Te Kapu-Block.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7400, 16 September 1902, Page 2

Te Kapu-Block.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Despite hardships ecttlos in this block are making substantial headway with their hnldings, and great changes liaro taken place within the last two years—l.-irge clearing ■, several dwellings, fence.-:, gardens, etc , having been substituted f<-r an unbroken area of forest. The settlement now grazes several tlnuisa;;di of sheep and some hundreds of cattle, tfud it ha? hicn remarked by dealers coming through that the pastureshowstho spring growth tar ahead of anything down country. Tho mam track, however, is in a deplorable condition, the depth of mud in some places reaching the horses' girths. The settler.* have lately made urgent petitions to Government the last one through Mr Lethbridge. 3J.11.8.. was present d to the Minister of Lands, who replied favorably, and as a result a sum of £1300 was placed upon the Estimates for consideration of Parliament, and it is hoped the road will at last become a reality. It is a matter of much regret that the school his been open for only a short time this year, and will therefore bccomo an aided one. The reason, of course, is the dangerous state of the track. The buildinjj, which has lately been painted, is a very neat little school, and ranks in size and appearance a long way first of any around. In taking a uoiser.il lieir of the situation, it can safely be asserted that Te Kapua wil' never shine till a road is put through. At present there are too many bachelors on the land, perhaps throuah no fault of their own, as the average New .Zealand young dame, or may be the old one either, do not caro to face the bush without v moans ot retreat by a good road, and small blame to them. But let a road come through, and give settlers a chance, then there is no doubt all the lono bachelors will disappear, and mat■ers will fairly hum generally ; but until thiit time there is no guarantee of anything more than a very muddling state of affairs.