TEN DAYS AT WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5497, 30 June 1879, Page 3

TEN DAYS AT WAIKATO.

No. VIIL Mb. Godld having kindly lent me a horse that had some "go'' in him, on Moaday morning I started for Te Aroha, to see the block of land that Mr. Broomhall didn't obtain. It was level country all the way. After fording the 'Waitoa River, I had a fine canter along the road, part of which ha 3 been made through, a swairp. Contractors were at work in the swamp, digging a ditch on one side the road. It appeared to be one mesa of roots, a proof that an extensive forest had grown there at some remote period. I passed the fine estate of Mr. Larkwortby, of London. It contains 3600 acres, and was originally selected by James Mackay, jun., who had considerable improvements done on it. It is bounded on on ono side by the Waitoa and on another part by the Piraunui Creek. It is nearly all dry land. Under the management of Mr. Collins a great amount of work has been done in the shape of grass laid down and fencing erected. A neat cottage and other buildings are conspicuous from the road. It seems a most desireable property. Joining Mr. Larkwortby's placo, and extending to the Te Aroha block, is Te Kapara, the property of Campbell Brothers, now named "Ardmore." This is another good farm, all level. It consists of 2000 acres, 800 of which were swamp. The Campbells have been not quite two years on their land, and by the improvements accomplished they must have expended a good deal of capital and labour. The swamp has been drained, ditches 5 feet by 4 having been dng through it. In the creeks running through the swamp a large number of eel-weirs were found. The portion drained last year had been burnt off and sown early in the month of March last. The following is the mixture usually sown : 101b3. rye, 31bs. cocksfoot, 21bs. timothy, 51bs. clover, and 21bs. rape. In addition to the swamp, 500 acres of dry land having been ploughed, the larger portion of that had also been sown. Surface-sowing is approved by the owners of this farm : I suppose, therefore, it has been a success with them. . For shelter and embellishment five acres of gums of liferent sorts were uown IS months ago. Some of the trees are now six feet in height. About 150 head of cattle are ranning on the farm. Messrs. Campbell have snrveyed and laid out one portion of their property as a township. It is called Waihou, and, being in a good position in tho Upper Thames valley, it may in course of time tarn out not a bad speculation. I believe there are some 200 allotments, varying ih size. Streets, of course, exist on the plan, though they were invisible on the land at the time of my visit. On one allotment Mr. Missen, an enterprising character, has erected a large hotel, containing about a dozen rooms. It is licensed, and was opened on the Ist April. It is in a commanding position, with a fine view of Te Aroha mountain and the Wairaku ranges. It is only 2J miles from the hot springs at the foot of the mountain. The hole] is well furnished throughout, and the owner says he could accommodate the Governor, if he happened to be travelling in that region. Mr. Missen informed me that he had laid out about £1000 on the concern. Te Aroha block lies on both aides of the Waihou, or Thames, which is here a fine flowing river, and, of course, navigable for steamers. The block contains about 50,000 acres. The length is some 15 miles, and it is five miles across. A swamp runs through the entire length of it, probably 80 chains in width on, an average. Each side is fern land, and one portion flax land. - Not much bush is on the block. I believe reserves are to be made on various parts, in all, perhaps, 7000 acres. At the time of my visit a surveying party was camped near the river. There were 22 in the party. They were laying the land off. in blocks and roads, praviouß to its being offered for sale. The size of the lots are to vary from 50 to 320 acres, 'will be tne maximum qnantity. I understood that arrangements were to be made so that every other section might be taken up under the deferred payment system. The block itself is regared by those living in the vicinity as a splendid piece of country. It would, however, be greatly enhanced in value if, before it is offered for sale, a main drain were made through the centre of the swamp, and running the whole length of it. The stuff from the drain would make a road right through the block, and would drain a large portion of the swamp. . Unless this is I undertaken by the Government, if the land ' is about to be surveyed into small lots, ii; is difficult to see how it can bo utilised by those who purchase, as small holders have not generally much capital to expend in draining. There is room on Te Aroha block for a large population, and I dare say, when it comes into the market, for some of the lots there will be keen competition. It is to be hoped that the greater portion of what may be offered will fall into the hands of bona fide settlers. Returning from Te Aroha, and on the way to Morrinßvi!le, I called to see Mr. W. A. Murray, M.H.R. for Bruce, who is farmiug a large property of 10,000 acres, half of it leasehold, at a nominal rent. The freehold is three-quarters of it swamp ; the leasehold, undulating dry land, both of good quality. Mr. Murray has been in possession some years, and has the swamp all drained, with drains 20 chains apart. 500.head of cattle and 700 head of sheep were on the farm, all in good condition. Mr. Murray £oes in strong for cocksfoot grass. What is somewhat singular, duriug his operations he has row?.! altogether abowt 500 bags of ryegrass and only 7 us cockfioot, yet he had the best show of the latter. He now uses the following mixed grasses to the acre :—lOlbs. cocksfoot, 3ibs. ryegrass.. Gibs, clover, lib. rib-grass, lib. vape, Alb. iuxaip. I saw some j'oung plants of Lotus Com. Major, which Mr. Murray believes to be tho best clover to grow, as it spreads almost like twitoh. Like some of bis neighbours, Mr. Murray has planted a considerable quantity of trees —some in rows, which will be ntilised for wire fencing. When a proper title is obtained for the leasehold property—now belonging to the natives—l believe it is intended to cut it up into small farms of 100 to 400 acres each, to be offered on the de-ferred-payment system. To many parties \ who are in want of small-sized holdings, , this will give a good opportunity of obtaining them; and, the land being of good quality, • will be a further inducement to invest in it. The Waitoa Highway Board are making vast improvements in this locality. An one time they wero spending at the rate of £500 : per month. A fine and very substantial bridge has been erected over the Piako River on the Hamilton and Thames Road. It was built by Mr. Smith, of Ngaruawahia, add does him credit. When I passed there, an extensive earth-cutting was being carried on near the bridge. On Monday evening I found myself on Messrs. Morrin's estate, and was hospitably entertained for the night by Mr. Ticklepenny, the manager. Agricola.