NGAKURU BLOCKS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 340, 29 September 1932, Page 5

NGAKURU BLOCKS

("Post" Special Commissioner).

DEFENCE OF SCHEME MINISTER OF LANDS SAYS* MONEY WELL SPENT PROGRESS OUTLINED

Wellington, Tuesday. A defcnce of tho Ng-akuru. development work was made in the House of Representatives to-night by the Minister for Lands (Ilon. E. A. Ransom) . Mr. Ransom said that reasonable progress luul been made with the worlc of breaking in No** 1 block. It was commenced two and a half years ago when the land was practieally useless. ■ In order to test the" capabilities of the country, a demonstration plant had been estahlished and already.most satisfactory results had been obtained. The demonstration farm was 238 acres in extent and it was carrying 55 cows, which last year, produced 30,317 pounds of butterfat, This was an excellent return. Mr. W. J. Jordon (Labour, Manakau) : What was the cost of bringing the land in? Mr. Ransom: £11 without buildings. The Minister said that the demonstration farm had cost about £20,000. On it had been built modern buildings and equipment while there were another 755 acres rcady fpr occupatioh. The Government had been criticised for not opening it up for selection, but if'had been decided to worlc the area on the share milking system. The reason for this step was because the Agricultural Department desired to carry on further experiments apd improvements alongside the sharemilkers. There were six share milkors on the land and if they made good they would be given a chance to take up seloctions.