KAWHIA SOUTH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 29, 10 May 1907, Page 3

KAWHIA SOUTH.

About five years ago wcrk was commenced with the formation of the Mongapohue road, and although every Parliament since that time has been honoured by largely-signed petitions for its construction and preference of routs to the railway, very slow progress has been made until a few weeks ago. when four contracts were let and work started from both ends. There are fifteen men now em-

ployed, and we learn that Mr Burd, District Road Engineer, is using his

best endeavours to get this important work pushed through this year. The settlers, believing this to be a fact, are more hopeful of getting this work completed in the near future than they have been hitherto. As a stock route this will be one of the busiest roads in the Kawhia County (if it is not so at the present time). With its five miles of untouched portion, it is still referred to what is known as the round-about way, via Ngapenga road, which I believe is formed, but seldom if ever used from this part of the district.

To show the importance of the Mongapohue route, one of the settlers is now erecting a seven-rcomed boarding hcrtise on the middle of the five miles portion that is yet un-

formed, and I feel sure that if the * Government knew of the many beautiful sights of scenery (waterfalls 80 feet high, and caves 20 chains long, besides' the most wonderful natural limestone-block bridge over the Mongapohue stream, that is probably unequalled in New Zealand), this would soon be recognised as a tourist route. Tourists travelling from the Waitomo Caves will have an easy day's journey to the above mentioned sights, and here you are only seventeen miles from the beautiful Kawhia harbour, which is getting so well known as a pleasure resort, and fcr its progress. Referring to the above scenery, it will be fifteen miles from the Waitomo Caves when the Mongapohue road is completed, and it is here where the above - mentioned accommodation house is now being erected, and it_ is also here where the unformed portion of the road is retarding the progress of the whole district, as well as the tourist traffic into the interior of the King Country. I may say the settlers are all well satisfied with their holdings and the quality of the soil. This is more than I can say about the present Government land proposal, which seems to aim at retarding the progress of our districts, and our already badly neglected roads. Most of the settlers in this part of the district have sold the bulk of their cattle this season, and are turning their attention to sheep, which are doing exceptionally well, our carrying capacity being, in most cases, from two to two and a-half sheep per acre. There is every probability of the present season being a busy one for bushfellers in the Marakopa Valley,

as several hundred acres are to be felled. This part of the district is making good progress, and although it was settled less than three years ago, it now has boat communication between Waitara and Onehunga, stores, boarding-houses, etc., and an up-to-date milling company employing about thirty men, with a pay sheet of £3OO a month. No doubt, this district with its many river flats and progressive settlers, will, in the near future, be one of the finest daiiying districts in the King Country.