WEST COAST LANDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3496, 20 November 1894, Page 6

WEST COAST LANDS.

Jl recent visitor to the Kawhte district remarks that the reply to the member for Waipu by the Minister of Lands that land now acquired by the Government and lands in course of being acquired in this district, would shortly be thrown open for settlement, will no doubt awake/r fresh interest in this neglected district, for although the fancy prices paid for .-small lots at the lwt sale of the township .as far back as 1884, plainly show what ■was expected in the way of progress, it has remained very stationary, or in fact has retrograded, so that "lchnbod" for vears nast would be a suitable name for it. ttowever, it is to be hoped when the present Government begin to settle it a great change will come over the place, for •there is a fine opportunity for judicious .settlement, a splendid harbour, with a (beautiful sandy beach and with five large rivers flowing into it. some of which are •navigable for. a considerable distance, at the mouth of each plenty of room for .separate townships, backed up by a large tract of couutry fit for settlement new, ■coal, limestone, tiinbe", fish, oysters of a very choice kind, as well as everything •.necessary for successful settlement, whilst at the beach ou the north entrance to the harbour are valuable hot springs. The road from Raglan is in a deplorable conditiou and needs immediate attention by the authorities*, more especially the boggy •places on the beach. The surveyors are cow very busy surveying large blocks ■there, and these lauds the uatives are very willing to sell, and it. is to be hoped some means will be devised that will be satisfactory to all parties. No doubt with the opening of lauds the old ferry will be reestablished at Aoten Heads. This will then save a long journey ro'iini the (harbour, and also the ferry at. the Oparau ,on the Alexandra road. This punt now Jies high and dry on the north shore of .Kawhia Harbour, having in a heavy fresh jferoke loose and taken a course towards >tiie ocean. Home sections in the Pakobi Blrck recently have been taken up. This •block consists of 8000 acres, and is within •fifteen-or i-ixleen miles of Raabin. Mr Oorueille and another Settler, a Mrßluick, have selected land here, which is said to •he limestone and pipa rock, the l'oimer having taken up 50U acres, and his selection is said to be a very good one. Mr T. G. Sondes, Government surveyor, U busy on the survey of these sections and 20 doubt before long the main road from Hamilton and central Waikato to Kawhia and its district will be by way of the Rape Valley, diverging from the present Raglan iuid VVaipa road, somewhere near the Waitetuna bridge. Travellers Iron

Hamilton to Kawhia would, then save many miles as well as hare a much better road. The briar, gorse, and blackberry are at present ouly in their infancy here and could easily be eradicated and by wise local laws be prevented from spreadin?. In anticipation of the opening of the district a new store has just been started in the township.