THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2193, 24 September 1907, Page 1

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

DEPUTATION TO THE TAI RAWHITI MAORI LAND BOARD. PROSPECTS VERY FAVORABLE. On September 7th a deputation from the Wairoa Dairy Factory comprising Air. J. Hunter Brown (chairman). Dr. Somerville (director), and Air. Sandeman (secretary), waited on the Tai Rnwliiti Maori Board to urge that steps be at once taken to enable natives to borrow for the purpose of fencing their land and purchasing cows to supply the dairy factory, reports the East Coast Mail, Wairoa.

_\l r. Brown said the chief trouble of the factory was the smallness of the milk supply. They wished the Board to so deal with some lands as' would enable the owners or lessees to finance lor the purpose of putting up fencing or buying cows. He understood the Government was willing to lend up to a third of the unimproved value of the land for sucli purposes. The Maoris made good dairy farmers, and those in the district were anxious to engage, in the industry. Mr. Sandoman asked the Board to consider Paeroa No. 2, 2000 acres, close to AVairoa, and endeavor to find some way of enabling money to be raised on it. Colonel Porter said the Board would soon hold a meeting to look into the matter brought up, but. somehow, there was always something in the statute which was indefinite. As regards Paeroa the Board intended to get the . natives to select ono or two of their number to bold a lease from the Board. It would be ii lease negotiable for any purpose. Dairying was peculiarly suited to tile habits and lie-ids of the natives. In conclusion Colonel Porter assured the deputation that the action asked for would be taken at once. Alter a short discussion the deputation withdrew.