EAST COAST TOUR.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 52, 15 February 1921, Page 5

EAST COAST TOUR.

ON THE PUMICE LANDS. PARLIAMENTARIANS IMPRESSED Rotorua, Feb. 14. The Parliamentary Party to-day visited Waiotapu, Kaingaroa, and the Reparoa Soldiers’ Settlement.. They made it their special concern to observe the growth of the various grasses on the pumice lands. While recognising the very good work that has been done, the members expressed a desire to get detailed information concerning the cost of bringing the land to its present state. At Reparoa they went over a largo area, meeting tho settlers on their farms. Members of tho party recognised that good work was being done, but that progress was retardoa by the high cost of transporting building material, implements. manures, etc. The party was entertained at luncheon at the Waiotapu Hall with the Reparoa settlers and other residents Mr E. E. Vaile, who presided, brought forward the, requirements of the district, stressing particularly the urgent noed for a railway between Rotorua and Taupo, making the point that the settlers were prenared to hear portion of the cost by a levy on their lands. Messrs Hawken, Atmore, Mitchell and Hockly spoke, expressing themselves pleased with the class of land thev had come through. They realised the urgent need for improved communication. Land which was to be successfully utilised must ho closely settled, transport being a great factor in the success of settlement. Thev assured the settlers of sympathetic consideration of their requests. The party visited Mr Vaile’s Broadlands estate. Members, on the whole, where distinctly impressed hr the magnitude of the work done by the Forestry Department at Whakarekarewa. Waiotapu. and Kaingaroa. Thev were not favourahi v impressed by the roads, some of which are very bad.