OUR DISTRICT AND OUR SETTLERS.—No. 18.
A TRIP UP THE COAST* [BY OUR SPEC-AL REPORTER.) DELTA STATION, TOLOGA. Some days prior to my arrival in Tologa Bay, I met at Anaura the proprietor of the Delta Station, Mr. S. R. Stewart, who very cordially gave me an invitation to spend a day or two with him at his homestead, which is situated in the valley, about seven miles distant, to the north-east of Tologa. I gladly accepted the invitation, but could only afford time for a very hurried visit. Mr. Stewai cis a gentleman well known all along the Coast, and he is not better known than he is respected and welcomed. He is possessed of a good public spirit, and generally regarded in Tologa proper as a settler whose money assists materially to keep the place alive. He is a patron of every movement intended to benefit the iieople and the district, and as a host he is jovial and entertaining. The estate he holds comprises 400 acres of land, and is pronounced on all sides as the plum of the district—the choice slice of the valley and the hill-sides. The estate is bounded by the river on one side, and the Tapawai Creek runs through and divides the land. There are 1,000 acres of flat country. Peach groves beautify the surroundings of the homestead. The stock at pasture compriaa 1,500 sheep, 70 head of cattle, in addition to which theie are horses and other animals. Between 9 and 10 miles of fencing have been erected, in addition to the drainage work. By river it is 12 miles from Tologa to the Woolshed, from which the product of the shearing season is easily and expeditiously shipped. Unlike some other settlers, Mr. Stewart does not strictly confine his operations to sheep and cattle rearing. He does a litule practical farming in the way of graingrowing. At present he has some fields well cropped with oats, and presenting all the appearances of health and arriving at full maturity. The lease of this estate has just been renewed by the Natives for another term of twenty-one years. The flats are essentially adapted for the cultivation of wheat, and it is Mr. Stewarts intention, the next sowing season, to crop about 100 acres. At the time of my visit preparations were being made to provide winter feed for the young sheep, raps sowing to follow. Mr. Stewart’s residence is a very attractive one, and is considered the best m the district, and was well and strongly built by Mr. C. D. Berry of Gisborne, six years ago, five of which it has been inhabited by the present occupier. It is ve?y commodldtißi and its exterior rendered specially 'attractive by the prevalence of a grand assortment of roses of all kinds. During the past two-and-r*-half years Mr. Stewart has experienced great difficulties in connection with his holding in consequence of the machinations of the New Zealand Native Lands Settlement Company and their agents, whose tampering with the Native owners has been the cause of much trouble and expense. But the proprietor of Delta Station is not singular in this respect. There is scarcely a Settler leasing a slice of Native land w r ho does not allege a similar charge against this so-called “ philanthropic” Company. One advantage of this station is the abundance of timber the bush yields for fencing and fuel purposes,—a matter of great consideration to any station-holder. T-ie flat is divided with eight good paddocks, which are sown with English grass. I found Mr. Stewart as genial a Scotchman as ever hailed from the North of Perth. Long may he enjoy the fruits of his labors in that pretty estate rejoicing in the euphonious designation of “ The Delta.” I then proceeded to
BRODLAND, a station situated five miles from Tologa township and in close proximity to Mr. Stewart’s estate. The proprietor of this 7,000 acres of freehold land is Mr. McFarlane, a gentleman highly respected in the district, and a good settler. At the time of my visit, Mr. McFariane was absent, and therefore I could not glean all the particulars I should like to have furnished to my readers. This station adjoins Mungaheia No. 1. In addition to the freehold, a considerable quantity of leasehold land land is employed. Broadland is a very pretty stretch of territory, and comprises a large area of fllat country, principally included in the leasehold section. There are about 6,000 sheep on the run and 150 head of fine healthy looking cattle. Seventy bales of wool have been sent away this season. Mr. McFarlane succeeded Mr. Noble, who had this run for a period of seven years, and has had the estate about a year, during which period he has made many useful improvements in the work of fencing and gras-seed sowing. Within a short distance stands UAWA, Mr. Somerville’s station and residence, which forms one of the groupe of homesteads referred to in my notes already printed of observations taken from the hills I ascended when visiting Mr. Williams at Wharekaka. The lease of the 1000 acres held by Mr. Somerville has recently been renewed for anoiher term of 21 years. The homestead and its out-buildings stand on the bank of a creek, and within a short distance of a good bush. Here Mr. Somerville—whom I met with his family at Waipiro—has resided during the past seven years. The dwelling-house is a very snug one, and its surroundings make it a pleasant spot to reside in. There are 2,000 sheep on the run. The next place I visited in this locality was PARMMATA, the manager’s residence standing about a mile distant from Tologa township, and in front of which lies the track to Gisborne. This run is leased to Mr. Onnond, five years of which are unexpired. At the time of my call Mr. Swaiuson, the manager, was from
home, and therefore I obtained no particulars This is the celebrated block made so notorious recently by the transactions of the New Zealand Native Lands Settlement Company, whose malpractices and questionable dealings with the Native owners have occupied the attention of judge, jury, and counsel so many days at the late sittings of the Supreme Court in Gisborne, and concerning which the late able journalist and gallant old naval seaman, Captain Kerr, wrote so strongly. On my homeward track, I called at waxso, the name of the station now held by Mr. Loisel, situate six miles from Tologa. The residence is an exceedingly pretty one, and the spot of its location most romantic. It is hidden from the sea-shore by a bank, and thus obscured from the view of the traveller, as he wends his way Gisborne-wards. A Maori settlement lies alongside the creek before Mr. Loisel’s house is reached. During a southerly gale, the sea here becomes very rough. It was so when I passed that way, and the breakera’ foam lay strewn along the beach in such quantities as to indicate from the distance that a heavy snow-storm had visited the locality, and was drifting by the wind in all directions, Behind the bank, where atood the house, all was still and peaceful. The country above is very hilly. The estate comprises 4,000 acres. On it, Mr. Loisel has placed 200 head of cattle. He was away at Whangara when I called for an interview, whence he had gone to fetch a herd of a hundred head of swine. This estate has not been long acquired by Mr. Loisel. He formerly leased Puatai, the station four miles nearer Gisborne, now held by Mr. Allan McDonald, M.H.R. At Waiho quite a uew line of business is to be pursued to that generally claiming the time and attention of our runholders—that of dairy-farming and bacon-curing, active preparations for prosecuting that industry being now rapidly made by Mr. Loisel. This being the case, I very much regretted not meeting Mr. Loisel. This ig an important business, and deserves to meet with encouragement. Beyond this point there is some rough beach travelling for a good distance. The sea being boisterous necessitated keeping as dose under the hill as possible. The boulders are very trying to the poor horse. Surely it behoves the County Council to provide some change from this piece of wretched roadway. Within three-quarters of a mile of Puatai is situated MB. MULLOOLY’S STATION, where, like my last few places of call, there was no one at Home. The area of land here held is said to be 6,000 acres, with good flats on the Pukarae side, There are 300 cross-bred sheep on the run, 200 horses—this is the great horse-farm of the district—and a few head of cattle. Little has been done in the work of fencing or general improvement s, many of the horses relish a graze on neighboring lands. Eight bales of wool formed the export in that particular this season. There is no residence upon the station worthy the name. The land is said to be of very good quality ; grass grows luxuriantly, and a good puriri bush covers many acres. It is a matter for regret that Mr. Mullooly has lost sight of this desirable possession whilst devoting much of his time to legal questions and his money to the lawyers. Everybody knows Mr. Mullooly—he, in tun, is acquainted with everybody. In fighting legal squabbles, people declare he has lost the substance while grasping at the shadow. I wonder if Mr. W. L. Rees is responsible for any of *• Mickey’s” misfortunes. The little man appears to foster a grudge against the astute lawyer, and was heard one day in the streets of Gisborne to utter this vengeful remark—“ Mr. Rees, d—n him ! If I saw him in the gutther star-r-ving, sure I would fetch him a kick; wur ee dying with thust, not a dhrink would I give him.” Mr. Mullooly is an eccentric character, and perhaps his grievance with the talented lawyer is, after all, more imaginary than real. Toplay with law is a risky game, and to deal largely with lawyers, according to the theory of “ Mickey’s” friends, is to play with edged tools sharper than razors. Mr. Mullooly is an old settler in this district. He has had many golden opportunities cast at his feet, some of which he has embraced ; others he has indignantly kicked. However, nobody dislikes Mickey, and there is no one wishes him better luck in the future more than the writer of “ Our District and Our Settlers.” His estate is managed by Mr. Fitzgerald. The next station visited was Puatai.
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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 85, 8 March 1884, Page 2
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1,768OUR DISTRICT AND OUR SETTLERS.—No. 18. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 85, 8 March 1884, Page 2
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