TRIP TO THE PATETERE COUNTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6828, 5 October 1883, Page 6

TRIP TO THE PATETERE COUNTRY.

; No. H. [BIT OITB spucial BEFOBTBR.] CAMBRIDGE TO OXFORD. Ok Thursday, Sept. 27, our party made an early start from Gillett's National' Hotel, Cambridge, for Lichfield, 35 miles distant, having procured a buggy from Mr. W. K, Carter, the well-known coaching proprietor there. An hour previously Mr. John Grahame and Mr. Morrison (formerly the London agent of the Wellington Provincial Government) left in one of Garter's traps for Taupo and Rotorua. As we proceeded along the Cambridge-Oxford road, we had a good view of the Feocourt estate, and the other extensive properties of the Auckland AgriCompany. The paddocks were dotted with stock, and a considerable breadth of land was being laid down in crop and in grass. The splendid estate of Gorton (the property of Sir James Fergusson) also attracted attention, owing to the line appearance of*the paddocks, and the stock running on it. The spring has been rather backward m the Cambridge district, owing to the late severe frosts, but notwithstanding the pasture looked well It was gratifying to notice .that ornamental tree planting had been extensively carried on, a matter which is receiving more attention than hitherto in all the Waikato settlements. Down on the plains could be aeen . smoke from the clearings, where parties were engaged in reclaiming the extensive swamps there. In Auckland itself every swamp reclamation is regarded as a swindle, para and simple, from the Piako downwards, but the. further we got along the ■frontier the more honourable such enterprises became, until, like rubbing a plate with a Bhulot, only the flavour of corruption was left. From all the information we could gather, the men who made their money out, of swamps earned it. Swamp reclamation, like going to law, appeared to be gloriously uncertain in its results, the only thing certain being the steady drain upon one's pecuniary resources. Some of the small 1 settler.? could not have held on to their sections but" for the partial work given to them by these enterprises. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent in these.reclamations, and a large expenditure is looming in the future before they can be fitted for occupation by the small settler. This work was only possible of attainment through syndicates of capitalists, and if left to men of smaller means those swamps would have remained untouched fur a generation to come, or left as eyesores on the face of the country. A small party of the Armed Constabulary are employed as repairers on the Cambridge-Oxford-road, th« bulk of the menj some thirty or forty, still remaining in winter quarters at Cambridge. But for the. recent proceedings at Kawhia, they would probably have moved out by this time. The repairers appear to be doing little but shovelling solt earth on to the road in places, although at points on the route gravel or pumice is obtainable.' It seems that the road waß not attended to until late in the season. Had the water tables been attended to earlier, a great deal of the work now being done would have been rendered un-

necessary, and the road kept, in a much better state of repair, but the Government authorities, in their own peculiar way, endeavour to follow out the maxim "Make haste slowly."

At Cranston,one <Sf the stationsof the Auckand Pedigree Stock Company, we saw some nice pastnre, dotted with stock. The work of improvement is going on steadily, fresh clearings being made, land being drained, ploughed, and sown in grass. At Oxford, further on, similar clearings were being made by the Auckland Agricultural Company. Adjacent to the township, Mr. Isaacs, of Cambridge, who has a store at Oxford, is putting down some eight acres in grass. A number of the Cambridge business people have purchased town sections with a view to eventualities, but the place will not get a fair start till it is tapped by the Thames Valley Railway line. Shortly after leaving Oxford we came to the boundary of the Patetere Association's block, which property it may bo explained has been sold by the association to another institution — the New Zealand Thames Valley Land Company. From the crest of a slope near the Mangapouri block a splendid bird's-eye view was obtainable of

THE PATETERE COUNTRY, which could be seen to all points of the compass, owing to its open and undulating character. _ It contains 250,000 acres, 30,000 of which is bush, and is bounded on the north by the Auckland .Agricultural Company's property, on the west and south by the Waikato River, and on the east by the wooded slopes of the Patetere plateau, of whioh 20,C00 acres are included in the company's property. One could not help being struck with the immense area of available country thus stretched out before one's vision, only awaiting the advent of skilled, industrious, middle class agriculturists. A little further on we came to a native reserve of some 300 acres — Whakaara-tamaiti— situate on the eastern bank of the Oraka, a fine stream with shingle bed, which flows through the Patetere block. There was a comfortable wooden house erected on the crest of the hili, the residence of the chief, and on the flat a native settlement. Cattle were grazing in the paddock adjoining, and down by the whares could be seen ranged np a buggy, two bullock drays, and an ordinary dray. After crossing the stream, and some seven or eight miles from Oxford, we came to the first section of land laid down by the company in grass and clover, which we understand was put in upon ono furrow, with no assistance from manure, and with the following quantities of seeds—lOlbs. ryegrass, balance cocksfoot and clover, up to ldlbs. in all per acre. The total cost was about 13s per acre, exclusive of seed. The result appears to have been highly satisfactory, and much astonished Mr. James Smith (of Greenfield, Otago,) and Mr. John Reid (of Reid and Dnnedin), considering the alight preparation of the soil, and they stated that the agricultural lands of the South Island under similar circumstances

would not have given such results. This opinion, coming from men of so distinguished a reputation as agriculturists and practical judges of soil, gives their opinion great weight—indeed, second to none in the colony. It must be highly satisfactory to the owners of the soil, after the many adverse opinions which have been expressed as to the quality of the soil of this large territory, and which evidently has been given by persons 'who have not taken pains to examine in any way the block. Some 250 head of cattle have been running on this section until recently. A. portion of this 800 acres has just been ploughed, and is being sown in oats and barley. A considerable area of potatoes is also beiDg planted, and we understand that the parties putting in the above crops have agreed to give one-half of the produce, harvested and stacked, as a rental for the land to the company, which is a sufficient indication that these men, in giving the seed labour, and other expenditure, have every confidence in the soil.

We then proceeded some four mileß further on to the town of Lichfield, where 1 another block of 300 acres on the site of the township is laid down in grass and clover, which appeared to ba of vigorous growth, and which was favourably commented on by Messrs. Smith and Reid, The soil of the township is not considered by thoseconversant with the block to be a fair average of the whole estate. The above gentlemen repeatedly expressed their opinion that the block was pre-eminently adapted ior sheep; that with sufficient cultivation of the soil in laying down pasture, and with slight assistance from root crops, its capabilities would be good for two sheep to the acre. Mr. Smith threw ont a suggestion which will probably receive consideration, namely, that the company should lay down a series of 300-acre grass paddocks at given points throughout the block, and that the pioneer settlers should have feed for their horses there at nominal rates for tihe first year, to give them a fair start in getting a section ef grass laid down for their stock. This will be a greatj convenience and Mill enable the ploughing, &c., to be done at a much cheaper rate as horse feed the fijrst year is a great consideration. We learn J it is not the intention of the company to press their land upon the market pending the completion of the railway to Lichfield, but every facility will be given in the interval to intending settlers who may wish, to take np land—town, suburban, or rural—for occupation. OPINIONS ON THE SOIL. . It may not be uninteresting to give here the practical opinions of men who have examined the Patetere blook. Mr. James Stewart, UK, who has teen engaged officially and otherwise, m exploring f or road and railway rontea, and in exeoutirjg road works, has had

excellent opportunities, from personal observation, of forming au opinion. This is whst .he states:— . .

So far as I there Is s remarkable uniformity in the quality of the soil in the forest land, iUI over the plateau it- is a rich black, rod, or brown volcanic loam, overlying a very porous subsoil, varying from a grey sandy loam to a soft porona tracbytic rock. 1 consider the plateau most suitable for small holdings; Ido not believe there is an acre of bad soil in it. It is in general rich, and in somo parts very rich. After this forest becomesplougbable, I beliave there will be no better soil for the growth of wheatin the colony. This will be due alike to the quality of the soil, the open subsoil, and clear dry atmosphere. There is more variety in the open lands of Patetere than the forest, both in aspect and quantity of soli. In many places the soil is exceedingly rich; although this is not always confined to either high or low lands. In some places the valleys are best, in others the high flats. Water power is abundant and easily applied. The streams are in general rapid and in rocky beds* abounding in falls and rapids, making their utilisation for water power very easy. This is a great feature of the district and will yet prove of great value. My experience has extended over twenty-two years ia Auckland Provincial District, and I have seen all the best lands in the colony. 1 have seen the commencement of many settlements, but I know of none possessing rnoro advantages and better prospects when, the Thames Valley line of railway is completed through the property.

Mr. James Runciman, one of oar moat experienced Waikato agriculturists, thus remarks :— I have been over a part of the land, and have no hesitation in pronouncing such portion as came under my observation to be of first-class quality and precisely similar to some of our Cambridge lands, which were looked upon as too light on their first settle* ment, an i were rejected by many practical farmers, but which have since proved to be our best lands, when ploughed and sown with English grasses, and solidified with the trampling of the stock thereon. Xhjs light description of land is now proving to be by far tho most remunerative, and those settlers who own such land appear to thrive the best. After such land has been in grass a few years it gives a magnificent crop of turnips, and the turnips being fed off by cattle and sheep on the ground, makes the soil in splendid condition for growing grain, either wheat, bar'ey, or oats, or to return it back into grass again.

We have also the opinion of an English farmer in Mr. E. Herring, who tame here in ISSI, as a delegate from the tenant farmers of orkshire, to look out for laud for special settlement. This is what Mr. Herring says regarding the Patetere land:— The soil ia very similar to "that on Firth's Matatoata, evidently a sedimentary deposit from the volcanic district ol Taupo, in which silica and the alkaline bases exist. It is of a line light chocolate colour, easy to work, and capable of growing root crops to perfection, as well as heavy crops of clover, which we fonnd had already taken root where' cattle droppings bad furnished seed. The romarkubly fine totara, rimu, puriri, and other timber iu the extensive

bush, will furnish, along with the stone close at band, any amount of suitable material for fencing and building. 1 noticed a plentiful supply of pure water in the valleys. I don't see any reason why Patetere should not. in a very few years, bo covered with fertile firms, thriving townships, and a happy, becauso prosperous, and healthy population.

About a dozen streams flow through the block which can be utilised as water power, the principal of which are the Raparapa, Waihomo, • Waimakariri, Waihou, Oraka, Nutuwera, Pokaiwhenua, Waiorakn, and Waipa. THE TOWNSHIP OF LICHFIELD. The township of Lichfield is centrally situated, its area being about 640 acres, including reserves. It ha 3 a good aspect, the plateau sloping towards the north, and is situate on the Maungarautawhiri, between the Oraka, which is on the north side, and the Ngutuwera on the south, excellent streams with shingle bed. A liberal reserve has been made for the railway station; for recreation, 16 acres, and .for schools and churches, 15 acres. The allotments have been subdivided into quarter acre, half acre, and acre sections. Selwyn-street (the main thoroughfare) is two chains wide, the railway line being three chains, a road of a chain wide being on either side. Nearly all the streets are at right angles, and none of them under a, chain in width. They are named after towns and villages in the immediate neighbourhood of Lichfield, viz., Tibberton, Chelford, Chelsey, Tamworth, Tunstall, Curdworth, Caldon, Trentham, &c. The whole township is surrounded by suburban sections of from five to twenty-five acres, involving an area a mile and a half distant from the township on all sides.

Among the improvements effected at Lichfield are the erection of a villa residency for the resident manager of the company, Mr. A. F. Halcombe, and a 14-roomed hotel for Mr. Alex. Heany, which has cost about £1000. Mr. Jackson, the company's surveyor, intends shortly to build upon one of the town sections a 9-roomed residence for himself. There are two or three small stores up, and some other buildings. A shoemaker and a butcher have settled down there, and doubtless other callings will in due time be represented. A slaughterhouse is shortly to be erected some little distance outside the town boundary. The company intend erecting a number of cottages iii the township, which will be available for rental to people settling in the district, within easy reach of the township, pending theerectionof dwellingplaces on their own farms. A number of persons have taken up sections, principally workmen, under stringent conditions to build within six months. Several of the business houses atCambridge have applied forsections, About two miles from the hotel a clab-house [ has been erected by the company at a cost of over £1000. It consists of drawing, dining, and four bed rooms, servants' bedrooms, kitchen, and every convenience, including coachhouse and stabling accommodation. This" place is intended as a residence for cadets of good family (two of whom are already at Lichfi-ld) until such time as they make other provision on the farms they may select in the vicinity. At tbo back of the clubhouse, from which a beautiful view is obtained, is a hill, about two or three hundred feet high, which is planned with pines, and when grown up will have a very fine and pleasir.g effect. About 300 acres adjoining is under cultivation with grass and oats, and the company intend to lay out farms of from 500 to IUOO acres in the neighbourhood.

Good building stone is readily obtained at Lichfield, and it is easily worked by saw or squared, and hardens with exposure. It is considtred of commercial value,, and some specimens will probably be sent to Auckland lor experimenting upon. The company have been spared some expense by using it instead of brick, Mr. Halebmbe'a dairy house being constructed of it, and the chimneys at Mr. Halcombe's residence, the hotel, and the club house. ROAD COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE PATETERE BLOCK.

A number of roads have been laid out by Mr. Jackson, the surveyor, under'direction of Mr. Halcombe, for tapping the block and surrounding country, also with the further object of making a road system centring upon Lichfield. A road is in course of construction from Lichfield to Waotu, to tap the Waotu bush (principally totara), and where a timber mill with necessary plant will be at once erected, and probably be in working order within the next few months. It is anticipated that not only will the local demand be met, but that supplies will beforthcomingfor the Waikato township and we believe the Waikato Steam Navigation Company have taken a third interest in the enterprise. From Waotu alao will be obtained the firewood, posts and rails, &c., which will be brought down to Lichfield for the use of the settlers there, and on the Patetere block generally. Another road has been constructed from Lichfield to the Whaiti-Kuranui bush, where now is obtained the present supply of sawn timber and posts. In anticipation of the early completion of railway communication to Lichfield roads are being laid out and constructed from thence towards Taupo and Rotorna across the company's land. There are only two small bridges to erect on the i whole of this section. The distance to Rotorna will be about 37 miles, and to Taupo some 45 to 50 miles. The main Government road, via Taupo, to .Napier passes through the southern portion of the company's lanrt, and that from Oxford to Rotorua (24 milea) runs through the block traversing the valley immediately below Oxford, and the wooded plateau. T:he constabulary were working on this road last; season, and its completion is let to two con tractors, Messrs. Builer and Home, respectively. It is expected to be available this summer for traffic. Mr. W. K. Carter, of Cambridge, of coaching celebrity, inte'nds as soon as it is finished to put a coach on that line, and run through tourists and others from Cambridge to Rotorna in one day. A large accession of tourists may therefore be expected for the Lake country, as Kotorua will then be comfortably reached from Auckland in two days. A road also runs from Matamata up the block to the Oxford-Rotorua-road, while that from Cambridge to Tauranga passes through the northern end of it. _ It mil thus be seen that the Patetere block is traversed in all directions with main and seondary lines of communication. RAILWAY COMMUNICATION. The Thames-Rotorua Railway is expected to be open to Lichfield by about the end of next The formation contract from Morrinsville to Oxford (Mercer and Marshall's) has about aix months to run, and aa tiierg ate

"O engineering diffiealtW, plate- W^f 35 Fallpn has some eight months from^^; aSSSSSSEg toßotorua. It is th a ?l?*°* railway communication to Botorua effected at no distant date. Whr>n *1 is finished to Lichfield the necessity for ll"- 5 step wiU. become faliy apparent ana eve!s effort should be made to impress uDon Uovernment the importance, of aiding, r co-operation, in the completioni of the ftl', section of the line. The nativis h* 1 agreed to cede alternate blocks of hZ* and when the Naliive Lands Court h finally investigated and settled the titt® no doubt the directors of the Thame!' Rotorua Railway will Ben their way to in J?" tenders for the construction of the BeeH n » from XjichGeld to flotorua. The decisis? given by the Native Lands Court the oth day was in favour of the Ngatiwhakaue »), are in favour of ceding blocks of land to tl company as already indicated. • The survey party engaged ia explorinc tio central route for the North Island &uot railway, and which passes Taopo Lake onth west side, have, after striking Titiranpan4 28 miles south of Lichfield, worked out a lin which comes into tho Te Awamutu district 6 It is scarcely probable, however, that South! era tourists for the Lake country would c.', down the delta of the Waikato to Hamilton thence to Morrinaville, and back up the Thames valley to Lichfield, within 28 mil* of Titiraupangi, which they had passed, making a detour of nearly 100 miW if any other route were available. When this central route c'oraes to be made, as come it will, even if the Mokau line is first adopted theu the necessity of forming the connecting V?* , , 28 miles be iween Titiraupangi and Lichfield will become apparent. We uuderstand that the Thames.directors of tie Rotoroa Railway Company have recently passed a resolution asking the Government to make a flyingsurvey of the country between tho two points. So far as is known it is free from engineering difficulties, appears to*U tolerably level, snd will certainly open m some splendid bush, consisting principally nf rimu and totara.

THE FROZEN MEAT ENTERPRISE. The proposed site for a slaughter-house for the Frozen Meat Company is south of the township, about half to three-quarters of i mile from the railway station, and the last of the accommodation paddocks (300 acres) for the use of stock while being driven overland from Napier to Lichfield will be about two miles from the station. Mr. Hicks, of Cam. bridge, who has had extensive experience in driving stock over from Napier, has been authorised to select- sites for the accommodation paddocks, and lie will be accompanied by Mr. A. B. Stubbing, surveyor, who will survey them. It is probable that the meat slaughtered at Lichfield will be brought down to Auckland by chilled railway cars, and frozen at the Auckland depot in the usual way.

Owing to its centrality, position, and soil, there can be little doubt there is a great future before the Thames Valley Land Company's territory,, and judging from the rapid manner in which the Waikato Delta has been settled, the next few years should show a similar illustration of colonization and progress in the Thames Valley and Patetere country.

We started from Heany's hotel, Lichfield on Friday morning for Mr. J. C. Firth's splendid estate of Matamata, but what we saw there must be reserved for another article.