FERTILE PLAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 10

FERTILE PLAINS.

RANGITAIKI TRANSFORMED. TO RICH DAIRYING LANDS. TONS AND TONS OF BUTTERFAT. COMMERCE TOURISTS IMPRESSED. (Special to "Star.") TAURANGA, Monday. Like a Cinderella emerging in magic attire the fertile plains of Rangitaiki shone forth to-day in brilliant colours to claim the attentions of 60 Auckland business men and that of the prominent Government officials who are touring in the commerce train. It was at the complimentary luncheon I which was tendered to the visitors by ! the local bodies of the county that the coming out process commenced. The Mayor of Whakatane, Mr. W. Sullivan, took advantage of the presence of Departmental officials to express the thanks of the district for all that had been done in establishing the Rangiataiki Swamp. "The Rangitaiki Plains," chorused many voices, and the speaker was prompt to seize upon the new and more dignified title. Not so many years ago, he said, the large area was covered with water and was useless. As the result of the great drainage operations which had been carried out by the Lands and Survey Department, the Plains of Rangitaiki had been converted into one of the most fertile areas in New Zealand, and the people of the district felt deeply indebted to the various departments which had co-operated in connection with this important work. (Applause.) Only one thing remained to be done in the interest of settlers, said the Mayor, and that was to stop-bank the rivers which flowed through the areas. (Applause.) Splendid Type of Settlers.. "One of the conditions which has made,for the prosperity of this county," said Mr. Reid, the county chairman, in the course of his general remarks, "is the splendid type of settlers who have come here to tahe up land. Reference has

been made to the Rangitaiki Plains, and I want .to say that all of us are exceedingly proud of the settlers who have made good at Rangitaiki. (Applause.) In the course of their interesting drive through the rich dairying lands of Whakatane and surrounding districts the visitors were later afforded an excellent view of the Rangitaiki Plains from the hill above the saleyards at Mangaroa. A Wonderful Transformation. Those who had been here in earlier days were amazed at the wonderful transformation which has been effected. Gazing seaward across an area of some ten miles in width, and lying parallel to the coast for seventeen miles north-west from Whakatane to Matata, the visitors saw where duck-hunted swamps had been converted, into well defined farms, with smiling pastures, shaded fields and all the marks of a thriving settlement. In many respects the scene is similar to that which is viewed from the Port Hills above the plains of Canterbury. The visitors were informed that in the Rangitaiki settlement there are approximately 100,000 acres, and that most of the area now consists of small dairying farms. All holdings have been taken up, but a few have yet to be brought into effective use.

In the first few years of settlement there was a boom in prices, but these have now found a solid basis. It is of interest to note that one farm, taken as an example at random, produced ten years ago 15,0001b weight of butterfat in the year. The milking sheds on that farm have now increased from one to ten, and the annual production of butterfat is 150,0001b weight. A few days ago a "farm of 140 acres was sold for £60 an acre. This is a fair example of present values. A few brief facts arc of interest concerning the operations of the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company, which commenced making butter in the spring of 1919, and in the first year had an output of 01 tons. Last year the output was over 1000 tons, and this year it is expected to reach 2000 tons. Truly the Rangitaiki Plains have come into their own. Their success is reflective of general prosperity in the county, and of a deep sense of appreciation of all that has been done for their development. In particular the people of the Bay of Plenty are enthusiastic concerning the benefits which are arising from the recent completion of a further link in railway communication with Auckland and other parts of the North Island.