NOTES OF PROGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10128, 11 May 1896, Page 3

NOTES OF PROGRESS.

DARGAVILLE RIDING, HOBSON

COUNTY.

A year or two back it was a matter of great difficulty, if not impossibility, to get far out of the Dargaville township, by road, towards Tangowahine ; and between these two points there was very little settlement. In fact, so little was known of the intervening district that a general impression prevailed that the land was not suited for settlement. A good deal, generally of an unpleasant nature, was heard of the Darga-ville-Tangiteroria Road, but it was chiefly looked to as a necessary connection between Dargaville and the up-river settlers, and as part of the road to Whangarei. The opening up of this road, slow as it has been, has, however, led very materially to the opening up of the district; and, where a short time ago were largo tracts of unused and unoccupied lands, we now find settlements making good progress. Mr. Spiers, Mr. Appleby, Mr. Edwin Harding, and Mr. J. W. Brown, all comparatively new settlers, have each taken up considerable areas on the road between Dargaville and Tangowahine. Tiro worst parts of the road have been formed, and well constructed, so that, except perhaps in the wettest season, it is practicable to ride through as far, at least, us Tangowaliine. The Omu and Tangowahine creeks for a long time formed serious obstacles on this road, but, assisted by Government grants, the Council was, not long since, enabled to construct very sub-ataiitiftl-bridges over each of these streams. A lot of money is still required to make this road' What it should bo, and, as the amount necessary is altogether beyond the depth of the local purse, the Council should lose no time or opportunity in pressing their claims upon the attention of Government. We recently had the pleasure of seeing Mr. E. Harding at home on his own property, and learning something from him as to his i finings, and his opinion of the land taken up by himself,' and our notes on this occasion will refer more especially to his property, known as the Ounuwhao block. Mr. Harding lias not been settled very long in this locality, but, being a man of some means, ho has been able to do a lot of substantial work. He has erected on high land, near the river bank, a large and superior dwelling house, repleto with every convenience necessary to comfort; also a comfortable dwelling for the married couple and others in his employ. The site of the dulling has evidently been woll chosen from more standpoints than one; it is placed on a ridge so that all parts of the estate can bo approached by following the ridge, and thus the labour of daily going up and down hills and dales to work is avoided. There is also a .splendid viewup and down and across the river from the house. Below the house is a substantial wharf and boat landing, and hero the Ethel calls, when required, on her way to or from Tangitororia. Mr. Harding has 1000 acres ring fenced and also several subdividing fences, all of tho best description. Mr. Harding has not felled all the bush before making his subdivisions, but has felled broad lines through the bush and erected his fences so as to include a considerable amount of standing bush for shelter in eaoh division. Tendors for a further stretch of fencing on this property were recently called for, and the work is probably now well in hand. Mr. Harding appears bo be well satisfied as to the nature of the soil. Ho is well acquainted with the lands in Hawke's Bay, having resided there for several years; and gives it as his unbiassed opinion that the Ounuwhao, Omu, and other hill blocks about the Northern Wairoa are fully as good as the average Hawke's Bay hill lands, of which so much is thought. Ho instanced that one of his paddocks, containing 400 acres, including bush, equal in all to about 100 acres good grass, had carried all through tho last snmtnor—a very dry ono—4oo sheep and 200 cattle, and the animals were fat and in good condition to the end. Mr. Harding deplores the continued burnings from year to year, without the sowing of grass, for they destroy the surface of the land and impoverish the soil very materially. I was glad to receive this testimony to tho excellence of Wairoa lands from ono bo well qualified to form an opinion; and I hope Mr. Harding's prophecy, that we shall Lave hundreds of settlors between Wairoa and Kaikohe before ten years are over, if the land is thrown open, may bo realised.— [Northern Wairoa Correspondent,]