KING COUNTRY SETTLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14003, 8 March 1909, Page 6

KING COUNTRY SETTLERS.

THE RIVAL RAILWAYS.

HON B. McKENZIE'S TOUR.

{BY TELEGRAM.— CORRESPONDENT.]

Te KuiTr, Saturday. The Minister for Public Works (Hon R. McKenzio) concluded his tour through the King Country to-night after an arduous day's travelling over the route of the proposed deviation of the railway line. He was accompanied by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. for the district, Mr. R. W. Holmes (Engjneer-in-Chief), Mr. A. Julian (district road engineer), and several settlers.

Mr. McKenzio left MangaiOa at 7 a.m. Most of the party were on horseback, but the Minister was provided with a buggy for about four miles. At that stage the road narrowed down to a track through the beautiful bush-clad Wait-owhena Valley, and those driving here also took to horseback. For over 16 miles the way led through the valley named.

' The scenic glories of the trip were what most impressed the travellers, the grandeur ol the spectacle as the bush-clad hills gradually came into view out of the early morning mist being indescribable. This wart of the journey disclosed what a valuable asset the country possesses here in the shape of rich bush land. Here and there are clearings, several successful and quite recent burns having taken place. The possibilities were easily apparent. In the concluding stages of the' passage through the Waitewhena the party came upon a most marvellous circular vale. Viewed from the high ground a panorama was presented tho like of which could scarcely be excelled anywhere. About half a mile beyond here, on tho way to Aria, the party was entertained to a sylvan meal under the shade of the roadside bush by one of the foremen of roads; prior to this refreshments had been provided by two of the settlers, whose homesteads were of the few seen near the track. One of the settlers, Mr. S. Hickman, pointed out a coal seam outcropping on a hill. At the last stop mentioned tho riders were met by a coach and the remainder of the long journey of 50 or 60 miles was undertaken by this means.

Aria was reached at three o'clock. Here the party was met by a large number of settlers from the surrounding district. Mr. Jennings introduced the Minister, who remarked that it was a. matter for wonder where they all came from. As a result of the day's trip he had 60 far failed to sec many homesteads. He considered he roads of the district were very good for the early days of the settlement. There were many worse ones in ether parts of the Dominion.

At Fiopio, about seven miles past Aria, the . Minister again stopped. He was here met by another very large deputation on tho railway deviation question, including several Kuiti farmers, who had ridden in specially, from that town to wait upon the Minister. These gentlemen, who were introduce! by Mr. Jennings, included Messrs. F. O'Dwyer, S. Hickman, N. I. Hunt, J. Ranston, Jas. Dayley, V. L. Jackson, and G. Elliott, ail representing the Mokau and Waitewhena Railway League and, comprising settlers of Faemako, Kaeaea, Piopio, Mangatoki, Ratanui, and Te Kuiti. The main objects of the league were stated exhaustively by Mr. Elliott. He said that in forming this league to support their contention as to the best route for the Stratford-Main Trunk branch, they had roused considerable indignation from settlers, principally in the eastern end of the f Ohura Valley. ;>■ The worst that the critics could say was that the league would delay the commencement of operations. The ; country affected was practically the whole of' that large area lying between Kawhia Harbour and Wanganui River, and any adequate railway formation must necessarily be* with a j view to a :: systematic connection with its only seaport, Kawhia Harbour, and the route now advocated was admittedly chosen with this object. If Ohura was;to trade with Wellington, 290 miles distant, they could do so via Stratford, if with Auckland, 100 miles nearer Mangaroa, the centre of Ohura, the proposed deviation will place them 30 miles still nearer. This would be a considerable advantage in trucking stock to Waikato or Auckland markets. For a connection at Ongarue, to gain their ends a few speculators would sacrifice the interests of hundreds of back block settlers, with wives and families, lining 30, 40, and 50 miles from a railway, in the Mokau Valley, Mango-o-taiki and Wairoa districts. With the Stratford branch, passing near Piopio, a junction there with a line to Kawhia would form a system centrally situated and bring Ohnra Valley within a few hours of a seaport, which would compensate Matiere for any loss through the adoption of the proposed deviation. Ohura had little to sacrifice .in j> order. to fall in with its' Northern neighbours, whereas the settlers to the north had everything to lose, and could not surrender their interests in favour of Ongarue and the connection would be detrimental; to the system of future rail-ways-formation of this country. Some of the richest land of Ohura was on the proposed deviation. The pastures raised stock worthy of any country in the Dominion. Several others having spoken in support of the deputation's request for the deviation, the Minister said it was his clear duty to do his best, . not only for a district, but ; the whole Dominion. Every settler he had met, not only on the present trip, but on his recent tour of the North/, wanted railways brought, if not to their own • doors, .as near to them as possible. As regarded the Stratford railway, he > had to - get professional * advice. Surveys had been made in the direction of Kawhia, and- the Engineer-in-Chief (Mr. Holmes),' who was with him now, knew as much as the settlers did about this particular country and as to which places it would be most likely to be profitable to bring the line to. Mr. Holmes had advised, him that the cost of taking the line to Te Kuiti would be very considerable. The Minister also pointed out that the district had a railway within 12 miles. In that respect many districts were worse off. In his own electorate some settlers were 150 miles from a railway. If he was advised that a railway ought to come this way it wouH be gone into. Parliament bad, however, already authorised the line to Ongarue, which was an implied promise. The members of the present deputation would have to be very active if they wanted to get Mich promise broken. • He admitted ho had seen a great deal more good country that day than on the Ongarue route, but behind the valley of the latter there was a lot of good land too. The whole matter would be considered on its merits.

Tea was again dispensed, and the party left to complete the last 16 miles of the coach drive to Te Kuiti. The latter thriving township was reached at 8 o'clock tonight. After dinner the Ministerial party was entertained at a smoke concert. Mr. McXvcnzie leaves for Wellington by the Main Trunk train passing here in the early hours of Monday morning.