MINISTER OF LANDS ON THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4399, 5 April 1922, Page 2

MINISTER OF LANDS ON THE PLAINS.

(Continued frpm page 1.) about a two-mile stretch uncompleted ; also the Waikaka outlet was silting up If this work was done the returned soldiers there would not want revaluation. The Minister said that what had been done with the very moderate machinery on hand w.as really wpuderful, but the new up-to-date chinery would be used on the most urgent works first, No ’time would be lost in opening up the miles of Jhe Waitakaruru canal as soon as dredges- were available. Cr. Mayn referred to the flooding caused by the river. The Government had put in the Waikaka cut, but it was too large, and had not enough current, and therefore it silted up. If this silt was removed and placed in the mouth; of the Waikaka stream it would send the whole of the water through the cut and there would be enough current to sebur the debris out VALUE OF FLAX. Mr S. T. Pateman, representing flaxmilling interests, said the Plains was growing flax equal to anything in New Zealand. One acre of flax every three years would produce tb the miller exportable produce to the value of £116.. The plant, “phormium -tenax,’’ or New Zealand flax, was cultivated extensively in other .countries, but whereas sisal took 25 tons of green leaf to the ton of fibres manilia' 18, phormium tenax (N.Z. flax) took only 9 tons. The flax enhanced the value of the ioil, by introducing nitrogen. There were 600 acres of flax in, the Torehapa which it would be a pity, to destroy. Ho was prepared to take, i.t over for ten years, and by that time it would have solidified and be worth £4O per acre. One mill would produce fibre valued at £7500 per annum, ahd employ 18 men. There was no intensive production which could show better results. He would be prepared ttf lease the, land, or as an alternative he would give 5s per; ton royalty, and 6d per ton on green leaf for every £1 over a certain value the fibre brpught on the market. ' The Hon, Mr Guthrie said he had not change of the flax. The Government was trying to assist to eradicate the diseased .leaf at Makerua (Manawatu), but no one had yet been able to find a remedy. He had had the greatest trouble to thwart the project to destroy the flax, as Mr Poland and Mr Rhodes knew.

RECREATION GROUND. Cr. Mayn put forward a request for a reserve for a recreation ground, which was favourably received. . PAEROA-PATETONGA CANAL. The proposed canal to Paeroa was briefly introduced by Cr.. Mayn, but time did not permit the discussion of it, as the Minister’s stay was, necessarily very limited. The Minister said; he would refer the matter to his engineers. Mr Taylor was at the present time draving up a scheme in connexion with the . matter.. (Applause.)' - j ■ COMMENT. From subsequent inquiries the “Gazette” reporter learned , that the canal project will jbe investigated duHng the progress 'of elaboration of : the drainage- and roading scheme. as a whole. Plans .and reports are in existence, and sooner or later the practicability; or otherwise of the canal will be considered. In the meantime the Plains and Paeroa people should lose, no opportunity of furthering the project.—Ed. "Gazetted TRAMWAY SOUR SOIL. The next stage of the journey .was made by trolley on the Patetonga tramline to the Landing. On that trip it was plainly seen how spur much of the land is, It takes some ten years to, get the sourness out of the soil, and in the meantime the poor settlers have a terribly hard struggle to’make both ends meet. --It is in these cases th^t'the soldier settlors, who took up the land, when prices Were high, and probably £id not Understand what time was require ed , after drainage for Nature ho sweeten the soil, want - remission of rents. Some of them will, certainly have to “achieve the impossible” to pull through without assistance.