a substantial structure, and. also the proposed track of the railway is only some twelve miles, through nearly level country, it would cost comparatively little, and they would be ever so much better served by the extension. Another item in their calculations is the early completion of the road through to the Kaikoura. These dreadful times are beginning to thin our numbers. Our late Church of England minister has had to secede, leaving the Presbyterian minister to administer to both flocks. There are yet in the neighbourhood a few thousand acres of Crown land of good quality, fit for sub-division into small runs. It is to be hoped that the Land Board will soon see their way to deal with thiß land. This would have the effect, no doubt, of causing private owners to either sell or occupy several large blocks of land adjacent to these Crown lands. It is only by settlement that work can be found for the railway, and also to keep the labourers from leaving. .The occupation of the Black Hills has been a decided success. Formerly only two shepherds were kept there; now there are nine families located, to say nothing of buildings, and many miles of sub-division fencing.