HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 275, 18 October 1933, Page 2

HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS

THROUGH RICH COUNTRYSIDE. 100 MILES OF FARMS. It has been well said that some people know more of other countries than of their own. Stated in another way, many residents of a city or large town may know little of its surrounding countryside while familiar with the attractions of other places. The motor car has brought the country people to the city, but how many of the urban dwellers have been taken into the real countryside? The tendency, it is recognised, is to stick to the frequented highways; the byways are shunned. But throughout the Dominion there are trips of rare pleasure to be found in the country, off the city dweller’s beaten track. This is particularly true of the district around Palmerston North, where a judiciously selected route will take one for many a mile through a landscape that rewards the enterprise. One such route was traversed the other day in glorious spring sunshine by a party of local residents.

A STRIKING CONTRAST. Leaving town in the early afternoon the way lay through Kelvin Grove and on to Hiwinui where pastures were in excellent order and lambs well developed. Much topdressing has been done here and a striking contrast was provided by the rich verdant fields and those that still await cultivation to bring them to a finished state. Emerging on to the main highway at Bunnytliorpe the car was turned in the direction of Feilding, the town being skirted by way of South Street past the Feilding racecourse and Kowhai Park to Lees Line, from where the country., stretching for miles, is rather typical of the Down lands ol England. The similarity is heightened by the rich yellow of the gorse and broom in flower. A few months ago, in the autumn of this year, large areas of land on this road were yielding a rich harvest of grain, farmers having in part reverted to a form oi production—wheat—that years ago made that part of the district wellknown. Already this season’s crop to be has appeared above the ground, a rich carpet of green clothing the substantial acreage under cultivation. Elsewhere, ploughing for other crops was in progress. It is on this line, near its junction with the road to Kakariki that the well-known station' of Sir James Wilson has its homestead, the property once running from close to the Rangitikei River down towards Halcombe. Leaving Lees Line the route lay behind Sanson, through Mt. Biggs, down jjast a boundary of the Hutt Small Farm Settlement to emerge on to the Sandon-Bulls highway at Ohalrea Siding, and thence on to Bulls which was the only township touched in a journey of 100 miles. Taking the road through Parewanui to Flock House the party were soon in country of historical interest, the home .of pioneers who have passed to their long rest but are well remembered to this day. Here was the homestead of the late Mr Duncan Fraser; also the Fraser burial ground at Parewanui; further on the home of the late Mr James McKelvie nestling behind the pretentious homestead of Flock House where sons of soldiers are being trained as farmers. Other names come quickly, to the mind — the McDonell, Stevens and Scott families. Here also was the well remembered Parewanui Pah, the home of the chieftain Marumaru and “Governor” Hunia, where Dr. Featherstone, the Provincial President, spent the night when the natives’ signatures were obtained to the treaty ceding to the State the large area of Southern Rangitikei lands in return for the purchase price of £25,000. LOWER RANGITIKEI.

Oil the other side of the river is another Maori settlement with its church—a coat of paint would make it more attractive—known as Mataliiwi. Thence by way of McDonell’s Line one emerges on to River Bank Road and, if so inclined, can turn a few minutes afterwards down a short side road and so to the Makowliai single men’s camp, in its delightful setting on the banks of the Rangitikei River. As is well-known these men are engaged in a most important work —widening and improving the Makowhai Stream to facilitate the better drainage of a wide locality that shows a substantial fall to swampy land. No better site, both from the hygienic and climatic viewpoint, could have been obtained for a camp. The drainage is excellent; the tents spacious, and the messroom congenial, and the men a well-contented lot. Their vegetable garden is a delight to the eye and a tribute to their industry. It may be recalled that at the last Show in Palmerston North products from this well kept area of ground figured in the prize list. As stated, the men are contented, and it is recorded that those who display Communistic tendencies, or become dissatisfied, receive a cold reception. A piano, library and wireless are amenities that relieve the loneliness.

A few miles to the west lies Tangimcana, the seaside resort at the mouth of the river which grows in size yearly, and is a popular rendezvous in summer and autumn with its warm climate.

Again back on the main road the car is turned towards Carnarvon, past the beautiful home of Mr J. F. McICelvie, a landmark of the district; thence to the left past the Carnarvon School and so on to the Makowhai dairy factory. A few miles beyond this point a right-angle turn brings one into Penny’s Line —a roadway that commemorates the name of one of the best known families of the district. To the right stretches Waitohi, the former station of the Hammond family, now mostly cut up into farms. Many other families who have played a worthy part in the district’s advancement also had their homes on Penny’s Line—notably the Hensons, Giffords, Ellerms, and Mr J. Bradley. Here also is to be seen an illuminating example of Maori land cultivation and indifference. Of a large section half is excellently improved, while the remainder is covered with gorse and other growth. This is one of tire best sheep farming parts in the district and the flocks were all in excellent condition. From Penny’s Line, instead of turning to the left to Mt. Stewart, the road can be taken through. the Fairfield Thompson soldier settlement, on to Taipo Road, and thence through the Kopane, and on to the Rongotea Road, through the Kairanga and back to Palmerston North.

This is but one of the many country motor rides which can be commended to Palmerstonians. Particularly ' at tliis time of the year is the countryside looking at its best. Much of the a farming is in sheep and the lambs were to be seen in various stages of growth, some indeed heralding the close approach of the new season at tire freezing works. Dairying in places is the main rural occupation and all the herds seen were in splendid condition. After such an exceb lent season there appeared to be an abundant growth of grass. Here and there the green sward is relieved with a patch of native bush, while elsewhere gorse arid bloom were showing their rich profusion of yellow blooms —a veritable feast of golden

lrued colour. ' Particularly surprising is the excellent state of the roads all of macadam except for the main highway entering Bulls.