THROUGH KING COUNTRY

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 362, 20 May 1911, Page 6

THROUGH KING COUNTRY

SOUTHERNER'S VIEW. A writer in the "Otago Daily Times," referring to his tour through the North Island, says: "From Taihape to Te Kuiti—and that is a very long stretch—the land along the railway is of decidedly inferior quality--worse than the very worst of Central Otago land. It !3 of sandstone formation, and covered with a pale white tussock, with a washed-out look. I should say that country is almost absolutely valueless, and though a large portion of it is open country, I did not see an animal of any sort grazing on it. Taumarunui is situated inside the belt of country, but it seems to do a little business, and possesses some fine buildings. I was told that back from the line the land was of better quality, and one can well believe who compares the position with that of tha Otago Central, say, as it comes out of Poulburn Gorge. All the same, there is a lot of poor country on the North Trunk line. When you come to Te Kuiti, however, the 'scene is changed.' Here the land is rich, and the verdure plentiful. You see a fine town in the making, showing promise of a big future, and for a long distance Auckland-wards the land is of splendid quality."