MAORI FARMERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 29, 28 June 1939, Page 5

MAORI FARMERS

rrfv.. IX>UR OF COAST A ROUND OF VISITS * A most instructive tour of the Bay of Plenty East Coast, Poverty Bay, and Hawke's Bay districts was undertaken recently by a party of twentyone young members of the Horohoro Young farmers' Club. The trip was the first of its kind to include voivng Maori farmers and from the impressions of the organisers was completely successful and instructive. The tour was organised by the club assisted by the local district secretary, Mr C„ S. Dalglicsh, Department of Agriculture, Mr W. D. Corby, farm .supervisor, Native and Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P. tor Eastern Maori. Mr L. H. Hingston was the deputy leader, Mr P. Kapenc acted as treasurer, and Mr T. D. Kingi, as secretary for the tour. The party was transported throughout bv at vehicle supplied by the Rotorua. Bus with the exception of the trips to Ruatoki and Wa;_ ,ipa scheme farms. In all. more than 700 miles of inland and coastal roads were traversed. The itinerary of the tour embraced districts where land.are farmed under the Native Land Development schemes, such as Run. told, Torere, Omaio, Te East Eoast. Wairoa and Mohaka. A notable feature of the various schemes visited was the provision of better and more complete facilities for unit living accommodation. Very interesting and instructive -jrogrammes were arranged in each district by the local supervisors and elders of the various tribes, while many places of industrial and historical interest were also visited. The journey from Opotiki to Cap Runaway and round the East Coast was unforgettable as a sight seeing which enjoyed what was not only a very comprehensive and educative tour but also a wonderful holiday. RUATOKIDEVELOPMENT. Starting from Horohora Ruatoki was reached in good time, where the party was met by Mr C. R. Taylor, distiict secretary of the AVhakatane Y F.C., Mr J. Merritt. assistant farm supervisor, Mr Tamnrau and Mr P. Pouwhare. Mr Taylor br'eilv welcomed the visitors, stnting that thi; was the first tour undertaken by a nartv of Maoris, an example which should be followed by others. A tietailed outline of the system in force at Ruatoki was given by Mr Merritt. who said thn-t far 7928 acres had been developed and a further 300 were to be developed next year, leaving a further 308>1 still to be opened up for settlement. The total population was 996, 130 units having been established, and sx new units would commcncc factory supply this spring. Keen interest was shown by the unitsjin the commcicial \aluc of pif-> -aising. fnd it was shown that commendable efforts were being made to take advantage of the extra remuneration obtained from keeping pigs. Several up-to-date lay outs had been installed in the area, as well a s a number of modern calf rearing layouts. A marked improvement in the -oung horses in the area was al;o noticeable. AHUWHENUA CUP WINNERS By means of two trucks the partv crossed the Whrkatane River, and travelled along a well formed road with luxuriant pasture on either side, dotted with neat cottages and cowsheds. As always, commented Mr Merritt, the capricious Whakata'ie

presented grave difficulties in flood tihie and- loss through the agency ofi the river? had been severe. The farm of Mr J. Black, winner of the Ahuwhenua Gup last' season, was visited and although 1 It appeared disappointing so far as condition was' concerned, the returns were outstandingly good. , The party moved on to Te Kaha, passing through Opotiki, Torere ami Maraenui. where they were honoure«l by a ritual welcome. Here also a memorial to Koopu Erueti, a chief of the Whanau.Apanui tr'ibe, was unveiled. A call was also made 'iV* Omaio. smallest of the native schemes and historical spots along the route were pointed out to the party by Messrs Delemere and G. Stanton. The next morning a visit was paid to the farm of Mr J. Swinton, first wintlut.Ahuwhen.ua .Trophy, at Rail kokore. It was considered a file proand was commended by Mr J.. Edwards, of Horohoro, winner of the trophy this year. After attending the opening of two bridges, the Horohoro farmers continued on to Te Araroa. TIKITIKI DISTRICT. The party discovered Tikitiki on Wednesday morning, to be a most productive farming area covering many thousands of acres, nil of which, was owned and farmed bv Maoris. The natives also owned all the shops in the town, although the hotel was under Ppkeha There* was in the town a N very fine Maori cathedral, from which a view of the whole settlement could be obtained. Here rain intervened, and Sir Api_rana, who acted as guide to Tokomaru Bnv, described to the party the farming activities of the NgatL» porou and the many experiments hehimself had carried out on his property. Ruatoria was passed en route* where the Ngatiporou dairy run by Maoris for Maoris, was visited. Travelling for the rest of the day in heavy rain, the party arrived at Tokomaru Bay. where Sir Apirana was obliged to leave them. AT GISBORNE. On arrival at Gisborne the Horo_ horo party was met by officials of the Tairwliiti Land Board, and spent two hours sightseeing before going on to Wairoa. where the remaining three nights of the tour were •'"pent and where- a welcome was extended -by Rev Hemi a chief of the Ngat? Kahungunu. The next morning a visit was paid to the Kahnngunit Scheme, the party was conducted by ZNIr A. McKav, assistant? farm supervisor. INIr S. Kingston ami Mr C. Tekaka. The site of -his scheme was a few years ago fit only f»r pig hunting, but stands to.day clothed in green pasturrs. The area of the scheme is 29,000 ncos, of which 0000 remain to be ■•eveloped. On the Saturday, Arvvva members of the party were grouped together and shown all the historical spots of Wairoa, and were afterwards taken to the well-known Huramua farm, owned by Mr A. T. Carroll. 130i> acres of r'ch river flat and 2000 acres of easv hill country. A conference* on vital farming points was held in the evening at and later at dance was attended. Before leaving for Hohoroho the. next morning, Mr Rulii l'ururti thanked the Ngati Kahungunu people for the fine manner in which the partv had hem t-eated, and expressed the hope that they might be ahl - fro visit Horohoro in the near future..