WAITOMO.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 540, 8 February 1913, Page 5

WAITOMO.

Own Correspondent.

Moat of the settlers took advantage of the recent dry weather to fire their felled bush,and on tbewhole good burns resulted. Another few weeks of dry weather would, however, be welcome to enable everyone to get their burns over. Quite a large area of turnips have been sown on the bush land, and will add very considerably to the stock carrying capacity of the new clearings this coming winter. The results of the recent wool sales at Auckland haß been most gratifying to the local growers, and record prices have been realised. This, coupled with the good values ruling for lambs and fat sheep mark the present as being one of the best seasons experienced in our settlement. Although sheep have been returning a decent nrofit this last year quite a number of settlerß are turning their attention to the dairying industry, and next sea son will see a large area now grazing sheep given over to the production of butter fat. It is expected that there will be enough cream going out next season to warrant a cream cart ningThe metalling of the HangatikiWaitomo Caves road is now being rapidly pushed ahead, and we can look forward to a decent road at last, in winter as well as summer. The successful tenderer for the No 2. contract, which extends to the Tumutumu junction just beyond the Ruakuri and Aranui caves, has now got his quarry opened up, and the plant is on the spot and expects to begin crushing at once. Waitoino presents just now somewhat the appearance of a goldfields township, so numerous are the tents and camps around. A constant stream of visitors keep coming to the caves, and Waitomo House will no doubt retain the position it held last year of being the best direct revenue producing establishment under the control of the Tourist Department. Some couple of weeks ago one of our leading bachelors had the temerity to steal away from our midst and, without a word to anyone of his intentions, retu;n in a few days with a charming bride. This was deemed by the deserted ones to be a fit occasion to give them a good oldfashioned tin-canriing, so accordingly a dozen or so of well-wishers and sympathisers paid the happy couple a surprise visit and made the welkin ring with the rattle of tins and football war cries. However, tpyical Waitomo hospitality being among the many good qualities of the newlywed "ones, the serenading party were made right welcome, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Since then somewhat disturbing and persistent rumours have been current that this desertion from the ranks of the bachelors will likely be followed|shortly by others, and one enterprising young settler with an eye no doubt to the future requirements of the district, has invested in a spacious and comfortable buggy and a pair of beautiful grey horses. Certainly, the vicinity of Waitomo Caves seems to be a favourite resort for young couples, and travellers at night with flighty horses are hereby advised to '"gang warily" round sharp corners of the road, and should some sudden swerve of the animal seem to merit the use of strong language, to swear softly so as not to edify the neighbours.