THROUGH THE WAIKATO.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 397, 28 August 1889, Page 4

THROUGH THE WAIKATO.

z\rTER an absence of 10 years, 1 re-visited this settlement last week, and proceed to give a tew notes on some of the principal iaims. Leaving the Bombay settlement ab 2 p.m., I proceeded towards Paparata, and pulled rein at the Messrs Sturgeon's farm situated about a mile from the Great South Road, consisting of 119 acres of gently undulating hind. Originally all bush, through hard toil there aie now only 4 acres of standing bu&h left. Already 60 acres of this land have been stumped, of which 16} acres will be put in crop this season, viz., 9 acres oacs (dun) for threshing, 7 acres what, and half- aero potatoes. The next farm vi&ibed was that of Mr Parker, who was hard at work putting up a new dany and storehouse when , your correspondent called. He informed' mo that he had a farm of 50 acres all undor grass, and this season will put in 7 acres ot oats (Canadian) for threshing. Tho noxt homestead is that of Mr Baume, situated on bhe top of a gentle risej On inquiry I was informed bhat he was at work afc the furbhesb paifc of his farm, and proceeded thilher accordingly, where I found him hard ab woik in a swamp stumping. This farm consists of 43 acres all stumped with the exception oi the little piece I found him at, which he hopes to complebe bhib Fpving. Thi& season he oxpeots to have under crop, 8 acres oats (Tartarian) for threshing, and 4 acres wheat. Passing ohm aids, the nexb farm (on the right hand side of the road) is that of Mr Watson, consisting of 64 acres all under grass, of which 50 acres are stumped. He will have under crop this season £ acre oats (potato) for threshing, 2 acres wheat, and 4 acre potatoes. About three-quarters of a mile beyond Mr Watson's farm, one sees on the top of tho range, on tho right hand side ot bhe road, a very nice homestead surrounded by ornamental trees, and, judgingfrom outside appearances, the owner (Mr Lindsay) must bo very comfortably off. This farm being worthy of special notice, I hope to give a lengthy description of it in my nexb. Mr Waugh's farm is bhe nexb thab claiifts attention. Lying half on the slope of the hill and half in the valley, it looks the very picture of a model farm. The paddocks in bho valley look very nice ; some ploughed, and some in luxuriant grass. Last summer two cows on this farm yielded 211b of butter between them. Mr Waugh is one of those very genial kind of men that one so often meeba with in travelling through New Zealand, and the traveller is always certain of a hearty welcome. On inquiry, he informed me that his farmconsisted of7l acres, all in grass, of which 45 acres are sbumped, and this season hopes bo have 13 acres in crop, viz., 7 acres wlieab, 5 acres oats (Tartarian), and 1 acre potatoes. "Auckland Star," Angust 23.