THURAUA VALLEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10139, 9 November 1910, Page 5

THURAUA VALLEY.

Tlje Ihuraua Valley, which twentyfive years ago was a vast area of virgin forest, is to-day cleared and grassed-, and is one of the most fertile districts in the Wairarapa. Viewed from a distant hill the district assumes- the aspect of a dark green carpet, slightly crumpled up to resemble rolling hills and flats. Although only 25 miles from Masterton, the Ilniraua has been very little known outside of its immediate vicinity, owing to the district being so inaccessible through bad roads. This trouble, however, lias now been practically overcome. Its principal industries are shcepfanning and dairying. Although the district is eminently suited for dairying, still it lias been greatly retarded owing to large holdings, one of which is shortly to be cut up into suitable dairy farms, and ballotted for by the Government. This will give the. industry locally a great stimulus.

Entertainments in this district are now very few and far between, since the school-house has been closed to dancing. Some time ago some of the more generous settlers offered to donate quite a considerable sum towards building a hall. Mr Judd also offered to give, besides a donation, a very convenient spot on which to build. It is to be sincerely hoped that so generous an offer'will be availed of, and that a stron gcommittee will be formed to carry the project through. The felling of 400 acres of bush, tho last block of any extent in the district, lias just been completed by the contractors for Mr Wrightson. A record which would be very hard to beat has just been performed at Mr Kennedy's Tiki Tapu station. Shearing commenced early in October and finished Avithout break at the end of the month.