A TRIP THROUGH THE PATETERE COUNTRY, (Continued.) [BY OUR OWN REPORTER.]

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1569, 25 July 1882, Page 3

A TRIP THROUGH THE PATETERE COUNTRY, (Continued.) [BY OUR OWN REPORTER.]

A few milea further across the country brings us to the site of the proposed township of Lichfield, which lies about fifteen miles to the south-west of Oxford. > On approaching the township ( !) we are strikingly reminded of-the fact that civilization has here penetrated into the wilderness. Lichfield is not a large town ; I mean it hasn't yet been gazetted under the Municipal Corporations or Town Districts Act. I took the census of Lichfield during my visit, and as to the result of my labours I quote the following passage from a leaf of my pocket book: — "Lichfield is a thriving, well situated, and compact township, built on Vision Creek, and located in the immediate vicinity of the combined brains of the Patetero Company. The population numbers one man (familiarly known to the outside world as Peter Thomson), two cats with countless progeny, and an extensive family of mice. The inhabitants are of a practical and economical turn of mind, one wooden cottage, and one sod hut affording the necessary house accommodation, doing duty as public buildings, business houses, city and suburban residences. The principle occupation of its inhabitant is well-sinking, which seems to be a very remunerative occupation." On arriving at the cottage we were accosted by the solitary human being mentioned in the above extract, who was engaged trimming off a well. I querried my guide as to what this man I could have done to have caused his being transported to such an isolated spot. The wicked custom of boycotting presented itself to my mind in all its surrounding horrors, and then I thought of his being ostracised in virtue of his being a foreigner. Foitunately, however, neither was the case. Peter by nature was a hermit, and by virtue of his nature was engaged by the company to carry out some preliminary work in the township, which few civilized men might care to undertake. Having travelled about forty miles since morning over a somewhat heavy road without alighting from the saddle, we willingly responded to Peter's hospitable invitation to some refreshments, such as a hermit only can afford. Having adjourned to a small sod-built hut while the billy was undergoing the boiling process, our host entertained us with stories about the country in general, its prospects, &c, but more particulaily of the suitability of the Lichfield site for a township. Having enjoyed a very comfortable meal, he preceded us to a newly discovered stone quarry which he had accidentally happened to come upon when sinking a well a few days previous. The stone has been traced for a considerable distance along the side of a gully, and quarrying operations have already been commenced on a small scale. The stone is of a soft sandy nature, easily cut into blocks of any shape or size, and , when exposed to the air for some time * becomes hard, and consequently not so easily broken. Several fine blocks of this material were lying about, having been excavated and cut by the exertions of but one man. It is certainly a good featurp in Lichfield, and is a strong recommendation in favour of its being adopted as a township site that such a grand supply of building stone is so conveniently obtainable. Unlike Oxford, the country in the vicinity of the proposed township is level. About 200 acres in the vicinity of Lichfield were ploughed a few weeks ago, and as sowing and harrowing operations have not as yet been entered upon, this gives us another opportunity of judging of the nature and composition of the soil when in a different stage. Immediately outride the ploughed ground a slight sprinkling of pumice is visible on the surface, but where the land has been turned up this element is barely traceable, having ■carcely penetrated the surface skin. Again, the plonghed land has not been disturbed by the weather, the brown loamy furrows retaining their cake-like form, showing a good comb. Were the land of purely pumice formation, the furrows Mould crumble back to their undisturbed state, instead of as at present. A number of wells have been sunk at intervals over the ground by way of ascertaining the facilities of water supply. In one place a good supply of water was got at a depth of 35ft, and some distance from here a well has been sunk on more elevated ground fetching water at a depth of 83ft. This gives us another opportu- • ttity of judging of the nature of the v ground, especially of the under forma- ' tion. For a depth of several inches the soil is ef a good average quality, and the subsoil of a greasy loamy nature varying from sft to 14ft thick, overlying soft rock. Tn the centre of the * proposed township the company has erected a cottage for the convenience of their workmen, particularly for the surveyors at present engaged surveying and laying off the township, and rural and farm lands throughout the country for settlement {mrposes. Lichfield is on the proposed me of railway from Morrinsville to Rotorua. The completion of this line which is to be constructed partly under '• The District Eailwaya Act," and partly under " The Railways Construction and Land Act, 1881" may be looked forward to as probable at no very distant date. From the town of Morrinsville it runs southward down the Thames Valley, passing -within a few yards of the township of then striking across through the [!^!P*W»tjere district to Lichfield, where I believe the station site has already been jjurveyed. , Then mounting the wooded plateau, which separates the Patetere and Tauranga districts, it winds it way to the township of Ohinemutu conveying backWards 1 add forwards the iide of tourists -which c6mesf from all parts ' of the world > > to witness the wonders and experience ■ ; the many healthful qualities of the'famous sanatorium' 1 of Rotorua/- f To' the^futiire ) gettlerjsof Pateteriit should- 'be' a 'great" ', ;c6^staBfa"tfotrtb:know"th:ara I 'da t y'sprideT' VI QX/i'%%;wfayk,''\'hpm „jfj aunty .in., a, ' latiwiy lcarriaiK8 '• t brings Mheih* to., fc , %i&mfi M^tfeauties '* arid? ;rfe(Ucirfal :\ funQ'pmvUohc have atfetfdy;r{b\oom>

this district I have do hesitation in saying that the Patetere settlers (when they come) will not have to contend with the many almost' insurmountable difficulties which settlers in other more settled parts of "the North Island have had to contend, , and are now contending with. By the new line they will be able to transport! dither themselves or their produce to the metropolis in one day. There are at present districts in Waikato and Waipa which have been settled since the war, and though within a comparitively short distance from, town, days are occupied in transporting produce to the Auckland market. Casting one's eye over this vast extent of waste territory, m fact as far as the eye can reach, and taking into consideration the nature of the country and the quality of the soil, with the many other natural advantages which Ijhave endeavoured to name, and which I have not yet touched upon, it j cannot but impress itself on. the mind that in proportion to its area Patetere ' has a power of production and of supEorting a large population when once roughtwithin thecivilisingagencyof man which promises to be uncommonly large. It is to bo hoped, however, that in settling this district, the company to which it belpngs, and who, I hear, are at present taking active steps towards its immediate colonisation, will carry out their Schemes systematically and consistently with the experiences of the past. It has been shown, time after time, that where settlers have not got capital to help them on, they seldom, or nerer progress. To procure labour, machinery, and other necessary material, and to provide for one's maintenance until the careful husbandry of the land makes it not only self-supporting, but remunerative to its owner, capital is necessary. (To be continued.)