PIAKO SETTLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 845, 17 June 1910, Page 2

PIAKO SETTLEMENT.

HOSTILE CRITICISM. AN OFFICIAL HEPLY. It will be recalled that, not long ago, a northern resident caused some uneasiness by declaring at a public gathering: "God help tho man who takes up land at Pialco." The Lands Department lost no time in declaring that the new settlement would turn out to b? as successful as had all along been confidently anticipated. On that occasion, however, only a general ooinplaint was voiced, viz., that it was doubtful whether the steps which had been taken by the Government to unwater the land would in the course of time prove adequate. That the resident in question was not alcne in his gloomy view of the prospects of intending settlers is shown in a letter from a practical farmer, which has just been handed to Tiif. Dominion for publication. As the writer appears to be a practical man and has touched upon a number of what he alleges to be serious obstacles to the successful settlement of the lands his remarks will bo read with considerable interest. 'It <will also bo seen from a subjoined statement made by the Lands Department that his allegations aro just as vigorously combated in official quarters, and the settlers' prospects declared to be exceptionally rosy. . "Piako swamp," says the correspondent, "is a failure. At high tide the sea backs the river up aud the water spreads all over the land.' The drains that are cut are useloss-ruot half big enough and not half enough of them. I was theio. at low water and .tha drains were then full to the surface, and were not running, and dead water was lying, all over the sections up to one's knees. 1 don't think that it will ever be drained dry enough to grow anything. There is no fresh water on the land—if you except the dirty swamp water—and the nearest fresh water is about ten miles away. Artesian wells were sunk by the Government 400 ft., but the (low was of hot soda water (nico stuff to use in connection with the washing of butter). There is no timber of any sort on or near the swamp; it will all have to come from liotonm. As regards stone for the roads it will need to be brought from the Thames. The only way to get to the invamp is by oil launch from the Thames. To the nearest railway—the "Waikato line —is 'J5 miles over an impassablo road. The lirst-class laud at Piako would be good if it could be got dry; but tho second-class land has from 2ft. to Sft. of peat full of water on it. It was all taken up mostly by people who had never seen it—shop assistants, etc." The writer concludes Willi a strong denunciation of thoso responsible for the claims put forward for this land. Upon this letter having, been brought under tbo notice of tho Lands' Department, it was officially stated that most of its contents were entirely contrary to fact. The Piako sections' were (it was remarked) inspected by no fewer than 552 thorough-going settlers from various parts of the Dominion. They wero invited to stay a few days on tho property, so that they might see tho sections for themselves. It was worthy of note in this regard that every one of them went to the ballot. ■ These settlers saw the land after three days of exceedingly heavy rain; and wore well satisfied with it. In connection with the precautions which had been taken to unwater tho laud, it was stated that a stop-bank had been' erected, extending from the mouth o'f the Waitakarnru right up the Pinko River to Kerepehi. Of drains thero wero ample, for they were cut at between ' a quarter and half a mile apart, and they wero answering the purpose fully. Tho complaint that there was no fresh water there at present was well foundttl, but that fact was pointed out in the posters. It was, however, hoped that that difficulty would be overcomo at an early date. When artesian bores were put dowij' one was very disappointing, and in each of them • tho water contained a certain amount of soda water and fixed air. A similar difficulty bad-been experienced in other localities for a time, but it was confidently expected that as had proved the' case in other places the soda and tho fixed air would exhaust themselves and pure water would bo obtained. Of firewood there was none on the lands in question, but as thero was plenty close at hand it would bo found that it could be obtained cheaper there than had to bo paid at Auckland. It was, of course, a fact that tho quickest means of reaching the settlement was by water-way. There was, however, deep water all along, and proof of this was to be found in the fact that such a largo vessel as tho Northern Steamship Company's Kotiti had recently gone up the river: a good many miles past the settlement. Those who had been successful at tho ballot were thoroughly rxpsrt settlers. The Piako Settlement contained. 17,000 acres, all of which had been taken up; It'was part of 90,000 acres which it was proposed to unwater. About nine months ago tho water did get over the stop-bank at Kere- , pelii, but since then tho bank had been raised appreciably. Only a few months ago—whilst the comet was in proximity to the earth—it was noticed that the sea rushed into tho Piako River at a phenomenal rate, and out again as quickly, but none went over the stopbanks. That part of the Piako lands which was subjcct, to inundation would probably be tho subject of portion of the report of tho Ohinemuri Commission, but tho flood waters in question in no way affected-the Piako Settlement. The amount of peat on the poor -land had been greatly exaggerated, and ranged only from one to less than three feet in depth, and when drained was very productive. It was added that from all accounts successful applicants wero well pleased with their sections, and there was every reason to believe that the settlement would be as successful as was hoped.