GOOD FARMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 15

GOOD FARMING.

IN NORTH AUCKLAND.

VEST COASTERS IMPRESSED.

GUM LANDS MADE FERTILE.

Amazement at what had been done with country that would be considered hopeless in the South Island was expressed by members of the party of more than 100 farmers and their wives from the West Coast of the South Island, who arrived back in the city last evenin;.' after a tour of North Auckland that extended as far as Dargaville. What seemed to be arid, useless gum lands had been brought into fertile and productive fa l ine, they said.

"I would like to record that I think North Auckland has also a section of the best land in New Zealand." said one man. "The Kuawai Flats, outside Darfraville. are unsurpassed in the Dominion -and we can claim to speak with authority. an we are probably the most travelled farmers' party in the country, and have seen practically all the North and South Islands." But if the Southerners were amazed at the fertility of the North, the North Auckland people were no less amazed at the vigour that is produced by long residence in the keener climate of the West Coast. This was impressed on the Whangarei people when the oldest member of the farmers' party, contributing his item to an entertainment, gave an of a .tg(h dance. Xhough Mr. ilarshall is oyei.syß years? old his performance, it ig stated", was the envy of the dancers of tbe North. 1

Visitors Impressed. The party left Auckland on June 9 and travelled to Whangarei, where they were entertained by the Whangarei Borough Council, the County Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Farmers' Union. A visit to Portland the same day interested the visitors, and next day they were taken by private cars to the Ruawai Flats, leaving that afternoon for Russell. The West Coasters were impressed with the country, as, to quote one of them: "We had always thought that Auckland city was the end of the Auckland province."

On the Sunday there was a sight-see-ing tour, and they visited Flagstaff Hill, the historic church and Long Beach, one section going to Zane Grey's fishing camp at Oteliei Bay. In the afternoon there were visits to Waitangi, the Treaty House and the Waitangi FalU being the main attractions, and at night there was a special .concert held in the t hotel. They arrived at Dargaville on Monday afternoon, receiving an official welcome. The Waipoua State Forest was visited on Tuesday, the party returning to Dargaville. An inspection of the dairy country round Maungaturoto was made by the majority of the visitors. Leaving To-day. Last evening the visitors and their wives were entertained at a social evening by the Auckland West Coasters' Association. They visited the Zoo this

morning and left for the South by the express this afternoon. So far back do some of these farmers live that they will not arrive home until late on Monday. In charge of the party is Mr. Wallace Norton and Mr. T. Mulcare. The railway officials who have accompanied them are Mr. H. C. Langford, business agent from Christchurch, and Mr. K. Wallace, who travelled through the North. "And don't forget to say that we don't believe that North Islanders are not as hospitable as Southerners," was the general opinion expressed. "We have i*ver experienced such attentive hospitality anywhere as we have in North Auckland."