THE AWAKING DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 573, 4 June 1913, Page 2

THE AWAKING DISTRICT.

Own Correspondent. The Awakino district, which is situated on the south-westeern portion of the King Country, is like moat other coastal places in the King Country. It has a peculiarity of interests inasmuch as certain sections have their business in the direction of the railway and the balance in Taranaki. This district, besides being a extremity of the King Country, haß also the same position as regards the vast Auckland province. The area of country which comprises the district is all that land from the Waikawau on the north and on the eastern side through Mahoenui in the direction of Mokau. The Mokau district on the south and the sea on the west ar* the other boundaries. PRINCIPALLY LARGE HOLDINGS The majority of farms in the district are areas ranging principally from one to five thousand acres. This is due to the rough class of country, which is specially adapted for grazing purposes, both cattle and sheep doing exceptionally well. All the places are fairly well advanced, especially those in the Tamatumarie. On Rivi, Paparahei, and Messrs Tweedmouth's places fairly progressive measures have been in operation for some time, and these places are rapidly being converted into pasture. Following the Mongonui road from Waikawau to Awakino there are a number of large places, and with the exception of Messrs Leech Bros, and Kelly Bros., very little has been done to the large areas of country through which this road traverses. There are several places being held, I should imagine, for speculation, as no work is being done. It appearß that at the beginning of settlement these owners fell large ares of bush land but allowed them to go back. This, without doubt, is a serious defect in our land laws, for it should only be commonsense and reason that after bum land has beenjfilled in compliance with the land regulations that these owners should be compelled to keep in order the country which has been so far prepared fur useful purposes. Instances of where sections along this route have I been thrown up after allowing the land to go back, and when pat on the market again by the Land Board settlers befo-e they could take up this country,were practially loaded for improvements, which were worse to clear and get in order than the virgin bush. This is the point which requires remed'-ing, and something should be done to penalise settlers who take up country and spoil it. At the junction of the Te Kuiti-Mokau road and the Mongonui road ia situated Mr A. H. Battley's Piripipi estate, which ia a fine property, and is being worked systematically and well. A splendid shearing shed ia on the place, and is well equipped with the latest machinery. THE SHEEP INDUSTRY.

The class of country for the greater part of the district is naturally most suited for sheep, with the consequent result that sheepfarming is the premier industry. During the pist few years the flocks of the district have more than doubled, resulting in a larger output of wool and fat stock. The class of sheep principally gone in for is the Romney-Lincoln, and seems to thrive exceptionally well. For some reason or other lambß do not do as well as would be expected, but after passing that stage sheep generally thrive well. The fat stock of the district is taken to the Waitara Freezing Works, where large numbers have been taken this year. This district has been noted for some considerable time for the quantities of fat stock produced each year for the freezing industry. The principal producing parts are from the lands along the coast and the hills of Tamatamaire. In the sheep line the district has immense prospects, and as the country becomes cleaned up and the pasture improves this part of the King Country will be one of the finest sheep areas in the Rohe Potae. THE CHEESE INDUSTRY. Although the major part of the land is for sheepfarming the flats along the Awakino River are of sufficient quality to justify the running of a cheese factory. This scheme was embarked upon last season, when the concern was run for a few months. The season which has just ended has proved very satisfactory, over.forty tons of cheese of a high grade having been manufactured. The Indus try is yet in its infancy, and promises to be a great success in the future. The majority of the supply is being derived from an almost immediate locality, on account of the roading problem. A question which is being discussed to some extent is whether the manufacture of cheese should be abandoned and the manufacture of butter on the home separation system commenced. There is little doubt but that if the making of butter was commenced that a large area of country would be tapped. Cream could be Drought from considerable distances, and the supply would be forthcoming from a good way Bouth of the Mokau. The position at present is with the cheese industry, the matter is limited, whereas the home separated cream could come from various nooks and corners. Representations have been made to the directors of the concern on the matter, and a definite decision has not yet been arrived at. The Awakino River flats when brought into a state of production which will be chiefly by draining, will decidedly be excellent for dairying. The milking industry, with the manufacture of cheese, will flourish to a limited extent, and much is yet to be done by farmers to get their places up to a good stage of productivity. The great part of the land suited for dairying will eome day be carrying over a cow to the acre. All that is required is patience and perseverance, and the reward will surely come. THE ROADING QUESTION.

tvict is the road question, and the Awakino district is no exception. The main road connecting the provinces of Auckland and Taranaki runs through this district, and en route passes over the Tamatamaira hill, which is seven miles up from the MahoGnui side and five miles down to Awakino Valley. This road, although a main arterial one, 1b far from being good, but neverthelesss, has its services, for it gives a kind of access to a large number of settler! situated in that district. However, the Public Works Department are at present busy in having a deviation carried out through the Awakino Valley* which, when completed, will be almost a level road Creek,along theMahoenui,and the much dreaded Tarratamaire will be forgotten. Although a fair amount of work ia going on along this new road, it Will be at least five or six yeara before it ie ready for vehicular traffic. The road or track along the coast has been considerably improved of late by blasting of a number of dangerous rocks. It continues to be used as a stock track,|and in fact promises to do so for some considerable time. This will undoubtedly mean a big saving of traffic along the inland routes. Settlers on the Mongonui road have nothing more than mer* track for a number of years, and many hardships have been encountered by this fact. During the past few years, however, work has been going on slowly. At the present time the work is being carried on with considerable vigour, and upwards of thirty men are engaged in widening the road. This road will be splendid when completed, and when the time comes for metalling it will !be done for very little cost, as the road runs mostly through rock. This road forms the southern extremity of the road joining Taranaki with Kawhia Harbour, and when the other roads north of it are formed it is sure to command considerable traffic in the direction of the deep waters of Kawhia Harbour. THE TOWNSHIP OF AWAKINO. The township of Awakino is a very old settlement, and is in one respect very different to others in the King Country. It ia freehold. The business premises are limited to a few, who do very good business. A new public hall has been erected during the past couple of years, and is of great service to the district. A new post office has just been completed at a cost of approximately £2OOO, and should meet the requirements of the district i.r many years to come. The building is a commodious one, with every convenience, and is much more roomy and up-to-date than many offices in considerably larger places than ! Awakino. Settler 3 generally are of opinion that the expenditure on this office was unwarranted, and are of the opinion that one-third of the cost would have been ample for the needs of the district. They are inclined to look askance at this fine edifice, which costs so much money, when they think of the roading conditions that prevail. Several settlers have expressed this opinion that £ISOO of this money would have been spent to more advantage on roads. The Government explain? that the reason of this building costing so much money 33 that it is required for a special purpose. It may be so, but we'll wait and see. The commerce of the ditsrict ia carried to and fro by steamers across the tidal bar of the Awakino River. Some difficulty u being experienced aB regards regular shipping, with the result that the district at present is practically dependent on the Port of Mokau, which is three miles distant. Taking everything into consideration, the township is a very solid little' businesi centre, and there h I every prospect of it continuing to progress for manyyeara. Its chances of ever developing into anything big is very remote, but will, nevertheless, be an i important distributing area for a large tract of country.