THE KAKAHU VALLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 162, 16 July 1879, Page 2

THE KAKAHU VALLEY.

(from a resident.)

It has occured to mc that a brief description on the Kakahu Valley might afford interesting matter for the perusal of the readers of these columns.

! Situate among gently undulating downs, with a backgrouud of dark bush-covered hills, beyond which tower the snow-clad peaks of the Southern Alps ; it affords an example of that mingled softness and grandeur which nature loves to combine in her wildest scenes. This valley is traversed along its entire length by the meandering stream of the Ivakahu. : The land is of average quality, and is well farmed, the slopes and summits of the downs being heavily cropped, and presenting in harvest time features not unlike the south downs in the Sussex of the old country. The country is everywhere widely intersected by broad well-metalled roads. This valley is not deficient in mineral resources; limestone quarries are numerous, and several extensive seams of lignate afford hopes of the more valuable material. A cave exists of interminable dimensions, having an outlet near the main road, and another about a mile farther up, in a wild gully. It would seem to have been hollowed out by water-power in centuries past. It presents a fund of interest to scientific explorers in the shape of petrified vegetable matter, large crystals, and visions of possible moa bones, &c. * One pf the more ■ enterprising of the settlers has recently started a fresh saw-mill in the Katoihu Bush, which now supplies sawn timber in sufficient quantities to satisfy the local demand. This bush is of singular beauty, and being quite permeable throughout, ought to afford great attractions to pleasure seekers in the summer months, who'might picnic in its shad v depths, where the ferns grow in wild profusion, and "find a pleasure in the pathless woods." The township'of Hilton itself boasts of an hotel, which might serve as a centre for numerous excursions of an enchanting nature.

It further possesses a store, two blacksmiths, a school, and a schoolhouse, which latter is even now receiving additions. The residents are mostly small farmers, who make a living by their crops and dairy produce. We enjoy the prospect of the near approach of the Oxford and Ternuka railway to our doors, which will, we hope, induce some of our friends in the neighboring townships to avail themselves of an opportunity of casting off, for a few short hours at least, the cares and anxieties of " the common round," and sally forth to find relief in the feast that nature has spread for them in this pleasant little valley, so well worth their notice.