GALATEA ESTATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 88, 4 December 1931, Page 6

GALATEA ESTATE

(To the Editor). Sir, — "Settler" is very much misinformed about the locality of Kopuriki Bridge and also of Fort Galatea, which he wrongly states is.across the Rangitaiki River from the bridge. In reality ,as indicated in my first letter, Fort Galatea is about six miles away from the bridge and is located on Turnbull's property where the old redoubt can still be seen. These facts are well known to those acquainted with the Galatea country. In the interests of people who are likely to be seriously interested in Galatea Block Settlement I wish to confirm my jare vious statement that there is an average of four and a-half inches of soil throughout the light scrub country on Galatea Estate instead of two inches as stated by "Settler." When I was last at Galatea I noted particularly that throughout this light scrub section the Public Works graders were blading off about four to five inches of top soil in order to secure shouldering for the metal they were placing on the roads. Speaking as a farmer, I may state that on the several visits I have made to the estate all the scrub cutting and the relatively small amount of stumping that was being done seemed to me quite necessary should immediate ploughing of a portion of each section be decided upon to permit of early sowing. Relating to the danger of fires t6 fencing: while at Galatea only a few days ago, I noticed that the road fence lines, which seem to be the only ones being laid, were being cleared of scrub to a good safe width and very greatly in exeess of 12 feet mentioned by "Settler," which width, however, appears safe enough through the very light scattered scrub which covers a good portion of Galatea Estate. v Regarding the alleged payment of a bonus to the scrub cutters, I have inquired at the local offi.ee and have been informed most emphatically that the scrub cutters were paid no bonus, but, as is usual on co-operative contracts, the work was originally let at piece work rates on a low flat basis the idea, which works well in practice, being to adjust these rates at measure up of completed work according to the way in which the work opens up. For example, if, as the work develops, it is disclosed to be worth more than the original flat rate, the prices are amended accordingly, the additional being paid as an extra and shown as such on the contract voucher. — I am, etc. "WOULD-BE SETTLER." Rotorua, Dec. 3.