MORE SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1931, Page 8

MORE SETTLEMENT.

GALATEA ESTATE PURCHASE.

ACTIVITY OF GOVERNMENT

MR. RANSOM EXPLAINS SCHEME.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, M"onday.

Commenting on the acquisition by the Government for land settlement purposes of the Troutbeck block of 22,000 acres, known as Galatea Station, in the Bay of Plenty, the acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Rainson, stated to-day that having in view the possibilities of this property as iha nucleus for a practical farming settlement, the Government had for some months subjected this particular proposition to a series of investigations, not only with regard to its value from a settlement point of view, but also with the intention of providing, through its acquisition and subsequent development, considerable employment on road-making, fencing and general developmental work. The purchase of this promising block at a reasonable figure was a cause of satisfaction to the Government and was an evidence of its activities in the important matter of land settlement. The road work was proceeding immediately and already some 200 men had been detailed for employment.

"The area secured is approximately nine milee long and four miles wide," said Mr. Ramson. "The centre of the estate lies about 50 miles south-east of Rotorua railway siatioii, via the Waikaremoana Road. The distance from Auckland, via Rotorua, is about 220 miles. The main electricity transmission lines- from Waikaremoana run past the . block, eo that electric light' and power will be easily available i<i assist settlement and farming operations. The altitude varies from 600 ft to Gsoft and the contour of the country, excepting in the south-eastern corner, is mostly level, although subdivided, into terraces.. The estate is . splendidly watered by. streams, and, where subdivision would require.it, reticulation to certain farms can be secured, by easy boring. .' '" ". "

Like Matamata Lands. "In general, the lands can best be described as being similar to those in the vicinity. of Matamata. The whole of the land will respond readily to reasonable farming methods and' will consolidate fairly rapidly. The general formation varies from rich river Hats and good drained swamps to pumice of varying quality. .With the exception of about DOO acres of steep -hill country the whole area can be utilised profitably for dairying. The Hon. Sir Apirana Xgata, Minister of Native Affairs, who has a personal knowledge of the country, says:— ■ .- ■■. . - ! /,- -• . " . '. ,;

" 'I see in this acquisition a thoroughly sound investment for the State, and it has' the advantage that it will;supply a great deal of useful productive, employment to many types of people.'" : Mr. Eansom cited the following extract from the report of the special ■ committee which made the investigations: "We are convinced that, if properly selected and farmed, within two years from the date of selection the estate will be carrying 2000 dairy cows; that within four to five.years it can be developed to a carrying- capacity of 5000 dairy cows, which" can ultimately be increased to 10,000 cows producing an annual'revenue of £100,000; and again, we do not know of any area that offers the same scope for concentrated and successful settlement ae does this block." At present, in its partly developed state, the land is carrying about 18,000 sheep, 640 breeding, cows, 500 two-year-old cattle, 500 yearling cattle and 30 horses. Outlet Through Edgecumbe.

"The present access to the area," said Mr. Ransom, "ie from Rotorua, via Waiotapu and the Kaingaroa Plains, by a motor road which crosses the Rangitaiki over a bridge near the northern boundary, of the Galatea Station. The work of providing a bridge across the Wh'irinaki : River is still to be put in hand. The natural outlet from Galatea is, however, along the.: route of the Rangitaiki valley to Edgecumbe, as the natural community of interest to the whole district in this area is with the Bay of Plenty, via Te Teko and Edgecumbe. Along this route, too, eventually must be transported the vast quantities of indigenous timber which the route taps,, as well as the prospective production from large areas of exotic timber.

"The settlement now to be opened will help to provide suitable selectors with good farms; give road making and developmental employment to about 500 men; create a demand for large-quanti-ties of fencing material -and ;for<tiß

labour necessary.. in connection therewith; provide a handy market for timber fronr State forests in the vicinity; ultimately, both directly and indirectly, provide permanent employment for some hundreds of people; and lead to further closer settlement of about 10,000 acres in adjacent areas."