PROGRESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 535, 19 May 1933, Page 4

PROGRESS

The opening of the new Winter show building on Wednesday next by the Hon. E. A. Ransoin will, unc[uestionably, mark a Yery definite forward step in the progress of Rotorua. It is not the actual fuhction alone which has claims to particular importance, but rather what it stands for in relation to the general development of the district and the wider recognition of the potential wealth which exists

within the rich Rotorua-Bay of Plenty area. With this special issue of the "Morning Post" we have endeavoured to present evidence gathered from various reliable sources showing considered appreciation of future agricultural and industrial possibilities and sound belief in the wealth of the development work which has been in progress during the last few years. The extent of that development has not been fully realised either by our own residents or by the public in other parts of New Zealand. With accessible land in many places a shy eye was turned upon our vast pumice areas in the past and apart from the efforts of pioneer farmers little was done to test the real worth of the country which promisec. such a rich reward for cultivation. But with the eommencement of operations at Ngakuru and Horo Horo a wonderfu' change became evident in the neglected country side. Elsewhere in this issue figures are given of results obtained from

this new farming, but it may be appropriate in this article to show just what a huge area haS ibeen added to the cultivated anc I cultivatable lands in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty districts by the operations of the Lands anc Native Departments. Taking the Native areas first it will be seen that the followiner areas are be-

ing developed: Rotorua 20,450 (Whakatane 17,040 Urewera 3,600 Opotiki 7,300 48,390 If we add to this total approximately 10,000 acres at Ngakuru it will be seen that about 58,390 acres of hitherto waste land in this part of the Dominion are being brought into profit. This area it will be seen does not include Galatea Estate which althouerh ureviously settled as a

sheep and cattle run is now being prepared for intensive farming. It must, also, be remembered that private owners have been improving their holdings, adding to the acreage under cultivation, culling their herds and generally advancing the standard of production. There can be little doubt that the impetus given to land setlement during the last three years will stimulate iriterest in the whole of

the Bay of Plenty mnterland and we may confidently look for a continuance of progress in the future. Thousands upon thousands of acres are still available for profitable occupation and it is to be sincerely hoped that the necessity for further development will be kept urgently be-

fore the Government. Combined with the settlement of waste lands it seems apparent that the district is to enjoy great industrial progress insomuch that big areas of our forests., are likely to come into profitable use as Timberlands Woodpulp, Ltd., has definitely decided to commence the erection of a . huge miil to deal with our exotic and fiative forests. What this will mean to the RbtoriiaBay of Plenty districts can easily be imagihed. It is also gratifying to know that our attractibns as a toiirist resort are becoming more widely and favourably ,known. The last season, notwithstanding the prevailing depressibn, showed a sound increase ifi the number oi overseas and IlominjouiMtuLMusiM&Sk

al attractions are being added to the town of Rotorua. The new Blue Baths are becoming fainous throughoht the North Island, while the addition of reserves and sports areas is mak- 1 ing the place more attractive to holiday' makefs. The opening lip of the wonderful coastal foad between Opotiki and Cape Runaway will alsb, iii tiihe, indhce thousands of trayeiiers tb visit that favoured region. Taking these facts into consideration it is nbt then unreasbnable to hbpe that, building up con Science frohl what has been accomplished diifirig the past few years, wb shall be inspir ed tb ensure still filrther sound pfogress.