MAHOENUI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 328, 14 January 1911, Page 6

MAHOENUI.

E?(CEf;[,ENT QRAZING COUNTRY. Like many other districts in the King Country Mahoenui has its inconveniences in the form of bad roads in the winter. The district is practically isolated in the winter aa Te Kuiti-Awakino road, which gives it connection with the outside world, js

practically a quagmire. A little metal would obviate this, and could easily be obtanied at stages averaging about every throe miles to Te Kuiti. Another great drawback is the many thousand acres of fine country locked up by the natives between Paemaico and Mahoenui.

The Mahoenui basin contains about 4000 acres, all of which is ploughable. The Awakino river run 3 through it. The land is a series of terraces, and varies from a light loam to rich loam with a good claying subsoil. The country, which was at one tune ail fern, is being got weli in hand, and is looking splendid. In fact it is one of those ideal places for farming. Nature has done her best beautiful easy country, well watered and excellent climatic conditions.

This district is undoubtedly destined to become a dairying centre, ; and when the roads are good enough ; to enable dairy produce to be brought ; to the Main Trunk a move will most likely be made. The uncertainty of shipping facilities at Awakino does not warrant anything being done in the matter at present. The district ; is like many others in respect of j roads, and settlers all say what they ; would do it they only had good roads.

The Mahoenui district, including the Mongaronga district, contains about 27,000 acres, nearly half _of which is improved, and is carrying approximately about 21,000 head of sheep and upwards of 2000 head of big cattle. Five years ago there were only about 600 head of sheep as cattle was then the chief source of production. However, the woolly is rapioly replacing the bovine animal, and is giving good results. The shearing of the sheep has almost been completed and good average clip* have been reported. The carrying capacity of the land in the basin is from one and a-half to two and a-hali sheep per acre and in the Mongaronga block from two and a-half to three sheep per acre. This latter piece of country is exceptional for its grass-growing properties and without doubt ranks foremost as sheep and cattle country in the Dominion.

The Kawhia-Mahoenui road runs j into the Mongaronga block, and is only fit for vehicular traffic for about two miles —and not very good either —■ the rest of the road being a track. \ There has been no money voted for it j this year. This is the second time I j have come in contact with settlers j living along this road which has had I no money voted for it. It looks J as if this road is tabooed. It is, how- j ever, a serious matter as settlers j should not be handicapped in such a ; way. Farmers expect that sort of • thing when they tackle their holdings j in the rough state, but they do not i expect it to continue as they bring | their farms into line with good pro i ducing powers. There are about 150 acres in turnips ] and rape for winter feed. The grow- j ing of turnips is becoming a recog- : nised fact and is being carried out in ■ many districts. They are an excellent : change for the sheep during winter months, besides producing an abundance of food.

All the wool in the district v»«th the exception of that from the greater part of the Mangaronga block is sent to market via Awakino, the Mangaronga wool going by the Main Trunk. Fat cattle and sheep are taken to the freezing works at Waitara. Very little ha?, been done "lately in the matter of producing fats as farmers have found that store sheep have been paying too well. The Mahoenui basin is a beautiful spot and viewed from the hill entering it, with the rough jagged line of the Papakauri ranges on the south, is really splendid. It would be hard to find a place more ideal for farming. The district has a great future be fore it, and that can only bo brought about by good road-;.