Makerua Plains Journey

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 3

Makerua Plains Journey

A LAND OF PROMISE From Uui Uwu Goi respondent. From the land of the Rangitane we will explore with you the vastness ond the great possibilities of the Makerua Plains this summer's morning. The longest suspension bridge in New Zealand, is the back door entrance to Palmerston North, a fact still unknown to many of its citizens. Tms is commonly called the Kangitane toll bridge and it was originally built for the purpuse of transporting Jlux Irom one side ol the river to the other in the good old days of the industry. The huge pillars, gleaming white in the sun, tower sentinel-like over the silent waters ot the Manawatu passing far oeneath and the bridge is a picturesque land-mark visible lor many miles around. Passing through the gates, it is difficult to realise that such a practice os charging tolls, belonging rightfully to medieval England, is taking piaee in the twentieth century. However, we are brougnt back to reality by the huge concrete « annney stack, only remaining evidence of the once busy site of the lane Hemp Company’s flax mill. Leaving this mute witness to reflect on the glory of the past, let us proceed on our journey. The road winds its way past Mrs Akers' beautiful home, surrounded by well-kept lawns and gardens, and it is here that the passer-oy has his first glimpse of the Makerua, or to be correct, Makerua Plains. The Manawatu slowly j follows its serpentine course and the road hugs the flood protection bank eloseiy until it reaches the Upiki hail ana school. We now enter the plains proper, and w.iai a glorious panorama opens before our expectant eyes! King Sol by now is high in the sky, but the freshness of the morning breezes has not given way to the heat of the day. Blue skies overhead, wisps of fluffy white clouds novering over the peaks ol the Tararuas in the background, larks singing to the glory of the morning, while slieep and caltle dotted over the farms busily go about their business of living. Suddenly the stillness is broken and looking skywards an airliner comes into view, and as quickly disappears in the hazy distance towards Kapiti island. The Makeura Plains road is fringed with waving toi tois, cabbage trees and flax. Hero and there a patch of manuka, and raupo flourishes in the drains, but in the encroaching paddocks a different story is told. Here may be seen the results of the unremitting toil of 1 the settlers—land cieared of stumps and sown down in grass. More and more of these remains of a buried forest are showing as the soil is drained. Only one kirge area of flax country remains as it was in days gone by, and it is here that the best blackberries in the district may be obtained. Splendid farm homes in their setting of trees and gardens gain our admix-ation wnen it is remembered that many of the larmers erected their own homes during the depression period when this land was settled some five years ago. The peat soil, rich in humus is a splendid growing place for all vegetables, and we notice many nne crops of potatoes and onions near the roadside. Further down in lower -uakerua, stumps have been removed irom the iarms and are so numerous that they are often used instead of fences. It was here last winter that surface water lay on the ground lor some time but that can hardly be credited by seeing the bright little flower gardens which are flourishing just now. It must be admitted that there are some very plucky women in Makerua Plains, who refuse to be discouraged when tneir gardens are ruined by the vagaries of winter and replant them again in the spring. By now our journey is nearing its closa and we are passing through an avenue of willows past the old central camp, up to the bridge which crosses the Toitomaru stream and then over the railway crossing at Makerua to join the highway and follow the hills to our destination. The future of the Makerua Plains is in the lap of the gods, but as the saying goes, “a good man and a good place cannot be kept down,” so this land of promise has a great future.