PROGRESS OF ARIA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 635, 17 January 1914, Page 6

PROGRESS OF ARIA.

A TRIP IHROUGH TOTORO

A FERTILE DISTRICT.

Among the first of the settlements promoted by the Govenmenent under Imnroved Farm conditions in this district was that tract of country now known as Aria. Since the first band of pioneer settlers took up their holdings considerable additional land has been opened by the Crown, besides which several native blocks have been acquired by Europeans. In referring to Aria as a district it has to be borne in mind that the term embraces a very large extent of country, extending on one side practically to the Ohura County, and on the other to the Mokau river where the stream constitutes the boundary between the Waitomo and Awakino Counties. Included in this area is eome of the finest land in the hinterland of Te Kuiti, and the manner in which it has been brought into production is a tribute to the energy of the settler 3. Naturally, the roading of such a district is a highly important matter to the settlers, and a Chronicle representative accompanied the chairman and clerk of the Waitomo County Council on a journey to Aria to meet the settlers and discuss road matters. The party arrived at the township on Monday evening, and as the meeting was fixed for mid-day on Tuesday advantage was taken of the opportunity on Tuesday morning to make a trip through the Totoro bluck. The Totoro has always been regarded as probably the pick of the whole district in point of quality, and the appearance of the various sections as we drove round the block undoubtedly bore out the high opinion expressed of the land. One of the first things which arrest attention after leaving the dairy factory at the corner of the Totoro road is the fine new residence on Mr J. Collins' section and as the journey progresses one is struck with the number of newly built comfortable looking residences met with. So great has been »he progress of the district that; it is difficult to remember that only a few years ago the /nost pretentious building in the settlement was a paling whare. Further along the road the sections of Messrs Ward, Hegglin, Petrie, Townshend, McDonald and Buntain give every indication of a good season with grass in abundance. The majority of these settlers are milking and as the road to the factory is now being metalled the prospects for future seasons are e :cell«mt. The metalling contract is being carried out by Messrs Hickaon and West, and an ample supply of good metal is found at convenient places along the road. At a corner of the road and standing back some distance is discerned the residence of Mr J. Hutchinson, and further on Mr P. D. Smythe'a homestead is reached. Mr Smyth had just fired his last piece of busb, and had a very satisfactory burn on which he hopes to get a take of turnips. Below Mr Smyth's place the land stretches in beautiful easy slopes to the Mokau river on the banks of which iB iocated the property of Mr Sangster. On the adjoining property which is owned by Mr Holloway was a nice crop of turnips, indicating that even in the outbaik places the efforts made by the settlers are on proper and progressive lines. On such land as Totoro there is abundance of feed in summer, but in the trying winter months when vitality is low and there is little or no growth in the grass, a root crop iq worth almost its weight in gold to the farmer. On the other Bide of the road Messrs Hegglin Bros, have their adjoining sections looking well. while Messrs R. O'Connor's and J. Smyth's were also in good heart. In ascending the hill from the valley of the Mokau some beautiful glimpses and natural scenery are obtained, and when the summit is reached a wonderful panorama is spread out before the gaze of the travnller. The view down the valley of the Mokau to Mahoenui is an attraction from which it is difficult to withdraw one's gaze, while it requires little imagination to pic ture bush clearings and homes dotting the succession of valleys and sloping hills which reach to the higher country in the vicinity of Waitewhena. Fronting the Kumara road and reaching to the summit of the hills at the back Mr Davidson's fine holding arrests attention, while further on and stretching east to the Kie Kie road are the properties of Messrs Barrett and Collett. On approaching the township the properties of Messrs J. Johnson and Tolme on the left, and O'Sullivan on the right, reach down in close proximity to the town sections, and in passing these the round trip of the block has been accomplished. When it is remembered that other fine blocks of country in the Paraheka and Kaeaea districts are also roaded into the township it can be realised that a big future lies ahead of Aria, and that in years to come it is destined to be an inland centre of considerable importance. At present there is a good deal of unoccupied land in the vicinity of the townßhip. Much of it is held by the natives, but there are also Crown blocks, the opening up of which would benefit the settlers and add greatly to the prosperity of the centre. At present the outstanding requirement of the district i 3 permanent roads, and every available acre of land should be made ratable in order to assist in the roading of the district. The metalling schemes already inaugurated will have an important hearing on the progress of the district, and it is safe to predict that litle time will be lost by the settlers in promoting fourther schemes to the same end.