ROUND ABOUT WAIKAWA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2507, 9 April 1902, Page 30

ROUND ABOUT WAIKAWA.

(By Ova Travelling Co-respondent.) Only a few years ago the subject of this sketch was almost unknown to the great bulk of Southland's inhabitants, and it was not until the State-farm system was being experimented on by the late Sir John M'Kenzie, then Minister of Lands, that this and the surrounding localities were brought into prominence, and almost to renown. The fertility of the coast-lying land and its suitability ifor grazing purposes were not properly tested before the days of the Waikawa State farms, neither was the density of the bush and its quality for milling purposes known to those who engage or traffic in such affairs. The route to this place is by way of Fortrose, which can be easily reached by rail or sea. A good level road runs along the coast thence to Waikawa and the surrounding settlements, so this enables settlers in these back blocks to hold easy communication with the outside markets. Formerly such conditions did not favour those whose hearts were brave enough to undertake the brunt of a back-block enterprise, but even yet progress in the way of ingress and egress is not to be allowed to remain where it is, aa the proposed route of the Catlins railway by Tokonui Gorge will further open up this enormous tract of country. Already Tokonui land is being freely selected, and the nucleus of a settlement is quite apparent ; even a sawmill has been planted recently in_ the Gorge, so things will hum by-and-bye. Well, then, Waikawa has developed into a dairying field, and two factories are now permanently established at Otara and Haldane. The country around cannot be beaten for grass, and as most of it has been bush-clad, its suitability for dairying purposes cannot be excelled on this side of the Mataura. There is a jetty at the mouth of the Waikawa River, and small vessels make periodical calls, principally for the purpose of loading timber. The Tautuku forest comprises a large area of land, and many parts aye heavily timbered and well adapted for saw-milling purposes There are a few mills here, and these are kept fairly busy. The State farms proved vc-ry successful as far as tho3e working them were concerned. Many of them carved out homes for themselves in the sylvaii braes and downs which they would not now part with for even a- tempting figure Building stone is obtainable at Waikawa, and many Southland buildings have porno of this stone in their composition, and a large quantity is now bfing sent to Gore for the new post office. Otara is somev.hat closer to Fortrosc, and has a settlement to itself Near here is Waipapa Point, the scene of the lamentable Tararua catastrophe in ISSI. The spot where the ill-fated vessel became a total wreck can bz easily seen, and many of the drowned passengers were buried where a cemetery has sine? been proclaimed — known ?s the " Tararua Acre."