WAITOA.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1282, 16 September 1880, Page 2

WAITOA.

Turn district continues to make rapid progress. The whole appearance of the country is fast changing. Looking from the low hills on the Waitoa Station over the Upper Thames Valley, it presents a great contrast to the appearance it did some few years ago. Formerly there was nothing to be seen but a dreary expanse of land covered with fern and flax, and, although the magnificent view obtainable of the Aroho range and mountain made the prospect exceedingly beautiful and picturesque, it yet wanted that whioh is essential to all views of an expansive tract of country to render them interesting, viz., the evidences of occupation and settlement. Now, the numerous settlers' houses dotted over the plain, the green fields contrasting with the rural brown ©f the fern, the various plantations beginning to show their whereabouts, gives a life an interest to the scene which was formerly wantini? to it. The embryo township of Waihou, with its hotel, schoolhouse, store, and oottages, lying in the centre of the plains, materially ashists m effecting that object. The "whole country is now looking remarkably well. A great deal of clearing, ploughing, and planting has been done during the winter month?, and the settlers are now busily engaged sowing the land whioh has been prepared for fzrasa. • The contractors who have been engaged, in making drains through the Aroha Block have been making very slow progress during the winter months, but now that the fine weather and long days are returning,- it is* to be hoped that the drains will soon be finished. The whole country is very easily drained, there being good fall everywhere, and the swamps are nowhere more than from four to five feet deep. In fact, nearly all the swamps appear to have been made at a recent date by the damming up of the natural water-courses— a plan which has been extensively adopted by the Maoris for the purpose of fishing. A number of people are now busily prospecting: the Aroba range, so that we i shall probably soon know whether former reports in regard to the auriferous nature of the country were correct. We understand that Mr Rowe purposes laying on a steamer to run direct between the Thames and the Aroha. Such a steamer is very much required, as the communication is not at present such as the importance of the district demands or its necessities require. Messrs Maclean & Co. (the firm which has done so much to advance the Cambridge district) have now commenced operations on their extensive property in this district, and we must welcome the advent amongst us of such wealthy, enterprising, and public-spirited settlers. There is a good opening for a few tradesmen in the district— an opening which we are astonished' has not bsen taken advantage of ere this.