A Trip to Mangoira-Coal Creek Block.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 113, 14 March 1893, Page 2

A Trip to Mangoira-Coal Creek Block.

By New Chum. Having just done a trip to the abovenamed block I thought perhaps a few notes on the place, and the trip in general, would be read with some interest by your readers. Leaving Feilding early on Monday we continued our journey along Kimbolton rood, through a most beautiful fertile country. The grass on both sides of this road testified to the excellent quality of the land. This part of the country is very well known by all, therefore it needs very little describing ; but, enough to say that it is one of the best districts in New Zealand for both farming and grazing purposes. Birmingham was our first place of call. This town,, and the country round about it, has made splendid progress since its opening seven years ago. In fact, one scarcely believes now that it is the old bush home. There is very little doubt but that this town must increase, seeing that tbe produce from the country far away has to be taken there, and from there to Feilding. The site of the town is also a pretty one ; it being on the highest part of a large flat, which enables the town to be seen for miles. About a mile from Birmingham we do a " right-wheel " turn, which brings us down a very steep bill, and on to the Oroua river flat. After doing a bit of military performance — left wheel, right wheel, &c— we descend another hill, the grade being far steeper than that of the former on account of its being very difficult to get a road down the banks of the Oroua river. Just here we had to prolong our stay to satisfy the lust of the eye. Below us at some distance could be seen the beautiful clear water of the Oroua river winding in and out on its lovely vale, where its waters " cease not to make their noise." Looking across the river we saw magnificent hills, with a nice grade, covered with natural bush in all its wildness and splendour, and.at intervals high perpendicnlar cliffs. After crossing the river we had to ascend a higher hill, this one having a splendid grade. On, and on, we marched through the progressive Feilding Special Settlement, coming in contact with very little other than level lands. Judging by the length and strength of the grass it produced, we had to confess it was really first-class land, and that this F.S.S. would take some beating. We were shown several crops of potatoes ; the yield being extraordinary. The potatoes when eaten were found excellent in flavour. The orchards also looked very healthy ; the trees themselves seemed to be racing each other to see which could grow the most wood and best fruit. Passing through the township of Apiti we make a bee-line (zig zag) for the Mangoira Coal Block. Arriving at the bottom end of this township about 5 p.m we at on *c started to find water ; attracted by its sound we commenced a downward march through the standing bush, and, to our surprise, reached the bottom of what . some people call a gully, just before dark, it being the bed of the Coal Creek. Here wo had to camp for the night, under tbe bright-blue sky as a shelter and with a large fire for a comforter. There was one thing we noticed in this gully and that was : there were some grasshoppers in the bottom ; how they got there without being badly bruised, or their necks broken, may be a puzzle to any doctor. Early in the morning we were off again. Having got to the top of the hill one difficulty was over, but our hunger increased ; this latter evil was soon removed by the kindness of a hospitable friend, who supplied all our requirements. Not having a very good opinion of the levelness of this Block we proceeded on horseback. After seeing to the wants of our horses we entered a survey-cut track ; only about half an hour elapsed when we came to a full stop, and this on the top of tbe steep cliffs above the Oroua river. We could proceed no further and so made a bee-line for Feilding, disgusted with the present price of that Block, if not with the country. The Government appear to have got the idea " Charge what you like for land and we will have selectors if not settlers." Tbe price for this hilly country was fixed at 25s to 27s per acre, which is ridiculous. And if sections happen to have a little flat frontage, with no water, 80s, 32s 6d and 355. If this is continued there is very little doubt but that people will go elsewhere to settle. The quality of the land is very good, and will produce an abundant growth of grass ; and in some places is level, but without water. The timber is chiefly rimu, white pine, matai, and tawera.all of which grow to a good size. The roads all through the F.S.S. are in very fait; order, which speaks volumna for the public body which has the management of them. I noticed in several places the roads were metalled with very rough and large gravel, causing a great inconvenience to tbe settlers in travelling. During lastyear a large area of bush was felled in Apiti, and since then burnt. Some of the burns are very good ; in fact, we only saw two bad burns. Seed-sowing is also being carried on with great • yigour — horses and men can be seen daily packing in the seed.