A TRIP TO TE KOWHIA

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2926, 16 April 1891, Page 4

A TRIP TO TE KOWHIA

(nV OPR TRAVF.I.MNt: CORRKSI'OVBENT.) At one time a visit to To Kowhai was not by any means an uncommon occurrence. Indeed, to residents in th'S Newcastle district a periodical trip to the " Corner," as it was termed, probably because its inhabitants had cornered (to use an American phrase) tin local government for the district, was only part of one's public duties. However, the hand of time has given another turn to the great kaleidoscope, and all the figures are changed. Messrs Carpenter and Byron hav<: sold out long iigo, Major Wilson hiis joined the great majority, and others liiivo left the district. Yet any old resident, leaving: the country road at Mr Corboy's corner, and following the track, now almost closed up with ti-troe and furze, which leads over Bonfroy's hill, would have littlo diiticidty in fancying ho was again on bin way, in company with other settlers, to the annual faction fight at To Kowhai. No settlement has been made along this road, the land being ot a broken and barren nature. The furze, however, thi ives well, and what was probably left as a trim fence by u former settler, Air Pennington, has now become a block of some hundred acres of furze, and it is spreading in all directions. Upen reaching Bonfrey's lull, a splendid view of the country is obtained, and the changes and improvements upon tho various farms which lie spread out before the observer are very clearly seen. What was formerly in one large estate, as Avondale or Stone's farm, is now divided. The portion facing this old road has a fine mansion upon it, and is farmed by Mr Hunt, the old house fronting the Waipa, formerly the residence of Mr James Stone, being the present Te Kowhai school. Almost at our feet, und just discernible as iin indistinct line through the swamp, is tho historical thoroughfare no well known in Hie good old days as Boiifrey's road, fnfo this swinip Hcvcriil hundred pouuds of rate money was pitched, with nu other result than a claim for lamages against the ratepapers, known also mi a matter of history as Boiifrey's claim. I need scarcely add that the claim is no nearer completion than the road, Mr Bonfrey, hard-working settler (hot he was, having gone to his last home.

Looking up tho river are the fiirms of Mr A, Corbett (formerly Carpenter and Byron's), Mr McCredy's, and the fertile estate formerly owned by Mr C. J. W. Barton, but now by MiNicholson. This gentlcmn.ii is getting the property into fine order. In addition to a handsome residence, Mr Nicholson is busy draining and clou-r----ing a largo extent of rich land near the river. On this flat are several litres of potatoes, planted sifter tho Jlood, and which promise a. heavy yield. In recently turning: his attention to sheep, Mr Nicholson has had the good senso to buy first-class stock, aad the draft of breeding ewes I saw there would bo hard to beat. The valley of Te Kowhia is very pretty. Across tho river are Maori houses and plantations,and the ranges rise behind. The natives have had frood crops this year at Karakariki, a Krst-class crop of oats being reaped by the Bartons. Passing Mr Corbett's, who was not at home, I noticed some stacks of oats, but the crop hud received so much injury from caterpillars and rain that Mr Corbett does not place much value upon it. Tho oat land — some twenty acres—is now in grass, and I noticed that lime had been used. In conversation with several settlers, a determination to try lime freely next yeat was generally expressed. The valuable portion of this farm, known as The Point, containing over fifty acres of low river flats, and almost circled by the Wnipa llivcr, has been leased by Mr Corbett to a Mr Crnig. This gentleman should be able to turn out splendid crops from such land.

On Mr Hunt's farm, which is across I lie rouil, n considerable urea of oats (uliout 100 awes) have beon grown, and tin , group of ricks resulting from it arc the best built that I Imvc yet seen. Eut. here again, the caterpillars ami bad weather have been at work, and it is doubtful whether Mr Hunt (who. by tin! way, is not residing in Waikato just now, but is managing tUi; Oneliimga ironworks) will growany grain for salt. , next ywir. A large block, sonic 150 acres, is being put down in grass, anil probably the proprietor, like many other landowners, will look to grazing and (h<: butter factory for his returns. Apropos of this hitter, Mr Hun), win. is one uf the largest supplier.--of (he Xyaruawuhifi factory, nxpre--.ii!i| an opinion ,'which is by no means coiiliucd to himself) that the present pliin uf pitying so muchper gallon for milk, invspentivi! of ttsts provided it does no( go below a certain standard, is unsatisfactory and certainly not encouraging to those who, liki! himself, havealways supplied rich milk. However, this question will be thoroughly ventilated when Mr Reynolds returns from England. The drive round by (he Bluenose settlement is very charming, the road for some distance being close to the Wuipa and the ranges coming down steep and abrupt on the opposite bank of the river. No one travelling from Ngaruawahia to "VVhatawhata find travelling the county road would imagine that lying between the rugged hills which enclose Te Kowhia on both sides there could be such a stretch of fertile land, and so many well laid out and valuable farms.