KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15269, 5 April 1913, Page 5

KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

A NEW DEVELOPMENT. RESUMING MAHOENUI LANDS. [PROM OTTO (TAVUKSUNVt COItBESPONDENT.] Recommendations have been placed before the Government with a view to having certain largo holdings at Mahoenui, resumed and subdivided into small sections suitable for dairying. There are also certain Crown lands in the locality which could be opened up for settlement to advantage, and it is understood steps are being taken by the Government in the matter. The lands are now being inspected with a view to purchase, and there is every probability that the scheme of close settlement, which- has been so long advocated, will bo carried to a definite issue. The Mahoenui district, which is about 30 miles from To Kuiti, and about half that distance from the coast at Mokau Heads, was the first portion, of the King County to become settled by Europeans. Settlement drifted northwards from Taranaki, and sections of considerable area were taken up by the original settlers, among the pioneers being Messrs. Elliott, Old, Itattenburg, and others. It was then realised that years must elapse before the conditions necessary for close settlement would be established, and the land was devoted to sheep and cattle raising. Some 12 or 14 years ago, Mr. John Old established a email dairy factory on his place, and to him belongs the credit of having started the first dairy factory in the King Country. The land is in a fit state to enable the dairy farmer to obtain excellent results. The soil is of the best quality, consisting mainly of rich fiats, bordering the Mokau River, and the area in question should settle at least 30 or 40 families on suitable dairying areas. The transit difficulties will not be great, aa a dairy factory could be placed in. a central position, and home separation has been proved to meet successfully the lack of good roads, while the output of the factory can be conveyed by steamer to a Taranaki port. It is quite probable that the Mokau River will play an important part in the development of the dairying industry over a wide area. Much of the country behind Aria, lying towards the Mokau, is eminently suitable for dairying, but its isolated position and the lack of good roads has hitherto rendered it impracticable to engage in that branch of farming. Although lying within a few miles of the Mokau, there is no road access between the Paraheka district and the river. The rapids in that part of the stream were supposed to constitute an off ective barrier to river transit, but it has recenty been demonstrated that suitable craft, in the shape of launches, can easily navigate the rapids. Considering that the railway is over 30 miles distant, and that the roads are impassable in winter, while the river is within five or six miles, the advantages of river traffic are obvious. The settlers in the Paraheka have been in occupation of their sections for several years, and most of them are quite prepared for dairying. A considerabl© amount of unoccupied Crown land is yet to be taken up in the locality, and the provision of better access would materially aid the progress of a fine district.