OPENING UP THE LAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 479, 3 July 1912, Page 3

OPENING UP THE LAND.

IN THE MAROKOPA DISTRICT. Ovtn Correspondent. 1 1 • The survey of 5000 acres of coun -try in the ! Wbareorina ? district con-, tiguous to Marokopa- has just been completed- by Messrs Newton and Wynyard, Government Surveyors. Portion of the country is adjoining Mr Newton King?B well-known Nukahakari property, and is said to be splendid land, Whilst a strip along the coast, although inclined to be steep, is described as good -grazing country, otherwise- the rest of the block is| easy and undulating. The block has-been divided into areas ranging from 250 acres to 500 acres, andwhen put on the market, should breate an eager demand. The opening of the block is a matter of great importance tb the district for trie reason that fully twenty of the sections when broken in will be highly suitable for dairying. The sections arp within fairly easy range of the Marokopa waterway, from Whence the cream will be taken by launch to the Marokopa factory. This area of land is of a similar kind to that of Mr Newton King's, which has long been famous... for its fatten-, ing properties. Adjoining this re-cently-surveyed block is a, large area of land in the same district, and extending into the Mangamangero, south of Kiritehe?e, and running in the direction of the Upper Mangaotaki, which has been surveyed for a number of years, but for some unknown reason, with the exception of a few sections, lias never been put on the market. There are about twentyfive of them ranging in areas of from--400 to 1000 acres. ' Several petitions in connection with the matter have been forwarded to-the various Ministers of Lands without v any result. However, it has now been ascertained that the delay was causel on account of lack of access, the .department having decided that roads were to hie made into the block before being thrown open. The rofcding on the Waikawau, Mangaotaki and" Kiritehere Bides has been pushed ahead of late, and settlers are anxiously hoping that both areas of land will be pot On the market by bbllot at the same time. If, such-, takes place it will give a marvellous impetus to the Marokopa district, and will be the means of for all time establishing a sound prosperity for the district. URGENT ROADING NECESSITIES. The roads in the district owing to the wet weather of last week are in a deplorable state, and are for the must part almost impassible. A large number of slips have taken place, which will entail considerable work in removing as well as a large exr pense. The Marokopa Valley road is in a very bad condition, as is also the Mangapohue road, specially on those parts on which new work has been done recently. The Waipawa and Kiritehere roads are in a similar plight. In reality, they are a v good example 6f what the great majority of King Country roads are at the present time. A fairly large number of men are employed in endeavouring to do what is possible, but any real progress is being marred by the unsatisfactory state of the elements. Settlers are hoping, however, that when the weather mends, . its ways that an extra sprint will be put on, in order to make up for the past season. The completion of the two main roads from the Marokopa Heads via Kirir tehere, Pomerangi and Mangaobae to Te Kuiti, and via Mangapohue from the Marokopa Valley to Hangatiki deserves. the serious considers: tion of the authorities, as they are both very essential to the development of a large area of country, principally Crown lands. The completion of the Mangakokopu, and Pomerangi roads for vehicular traffic would mean the alleviation of many sufferings and hardships to settles ptapped by that route, whilst the continuing of the work on the Marokopa Valley road, and the putting through of the. Mangapohue would confer a similar benefit to the Marokopa river I Bettlers They are both urgent works, and.should claim, I consider, the unqualified .support of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce in assisting to brine that necessary pressure to bear on the Government in order to have a substantial sum of money placed oh the Estimates for the carrying out of both these urgent and necessary works. V Apart from the urgency of these works from the commercial standpoint there are women and children along both routes that have been' unable to visit civilisation during the long years of settlement* and from that point of View alone it betidves everyone.who is made cognisant of* the fact to rise up and demand that their fellow beings shall be relieved of their long imprisonment on the frontiers of settlement, for it is such people as these that are developing our district and' country, and are therefore entitled to consideration. TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION: The- telephone communication estab-. lished by settlers' enterprise throughout the district is deserving of high commendation, and is but another example of what backblock settlers will do for themselves in their anxiety to be in touch with the world and its doings. The installation, which cludeß connection with the Kinohaku line, is proving very successful as well as of incalculable benefit- to settlers; From the Marokopa Heads to Mr C. Haylock's, almost every' settler in the Marokopa Valley has a telephone in his house. A branch line from Kairimu taps the Pomerangi . district,:; where a number •of settlero have avaliied. themselves of the up-to-date system of communication. The Government line from Marokopa to Moeatoa is proving very successful; • and number of settlers at the head of v the valley are atpresent erecting a private line Into the Moeatoa office, and when .completed, will, without doubt:, prove.the uiieffllnew apdwisJ* rrw

dom of the action. Next to the Waitomo district, Marokopa has now one of the best telephone services in the tfihg Country. The continuation of the Government line from Moeatoa to Mangaobae will render the service in the district a first-class one, and all that could be desired. Now that settlers'. have helped themselves to the 'extent they have done it is certainly 'encumbent -on the department to push their line on through the: Pomerangi district with all speed. This is also another matter in which the Te Kuiti Chamber ot Commerce would be wise, in' lending a helping hand. Eleven more miles of line is all that is required to be erected in border to give Te Kuiti and thiß district direct communication. The settlers have their own service, and it is for the department to do its part. This line, when completed, should prove' a very payable concern. >