LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE RAGLAN DISTRICT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2759, 20 March 1890, Page 3

LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE RAGLAN DISTRICT.

BKSTDK3 the increasing quantity of land that is beinpt taken up of the Crown Lands in this country, a considerable portion of the large block o£ land just outside the tovvship, and known sis Chamberlain's run is now beinp rapidly brought into cultivation. Cominfffrom Wai pa we find on this block the selection of Mr J. B. Somerset, situated at the top of Mangautawhiri Hill, 'on which his residence hns been built, and the property surrounded with a good puriri posts and wire fence, and subdivided into several paddocks. The house is pleasantly situated and "protected from the west winds by standing bush, and having a beautiful view of the harbour and bar, Passing along the road to Raelan we come to the lot purchased by Mr Sutton, and a groat portion of which has been fenced in with wire, and the self-sown graaa upon this place during the dry summer has shown practically the excellent character of the soil. On the other side of the road Messrs Rendell aud Henry have fenced in a considerable piece of land, and have secured a good crop of oaten hay during the last sea.Kon, .which they have had cvit up into chaff. Hitill'nearer to Raglan and joining the lot ' owned >y Mr. Sutton, but separated by a road, we c«me to the allotment secured by Mr T. B. Hill, who has once more taken up his lot with m, nrd is already nctn'ftly engaged in clearins* the hnH and preparing f r building his reeiuenct; upon ilns .selection, which cciiiHibts of twenty acre?, and is certainly one of the choicest portions of the whole estate. A central road is being cleared and formed, passing through the block. At its junction, with the main road t» Raglan, a good pipe culvert has been put in by the County Council. Though a long resident in Raglan, until last week I had never been on tlm favoured spot; combining everything needful to make a most beautiful and charming homestead, well sheltered, though commanding a beautiful view both of the harbour and the bar, with the glorious Karioi further away. Rich fertile soil, with abundance of limestone too, and splendid perennial springs of water i n several parts, with creeks running down to the harbour, the wonder seemed to be how it was that the land had not been taken up before. But there are yet selections to be acquired, of lots from five to 100 ?creg. Not far from this spot Mr Moon has secured a very good selection in a rich valley, running-down to the waters edge, and nearly opposite Rangatahi, the property of Mr McMaster. Mr Moon is now busy clearing and burning off on his land. Further down towards Joy's point we come to another good selection, now owned by Mr Bulford, and having a good water frontage. At the rate at which this block is being taken up a few years will see most of it in cultivation. Nearly all the land has been taken up around the Hot Springs, and a, large number of settlers are now busy in getting the land ready for grass and other crops, one new settler having given a large order for grass seed in Poverty Bay, and which he intends, sowing after the fern has been burnt off. '