FROM FLAX SWAMP TO DAIRY FACTORY.

Shannon News, 20 September 1929, Page 1

FROM FLAX SWAMP TO DAIRY FACTORY.

A Rural Romance MAKERUA PLAINS CO-OP. ENTERPRISE Great Development is taking place in the Northern end of the Horowhenua County and large . areas of new land are being brought into production. In one case progress has been so rapid that a dairy factory is to be built. This week’s Mercantile Gazette contains the announcement of the formation of the Makerua Plains Cooperative Dairy Co., Ltd. The.capital is £SOOO into 5000 shares of £1 each. The subscribers are: Makerua, R. Southec, F. ,C. Woofendin, M. R. Scanlon, J. A. McEachen, F. N. Unsted; Tokomaru, W. Claridge; Eketahuna, S. H. Claridge, one share each. The objects stated are to establish dairy factories, casein factories, creameries and cheese factories at and near Tokomaru and general incidental. The offices of the company are: Mansford and . Glcndinning, Rangitikei street, Palmerston North.

As .more than usual interest attaches to the establishment of a dairy factory on the Makerua Plains, a Times representative interviewed Mr. Alfred Seifert, who has been intimately associated with this area of land for over 27 years.

‘ ' Here indeed is a romance of rural development,” said Mr. Seifert. '•'When I firs! saw this land it was considered to be .an undrainable swamp growing raupo and swamp grasses with an occasional stunted flax plant perched on the nigger heads and other high nebs. Then I knew it as the finest flax area in New Zealand, employing hundreds of men and bringing much wealth to the country from the fibre and tow produced. -And now I see dairy farms, settlement., herds of cattle, and even children playing in what was once the home of the woodhen and pokeko. ”

Mr. Seifert recalled that in 1902 the Makerua Estate C 0.,. Ltd. purchased 12,343 acres of land from the Manawatu Kailway Company and proceeded immediately to improve • the property, especially by drainage. The improvements carried out produced a good natural'crop of flax over about 9500 acres of the laud purchased. This with other adjoining areas in the plains brought the total under fla,x up to about 14,000 acres which produced on the average about 9500 tons of hemp and 1500 tons of tow to the value or £240,000 per annum. This was- con sidered the largest and finest flax area in New Zealand until about 1914 when the yellow leaf disease appeared. That disastrous visitation so seriously damaged the flax that it was considered more profitable to turn about 10,000 acres into grass lands. The land owners found it was better to hav; a good crop of grass than a bad croj. of flax. In developing the flax cro], the land had been thoroughly drained so that it was only necessary -t< cultivate the land and sow grass t< make it suitable either for dairying o. grazing.

Within the last five years sixteei miles of roads have been constructed through the plains and during tin .resent year seven miles have bee; metalled, so that now there is a roar nom the Rangi'tane suspension bridge right through to the Makerua railway station. This most people consider wil eventually be a part of the main high way as it shortens the distance between Wellington and Palmerston North and provides a level road.

Another road from Tokomaru junctions with this road not far from the site of the new proposed dairy factory. In the northern part of the plains Hume’s road joins on to the Makerua-Tanc road. Last of all 'there is the road which runs for some miles down the river, and may one day be linked to the Okuku road.

About thirty new homes have been erected on the area and the farmers all express themselves as satisfied with the prospects, considering that the plains contain some of the richest dairying land in the Dominion.

One of the contributing factors to the successful settlement of the Makerua plains has been the drainage and flood protection work carried out by the Makerua Drainage Board, which has protected the land from the periodical flooding and given a good outlet for drainage. In carrying out this scheme it is estimated that nearly two million yards of spoil were excavated by the big steam dredges in making the channels and building the flood protection banks. Here is a case where what appeared

to be a disaster has in the long run proved a blessing in disguise. The new settlers are enterprising and experienced farmers, and it is confidently anticipated that the Mhkerua pla’ins will soon be considered one of the most productive dairying districts in Now Zealand. . . •