The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Valleys And Plains
page 197
Valleys And Plains.
The provincial district, though not possessing such vast plains as are found in the South Island, includes a very large area of undulating lands, besides some not inconsiderable plains. On each side of the Tararua Range there is a fine stretch of level country. To the eastward lies the plain known as the Wairarapa, which is some forty-seven miles long by an average width of nine miles, and includes a large area of rich alluvial land.
Other considerable portions are stony, and though unsuited for agriculture, are grassed, and thus made valuable as pastoral lands, especially in the rainy seasons. Westward of the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges lies a magnificent block which extends from Paikakariki, thirty miles from Wellington, to a little beyond the Rangitikei River. In fact, fairly level land may be said to line the coast as far as New Plymouth. Although very narrow at its southern end, this plain (for though somewhat broken, it may fairly be called a plain)
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gradually widens, and at Feilding has a breadth of not less than twenty miles. This stretch of country contains some of the grandest agricultural and pastoral land in New Zealand, and is capable of supporting a largely increased population. Southward of the Tararua and Rimutaka is the lovely Hutt Valley, where a large number of settlers are located, mostly on small holdings.