TANGITU.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 335, 8 February 1911, Page 6

TANGITU.

(By Our Special Commissioner.) Situated eight miles from Waimiha is the Tangitu settlement, which was put on the market about eighteen months ago for landless men. The block, which contains about 14,(JUL) acres is sub-divided into 88 sections, and is held by the settlers under what is known as the Improved Farm Settlement scheme. The work which has been done during the short period of time is really splendid, and I think I am safe in saying that never before in the history of the Kine Country has such fine work been done. It is a splendid example of the close settlement scheme and a system that should be encouraged. Eighteen months ago this fine country was in its primeval state, truly beautiful in its pristine loveliness, but unproductive. The hand of the pioneer has since worked marvellously and forcibly brought to my mind those lines of Mr. YV. P. Reeves: Mighty are axe and fire —destroyers twain, Swift servants of the arch-destroyer —man, And he is mighty as be hews amain Bronzed pioneer of nations.

For the first year 2000 acres of bush was laid low, the greater part of which is now burned and will soon be in grass, which in the course of another few months will be growing grass that will be "bending and dancing as the breeze goes by." The country in the block on the whole is good, and is easy and well watered. The sections, which arc on the average about 1(50 acres each, are all suited for dairying. It is expected that within another year a start will be made in that direction, and it is to be hoped that settlers will pull together, and be unanimous in the establishment of this industry. The possibilities of dairying are enormous and without a doubt in the course of another four or five years the settlement ought to have one of the biggest dairy factories in the King Country, equal to any of the best in Taranaki. 'The right class of settlers are there, and being married men with families growing up, a very bright future should be in store for all and" sundry. There is little doubt that the country will hold grass well, and that no fear may be entertained as regards the producing power of this fine piece of country. All the settlers with their wives and families will be on their sections in another couple of months' time. Agreat number of them would have been there already but were waiting to get burns. These that have been able to live, on their places have made themselves comfortable, whilst those that are getting in now are busily engaged in getting their houses built. Pit-sawn timber will be used in most cases, although iron will also be freely used.

It is estimated that the population of the block is now about 450, made ; up of men, women and children. Of the latter there are about 250 children in families ranging from about two to fifteen children, and in fact there is one settler there who is the father : of seventeen children of whom ten or '. eleven are residing with him. School matters, I am pleased to say, have been gone into by many of the j settlers, and an urgent appeal is being j made to give things a start. There i are about ISO children of school age, : and it is to be hoped that the Auck- ! land Education Board will deal with ! the matter of schools as expeditiously ; as possible. I The progress made with roads has, i indeed, been gcod, and is highly : creditable to the authorities. They i have certainly carried out a vigorous ! policy in this block, and it is a great i pity that a similar one was not : adopted in other parts of the King | Country. Settlers and their sons; have done the biggest part of the work. About 26 miles of road are ; made and under construction, about ; one half of which is made into a dray ; road. Last winter settlers had some ; trying experiences in getting sup- j plies, and the packing of goods was a j heavy and expensive item. I am sorry j that "it is possible that settlers will \ have a like experience during the : coming winter, but it is one of those things that it is impossible to avoid ; at the present stage. There appears ' to be a scarcity ot pack teams, with the result that prices for transport are very high. There is undoubtedly a : good opening for a well-equipped team and it would be gladly welcomed by many settlers. Judging by the progress made for the comparatively short period of settlen/ient, it is safe to aver that if a ; continuation of the same applies for , another couple ot year'!, settlers will : soon be in a good position. They i have got good country, and in fact, ■ they have all the advantages ahead of j them for breaking in and developing j the resources of the land. Roading : in another twelve months will be well ■ advanced, so that a great number of j hardships will have become minimised. ] Carting will be able to be done to a ! great extent and will be a great sav- ; ing to settlers. Tney will be able \ to get more comforts into their homes; which it is impossible to do : at present when using pack horses.

The conditions under which those lands are held are very favourable, and settlers are satisfied with the opportunity of getting on th,e land,-. They are all satisfied \viUi their farms and \i?,\ngs generally. They recognise what must take piaee in the opening up of new country, and they are there ready to meet those contingencies. I heard no complaint when going through the block, all being busily engaged in their work. Satisfaction seems general, and if this aph-it prevails there will be no doubt about the future.