EAST COAST DISTRICT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 14

EAST COAST DISTRICT.

A SURVEY OF BAYS. RICH COUNTRY AWAITING DEVELOPMENT. The most favoured portion of Poverty Bay is along tho East Coast from Gisborne to.. Kick's Bfiy, a distance, of, approxir mately, one hundred and twenty miles, and running inland for a distance of about twenty miles. It is mainly through this stretch of country that the excellent climate so enormously increases the carrying capacity of the land. The land, generally speaking, is being more rapidly improved along tho coast line than in many parts of the district, and it is wonderfully responsive to the labour which is being expended upon it. An expert opinion is that tho area of country mentioned would carry with ease the whole of the sheep in Poverty Bay at the present time when it has been fully improved. Besides the good sheep country, there are large areas of rich flats which are gradually being brought under cultivation, and which yield heavy returns of almost any crop. ■ tolago- Bay. Along the coast there are various bay 3 from which produce can be shipped, and at each of these small townships are coming into existence. Tho district is also served by coach,. which leaves Gisborne bi-weekly. The first settlement of any importance along tho route is Tolago Bay, at the moutli of the Uawa River, a distance of thirty-fivo miles from Gisborne. Most of the land in this locality ha 3 been held in large blocks, but it is now being mora closely settled. Dairying has been started, and an up-tb-dato factory erected. Maize of a very excellent quality is also grown in quantity. Tolago Bay was visited by Captain Cook during his voyages to New Zealand in 1769 and 1777. On the latter occasion he replenished his supply of water here, and the spot from which lie obtained it is known to the present day as Cook's Well. Tokomaru Bay. The next township is at Tokomaru Bay, and this will undoubtedly be an important centre in the near future. The land is chiefly held by Maoris, in very large blocks, and this has tho effect of restricting settlement. Some of the Native land Has been leased to Europeans, and this ; land is being rapidly improved, and its carrying capacity very largely increased. There is a largo freezing works here, but although the- large cargo boats can anchor fairly close in shore, the frozen meat has to be lightered, as at Gisborne. Te Pula Hot Springs. On the coach road between Tokomaru Bay and Waipiro Bay (the next coastal settlement) are situated Te Pum hot springs—one of the chief health resorts of Poverty Bay. The Te Puia springs and township of seven hundred acres was purchased, by the Government .four years ago, but so far no move hag been niade in the direction of planting and otherwise improving and beautifying tho place,

apart from the erection of an accommodation house for Visitors. Te Puis, is beautifully situated on a fine clevatidn, eight hundred feet above sea level. There is an abundant supply of hot water, strongly impregnated with sulphur, and 'having a very salty taste. There is also a boil- ' ing mud-pool. Two small, bath-houses have been ereoted, and visitors who have dipped in tho Te Puia springs speak very highly of their curativo properties. Close to the springs is the Waiapu County hospital, but it is not much in requisition, except for accident cases, as there is no healthier climate in the colony than this, and consequently very little sickness. Waipiro Bay. On the coach Toad, sixty-eight miles north-east from Gisborne, is situated Open Bay—or Waipiro Bay, to give tho Native name, by which it is more generally known. This is the principal township in the Waiapu County, which embraces about eight hundred thousand acres of rich land along tho coast district. The population is chiefly Native, and they are the principal owners of the land. Portions of the maori land have been leased to Europeans, and, as usual, this is tho most highly-improved and productive land in the district. Much of tho country still held by the Maoris is very valuable agricultural land, and when this eventually becomes fully productive, Waipiro Bay will undoubtedly grow into quite an important township. In addition to the coach service, the bay has steamer communication with Gisborno, Tuparoa. Nine miles past Waipiro Bay, Cn tho same coach route, is situated the small settlement of Tuparoa. Although tho general trade here is not large, it is a very important wool port, about 2500 bales being shipped annually. The land is j chiefly held in big areas, and the largest slieop station in Now Zealand is said to be in this district. The bay is rather a difficult ono for tho shipping, landing, and tho lightering of wool and stores, the work only being possible in calm weather. Somo of the most reliablo petroleum indications in Poverty Bay aro to be found licre, and oil experts have pronounced the opinion that the industry has a great futuro here when tho field is eventually developed. Port Awanui, Tho next place of any importance on the conch route is Port Awanui, a distance of ten miles farther on, or eightyRovcn miles from Gisborne. This is the best port on this part of tho coast for shipping accommodation. In addition to the export of wool, largo quantities of grass-seed of fine qualify, and other produce aro,sent away each year. Tho district nrotiud Port Awanui is a sportsman s paradise, there being unlimited feathered game, such as quail, pheasants, and pigeons. The surroundings aro also of a very pleasant and picturcfqu,": nature, and it l would be difficult to fin;! a spot in which a sportsman could spend a more enjoyable holiday. ' I From Port Awanui to Cape Runaway,

on the north-east coast of tlio Bay of Plenty, is an immense area of bush country.' From ft scenic point of view, if not for its milling properties, the bush is the finest in tho province. The land is held by tho Natives, and, for tho most part, is entirely unproductive. A few comparatively small blocks which have been improved are carrying, three sheep to tli© acre, and dairying, for which tho land in certain localities is eminently suitable, has also been'started. Tli? natural acccss to .this district is claimed to be by branch railway .from Te Ivaraka, on the Gisborne-Opotiki line. This branch- line, which ; some enthusiasts consider will bo built in the not-far-dis-tant future, would, before reaching the Capo Runaway; district, travel through about sixty miles of good, rich country, much of which is now undeveloped.