POISON IN SOIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 111, 13 May 1938, Page 9

POISON IN SOIL.

REPOROA SETTLEMENT

RESULT OK INVESTIGATIONS.

FURTHER STOCK LOSSES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ROTORUA, this day. It is understood that investigations recently completed in the Reporoa district by the Government chemist indicate that the deposits of arsenic, which were discovered on one property off Campbell's Road, and which originally led to the investigation, are not isolated, but that traces of the poison to a greater or lesser degree have been found on a number of properties in the same vicinity. The chemist in question, Mr. J. L. Mclntosh, returned to Wellington this week, and until his report is released the actual extent of the trouble is not likely to be known. Nevertheless, a number of settlers report that tests carried out on their properties reveal arsenic deposits, in eome cases to an astonishingly high degree. In one case the percentage was as high as four grains of arsenic to six ounces of soil, while in another the settler was advised to close up a paddock entirely owing to its being dangerous.

Poison in Pools.

It is understood that th.-- tests did not reveal arsenic in the actual current of the Waiotapu Stream, which waters a number of properties, but in several cases strong traces of arsenic were found in the silt on the edges of the stream and in water from a creek lying in pools near ite margin. In one case near the south end of the settlement the proportion of arsenic in this type of water was as high as one grain to 40 gallons of water.

As a result of the recent heavy rains considerable quantities of surface water have been lying on a number of farming properties, and already it is reported that instances of etock becoming sick with arsenic poisoning have been observed. One farmer within the past few days has lost four beasts from this cause.

Tests are being carried out under the supervision of Departmental officers on the property that has been abandoned, and which, it is generally asserted, is one of the areas most seriously affected by the arsenic trouble. It was as a result of tests originally taken on this property that the presence of arsenic in the neighbourhood was first discovered. In addition, several beasts believed to be affected with the sickness have been handed over to the Departmental officers for experimental purposes. A promise has been made by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, that on his next visit to the district he will receive a deputation from Reporoa settlers, who desire to place before him a number of questions affecting the district, with particular reference to the arsenic trouble and the matter of land revaluation. At the present moment considerable uncertainty has been created at Reporoa owing to the fact that settlers, although they are aware that many positive tests for arsenic have been made, have been given no definite information as to the position. As a result, they are uncertain as to the course of treatment to be adopted to counteract the effects of arsenic poisoning. It is generally believed that the arsenic is absorbed by stock through drinking surface -water which becomes impregnated with arsenic from the soil, and the fact that sickness is again apparent among stock in the district following the recent rainy spell is held to support this assertion.