OTOROHANGA'S PROGRESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 432, 20 January 1912, Page 6

OTOROHANGA'S PROGRESS.

GOOD FARMING PEOSPECIS. No. 11. (By Our Special Commissioner). The district of Otorohanga has really only been "scratched," as the saving goes, and when it is brought under a state of intense cultivation will be without doubt one of the most productive in the King Country. From a conical summit, close by the township, a fine view is to be seen. Thousands and thousands of acres of arable land, flat and rolling, are to be seen as far as the eye can reach. Looking in the direction of Raugitoto a beautiful stretch of country is visible, with barely any improvements done. A start, however, has been made of recent years, and a number of farms are being improved. A large number of young Canterburyites, and people from the sojthern portion of the Island and Hawke's Bay have taken up land and are introducing modern and up-to-date methods of farming. The majority of these men possess a moderate amount of capital, and are utilising it well, in the improvement of their lands. In the Mangaronga part of the district there is some splendid agricultural country. The land is undulating and is what might be termed as first-class. A considerable amount of the growing of oats has taken place, during the present season, with surprising results The greater part of the feed grown is for private use this year. Further on is to be found the Rangitoto Improved Farm settlement. Under the circumstances which these settlers are on the land they are doing very well, and with a little more perseverance they should be in a good position. In passing I would remark, that all these settlers on the frontiers of settlement, should have every reason to be thankful for the opportunity of being on the land under the Improved Farm Settlement conditions. There are some people who class these settlers as "spoon-fed," but when it is remembered the conditions under which they were selected to go on the land, to break in virgin country in out-of-the-way places, that charge should be withdrawn. In the first place the selected men, had to be landless married men without practically any means, and in order to allay that the Government promised certain assistance which has been forthcoming to the general satisfaction of the majoirty of settlers, despite the fact that there might be a dissatisfied one or two, but then there are always a discontented one or two, go where you will, for it takes all sorts to form a community. However, under the conditions they have done very well and deserve credit for the progress being made. An improvement in the progress of roading would certainly be of great service to these settlers and in fact it is a very important factor towards the success of these settlements. The making of roads is important to every settler as it means communication with civilisation and the getting of produce to the markets —a very essential thing. In the Fuketarata and Kio Kio di 3 tricts farming has been the most progressive. Dairying and cropping is being carried out with success. Farms are looking well and give the appearance of intelligent cultivation. Mr Cumpsden, who is recognised as the model farmer of Otorohanga district, has a beautiful place and some very fine crops. Mr R. G. Matthews has also a farm which commands attention. He is also a successful farmer. On the whole the farms in and around these places show considerably on the averrage more signs of advancement than elsewhere in the Otorohanga district, although in a few other places good work is being done. There is a creamery at Puketarata which puts through a considerable amount of milk and the monthly payments run into approximately £BOO per month. The land on the average is very fair, and with the assistance of manure is producing splendid crops. As considerable amount of country is yearly being improved and 13 proving itself equal, if not better to the greater part of Waikato lands. It is only a matter of another few years until the farms and surroundings will be in appearance and in productiveness, equal to any of them. There is without doubt excellent farming prospects for the Otorohanga district. It has the right class of country—beautiful river flat 3, and low rolling hills which, when properly settled and a more active interest taken in farming, generally, will be the producers of untold wealth. Everything cannot be done in a day, but time and toil will bring it all about. I think it is safe to aver that within n few years that Otorohanga will he one of the busiest and most solid farmnig centres south of Auckland. It may, perhaps, be a big thing to say and anyone that doubts the statement does not know the district, and if so I would advise him to make a tour of it and see for himself. Already farming is making its presence felt. There are two creameries in the district which are paying out over £IOOO per month to dairy farmers. Besides a large quantity of cream is being sent to Hamilton, Which must considerably increase the amount of money circulated in the district. This prosperity is evident by the great amount of improvements being done all through the district, in the form of breaking in new country, sub-divisiondal fencing, drainage and ploughing. Another noticeable feature is the class of homes and outbuildings erected and being built on many farmers' places.