PREMIER'S NORTHERN TOUR.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 January 1913, Page 2

PREMIER'S NORTHERN TOUR.

AFOEESTRY COMMISION.

The Prime Minister passed through Helensville on his leturu to Auckland on Thursday. He was well pleased with the results of the trip; which was characterised by particularly iavourable weather ; and he had met with capital receptions all along the roate. The principal part of Mr. Massey's business on the trip, as far as North Auckland was concerned, was to see the Waipua forest reserve, about which there was considerable discussion .in Parliament last session, and to inspect the unoccupied part of the Bickerstaffe Estate. In addition to that, a number of the Northern local bodies ioterviewed him on various matters of special concern to themselves—among others, with regard to loans and Parliamentary grants. The Government intends within the next few weeks, says, Mr. Massey, to appoint a comoitssiou of experts to inquire into and report upon "matters connected with forestry and areas that should be set apart in different districts in the Dominion for scenic or uliinatic purposes; .the subject of afforestation, the varieties of trees that should bo planted, and the. most suitable localities fjr them ; the length of time for which the present timber supply will last, and the probable demand for it within the comparatively near future. The Waipua forest will be among those to be inspected by the commission, and the commissioners will probably take the evidence of residents in the locality! Mr. Massey said he thought it well that he should visit and inspect the forest for himself. .

With regard to the Bickerstaffe[Estate, the rriine Minister said that there was a large area which, from a settlement point of view, wa s not being utilised to the besfydvantatfe at piesent. The result of his visit would be that an aggregate area of probably 10,000 acres would be opened up, while in the ordinary course this laud might have teen held ovoc 'for s; rae years. "There is no doubt about the demand for land in the North,:' said Mr. Massey, " and the co-operation of the Lands Department, quite a number -»f sections, amounting to the area I have mentioned < will be surveyed and made ready for selection by intonding set* tiers as soon as possible."