The Piako Lands.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43083, 23 April 1907, Page 2

The Piako Lands.

___ HON. R. McN AB’S VISIT.

On Saturday last the Minister for Lands, jqon. B- McNab, visited the I Piako district accompanied by Messrs H. Poland (Ohinemuri) and Greenslade (Waikato), M.H.Rs., McKenzie (Commissioner of Crown Lauds), A. B. Wright (District Read Engineer), Jas. Renshaw (member of the Auckland Land Board). T. Gavin (Te Aroha), and T. Clarkiu (Paeroa). The party journeyed from Thames to Morrinsville by train, afterwards driving to Tahuna, where an oil launch was in waiting to convey the party to Thames.

A brief halt was made at Kerepehi, at Mr Scotelier’s flax mill, on the river, and here the Minister was conveyed to an ele.ated position on the mill tram-line, from which a good view of the country was obtained. The party then continued down the river to Thames, where the Minister was received by the Mayor, afterwards joining the steamer Lady Itole -ts, which conveyed him to Auckland. With reference to the settlement of the Piako lands, Mr McNab indicated that the time was particularly opportune, and that ho had a scheme whereby portions of the lands would be drained,

while the portion already available would be rendered open for settlement as soon as possible. He thought that a large quantity of stock could run on the Piako lands while they also offered many ndv ntages for the cultivation of flax. The Minister spoke most hopefully of the future, and said be would go most Carefully into all the drainage schemes prepired by various officers of the department, with his own report on each fqr Hie information of his colleagues. Ho had definite ideas on the subject already and

indicated that a progressive policy Would be adopted so that this portion of the colony would receive full benefit. j - I