RANGITOTO NO. 1.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 451, 27 March 1912, Page 6

RANGITOTO NO. 1.

PUEKTA WAI. The passing months witness to the fact that slow but sure progress is being made in this district, despite the host of difficulties common to all settlers beginning on small capital in difficult country. However, it is cheerful to note the spreading" acres of green and the near prospect of the dairying industry being established where, but a few months ago, the mighty forest and fern flourished undisturbed, Many of the settlers have been anxiously watching for "signs" favourable for bush burning, but so far have looked in vain. Like Micawber, however, they are st'll hoping that the desirable thing will "turn UD," and so permit the further addition of smiling fields to next season's total. A great deal of time this year has been lost owing to a few chains of the only road being left unfinished; so blocking a few miles of what otherwise would have been of great service. This ha 3 entailed unnecessary hardships upon Puketawai settlers as, owing to the impossibility of vehicular traffic some who contemplated doing so were prevented milking this year. We are glad that the necessary work is again in hand, and we hope that access will be possible before winter sets in seriously. We would again urge upon the attention of the business people of Te Kuiti, the special importance attached to the opennig up of communication into the wide areas of the Rangitoto. A road could bn formed at comparatively little cost, which would bring thousands of acres of settlement within a couple of hours drive of Te Kuiti. This part of the King Country will eventually support a great population and be rich in prosperity. It is therefore of the greatest interest to Te Kuiti that from the earliest moment the currents of trade should be led in to swell its commercial and general interests. Facility creates trade and the more facilities the settlers have of reaching Te Kuiti the bettpr it will be for the town. Our mutual permanency and progress depend upon our roads. They are the arteries of life which should be kept serviceable throughout the year. What we need is roads—and roads we must have. What we might be and have within three years if they are given! Imagine the cheerful vision of a creamery, a coach service, and a comfortable district —all made practical realities by a decent road ! On March 2nd, despite the very inclement weather the first a chool and settlers' picnic passed otl very enjoyably. The settlers and scholars came up in good numbers to Mr Murdock's paddock, kindly loaned for the occasion, and made the day a cheerful round of feasting, frolic and fun. The school, numbering fourteen, meets daily in a nine by twelve bell tent, and under the capable direction of Mrs Thomas, to whom great praise is due for so ably organising the picnic. Among the visitors present were the Revs. A. Armstrong, Presbyterian minister, and W. S Wayne, Church of England, from Te Kuiti, who undertook the pleasant duty of presenting each scholar with a gift prize. After the distribution, the scholars gave cheers for Mrs Thomas, also for Mr Murdock. The settlers responded with others for the ladies, the clergymen present, arc! for all who hepled to make up the prize fund. The picnic proved a happy break in the trying monotony of the daily round. The Rev. A, Armstrong viisted thii? district and conducted the first Christian service in the settlement in tW school tent on March 3rd. There vsaa a large attendance of settlers and young people. The first public bap*

tism also took place during the seir- j vice, the infant daughter of Mr arcd | Mra Smith being baptised. At the close of the service arrangements were made for the conducting of a Sunday school in the district. Mr Webster, representing the Auckland Sunday School Union, rendered assistance in the matter, and the j, movement has given great satisfacjj J; tion to the settlers, as hitherto they have felt somewhat neglected. Several new settlers are expected to come into the district shortly, and if the season proves favourable many hundreds of acres of bush will bo felled within the next few months, and this settlement will then begin to assume some importance in the King Country.