Oparau.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 265, 29 June 1906, Page 2

Oparau.

(from ouk own correspondent.) I und}rstand that an error ex ited in the advertisement re the loans for the Okupata and Otnanawa roads, ana the matter has now bean sitisf xiorily explained. Three land seekers came here la’t week but- did not select, getting bold of an idea that this diahict only grew grass for three years. That is an erroneous idea, for Bowk par acre of cocksfoot seed, sft. to 6ft. high, was cut from a burn that had been sown four years back. If well stocked both fern and bush land improves, but unless it is properly sown and stocked it will not improve. The native land here is being secured by seillers whose areas are email, which should satisfy tbo most exacting that the present settlers appreciate Opar. u. The road < have their usual clothing of mud and in some plices are about as much as a horse can negotiate. The ferry road is simply a trap for travel lers. I and two companions rode to Kawhia last week, and notwithstanding that we had good horses all the animals got bogged in tbe centre of the road. It would not require much money to make this road good, which baing a main road should be made by the Government.

I hear that Moke has leased his block to a We’lingtonite at a good figure and that other blocks are in the hands of agents, so that with the addition of the Moerangi block being opened for selection Oparau will aoon be booming. A good area is to be fallen this Mason, and also several hundred acres on )he native blocks if they are passed in time.

Mr Charles Stewart met with a nasty accident whilst assisting in tbe search for Mr Ted. Pearce, but will be all right again in a few days. It is greatly to our iuLerests that the present slow method of basing native land be improved. The new board system is probably better, but if it takes two or three years to secure a nathe lease, and at a higher rent and greater expense than Crown land, the natives are not being treated fairly. This district has been greatly hindered by defective native legislation, and any improvement would be hailed with delight.