SETTLEMENT UNDER THE HOME STEAD ACT AT RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1879, 22 July 1884, Page 3

SETTLEMENT UNDER THE HOME STEAD ACT AT RAGLAN.

It is no^v over five years since settlement under the old Homestead Act was first commenced iv the Raglan district, and though the natural conditions under which the settlement was commenced were not of the most favourable character, still success of a most miexpeced character has been achieved, and the tract of country over which the the act was brought into opeiation has been oonverded from a wilderness into a flourishing agricultuial and pastoral district. It was said of this settlement when the settleis fhst took up their stand upon the land that they would soon succumb to circumstances ; but notwithstanding all there gloomy predictions they have not only struggled th tough and fulfilled their conditions' of settlement, but are now piospering in the possession of thriving and well stocked homesteads. The land, generally, is good, but some of it may be termed excellent, and suitable for almost any purpose. The farms on an aveiage consist of about 300 acics, some mote aud some less, and the settlers having cairied out , all their conditions have now obtained their titles from Government. A hrge acieage of bush country has been cleat ed, and is now under cultivation. Giass seed is veiy extensively pioduced, and is found a veiy profitable product, Auckland affording a good ma-iket. The fattening of cattle is very extensively followed, and these aie pi incipally disposed of iv the Waikato mafket. The pig population of the Raglan-Waitctuna di&tiict must h« very laiee. The travellei passing through the dibtiict is perpetually coming in contact with large herds of black waddling porkers rooting the ground in a most extiaordmary manner Every settler seems to have got his own pai ticul.u held of pigs, and considering that they cost nothing to keep, if wo except the damage which they do by looting up and do:stioying the gia-*s, they must be a souicc of considerable piofit. They are shipped in l.ngc numbers to the Auckland inaikct, vheie they ha\e a ready sale, and bring fair piices. In the Kiiuioa distiict some good cereal crops ha\ebccn laised, the land being paiticululy well suited for cropping._ The settlers aie all satisfied -with their lot, and from what we can ascertain aic doing lenuikably well, adverse circumstances consideied.