NATIVE FARMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19987, 12 July 1939, Page 4

NATIVE FARMS

DEVELOPMENT AT MAHIA EARLY STAGE IN SCHEME FIFTY PROPERTIES CONTROL OF BLACKBERRY A plan to settle members of the native race in the farming -industry is proceeding co the Mahia Peninsula. The scheme is yet in the early stages of development, tout Already much progress has been made. Located on the north-eastern portion of the peninsula and approximately three miles from Waikokopu, -the total area gazetted in this scheme was 2854 acres, -of which 363 acres are being farmed by five settlers as dairy sections. A further area of 450 acres of the iWhangawehi plateau is being prepared. The Whangawehi plateau, and also a further 400 acres of the Kaiwa'l'tau block, comprise good undulating country -of silty soil, while the 'balance is sandy .a nature, and has been Planted with marram grass and lupin to arrest sand encroachment. Practically the whole -of the scheme area is ploughable. With these and adjoining lands which it is proposed to bring into the scheme, the area should ultimately develop into 50 self-contained farms. Quick Transformation. On the Whangawehi plateau a quick transformation has been achieved on an area which two years ago was thickly covered with blackberry and manuka. This has been cleared and ploughed. The blackberry and manuka was cut and burned, and last year after ploughing the area was sown with barley, which yielded good results, It will be ploughed again this year, the work already being commenced, and in the spring it will -be sown in permanent pasture. The blackberry will be kept under control by stocking, and, perhaps, occasional mowings. It is fairly well under control now, and with careful attention little difficulty is expected. On the isthmus, a block of 120 acres is being prepared for two dairy sections, and measures are being taken there to cope with the sanddrift. For that purpose, and also in order to cope with high winds experienced in other parts of the peninsula, much attention is being given to the planting of shelter belts. Housing Accommodation.

This is one of the newest of the native development schemes, and much interest is being taken in it, » particularly in view of the large amount of blackberry on some parts of the peninsula. The methods adopted to keep the -blackberry in control are in keeping with the accepted practice, but in view of the heavy infestation in some portions the work will be followed with much interest.

Attention is being paid to housing. It is expected that the existing accommodation, when sundry repairs are executed, will be satisfactory.