The Broomhall Block, Upper Thames.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3366, 6 October 1879, Page 2

The Broomhall Block, Upper Thames.

By T. 0. J.

Having seen a gond deal of the Broomhall (or Aroha Block) during my stay at Te Aroha, it has occured to me that a general description of it and surrounding country would pro re interesting to those of your readers who have not seen this much-talked-of " promised land," especially as it has been cat up into lots for the people by the Government, who have wisely decided to cut large main drains (I am told) where required, both for the purpose of making roads and proper outlets for the boundary, aud sub division drains of the lots. Now, so far as I hare been able to learn, these works appear to be destined for that portion of the block west of the Waihou river, which may be described as a large tract of magnificent swamp land., intersec ed and dotted over with small strips aud patches of dry land.' The swamp is splendid, as can be seen now on the same quality of swamp land occupied by the pioneer settlers in this district, whore the grass-—some on the partially reclaimed swamp—is something grand, although only sown last autumn; indeed, in unstocked portions, one has actually to wade through dense masses of English grasses, while the rape grows equally well. Judging, therefore, from these signs, I feel confident in saying that if the Government acts wisely in draining and disposing of this grand tract of land, the thing will prove a great success ; but if the Government fails in doing what is right in the matter, I-fear that the Broomhall Block will fall into the hands of speculators who shall reap the benefit; for a sh amp is a delicate place to put a settler on. unless the Government makes the necessary.roads and drains to enable the settler to reclaim bis lot quickly: as, in the first place, he cannot sow it down, grow a crop, or build a house on it; in fact, before making these improvements the land must be drained to^ a certain extent to allow the surface to be burned off, and to do this it will take time in any case, and how much more time if the whole draining sche-ne be left in the hands of the occupiers. A proper system of draining the whole should be laid down and adhered to, and the settlers only, I think, should be employed m carrying out its work; and as to the price of the land, the settlers should have it at the lowest possible figure, so that they would not hf crippled in improving it, for it will Sake both money and time to do this, apart from what is the duty of the Government to accomplish. However, with j the dry lots on the east/side of the Waiho and elsewhere it is different, for the settler can build his house, and proceed with his fencing and other improvements at once which will be a great advantage to the settlers getting these 'blocks,' and the land on the east side of the river is I believe very good ; but rumour states that 60,000 acres of it has been reserved for the Education Board, anil other portions for the natives.. all of which I consider unfair, under the circumstances, as by far the largest portion left will require extensive draining. The Thames- Waikato Railway is, I believe, to run through the principal swamp portion of the land west of the river, in a line from the Government township which is situated at a point between the Waiho and Waitoa Eivers, some four miles west of Mount Te Aroha. to Ohinemuri. A good thing has been done in forming this township, as settlers «ilb be enabled to buy and ! live upon their town lots while the swamp sections are being reclaimed. A railway should be made also from this township south to the Hot Lakes to opeu up the enormous trnct of magnificent country through which it would pass ; and besides, it is the proper lino run So the Lake district. It is a thing. the Thames people, and the settlers in this district should not lose sight of; and tho engineering difficulties for a great distance might be put down, as nil. In speaking this, I do not take a one-sided view of the matter by any means, for this great valley, commonly known as the "Piako," is large enough for three lines of railway running north -and south —say the line mentioned. One between the Waitoa and the Piako, and the third between the Piako and the Wainigakaua range. Of course the two last mentioned lines need not be made at the same time: but it should be borne in mind that the other lines will require to be made ere long, and I must say tho sooner the better ; for it would be a much wiser policy to open up the country by railway than open up the country for the railway. Now, although this splendid district i§ only thinly populated at tho present time, it is no reason why it should, be supposed to remain in that state; and that a change for cutting up the large properties and disposing of them under the deferred payment system is setting in already, is a fact that cannot be denied. I am not prepared to say that this grand idea will grow up and flourish forthwith, but I know that it has taken root, and I

I feel sure Unit it will flourish—that the idea will spread, or, I might say, that it will become fashionable to dispose of large properties in small holdings on the deferred payment' system, and the result will be, thut the district uriii be thickly settled before many years; and I will go ho far. as to say the day will coma when it will re oue ot the finest districts in Kevr Zealand. It has a'l the natural advantages to tudlfe iL such. ; but how few know this, iiiid that it runs away south for upward* of a hundred miles from the Thames, with an average breadth of fully thirty miles, it is in a great measure au unknown country, and. tor that reason a country that is not regnrded as of any particular consequence, and it is a great pity that such should be the case: that a country sh&uld lay at your very door, capable of supporting thousands of happy families, and yet be without railway 01 roads to its natural outlet. Strangers who come here with »,he view of purchasing, and find so few settlers, naturally conclude that the Jand is bad, they go away with that idea, and the consequence is the district gets a bad name, and that all through its having been neglected. But when you get your railway through to Hamilton, the district will be ■' found to grow rapidly in favour, for the "irou horse" will ■oon > do away with the existing prejudice." People will be able to travel through and see for Ihtmselve.t what the district really in, and how readily it can be brought into the highest state of cultivation. Messrs Campbell Bros., Ardmore estate,adjoining tho Government township reserve on the. Aroha Block, may be mentioned as a property that is to be cut up and disposed of. on liberal deferred payment' terms. A portion has already been cut into town lots, and a number of these sold, and I believe it is the firm's intention to cut up the balance of their estate into suburban and small farm section*; and as the laud has been Sown down with grass it will •■ most likely be eagerly sought by the Aroha Block settlers, in fact' a township has already been.successfully started, and a prettier site could hardly be found anywhere. With regard to the Aroha Block there is one thing that should be done at once, and that is to get the dry land settled. I cannot understand, why there should be any delay over it. The people are in want of the land, and they should get all that is available. It will be a great pity if this Qua blbck should be neglected; indeed, if it it it will be A great loss to the country.