NOTES BY A TRAVELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1258, 22 July 1880, Page 3

NOTES BY A TRAVELLER.

The Piako road, from .Hamilton to the eastern boundary of Mr Kunciman's farm, is one of the best in the Waikato. So far it is well formed and gravelled ; but onwards from this point, and round to the left as it winds by the ranges on its way to the Piako, it looks rather dilapidated and greatly in need of gravel. Whom it may concern, let them know that the Tamahcreand Piako roads are now connected by a now line, which junctions with the latter near the Piako Land Association's gate, where it spans the Tauwhare stream by a substantial bridge, and with the former at Mr Crawfords corner, •whence it leads out to the Cambridge road, touching it at Hewen's. This is the shortest way from Ohaupo to the Piako, as it is a continuation of the Narrows road ; and no doubt it will prove a boon to many travellers. At Tauwhare, where there is a small native settlement and where the soil seems very grateful, junctions the Victoria road to Cambridge with the Piako road. For three miles or so in the direction of Cambridge, this way leads over undulating country, the dark frowning Pukemoremore on the left and a swampy bush country on the right. The view from this is very extensive, covering the entire of the Waikato, and away to Hikurangi on the south-west and to Ohinemuri on the north-east. Here too is the Scotchmen's Valley, with old Pukemoremore frowning down en it, and attracting more rain that the settlers often wish for. A lazy road, but quite firm and fit for wheel traffic, is this under description, until one reaches the swamp, through which it becomes as straight as an arrow, well raised and gravelled. Here, on either side, begins the Fencourt Estate, and here the wonderful fertility of the soil attracts at once the attention of the way-farer. Thousands of acres two or three years back covered with water and heavy flax, are now irtjl drained, cleared, burnt off, covered wifft a heavy coating of ashes, and in excellent preparation for surfacesowing, Sufficient solidity and freedom from atumps it has not, so as to render it fit for the plough ; but surface-sowing seems to auit that land admirably. It is pleasant to find here a large camp, some 15 men, all earning good wage^, and looking stout and hale. Man and horse may always find abundance of kai at the hospitable residence of Mr B. Montague, who boards the men and superintends the work. Experience gives me a right to say so much, and I have learnt the same from othe»3 w From this the way is easy in to Cambridge, or to Fencourt Station, the residence of E. McLean, Esq. I may here give an anecdote touching an Altercation which came under my no*

tice not many months ago. Scone adjacent to tall ti-tree stalks. Actors, two "sons of tho soil. 1 ' "Mehercnle!" quoth one, in choice and modest terms, "unless you quietly mollify my elevated spirits, I shall flagellate with yonder ligneous perpendiculars the duplicate ratio of y»ur homologous sides. Of course this eloquent effusion, a puzzle and an enigma to less elevated spirits, did not fail to cause peals of laughter from the by-standers, loud encomiums, unquestioned victory for one of the disputants, and reconcilhtion between both. One word more, and I clo«e this paper. A gentleman of my acquaintance, wishing that I should purchase his horse, informed me in the most assuring terms that the beast was a prime feeder. But in his eulogies and expatiations, he was hurried beyond the bounds of credibility, so far as I was concerned. "In faot,'' said he, "this horse will eat broken Atones" That made shipwreck of my confidence. I put spurs to my horse, and flew away.