SAND DRIFT MENAGE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 April 1920, Page 3

SAND DRIFT MENAGE

MEETING AT PARAKAI

In response to a notice calling a meeting of settlers owning and adjacent to land affected by the sand drift on the coast bounded by Kaipara Heads and Muriwai Beach, about 30 settlers were present at the Parakai Hall on Thursday evening last, when Mr. R. P, Greville, Commissioner of Crown Lands, addressed the meeting on this matter. Mr. H. Aitkenhead, chairman of the Waitemata County Council, presided, and in introducing the speaker, remarked that there was no doubt the Government intended doing something at last in regard to this matter.

Mr. Greville stated that he did not have an extensive knowledge of this matter, but had sufficient to know how to deal with it. He had convened the meeting on his own initiative, as he was very interested in the sand drift, and the means necessary to cope with it. The Government had very little Crown land around here, but were interested from a broad national point of view. A successful method of coping with the drift was going to be of great benefit to the district, and he was sure the settlers would willingly co-operate with the Government in whatever steps were taken to combat the drift. The chief difficulty in the present case was finance. Only a small area of Crown land was affected by the sand, but the Government was wililng to assist the settlers whose properties were endangered. A small sum had been set aside for the purpose. There was no experiment about it— he was sure the matter could be succesfully dealt with by planting suitable vegetation. Touching on the rabbit question, the speaker said it was no good planting to provide food for rabbits, and that matter and also the question of straying stock over areas planted would have to be dealt with. Work in the Waipu district had been seriously affected by stock getting on the land being treated, and the discontinuance of the work there through this cause had been considered. The main question, however, was the establishment of a nursery—or nurseries— for the growth of marram grass and other plants suitable for transplanting to the sand --^3. For the establishment of ■ ;■ initial nmsery, the Govcrmne. , : :'., a very suitable area in viev, :^joining Mr. S. Gregory's property at Woodhill, which had been inspected by Mr. S. Stafford, an officer of the Department. The speaker stated that a very large area of native land—from 11,000 to 12,000 acres—was affected by the sand, and if this could Be secured at a reasonable figure it would be a matter the Governent could take up. A settler: The Government ought to take the lot at 1, - per acre. Continuing, Mr. Greville said that the idea of establishing a number of nurseries was with a view to having plants close at hand, where they would be easily available. He considered it advisable to form a committee of settlers interested in the matter. Questioned as to the basis of co-operation between the property owners and the Government, the Commissioner suggested that tire settlers might co-operate to the extent of their reponsibility, according to the areas of sand-affected land they held.

Mr. R. Hoe, Woodhill, stated that marram grass planted by him for sand had done very well. An area owned by the natives originally offered for sale at 6d per acre could not now be obtained under 5/- per acre, after the native owners had seen that marram could be successfully grown on it.

Mr. N. W. Rimmer stated that some areas were already in a suitable state for tree-planting, but with thousands of acres of native land adjoining, it was hardly any use planting unless the native land was dealt with as well. He was quite prepared to assist the Governmen in any feasible scheme for coping with the drift.

Mr. /Porter, a native settler, suggested that the Government should take over the sand dunes, plant them, and sell them back to the owners when dealt with. This idea was also supported by Mr. James McLeod, who was of the opinion that the original owners should be given an option of re-acquiring the land at cost. He mentioned being one of a deputation who waited on Sir James Allen during his term as Premier in connection with this matter, but nothing was done.

Tho Commissioner said that he could hardly agree that the Government should take all the risk and owners get all ' the benefit. He thought that the owners of the large areas of good land now menaced by the sand should be prepared to contribute to the coat, if only as an insurance. T; c i;u,d was surely worth some t.i'oit of protection on the part of p.t,p.;.ty owners.

Mr. Hoe suggested that settlers owning small areas of sand-drift should plant them thickly with marram grass, the Government to pay half the cost and to have the right to remove plants to other areas. This proposal seemed tq meet with general approval amongst the set-

tiers present. Mr. Hoe added that he was quite willing to give the use of the nursery site mentioned by Mr. Stafford, but pointed out that a number of nurseries at different points would be needed.

After further general discussion it was decided that a committee be formed to co-operate in any direction the Commissioner thought advisable. The following gentlemen were proposed and elected a committee :—Messrs. Bailey, J. Mason, R. Hoe, S. Gregory, Buckland, H. Monk, Phillips, Evans, Griffiths, Norreys, L. McLeod, Porter, and Mrs. Hoase. These represent practically all who have land affected by the sand. Mr. R. Hoe was elected chairman, and Mr. Gregory secretary.

. Mr. Greville again assiu*ed the meeting that the Government was quite prepared to co-operate in any direction thought advisable. It was a matter for congratuation that a start had at last been made, and he had no doubt as to the successful outome of the work once it was started. He also undertook to have a ma}) made showing the ownership of the areas affected, and to have titles searched if necesary.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Commisioner for his address, and the meeting adjourned.