MARAROA.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 2, 8 April 1893, Page 7

MARAROA.

The surveyors arc now busy in our midst, and will soon hare a number of areas ready for selection. The blocks on which they arc engaged comprise both Crown and .School Commissioners’ lands, extending irom the Gorge, on the Mossburn side of Mr George Bench’s well-known hostelry, to Mr Murrell’s establishment at Manapouri. The educational reserve fronting Mr Bench’s place is to be subdivided into four allotments, and the Government areas will also be cut up into holdings of convenient size. There is a good deal of coal-bearing country hereabouts, particularly at Mount Hamilton, and those who have seen it declare that it is equal to the Westport article, and further that it can be got in quantity. Due reserves will doubtless be made over the coal-bearing areas, which will probauly ere long be thoroughly worked. Gold has also been found by prospecting parties —in fact, it is hard to say what mineral discoveries may not yet be made in this quarter. With the advent of population the necessity for the extension of the LumsdenMararoa railway will pass into the category of urgent works. Its construction for another length of say eighteen to twenty miles would give a wonderful impetus both to settlement and to the tourist traffic, for although the road is now in good order, the time occupied in travelling over it is a great handicap. The cutting up of the lands here is a thing we have long looked forward to, and wc anticipate great things from the steps now being taken in that direction. This is one of the finest districts in the colony, and when it is brought into rapid communication with the outer, world it will advance apace.