Awaroa.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 201, 24 March 1905, Page 2

Awaroa.

(fbom a correspond*mt.) Monday, February 27th, was a red letter day for the settlers of this district, for on that day the first mob of sheep went out, Mr C. King having bought over 800 from various owners. Most of the settlers turned out to give him a helping hand as far as our socalled road, and got the mob down without mishap. The prices paid for the sheep were considered very satisfactory, 7s to 10s being paid for lambs, 18s to 14s 6d for ewes, and up to 16a 6d for wethers. As showing the difficulties with which we have to contend Mr King’s sheep had to swim tbe Awaroa river fifteen times in about two miles before they got on to the road. If a heavy rain had come on while travelling down the river, and the river had flooded quickly as it often does, the whole mob might have been washed away, or starved, as tbe bush comes right down to the river on both sides. Most of the settlers are replacing the sheep with cattle to break down the bad burns. On the Bth inst. Mr Ranson was brought over to see the Awaroa coal, with a view to trying to get the Northern Steam Ship Company to use this coal for their boats. The following day the Hon. James Carroll, Native Minister, Messrs F. W. Lang, M.H.8., H. J. Greenslade. and a party of ladies and gentlemdw visited Awaroa. Several of tbe settlers who happened to be flowa for pack -loads* met the party, and showed them the coal workings. The Hon. Carroll waa interviewed about tbe old old cry of a road. A sum of £BOO has been authorised for the Awaroa-Mahoe road, bat nothing has been done and the fine weather is slipping away. The timber for the Kaimango bridge has been cut for some months and is etill lying beside the stream, instead of across it. Who is to blame? Mr Lang promised to enquire from the Minister for Public Works as to why the work is not being done. Men are waiting to go on with the week. The settlers here have been marly live yean oh their sections, and . )ave not got even a six foot track, fleipite the Premier’s promise given at the ballot that we should have roads wit iia vwo years. But then, the Premier 's promises. are like pie-crust, made to be broken t instead of being as they should , be. Otiher blocks of land, ballot ed for at the Game time, have dray roads . through them. Next election will show what the settlers here think <4 the Government, when, I believe, instead of u block vote tor them, it will be a block vote against them. AU the settlers are on the look out for ragwort, as several plants h&ve been found about, the seed evidently having been blown from Te Bau-t-Moa. If this pest gets a hold in ths rough bush country, the settlers may 6.s well pack up and get.