CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 208, 3 September 1927, Page 12

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

A NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT.

lABIT KABXXT FmODTJOTS.

HOMES FOR RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS.

There was registered last week in Auckland the North Auckland Development Corporation, Ltd., with a capital of £35,000. This company been formed ior the purpose of purchasing and developing as a group settlement the well-known Kerikeri itation, at the Bay of Islands, approximating 10,000 acres, and recently the property of the late Mr. Geo. Riddle. In the early days it was a missionary settlement, and was selected by those old pioneers as the most central site for their work with harbour access provided by the Kerikeri estuary. Recently, the railway has been opened to Okaihau, which is within eight miles of the block, and Kerikeri has now both water and rail access. The land is open, undulating downs, intersected by six different streams, and >»»« several waterfalls, one 80ft high. The climate is claimed to be one of the beat in the world, and what is known as the "uplands," a replica of Pukekohe Bill, is quite free from frost.

Early Cropa. Before launching this scheme, the promoters have taken the precaution to test its possibilities, and in thia the Government Horticultural Department have assisted. For two years a number of selectors have been growing both early and main crop potatoes on the uplands block with great succeM, as the seasons have been marked by an absencc from frost. Last season, the Horticultural Board planted an acre at Kerikeri, another at Pukekohe, and one at Taupiri. Each plot was treated the aame and planted at the same time. The results published in the Government "Journal of Agriculture" shows that Che Kerikeri plot was dug a month earlier [than Pukekohe, and though the difference in weight was not material, Kerikeri secured much the higher price for its earlier potato. The difference was really £48 per acre. As climate is one of the leading factors claimed for Kerikeri, this point is emphasised as the main object of the corporation is to produce early crops to secure the peak market prices. Small Holders from Abroad. Although there are about 35 acres planted in early potatoes at Kerikeri at present, it is only one of the lines the company has in view. The company is making arrangements to plant for its own shareholders 200 acres in citrus fruits—oranges, grape fruit and lemons; 50 acres in passion fruit, and about 1000 acres ln afforestation, and the balance of the land will be subdivided and sold in twenty-acre sections, for intense cultivation. It is expected to settle about 300 families on the block, most of whom, it is anticipated, will be from overseas. The promoters have for aome time been in correspondence with British subjects in different parts of the globe, who have the desire to, now or later, come and settle in this Dominion. These people are holding positions for a fixed term, and when they retire they want a home in a genial climate within the Empire. For this particular class the company will undertake to plant aections for the absentee owners, and cultivate and maintain them until they can come and take occupation. As the company will bo carrying on its own plantations this will fit in with its own work. No cropping will be undertaken for absentee owners, but merely tree planting. Afforestation forms part of the scheme, but this takes the form of wide shelter belts to form warm arbours for citrus groves, etc. These belts will be composed chigtfy of Australian hardwoods, which grow with prodigious speed in the north, and are suitable for power poles and other purposes. Afforestation is'also useful for filling up all waste corners. The Company's Personnel An outstanding feature of the schemc is claimed to be in the control to be exercised by the company's officials in guiding and helping all the selectors so as to ensure the maximum results. Selectors can at all times get the advice and assistance of the supervisors, who understand the various branches of work. The chairman of the board of directors is Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, general manager of the Burroughs adding machine, and with him are associated Mr. K. D. Duncan, of Levin and Co., Captain Ed kins, a retired Australian j pastoralist, and Mr. Otto Wilson, company promoter, all of Wellington. Captain Emanuel, a retired shipmaster, with thirty years' acquaintance with the East, Japan, China and India, is also a member of the board, and is per* sonally known to many of the people who are thinking of taking sections at Kerikeri. The other member of the board is Mr. G. E. Alderton, who originated the scheme, and has been working on it for over two years. The Advisory Board which will control and direct the field operations is composed of: Professor H. Corbin, Professor of Forestry, University College, Auckland, who will direct all afforestation operations; Mr. John Bilkey, late of Pukekohe, who will be administrator of all field work and crops; Mr. E. Foster, of Taupaki, citriculturist, in charge of citrus plantations, and Mr. W. Stuart Wilson, of Wellington. marketing correspondent.

When visiting Kerikeri a week ago, the directors were shown, at Miss Kemp's home, an orange tree 106 years old, planted by the masionaries at the Kerikeri homestead, and a lemon tree, planted only four years ago, measuring 18 feet one way, 14 feet another way, aad 15 feet high. The productivity of the land has been amply demonstrated.