KURURAU.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 188, 6 September 1909, Page 5

KURURAU.

Own Correspondent. Kururau riding forms the south eastern portion of the Ohura County the taftiinrlary following the Ohura river 1 to its junction with the Wanganui, then by the Wanganui to the junction , with the Ongarue, thence north by the Ongarue. The riding consists of very broken steep country south of the Ka- ; kahi stream with plenty of good so'd \ and suitable for sheep; fern and river Hats at Aorangi somewhat broken between the Ohura and Wanganui '• rivers, but all first class sheep country. Nearer Taumarunui is the lately open- ! ed Piopiotea block on renewable lease, which varies from steep hill f to easy slopes: and flat country along the larger streams. The soil is a brown loam with a heavy yellow clay subsoil, and a covering of pumice on many of the flats. The forest is fairly heavy on the hills with a few spurs of fern and scrub. Along the Ongnrue river the soil is fairly good where free from pumice and is mostly held by Native owners. Settlers who have had grass laid down on the pumice flats are well pleased with the results, the grass taking well. In the summer weather the pumice seems to act as a sponge in bringing the moisture to the grass roots. What the effect of an exceptionally dry season will be on the pumice country remains to be seen. Fortunately only small portions of the sections are covered with pumice. The holders of the renewable leases are endeavouring to get an adjustment of rents payable for their sections made with the intention of making the first years rent free. The amount due to be added to the ensuing yearly payments. It is very doubtful if the Land Board has the necessary power. The position appears to be that the majority of the sections are held by settlers of limited capital, who have found that the cmtof bush felling, grassing and fencing a sufficient area to make the sections payable concerns and pay the rent demands a substantial sum of money. Access is from Taumarunui by the Kururau road, the main disadvantage at present being the Ongaruc river crossing over which it has finally been decided to erect a substantial brdige, which is of the utmost importance to all the settlers in the Southern Ohura, as at prsecnt, goods have to be sent via the Wanganui to the various landings, then packed long distances to the settlers. Owing to the want of roads veiy few substantial buildings have been erected. Messrs White and Goodman on the Kururau road and Mr Lloyd on the Otuiti road are showing the lead in this line. In the Otunui valley about nine miles from Taumarunui Mr Cameron has opened the first store in the district at which the traveller is always welcome. A fairly large area of bush is being felled this s«awn. Messrs Mclvor, Goodwin and Lloyd having the largest areas felled.

It i< very desirable in the interests of the settlers that the Kuroaru road should be considered a main road as for years to come it most be th«- outlet for the district as Taumarunui is the nearest railway station. With the construction of the Ongarue-Stratford line it may be possible to form a road to connect with it for parts of the district, but the main portion must always connect witA Taumarunui and to saddle the riding with the construction and maintenance of all the roads, especially where the sections are mostly of large area and broken country, snd that after the Initial expense of felling and grassing, would be a serious disadvantage for the settlers. For the County election there is oflt one candidate suggested, Mr A. McKionoo, of Koruxau.