ABANDONED FARMS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5032, 27 September 1926, Page 4

ABANDONED FARMS.

INSPECTION BY COMMISSION.

SERIOUS BLACKBERRY MENACE.

Continuing their investigations in connectiion with drainage and reading problems in certain parts of the Hauraki Plains, the Commissioners on Thursday morning went by launch to' the Mangawhero landing, where the abandoned soldier farms were inspected. In this area the blackberry is spreading like wildfire, and unless the reportied blackberry destroying solution proves as effective as is; claimed of it and the area is thoroughly treated by the State the consequences will be serious. It has been suggested that the a.rea could be cut into big sections; and leased for flax-growing-for which purpose the land is well suited, as is demonstrated by the excellent stands of flax. However, on account of the blackberries it' is, very doubtful if anpone would take up the areas for flax.

It has also been suggested that small sections should be leased for long terms to settlers of the district a.t a low rental on condition that they kept the blackberries effectually in control. Local settlers, are suggested as being more likely to do this than would Outsiders’, and the suggestion seems to 1 be; sound and workable foi those parts where the pest has not yet assumed big dimensions, but it its unlikely that all the land would be taken up, as the co'sit of eradicating the blackberries by present known means would be more than it was worth. Three farms on Mangawhero Road were inspected during the morning, and the difference in the appearance of the land was amazing. A farm visited near the top Of the road in connection with the; proposed divei sion of a. hill stream as, desired by some other settlers, could, without exaggeration, be termed one of the best in the, county at the present time. Silt brought down by the water in ages past and deposited in the peat, which thereabouts, was only . a few feet deep, had formed splendid soil, and there was an excellent sole of good pasture. •A soldier settler’s dairy farm near the foot of the road is certainly not cow country. It was deep, raw, impervious pea,t, which is saturated in ' winter despite deep drains eevry four chains, with plenty of fall, and which dries up and. scorches in summer. It would have been much better had this country been retained for flbx, for it is good for that purpose. However, on account of, the state of the roads and the cost of cartage to the mills, flax was only worth a, royalty of 5s a ton when the land was opened for sodier settlers, and hundreds of acres of plants, 12ft to 14ft high were grubbed out. To-day endeavours are being made in some places to re,-establish flax. „ .

After luncheon at Mr A. J. McDonald's the Commissioners visited some of the hill farms and hea,rd representations regarding the classification for drainage rating purposes, and then took evidence in camera at the Public Hall. On Friday reading and matters of general interest were, discussed a.t a large meeting in the Pat'etonga Hall.