SKETCHER.

Southern Cross, Volume 19, Issue 25, 7 October 1911, Page 11

SKETCHER.

THE PROGRESSIVE NORTH

WHAT IS BEING DONE IN TAIHAPE.

(By J.5..M.)

SINCE the completion of the North Island Main Trunk Line three years ago, the towns along- the route have made considerable progress. The chief of these are Hunterville, Mancaweka, Taihape. Ohakunc, and Te Kuti. The last-named is in the Auckland province, and has only been in existence a few years, during which time it has acquired a population of twelve hundred.. By far the most advanced Main Trunk town is Taihape, situated 45 miles from Mar-ton Junction, amidst the broken, rugged country so characteristic of this" port of the North Island. It presents, in comparison with its bold surroundings, a pleasing picture of civilisation. The main portion of the town is built, on a piece of flat land, but many fine residences aire .spread over the ' adjoining hills. The Hautapu river wind.s past the town, and. is surrounded by a beautiful native bush scenic, reserve, one of the 'finest in New Zealand. It is six years since the railway was completed to Taihape, and in that time the borough has made wonderful progress. Streets that were quagmires have been transformed into good thoroughfares, and an up-to-date drainage scheme has been completed. A spacious cottage hospital, which comes under the control of the Wanganui Board, and a new fire brigade station have *ust been opened "In addition to these the borough council are installing a

plant to harness the waters of the Hautapu, which will supply the town with light and power. The need of a reliable water supply has been long felt, but that will soon be a thing oi the past, as a splendid reinforced, concrete reservoir, with a capacity of one and a third million gallons, has been constructed in the hills above the town. The water to fill this will be pumped from the Hautapu river by the borough's electric planit. and as the mains through the streets are nearly all laid, Taihape will soon have a first-class water supply, with a pressure of 1251 b to the square inch. The sum of £OOOO has been voted by the ratepayers for the erection of a town hall, opera house, and public library combined. Alii these public works have been undertaken by a population of only 1600, but as the borough possesses a. good deal of property, it is perhaps in a better position to carry out these improvements than places less fortunate. Taihape is an important railway centre, and it is here that the huge ninety-ton X engines, for use on the steep grades between here and Taurnarar.ui, are stationed. There are eight X engines, which are the largest in N\Z.. and altogether there are twenty-six locomotives in the district. The railway service alone finds employment for about 120- hands, who reside in Taihape. Targe nuantities a'i timber and coal are carried over this line, which is growing in importance every day. As already 'Mentioned, the surrounding country is of an extremely broken nature. Hills of every conceivable hhaspe and size are crowded together, with deep gullies in between. Everywhere the presence of stumps and dead timber testify to the previous existence of a great forest, covering the tops of the highest hills, but which the sawmill, followed by the axe and torch of the settler, has swept away. There is scarceiy any ploughable land, but it is ideal sheep country, capable of averaging two and a half sheep to the acre all. the year round.

Looking to the north, from the hills above the town, Mount Ruapehu, the roof of the North Island, is to be seen, and away to the southeast lie the Ruahine Ranges. All the country between these mountains is of the same rugged nature, which gives a, very extensive grazing area. The formation of the country is paspa—a sort of sandy blue clay, which is hundreds of feet deep in places. That this has once been ocean-bed is borne out by the deposits of sea shells, visible in road cuttings. Oyster shells, exactly the same as the Bluff oyster, may be seen in quantities in some parts.

The climate is one of the most ■bracing in N.ZI., with beautiful calm days and, cool nights in summer and frosts in winter. It is due to its high situation, the district being 1500 ft- above the sea level. The rainfall is not great, and a gale is of very rare occurrence, seldom lasting more than a few hours.