King Country Progress

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 457, 17 April 1912, Page 6

King Country Progress

THROUGH THE BACKBLOSKS. DAIRYING PROSPECTS. The Tanigtu block is, without doubt, equal to any of the dairying country in the Taranaki or Waikato. It is for the most part ail easy country, arid is eminently suited for dairying. The fact that the sections have an average of about 150 acres will mean that the best will begot out of the land, and that, year by year, ic will be increasing in productivity from the fact that the amount of work necessary per annum will bring this country up to a high standard. Up to the present settlers have done their best under the conditions which they had to labour. I'csides doing improvements on their sections, settlers have been mainly responsible for the roading of the setlement. During the present season a number of settlers commenced dairying, and it n the intention of the others to follow suit next season. At the beginning of the present milking season settlers were very anixous to make a start with milking, and owing to nut being in the position to prucure cows overtures were made to the Government in connection with the procuring of stock. After a visit of Mr Armstrong, late Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki, it was decided to supply the cows. Evidently the terms imposed were not satisfactory to settlers as very few of them availed themselves of the Government's proposals. An example of what they wera was quoted by a settler —ten cows were the limit allowed to anyone settler; Only one or two received the full number, and other applicants only two or three cows each. These small numbers were, worse than useless, hence the refusal of many settlers to further do business under a system which was not to their liking. The need for financial assistance for the improving of this tine area is the most important issue at the present time. Dairying will be the salvation of settlers, and thanks to the Te Kuiti Co-operative Dairy Company, it is anticipated that settlers will be on a fair way towards a good start next season. The amount of improvements effected to date should mean next season that the Te Kuiti factory should be receiving cream from practically 1000 cows. Following years should mean a big increase, and in time to come there will be an enormous output of butterfat. However, there is one thing certain, and that is, the settlement must develop into a great dairying district.

TENTS FOR SCHOOLS

There are now three schools in the district, viz.: Mapiu, which has an attendance of 35 children; Mangaiti 26; and Mokauiti, 45. A movement is on foot to have another school established near Tangitu, at which there will be an attendance of about 30. When schools are referred to, the reader must not be under the impression that they are nicely furnished woodden buildings. Far from it; they are just plain tents in every instance, with earthen floors. The conditions in a tent during the winter months are always damp, and must prove injurious to children and teachers alike in matters of health. When the Mapiu school commissioner, Mr W. Coombridge, made application to have a wooden floor put down the Education Board promptly refused. A similar reply was received by the other schools. Pressure was, however, brought to bear on the board, and the decision arrived at was to erect a shelter shed to accommodate 24 children before the winter months. The argument put forward by the board is that pit-sawn timber is too expensive, and that the roads are not in a fit state to cart timber on. The thought that naturally comes to the ordinary mind is whether the small difference of extra cost between pit-sawn and milled timber is any saving when the health of children and teachers is in the balance, it seems an extraordinary way of administer in these matters, and is very galling to the back block settler who reads of the fine structures being trected in the cities, and their children have to go without accommodation. Another matter in connection with the school wurk in the district is that the Education Board has a commissioner appointed in charge of each school, with the result that the board controls the capitation expenditure. This, settlers consider, is very unsatisfactory, for if committees were formed they could control the money to a useful purpose, and know how it wa3 being spent. Besides the controlling of monies the committees would be very useful in assisting the teachers in many little ways, and the promoting of ways and means to provide extra comforts.

TELEPHONES AND POSTAL MATTERS. A drawback of considerable importance, and one that wants immediate attention, is the establishing of telephone communication. At present the nearest telephone is at Waimiha. About eighteen months ago settlers forwarded a guarantee to the department towards the cost of erection of the line, when it was understood that a line to the settlement would be erected forthwith. However, nothing more has been done in the matter, and is an affair which undoubtedly casts serious reflection on the department for their neglect. It is a sad .state of affairs that such a position should exist when it is considered the number of people that are living in close proximity to each other. In the event of accident or sickness of a serious nature in such a thickly populated district the affair would entail considerable suffering. The sooner the department recognise the humane side of this necsesity the better, for it

is an urgent work, ana one t.hat should not be left undone. In :lact, there should be little necessity for these settlers to have to guarantee the line, as it is almost a certainty that the amount of business done would warrant the construction. Ihe line fioni Waimiha to the Tangitu post oOice would be very desirable, and would bring settlers into closer contact with the outside, world, but the line to 1 angitu is not all that is wanted. A communication with Mokauit', Mapiu and Mangaiti is badly wanted. The mail service into the district during the past year improved considerably, and posrt. onices have been opened at Rlapiu and Mokauiti. Mails are being taken in twice a week, and it is expected that very shortly a tri-weekly mail will bo instituted. Although the service_ has improved there seems to be still a matter which requires attention, and that is the roundabout way the mailß are taken to the settlement. The sorting office for the block should be Waimiha, and all the latest mails could be sorted there. This would save a considerable amount of delay, and inconvenience. It is a matter which is in the hands of Bectlers, and they should leave no stone unturned to see that the post offic9 is established at their own railway station, thereby saving mails being carried a distance beyond their destination, and brought back again.

A FUTURE IN THE DISTANCE. Despite the adverse circumstances that settlers have encountered from the initial stages, they have done remarkably well This season has proved rather a drawback owing to exceptional climatic conditions. With the exception of a few those who attempted to burn their bush did not have very good results. In the Mangaiti Valley settlers seemed to be the most successful. It is unfortunate at this crucial stage of the settlement that the season has been so rough. Settler 3 were hoping for the best, and were enthusiastic that they might get the opportunity of a good burn in order to get in more gra33, so that they wGuld be able to deal with the dairying industry in earnest next seaa n n. Those who have had rough burns will 30W just the same in the .hope that the cattle will be able to get through. Judging from the progress made for the comparatively short period of settlement, it is safe tu aver that if a continuation of the same applies for another year or two settlers will be in a good position. They have got goud land, and the conditions under which it is held are very favourable. It is to be hoped carting will be able to be done next season, and will be a great saving to settlers. They will be able to get more comforts into their homes, which it is impossible to do at present when using pack horses. Settlers, and all their wives and families, are now on their sections, and the improvement of homes is general. Some have built houses of pit-sawn timber, some of iron, and others of split palings. The homes are all comfortable, and under the circumstances settlers are to be congratulated on their industry. Well laid-out gardens are to be seen frequently. Flowers ornament them, and vegetables in abundance are there growing for consumption. Whpn the roading problem is solved, and the necessary financial assistance available the Tangitu settlement will go ahead by leaps and bounds. Roads and the drawbacks due to their absence have been the general bone of contention. Settlers seemed to be thankful for the opportunity of getting on the land under such democratic conditions. All are confident that they will be successful, and when success arrives the many hardships, and privations endured in the old days will be narrated around, firesides in the future. Satisfaction seems general; dairying is their great ambition; and enthusiasm as regards the prospects prevails.