NO TAUPO “EL DORADO”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 1

NO TAUPO “EL DORADO”

An Outspoken Critic EXPERT’S VIEW ON LAND DEALS Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. A SHARP criticism of those vrho held out visions of an El Dorado in Taupo lands was given by Mr. M. J. Galvin, field inspector of the Land and Survey Department, in giving evidence before the Parliamentary committee investigating Mr. E. E. Vaile’s petition.

Mr. Galvin dealt with the farming possibilities of the Taupo and Rotorua lands 20 miles on either side of the proposed line. He expressed the opinion, after 10 years’ close association with the country, that both the quality and , quantity of farmable land had been seriously exaggerated. The total area enclosed within the region mentioned was 314,000 acres in Rotorua County and 1,111,920 in Taupo County, as well as 340,000 acres of Crown lands, 246,000 acres of State forest lands, 422,000 acres of private lands and 418,000 acres of native lands. He was certain that there had been some boosting of Reporoa, and certain groups, using some of the settlers for their own convenience, went a long way from the truth. Owing to the broken nature of the country, the amount of arable land fell very far short of the majority of the estimates. Personally, he did not consider there was, at the very outside, 100,000 acres of easily ploughable country that could be entertained at the present time. EXPERIMENTAL STAGE He had seen no evidence to indicate that the development of the country had yet passed the experimental stage. Its development must still be regarded as an experiment, the cost of which would be borne by the State and not by- the individual. A few individuals had portrayed the TaupoRotorua . country as an agricultural Eldorado and, in his opinion, they displayed a ridiculous disregard for the consequences of their statements. It would be most regrettable if the people were gulled into believing that in those regions lay a wealth ol opportunity. In years to come agricultural and chemical research might expedite the development, but the time had not yet arrived when the individual might be placed on a section and be sure of success. Mr. Galvin gave an instance of the case of a gentleman who, in 1897, acquired 53,000 acres of land in the district for £3,912. In 1913 he sold 13,102 acres for £6,551; in May. 1925. he sold 25,185 acres for £25,185; and in August of the same year sold 4,800 acres for £7,330, still retaining 10,000 acres, of which he had improved only 1,700 acres, which he valued at £35,000. To summarise the whole transaction, he bought 53,000 acres for £3,900, or Is 6d an acre, and sold 43,000 acres for £39,000, and with all that profit on the transaction had been able to im-

prove only 1.700 acres. That gentleman. said witness, is Mr. Earle Vaile. Replying to Mr. F. Lye. witness said he regarded Mr. Vaile as a good land salesman, but his ability as such was overshadowed by his sentiment. Mr. Vaile: Would you look at me and say that? Witness: Yes, sir, I would. Mr. Galvin said he could see no justification for the railway, but there might be some reason for justifying it which he could not see. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle asked witness would he consider Mr. Vaile a pioneer because he bad broken in 1.700 acres of this land. Witness: I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I consider that it would be window-dressing to sell the rest of the land. Mr. R. Semple questioned the right of witness, as a departmental officer, a make such a statement. Mr. Galvin said he was asked to express an opinion, and as only 1,700 acres could be developed, and in view of the other propaganda, he had considered it was window-dressing. Mr. A. M. Samuel: Do you consider it wise to condemn this country without giving it a fair trial? Witness: I do not wish to disparage it. I think it is all a question of experiment. He disagreed with previous witnesses, who had deposed that a majority of the land in the district was capable of profitable production. “ABSOLUTE INJUSTICE” Questioned by Mr. Vaile in regard to the climatic conditions, iwtness said Mr. Vaile himself had particularly emphasised before the Land Board his regret that frosts accounted for the poor appearance of his pastures. Referring to the attack on himself by witness, Mr. Vaile said he consid ered it an absolute injustice. "You think, then, that aTI I have done is simply for the sake of trying to take in some unsuspecting person, who does not know the country?” Witness: I think that is an exaggeration of my statement. Witness said no attack was intended, and the chairman said he had not noticed any personal attack. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle protested against witness having made a search of the titles in order to be able to give the figures be quoted in relict to the sales of portions of Mr. Vaile’s land. The chairman, however, ruled that it was competent for witness to tender such evidence. The committee then adjourned.