OUR HINTERLAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 94, 20 December 1913, Page 7

OUR HINTERLAND.

AN INTERESTING TOUR. The following “Impressions of the Country” are supplied to the Ohura “Advocate” by a representative who recently toured the Tokirima, Maraekowhai and Roto districts: —

Visitors to the Ohura who travel by the coach road from the Main Trunk Railway have often expressed thendisappointment with the general appearance of the country: more especially, after hearing so much of the fertile Ohura Valley. Naturally, they expect to find a broad flat with the river flowing down its centre, and as this is not so, the term Ohura Valley is, to them, somewhat of a misnomer. The country is, essentially, of a hilly nature, interspersed with small fiats, with a formation of papa and sandstone; therefore good grass country. But after my recent visit to Tokirima, Maraekowhai, and Roto, I am confident that some of the best parts of the Ohura are comparatively unknown. Certainly the countiy generally, is in a shocking state as regards roads (or rather want of metal), but when the expensive nature of reading in hilly bush country and the scarcity of metal is considered, it must be admitted that much has been done since the first ballot of Crown Lands in the Upper King Country took place in June, 1899, 14 years ago. Probably much money has been wasted, in this direction, and it should be the duty of all bona-fide settlers to see that the grants are judiciously expended, for it must be borne in mind that the Government have not an unlimited supply of money at their disposal. Too often, grants are spent with apparently little benefit to the settler; no more funds are available, and the bona-fide man falls in—every time. Therefore, let good roads be the aim (not public money merely spent) for it will greatly enhance the value of property and add to the general prosperity of the country. ‘ , I*4However, to return to the subject of ray trip. I was fortunate in having every prospect of fine, ,weather and left Ohura for Tokirima about 14 miles, distant, by way of Harvey Road. The road towards Tatu is in fairly good order for tins district with the exception of Loveday’s Hill, where he deep and half-dried papa mud is mlt easy to negotiate. However, men are now engaged in burning papa, so that this much needed work will he rectified before another winter sets in. Formation and, preparation for papa burning are also proceeding on the Harvey-1 okirim. Road, the latter work being carried, out by loan, which, by the way, should have been taken advantage of long s ago, as this road has been in a very bad state for many years. -* - *

The ktaithfef is vWy hotl aud dean and oiCiWching the top of'the saddle whore one has a good view of the mountains standing out in fc he distance, it is refreshing to notice that Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe from base to summit are covered with snow; a cloud of smoke towering up from the crater on Xgfumihoc. ' ' Tokirima, ’ with' tlie presets ’ 'of the Stratford-Okahukura Railway com-, ing that way has a future hpfore it' 1 that was not thought of a couple of years since, on account of . the deviation of the line from .the Tangarakau Gorge. The laud comprises hilly and undulating open country, much of it ploughahle, and with hotter means of transit must become more valuable. Mcssr's Craven, and Old, have already ploughed up considerable areas of land, and green paddocks form a pleasant feature in the landscape. From Tokirima to Maraekowluv a distance of four miles, the road junctions off near the Ohara river at the lower end of the settlement and practically follows the course ol the river. This road which is rather narrow and only lit for horse traffic is taken along deep side papa cuttings and open country and in winter time must be almost impassible for man or beast. A sum of £IOO is voted for this road, hut without metal I fail to see how it will benefit it very much. Messrs 13. Dwyer, J. H. Roche and Andrew are settlers on this road and appear to have some good' country.

Adjoining Mr Roche’s is the Maraekowhai Block of 17,000 acres which was taken up by the Messrs Blaramherg three years ago. Tlie property comprises hush and open country of a useful nature, hounded on one side by the Ohura river which here assumes a fair sized stream. That the land was not taken up for merely speculative purposes is proved by the fact that several thousand acres of hush are already felled and in grass besides other extensive improvements. The number of stock is steadily increasing, and a flock of 9000 sheep are being put through the shears this season. A fine new woolshed, installed with oil-engine and five machines has just been arocted and is capable of holding j7OO sheep for shearing purposes. The homestead and shed is situated in open undulating country on the hank of the Ohura River, which, as before stated, Is here a good sized stream. A roomy well-built residence accommodates the general hands, the Messrs Blaramherg, ajul the married couple Mr and Mrs Attick. A useful vegetable and flower garden in apple-pie order surrounds the building, and is, I understand, presided over by Mr Attick who, with a little system and knowledge, manages this without much troui.'e. Tins adds n rich to the health and general comfort of a place as undoubtedly many failures of country life are due to the uuattracti veness of the home. The Stratford-Oka-liukura Railway leads into this block hut its further definite course has not vet been decided.

(To be continued,)