TAUNGAOKO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6261, 10 December 1881, Page 6

TAUNGAOKO.

Taukgaoko was better knovra thirty years ago than it is now. At that time it was one of the most prosperous mission stations in New Zealand. But times have sadly changed. Of the large tribe of natives that belong now to the district there is only a remnant left. Disease and drink have done their fatal work. All that are left are about twenty-five men, women, and children. The best of their lands have passed into the hands of the Government and private speculators. Even the few natives who are left are hard pressed just now for food and will not part with anything—hording up pigs, Sec, to contribute a share of food to the king when he pays his promised visit in March next. Tauiigaoko is situated on the west side of Helensville, and is bounded by the Kaipara River nearly on. everv side. On looking from the rising ground, on the Helensville side, its appearance is not inviting. It looks as if tiie tide wanted to cover it every time it came in—it appears so flat and low. On taking a bout and cmssing the Kaipara River, opposite to -M:\ Walker's hotel, on to the surveyors' track, the scene changes, and ono. sees the quality of tiie land at once. The first farm come to is Mr. Hay's, from Napier. It was purchased about twelve jnonths ago from Mr. John Lamb at £2 per acre. The whole of the flat country is covered with tea-tree, intermixed with cabbage trees, and an undergrowth of flax and wiwi. The first thing ! Mr. Hay did was to commence falling the ; tea-tree. Ho began last November, and had about 00 acres burned off in May. and sowed wilh rye-grass on the surface. The result is splendid, and shows the superior quality of the land. The cattle are up to their bellii-s in pure rye-grass. It looks like a large field of ivaviiu , corn. The cost for clearing, grass seed, i&c, has been about il'2. 10s per acre. Mr. Hays lias evidently experience, and is satisfied with his farm ; so much so that he intends to purchase a much larger farm at the next land sale. On leaving Mr. Hay's farm we come into the surveyors' track, and travel about '2\ miles through Government property. This property is of the same nature as Mr. Hay's, slightly rising a3 we go inland. It is indeed surprising that the Government, with such a valuable estate, should have so long neglected opening up the district by roads and bridges, so as to allow purchasers an opportunity of inspecting this land. As it is now, very few would care for the work of pushing through a narrow* surveyors' track, and if they succeeded in getting through, it is simply impossible for them to judge the land correctly, and they generally come back disgusted with such an inaccessible country. It is understood here that the roads and bridges will be made this summer, and there is groat rejoicing among the settlers. I am certain had the Government known the value of this property it would not have been neglected. When we com-.t o the Whare Kahu Creek, known now as Craven's, we begin to come to private property. Before reaching Craven's Creek we come on McNaughton's farm of 16S acres, all first-class land. Crossing Craven's creek we begin to hear the tinkling of cow-bells. It is a sure sign of civilisation, and is pliiasact to the ear. The first farm come to is Mr. Craven's —it ie small. The land is of the best quality, and the building is large uul substantial. Then comes Dr. Punclmn. The doctor has a small farm mostly of black, rich, light farm land. He must have spent a lot of money on buildings. It is a mistake that most new settlers make, to go to heavy expense in buildings. One is led on and on till he hardly knows when to stop. Grass should be the first thing looked to. Opposite is Mr. Farrell's farm: the land is all rich, stretching as far as the eye can see to the east, and splendidly sheltered from the harsh south winds, and surrounded with inland creeks. There is 1G or 17 miles of creek frontage. The arms of the creeks partially drain the swampy portion of the laud, leaving it suihcicntly dry in whiter for cattle to run over. In its present state of feed all cattle look well, sleek, and fat. There is evidence, in the shape of apple and peach trees, that the greatest portion of it has been cultivated by the natives. Mr. Farrell ought to be content, as he has the making of a grand estate. Next comes Captain McMahon. He has a large creek frontage. The front portion of this"property is laying to the east, and well sheltered from the cold, harsh winds The most part of thi3 property has been cultivated by the natives, apple and peach trees being still plentiful. This gentleman went in heavilv for building. The site he has built on is the most beautiful one I ever saw. Next is Mr. Smithurst, a true type of Eus-lishman. He has a large farm of laud of good quality. This gentleman has gone into building heavily. He has not been long out here, and evidently has not been well advised, having purchased the wrong class of land for a man with a young family growing up around him. It is a dillicult matter to lind employment for boys on fern land. The richest land in this district is the tea-tree land, and boys are nearly as good as men at falling light teatree. Profitable employment is at once obtained even for the youngest. Opposite to Mr. Smithurst's is Mr. McCarthy's. It is known where he first drew breath. .All one lia3 to do is to examine the house in the course of erection, a sod one, after the type of the Irish cabin, but evidently made by a tradesman, as the lines arc-beauti-fully drawn. This farm is fern land of good quality. It is a mistake for a man with a small family to buv a fern farm in this place. It will be a struggle for them to hold, and if they are not well backed with money they will be sure to become hard pressed. There are a foiv other farms higher up that 1 did not see. Altogether the settler here has a bright future, as there is a market both ways, that is to Auckland, and the mills at Dargaville, &c. Railway communication is cheap for produce, So. to Auckland. The land is good, and I certainly think the future is bright.—[A Correspondent.] "And where, sir, will you find «=ucii horses as in England, or such men as in Scotland :" This reply by an indignant S.-ut completely alters the aspect of tho celebrated lexicographer's definition of oatmeal. Fashion this season has declared in favour of the oatmeal. .Mr. McLachlan ■'■••',' Queen street, has jnsi received, ex Firth of Tay, twenty cases of the new and fashionable materials for summer near. Oatmeal cloth in cardinal, navy, cream, sky, and white, from iod per vard. Ombre stripes in dress and niiliinery material's. Cashmeres ami beiges in the slades of "fawn and cream, which aro likely to supersede tha darker shades of las! season. Best linoleum, 4s Gil. Coats snd vests to match, 455, in the new worsted coatings. Tailoring. A milliner cf superior attainments and great taste £10,000 worth of general drapery of as good value as is to be had in Auckland. J. il. McLaehlan, 2:';, Qu»«>-street, next to Cniickshaak, aimer, and Co.'s »t the corner of WeUesler-street I