WESTERN COASTLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20539, 14 April 1930, Page 8

WESTERN COASTLANDS.

PICTURESQUE RAGLAN.

A RICH COUNTY,-

GREAT SHEEP DISTRICT.

[by our special commissioner.] no. in.

The Raglan ,of to-day is a very pleasant and picturesque town. It has spread over the peninsula botween tho Upotoro and tho Ohura tidal arms considerably since my last visit, and summer cottages now make a fringe along its harbour front. It possesses an unusually largo and fine public hall, which tho residents use frequently and. of course, it has all tho other public institutions which go with civilisation and progress in these days. One of the features which I could not but admiro is tho manner in which its open spaces have been planted with trees and shrubs and ornamented with lawns and flowers. The town is so charmingly situated and has such attractive features that ''it is well worth tho while of its people to ndorn it in this way. Raglan being the centre for nearly a thousand square miles of coastal lands, much of which is capable of close settlement, is bound to grow along industrial lines, even if industry is confined to agriculture, but its scenic and climatic advantages will make it a very popular watering place where families will flock in ever-increasing numbers yearly to enjoy the delights of sea bathing, fishing and boating. It will also become, I am sure, a place of residenco for peoplo who wish to live a quiet, pleasant life. In fact, men and women of this class have already settled there. I met some of tliem, and they seem to load a very delightful life. They find occupation enough with their gardens and their books, and their round of social life, and there is quito a variety of recreations. I havo often wondered why more peoplo do not settle round the shores of Auck- . land's many beautiful harbours, and why those officials whoso duty it is to advertise New Zealand abroad do not describe the advantages and attractions of our seaside resorts. There must be many English people of moderate means who would en;oy life in such places, and many Canalians and Americans who would prefer Auckland's mild and genial climate to the ■•igour. of their own winters and tho ex'•vernes of their summer heats. Raglan County. There is a district or a county named Raglan, as well as a town. It extends from the western coast in tho vicinity of Rangikahu right across the ranges to a little distance north of Ngaruawahia, and from Aotea Harbour to Pirongia. Its western boundary is the Tasman Sea; its eastern border the Waipa River. Few counties in New Zealand are more picturesque or so interesting from an historical point of viow. Tho Hakarimata ranges, which form its central feature, run through the whole length of the county, and both their eastern and their western slopes provide innumerable lino valleyn and streams. The western harbour and estuaries with their cliffs and headland* , of carved limestone have already been i mentioned, while on the eastern side the peaceful Waipa, now, alas almost buried in willows, bas more romantic associations than almost any other river in New Zealand. On the western side of the county are extensive coalfields, some already producing wealth and others lying as a reserve for future use There are forests of fine timber and extensivo areas of flax still to be exploited, but the dominant resources of the county are undoubtedly agricultural and pastoral. The extensive hill-lands of tho Raglan county, largely composed of limestone, make it an ideal district for sheep, and as a matter of fact, this county carries and breeds more sheep than any other division in the Auckland Province. According to the latest agricultural and pastoral statistics Raglan's flocks numbered 290,773, while no other county in the province, except Waitomo, exceeded 269,000, and only six exceeded 100,000. A Rising Dairying District. The future of the Raglan district i» nound up in the development of small farms largely devoted to dairying. The ' district has always been famous for its ittle and now possesses nearly 70,000 . ead, of which only 17,979 are dairy ows. Since tho co-operative factory was tarted in 1916 the production of butter has steadily increased. Commencing with -i ii output of 74 tons, it reached 325 tons i ist year and will considerably increase • his amount before the present season is ended. Tho quality of tho butter manufactured is excellent, tho average grade being 92.5 and it regularly commands the highest prices ruling on tho Home market. , Undoubtedly dairying will continue to expand in this district. The improvement of pastures duo to top-dressing has only quite recently commenced, but now over 2000 tons of fertilisers are imported and thii practice is certain to grow. ~ All round the shores of the harbour and in the numerous valleys running back into the ranges there is room for a large increase in the number of small farm 3 and new settlers would find that land can bo obtained at a very reasonable price and that it will yield them a good living amid very delightful surroundings. I took a launch voyage up the various arms of the harbour and was deeply impressed with the great range of its navigable waters and with the large number of bays and inlets, which seem to offer ideal sites for sheltered homesteads. Surely such advantages as these, combined with the responsive soils, mild climate and ample rainfall, should prove wonderfully attractive to the class of settlers who like something better than monotonous prairie land and would prove more profitable than land whero winters are lung and severe.