LARGE AREA OF LAND DEVELOPED AT NUKUHOU NORTH BY DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 37, 12 September 1949, Page 5

LARGE AREA OF LAND DEVELOPED AT NUKUHOU NORTH BY DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

At the head of a fertile valley overlooking the rich, neatly kept farms of Nukuhou North settlers lies an area of gently rolling land crowned by a hill that gives a fine view of the surrounding country. Less than 12 months ago this area of jpst under 400 acres was undeveloped waste land of scrub and fern in which one could wonder for hours and still remain lost. Today it has been cleared and planted in grass and by the next dairying season will probably be contributing more valuable dairy produce for hungry Britain.

The story behind the breaking in and development of this previous waste land is an interesting one and a'fine example of Maori supervision and labour at its best. Even experienced farmers viewing the land today find it hard to believe that so much could have been accomplished in such a short time. In developing to settle returned Maori soldiers on farms all the work was done by Maori workmen for the Department of Maori Affairs under the supervision of Mr J>. Merritt, Department Supervisor, at Ruatoki. The land was first purchased some years ago, but the first steps to . break it in from the almost impenetrable wilderness were taken last October when fences were ■erected and cattle introduced to. attack the fern and scrub.

handed over to them together with houses, buildings and other essential farming equipment and they have continued on their own, still watched and guided by the Department.

They have progressed far and the well-kept farms show the work they are putting into their property. These men, together with the other three, who are to be settled next year, will create a small settlement of. Maori rehabilitated farmers, the only one of its kind so far to be established in the Bay of Plenty. What the future holds for them it is still too early to tell but under the guidance of the Maori Department, which takes a personal interest in them, it is probable that they will become, in time, well-establish-ed and successful farmers.

Pasture Soon Established In April the land was ploughed and by May it was sown in grass, the principle variety being.a mixture of rye and cocksfoot. Top dressL ing was pushed on and the grass •came away amazingly fast, proving the value of heavy manuring so that the grass would beat the fern, and also testifying to the richness of the country. Then other breaking in and developmental work was begun.. Employing only Maori labour, except where he engaged outside contractors, Mr Merritt had roads built, fence lines planned and culverts constructed over swamps and streams. It was his intention to have easy access to all parts of the farms and to encourage stock to go to the more inaccessible places so that weeds and scrub would be kept in check. The culverts were constructed high so that while some water would drain away much of it would be retained for drinking and other purposes. The roads were made so that any work undertaken on the hills by the farmers could be done •downward. There will be no tramping up hill for any great distance. Homesteads Next Year

Most of the work has been completed and all that remains now is for the houses to be built (and these are expected to be completed by next April), and construction of fences. There are several other small jobs to be done, such as tree planting in the more rough pockets of land. Much attention is being paid to trees and their possible utilisation in the future. Eighteen acres will be planted with Oregon pine, engincides (Australian hardwood), redwoods and macrocarpa. Apart from their value on any farm these trees will all have some potential commercial value. The total area of this land is 398 acres, which, is to be divided into three farms. Pleasant, easy country, it is tucked away under treeclad hills and all of it slopes gently towards the sun so that it will always have warmth. Adjoining it is a large area of crown land all under bush and this will provide a valuable supply of timber for the farms.

Determined On Success So far the grass has a good start on the fern, which usually begins to come away about October. -By that time there will probably be enough feed for stock and they will be brought in again to attack the young fern shoots, which they pre u fer to grass, and also to consolidate the ground. Now that the land has been cleared it is a fight to keep weeds and scrub down and to keep the grass ahead. Farmers who knew the land before it was developed, have congratulated Mr Merritt and his workers on the job they have done and more than one has expressed the opinion that when the developmental work was first started they did not think it would succeed. Possibly, it was because of this outside attitude that those engaged in the work were determined of success. They have surpassed even their wildest hopes. Ex-Soldier Farmers Just over a hill from this land into the Whakatane County there is another block controlled by the Department of Maori Affairs and farmed by three Maori ex'-service-men. Now into their second year they have progressed considerably and are milking from 55 to 60 cows. Each has a farm of just over 100 acres and all are A grade farmers.

Before they actually took the land over these three men farmed it for a year under the supervision of the Maori Department. When they proved suitable the land was