FARMS INSPECTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 6

FARMS INSPECTED

M.P.’S VISIT ROTORUA COMPREHENSIVE TOUR Special to THE SUN ROTORUA, Friday. A party of M.P.’s visited Rotorua on Wednesday for the purpose of viewing at close range the pumice lands of the district. The party went first to Mr. Parsons’ farm at Atiamuri. The party visited other farms in the vicinity, great interest being shown in the clover fields of Mr. William Gill’s farm, on which was seen red clover knee-deep. This land has only been broken in from six to 18 months. The homestead was surrounded by 40 acres in grass and clover, with a magnificent garden of flowers and vegetables. Members of the party expressed astonishment, not only at the extent of the agricultural country, but at its productivity. PLANTATIONS VISITED After lunch, at the invitation of the Rotorua-Taupo Railway League, the party set out to view forest plantations. Accompanied by Mr. Morrison, conservator of forests, a start was made in the area that lies adjacent to the Rotorua Nurseries. A good road runs through the plantation to Green Lake. The visitors were loud in their praise of the beautiful exotic forest through which they passed. A stay was made at Kaingaroa, where the older plantations were very favourably commented upon. The party was then conducted through many miles of Douglas fir plantations. At Waiotapu the party was met by Reporoa settlers, Messrs. W. Butcher, B. J. Lowry, G. Seccombe, R. Dunbar and W. Parnham, and the thermal activities of the valley were inspected. On Thursday a party visited Mr. W. A. Parnham’s property at Wharepaina, an area of 5,700 acres, 2,200 of which is flat, and 1,800 acres cultivated. The work of breaking in from the rough pumice lands was commenced five years ago. STOCK IN GREAT CONDITION Showing the practical nature of the visit, a keen cross-examination was exhaustively gone into on seeding, manuring, application and costs. An 80-acre field of newly-sown swedes showed great promise. Stock was in great condition; 400 were being pastured, 370 having been marketed as fats; 800 sheep were carried. A move was made to Mr. Seccombe’s property, where more surprises awaited the visitors. Clover was so thick it appeared as a level floor. A crop cut and siloed in December averaged five tons to the acre, and the present crop promised to be even greater. Broadlands, Mr. E. E. Vaile’s property, elicited the remark from Mr. Linklater (Manawatu) and Mr. Carr (Timaru) that they had never seen better country and results in their districts. A party was photographed standing in a field of corn breast-high, and the visitors stated they could not understand how such apparently barren land could be brought to such a state of productivity. By means of lecturette*, Mr. Vaile described how it was done. Owing to very heavy rain a good deal of water was lying on the flats, but in no place did the country appear waterlogged. At Reporoa Hall luncheon had been prepared by the wives of the settlers, after which some plain talking was indulged in by Messrs. Cherry and Alexander, of Reporoa. Mr. Vaile welcomed the party. He said the land-holders were tooth and nail against them, and pleaded to his hearers not to be deceived. When the Government bought the estate from Messrs. Stead and "Watt it was a mass of dead animals. A review of the pasture problem followed this attack. Other speakers dealt with the history of the settlement. CAPITAL NEEDED The Hon. R. A. "Wright, on behalf of all the visiting Parliamentarians, thanked the settlers for their splendid hospitality, and for the welcome given them that day. They had made an instructive and enjoyable trip, and what they had seen would enable them to form a more balanced judgment of the situation. Speaking personally he said that ho thought the pumice land could produce good pasture but capital was needed. He congratulated the settlers on the progress that they had made and wished them every success. Mr. A. Gillander’s section of 180 acres was next visited and a comprehensive report of operations and results was given by the owner to the Parliamentarians, who took down all the details supplied them. After leaving Mr. Gillander’s property a short run brought the party to Mr. Hickey’s farm on the site of the old homestead of Mr. Butcher, and afterwards of Messrs. Stead and Watt.