MAHOENUI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 436, 3 February 1912, Page 3

MAHOENUI.

From a Settler. After a most provoking wet season the shearing is about done. There is generally an increase of wool, but the fleeces are light. The lambing is also lighter than usual. The sheep are looking remarkably well, in fact, they are mostly fat. The long spell of wet weather has hindered work, and many settlers are now anxious regarding their burns. There are many large areas (quite 1000 acres) of bush felled here now waiting the torch, and given a few more days dry weather, will add greatly to the stock carrying capacity of Mahoenui. At present there is an immense quantity of feed, and settlers seem to be generally understocked. The turnip crops also give great promise. Tho usual mobs of fat bullocks are being sent away. Mr T. Elliot has sent a very large number away lately. A very fine mob was also sent the other day from the run of Messrs Old and Jacob. The settlers here are now moving in the matter of starting a butter factoy. It is considered that 2500 or more cows would be kept within four miles of a factory. It is not a question of grass, but labour and roads! roads! roads. The number of cows would not, of course, be provided to stare with, but the settlers are anxious to dairy and all are willing to subdivide their sections into suitable dairying areas. When this is done it ia safe to say that considerably more than the number stated could be milked In any case from the outset there would be ample cows to make a factory pay, and the number would be increased considerably every year. We are anxiously waiting for a start to be made in the way of metalling the main road. As the county council have now got the money in hand, it is a great pity that time should be lost. Given good roads, Mahoenui would add considerably to the Dominion's exports. It is a roading Government we require, and some sensible method of dealing with natives and their lands, but—taihoa!