THROUGH THE WAIKATO. NOTES ON THE PAPARATA SETTLEMENT (Continued). (BY A TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENT. )

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 402, 14 September 1889, Page 5

THROUGH THE WAIKATO. NOTES ON THE PAPARATA SETTLEMENT (Continued). (BY A TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENT. )

In my lasb I mentioned that I hoped to give a description of Mr Lindsays farm in my next. This week I had the pleasure of calling on him, and, on inquiry, was informed that the farm consisted of 205 acres undulating land. A few years ago this was all dense bush, of which there are now only 10 acres left. 70 acres have been stumped, of which 22 acres will be in crop this season, viz., 13 acres wheat, 8- acres oata (Dun and Tartarian) and 1 acre potatoes. In the course of conversation Mr Lindsay remarked that he had 100 sheep (Lincoln), and a dairy of 10 cows in winter and 17 in summer. Retracing my steps towards Bombay, till just beyond Mr Baume's, I came to a road leading off to the left, and pursued my way along it, and the first farm that I will noto is that of Mr Mcllroy (on the right), consisting of 203 acres, of which 70 acres are standing bush j 30 acreshave been stumped, of which seven acres will be in crop this season, viz., two acres wheat and five acres oats (Tartarian). Like Mr Lindsay, Mr Mcllroy has a dairy of 10 cows in winter and 18 in summer. On the opposite side of the road is the farm of Mr R. Gee, consisting of 166 acres, of which 10 acres are standing bush. 30 acres have been stumped, of which 19 acres will be in crop this spring, -viz., seven acres oats (Tartarian) and 12 acres wheat. Passing onward, the next farm I will note is that of Mr Buttimore (on the left), consisting of 134 acres, of which 40 acres are standing bush. Up to the present he has stumped 30 acres, and this season will have 13 acres in crop, , viz., six acres wheat, six ac.es oats (Dun and potato), and one acre potatoes. Close to the house is an orchard one acre in extent, mostly apples, amongst which may be noticed Kentucky redstreak, Irish peach, red Margaret, Mobsßoyal, etc. Years ago I heard that coal existed in the Bombay district, and being in the vicinity of the farm on which it crops out, I determined—if the owner would give me permission — to, have a look at it. Accordingly, having found out the farm of Mr Reynolds, and, what was more to the point, having found that gentleman himself at home, I asked him if the would kindly show me where the coal -was, which he not only assented to do, but' accompanied me to the place himself, situated -in a picturesque little gully^ on the sides of which the bush has not yet been felled. The coal crops out in two places — the first on the side of the gully, the second in the bed of the stream. I learned that the seam is five feet Bix inches in thickness, and extends over a considerable area of ground. Judging by the look of the coal, I should cay that it ought to compare favourably with any of the Waikatp coals. Mr Reynolds next took me to another gully on his property, and showed me where huge masses of rock cropped out richly impregnated with iron. The farm consists of 225 acres, of which 60 acres are standing bush. Only seven acres will be put in crop this season, viz., six acres wheat and one acre oats. This land is used mostly for the rearing up and fattening of cattle, and at the time of my* visifc forty head were enjoying the rich pasture on the slopes of the fountain. I will now return to the Great South Road, and give a short discription of Mr Rutherford's farm, situated aboub half a mile on the Auckland side of the Bombay settlement.. This is the largest farm for miles around, consisting of 1,050 acres, of which one-third is standing bush. It> is subdivided into a great number of paddocks, some dotted over with sheep (500 cross bred' Lincolns),^ others with battle (100), while others yet again are in crop, or befog ploughed up ready for crop. At the time of my visit the pattle had been turned in and were eating off a large paddock of turnips (swede), while the sheep were about to be turned into another of soft turnips. There will be in crop this season 30 acres wheat, 20 acres oats (Dun) and 2 acres bar* ley (Cape) for trial, besides 2 acres rye for thatching stack's of wheat and oats. Last harvest, 11 acres oats (Dun) yielded 75 bushels per acre. To show the progress the district has made generally, it may be mentioned that ib pays one of .the local smiths' (Mr Carter) to keep especially for hire a horse-drill reaper and ; mower combined, and a four-horse threshing-machine. Between the smithy and Mr Carter 's residence is the site of the famous Williamsons Clearing Redoubt. The general rate of wages throughout the district is 15s per week and found. ,