TAUPO PUMICE LANDS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 314, 14 November 1929, Page 6

TAUPO PUMICE LANDS.

VISIT SUGGESTED. Farmers’ Union Proposal. The form the-annual outing of the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union is to take was discussed at some length by members at Saturday evening’s meeting. Mr. A. Topham said the Morrinsville Women’s Division had suggested a joint picnic at some spot a short distance from the town.

The president (Mr. G. Pirrit) suggested a trip by branch members to the Taupo pumice areas. It might be possible to give home assistance to the pioneers in those districts, as a number of Morrinsville farmers were pioneers. At all events, in view of the general interest in pumice lands, it would be policy “ to see what the row was about.” Mr. J. Pirrit : Suppose the boot was on the other foot and they were able to give us some advice ? (Laughter.) Mr. F. Seifert said farmers should secure as much information about the pumice areas as possible, as the expenditure of a large sum of public money was contemplated. There was a possibility of the Taupo line being pushed through at some time in the future, and the members of the branch should know what class of country it actually was. Mr. M. E. Barrowclough supported the suggestion, which he said would be educative.

The secretary questioned whether there would be time for such a trip, which would take 3S hours each way. Mr. J. Pirrit : We cannot camp there. A Member : We might put in a week and have some fishing. Mr. G. Pirrit : We were told when we came to Morrinsville that this was the poorest country in Waikato. Opinions have changed since. Mr. J. Pirrit : You said that yourself. (Laughter.) The president and Mr. Topham were appointed a committee to discuss the idea of a joint picnic with the Women’s Division in the autumn. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Chamber of Commerce and endeavour to arrange an excursion to the Taupo pumice country in February or March.