Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1919. SAND DRIFT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1959, 1 April 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1919. SAND DRIFT.

THERE are thousands o(' acres of land bordering on I he sea coast between Ofaki and the Rangilikei River which are non-productive, owing to sand drift, in many localities the drift continues far inland, but little or nothing is heyig done to stop the menace. A compulsory and comprehensive scheme should ho adopted by the Government to deal with this matter by the planting of Marram grass and lupins, and shelter bells of suitable trees. In (he Auckland district, along the west coast, the drift of mind is regarded as a serious menace. Mr C. •]. Parr, M.P. for Eden, in a letter on the matter to the. Minister for Lands, the Hon. 1). 11. Guthrie, slated that it threatens not only (he prosperity but the very existence as a productive asset of (he whole territory stretching from Alotulara 20 miles northward. For years the sea-sand had been creeping up over the countryside, the drift being most serious in the vicinity of Woodhili and Wharcpapa. At (he former place it was now only about half a mile from the railway line. If unchecked, in a few years the sand would cover (he present North Auckland railway route. This (piesliun was (lie most seriously important one that lay before the North. It was now recognised that it was possible, by certain measures, to stop this ruinous drift. Indeed, it was claimed, with reason, that by the planting of Marram grass, nut only could the encroachment be arrested, but the present 30,000 acres under sand could be converted into rvhgt would be once more a productive area. Experiments carried out on (lie coast proved that these results could lie obtained, provided the whole area was handled in a comprehensive fashion. The Agricultural Department, with its expert staffs, was peculiarly well placed to aWist in

I in's enterprise, which, was :i work oj’ national importance. The best. eour.se would be (but suggested by the Waitefnalu Comity .Council, to acquire the limd under “The,Pnblie Works Act/’ iind after reclaiming it, dispose of it by side. The compensnlioii (o he paid would lie extremely little, ns (he laud was now valueless. Viewed from this point, the State could handle the problem in such a way as not only (o save the Kaipara district from ruin, but at the same time provide a most profitable dealing for tin' 1 Stale. # ft ft * AT yesterday’s meeting of the Foxlon Chamber of Commerce it was decided to bring the subject under (he notice of the Government, and to enlist the co-operation of the members of Parliament and local governing bodies between Otaki and Wanganui.