EARTHQUAKE AREA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1930, Page 4

EARTHQUAKE AREA

PUBLIC AVORKS RESTORED.

WELLINGTON, March, 18

After a few days’ tour in the Murchison earthquake area, when he inspected the worst centres of damage, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Alinister of Lands, lias returned to Wellington The farming prospects of the district, poor prior to- the great shake, are not hopeful, though settlers have ©een assisted greatly to replace themselves where they desired to do so. The Crown tenants prior to the earthquake were receiving very substantial rental concessions. The Alinister found that the local bodies were well satisfied with the Government’s work in restoring, roads, bridges and other public works damaged in the earthquake. “A deputation at Alurchison,” he remarked, “declared that they wanted to say how well they had been treated by the Public, AY orks, Department in regard to their roads and bridges. They had received a very pleasant surprise not only in regard to the expedition shown in the work, tout the substantial nature of the . restorations.” Outside the damaged area Air Forbes found on.the Alotueka and R.iwakn flats .ample evidence of the wonderful fertility of the soil and its peculiar adaptability for small farm crops, such as hops, fruit and tobacco. The outlet is the small port of Alapua, which ten years' ago handled 6000 cases of apples annually, and this year will ship about 210,090 cases. Tobacco is being grown under contract to large firms operating in New Zealand, tho seed bein" supplied in accordance with their requirements, tobacco for cigarettes being cultivated in a different manner from that for pipe smoking, the latter needing a broad, heavy leaf while the cigarette tobacco plants grow tall, furnishing a long, light leaf. Good returns are expected this season. An extremely good crop is being picked.