MY VISIT TO WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4255, 9 November 1874, Page 3

MY VISIT TO WAIRARAPA.

[Br a Bohemian.] No. 4. There is another reason why runholders may prove of great utility to the colony, and I will illustrate my meaning by a reference to the Otaria station. It is not au overwhelmingly large one—something under 10,000 acres. But it is of an exceedingly manageable size, and is large enough to task the energies of one person. On the north and west sides it is bounded by the Ruamahnnga river—a swiftly running stream of much the same character and size as the Trent at Burton—which would make an excellent trout stream I am convinced if but the ova were introduced, there being numerous little rivulets flowing into it, such as trout delight to retire into. On the south and east sides there is a chain of bills. Usually, for a distance from the river the land is very richly and heavily grassed, and on the hills adjoining the turf is composed of clover and succulent grasses that will fatten a bullock in hut a short time. The station is intersected by the road, and on the northern side is the run, with a few paddocks, whilst the south is entirely cut np into paddocus. I must preface my remarks by saying that the estate, which is well watered throughout, has everywhere a deep and fertile soil. About 4000 acres are producing the rich English grasses. Many of the most barren and unprofitable looking parts of it—covered with manuka scrub and rushes—have been twice ploughed, and laid down with English grasses and clover, and these very portions are now covered with grass nearly long enough to mow. To say that their carrying capacity has been increased tenfold would be to understate the case. An acre will carry more stock now than ten would before, is therefore worth ten times as much, and every year the sward will improve. This is an example of the way in which wealthy squatters with means can solve problems for poorer settlers, who cannot afford to make experiments for themselves. In process of time the Otaria station will be covered with English grasses, and then it will present a more pleasing picture than even a Lincolnshire or Leicestershire landscape, in the most fertile portions of these counties. I hear, as I write, the lowing in the meadows of a large herd of some of the best and purest bred cattle in the world, the names of many of which are to he found in the “Herd Book,” and their calves as soon as dropped arc worth 100 guineas each. I see sheep, hotter than which Lincolnshire and Leicestershire combined could not produce. The cows are rich roans, strawberry colored, and blood red, and the sheep have square symmetrical frames, with white wool on them long in staple and fine in quality. A Lincolnshire squire farming his 500 or a 1000 acres, would consider he had prospect before him of acquiring a second garden of Eden, if he but saw a chance of obtaining the Otaria run.

For, let it be understood, not only is it the richness of the vegetation that is a pleasing feature. I have shown how the Euamahunga river bounds more than half the run, and bow its tributaries constantly flow through. There are, dotting it, about half a score small patches of trees. These contain woods of beautiful foliage, and in the season the trees teem with pigeons. There arc, perhaps, half a score lagoons swarming with wild ducks, and the owner is determined that these lagoons shall be preserved. You may turn up a pair or two of Paradise ducks in every paddock you cuter ; and m tire south side paddocks containing from 50 to 1000 acres each abound. On both the southeast and north-west some very rich Maori land is leased, as also is some over the river, sufficient to keep about 150 bead of cattle. All this, it is probable, will be purchased before the leases fall in. But a glance will show the richness of the soil. The Maoris have planted several orchards, in which almond, apple, pear, plum, apricot, nectarine, and peach trees flourish as well as they do in the largo station orchard. But this is not by any means the sole charm. I think it is in the varied scenery. You observe around you the mountains, the streams, the grassy meadows, the straight trunked New Zealand trees, the strange vegetation of the cabbage palm, and the flax swamps full of leaves 10 to 12 feet in length. Otaria will also, for another- reason, long afford an interesting relic for visitors to look upon. Near to the river are the remains of the earth-built whare, in which Governor Weld and Sir Charles Clifford lived for about two years, after bringing the first sheep—some 50 or a 100—to the AVairarapa. In what I have said, I must not bo understood to mean that all runbolders improve their property in the way that the owner of Otaria does. I should say, from what I have seen, that in respect to the purchase of pure bred stock bo is in advance of bis neighbors. Mr. Waterhouse is the largest owner of station property in the neighborhood, but bo seems to have been content to abide very much by his experience of squatting iu Australia. Keccntly, however, he has begun to sow English grasses, and if the result bo as encouraging as at Otaria, probably he will persevere. This, however, I only bring in as evidence in support of my argument, that, if runbolders having large tracts of territory, will fulfil what it seems to mo is a duty they owe to society—that of showing how their land can be made the best of, and proom-ing siro stock for the use of their less wealthy neighbors—a strong reason is advanced why large freehold estates may bo acquired by individuals without detriment and with positive benefit to their fellow colonists.