TAUPO LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1929, Page 10

TAUPO LANDS.

QUANTITY AND QUALITY.

"GROSSLY EXAGGERATED."

FIELD INSPECTOR'S VIEWS. MR. EAIILE VAILE INDIGNANT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, this day. j ''I am of opinion, after ten years 5 close association with this country, that both the quality and quantity of farmable land in this area has been grossly exaggerated," stated Mr. M. J. Galvin, senior field inspector of the Lands and Survey Department, when giving evidence concerning the farming possibilities of the Taupo and Rotorua land before- the M to Z Public Petitions Committee to-day. Witness said he referred to the area embracing the lands for 20 miles on each side of the route of the abandoned Rotorua-Taupo railway. During the past two and a-half years he had concentrated on Taupo lands, and, quite apart from his ordinary duties, had made the study of that area his hobby, because of the controversial nature of all questions concerned with the area. The total area within the region described was 1,420,000 acres. There were 340,000 acres of Crown lands in Rotorua and Taupo Counties, 246,000 acres of State forest lands, 422,000 acres of private lands, and 418,000 acres of native lands. Reporoa the Criterion. "Of the total area," said Mr. Galvin, "a comparatively small area is what may be termed farmable land at the present time. One of the first points to consider is the great disadvantage of severe climatic conditions, which have proved such a setback to Reporoa settlers. It can be stated with definite assurance that the work and experience on the Reporoa settlement can be regarded as a criterion of what may be achieved in Taupo lands. It has already been stated definitely in the course of evidence gives by previous witnesses 'that Rfcporoa is the oasis o£ thai district. The greater part of the present occupied area has been farmed as a station for over 25 years. It also includes a large percentage of swamp land, which has been tentatively drained. Experience has proved that most of the swamp land is very productive. Without the combination of swamp and dry hill country serious difficulties are encountered in the form of sickness. Added to this very important disadvantage must be considered the unreasonable frosts, which occur at most unexpected periods of the year, particularly in December and January. The result of these is that the settlers experience a very short season. "The configuration of the country means that the proposed route of the railway represents a gigantic furrow, •which conducts extremely cold winds blowing directly off Mount Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa Ranges, which lie due south. It is Impossible for anyone who has not been in the locality at all seasons of the year to appreciate ithe importance of this physiographical feature. Mr. Vaile's Land Sales. "To contend that the development of this-particular country entails financial difficulties, I would quote the case of one individual in the Taupo district. In 1897 this gentleman acquired 53,000 acres of land for £3912. In 1913 he sold 13,102 acres for £6551; in May, 1925, he sold 25,185 acres for £25,185; and in August of the same year he sold 4800 acres, approximately, for £7330, still retaining 10,000 acres, of which he has improved only 1700 acres, and which he lvalues at £35,000. Summarising the •whole transaction, he bought 53,000 acres for £3900, or 1/6 an acre, and he sold 43,000 acres for £39,000; and, with all this profit on his transaction, he has ibeen able to improve only 1700 acres. This gentleman is Mr. Earle Vaile." "Water Extremely Scarce." Witness said that in his frequent and comprehensive tours of the whole of the country he definitely confirmed his early opinion that water was extremely scarce. Owing to the broken nature of the country the amount of arable land fell very far short of the majority of estimates. Personally, he did not consider that at the very outside there "were more than 100,000 acres of easily plough'able country that could be entertained at present. Land situated at an altitude of 2500 feet could never be considered a sound, economic proposition. He had come to the conclusion that the largest area of workable country and the best quality of soil lay in Upper Atiamuri Valley, that is, west of the Paeroa Ranges. This, of course, by geographical division, could not benefit by the proposed railway. "I have seen no evidence to indicate that development of this country has yet passed the experimental stage," concluded Mr. Galvin, "and I consider its development, therefore, must still be regarded as an experiment, the cost of which, should be borne by the State and iiot by the individual. I am well aware that a few people have portrayed this country as an agricultural El Dorado, and in my opinion such individuals display a ridiculous disregard for the conisequences of their statements. There could be no greater tragedy than that of settlers who, after 20 years' hard toil, find themselves penniless and broken an health, while the country has reverted to its original state." Discussion on ''Window-Dressing." Mr. R. Semple, M.P.: What do you mean by saying Mr. Vaile has been window-dressing? Do you mean to tell me the only motive which prompted him to Auckland was to go out and start.window-dressing on naked land? Galvin: I have no idea what was Jr hack ot his mind when he went v, 01 7.T' but aU know Mr. Vaile lias lost no opportunity to tell the public £e!u mmg Possibilities of the Mr. Semples What ilrfit v,.,,. a Departmental officer, to call a ° U) aS ft window-dresser? CaU a P lonecr Witness replied that if, after 20 years With capital at his command <■ could bring in onlf regarded it only as window-dressing Salesmanship required window-dresS' but there was nothing dishonest aS wmdow-drtssing. about Mr. Sempte suggested it would be a serious social crim* to advoo«L tv building °f a worthless railway, Mr Galvin replied that every man had « different psychological outlook, Mr. Sempk, WeH, I am pirnfe* a . your phychofcg* * a

Mr. A. M. Samuel: Were you instructed to appear as an opponent of the railway? Witness: No, simply to give evidence. The Chairman (Colonel T. W. McDonald) : We asked the Railways, Land, Agricultural and Forestry Departments to send a witness each. This is simply a Departmental witness. . Replying to Mr. Samuel, witness said the settlers in Putaruru were struggling hard and their land was superior to the Taupo land. None had made an outstanding success. "I say the bulk of the pumice country is not fit for farming," lie added. To Mr. F. Lye: He knew of no case where a man liad made an outstanding success of pumice country. Mr. Vaile "A Good Land Salesman." Mr. Lye: Do you consider Mr. Vaile a pioneer, in a "bona fide sense? Witness: I should say he is a good land salesman, whose ability as a land salesman practically overshadowed his sympathies. Mr. Vaile: Can you look me in the face and say that? Mr. Galvin: Yes, sir. Mr. Vaile then cross-examined the witness at great length. Witness said that on one occasion when the Land Board visited Mr. Vaile's property surprise had been expressed at the inferior condition of the pastures, and Mr. Vaile had explained it was due to a heavy frost. Mr. Galvin said a large area of the pumice land would grow root crops, but not grass. Taupo could not be compared with the Waikato. Mr. Vaile: I should like to say your personal attack on me is an outrage and an injustice. Witness: It was no personal reflection on you, but I say that if you are such a good business man, and we all know you are a good business man, and if the country is so good and so fertile, it is a wonder you have not brought in more than you have. Mr. Vaile: You have gone to trouble searching my title from end to end. Witness said the Department had searched it. "I Have Not Haa the Money." Mr. Vaile: You say I have had all that money, but I say it is absurd, ■because I have not had it, but only small deposits. Mr. Galvin: There are the search figures.Mr. Vaile: Do you say I have tried to sell niv land? Witness: Well, I read the papers, sir. I have read your "Story of a Great Crime." Mr. Vaile: Is that an advertisement for my land? Mr. Galvin: I think it is a very good advertisement. Mr. Vaile: I protest against the personal attacks which have been made. Mr. Galvin: No personal attacks were intended. The Chairman: I have noticed no personal attacks. Mr. Vaile: Well, I have.