THE PIAKO SWAMP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 50, 28 February 1901, Page 3

THE PIAKO SWAMP.

IXSPECTED BY MINISTERS

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

THAMES, Wednesday

The Hon. Mr Duncan, Minister of Lantls, Hon. J. McGowan, Minister of Mines and Justice, accompanied by Messrs Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., Barron, Under-Secretary Crown hands, (i. Mueller, Commissioner Crown Lands, Mr' Hufstbouse, Government Road Engineer, Mr llnszard, District Surveyor, YT.'i A. Dunlop, County Council Chairman, and several councillors, visited the country yesterday between Thames, Hikutaia, and Turua. chiefly for the purpose of seej ing what has been done in the way jof successfully draining and reelaimi ing the swamp land on the Thames JBiver. The party left about nine ! o'clock iv the morning in four buggies, driving first to Ilikutaia, fourteen miles from the Thames. Here the county chairman showed Mr Duncan where the bridge is required over the Hikutaia stream. The Minister promised that the matter should reeeiv:. consideration when framing the estimates. In reply'to a request that the road to the Hikutaia railway station be made over to the county. Mr Duncan said he would endeavour to do as requested. The party then proceeded to Ayer's landing (on Thames River), where the question of metalling the bye road receiver! veotasiueration. The Minister waSj then taken over to the Wharepoa set-! tleinent in order to see what had been j done on land similar to the Piako| swamp land, the system of drainage J lieing thoroughly explained. John Elliott, of Bushy Park, conducted thej visitors over his estate, which was once swamp, but is now flourishing and well drained. Returning to the main road the party drove to Mata-i toke. The state of Matatok^e road io i this so-called dry season forcibly j impressed the Ministers with what, settlers have to put up with in winter. At Matatoke landing boats conveyed the party across Thames to Turua, where Messrs 11. W. and L, J, Bagnall most hospitably entertained their guests. After dinner the matter of the proposed .ferry was gone into. This is a question of very great interest to settlers of this district, who at present are practically isolated from their neighbours on the other side of tlie river, The. party then walked through Tprtia settlement, where Messrs Bagnall Bros.' mill, employing one hundred hands, was of chief interest. The population of tlje settlement numbers 350, who to cross the river have to use small rowing boats. All this land is reclaimed swamp, and besides timber mill, a very successful dairy farm is rim. The party left for Kopu by ?team launch at 5 and reached Thames about 6.30, after a very instructiyp and enjoyable day, the weather being all that could be desired.

In the evening- the Hon. Duncan, Minister of Lands, was interviewed by Thames Borough Council on the following subjects: —(1) Throwing open Piako swamp for settlement; (JJ) recreation reserve. Regarding the firsst the _\|iniste'r lintendied as soon as possible to purchase the Maori land. When that was completed he would take steps towards draining the area, whicli, though uot first-class land, would be good for grass, maize, fruit, and perhaps bops. With regard to the recreation reserve he suggested that the Council should formulate a definite proposal into which he would be prepared to go. The Council also interviewee, the Minister of Mines, asking for a subsidy towards prolonging the Moanatairi tunnel. The Minister thought this Avas more a matter for the various companies (interested than for the Government to consider, and suggested that the pppipapies. should combine io carry out their proposal.