PROGRESS IN RAGLAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 10

PROGRESS IN RAGLAN.

WIDESPREAD DEVELOPMENT

|NEW AREAS BEING FARMED.

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR COUNTY.

jfjJY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Thursday. 1 For many years regarded as tho Cinrlerella ! of tlio Wnikato, the Raglan County is now coming into its own, and important development is proceeding in many localities. Men with capital are undertaking the bringing-in of large blocks of country and the Public Works Department is doing its share in promoting production by forming all-weather roads giving access to isolated stations on tho ,\vest coast. The Central Power Board last week proTided evidence of tho progress in tho territory lying between Hamilton and Kaglan. Three years ago the Board -made a survey of tho area with a view to ascertaining whether a power lino to ■Raglan township would pay. Tho proposition was rejected owing to the long length of lino that would have to be erected before prospective users would bo reached. The board was convinced then tnat a payable load would not bo obtained. Probable Demand For Power. , 'Another survey was rnado last week and. tho chairman, Mr. T. Hinton, expressed surprise at the development that had occurred since ho had previously visited the area. Tho engineer, Mr. J. /R. Ellis, also stated that'if all tho seti tiers and tho town district of Raglan joined the service there need be no doubt about the success of tho lino, even though »n expenditure of £12,000 was involved Sn the scheme. Tho board is taking steps to ascertain what measuro of support ifc ,would receive in tho event of a line being constructed. Probably tho greatest barrier to settlo)ment in the territory lying between the Main Trunk railway line and tho west; coast north of Kawhia is the largo area cf land held by Maoris who aro doing nothing to develop it. It is estimated that thero aro 40,000 acres locked up in thi3 way. Tho area comprises the Moerangi, To Kaawa, Pukerawa, and Ohautira blocks. Much of the land is in standing bush, but there is ideal cattle country among it, and practically all of it is capable of being cultivated. Splendid Work on West Coast. Splendid work is being dono by individual settlers ou tho west coast. On a property of 11,000 acres now owned by Mr. Alma Baker, about 2000 head of cattle used to bo fattened a fow years ego. Drainage and cultivation have .wrought n marked change and 2000 head of cattle and 3000 ewes 1 are now running on tho holding. When tho development works now in hand are completed, the carrying capacity is expected to be greatly increased. Lucerne is being grown, and .whero tho sand is encroaching maram grass and lupins hold the sand in check and provide fodder for the stock. / Messrs. Binnie and Sutton aro also icloing good work on their station, and grew excellent crops of turnips last year, and have prepared 80 acres for propping this season. The road has been formed from Port 'Waikato to Ohuka station, a distance of 15 inilcs, and little remains to bo done to connect it with thj Waikaratu Road, which provides an alternative access to the Main South Road through Glen Murray. ' The farmers throughout the Raglan County have done great work in killing rabbits and eradicating noxious weeds, and the Government inspectors whose duty it is to see that these pests aro kept down have nothiDg but praise for the farmers concerned. It is predicted that tho Raglan County will become one of tho best stnekbreed* ing districts in New Zealand. The bestboned sheep in the Waikato come from the hills overlooking the Tasinan Sea. Tho lirine of the ocean and the limestone in the soil are factors which assist in building up the constitution of the sheep.