THROUGH WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9193, 6 May 1893, Page 1 (Supplement)

THROUGH WAIKATO.

ITS CONDITION AND PROSPECTS. No. VIII. [BY OCR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] During my Btay ab Mataraataj I made some investigations respecting • THE MATAMATA STONE, regarding which some particulars have recently been published in tho New Zealand Herald. I visited the recently-opened quarry in Hinuera (Jorge,which is being worked by Mr. Alexander Ferguson, stonemason, and saw some of , the specimens of the stone loaded upon a waggon, which were to bo worked up and dressod, and sent down to Auokland. A fine flab had boon broken out, seven feet in length and two feet square. Mr. Ferguson, who has had long experience as a stonemason, speaks highly of it. Two truck-loads of the stone had been sent to Messrs. W. Thomas, J. H. Buchanan (Victoria-Ktroeb East), monumental masons, and Mr. George Rhodes, builder and contractor (Custom-street West). On returning to Auckland I made enquiries as to the result ab the establishments of these tradesmen. Mr. Thomas states that ho intends giving the stone a weather test of twelve months. Three months havo expired, and so far tho result is satisfactory. Mr. J. H. Buchanan is well satisfied with the stono for tho basement of tombstones. It dresses wen, and has a good skin on it. He has used ib in orders from the _ Bay, Thames, and East Coast, and also in the Symonds street and Purewa Cemeteries. Mr. Rhodes, builder, Custom-street West, has one, of tho largest blocks from the quarry in his yard weathering. It has been there two months, and from its present condition ho is confident that it will successfully stand tho weather test. The best tost it will get is for building purposes, and I understand that about 1500 cubic feet of it will bo used as stone facings in Bishop Luck's now residenco at Ponaonby. If thisetone realises the expectations formed, thoro is a practically unlimited supply in tho face of the cliffs which bound the Hinuera Valley. At Mr. Kallonder's residence is a dressed block afoot square, which weighs lewt. Tho stone, samples of which havo beon forwarded to Dr. Hector, is favourably spoken of by that gentleman as likely to provo a good building stone.

MAORI R.3LICS. While I was ab Matauiata, Mr. Kallender showed me some ourioc;B Maori relics. One of these, a Maori eel-pot, had been obtained in a swamp, while cutting a drain at the back of the Foncourt ostato, when he was assistant manager thero, somo years ago. The swamp had been drained and grassed, and when consolidated, the remains of a small Maori canoe and paddles, eel pots, etc., were found near the remains of an ancient Maori pa, which had, apparently, been suddenly evacuated, from some unknown cause, either an attack or a convulsion of nature, and everything loft as they stood. The relics were found about 15 feet below tho original surface, and two feet under a layer of peaty formation of a consolidated character. Thero woro also rude Maori carvings and boards, evidently the barge-boards of a Maori whcire. One or two broken stone axes and

pieces of groenstone were found in tho same place, and the eel-pots, six in number, all in a wonderful state of preservation, wore found superimposed upon each other. Air. Kallendof retained one of the eel-pots, and on showing ib to the natives they informed him that they were not made of so small a size nowadays, and ib did nob seem to belong to those of the pattern used by the present generation of Maoris. The natives knew nothing of tho previous history of the site of the pa, bub their theory is that a creek formerly flowed down-the valley from the forest ranges of Maungakawa, and that tho pa must have been an outpost to protect the settlements and cultivations on the range and adjacent thereto, th© canoe being usod for crossing purposes. Tho pariod mast have been a distant one, as the local natives have no traditions as to tho pa or the object for which it was constructed. Mr. Kallendejr presented the col-pot to me, as also a curiousi Maori stono bowl, the uses of which ho was unable to ascertain. These articles I in turn presented to the Auckland Museum, and as the Museum had not a single Maori eel-pot or native stone bowl .in its Maori collection, the relics possess some degree of interest. Tho eelpot, though constructed of mangemange, is constructed in a different way to tho ordinary eel-pot, inasmuch as the mangemange is split, a characteristic which old settlers who inspected the article, as also Mr. Cheesemun, had never seen before. Sir Goorgo <>rey, however, who also had a look, at tho relics, informs

me that ho haa seen native eel-pots constructed of split m&ngomangc, though they were very rare. Sir George is under the impression, from the smallnesa of the pattern, that it has been used for catching inanga (whitebait) and koura (a small crayfish). The stone bowl (which is composed of the rhyolite stone of the district) was square in shape, hollowed out two inches deep, the sides and edges of the rim being bevelled. The appearance of the bevelling would give the impression that it was of European workmanship, were it nob that the lines of carving on tho stone handle, cutout of the solid, were thoroughly Maori in design, while tho companion handle was broken off, by a flaw in tho grain of tho stone. None of tho old ' settlers who saw

bowl, or Mr. Cheoseman, could dotermineitsuses. ATaranakisettler(Mr. McDonald), however, well acquainted with Maori life and customs, over many long years, saw the notico in the New Zealand Herald respecting the, Maori relics, and while on a visit to Auckland called at the Museum and

had a look ab them. He stated that the stone bowl wae used in the xoharepuni* for keeping a fire alight for a long time, namely, by placing hot embers in it and covering them with a sod of earth, when they would keep alive for hours. They wore also used for carrying fire from one pa to another. Ho had seen several circular ones previously, but not a square one, all linos of Maori carving being circular or semicircular. Mr. Kallcnder last week presented two of the Maori canoe paddles above referred to, to the Auckland Museum. THAMES VALLEY LAND COMPANY'S ESTATE. Proceeding up the Thames Valley, I journeyed to Lichfield, in order to see tho estate of the Thames Valley Land Company. Afc the Lichfield railway station I met Mr. M. Harrison, the manager, and we drove over to tho homestead residence,, about a mile distant, whoro I received a hospitable reception. Night was closing in when wo arrived, so that there was little opportunity of looking around, but at Lichfield proper thero seemed but little chango since I had passed through, two or throe years ago, in returning to Auckland from the Taupo country by the TaupoLichfield route. Early next morning Mr. Harrison and I wore on the road, with a view of seeing and driving over as much of the large estate as time would permit, and more especially that part of it the scene of moro recent operations. Tho past history of, and improvements on, this property, have been narrated by me years ago in the columns of the New Zealand Herald, consequently all that remains now to be done is to refer to the more recent operations likely to interest the public. The estate (formerly known as the Patetero Company's) has an area of 105,000 acres, and is the largest of the great estates in the Thames Valley. Mr. Harrison, who had made so excellent a record at Lockerbie, was appointed to the managership of this important estate in November last. Every one will wish him well in the greab task now set before him, of making this enormous tracb of country reproductive— for himself, the company, and the district. The estate is carrying 9000 sheep, 1500 head of cattl.), and 40 horses, the latter being used for the requirements of theestate. Mr. Harrison purposes breaking up a block of fern country, 1000 acres, in next spring, and putting ib in clover. « In the following autumn ho intends clearing a breadth of aboub 1500 acree and having ib surface sown, aa also 600 acres in - turnips. An area of 2000 acres of bush is to be .felled this winter—l2so acres in the Hanga block, and 750 acres in the Kaharoa. • Mr. Harrison intends to grow horse feed more largely foe local requirements. Several hulqs of

fencing will bo taken in hand, and in future a certain area of land planted with trees every year, both with a view of improving the appearance of the landscape, of affording shelter to stock, besides supplying useful timber on tho estate. The manager is going in for breeding cattle and horses more largely than hitherto. Merinos are run on the unenclosed lands, and longwools and halfbreda in grass paddocks. The Club Block, which is semi-pumice country, was put in turnips some years ago, and is now in grass, the appearance of the paddocks being excellent. The grass is luxuriant, principally cocksfoot and clover. The characteristic of the Patetere country is that it is excellently adapted for turnips, having such a porous subsoil that there is no waste in eating them off either with cattle or sheep, as the land never poaches no matter how web the season may be. The To Rau Block, which includes the company's property and thab of Mr. R. Reynolds, is well grassed, and is carrying a large number of cattle for fattening. All the best bullocks owned by tho company are being fattened on this block. The Mangakaretu Block, of 400 acres, is to be put into turnips. The 2100-acre section of bush in tho Hunga block, which was fallen years ago, is in good grass, and carrying both cattle and sheep. Sixteen hundred two-tooth owes were bought at the Ohaupo sheep fair, in order to place on the estate for breeding purposes, and cattle aro also being bought for the same purpose. Since my last visit to Lichfield, two years ago, the company have fenced in at Waiomo a block of 3500 acres, 2500 of which have been ploughed and laid down in grass, and is generally looked upon as a success. Ac Waiomo, stockyards and various buildings have been erected. I further understand that other improvements will be made in this locality in breaking in open country, and also in falling and clearing considerable areas of bush land which lie

contiguous to it. The Waimakariri Block has been developed, containing about 2500 acres. A portion of tho block has also been brought in by ploughing and surface sowing, and upon which the company have an out-station near tho Waimakariri Bridge. Adjacent thereto is the Auckland Society's fish-breeding establishment, tho site for which, I understand, the company have conceded upon the most liberal terms. Iwasglad to learn that the fish liberated in the Patetere streams havo turned out a great success, as is shown by the baskets taken by various anglers— " tako " of 351b in one case for eight fish. The company have further developed a valuable block in tho To Rau district, with which I was greatly pleased, and some 1200 or 1500 acres are fenced and subdivided. This block is regarded in treatment as being successful. The Tamangi Block is divided from the Overdale estato by the railway line, and contains about 800 acres, 500 acres of which have been purchased from the company by. Mr. D. E. Clerk (son of one of the London directors), upon which he has erected a comfortable country residence, and commenced sheep-breeding. He has also done a good deal of planting. When visiting the To Rau country with Mr, F. D. Rich, we called on Mr. Clerk, who gave us a cordial reception. Mr. J. B. Neville, brother of Bishop Neville, of Dunedin, has a property, " Moorlands," of 500 or 600 acres, also purchased from the company, adjacent to tho township of Lichfield. Upon this property there is a well-kept residence. Tho proprietor, has fenced, grassed, 'and subdivided the property, upon which he is keeping cattle principally. After seeing over the Thames Valley Land Company's estate, Mr. Harrison and I drove on to Woodstock, part of the Waimakariri block, the residence of Mr. F. D. Rich, the former manager of the company, who hospitably entertained us, after which Mr. Harrison went away to the Tapapa Plateau, while I remained, Mr. Rich having kindly undertaken to show mo the surrounding district, and also drive me ovor portion of tho Te Rau country (Overdale). " WOODSTOCK,

Woodstock has an area-of 1200 acres,and has been taken from the Company by Mr. F. D. Rich. It has a comfortable homestead nicely situated, with its plantations, and commands a beautiful view of the Thames Valley. Tho paddocks wore well grassed, and his turnip crop looked excellent. 4 I understand that it is Mr. Rich's inten-

tion to devote this property to the growing of seed of the fescue graes, which ho introduced from Invercargill, and in the merits of which he has great faith. From inquiries I made, I believe that this grass will bo a useful acquisition on these light lands, as tending in a mixture to thicken the sole, to stand drought, and to afford rough feed for sheep where grasses in themselves more valuable would not thrive. Mr. Rich has about 300 acres sown in fescue, and it was

looking well at the time of my visit. Mr. Rich, I learn, is also going bo dovoto close attention to the breeding of high-class sheep, he having now on the property a flock of pure merinos, which have not been out of the possession of his family for forty years; anil ho contemplates', owing to the romoval of the restrictions on the introduction of New Zealand sheep into Australia, to send rams to the Australian market, as he used to do successfully and profitably forty years ago. Mr. Rich has a purebred Shropshire flock, as he believes that a cross from the Shropshire Downs will be essential to producing the class of sheep most profitable for exportation to the home market, more particularly in lambs, which fetch a higher price than other breeds. He has also a pure flock of English I/eicesters, imported from tho best breeders in the South, namely, Mr. John Reid, of Elderslie, Otago, and Mr. George Grey, of Timaru. Like tho Shropsbire3, tho English Leicester has lately come into great demand, being a class of sheep most suitable for freezing purposes, from its early maturity and aptitude to fatten. It is to be hoped that I Mr. Rich's efforts in the breeding of these sheep and the growth of the fescue grass will fully realise his anticipations, as tho benefit to tho district will bo very groat.

FARMERS' PESTS. There was ono thing which forcibly impressed me in my tour through the Thames Valley and Waikoto districts, and which ib would bo well for the settlers to consider, namely, tho adoption of steps for checking the spread of furze, the bramble, sweebbriar, the oxeye daisy, and last, bub not least, the Canadian or Californian thistle. From information received, and personal observation, I regret having to record that this latter _ pest is greatly on the increase, and as ib appears to be ineradicable, it is a question whether in the interests of settlement the evil should not bo dealt) with by legislation— that is, making it punishable by fin© whore landowners allowed this plant to seed on their land. This would minimise the evil to a largo oxtonb, as dissemination could only then be possible by the roots.

KARL BROTHERS' APIARIES. During my stay at Woodstock Mr. Rich kindly urovo mo over from Woodstock to see the apiaries of those enterprising and industrious settlers—Messrs. Karl Bros., on the Overdalo property (To Rau). They have 300 hives on Te Rau, and 150 on the Waimakariri. Last year the production of honey on Overdalo from 125 hives, I understand, was 10 tons. This year, owing to the long stretch of wet weather in the summer season,' the output has been disappointing. The Karl Bros., who are noted for their industry, also prepare the wax for the market, ' TE RAU (OVERDALE).

Adjoining the Thames Valley Company's Te Eia,u property is thab of Overdalo, an 1800-acre block, the property of Mr. Richard Reynolds, of Cambridge,; and purchased just previous to the Company's firsb land sale held at Lichfield. It is looked upon as a choice property. In fact by the results achieved, ib has proved itself such, being covered with most luxuriant pasturage, from which Mr. Reynolds has annually fattened a large number of bullocks for the Auckland market. Mr. Rich and I drove through the property up to Look-out Hill, commanding a magnificenb view of the Thames Valley, passing on our way mobs of fine bullocks fattening on the run. They were in splendid condition.