MINISTER OF LANDS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5427, 22 May 1929, Page 2

MINISTER OF LANDS.

VISIT TO PAEROA. DEPUTATIONS MET. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands, accompanied by Mr K. N. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Messrs A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames, and F. Lye, M.P. for Waikato, arrived in Paeroa on Monday afternoon. Deputations of varied natures were received by the Minister at the Borough Chambers. Paeroa-Pokeno Railway. The Mayor, in introducing the subject of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway, stressed an important fact that it would pay. Once built, it would not be a mere loop-line but eventually a section of the main trunk line. Fortyfour miles would be saved by the cutoff, and congestion relieved. No private enterprise would countenance things the way they were at present. Everything was ready for a start at Paeroa, and gear for bridge-building was lying on the bank of the river at the Public Works Department’s workshops. The Minister in reply stated that he had on many occasions in the House heard of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway, but until his present visit did not know its exact proposed route. Now he had seen the land he had no doubt that the district needed the railway. The Government had numerous railways to consider, and no doubt when the Minister of Railways came to Paeroa in the near future he would go into the question of the proposed Pae-roa-Pokeno one very fully. Mr Forbes said he was of the opinion that railways were necessary to the coun ty, for without them there would be tremendous wear and tear on the roads. » Subsidy for Drainage. Mr G. Buchanan, on behalf of the Netherton Drainage Board, asked for a subsidy for this newly formed board. He stated that a large portion of the land was occupied by free settlers. In support of the Crown settlers’ and Awaiti settlers’ desire to get the drains cleaned, the speaker asked for a subsidy of 10s in the £ for this and next year. A lot of the drains were in rotten, spungy country, easily chocked, and needed cleaning frequently. Mr J. Green, adding to Mr Buchanan’s remarks, said a precedent had been established through a subsidy being granted to the Hauraki Plains West Drainage Board. The Minister promised to look into the matter and see whether a subsidy could be given, following the precedent in the case Mr Green quoted. Waitawheta Gorge. The question of declaring the Waitawheta Goi‘ge a scenic reserve was brought before the Minister by Mr H. M. Corbett, who stated that the land was useless for pastoral purposes and was eminently suitable in every way foi’ a reserve. Its beauties were recognised as unrivalled and its flora unique. Of course, mining rights there should not be interfered with. Mi’ Marshall, in support, said the matter had laid quiescent for a number of years. The gorge was one of the finest beauty spots in New Zealand. Its flora had been written up by an authority on such matters, and a copy of this report the speaker said he would have pleasure in sending to the Minister’s "department. It would be a pity to in any way violate the place. In years to come the gorge would be a venue for sightseers and visitors. Mr Graham explained that the west side of the gorge had been proclaimed a provisional State forest, and the east side was not used. In the Past part of it had been used as a timber drive. He spoke in high terms of the beauties of the spot. The Minister said he was in sympathy with the idea, and would go into the matter and see what could be done to make it secure for all time. He complimented the deputation on its foresightedness in endeavouring to have the gorge retained as a beauty spot. Opening Up Land. Mr Corbett also introduced the question of good potential pastoral land having been set aside as provisional State forests. Mr Buchanan, speaking in support of opening up this land, said the Colville range from Te Aroha to Thames gave an annual return of 9000 tons of butter-fat. The produce was valued at £1,000,000 for a season. There were large areas of land between Waihi and Whangamata capable of development and being opened for settlement. Land in the district that had at one time been deemed useless had proved the reverse. There was plenty of land on the coast just as good. Mr Buchanan said he owned some of the land himself, and had had wonderful results with'' grass. He mentioned by name several farmers who had broken in some of the bush and were getting a return up to £3OO an acre. An acre would carry a cow, and the land was excellent for growing swedes as winter feed. The area was capable of carrying thousands of sheep. It would be bad if it were all closed for afforestation. The speaker suggested that all the land from Thames to Te Aroha except the Waitawheta Gorge should be open for settlement. It would bring wealth to the district and country. Mr Marshall said that the question of opening up the land had the council’s full support. He himself had 18 acres of the once-despised land under the plough. Country that many people had declared useless was now growing grass. It would be a great pity to shut the land up for afforestation. Before the lands were shut up, Mr Marshall suggested that the local bodies should be advised so that they could assist in the decision. No country capable of development should be closed.

Mr Forbes, in answering the deputation, said land had been set aside as provisional State forests in the early days, but that did not mean that the Forestry Department would plant.

The time had now come tb decide how much of the land would be used for that purpose. There should be provision for trees in the. future. His opinion was to see as much land as possible used for settlement. It was almost marvellous to see what had been done with land once said to be worthless. There was a lot in land they had no conception of. With knowledge gained, the Minister said he could go into the question closely. He had come at the right time to see it put on a proper footing. It was his intention to pay particular attention to the subject. The land in debate compared favourably with the best dairying land in the country. The Minister announced that he was not going to allow any of that sort of land to be used for growing trees. He recognised the value of local experience, and the deputation could rely on him to thoroughly investigate the whole subject. Awaiti District.' Mr F. Lye, M.P., asked for the opening up of land in the Awaiti district. Some 2000 acres were available there which at present were only growing noxious weeds, and an acre of it was capable of supporting a cow. This area could be roaded in six weeks. It was capable of close settlement, and he suggested that all possible should be done to throw it open by ballot. Mr Lye then introduced Mr H. E. Hill, an Awaiti settler, who gave further evidence in support of opening up the district. What was needed most was access by proper roads. The settlers already there had no legal access and yet had to pay rates. Altogether there were 2750 acres in Netherton riding capable of being cut up into 60 or 70-acre farms, The rating on the Hauraki Plains was 12s an acre, which was a serious problem, and all this acreage under discussion was at present giving no return. Ragwort, gorse, fescue, etc., were growing luxuriously there. He knew of young men ready and waiting to take up the land. Mr Hill further requested a remission of rates. The Netherton Drainage Board levied a rate of 2s an acre and the Crown 2s an acre over the same period ; 8s a chain was received for cleaning and maintaining drains, whereas the actual cost was only 4s. He asked for a remission of last year’s rates. The Minister intimated his pleasure to know that available land was there. He was present for the purpose of paying attention to such matters. It should be opened up if possible. He would consult the department, and would also go into the matter of rates.