ADVANCE OHURA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 399, 27 September 1911, Page 5

ADVANCE OHURA.

FROSPEIUHLS YEAR ANTICIPATED. The rapid progress of settlement in the Ohura district still centimes to account; for sound hopes of future prosperity in that fertile valley. Eight years ago tho district wns practically ail standing hush, and those acquainted with thai, pari, of (ho King C.iuiitry can only form a inir opinion of what has taken place within (hat. short period. The advance that, has taken place has been so satisfactory to settlers that year by year they are given more impetus in (he carrying cut of improvemets. The past winter has been responsible, for more hnsh being felled than that of any year since sett lemon!, began. The (ownships, of Matiere and Manparos are making splendid strides, ami buildings are going up very rapidly. Farmers are ah ; o erecting up-iodaie bona - steads and onl hni Idings, with (lie result (hat four sawmills are tared lo their utmost in supplying the huiidbig requiri-monls whioli are vTy brisk. The settlement of the Ohura and the remarkable activity taking plaee there has been duo to the energy arid industry of settlers. Last year LTUI hales of wool left (he district, and the but (or output exceeded fifty tons, including (he outputs of the Niho Nibo Co-operative Factory ami the Matiere Dairy Factory, also a quantify o( separator butter made privately by farmers. In chnitinir with a Chronicle representative a few days ago Mr SV. K. Williams said (ha!, the farming prospects right through the district, for the coming year wi re very bright indeed. .It «vas anlieqiaien that both (he butter output and the sheep farming' industry would increase by fully eO per cent.. The eii-

rector? of the Niho Niho Go-operative Dairy Factory. looked forward to an increase of from 'JO to J a tons of butter during the coming season. At the Mangaroa end there would he .''oo more cows milked than last, year. At Matiere a substantial increase would also take place. In that, part a number of milking machines had been installed in readiness for the season, a fact which he considered was an ex ample of the earnest, manner which settlers of that part were displaying with regard to that important industry. With regard to the early starting of the Stratford-Ongarue railway from the Ongarue end Mr Williams said that there was a feeling of general satisfaction throughout, the district.

Questioned as regards a land boom taking place in anticipation of the railway Mr Williann; said that such was not the case, but land vaiucs had firmed considerably. As matters stood settlers were not keen in disposing of their places, but were content with the fact that, the r;iiiway would be an established fact at a - ei-esonahiy short date. The survey o'' the line was proceeding satisfactorily and there was every indication I hat settlers' hopes, would be realised at an early date, but at the same time all were anxious that the first, soil should be turned.

General progress prevailed. A large area of bush hail hern .ft lied and tv:i? greater than that (if any other period since settlement first, tmmmenced. Building was brisk on all sides ami a noticeable feature Mr \V ill iams re-

marked was the lit);' up-to-date homesteads being erected by set tiers. Koarl work had been proceed hi;; very satisfactorily and the Ooverumont grants accepted by the County Council had conic in remarkably. .Sub-divi-sional fencing was also taking place to a largj extent, a fact which every fanner knew was a sign of (lie times, because by doing so every farmer got the full benefit of his pasture on account. o f the change for stock. "Speaking generally," Mr Williams concluded, "there is a tone of general .satisfaction througbowt the Ohura." "is it your intention to lake an interest in the dairying industry, Mr Williams'. 1 " asked the reporter. " Yes." replied Mr Williams. "! am making a start this year. I have just completed the erection of an up-to-date cowshed ami I propers to milk iiO cows this season"