BREAKING IN LAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 12

BREAKING IN LAND

COMPARISON OF COST FENCING PRICE DOUBLE \:. . Interesting evidence of the cost of bringing bush land in the Upper Wangaehu Valley into productivity was given before the Assessment Court in Wanganui by J. Kennedy, farmer, Karioi. Mr. Kennedy said he took up land in that locality in 1893, when it was standing bush, and now had an area of 13,000 acres. He had been felling bush till about three years ago. To get to his farm in the first place he had to cut a seven-mile track through bush which was used to pack stores and seed. Settlers in those days had to do their own survey. The cost of grass seed in the early days was £1 10s an acre, but it was much more now, he said. There was always the danger of fire. To build a fence in 1908 costs 17s a chain, without material, and now the same work would cost 35s a chain. The cost of felling bush for the first 10 years was £1 17s an acre, and for the next 10 years £2 4s; he' would estimate the cost of felling to-day at £3 an acre. To bring bush land into productivity to-day, without including the cost of buildings and their fences, would cost £6 19s 6d an acre. On steep bush country there was always recurring expense through fences being carried awtiy by slips. In new country it was necessary tc stock well with cattle to consolidate the country and promote the growth of grass. In that country the loss of cattle was fairly heavy. Much of the country reverted to scrub and at regular intervals the scrub had to be cut. With rising costs to-day, he would not take up bush country as he did in the past, said Mr. Kennedy.