HON. T. M. WILFORD’S VISIT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 271, 17 January 1929, Page 5

HON. T. M. WILFORD’S VISIT.

THE PUMICE LANDS. Possibilities of Cultivation. On Friday morning, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister for Justice, accompanied by Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., inspected the pumice areas, on his way to the prison camp at Tokaanu, 35 miles the other side of Taupo. At Atiainuri, Mr. W. J. Parsons took the Minister over the greater part of his farm and he was greatly impressed, so much so that he said if the eighty members of Parliament in the House of Representatives were brought to where he was standing and saw what he was able to see, there would be no further question of the utilisation of the pumice areas. From Mr. Parsons’ farm the Minister went on to Reporoa, where be *as particularly struck with a very heavy crop of hay standing in gtooks. If he had been told about it by Mr. Clinkard or others, without seeing it with his own eyes, he would have had great difficulty in believing them.

A deputation met him at Wairakei with respect to the fishing between Aratiatia rapids and Huka falls. A recent New Zealand Gazette had notified that anglers in this area were restricted to the fly for bait. The members of the deputation asked that the regulation might be amended, at the same time pointing out that it was customary and legal, in other places, to use a spoon if it were so desired.

The Minister, in his reply, stated that he was in agreement with the l’equest. His own experience as a fisherman was similar to theirs, and he would attend to the request when he returned to Wellington.

At the prison camp Mr. Wilford was met by the officer in charge, who, in course of conversation, reported that over 3000 acres around the camp had been developed and cultivated to some purpose, for they had topped the market at. Westfield for fat bullocks and fat lambs. He remarked also that the amount of fertiliser used was limited. The difference in appearance between the cultivated area and the land surrounding it was most marked. The Minister stayed at the camp ov»t Sunday and proceeded the next morning to Waimarino to catch the train for Wellington, Mr. Clinkard returning to Rotorua.