ROUGH NOTES OF A TRIP THROUGH TE AKAU STATION. (BY OUR RAGLAN CORRESPONDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1639, 6 January 1883, Page 3

ROUGH NOTES OF A TRIP THROUGH TE AKAU STATION. (BY OUR RAGLAN CORRESPONDENT.

Before long we enter what is termed the Rangikahu, block, which, ( like the other divisions of this' run,' is ' comprised' of several, thousands of acres, In passing, let me observe that all those separate blocks are securely fenced, in some parts with post and rail, and the remainder, when not fenced by* nature, with wire. I could not help noticing the substantial character of the gates which were hung at the entrance to the various subdivisions,, of this s.tation, and from which result ,many other runholders might reap a profitable, ,and to those using them a pleasant lesson. Leaving Mangate the road ascends an acclivity which gradually tapers up to a sharp ridge, from which may be seen a large portion of tlie surrounding country. But »ttle grass has as yet been "seen here, xliere has been enough, however, to prove that the land will grow it ex-, cellently. There is a great quantity of natural feed upon it, trefoil and rat-tail grass growing in much plenty and luxuriance. Two hundred 3 : yr-old heifers, ■were grazing here, and'they looked well. ' At one time a large number of natives lived on this block, and the remains of their kainqas may yet be seen jtv various places. The Waikoria Block is the next one reached. It is fenced naturally, and is all good country ; the surface-sown grasses looking splendid. It is heavily stocked with sheep and cattle. This is found to be an advantage on surfacesown grasses, as the stock hinder the young feru from overcoming them. Near here is a hot spring, which the natives say has great medicinal effect. Lobsters are also caught amongst the rocks on the sea-shore in great quantities. Admiring the country, we soon come to the Maratapu Block. While most of the run is rather broken, this part of it is comparatively level. No grass has been sown here. There is, nevertheless, plenty of natural herbage, and it being well fenced with post and wire, about 1800 sheep are kept oji it. Some splendid sheep-yards may be seen, which, Jike every other work oji the run, has been done well. At some future time, from the level character of this block, we may expect to see some fine farms upon it. The homestead of Ohoka now heaves in sight, and we are glad to seek the friendly shelter of the dwelling-house, for the day has been very warm, and we are tired. We •were hospitably entertained by Mr Pook, who has the charge of this establishment. A number of men are continually stationed here, a great quantity of cattle being constantly kept on this block. At the time of my visit there •were GOO newly calved cows in the paddocks, and being all got by splendid bulls, were, as might be expected, a fine lot. Being well handled, they were all very tame. The stud merino sheep I saw here were a good selection from the flocks of Messrs Pearson, Robinson and Moore of Canterbury, also Mr Morrin, of Piako, and great judgment must have been exercised in their choice. Several miles of drains have been cut here, and the result is that an excellent piece of country has been 'made fit for profitable use. About 400 acres of grass, which was sown last May, was almost equal to that seen at Mangate, and was coming away splendidly. One particular feature which I rcmaiked, as I did in other parts of the station, was the way in which the land seemed to grow clover. It appears to grow in great luxuriance and continues to doso, for I noticed that upon the earliest aown parts of the run, no diminution of its fertility. The bi-st of the grass fields in Waikato would not beat what I saw Hiere, and when it isoonsideied tli.it the grass in Te Akau is all bin face sown, that is saying .1 good deal. The assertion is made knowing that it may meet with contradiction, but with cveiy confidence that it will stand the test of inquiry. Tin ee or four of the men had some very pretty residences, and what I saw growing in their respuutnc gaidenb, aflordod but further testimony to the good character of the soil. The sheep and cattle yards covered about two acres, and were avcll constructed. The old pahs of Whakapou and Puketotar.i, which stand on each side of the homestead, recall to one's immagination the tribal disputes of -primitive tunes, while all around the grassy downs and cultivated fields mark the advancement of civilised life. The next stage of our journey is to Port Waikato. To i each this settlement, we have to travel se fifteen miles of good but broken country. It forms a splendid run for cattle, inteispeised.as it is with small patches of hus\f, and being well watered, as in fact all the rest of the iiin i\ it cannot fail proving a healthful resort for the bovine family. About midway between Ohoka and Port W.iikato, a large sailing boat has been driven ashoie. No mamc, or any other thing which would load to its ' identification, can be seen upon it. Being built of kauri, it probably came from Onehung.i. >Some of the scenery seen upon this track is fine. Having gained the summit ot the loftiest elevation, the prospect was magnificent. Towards the cast stood foith hi bold relief, the rugged mountain ranges, behind winch flows the Waikato river. Our position commanded a view of the ■whole intervening distance, which was extremely picturesque, while on the other side lay the calm and placid sea. Immediately in front of us could be seen the village of Port Waikato, where the river, tfrom which it derives its name, mingles uts waters with the Pacific. Decending ttowards the settlement, we pass some excellent pasture of about 300 acres in extent, which is growing on land from which the bush hasbuen cut and burned. The firm have leased the church property, on which at one time resided the Rev. Dr Mniuisell. The fine mission house now forms a home for the men at this end of the station. At one time it must have been a beautiful Bpot, for even now there exist evidences of the taste and labour which have been at one time bestowed upon the surroundings. I was much surprised to see the careless manner in which the graveyard had been looked otter. Seeing the labour which has been expended by the A.C. Force in making the Waikato military cemeteries look respectable, the public think it most unjust that this one should be left in its present disgraceful state. I noticed by the inscriptions on several of the headblocks, that soldiers had here found their last resting-place, and I trust the proper authorities will see fit to put this cemetery in a better state of repair. A fine lot of cattle, are kept here, and the cows, excepting the stud cattle at the Raglan end, were the best I had yet seen. The sa way also be said of their progeny. T "* Mid has commenced to encroach )i >ut there being a running stream , in ts advance may probably be stayed ' « it reaches that point. Rat tail •g. as taken a strong hold in several jphu and hundreds of acres along <tbe sea coast are covered with it. A most scientific swing ,brWgo across the Maraitai* leads you to the village, where wepassed a happy evening in the company of Mr Marshall and hw hospitable wife at fhelr beautiful home. The, place is dull and quiet, and no person seems able to foretell when it is likely to be otherwise. It Is romantic-looking, and should be a nice place for visitors who wish to recruit 'their ' health away from ,the die* turbapeea of ojty. life.,, When" I' kaye Said tkl« I have said all I dare cay < in relation to it, I have now reached' the'^nd of jthe notes [I made during 'my | k^trip through the Te Akjau station, and in. ;Sustice' to all concerned, must confess ShlWT'watfWgreabry surprised 1 W find thill; fe6';riidfiji'«we'fdl country" laVbetWeen 1 MlaW'&Fa l M& 'Waikato. .'As 1 grass' growing <laria; (li l have 'never £ Veeb'^iijM thing to surpass it in the f -66Um.y.,, "Or course, this appli6» (! in ]k) Meml^eifce. Th'eW a¥e r a ! 'few;^ooPkpWtd'-JJe' found ''though in some places, ratfieE broKen, "a* r4 C^pjii«l;kas (J bfieu^»n4fWjBtilI < <Mng / Bpent) %nw*ti> which will make it Uf^inie oiie

of the iftost' valuable properties In tins' province. The live stock afciprenent upon it comprise 4000 cattle, 10,000 sheep and f>o horses, and it is greatly understocked. Thepjias been born upon the place this se'asoQ eight hundred 'calves, and when 'it is takt'ii into account that they are all the offspring of bulls' procured , from, the ' biisfc herds in Now Zealand, tiie value of them can he. readily understood. The sheep are a good sort, and will clip well this season. They are merino , sheep, but the older ewes are now beini; put to longwool rams, which is expected to prove a very profitable venture. Last season the experiment was tried on a small scale, and the ; results have been satisfactory. T|iat the breeding and blood of the male forms one-half the herd is in the main And it is evident from the cave which has been exhibited in the selection of the male cattle for the Te Akau herd, that Messrs Russell and Studholme are aware of the rule, and 'appreciate its worth. There is nothing coming within the province of the breeder, requiring the exercise of more skill and experience, than the choice of males, thus adding to the probability that in a short time he will shape a comely and profitable herd. This can only be achieved by studying •' the survival of the fittest" and as the male is the source from which springs one half— that is by common repute one half of each individual in the herd — the person selecting would be doing a most unwise tiling did lie not watch with vigilance the effect produced upon the character of his herd by his males. Darwin has said, "that if there was no tendency to vary man could do nothing." and it is this tendency which places the moulding of animals within our reach. With a desire to make their herd second to none in the province for general excellence, Messrs Russell and Studholme have also purchased and bred from females of fiist-class pedigrees. I observed that they do not allow their bulls to mix with the females until they have been, well tiied with a few young animals, so that the manager may be in a position, before permitting further freedom, to judge of the quality of their offspring, thus satisfactorily settling any doubt as to their value. No expense lias been spared in importing pood animals, as much as three hundred guineas having been given for a young bull. With the sheep the same judgment h(is been manifested, lams having been procured from some of the best flocks in the colony. The merino rams are an especially good lot. Those from the flock of Mr Pearson, of Canterbury, are deserving of much praise, while those from the flocks of Messrs Moore and Robinson, of the same province, are very good. Some longwool rams have lately been imported from Morrinsville, which are well worthy of inspection. In a former part of this article I stated that the greater portion of the pedigree bulls were kept at Mangate, jind here may also be seen some which have been chosen from Mr Morrin's herd. The appearance of them is, however, much inferior to some of their companions. There can be little doubt that "Rookingham of Raglan" is a grand animal, and is considered by all competent judges to be the best bull upon the estate. His pedigree as well as of those I shall presently speak of will be found appended to this paper. Amongst the remainder, "Viscount" at once attracts attention, and would, I am certain, ensure favourable criticism in any show yard. Although small, his breeding is unmistakcable. " Taieri " is a latge showy beast, and would prove a valuable acquisition to any herd. If space per- j initted I could speak of four or five others j whose pedigrees are excellent, and whose fctitmes do not belie it. Some of the bulls born on the estate arc valuable ( animal?), which assertion a pcisonal inter\iew will leadily confiim. " Duchess of Raglan " and "Lass of Yester" are two noble cows, both m size and appearance, and have several companions almost equally as good. Theie are a large number of splendid stud heifers, amongst whom " Spring Flowpr " and " Kinily '' desen c special mention for general excellence. In conclusion permit me to state that I am certain it is not generally known that such well-bred and fine looking stud cattle are kept upon this estate, nor is this likely to be the case until means are taken to exhibit them at some of our agricultural shows, when I am confident they will give a good account of themselves. Appended are a few pedigrees which will serve to show that I am not v, rong in anticipating such a result from their entrance into public life :— "Rockingham ot Raglan,' 1 reddish ronn, bred by Mr G. M. Bell, Waimea Plains, Southland, got by "Rockingham 4th," (Aus : H.8."), dam, "Meadow Flower,' (N.Z.H.8.) by "Piince Frederick," to ggtrgd "Gaylass" by " Ethel red," (5900 Coates H.8., \ol. XIII.) "Viscount," light loan, bred by Mr G. M. Bell, of Waimea Plains, got by " Dandy," (39, N.Z.H.8.), dam by " Lord Palmerstou;" ggd, bied by Win. Robertson, of Colac, Victoria, and diicctly descended from impoitedstock. "Taieri," roan, bred by Mr G. M. Bell, got by "Prince Frcdeiick," dam, "Jessamine," by son of "Dan O'Connell," to gggd by "Young Roclcinghnm," (2549) ( &c. " Duchess of Raglan," by "Laird of Ye&tor," (29170 E.H.8.), dam,," Duchess of St. Albans," by " Count of Oxford," (•2r>S4.") K.H.8.) to "Songstress,"/ by "Rodolph," (95GS E.H.8.) &c.;\&c. " Lass of Yester," by "Laird of Yester,'' (20170 E.H.8.), dam, "Princess Ella," by "Lord John," (E.H.8.) to ggggd "Flash," imported. "Spring Flower," by "Rockingham of Raglan," dam, " Daisy," by "Prince Imperial," to gggd, by " Princess Ella," by "Lord John." " Emily has also a fine pedigree, her sire being "Rockingham of Raglan," dam from Mr Fanthams Canterbury herd. It will be observed that the above pedigrees arc. necessarily condensed to limit space, j