AFFORESTATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1943, Page 4

AFFORESTATION

RECLAMATION OF LAKE WAIRARAPA SUGGESTED BY MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL. AS PART OF REHABILITATION SCHEME. Afforestation in the County, the development of the Wairarapa Lake area, the extension of the Stronvar Road to the coast; and road deviation work were projects which the Masterton County Council decided to suggest to the Rehabilitation Board, as development work on which returned men could be employed, when a letter from the Board was before yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the County. Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, chairman, said that productive work should be aimed at. Much unproductive work had been carried out in the past by the Government, but that ought to be changed. No doubt any projects would be held over until after the war, as any fit returned men would be given war work. However, said Mr Lee, afforestation should be the council’s first object. A good many years had already been missed. “There are great possibilities in the Wairarapa Lake area,” said Councillor G. W. Moore. He explained that he had no pecuniary interest in the lake area, but was looking at the matter from the district’s point of view. There were some 10,000 acres of marginal land around the Lake shores which were wet and then dry. If the land could be made permanently dry it would produce at least £lO an acre per annum, which gave a return of £lOO,OOO a year. Councillor H. H. Mawley said he agreed with Councillor Moore on the matter. He took it that the lake would have to be drained by making a cut through it for the Ruamahanga River to reach the sea. “The primary need is a permanent lake outlet,” said Councillor Moore. Councillor P. R. Welch: “It is a pretty big thing.” Councillor Moore cited the Whareama River as an example. Although a small river it flowed into the sea through a permanent opening. There was a terrific current. The river had cut through rock formation, and the seas could not shift the channel He suggested that a cut could be made through the Hume Estate’s property below Kahutara. It was a thing the Government would do well to consider. Councillor Mawley: “It would mean making more farms for soldiers.” ‘•lt could be made a sceond little Holland with electric pumps,” said Councillor Moore. “The soil is perhaps the richest in New Zealand.” He suggested that an English, Dutch or American engineer should be asked to report on the whole scheme. Councillor Mawley said that there were at least 50,000 acres of land in the lake area. He agreed with Councillor Moore that it would be creating something for the money spent. Councillor W. I. Armstrong suggested extending the Stronvar Road to the coast. It would, he. said, give easier and shorter access tb the coast. It was decided to suggest to the board the projects mentioned above, with the addition of road deviation work which had already been surveyed.