CROWN LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1931, Page 6

CROWN LANDS

DEVELOPMENT POLICY

SUCCESS WITH PUMICE AREA

WELLINGTON, May 13

Tlic Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A Ransom) accompanied by Mr W. Robertson (Under Secretary for Lands) is at present engaged on a tour inspecting Crown areas which are being developed or are in prospect of development by the Government. Last Saturday he made a close investigation of the Ngakuru blocks which are situated about twenty miles from Rotorua on the Whirinaki Road. When subsequently approached as to the result of the inspection the Minister stated that he was very pleased with the progress made. “The work,” said the Minister, “is being carried out by the Department of Agriculture on behalf of my Department. In the short space of fifteen months no less than 1300 acres have been transformed from totally unproductive scrub land into very satisfactory pasture. A further 2500 acres have been cleared and 800 acres ploughed in readiness for spring sowing, while thirty-four miles of fencing have been erected, 80 acres of shelter belts have been planted and a number of sheds and cottages erected. The present plan of development aims at sowing 3000 acres in grass by next autumn, the erection of 100 miles of fencing and the establishment of 300 acres of shelter plantations.” ENCOURAGING R ESPONSiC Referring particularly to Ngakuru No./1 block, which comprises 1200 acres of developed laud, the Minister stated that the area had responded very encouragingly to treatment and its management and future disposal was now under consideration. It had been decided to utilise one section as a demonstration fqrm and that tin's section ha c | already been fully equipped for purpose. The farm comprised 225 acres of flat to gently undulating land. It had been fully subdivided for rotational grazing and next season would be run as an ordinary dairy farm in order to demonstrate the butterfat producing capabilities of that class of land. The remainder of the block would therefore not h c opened for selection immediately, but would lie placed under suitable pasture management until the demonstration results were obtainable. This management would provide dairy herds from high class stock for the incoming settlers. COST OF DEVELOPMENT. Referring to the cost of development Mr Ramsom stated that, when ( 05i : of bunging the land into grass was •estimated at £7 16s per acre. This comprising clearing, ploughing and general cultivation, fertiliser, and grass-seed. This work on tile Nga ! '" ru No. 1 block had <--n«+ £7 17s per acre, of which the certified grass-seed and manure represented £4.

“I am very sanguine,” said the Minister, “of a very satisfactory set tlement being established on what has always been regarded as waste pumice {and. Eder sinoe I -enterdd public life I have advocated the development of tl'"'"- areas and I have no hesitation in saying that the results so far obtained more than justify my confidence in the district.”

The Minister and his officers are investigating the methods to be adopted in developing the Galatea Estate which was purchased some time ago for closer settlement purposes.