THROUGH PIAKO TO TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1442, 29 September 1881, Page 4

THROUGH PIAKO TO TE AROHA.

A correspondent who lately passed through this country, gives na the following account of his journey : — On my last visit through the Piako and Waitoa, I noticed considerable ohanges and marked developments in the progress of the district. Perhaps the mo3t noticeable feature in the matter of tho progress, is tho new railway line now in course of construction, which after passing through the swamp between Hamilton nud Jenkins land, runs alongside tho road for about two miles, and then cuts through Mr Morrin's paddocks afc Te Au Waikato gorge. The line appears to be perfectly lovel, requiring little or nothing to be dono in the way of cutting, except at the gorgo where' the^ra is a cutting of about twelve fedt. A small bridge will also be required across tho creek at the entrance to the Morrineville townflhip. There are about 2<3 men employed on the railway works at proseat, and even with this limited number of men the work seems to be making rapid progress. Certainly the moat noticeable change or feature in the progress of tho Morrinsville township is the erection of a new hotel, which I believe is to be occupied by Mr S. Buck, late proprietor of the Waikato Hotel, Hamilton. After passing through the township I was much pleased with the appearance of Mr Morrin's paddocks on both sides of the road between the township and the Piako river. On the opposite side of the Piako river Mr Morrin's property is fast improving in appearance. The trees are rapidly growing up, thus taking away the bare appearance which has hitherto characterised tho extensive plain upon which the beautiful homestead is situated. A paddock of rye-grass immediately below Mr Morrin's house forms a very pleasing spectacle iv the land, and I believe is one which could scarcely be equalled in the Waikato. Passing on through Mr Goulds swamp which seems to bo taking glass remarkably well, the next prominent object of notice is the property of Mr Larkworthy on the other side of the Waitoa river. The grounds about the house have been extensively planted with trees, and the land on both sides of the road between the Waikato river and the Peiratinui creek has been completely fenced in, and is now carrying good grass. Since purchasing his property, Mr Larkworthy has undoubtedly expended a vast amount of money on the care and the impiovement of this magnificent propeity, which is at present perhaps one of the finest and most extensively cultivated in the whole of that country side. The property next adjoining is one upon which many improvements have been effected since my last visit through this promising country. It is that of Messis Campbell Bros., the plantations and young trees on this property having much improved in appearance, though only three or four years planted, an attractive feature in the landscape of Waitoa. These plains are, however, destitute of all timber except that planted by the owners of the property in the district. Looking down from Mr Larkwoithy's pioperty, the town of Waihou appears in the distance. This place seems to have grown considerably within the last few months, several new buildings having been erected of late. Mr Buckland has commenced building sale-yards at the entrance to the township, and having purchased the piece of alongside his new yards ho will be in a position to conduct a large and extensive business. Adjacent to Mr Bucklnnd's pioperty Mr Ross has started a nursery, and though only in the district a very tew months this gentleman has cucceeded in putting his place into thorough good order, as it now contains somo thousands of fruit and ornamental trees. With regard to the goldfield at Te Aroha, a more favourable impression seems to bo "-.lining ground with respect to its ultinvitc success. I hear that the Morning Star claim have 500 tons of quart/ leady for crushing which, well informed people thiuk, will turn out payable. Like Waikato, Waitoa has been visited during the winter months with severe floods, and the swamps and creeks are fuller than I ever remember seeing them. A few of the Grant and Foster settlers, I learn, have arrived, aud more are shortly expected. Altogether, I may say the entire district seems to be making rapid piogress, and with the advent of the lemaining Grant and Foster settlers during the next twehe months, find the probable development of the jjoldfield, it is certain to undergo a great revolution, -which is destined to result in universal and marked prosperity.

An American paper siys : ' ' The only genuine ' champagne' made in the United States is made in California. But a bogus champagne is made in Connecticut and New Jersey. Hhubaib and cider with dried appled are the chief materials used. A recent contract ia chronicled with a Connecticut Valley rhubarb planter for 2,000 hogsheads of rhubarb juice, to be used with the customary cider of the manufacture " of the finer brands in foreign champagne." Doctor Johnson once dined with a Scotch lady who had hotch-potch for dinner. After the doctor had tasted it, she asked him if it was good. "It is good for hogs, madam, " said the doctor. "Then pi ay let me help you to some more," begged the lady. Food Consumption. — From a recent return we learn that there are annually consumed in London about 2,000,000 quarters of wheat, 400,000 oxen, 1,500,000 Kheep, 130,000 calves, 250,000 swine, eight million head of poultry and game, 400 million pounds of fish, 500 million oysters, 1,200,000 lob&tei&, and three million salmon. The butchers' meat alone is valued at £50,000,000. Vegetables. —"All vegetables, except potatoes, arparagus, peas and cauliflower, should boil as fast as possible, thesB four only moderately. Cabbage can be made aB delicate as cauliflower if boiled in plenty of water to which a saltspoonfull of soda has been added ; boil as fust as possible for twenty minutes or half an hour. A Spanish proverb says that four persons are needed to make a good salad — a Bpendthrift to throw in the oil, a mif-er to drop in the vinegar, a lawyer to administer the seasoning, and a madman to stir the whole together. Matebkamilias (finding 1 the new nurse deep in a sensational novel) : •' Surley, nurse, you can't nur.se ' baby' and lead at the same time !" Nurse : Oh, Lor', yes'm. She does'nt disturb my reading a bit 'm ! ' Extraordinary Potatoes.— The editor of a paper in the Manuwatu district north of Wellington says: — "We have been shown some specimens of Derwent potatoes grown by Mr M'Ewen upon his land at Jackeytown, which surpabs anything we have hitherto seen. Theie were nine potatoes in the lot, and their collective weight was 131bs. . . . From five roots 401bs. of potatoes were dug." A Curiosity. — A potato, says a contemporary, was found on the farm of Seafield, near Cullen, the other day, which, on examination, was seen to have growing through the centre of it a plant of polygonum. The stem of the plaut hpd grown Feveral inches above the potato and was beginning to sprout, and was quite hard. Tjtk goHen sovereign makes less i oi>o in the contribution -box th. n a penny piece — principally for the roaj-ou that it I is never put in. |