PRODUCTION FROM SCRUB AND PUMICE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 58, 30 October 1931, Page 4

PRODUCTION FROM SCRUB AND PUMICE

(Continued) from the fact that 100 miles of fencing is in course of erection at the rate of 900 chains ,a month. Roads around and through the block are being construeted by the P. W. D". and there are already more than 20 miles open for traffic. Fixjng the Pasture The general policy of grassing is being followed out on the new area A foundation of 431bs. of certified rye (and other mixtures) is being sown to the acre with 3cwt of super. For experimental purposes an area of eight aeres has been set aside. This has been cut into four sections and treated with different manures. No 1 has received 3 cwt. of super ; No 2, 3 cwt. of amoniated super; No. 3, 1 cwt. blood and. bone aiad 2 cwt. of super; No 4. i cwt. fish manure to 2 cwt of super. Qn. steeper hill sides one-acre flats have been sown with various hill njixtures with 3' cwt. of super. By these methods it is hoped to obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the pastures and manures which will produce the best results in this class of country. It is, of course, recognised that the Country will have to be kept up by top-dressing, and it is believed that two applications a year at a cost of 30/- an acre will prove profitable, maintaining and improving the pasture. No definite information is available tas to when these blocks will be open for selection, but the Ngakuru No 1 land is rapidly approaching a stage when it can be handed over to individual farmers. Fine houses have been erected upon the two blocks and several sheds which will ultimately be used for milking purposes. Great Work by Maoris It is not only on Government lands, however, that progress can be seen in this iocality. There are already eight private homesteads and the Maoris have done amasing work,. and helped to transform the whole aspect of the countryside. From the junction of the Taupo and Atiamuri Roads, to the Whirinaki junction scrub has been eut and burned, land ploughed and sown and fences erected. The nratives have 10,000 acres under development in that district. A total 'of 4500 acres has been cleared and 3000 sown in grass sand 36 native selectors are in occupation of their •holdings. A school has been built, stores. opened, telephones installed ■and a dreary wilderness converted into green fields where stock are already grazing. This, however, does not end the native activity, for development is proeeeding with 2000 acres at Mourea, 12,000 at Taheke, 700 at Maketu and 400 at Rangiuru, (near-Te Puke). As will be seen from these figures approximately 32,000 acres are being brought into occupation by Government and native operations within a very few miles of Ro.torua and there are thousands upon thousands of acres of similar land awaiting attention. A glance at Ngakuru No. 1 will show that there need be no fear of the pumice areas.