NOTES BY THE WAY

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14167, 18 September 1919, Page 3

NOTES BY THE WAY

MATAMATA HOT SPRINGS. DOINGS AT TOKOROA. PUTARURU PROGRESSING DAILY. (Bv Our Travelling Correspondent.) ON THE ROAD, Monday. Cloudless blue sky, bright sunshine, beautiful green fields and ,all the signs of an early spring have been of daily occurrence all along the line between Hamilton and Rotorua recently. These conditions go a long way to make up for the weary train journey. There is no doubt that the country is looking splendid at present, and although feed is not “flush,” still it is coming away well. The growth has had a little set back by two recent nights of frost, but nothing to speak of. Cows are coming in, and milking is in progress on the farms. Signs of progress are evident, and land is changing hands at high prices. At the smaller townships along the line building is being extensively indulged in, and especially is this noticeable in districts above Tirau. Okauia Hot Springs,

It is! not generally known that Matamata district possesses some beautiful hot springs and baths. They are on private property, but are open to the public at a small charge. The Rouawa Opai hot springs—the first on the road .—are four miles from the railway station at the western approach to the Piako over the Waihou river. It can be classed js one of the prettiest thermal springs in New Zealand. Its value is not fully appreciated. The appearance of the enclosure, lent to it by lichens, ferns and overhanging vines, is rendered qlTite charming and unique. On a casual look the pellucid water presents the appearance of being only a few inches in depth. In reality it is from three to four feel. In the centre of the bath—which is as nature made it,—a large stump of a tree rcs.ts near the main spring. As with most places of this sort there is a Maori legend. It is. said many generations ago a big chief was on his way down from the Rotorua district with a certain number of his tribe. In those days one band of natives was always out raiding. The Rotorua party happened upon this particular bath and immediately camped. The tree stump was in their way and orders were given for it to be removed. The party got to work and' soon had the .obstruction on the bank side. Immediately the bath, which to-day has a temperature of 104 deg. Fah., became cold and remained so till the Maoris placed the slump back in its original position. This particular bath is only 10 feet away from the Thames River, into which it flows. The Romaroa Opai baths are in charge of a most obliging caretaker, Captain Tizard. The waters arc freely drunk for their curative properties, many visitors taking bottles away for this purpose.’ Captain Tizard has kept a visitors’ book for years, and it contains the names of tourists from all parts of the world. Across the river is another most charming spot, containing an except’onally larcre swimming bath. Mr Garland is the owner of it, and he is .improving on nature by planting trees and shrubs and roses all over the place. Beautiful spring flowers were blooming, and tries and shrubs were looking at their best. In the vicinity of the big bath there are several pretty hot pools tucked snugly away in the evergreens. Pome of these are. most charming. This particular property is a great asset to a splendid hack country. Mr Garland has already put down a three-rink full length bowling green, and is now engaged in laying out a tennis court. Asked if he had many visitors, Mr Garland said they had come from all over the place and car loads of people come from Te Aroha, which is about 22 miles away. Mr Garland has undertaken this w r ork simply to help the d'strict along, and in a short time his place should look most beautiful. To show how this particular district is progressing it is interesting to note that the Okauia township sections are cut up ready for selection, and will be placed on the market some time this week. Mr W. J. Aitken, of Kereone, near Morrinsville, is the most interested party in the block. Strawberries grow exceptionally well hereabouts . and also excellent root crops. A plot of lucerne grown by Mr Garland last season produced a phenomenal crop. Tokoroa Postal Matters.

Postal matters have been exercising the minds of the residents and settlers at Tokoroa and Maraetai for some time, and judging by remarks passed at a fully representative meeting held in the school house things are not satisfactory to the majority at -least. Complaints were raised concerning the non-attend-ance of the postmistress at regular hours. When approached by your representative the postmistress strenuously denied the charges, and pointed to the report of tiie Chief Postmaster, which, stated that the post office had been run to the satisfaction of the Department. Mr West occupied the chair, and after having read correspondence from the chief telegraph engineer re telegraph communication, also from the Chief Postmaster concerning matters, a general discussion took place.

Subsequently two resolutions were carried, the proposer end seconder of each being Mr P. McDonald and Mr W. Carr-Rollctt respectively. The first was to the effect that committee, consisting of Messrs F. M. Neice. J. Mossop and W. Cole should be appointed to inquire into the complaints made by settlers and place same before the postal authorities. The seepnd resolution was that the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company should be written to, asking them if they would take over the telephone and post office business when the new store was erected at Tokoroa. Hydro-Electricity. When the meeting had finished Mr Rollett, as member for the riding in the Matamata County, addressed those present on the question of hydroelectric supply for tire district, the result being that every ratepayer in the room signed the petition for the purpose of forming the Thames Valley Hydro-Electric Power Board. TOKOROA, Saturday.

Great progress is being made with the erection of the three-vat cheese factory at Tokoroa. It is hoped to commence operations early next month, and it is anticipated that a supply of milk will be received from 000 cows. Putaruru Land Values.

Some exceptionally line prices have been obtained for land about Putaruru during the past few days, one case being Die sale of Mr W. Hedgers’ farm, right in llte township, to Mr Filzherhert, of Palmerston North, for £3O per acre. And this is by means an isolated case.

Every week sees the township progressing. new buildings being in course of erection at present. Now settlers are arriving, and as the back country is developed Putaruru will steadily progress. Work- is fairly plentiful, but llte. housing problem is Jusl as acute (here as anywhere else'. farmers’ Onion. A meeting of llte Puiariirii branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday. A lecture was given by Mr Procter, schoolmasfer at Waolu, who has a farm two miles out of Putaruru, and who lias had several years’ experience in lucerne growing. Mr Proctor said the district round Putaruru was ideal lucerne country and with ordinary care in putting in, as instructed by the Department of Agriculture, quite wonderful results would bo obtained. The speaker said he was a cow milker, and he had found that by top-dressing the pasture, and on lucerne, increased milk and butler-fat returns had been ob-

tabled. He was so confident ip the growth of lucerne in the Pularuru district that he proposed putting his whole (farm down in lucerne. A heartv vote of thanks was passed to Mr Proctor for his interesting and illuminating address.

To give some idea of the prices being given for land ab'out Matamata the sum of £BS per acre was given for 10 acres quite recently.

Mr Bottomley has purchased the Okoroire Hotel.