THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2410, 16 March 1915, Page 8

THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Sir, —It is with much interest that I saw- an account of the Hon. Mr. Herdman's' visit to the Urewera Country. In 1895 I penetrated the Urewera with a survey party aiid we camped on a redoubt where Te Kooti fougnt the 65th Regiment. The camp was at the head of Lake Waikaremoana. Mr. Seddon and Mr. (now Sir) J. Carroll came through, and Mr. Herdmau is the only Minister perhaps who has paid_ a visit to the place since then. Gold is to be got in small lots, but not enough to pay. In our time wo came across two men who were doing a little gold-seek-ing, but it never paid. The Natives were very hostile to us when we went to camp. Mr. Seddon (then Premier) sent up a' squad of police and artillery, and they camped aero ;s the lake. A road was started from Tunks's woolahed, on the Wairoa side, and was to have gone round the lake .to Rotorua. The land is poor in some places, but in other parts is able to grow anything. The huia was plentiful there in my time. Wa often saw them near the camp. The 65th Regiment buried some of their men near Lake Waikaremoana. Mr. Herdman's visit may. induce the Government to cut'up some of the land. —I am. etc.. i R. J, ROULSTON. Stafford Street, Wellington, f March.'l 2/1916.