RAMBLES TO THE EAST AND NORTH-EAST OF MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8135, 8 May 1905, Page 3

RAMBLES TO THE EAST AND NORTH-EAST OF MASTERTON.

{lly a Travelling Correspondent.) Leaving Masterton, and crossing a substantial bridge, whiih spans the Ruamahanga at Te Whiti, the traveller passes on to the property of Mr W. Wardell. The'land here is well grassed, and shows a plentiful supply of food for stock. Tho highway from here to the Taueru bridge -for many years a slough of despond to the bete itoir of the weary traveller from the East Coast—is now metalled with good river shingle, and, with the Taueru river bridged, permits of vehicular traffic between Masterton and

Gladstone at all seasons of the year. Im-

mediately before the Taueru bridge is _-jfrached, tho property - until recently owned jsf%y Mr Peter Gordon-comes in view. It is a most fertile spot, which would appear to be an ideal one for cutting up into holdings suitable for workmen's homes. Then, facing the traveller is Tupurupuru, the JL domain of Mr W. C. Buchanan, and, perhaps, W" the finest block of pastoral land in■ Wairarapa —at any rate it is farmed in the most approved and up-to-date fashion, large quantities of prime mutton, lamb, and beef being turned off the land. Nor is agriculture neglected, the plough being kept at work, and large areas are cropped with turnips and rape.

Ascending the western slope of the Maungaraki range to the right hand is the valley of the Kororau Greek, with its clumps of pretty Native bush and numerous cascades, certainly one of the beauty spots of Wairarapa, and probably but little known to dwellers in Masterton. Some day, perhaps, this stream will be harnessed, and electric power generated to light some of the towns in the valley. Mr Daniell has a sawmill adjacent to the left-hand side of the road, which is fast diminishing the supply of totara in the immediate vicinty. Reaching the summit of the Maungaraki, at an altitude of over 1000 ft, a magnificent view is unfolded. To the west the blue forest-clad Tararua Mountains and the level Wairarapa plains intersected by rivers and dotted with many homesteads. Eastward the eye rests on a portion of the Wainuioru Valley, the green pastures of Westmere, the Bank View homestead, the rock pinnacles of the Taipo and Brocken Ranges, and in the distance the brown-looking hills stretching onwards to the seaward range, the highest point of which is Pukuroro. Descending the range it is pleasing to note that a long-felt want has been carried out, viz., the metalling of the road as far as the Westmere dam, this will be much appreciated by carriers and others. The day may not te far distant when most of the East Coast and Wainuioru traffic will diverge at the Westmere junction, avoiding the long steep grading of the Maungaraki, and pass along the fiat valley of Westmere to the Cross, and thence via Weraiti to Masterton, a great saving in distance to say nothing of having to ascend to a height of some 1200 feet as against 300 to 400.

The Brancepeth estate is so wel'-known as to scarcely need any description. It comprises an extent of some 60,000 acres of splendid pastoral hill country, interspersed here and there with some good agricultural knd. It is marked for turning off on the grass alone large numbers of fat sheep, lambs and cattle. This speaks volumes for the fertility of the soil that this can be done without the aid of turnips or rape. I am informed that the large- estate has been recently subdivided between the several members of Mr T. C. Williams' and the Messrs Beethams' families—a natural division without the interference of the Government bursting-up process. In journeying past these pleasant pastures the thought comes into one's mind, How shortsighted the Government were not to have embraced the offer of the owners to sell a large area at a reasonable figure for close settlement.

Quite a striking feature on the Messrs J Beethams' portion of the estate is the hand- | some new mansion being erected by Messrs C. E. Daniell for Mr H. H. Beetham on the site of the old homestead. With its square tower and imposing front it presents a unique appearance from the Fernyhurstroad, and adds materially to the beauty of the landscape, as it stands embowered in a plantation of trees. A commodious woolshed is also about to be built near the junction of the Westmere and Fernyhurstroads. Leaving Brancepeth, the property of M l ' E. Chalmers is entered, the homestead not being visible from the road. The land, though not so rich as some in the district, grows good healthy stock. A large area being arable, and produces excellent stock on turnips and oats. The condition of the pastures seems much improved of late years. From thence onwards Pukutiritiri, the property of Mr Jackson is reached, this gentleman is a new settler, and evidently is bent on progress. That magician, " the plough," has been set to work ; the result a first-rate crop of turnips, indicating what the land will do if properly worked. Onwards again and to the right comes in view the foot hills of the Brocken Range, Mr Adam Armstrong's run known as Mangaru, a healthy piece of pastoral land. The buildings of Mr Toogood's flax mill then appears. The mill has not been working for some time, awaiting the re-growth of the flax which should

be ready for the stripper in another season. The homesteads of Mr C. Rogers and Mr Jas. Mcßae are next reached—the end of my wanderings in this direction. These gentlemen are making improvements and getting their land under grass. At Mr Mcßae's house is located the local Post Office (Stronvar), and it is here that Mr S. Forman's coach ends its Sunday journey.' Mr Mcßae is a typical Celt—hard-working, and one from whom the weary traveller always receives a hospitable welcome. In wandering through this large scope of country, there are several noticeable features. The rabbit pest is a thing of the past, and as a consequence the grassing of the country i? much improved. Noxious weeds are very little in evidence, while stock everywhere !■-../ ' look in splendid condition to face the winter. The great drawback settlers have to contend with is the unmetalled state of the roads, and it would add much to the productiveness of the district, particularly.the Fernyhurst and Stronvar portions, if more direct communication could be established with Masterton, via the Weraiti-road, which would save a distance of from six to seven miles, t - [to be continued.]