MINISTER’S EYES OPENED.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3440, 20 March 1920, Page 6

MINISTER’S EYES OPENED.

VALUABLE ‘AREA INSPECTED.

TE KUITI, March I 6

The Minist.er for Lands, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, visited the Rangitoto district, in the King Country, in company with Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., and Mr H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Tll(:,_nm't}‘ was met with horses near the Waipa River, and piloted :Icros<S the ford, The party then mounted and set off on a tour of the grassed portions of Davenport’s: property, so as to enable the Minister to see how the land held the grass. Mr Guthrie had not gone very far when he remarked that he was surprised, as he never expected to see land of such quality. He wéis impressed With the splendid condition of'both sheep and cattle. He had seen sufiicient, he said, to induce him jtosend an official of the Depart:a‘lent to make a. report on the district, so {that he could better frame a plan for settlement.

“I am quite satisfied,” he said, “it! Would not matter how much time I 1 spent here exploring the district, I‘? should still need a report made by an expert for reference, and I shall have this prepared immediately. I can see clearly that this country must be settled by men‘ of experience and grit, and that we shall -have to be exceedingly careful in any steps we may take in this direction. Moreover, the settlers; in their pioneering Work will need a good deal of assistance to enable them to tide over the first two or‘ three years, till they are independent .of Governmental assistance. Reading will be a great problem, but

I have no doubt. that this will be overcome, particularly as the district will fully Wm-rant-the outlay that will be incurred?’ '