RURAL PROSPERITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9211, 2 November 1908, Page 5

RURAL PROSPERITY.

Speaking at Kopuaranga, cm Saturday evening, Mr Hogg, referring to his visit to Alfrcdtou and the surrounding district, said he had never seen the country under more favourable conditions. Aioug the road from Eketahuua lo Alfredtou, and on to Waterfalls, through the , valleys watered by the Tiraumea river, the Ihuaraua, Pori and Waipori streams, and up the Tawataia aud Maugaone Valleys, the hills were covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, the sheep were looking splendid, aud the lambs were strong aud fat. Shearing was impeded by the weather, but the wool clip promised to be a record, aud when he expressed regret at the low prices, the settlers cheerfully replied that the big return in weight would largely compensate for the state of the market. In places where the bush fires had spread last season, the laud was well cleared, and looked bright and green. Quite a number of settlers had constructed large dams on the hillsides and at the foot of the watersheds, and attached to the dams were well-built dips, lined with concrete. The improvements carried out in many places were of a permaneut and most valuable character. In the Tawataia, Messrs Pitcaithley Bros, were rounding'off the hills'with a patent disc plough that broke'up and pulverised the soil wherever man or horse could travel. The laud thus treated and manured with superphosphates was capable of bearing heavy crops of rape and turnips, to be followed with grass.