HIKURANGI SWAMP.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17419, 1 April 1922, Page 11

HIKURANGI SWAMP.

GREAT DRAINAGE SCHEME INAUGURATED. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.J WHANGAREI, March 31. A ceremony of much importance took place to-day, when the Prime Minister, in association with the Minister of Lands,turned the first eod in inaugurating the Hikurangi Swamp drainage scneme, covering an area of 23,000 acres to be unwatered, and affecting 50,000 acres altogether. About 100 motor vehicles conveyed 600 people fifteen miles from Whangarei to the "venue of tiie ceremony. Mr Maseey having turned the first sod, predicted great success for the Hikurangi Swamp enterprise, which he believed would be consummated five years hence,, as against fifty years in some other quoted instances in the Dominion. Mr Massey said that the machinery used in this scheme was the most modern procurable, which was due to the acumon of Mr Thompson, who had been specially deputed by Cabinet to visit America in that connexion. ] Mr Guthrie said he hoped the most difficult portion of the scheme would be accomplished by June next and settlement commenced witnin two years. An interesting phase was the presentation by Mr Thompson to the Ministers of miniature gold replicas of steam navvies in use in the excavation work.