TANIWHA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 366, 9 April 1918, Page 3

TANIWHA

RETURNED SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT VISIT BY MR T. W. RHODES, M.P. "Turning the returned soldiers into useful farmer-citizens," was the remark of Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., after the visit he paid with our representative on Saturday last to the Taniwha Soldiers' Settlement, pleasantly situated on the WaerengaTaniwha road and about three miles from the latter township. This settlement consists of 500 acres divided into eight blocks of about 50 to 70 acres and is at present occupied by eight soldier tenants. Despite the fact that they have each physical drawbacks their co-operative spirit and general contentedness is a sufficient answer to those who unfavourably criticise all attempts to settle the soldier on the land. Considering the scheme has only been in operation a little over a year the result, notwithstanding an adverse season and difficulties incidental to the first year's work, is encouraging. In the case of Mr Leslie Avery, who started in April, 1917, he has a well built house, convenient cowbails and sheds, a "Globe" separator run by an oil engine, and has 16 cows. Next year, he remarked to the writer, he hoped to be on his feet. His neighbour, Mr Gordon, built his house himself and his 61 acres is a credit to him. On this farm he runs 20 cows and he is proud of the fact that with the help of his wife and boy, by means of a "New Zealandia" milking machine, he can get through his milking in half an hour. Unfortunately his health is a serious drawback to him, but bis wife has proved a valued nelpmate and thus they look forward hopefully to the future. The spirit of these men and their desire to help one another is a pleasing feature of the settlement. Passing over the land one noticed that the familiar blackberry and other noxious weeds were absent, showing that these "boys" at least had kept these parasites of the land under control while the general appearance of each homestead reflected creditably on the occupiers, all of whom were determined to overcome obstacles by persistent and methodical work Taniwha has at least a body of men who are a credit to the district, and the Government are to be congratulated on their desire to provide for these men in such a way that their success depends on their own personal efforts, which is at least exemplified by their well kept homesteads and their own general contentedness.