RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1575, 8 August 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN.

4> . | T have just learned that action is about to be taken by the residents in the Ruapuko and Te Mata districts towards the erection of an English church, at;' the latter settlement. The Rev. Mr Phillips, ot Te Awamutu, who • pays regular -quarterly vi&its to these places, has been exerting himself in other parts ot the province in proem ing subscriptions' for the furtherance of this work, and I lave reason to believe his ldboius have met with considerable success. A canvass is also being made here, and no doubt the calls upou the libei ality of the settlers will in the majority of cases, be readily responded to. Mi* J. Run of Te Mata, has very generously given a piece of ground for the chui eh site. Both by situation and aspect it is most admirably suited for the purpose. Provided sufficient funds aie collected to erect a substantial and goodlooking building, the settleis of Te Mata will be in a position to congratulate themselves, upon the improvement which it i\ill make to the appearance of thatsettlelnont. A& I anticipated the Maoris in all the settlements in or near this district, as well as those living in the more distant parts ot Kawhia and Aotea, have sown a large area of ground in wheat this season. Since the flour mills at Maaii and Kawhia have been erected a great quantity of the wheat grown by them has been ground into flour, which has all been consumed by them&ehcs. To them biead, generally speaking, is a now article ot diet. The benefit which is to be derived fi omits use, must have soon made itself apparent to them, for they appear to be equally anxious, to make such provision a& ■will hereafter, ensure a continual supply of this article to them all through the year. If they continue to pursue their present intention they will most assuredly secure their desired object. The land which they own and cultivate is well suited for the giowth of the rcquiied cereal, and only needs a little extra tillage to make it produce as good crops of wheat as could be seen anywheie in tlie colony. I &ay this ad-" visedly, and feel certain that any person who has seen land in the districts of Kawhia and Aotea, will be quite ready to uphold me in my assertion. I feel confident that when the use of bread becomes more general amongst the Maoris, we will perceive less sickness both of an internal and external character amongst them. Most of the skin diseases from which they suffer at the present time may be safely ascribed to the inordinate and too copious use of such food as dried shark, soaked maize, half rotten potatoes, and other things of an equally disgustiug and unsuitable character for human consumption. The farmers in this district watch with much interest the action which is being taken by the residents of Waikafco and "Wai pa towards the formation of companies, having for their ulterior object the utilization of their surplus live stock and farm produce. Already the intelligence of the successful and profitable disposal of the New Zealand frozen meat in the London market has afforded them considerable pleasure, and it is quite certain that such enterprises as the Waikato Slaughtering and Butchering Company, or the cheese and bacon factory at Te Awa'nutu, will receive their cordial support. The low price which has ruled during the past two years for cattle has been the cause of much momentary depression in this district during that period ; and any undertaking which should offer a prospect of altering such a condition of things, will naturally be received with much favor amongst the class lam now writing about. Let it be borne in mind that the sole means from which several of the settlers here procure their support is from the money which they receive for their cattle, and it will be seen that if they do not get a fairly remunerative price .for them, they are thus almost deprived of their means of subsistence. The cost of transport to a central market is, as yet, too great to leave any margin of profit from the disposal of dairy produce, and consequently they have to rely upon what they can realize from the sale of live stock. Under such circumstances it is only natural to expect that their support will be given in tire direction I have indicated. The want of telegraphic communication with the other centres of population in this colony continues to be very much felt here. Efforts are being made by the , settlers to induce the Government to^gfre attention to this matter. '« Wjth i \_this . object a petition is being, very ekten|rjrely circulated ..throughout,! the^.district^ A lavge nuniber of ': signatures,, are now attached to it. .In-course of time it will „be forwarded to Mr. Whitaker, M.H.R.', ;for of Keprek, 'sentativcs.vand hopes are generally mpv;iigd4Kip^^^ ,to^ ! ai'aot, i th^pi i ay6r"sbf "tho petition;*^-,'