ROUND ABOUT GISBORNE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 342, 24 August 1889, Page 3

ROUND ABOUT GISBORNE.

[r.Y ONE WHO’S BEEN THEBE.] Dbab Standard,—My friend who has been t 0 tbe Waimata district is an extraordinary man—he has actually kept his promise, which you well know is a most exceptional thing for friends to do in this age of wonders. That being so, I am enabled to let you have a further batch of notes, on a trip from—

WAIMATA TO PAKARAE. From Gisborne to Messrs Tombleson’s and Lardelli’s properties, you have a dray road ; muddy in winter, but seldom, if ever, impassable, one of tbe exceptions being when the Waimata River is in high flood. Beyond this point you have only to avail yourself of Maori tracks. Lying to the south of Messrs Tombleson’s property you have several perpetual lease sections, of some 300 acres each; all good land, and likewise all taken up by the surrounding settlers, Among these you have one section held by Messrs Kenway Bros., whose other property I have already mentioned. Their section, No. 28, is a nicely situated piece of land, mostly light bueh and scrub, with patches of grass in places. I should, however, like to see some other settler in actual occupation, instead of the land remaining as now, totally unproductive. Some member of the Richardson co-operative family has an irregular-shaped section adjoining this, and which also adjoins another of theirs, I noticed a considerable portion burned and sown down this year. Between the back line of Tombleson’s, and adjoining Kenway's, there are two sections owned or taken on perpetual lease by Mr Hugh Campbell, and one other taken up by Mr J. Matthews — al! good sections. On both these holdings something has been done in improvements, either house building, fencing, or bush felling. A considerable quantity of feed is found on these sections, principally clover, Tbe track traversed to reach these sections, on my late visit, was not one of the best, though, thanks to a good horse, I managed to pull through. But soon these lands will be placed in fair communication, by means of the expenditure of the perpetual lease thirds. We started off the present main road at Tomblesonls crossing, but these sections, or some of them, can also be reached, after passing Lardslli’s, by another track, through Gregson’s and Mackley’s. Still as so little bas been done to them, I need say no more, but continue my jaunt through Lardelli'e eastern boundary ; when we arrive upon land belonging to the liquidators of the New Zealand Native Land Settlement Company, Limited—a block which I feel sorry to see tied up, more or less by Mr W. L, Rees' abortive Colonization Scheme, as I believe several people are ready to buy at fair prices 8B sunn al the llSes. Wi Fere eoffibinatiou will

throw tbe land back to the liquidators again. Following up the bed of the creek seme distance, you come to a large fallen tree. Here you turn to the right up a well beaten track, she position of which is not far from the Government road surveyed line. On reaching the summit the track branches in two directions ; the right hand leads to Mr Denton’s house, which you can see from tbe junction. (Tbe house reminded me of the time when there was a tax on windows, as none can be seen on the two sides where tbe best view is to ba obtained.) This holding consists of about 212 acres of really first class land. I think, however, it is a pity the Land Company should have sold this piece, as it certainly leaves the block in a bad shape, as well as taking a very considerable portion of tbe bent land. Mr Danton ia a carpenter by trade, and a good many structures in the Waimata are his work. I can recommend him from personal knowledge of the work he has done. Turning from the junction to the left, the Land Company’s land is to the right, left, and front of you—all of which is open for selection at payable prices. A short distance along this track you turn to the right, down through tbe bush. On reaching the stream at the bottom you are upon Kenneth Campbell’s land (a lease of a native reserve), known as the Waiomoko. Thia was the first European settler’s holding in this district. The country was originally broken in with cattle, and well the work was done. When first I saw this property first there were large droves of semi-wild pigs, and equally wild cattle. Now these have to a great extent given place to sheep. The land is generally considered to be some of the best on the Coast. Adjoining this is Matthews’ and Hugh Campbell’s properties, which I have mentioned bi-f rj, Mr Greyson is another eettler adjoining, with an equally nice property. Many an appetizing meal have I enjoyed at his where. He is building a new house this summer—a preliminary step no doubt to choosing a wife. Mr J. Mackley, of the Grey Valley, owns some 2000 acres to lhe east of Mr Grayson's (bought from ths Land Company, and a portion from Mr E. F, Harris), It is a good piece cf country. I understand he intends visiting the district, when we hope to see him break in thia nice property, The settlers here certainly have a grievance which the county would do well to try and relieve, I refer to the lack of road accommodation, Condsidering the time rates have been col. leoted from these settlers (especially Mr K. Campbell), some small outlay would have been only fair in the shape of roads. From the northern end of Campbell's, there is a track leading one way to the Coast at Pakarae ; lhe other to Mr Murphy’s Panekau Cattle Station, which is managed by Mr W. Sherratt. This track has of late been made passable for bullook teams, at Mr Murphy’s own expense, the Campbells having originally cleared it for packing purposes years before. If the Government or County Council were to survey the line, a small amount would make a good road in almost any weather. I under, stand, however, it is intended to bring the one road up the Waiomoko Stream and another to Panekau, along the northern bank of the Pakarae. Wbangara Station (Mr J. Seymour's) adjoins Campbell’s and Mackley’s, This is a fine property, but would be far batter in the hands of several men. However, the native trouble is here the cause of much being left undone which otherwise would be done, The road out to the Coast is uninteresting (unless you lose yourself, as you may easily do), beyond showing the general character of coast runs. I hope when the weather improves to take a trip through Mr Murphy’s to Arakihi and Tologa Bay, and thence home to Gisborne by the Coast,