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Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1931, Page 4

Aamoros of opening up the south country. we mig->t r call the posit'on iu respect to La Fontaine swamp, in the Inter-Wanganui district. Some years ago the Mew Zealand expert on swamp Hand drainage (Mr Thomson) reported on the development of La Fontaine swamp and the work was put in hand. Jn the fullness of time when the officer became Under-Secretary for Lands, the work was stopped, and since then has been condemned. A large amount of useful work, however, has been done, ■and it is considered that with crors drains which should have been put in under the scheme, the land can be brought to greater profit. However, the proof will be in the using of the land, and if the area were thrown open for settlement, 'die demand for it might surpike the authorities. It is to be regretted that the experiments in regard to this area were not carried to cornpi Vion as a‘ test of the ability of swamp land, of which there is a considerable area in Westland. However, if an enterprising settler or settlers manage to secure a foothold, their work might demonstrate something of th? value of th * area in question which are fairfy numinous on this western seabeach. Nov. that there is so much surplus labour ,:bout. it is a pity a pinportion of it were not diverted to th J improvement of swamp land areas. The first step would b ■ in regard to drainage improvement, and as far as can be certained, this is generally possible. The

'La Fontaine area appears to be one where finality might be reached. There has been a considerable expenditure on the land already, and now that loading is being opened to the locality, the Crown should find it profitable to do something practical with it. The soti lers of, the district consider it an area of value, and if the Government has decided not to do further drainage, then the sooner the holding passes into private hands the better, so that some practical use may be made of an area now standing fallow for a very long pci iod.