OPOTIKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6483, 28 August 1882, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

Ax unavoidable absence from Opotiki has necessitated for a time a discontinuance of any correspondence, but I have now returned to this thriving and promising little township, -with every prospect of remaining here. The first thing that struck me on my return was the increased business activity, and air of prosperity about the township itself, but since I have been out among the farms, I see that this is almost entirely due to the industry and perseverance of the farmers, who are undoubtedly the backbone and mainstay of the settlement. The amount of substantial improvements which have been effected by our settlers in the « ay of clearing, draining, fencing, introducing agricultural machinery, and thoroughbred stock, reflects the highest possible credit upon them, and you may now travel for miles along well metalled, well kept roads, bounded on both sides by thriving and prosperous looking homesteads and farms in a high state of cultivation. The natural consequence of this has been that the township has proportionately increased in size and importance. New business places have. been opened, and new industries initiated, notably that of the sugar mill, which has been erected by Mr. E. P. Dumergue, who crushed a quantity of cane this year with the most satisfactory results. The soil and climate of Opotiki are exceedingly favourable to the growth of sorghum, and both Europeans and natives c;row it profitably. The tobacco industry, wh'ch was flourishing here at onetime, seems to have come to grief, in consequence of the duty levied upon the manufacture of the article in New Zealand. This duty was unfortunately enforced just before the cultivator here had commenced to manufacture his stock, but after he had entered into a contract with a business firm to sell the whole lot to them at a price considerably les3 than the duty alone would amount to. The consequence was that he was utterly ruined, and several tons of as fine a quality of tobacco as any grown in the States, lie rotting here in a barn. So much for fostering local industries. Maize has, however, been the staple crop amongst the farmers here. As much as 80 bushels per acre have been realised in some cases. The samples of what I have seen, for the greater portion of the crops are still hanging upon the racks, are full heavy cobs of large hard grain, nor does any of it appear to have suffered by the long wet season. The breed of horses and cattle has very much improved. Some magnificent stallions have been imported, and one enterprising gentleman, Mr. Thomas Dawson, offered a Erize for the best foal out of mares served by i 3 horse Black Prince. This created quite a competition, as he had had something like sixty mares during the season. The show was held in the sugar mill yard last Saturday, and about twenty really first-class specimens of juvenile horse-flesh were exhibited. Several of the animals were so nearly matched in build, bone, and muscle, that the judges, Messrs. R." King, C. Dette, and J. Appleton, had some difficulty in deciding. Eventually, they awarded the prize to Mr. William

f Butler's black filly, and honourable mention to Mr, Domergue's bay colt in the first place, and Mr, John Hood's black filly in the second. As regards cattle some very fair specimens are shipped from'hero almost every week to Auckland. Captain McGregor, of the Northern Steamship Company, having made most excellent arrangements in this respect by sending the lona direct from Auckland to Ohiwa, a large and deep river, situated eight miles to the westward of Opotiki, at ap. pointed times, and the cattle being driven from here along the beach are shipped on board without injury, and conveyed thenca to Auckland. This does away with two very serious drawbacks which hitherto existed in the way of conveying Opotiki cattle to tho Auckland market,—namely, that they mnst be driven to Tauranga, a distance of 70 miles, with several bad rivers to cross, or be shipped on board our regular trading-steamer, the little Staffa, conveyed by her to Tauranga, and there transhipped into the _ Glenelg or Wellington for Auckland. In either ■ case serious losses were repeatedly [Own Correspondent, August 7.] The Presbyterians are working earnestly and successfully in an effort to raise a fund for the erection of a church in the township,, upon the site granted by the Government for that purpose. The greater portion of tho cost of the building has already been subscribed, and a contract has been lei to Messrs. Abbott and White, who have already commenced the work, and expect to complete the building before Christmas.—[Own Correspondent, Aug. 15.]