RISE TO PROMINENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20742, 28 February 1939, Page 11

RISE TO PROMINENCE

MATAMATA FARMING DISTRICT WEALTH FROM DAIRY PRODUCTION Claims to inclusion amongst the most prosperous towns of the Dominion are held by Matamata, which, as the centre of a highly productive dairying district, will be the venue next Saturday of one of the major agricultural shows in the Waikato. The potentialities of the Matamata farmlands are easily realised when the fact that four of its factories have an annual combined output of more than £1,000,000 is considered. It is to this wealth of dairy production that the Matamata township, like most commercial centres of the Waikato, owes its rapid rise to importance. Nor has been easy the path along which the town has advanced for, with the district upon which it depended labelled “unsuitable for farming” at a time when pioneering exploits were being made in other areas, Matamata was compelled to relinquish for the time being its rights to importance. But to-day the possibilities of the Matamata district are well known and, with old prejudices put aside as an aid to advancement, it is doubtful if these rich farming areas will ever look back.

It is really only since the Great War that the Matamata district has taken its place wiin other notable farming centres. Prior to that the feeling against a successful future for the area was governed toy the aversion had toy the early settlers to pumice lands, of which the district is composed. The possibilities of fertilisers for 'bringing land into cultivation were at that time not fully realised and the result was that the alleged unproductiveness o-f the soil was against many would-be settlers making their homes there. With the Introduction of fertilisers a marked difference came over the Matamata “wastelands.” The more courageous ventured there and discovered that the soil responded admirably to proper treatment and an air of confidence was evident amongst the settlers. Subsequent records have indicated that their hopes were by no means vain. As more land was taken up and more pasture® were developed the production of the Matamata district grew proportionally and to-day the long-condemned pumice lands are a pleasing sight to the expert eye of the agriculturalist while its vernal beauty, equal to anything in New Zealand, leaves little to be desired by traveller or settler. Like many similar regions, the Matamata district experienced its trials, particularly in the early stages of development. Of paramount imoprt—ance in Its later success was the liberal use of fertilisers which paved the way to the establishment of some of the most perfect pasture lands in the Dominion. The latest methods of grass-farming now still employed and the use of small paddocks witn frequent changes of stock are resorted to. As the district progressed with its production, factories made their appearance. First a skimming factory was established and later a glaxo business was set up, the latter afterwards being converted into a cheese factory. At Waharoa there is a butter factory which is reputed -to be the largest in the world under a single roof, while others have been set up at Matamata, Hinuera and Te Poi. On the Matamata Estate the first concerted efforts at bringing the land into production were made. The estate consisted of about 42,000 acres of land and carried 35,000 sheep and over 3000 cattle. After the subdivision of the settlement the order was reversed, many subsequent settlers going in for dairying and although sheep farming is still carried on its importance is lessened considerably by the former. With the toreaking-up of the estate the way was prepared for the rapid progress of the district. Great strides have been made with pig-farming throughout New Zealand during the last few years and the Matamata district has not been behind the rest of the farming areas in devei loping this subsidiary to dairying. Exports from this source have grown rapidly each year. About 27 years ago, when agriculture in the district was assuming greater importance, a group of enterprising farmers, interested in the further development of the ouca. called a meeting to consider the formation of an agricultural society. The result was

the founding of the Matamata Agricultural and Pastoral Association which will hold its twenly-eightu annual show on Saturday. The first exhibition was held in 1011 when the finest dairystock was placed on display in the old saleyards. With the growth of the institution a larger site for the show was found necessary and later Mr Vosper s paddock was utilised and after that the association purchased part of Mr Egan’s farm, where the shows were held for many years. After the disposal of Mr Egan’s property the show was removed to the racecourse where it has since been held. Since Its inception the show has grown and Its history reflects the rapid development of the district which it represent®. It is now considered one of the best one-day flxliue* of its kind In the Dominion. A line contribution has been made by the Matamata Agricultural and Pastoral Association no-t only to the Matamata district but to the Waikato, in its efforts to bring before the public the high-grade stock for which this centre is noted. Hard work expended toy the committees in different years to make every fixture better than the previous one has resulted in increased gate-takings year by year. It is such enterprising projects as that arranged by the agricultural society that has made Matamata one of the most enterprising towns in the Waikato ani dndications are that the forthcoming show will eclipse anything of that kind held previously.