TAUPO RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 8

TAUPO RAILWAY.

PUMICE LANDS PROBLEM.

REPOROA SETTLERS' VIEWS

SUPPORT FOR MR. GALVIN,

The following telegram was sent this morning by the hon. secretary of the Reporoa Settlers' Association (Mr. T. H. Lewis) to Colonel T. W. McDonald in connection with the investigation being made in regard to the Rotorua-Taupo railway proposal: —

"In view of the fact that the Settlers' Association was not asked to appoint a representative to give evidence before the Taupo Railway Select Committee, we would like an opportunity, if not too late, to express our views on this national question of settling pumice lands. We consider of all the evidence given before the committee that Mr. Galvin, who has no interest except only to do his job and do it well, has given the most reliable statements. Not only has he taken a keen interest in the unoccupied land, but he has proved a good friend to local settlers. His practical knowledge and energy have enabled him to become thoroughly conversant with the difficulties of the land, and of the settlers themselves. Our association considers that to bring about any scheme of land settlement on the figures given by Mr. E. E. Vaile would be nothing short of a national disaster. Most of the land available for land settlement is without an adequate supply of water, plus an unusually severe climate, summer frosts being frequent. This statement is not being made with any idea of decrying the place we live in, but is made with the genuine intention of seeing that grave consideration is given before applying any large scheme of settlement to these pumice lands. We would esteem it a favour if you could, even at this late date, bring our view before the select committee if it will in any manner help to solve the problem of land settlement."