Visit to the New Claims and the Lincolnshire Farmer's Settlement.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1505, 25 February 1882, Page 2

Visit to the New Claims and the Lincolnshire Farmer's Settlement.

The Premier and the Attorney-General' i accompanied by "Mr" J. < B. Whyte, 'M.H.R., Warden Kenrick, Mr Cooper, Mr Purchas, .engineer*, for the Piako country, ,Mt: G&vin.kJ.mine. manager, 4 Messrs H. E. Wliiteker and Stafford, Mr * t poxy of -Jihe^Lincolnshire Farmer Y Settle,-, jmdnfcf^andJeveral^geiitlemen of the deprf1 startedshortlyafterflO o'clock for ; the,l new olaimB,*up^thei :-Waiorohgomai».

Creek on horseback. After proceeding for some distance up the hill, to a site which commanded a view of the new reef and the surrounding district, the party dismounted. The present road which has been constructed as far as the new claims by the Piako County Council is of a very steep gradient, and for practical working purposes is of very little service. Though serviceable for pack horses and other light traffic it would be useless for the conveyance of heavy machinery, which, it is intended, will be placed near the new claims as soon as possible. From the site on which the party dismounted the line of the reef, which is iv some parts exposed, was pointed out by the engineer. On the face pt the reef where it is exposed, and forming a sort of cliff, can be seen where the native prospector, Hodni Weraheki, and his mates have made an inroad into the reef. At present the nativea work heie by lowering themselves over the top with ropes. Having made some enquiries relative to altitude, etc., the party descended to the foot of the creek, which runs out along the present surveyed road leading to the township, but which is not yet constructed, though passable for pack horses. The proposed new road is to run from here up the side of the creek, having a very easy gradient, to within a short distance of the claims, and where ib is proposed to erect a battery. Another battery will be erected at the foot of the hill, and both will be worked by water power, the water, which will be diverted along a coustructed channel, having a fall of about 230 ft. from one to the other. The water power ia the creek in summer is sufficient to keep eighty head of stampers going, and in winter double that number. The altitude of the claims is from 1800 to 2300 ft., and the new road, which the Government have been asked to construct, is to be 1J miles long, having a breadth of 6ft. The new claims are situate on the High School Reserve, and the revenue from miners' rights, &c, go to the Piako County Council. One gentleman, whosa faith in the future of the new discovery cannot be questioned, has commenced the erection of an hotel almost at the foot of the proposed road. Having remained here a few minutes, the party then moved on towards Messrs Grant and Foster's .settlement. This is situate some eight miles from the Te Aroha township, and was reached about dinner time. The road to the settlement leads through the run of Messrs Whitaker and Stafford, and is considered pretty serviceable in summer. But as two creeks have to be crossed, and as the land is generally low-lying, the road in winter is impassable. Mr Cox, a pioneer settler of the place, who occupies over 2000 acres of the block, informs us that about three weeks ago their communication with the outer world was completely cut off through the rain having swollen the creeks, and that their supplies having run shoit, they were compelled to live on biscuits for a few clays. The settlement consists of some seven or eight houses, and is situate on the left bank of the Waihou river. Mr Roche, who has taken up about 1000 acres of the block, is building a splendid two-storey house about a mile beyond the present settlement, and is shortly expected to take up his abode on the land. A very liaiuUomu and commodious temperance hotel is at piesent in course of election for Mr Cox. Its dimensions are, 70 x 30ft., and when finished, will contain a large assembly hall, together with the usual bedroom accommodation. The erection of such a building may possibly be looked on as premature ; but as there are a large number of labourers on the farms, and as the cottages alieady erected are altogether inadequate for the accommodation required, the want of such a building is obvious. Mr Cox is at present getting together the matciial for his own residence, and the whaif of the settlement is covered with the usual features of civilization and progie&s. With the exception of Mr Craig, none of the settlers have as yet commenced croppinsr, but ploughing operations have begun, and no doubt next year will prove the capabilities of the soil. All the settlers have expressed themselves highly pleased with their lot, and in every respect are perfectly satisfied and contented. The township laid out by the Government has not been occupied as such, and bhaftesbury — called after the oiiginator of the Young Men's Christian As&ociation — upon which the settlers are at present located is to be the town&hip. From the practical manner in which these few men have gone about formiugtheirsettlement, and brought what was lately a comparative wilderness into a state of advanced civilization, the earne&t nature of their endeavours, and the advantage of their exertions to a new country will be seen. The success which they have achieved in their enterprise will doubtlesinduce others to follow their example, and the settlement of the adjoining lands may consequently be anticipated at no distant period. Mr Cox, the representa tive settler, laid before the Premier the wants of the . settlement. The present road which is in course of construction only comes within 3^ miles of the boundary of the block, and so as to give easy access to the land they desire that this road should be carried on to the boundary, and that the two creeks should be bridged. They think that as the Government have got about £35,000 for the block, the) r can surely afford to spend a few hundred pounds on the construction of a road. During the Ministerial visit Mr Cox and his manager, Mr Cavell, were most assiduous in their attentions to the visitors, and provided a very good lunch, which was heartily partaken of. The party shortly after returned to the Hot Springs Hotel at Te Aroha.