A LAND OF PROMISE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 272, 7 April 1911, Page 5

A LAND OF PROMISE

. <m ROOM FOR A MILLIOX. THROUGH THE BAY OF PLENTY. Christchurch, April 3. Mr. J. B. Clarkson; of Christchurch, recently travelled on a motor cycle from Rotorua to Opotiki, passing through Te Teko, Tawiahau and Whakatanc, In speaking to a reporter, he criticised the roads he had passed over very severely, but was loud in his praises of the country. The roads, he said, were really unfit for motor cycling, being very sandy for long stretches, while in the Rangitaiki Swamp it was necessary to wade t)ii<rh deep in water for a mile or a mile and a-half. The roads at Tawiahau, Whakatanc, and in the vicinity of Opotiki, were very good, but the rest were difficult. The country, however, was very suitable for settlement, and when sufficient money could be found to develop the district and drain the swamps, it would be found that the land would give room for a million settlers. Mr. Clarkson describes the lain* around Te Kotu as 'magnificent." He saw maize growing to lift in height. The country was distinctly suitable for dairying and root cropping. Operations for draining the Rangitaiki Swamp had just been commenced, and there should be room for a large population there when the work was completed. The whole district, in fact, had a wonderful future before it when the railway was put through and communication established. The people would take up the land after the line had got over the hills between Rotorua and the swamp. There seemed very few engineer difficulties to be surmounted, most of the road being over flat country. At present a lot of the trouble was" due to the lack of bridges. A fine bridge over the Whakatanc river had just been completed, but many more were needed. Mr. Clarkson said he had seen most of Xew Zealand, but lie had been greatly surprised bv the value of the district. There should be no hesitation about opening up the country, which, he believed, would prove a groat asset to the Dominion.