King Country Chronicle Saturday, October llth, 1913 KING COUNTRY PROGRESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 610, 11 October 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, October llth, 1913 KING COUNTRY PROGRESS.

The figures publi shed in the Railway Statement aa to the amount of business transacted at the various railway stations in the King Country convey some idea of the progress of eetilement. When it is remembered that not until late in 1907 was a stationmaster appointed at Te Kuiti, and that there is now a staff of fifteen employed at the station it will he seen that the development in Bix years has been remarkable. Progress has not been confined to one locality, and the history of every station between Taumarunui and is of a .similar nature. At present at a number of the King Country stations timber forms the chief export, and for several years to come the milling industry must flourish,and contribute largely to the railway returns of the district. A reliable indication of permanent progress is obtained from the wool and butter returns, and the fact that Te i Kuiti tops the list of King Country centres in wool export i 3 a significant indication of the manner in which settlement has been extended in the district. Unfortunately the individual butter returns are not available, but with factories operating at Te Kuiti, Aria, Pio Pio and Waitanguru, there is no doubt the butter export will very shortly assume important dimensions. Already the dairying industry is tha mainstay of many of the settlers, and as the greater portion of the lands are suitable for close settlement, the industry must expand rapidly. It has also to be remembered that the majority of the returns are drawn from the land on the western side of the railway, and as the eastern lands are being steadily brought into production, the increase in the near future is likely to show even mors convincing figures than has been been the case in the past. The fact that this expansion has been carried out in the face of the manifold disabilities which confront the pioneer speaks volumes for the settlers and for the fertility of the land. Had better facilities in the shape of decent road; been provided for the settlers, there can be no doubt much larger returns in all branches of farming would have been made. A striking feature in connection with the settlement of the King Country and one which has retarded progress considerably is the fact that Crown settlement was begun many miles from the railway, and the original settlers were confronted with a main road difficulty from the start. Fortunately the way is now becoming clear for the settlers to overcome this difficulty, but' there is still much to be done in order to provide a fail' opportunity for the seUlsi-a to progress. With the adoption or a comprehensive reeding policy by the Government, and the removal of the responsibility for the main roada fern the cottiers, it would be ' difficult to seS buundj t<> the on}''Hisi on cl tbo district.