NGARUAWAHIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143763, 11 April 1912, Page 7

NGARUAWAHIA.

A RISING TOWNSHIP. (Contributed.) The little township of Ngarnawahia, which has hitherto been famous mainly for its beautiful situation at the junction of the "Waikato and Waipa Rivera, and for its picturesque Maori regattas, is now coming into its own as an important centre. The Dairy Association lias recently erected a very large factory, which in the height of the season turns out 11 tons of butter daily. Enterprising Waikatoitcs aro trying hard to establish tho sugar beet industry. Tho lauds there are well adapted, and the magnificent waterways make this township an ideal centre for a huge factory when onoe the enterprise is under way.

When this townsliip was originally laid out it was named “Newcastle,” on account of the enormous coal deposits that outcrop a few miles inland. It was not until some five years ago, when threo Taranaki gentlemen acquired certain of, these areas, that any definite steps were taken to develop them. Hundreds of pounds were at once spent in demonstrating the enormous quantity and high quality of the coal. To-day over a hundred men are working at the railway which is now being constructed to link the coal seams with the WaikatoMain Trunk railway system. The Government are building a new station and making extensive alterations to provide for the now coal trade, at a total cost of £SOOO, while the Waipa Railway and Collieries Company are spending between £70,000 and £BO,OOO in a firstclass railway and up-to-date equipment. Property in the township of Ngamawahiadias in many cases risen 200 per cent, in a couple of years, and a pretty extensive area of difficult country will in a. year’s time bo brought into close touch with the Waikato railway. The enterprising Taranaki-itoa, who recognised a good thing when they saw it, have held to their freehold rights

against many difficulties, and are now on a royalty wicket which should amply repay them. The best export advice obtainable declares the coal to bo 10 per cent, superior to any Waikato coals known, and the natural advantages, such as absence of shaft workings, etc., lend themselves to the most economical working. Within the last two years quite Titty new buildings have gone up in Ngaruawahia, and altogether the place is wearing quite an air oi bustle and prosperity.