TIMBER MILLING INDUSTRY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8616, 13 June 1924, Page 8 (Supplement)

TIMBER MILLING INDUSTRY

The Whakamarama Land and Timb;r Company, Lid., an organisation hacked with South Island capital, was established twelve years ago, and so nired the freehold rights ci seven thousand acres of bush country at Whakamarama, in. the* southern portion of the Te Puna Hiding. This area is a fine plateau, with a lovey view of the harbour and ocean, which is unsurpassable. As soon asijhe Company embarked on its enterprise, iUr IT. 11. Hharplin, whe had conidcrable experience as a fanner and sawmiller

way station, on the East Coast Main Trunk Railway, will be within ten chains ef thei Company’s wharf. The prospects fo-day are fur twenty years’ milling work ahead of the Company, as there are verv extensive supplies to draw upon in their neighbourhood. The bight railway to the mill is a decided factor in the development of tlie country and gives the settlers special advantages in transport which very few districts enjoy. Southward of tin southern point cf the light railway terminus is an extensive area

of Crown and native-owned land, which is lying idle. It is net in the interests of the Te Puna district that this land be allowed tp remain unproductive and every endeavour should be made bv the Government Departments concerned to make it available for milling and subsequent settlement at the earliest possible moment. The East Coast Main Trunk Rail wav will soon be an accomplished fact and inducement for extending the- Company’s light railway ought tp be encouraged. This railway, unlike some roads, is available for traffic all the year round, and we knew of no better way of feeding the East Coast Line in this locality than by the Company extending its bush working operations which will mean extending the light railway and thereby carry development and closer settlement into country that today is earning nothing. The man oi small means, who is a fanner and wants to strike out on his own, cannot do better than place himself in touch with the Whakamarama Land and Timber Company, Ltd., and if he is to win through the Company will do its part in helping him. It may be mentioned that there is a school at Whakamarama has been enlarged recently, has (wo teachers, over 50 scholars. Postal and telephonic facilities arc available at the Company’s office, and there is a proposal to erect a

telephone Hue through the district. The question of electric power for tin area is also claiming attention. Without doubt the Company has pioneered the district well and as time goes on will no doubt be tire means rf encouraging many other settlers to settle in the Whakamarama district. It is cf interest, to note that a wireless plant is installed at tire .settlement. •The other timber company carrying on operations in the County of Tauranga is the Bay of Plenty Timber Company. The company s headquarters are. at Pcngakawa on the East. Coast Main Trunk line between Te Puke and Mat at a. ’1 he mill is situated ten miles from the Pcngakawa railway station, and is in a splendid position for supplying the requirements of the Bay. The. possibility ef this company’s tramway offers as a oenneoting link in the const ruction of a branch rail-

way line to connect Rotorua with the East Coast Railway, has been dealt with in the consideration of th? future development cf Tauranga harbour. As there stated the company possesses 6000 acres of bush laud bordering the northern shores cf Lake Rotoiti. The company’s managing director. Mr. R. 11. Phelan, has had charge of operations since the project was first mooted. All the bush lands around the Lakes is splendid sheep and cattle country and will be a great asset when the bush is cleared off. One feature that dc.cs not receive the consideration to which it is entitled, and that is the possibility Lake Rotoiti offers ns an attractive watering place. Few have the slightest conception of the thousand and one bays cf this lake, and its beautiful native hush, which is reserved to the prcplo for all time.