FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 824, 24 May 1910, Page 8

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

IN THE HEART OF THE ISLAND. NOTES FROM MOAWHANGO. At Taoroa (writes our travelling correspondent) there is a remarkable natural feature, consisting of t a high ridge of limestone country, running iu a northeast and south-west direction for something like seven or eight miles, gradually rising from Taoroa up to the Fukeokahu trig station, which is some 2000 feet above the sea. With the exception of another hill, "Aorangi," about two miles from the end of this high ridge and on the other side of the Kangitikei River, it is, so far as I could gather, the only instance of a large body of limestone in the. valley of the Kangitikei. Needless to say, it is splendid sheep country, in some places carrying three sheep to the. acre. The west side it lies well to the sun, and is sheltered, from the cold breezes winch sweep across from the snow-clad lluahine Ranges in winter. There are some beautiful farms v on the other side of tho road, which runs at the base of the limestone country. 3lr. Gordon's contains a fair amount of ploughable land. His residence is perched on a knob surrounded by the native bush. About a couple of miles further up the road, a track is seen running up tho face of the hill. This track, or rather it proves on near acquaintance to be a road, is the entrance to "Ngatarua," the'property of Mr. R. T. Battey, and is. managed by Mr. Sheath. Though not a large station, about 6000 acres, it would be difficult to find a better block of land for sheep farming. "Ngatarua" is an ideal place, and very dear to its owner, as he intended it for his son, whose sad death took place in the Moawhango River some few years ago. From the station' there' is an uninterrupted view ,of the Ruahines, truly a splendid panorama. Just opposite is conn-, try, across the Rangitikei, a block of land opened for settlement about three years ago. Already there aro vast areas: reclaimed from tho bush, and now carrying large numbers jof sheop and cattle. Mr. Cooper, former manager of "Ngatarua," has 700.acres; Messrs. D. Riddiford •and MacDonnell have a much larger area, in fact, quite a station; Mr. Barnes, the popular auctioneer for Messrs. Abraham and "Williams, has another section, and several others, have good-sized holdings. At present these settlers have to ford tho river, and frequently they are close prisoners for many days, as jn these parts the river is confined in narrow limits, and becomes a raging flood, after rain. Another contemplated improvement is the telephone, which 'will bring these isolated pioneers within touch of the outside world. Mr. Battey has, run his own private wiro between "Nga.tarua" and Moawhango, where he resides, about 14 miles across country. Some twelve or fourteen years ago a block of land was acquired from the Native owners, in the Pukeokahu district. It was mostly open country, and had been leased by Mr.' Battey. It was thrown open for selection; with right of purchase, at, I think, 15s. to JJI an acre. At that time one of these fortunate' men,. Mr. Robt. Old, who*was' farming near me,.sold out, and when we heard where Jo was going considered him much to be pitied. It was out of the world altogether, and, we- thought, 'awfully cold* Weak country. However, he and'three of' his brothers .took up. between them a good bfe block, and have never regretted going 'away back. 0 Now they have/a good metalled road ..to Utiku, and will 600n have another to'Taihape. There are a school, office, and telephone, and they get their Dominion three times a .veek.

Just across the river, opposite Mr. R. Old's, is "Aorangi," a flat-topped hill of limestone, evidently at a remote period a portion of the. Pukeokahu .ridge. The crags look iust the same, and are at a similar altitude. Retracing one's steps and passing the school on .the left, the farm of Mr. W. Doole is reached,' Tfiis' gentleman farms some 2000 acres of good sheep country, and has a. large area under the plough. I saw here some' good. crops of • turnips. There is also a" considerable quantity of oats grown in the district, up to three tons to the acre. Mr. Doole has installed a shearing Dlant. and last season, with his neighbours 1 sheep, he put through something like IG.OOO head.

The next farm is ,Mr. Hammond's, from Ohingaiti; here are hundreds of acres of ploughable country. About another mile and then comes "Pnkerimu " Mr. Lyndon's' property. I doubt if there are many homesteads in-the North'lsland as high as "Pnkerimu,"' 2174 feet aSove the sea. To look across countrv to the ranges was a perfect delight; the view js magnificent, and the homestead is in a most charming situation. I am a bit afraid that if I lived at "Pukerimu" I should spend too much time gazing at the beautifubcountry. Mr. Lyndon grew an. excellent crop of oats for chaff this season, and had a small area in wheat which yielded between 30 and 40 bushels to the acre, but, of course, these were for home use.

NEWS AND NOTES.