A RAMBLE ON THE EAST COAST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8330, 11 January 1907, Page 3

A RAMBLE ON THE EAST COAST.

(By a Correspondent). January sth, 1907. After leaving Te Wharau and travelling towards the coast a fair amount of hill climbing has to and the state of the road is like that left behind —very much broken up. On reaching the summit of the hill quite a little settlement comes into view, and comprises Messrs Douglas Bros, Barrow, and York Bros.' estates. The country for miles looks as dry as hay, rain being badly needed. The Kaiwhata river having dried up, the slate coloured bed of the river, which winds its way along the valley for miles, can be plainly seen. Turning down the Kawhata Road the same conditions are met, nothing to be seen but brown hills and valleys. Climbing over the Kaiwhata mountain a splendid view is obtained along the valley and of the river (which at the time ' of writing is only a trickling stream) running past "Kumain," MiAdams' property, and down past 'Kummerstein.' The former estate looks very snug, nestling amongst hilly country, the homestead being situated in a cleared plateau with the Kaiwhata River running partly round it. After passing "Kummerstein," the road leads one to a hill from the summit of which is obtained a very clear view of the country that is in front, and the most distinct fea- • ture presented is the dryness of that usually splendid river, the Kai- • whata. After passing through a gate at the foot of the hill, the track leads along the river bed for some distance, until one arrives at a point that compels the crossing of the stream. This is the first of many such crossings until nearing the ■mouth of the river. A Maori pah comes unexpectedly into sight. Viewing it from one of the distant hills it looks very picturesque; the scene is a very busy one, and is full of life. The wahines are squatting about in small groups, discussing a pipe of the fragrant weed, and possibly the latest "scandal" at the same time. Garments of all the colours -of the rainbow are fluttering gently in the breeze, and about a dozen dogs are yelping |and frightening the horses that are saddled and tethered to the picket fence awaiting the pleasure of their owners, who presently emerge and quickly mount and go off at a break-neck gallop to the ocean beach. The happy, golucky, light-hearted Maori, who will never work until we make him, and •then possibly he will not take Ikindly to the privilege of working -out his own salvation. Leaving the Maori pah, vwho follow a shepherd's track and rpass through a number of gates, and' eventually find ourselves on Mr J. .H.« Tatham's station, "Homewodd." It is noticed that the proprietor is making various improvements on the estate that all add additional charm to the scenic view. Mr Tatham has presented an acre of land to the settlers on the Homewood Road to enable them to build a Public Hall, suitable for meetings and social gatherings. Some five hundred to six hundred acres of land that was recently manuka scrub has been cleared and is now good pastoral country. The various crops of hundreds of acres are all ripening well, the rape crops being especially good. Continuing along the East Coast road, a public school and a Maori encampment are passed, then one arrives at "Fernglen," the property of Messrs Bennett Bros. Immediately the gate . shuts the freshness of the long green feed comes as a pleasing sight after passing through the drier district of the coast line. Messrs Bennett Bros, are making large improvements to the homestead, and have recently let a contract to have 300 acres of manuka scrub cleared. . Referring to the enemy of every farmer —the rabbit —the writer was informed that the pest were practically exinct on this station. Questioned as to how he managed to so completely . eradicate Master Rabbit, Mr H. Bennett mentioned that he always used phosphorus, pollard and sugar mixed with water, as he always found that this was taken more readily, and he .- attributes to the free distribution of this mixture", and the use of a few stoats, the present satisfactory extermination. It may be mentioned here that riot many years ago this property was all in bush —it is now barren of all heavy bush and trees — and that originally when the property was covered in trees that water was very scarce, but since the land has been cleared even in this dry season spring water is obtained in abundance. The crops are all well headed, but rather short, caused by the drought, scarcely any rain having fallen in this part of the coast for nearly four months. Notwithstanding this, stock are in prime condition, and have plenty of water. Immediately opposite "Fernglen" is " Waikaraka," the property of Mr Martin Elgar. Entering this property one is struck with the vast amount of improvement. Following the drive up to the homestead, that is situated on a small hill, a splendid view 1 is met with. Looking straight in front, you are pleasantly surprised to obtain a clear view of the ever restless ocean, and intervening between the homestead and the sea is a long avenue of weeping willow trees, and away to the right and left of this are acres of crops, chiefly oats, that rise in places to ; a height of five feet, and this crop is ripening quickly. In the paddock close to the beach harvesting is proceeding, and in this paddock there is a huge stack of hay measuring 50ft long and 27ft wide. Returning to the homestead from the beach, one passes through pasture paddocks for stock that look in perfect condition. The proprietor of this estate recently got away a thousand fat lambs, realising good prices. A large number of shelter trees and hedge plants have recently been planted. It is the intention of the present owner to lay out a large avenue of plants leading to the homestead from the main entrance. Amongst the large crop of turnips that is coming on, is also maize, Mr Elgar mentioning that this mixed crop is grown for sheep with satisfactory results in the Argentine, where he recently resided.. Travelling along the road toward; "Eparaima," a nasty crossing is met with that lies between the above' named station and "Waikaraka." This creek is to be spanned with a bridge, the Government having

voted Jl5O towards the cost of the sameV Nearing Mr G. Moore's, "Eparaima," it is noticed that the river that lies through his run is nearly dry, and the country is looking very brown. About three hun dred acres of manuka scrub was recently burnt and put down in crop. This station is almost entirely cleared of gorse. There is a slight rise in the road as "Epai-aima" is left behind, and further on the road is "ploughed up" for some three miles, the travelling public being compelled to use the side. Two men, however, are busy piling the clayey soil level on the road. The country around is looking as dry as a match. At the time of writing heavy clouds are banked over the distant hills, and it looks like rain, and that is all, for the first breeze that comes up disperses them, and so it is daily, until the settlers who are urgently wanting water feel fit to swear. Station-holders are taking advantage of the long spell of fine weather to burn off scrub, thousands of acres having been cleared in this way, and the country for miles is nothing else but burnt vegetation, the only green plants visible as one drives along being the toi-toi and spear grass that is growing in abundance along the roadside. One of the best plantations of ornamental trees in the district is on "Beaumaris," the property of Mr T. Taylor. The long avenue leading up to the drive is thickly planted on each side with willow, poplar, gum, and oak trees, and the avenue terminates with a cluster of giant willow trees. In the front of the house is a nicely laid-out tennis court, surrounded with various trees, such as the Australian blue gum, stringy bark and willow, and here and there a cluster of ornamental trees from the South Sea Islands. There is ample green feed here for stock. A few of the creeks are dry, but there is, also, a plentiful supply of water from springs. Mr Taylor showed the writer a plant imported from the Indies that bears a fruit somewhat similar to the ordinary blackberry. This "bush" transplants itself, as any of its branches take root immediately it touches the soil. At "Kohiwai," the estate of Mr H. Toogood, there is a splendid garden, orchard, and vegetable garden, surrounded by trees ana hedges of various kinds, that all tend to give the place the appearance of a snug little corner. Mr J. Toogood, who is looking after v things during the absence of the proprietor, pointed out to the writer an immense cauliflower, weighing 4 lbs, that was grown on the estate. The water supply for household and garden use is supplied from a spring, three-quar-ters of a mile away, by gravitation, and the pressure is almost equal to the town water supply. In the middle of the lawn, directly in front of the house, a large Fijian palm grows, spreading out its broad leaves some feet from the stem, and forms a distinct variety amongst the other ornamental plants on the estate. A large area of oats and rape are under crop, and will soon be ready for harvesting, as they are ripening quickly. There is ample feed available for stock, and the supply of water is in abundance, forming quite a contrast to the dry, burnt-up hills of the coast-line. Travelling further along, Mr G. T. White's estate at Whareama is located, and the dry weather has not left this without a mark. The large crescent shape lagoon that- ran through this place is completely dried up. The large cluster of willow trees that line its banks are in a , measure responsible for this. At Langdale,, the new Public Hall will soon be completed, and the contractor, Mr W. Birkett, expects to have the same ready for the spurts on the 20th inst., when a social evening will be spent. It is expected that Mr W. C. Buchanan will be asked to officially open the hall.