Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6064, 25 April 1881, Page 4

We have several times referred to the great stride whicli the colony is nowtaking by bringing into the area of settlement the immense extent of level country between the Waikato river and the Tauranga watershed, and in the valleys (or rather they flow through one great valley) of the Thames, Waitoa, and Piako. Patetere has 300,000 acres, Whaiti-Kuranui 100,000, ■while taking the land now being made available for settlement on the Upper Thames, we shall have within the next twelve months, GOO,OOO acres, over which the work of settlement and cultivation will be proceeding. The chief obstacle hitherto to the opening of this country has been the native difficulty. That has now, however, completely vanished — as thoroughly and completely as if it had never existed. In some districts—on the AY est Coast of the North Island, for instance—land is being sold and occupied at some risk. How much the danger amounts to is a disputable matter,and is very differently estimated. No one denies, however, that there is a possibility of disturbance, and the Government show their conviction by making it known that they will take means to defend the settlers by maintaining an adequate force in the vicinity. But in respect of the enormous tract of country which is now to be added to the settled area of the Auckland provincial district, there is absolutely not the slightest possibility of any native difficulties or i disputes arising. The chief reason for this is, that not one acre of the whole ■ area has been confiscated. All has been acquired by negotiation and purchase. The titles have been fairly and fully investigated before the Native Land Court, and there is no section of Maoris who object to any part of it passing into European occupation. In respect to the lands oil the Thames and Piako, indeed, these have for years been in the hands of Europeans. As to Patetere, ixnd the other blocks in that locality, the King party have long ago given them up, and ceased even to pretend to be able to exercise any influence or authority over them. There will, therefore, be no outside obstacle to be overcome, and as the country is generally level, and much of it is of good quality, progress may be expected to be rapid. There arc other powerful influences to hasten its advancement. The Tc Aroha block will, it may be assumed, be taken up by Messrs. Grant and Foster, and settled by farmers of skill and capital from Lincolnshire. Men of large practical experience, and of means, am dtviij arriving m tne colony, and these men will naturally be attracted to tliis new country. The extension of settlement has also another powerful influence in aid at the present time— an influence which is likely to prevail for a considerable period—namely, the cheapness of money. This is stimulating the cultivation of waste lands and the drainage of swamps to an enormous extent. The chief object, however, which we have at present in view is to direct the attention of our own Government to the fact that this country of Upper Thames and Patetere will absolutely require means of communication. The present Waikato railway ends at Te Awamutu, and at some day, when the King difficulty has faded away, that will have to be extended through the fertile lands of the Upper Waipa, and the western side of the island. Already tenders have been called for the line to Morrinsville, and a considerable part of the construction is finished. In next session we anticipate seeing an arrangement made for the construction of a line to Cambridge, to bring that rising township and district within the benefits of railway communication. It is plain, therefore, that the vast new district to which we have referred must be connected by rail«\a_v. either with Cambridge or with some part of the line between Hamilton and the Thames. On this point we have sought information from persons intimately acquainted with the district, and they are all of opinion that the line by the ThamesHamilton railway is the most advantageous, indeed is the only one practicable. From Morrinsville the" line must l>e continued a few miles further on, to the Thames river, to give communication with the Lower Thames. The most advantageous place, for the branching of the Southern line, we j would not attempt to specify at present, i but at some part of the line between I Hamilton and the Thames river the j junction must be made to connect i Patetere and the whole of the interior ! oxteiuling to Lake Tatipo. Here a line could bo secured which does not oiler any natural difficulty. It would require no great bridges, it would be on , an unbroken level, it eould be made as ' cheaply as a road, and for a very great length it would have o:i each side of it enormous tracts of superior ; land. The. subject is a very important ; one for the colony. Of necessity aI , line in the district must be made. ; Whatever may be'the terms of con- : ■itruction—whether these may be pro- 1 ! vided for under the Bill which the Go- ' , vernincut have under consideration for ' i proposal to the House next session—it 1 ivill be necessary at the eailiest period ;or the Government to lay out the t lirectionof railway communication into c ilie interior. ' • v