KAIKORA, BY AN EXCURSIONIST.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 23, 30 November 1878, Page 2

KAIKORA, BY AN EXCURSIONIST.

An excursionist thus records in the Hawke’s Bay Herald his impressions of the rising and prosperous township of Kaikora : Since my 7 last I have been induced to visit Kaikora. Feeling that I had not seen all the resources of the country in the hasty journey made by me between Napier and Waipukurau on Monday last, and not being desirous of placing one town prejudicially more prominently before the public than another, I have determined, with your permission, to make a few passing notes relative to this township. Although not possessing the beauties of Waipukurau, nor the population and business places of Waipawa, still it is a place of considerable importance, possessing a large sweep of rich agricultural and pastoral country, and being the main outlet to Tamumu and the sea coast. From the surrounding stations the wool is brought to Kaikora to the railway station, the freight thereon forming no inconsiderable amount in the receipts of the railway department. Still the authorities have as yet paid no attention to the necessity of keeping in thorough repair the loads leading to these places ; but possibly the time is not far distant when the farce of making and keeping roads in good repair will receive more attention at their hands. I noticed that the railway station and goods shed are inconveniently situated, and for the general travelling community it would be far better 'if the goods shed had been erected where the office for the issue of tickets is built, and the latter upon the site of the goods -shed. But, as a rule, the Government officials are blind to the wants and requirements of the people, hence this blunder. Near to the station there are two stores, and from what I saw and heard, I am led to believe that both are doing a very 7 satisfactory business. There is also a public school, attended by a very respectable number of scholars. As to their progress, I have every reason for saying that it is very commendable indeed. Fletcher’s Railway Hotel is a noble building in close proximity to the railway station, and affords first-class accommodation to settlers on the coast, to travellers to and therefrom, or to passengers by train. Doubtless the host will ere long be retiring with a fortune. I am told there would be an excellent opening for a blacksmith at this place. I am rather surprised that the settlers do not go in for the sinking of an artesian well. From the conformation of the country I am under the impression that water would be obtained, and be a lasting boon to the community. At all events the expenditure would not be great, and the experiment is certainly deserving of a trial. Wake up you people of Kaikora ; !

put your shoulders to the wheel, and do not allow yojur cattle and sheep to perish for the want of water, «s they are a' present doing, when, by the expenditure of a few pounds, you may 7 have a constant supply for them as well as for irrigating your land. . 1 saw the thoroughbred horse Ananias at Fletcher’s stables. He is a splendid animal, and a fine specimen of the Traducer blood. Mares are coming in freely from all quarters to him, and I have no doubt he will have an excellent season.

A post-office, telegraph office, and a bank would be a great acquisitions, and from the number of surrounding settlers, as well as the immediate residents of the township, there is not a question as to their being highly remuneratioe. The inhabitants ought to memorialise the Government relative to the two former, and at the same time place themselves in communication with some of the managers of the banks relative to the latter. This is the way to obtain what they 7 require. I must not omit to mention Ilickey 7 ’s Kaikora Hotel, which stands on the main road. The accomodation is excellent, nnd the proprietor is an institution in himself, and well worthy of patronage. While here I visited Mr Olley’s private residence, as well as his slaughter y 7 ards. The former is prettily 7 situated, surrounded by a nice garden, and beautifully sheltered by 7 luxuriant trees. The slaughter yards are remarkably well adapted for killing purposes, and are kept perfectly free from any noxious exhalations, there being a force pump on the ground, which is constantly brought into requisition for the purpose of cleansing the establishment. He has a small boiling-down upon the ground, at which he turns out exceedingly good tallow. He has a paddock of fifty acres, partially down in oats, which, considering the extraordinary 7 dry season, are looking particularly well ‘and healthy. His pigs and piggeries are well cared for, the former, of which he has a great number, are particularly well bred, while the latter are kept scrupulously clean. Mr Olley has a butchering establishment at Waipawa, and from what I hear, is doing (deservedly so) a remarkably good business. There is a fellmongery 7 and wool-washing establishment at which affords an amount of The operations are carried on with judgment and economy. I regret to add that the country 7 in all directions is being literally parched up, and if the long-wished-for rain does not shortly make its appearance, cattle, sheep, and crops will be destroyed, and farmers, both agricultural and pastoral, will receive the severest blow they have ever done since Hawke’s Bay was founded.