CROWN LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1928, Page 4

CROWN LANDS

COM Ml SSI ONER’S ANN UAL REPORT. In bis annual report Mr IV. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Westland, states : Record favourable weather conditions wore experienced . all over the district during the year. The spring and summer weather, in the opinion of many of the old settlers, lias never keen paralleled. The consequence of the long periods of dry fine weather was that there has been an abundance of feed everywhere and a notable advance in butter-fat production. The white and green crops have been very successful and much bay has been saved. While it goes without saying that a favourable season is, of course, all to the good, it appears to be well established that even under adverse conditions production may be doubled, iff not more than doubled, by renewing pastures from timo to time by the judicious use of fertilizers and top-dressing.

and by herd-testing. Competent dairy farmers have proved this beyond doubt, and all who are engaged in the industry who have not already done so are strongly urged, both in tlieir own interests and in the interests of the community as a whole, to give these two aspects or conditions of tlieir occupation tlieir careful and practical attention;

The lime-works at Kowliitirangi and Ross arc still in active operation. Jt is vorv much to lie- regretted that these concerns do not receive a more liberal measure of local support.

The total output or sawn timber for the year was 57,449,800 superficial feet, a decrease of 9,403,500 on the previous year. Of this total, 21,891,000 superficial feet were cut from Warden’s licenses, 2,597,100 superficial feet from t’l-own land. 18.699,200 superficial feet from freehold, and 14,202,500 superficial feet from State forests. The quantity of timber exported was 15,844,100 superficial feet, a decrease of 3,180,100 superficial ‘feet on last year’s export. One half of the total output for the year passed through the Otira Tunnel.

In addition to the sawn timber. 327.326 superficial feet of silver-pine posts, poles, strainers, and sleepers were railed to Christchurch, and 640 trucks of mining props and bars, chid Fagus fusca, were supplied to the coal-mines.

The four flax-mills mentioned in last year’s report are still in operation. Fibre of an exceptional quality is produced in Westland,' and there seems little doubt that the systematic planting of suitable unoccupied areas would be a profitable field of investment. It is understood that negotiations are in progress for the establishment off fLindustry on a large scale in South Westland.

The total gross revenue for the year, including the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account, amounted to £23,219. Land revenue amounted to £13,222. Land Hoard: Twelve monthly meetings wore held, as scheduled, during the year. The Board dealt with 140 applications for land, 74 transfers, 24 exchanges, 50 applications by returned men for advances, transfers, postponements, etc., and 186 timber licenses, together with the usual volume of miscellaneous work.

During the year the Rimu Dredge Co., of America, dredged 26 acres of fresh country and excavated 797.373 cubic yards of material for a return of gold valued at £45.923. In addition to various sluicing claims, boring Ifor subsequent dredging operations is being carried out in various localities.

Land remaining for Selection: An area of 142 acres of rural land and 10 acres of town land is now in hand, and 105,960 acres of town, village, suburban and rural land is open in the Land Guide.