SIGNS OF PROGRESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 365, 31 May 1911, Page 2

SIGNS OF PROGRESS.

TAUMARUNUI ELECTORATE.

EXPANSION OF SETTLEMENT IN

RECENT YEARS

Taumarunui electorate, taking in aconsiderable portion of the country opened up by the Main Trunk railway, and also parts of the King Country, has made great development since the last census. The returns up to the present, with the figures for some of the outlying districts yet to come in, give an increase of over 5000 in population, a fact which is cheering to the M.P. for the district, Mr W. T. Jennings. Conversing with a "New Zealand Times" reporter, Mr Jennings pointed out that the greatest progress wa<? shown at Ohura, Katiteke, Owhango, Te Kuiti, Ohakune, Rangitaua, Raetihi, and Kawhia—townships, practically carved out of the bush. Rangitaua, which, litle more than three yaers ago, was standing bush, now had a school at which ISO children attended.

"Thirty years ago," he said, "there were then five schools in the electorate. To-day there are over fifty. There was only one church, at Raetihi ; now there are over fifteen, and the way is being prepared for others. There are dairy factories at Raetihi, Ohakune (cheese), Ohura (two), Pio Pio, Aria, Otorohanga, Marokopa (just built), one to be built at Tokorima (about eight miles from Mangaroa), and one about to be built at Te Kuiti. Then, three argicultural societies have been established at Ohura, Ratihi, and Te Kuiti. The foodpreserving works at Rangitaua stand out as one of the big industries of the electorate; something like £IB,OOO has been spent in starting these works.

"Towns like Te Kuiti and Taumarunui, the greater portions of which were scrub paddocks less than five years ago, are now boroughs with their Mayors and Councillors. In a word, the whole development of what is known as the Rohaepotae, is a standing proof of what has been accomplished by small settlement. When I spoke in the House a little over three years ago on this subject, as recorded in 'Hansard,' I said that when the North Island Main Trunk line was completed it would revolutionise to a large extent the trade of the Dominion. I think lam safe in saying that my prediction is being verified since the railway was opened. The sawmilling industry plays an important part, employing as it does

now about 2000 men. There are

about forty sawmills in active operation between Mangapeehi and down to Ongarue and Taringamutu, and including the mills at Kakahi, Owhango, Raurimu, Horopito, Ohakune, Rangitaua, and Raetihi. As showing in what regard the sawmilling industry is held, it is interesting to mention that one of the speakers at a social function tendered to Hon. R. McKenzie at Ohakune remarked that he had formed an estimate of the amount of timber in the Waimarino district, and he calculated there was sufficient timber in that district to reach round the world three times, and then allow sueffiient to build a ladder up to Mars! "As an instance of what can be grown in pumice country may be quoted at Karioi, on some land cultivated by Mr Duncan, where there was a luxuriant growth of grass on what was formerly pumice land. There are still areas of land unoccupied that I am quite sure, if opportunity were given to settlers, could show the same results as have already been given by settlers who have been in the district during the last six or seven years. In regard to Taumarunui, there is a strong feeling amongst the people with respect to what is termed kaianga restrictions being imposed on that borough, where the powers of the Maori Council and those of the borough seem to come into conflict. I feel quite certain the Minister of Native Affairs, when he finds out the position which will be submitted to him by my petition, and also by deputation when he goes there, will see fit to modify or alter these restrictions in some respects."