MATAU AND ITS MUD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 24 July 1913, Page 11

MATAU AND ITS MUD.

WAITING TWENTY YEARS FOB METAL. 3 ,. re P'.V is from a settler who has lived for twenty-one years at Matau, Taranaki. He writes:— I—No. Mostly women teachers around us, and now and then you may eco an apology for a ilowier garden, but their education is fairly suitable for the backthe three R'e principally. 2.—les. Their prices aro very fair from the auctioneers, but cost of getting it out comes heavy. Bad Toads mean heavy carriage freight, but otherwise the disposal of produce seems very fair. Plenty of auctioneers and agents about us to oornpete for our custom.

3—Railway might be a deal better; oompllaints axo arising over thte goods/ part. About seven miles from the centre of district (this may extend another six or seven to tho outside edge) wo have a station and goods shed. There is no person in charge, and the trucks are just run under a verandah and each one comes along as he expects goods and unloads the truck for his own goods, and often arrives to empty trucks before they have arrived. A complaint has just arisen that th© railway will change them demurrage on trucks if not unloaded within tho day, but with mud roads in winter one cannot make sure of getting out, as heavy rain and slips will block the road. We think the railways might employ one of the settlers living handy to take charge of this unloading. At one time (not so bad now) the loss of goods was prevalent, as the shed is open! to anyone to kelp As there are noma hundred or more souls in here, besides those in the southern part around the station, that get their stores and food in this way, we think more should be done in the matter.

4—Yes, postal and telephone service is very satisfactory. Most certainly. Farm era avail themselves of tho shows very largely, such as Net? Plymouth, Stratford, Hairera shows. They make comparisons, aiul generally return home with an idea to improvement in their own stock, etc. 6.—The place is hardly suitable for any advanced work in agriculture, which is just starting now, and "Jack follows his neighbour if he happens to have more experience and knowledge. 7.—No. I don't think they ever will. Co-operation is not understood, or if it is they won't carry it out hero; no unanimity ntall here, each for themselves, and tho devil take, etc. Pity, but 'tis true (twenty-one years' experience here). B.—Yes. I thdnk those renters that work their land properly do fairly well. Some very large families have-been raised hero, and they take something out of the section to keep. 9.—'We trust to local supply of labour, and find enough. Bushfellers (itinerant) arc sometimes short. 10.—'Yes. Ho gets pretty well his own way in wages, and looks at nothing much uniler Is. 3d. per hour. If he takes a job contract, and is away for a bit, he always expccts 159. per day out of it. 11.—Good roads, metal roads to the nearest station or town are wanted. Here it is metalled roads. I don't think, after twenty-one years' existence, there are two miles of metal in tho whole Mataupost office and storo in centre of place, and from thfere to the Kioro station (StratfordOhura line) six or seven miles, all goods for, as I said, about 100 9ouls (little and big) liave to come in. There is nothing but mud, mud, every winter. Now, why should not the Government keep this six miles or so that everyone from here has to use to get to their railway? You may say, Why not help yourselves in this matter? but the metal is so hard to get about here that it is outside of rating ourselves. Sections would not bear it, as the cost would bo too heavy for the district liable to rating. I know the surrounding district (county) (veil, and after all I have seen we are only one of a great many in the same fix, but one expects somehow that tho farther-back man will wait his turn, as improvements in roads always extend outwards from tho towns.