MAIHIHI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 439, 14 February 1912, Page 7

MAIHIHI.

Own Correspondent.

Things in this district are looking very bright. Grass is abundant and settlers are very busy getting their hay in and planting winter feed. The fine summer weather we are experiencing combined with the blowy spring is very bracing. The gardens are looking splendid except the potatoes which are suffering very badly with the blight. It is very pleasing to see the Government trying to check the noxious weeds, which are very abundant at Mangaronga native settlement. There was many a tear shed by the native owners as the slashers and grubbers went freely into the blackberry bushes ("kapai te jam"), and even the busy bee has given notice to leave since the lovely ragwort ha 3 started to disappear. During the week Mr Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Auckland, visited the district, accompanied by Mr A. B. Jordan. The Government has found out at last if the Improved Farms are to be a success they must have more assistance. Mr Skeet was very pleased with the progress of the settlement and complimented the settlers on the way they had improved their farms in such a short time, and spoke with encouraging words of their future prospects. The settlers are asking for twelve months rebate of rent; and also to be put on the same footing as Mapara and settlements with respect to the sucply of dairy cows and stock. The commissioner said he would make the recommendation.

On the following day we had a'viist from the member for the district, Mr J. A. Young, MP. This was his first trip to the settlement. He seems astonished at the quality of the land, and the progress of the settlement. The settlers waited on Mr Young with a deputation asking his assistance to have opened up about four thousand acres of land on the east of the settlement, which is now held by the natives. They requested it should be surveyed and out up in small farms, which would be a blessing to this settlement; also to the lucky person who might draw one of them. The deputation also asked Mr Young for his assistance in getting bridges _°ver the upper Mangaronga and Maihihi streams. These are urgently required as most of the settlers will be milking next season, and in wet weather sometimes we are isolated for days, which would lie a drawback to in carting cream. Several other important matters were discussed and Mr Young promised to do all in his nower to assist the. settlers, and would bring each matter under the proper authorities. After partaking of afternoon tea. cheers were given for Mr Young and under the guidance of Mr Andrew Kay, of they departed with good imnresions for the future of the No. 2 Improved Farm settlement.