Masterton to Gladstone via Te Whiti.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2983, 22 August 1888, Page 2

Masterton to Gladstone via Te Whiti.

~ (By Our Travelling Reporter). There arc very few residents about Masterton who could not .tell where Gladstone is situated, but there are a very few indeed who are aware 'what a splendid block of for both agricultural and pastoral purposes,there is located between that rising township and Masterton. Having occasion to take a visit to that quarter, which lies to the south east of Masterton, and being informed .that 'I would ; ' find a ■fairly good bridle track for my journey' from Wsrdell's along the bank's of the Ruamab.unga I decided to "do";this' route.* ;The,day chosen brpke.out fine.' and with oris of Neill's beat' hacks, 1 set off along the' Lower >Mana'ia'' road, A steady ride of three-quarters of an hour and ,the Buamahunga ford was reached, On the Opposite aide, slightly to the left, is erected on tho terrace, a nicely,finished private residence, where, dwells with his family one of tho Wair; arapa's most rapected settlers, Mr H. S, Wardeil,' Scattered around in the same .neighborhood are to be seen! the flourishing' homesteatlsot lb Cockbu'rri, MrsM.'MqKenzie, MrG. \Vatson|; Mr. | Colway* and thVMessrs.D,^and J l . MoGregdr. The whole of these proper' ties present'a most, promising' appear;: niico and indicate to the observer'that they are peopled, \yi| the right stamp pf ueljle'rs,.'vlioso, >Yelltd|(ected.labor h.a.3. converted large areas of bush .'arid swa.mp!and.4ntfl. prosperous farms, , After tb,e riyer js crossed, ft road is .laid, off. far a diatancb\>of ' about three'mileSj along' 1 the side' of' the Te Whiti hill, Through this.road line; my steed .and I had taploiigh our way,' frequently breaking .the floundering into small lakes of mud,' the sensation of smothering on more, than 'one> occasion .forcing itself upon me.' Reachihg ! the 'end, ; of;■ Te,Wfaiti hill, splendid beltsj of bush' and open--Batß'nr6 to be dotted here and' there, with thriving', homesteads,' the 1 most perceptible being; those of Messrs Robieson, J. Rcnall, Gordon, D.rew, and an,d, Pjlje, A substantial

piiblipphool is also greeted, in charge 6t'. Mr) 'Lillingtop,' witttan attendance ; of jßon}e •ihirt^MDnpfers,-whi)\ look line pictiirW hoaltk{ana contentment.. j Tjie $f in this! paffis [veryrich, arid 1 for-'pasturing(purposes is superior to any I liave seen in the Forty. Mile Bush,: the cattle and sheep looking exceptionally well. • From the .back-. oL.Goidon'a the Tauera .river by' wiiy of Dakin's cutting, thence on to Buchanan's and, through to Gladstone, but this intend' jtion-I-was prevented ■ from'carrying"ontowing to the riven, having washed away, the ford, Dorset's track was ray next? best'routes-. This leads through heavily, titu bered consisting of } Emerging Ironji the bush, the fine r iarik dwelling of Mrs Doraet is io'.be seen, kightly fy>\ the rjgh t of >vhiqi( Gorpe'p s&wuiill, •' Wfe'n-ihlfull this.unlj • giyeaJemploy.me'nt iiqniberlbf' raeti, buVj£i! iwinW in \. great measure Withe prevailing depression, and the jh'eavy natma.of. thj^roadiji' biisinesspis'.; stock,' The mill, at the; time of turning ouTtimher which is shortly to! beutiHze|jiibuiding a private res;-! dence loi MypsopiKenallr Here tbd t Taueru of Dor-; set's houßej; andva :fevr||niinuies ride: laiida yoWt Fote|J For a J either and Mr; Sexton. jfr'Although- the "majority of! the.settltrs|live i aftriile or two"awayj from tlie'liotelj.tlif) settlement really; begins a|jttiiß pdibt v The hilly nature! of the ground be'reabpiiis ~is not'suit-J able for',a' : -township/.and'with ih'd; exception;.of Mr A,; 4 Stevenson's; smithy and,two jipuaes. there are no dwellings until''Gladstone proper' is; reached, on the eastern kido of \ the! ridge. Here ia to ..be seen quite a| picturesque little towiighip, whose occupants do no appear to be suffering from the effects of depression. . The public buildings consist of a telephone station, post office, and school. The land-is of tan averagejaquality, but Bomevrhati..r6'ugb. -.'.lO.wirig to the threatening' aspeo't'of the weather, I was.'nnable'tomake further'inquiries as : developments;;!' sp : ',l! deemed ii advisable .to'retrace my steps hotneiagaiii. !ln conblusion, r-wpuld urgeuponthe,ratepayers:of. the,Maaterton Road Board arid also; its mem-' b'era,' the : * necessity; if -possible, l of ppehihgup'''tliis;'valuablq coflnlry'as far as tbeit*. boundary;with ,a'' passable, road. ' This being done, the settlers on the other.Bide would Boon f0110w,,, suit, and the gain, to Maatertoh. would■■„bo considerable. : " ;' ■ >'' i-.-■■■•