TE RAU-A-MOA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 552, 22 March 1913, Page 3

TE RAU-A-MOA.

—9. Own Correspondent. MrL. B, Campbell, of the Public Works Department, is busily engaged in making a trial survey of the proposed Kawhia-Main Trunk railway. He has been camped here during the last week, and believes that a satisfactory route ia being found between Oparau and Kawa. The proposed line follows a tributary of the Oparau stream ino Mr Turrel's section, along the main coach road. Thence it tunnels the range into the Kariu valley, from whence again another tunnel will probably connect with the Okoko valley four miles by metalled road from Te Rau-a-Moa. The latter valley haß valuable deposits of coal which are believed to be of the finest quality for smelting purposes. To anyone interested in geology the Okoko valley presents a veritable paradise, aB a stream fIoWB for chains over coal beds, etc. It is through this valley the railway may run, and, as the petitioners pointed out, ten years or more ago, to the Minister for Railways, this line would pay if only to gain access to these valuable coal deposits. From Okoko to Kawa the line is through easy fern country, which 5b capable of being converted into Home of the finest agricultural land of the Waikato. Mr Campbell j"b confident the Oparau-Kawa route presents no serious engineering difficulties. It possesses the merit of being the shortest possible route, and will thus bring, when completed, the thriving inland towns of Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, etc., within easy reach of the best harbour of the West Coast of New Zealand. It is understood that a movement is on foot to erect saleyarda here. Every farmer who understands his business knows there must be mutual exchange of stock between the bush and the farmer on the open lands. Te Rau-a-Moa possesaeß the advantage of being on the border line, hence it is a centre for that exchange. Every year the bush country absorbs much of the young cattle, and young ewes reared by the Waikato farmers. On the moist green table lands of this part of the island — referring to Kawhia bush lands the young cattle grow into big fleshy bullocks, the great majority of which return to their old homes, the fertile downs of the Waikato, where they are "topped off" on turnips. It frequently happens that young stock reared locally are wanted locally, but as there is no system of exchange up here, buyerß are not brought into touch with those who have stock for Bale. Hence the need for that system of exchange —sale by public auction. The season is proving an admirable one for dairy farmers. Mr Randall has lifted cheques netting from 23s to 26s per cow for the best monthß. Heavy rains ave fallen almost every week, and these table lands are carrying large mobs of sheep, besides cattle and dairy cowa.