WAITETI VALLEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 354, 22 April 1911, Page 7

WAITETI VALLEY.

By "Alpha."

Within easy reach of Te Kuiti and traversed for some miles by the Main Trunk line, this "cosy " little valley is one of the many and striking evidences of the surprising developments that are £o widespread in this part of the King Country. Where but a few years ago the hush luxuriated in its native density and the Waiteti stream, like Tennyson's "Brook," "sparkled out among the fern, to bicker down a valley," a changed scene now meets the traveller's eye— a scene which proclaims the advent and dominion of the settler. Dreading the "ironmaster's" further advance, the hush seems to nave fled for sanctuary to the higher hills, to there dance a breezy haka of defiance in the evening. The somnolent "Waiteti," seems to have awakened hurriedly and with nervous activity and increased volume, scuttles along its way, with apparently increasing desire the nearer it gets to civilisation—of hiding its modest waters "in the brimming river," as if ashamed of its baie banks and newly - found publicity. While some mourn over the vanishing beauty of the disappearing forest, it is cheerful to remember that "nothing is lost"--the old order simply changeth. The passing of the Rata and the Rapu is only a demonstration of the old law of a lower giving place to a higher order: the beauty is not disappearing from the hillsides, it is simply changing its form. It is the Maori mat being discarded for Pakeha clothes- the virgin's dresa for the marriage robe- the wedding of a new Earth to the new and wooing Sciences. If Eslihu Burrtet laments the farmer is a "blind painter," we can also say that he certainly is an unconscious philosopher embodying daily the doctrine of Emerson, "that all that is useful is beautiful." By their virtues and wisely directed labours of mind and muscle, our settlers constitute a great "Beautifying Society," which is adorning the valleys and hills with the new type oE useful beauty -the crops and cattle which minister to human needs. The prolonged summer, which may be has caused consclerable distress to some, on the other hand has been made good use of by these settlers of rough moist country. Splendid burns have done more work than could be accomplished by an army of men, and swamps, before untouched, have received attention and are now in the first stage (drained) toward becoming rich pasture. The many acres of bush felled along this valley, now lie in a deposit of phosphates to enrich the sr.il, the only remains being the gaunt incinerated trunks of "giants," too large for the first fires to wholly cremate. To an ancient people it was promised that there should be "beauty for ashes," and as the sowers, Maori and Pakeha, go forth with grass-seed of various mixtures and scatter right and left, tlity labour with hope in that word. Having traversed the iireblackeaed, desolate hills, and deposited (iio grain they hope to see transmuted into gold, the settlers' next t!.ought is of the skies. So thev look up and. Elijah-like, watch for" tie cm-k'king eiouds. The bene- ' liceut showers reward their faith, the • earth confirms their trust, and soon forgiving nature furies her melam- ; eholy under a soft smiling mantle of living e,r> em Waiteti has enimdeted ; the .-owing, am! now anticipates the j "smile"- many aeres bioad. The more favourable parts of the district have been ploughed and sown with heavier crops, one settler alone having put down sixty-five acres in

this manner this season. At such a rate of cultivation. Waiteti Valley should in a very short time be an important contribution to Te Kuiti's progress and prosperity. Settlers are always thankful for every foot of metal placed upon their roads, especially upon the "soft spots." 'So this winter will be faced more cheerfully in Waiteti, owing to the long hill nearest Te Kuiti being now gravelled on its Valley side. The honour of completing the job will be on the settlers who intend to turn out and "doctor" the culverts, water tables, etc., before the winter sets in.

A considerable influx of workers for the new dam, to be erected on Mr Gillanders' farm in connection with Te Kuiti water supply, is to take place shortly. Some of the men have already arrived. When all are camped there will be quite an animated "canvas town" erected. Waiteti will henceforth retain prominence in Te Kuiti's affairs owing to it being "the keeper of the springs" No doubt when complete the reservoir will attract many visitors, and if only a track could be formed thereto, within a very short distance there is some of the most awe-inspiring and majestic gorge scenery to be seen in the Dominion. Thus Waiteti will possibly appear some day as a tourist resort. This little trip, together with a shortened road to Waitomo, would afford a round trip of most interesting and unique variety, besides adding considerably to the assets of Te Kuiti. We may yet see advertised "The Wonders of Waiteti!"