Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1929, Page 4

Tub distinct improvement of the Coast •Jinuuc of late years has added great•y to the production of the land. Setters on all sides are finding also the .aluc of fertilising as a prime means u> maintain feed supplies. The bettei' otihsa-ion of the lands has given a most encouraging response and the district lands should conic more into favour. We often hear of expensive land in the North Island going back, and the settlers heiny in s,uch difficulties that they have to walk off their holdings! Fortunately nothing so serious is arising here, and we take it the value of the district land is more stable. Certainly all land must have proper cultivation if it is to he used year after year. The settlers are becoming alive to their obligations in this matter, hence the fertilising which is being done. If the settlers would also do more fo clean up their lands, and particularly keep them clear of noxious growth such as blackberry and gorse. to say nothing of rushes, what a difference it would make to many aireas along the roadside of some of our most progressive settlements. The rough overgrowth which is allowed at times to take charge in some of the paddocks, is a reflection •m the zeal and industry of the settlor who is not only, injuring himself by -•urlaijipg the productivity of his holding, hut is also doing the locality harm h.v allowing it to be regarded only for its facility to produce noxous growth. On the other hand, where a settler attends to the clearing of his paddocks, and keeps down the noxious growth, the advantage by way of comparison is most marked, •’ml if that settler were a seller, the •ondition of his ground must add pounds per acre to the value of his holding. It is p’ensing to record tliaf i. good deal of clearing and cleaning up has been going on, and the advantage of this will he realised very quickly. If the full profit were being obit ined from the occupied land of the district, the wealth of Westland would increase manifold, and the general prosperity, which would result would he reflected all round. Increased production not only increases annual earnings, but it adds to the asset value of the holding, and will give the holder greater affluence. With the markets now obtainable for produce from the land, whether following dairying or pastoral pursuits, there is every reason why those on the land should use their holding to the best effect and they ‘will be well repaid for their outlay and industry.