LAND DEVELOPMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 82, 19 March 1934, Page 11

LAND DEVELOPMENT

Work in Mohaka District EMPLOYMENT OF MAORIS Through the generosity of a friend the “Tribune’s” Wairoa correspondent was enabled recently to pay a visit to the scene of much activity in the Mohaka district. What isr generally known as the Mohaka Development Scheme, better known to the Maoris as “the scheme,” is being carried out by the Native Department and its officers. The area in question covers a large tract of land iu the Wairoa County, extending from a point south of the Waihua bridge, about 13 miles from the town of Wairoa, to a point known as Whare-rau-rakau, and running back to the north for about 10 miles. The total area under supervision is 60,000 to 70,000 acres. About half this area is occupied by Maori dairy-farmers, the farms themselves being classed as units, and the men are assisted and advised by the department until the farms are progressing favourably.

The other half of the area, about 30,000 ncres, constitutes the area which the “Tribune’s' 1 representative was enabled to visit. The block fronts the railway line near the Mohaka viaduct, in a splendid position for the transport of produce when the railway goes to Wairoa. The Putere road runs through the settlement on a splendid grade, and though the toad is not metalled at the lower end, it serves all purposes, and proves an excellent summer road and by no means a bad winter one. Though some of this land was farmed for sheep and cattle, notably by Mr Balfour, 50 or 60 years ago on leasehold tenure at particularly low rentals, the whole area on reversion to the Native owners quickly began to go back into secondary growths and noxi us weeds. At the same time there was scarcely a head of stock on the ground, it perhaps being just as well, for feed might be said to have been non-existent, though some Of it may have been grassed while .in European occupation. ATTEMPTS AT FARMING. A few of the Natives for a time endeavoured to farm these areas, but in a very haphazard fashion. Various persons and firms, and even the Government provided some finance, but there was no supervision over the farms or the farmers, so that in many cases valuable cattle were lost through neglect to provide adequate food and Shelter, and the same might be said in respect to sheep. Also much fencing material was wasted or improperly used, and it is little wonder that retrogression was the order of the day. Then came the slump and the inevitable foreclosure on stock. For many years the Mohaka Natives have been in a very bad way indeed, and apparently the time had arrived when something had to be done to reclaim what was fast becoming a wilderness. Robbed of its bush, the area was particularly desolate. Consequently the Native Department embarked on a policy of consoli dation of interests, both Crown and Native, and finally evolved the plan under which this area of 30,000 acres is now being worked; also the whole of the Native holdings between Waihua and the neighbourhood of the Mohaka viaduct. All the Native holdings, except a few at present under Hatana influence, arc embraced in the scheme and the contrast seems in favour of three engaged in the development plans. This is so apparent, even to the Maoris themselves, that before re: - long the major-

ity of them no doubt will come into the scheme. The Maori owners are engaged on the various holdings, not on wages but on contracts for such work as clearing, fencing, ploughing, sowing, etc. The proceeds of the farms are pooled and the men are credited with what is their due. Under the scheme those who work sufficiently well, and so earn enough may eventually become the owners of the holdings they are developing. The men are rapidly qualifying under expert supervision to hold their own with the best, and not a single discontented man was encountered. CULTIVATION OF CROPS. Entering into the heart of the block even an amateur must be convinced that a really marvellous work is going on in what seems a very quiet way. Areas once the home of bush, scrub and noxious weeds are now covered with good crops of rye and red and white clover, whilst numerous stacks of hay show that due provision has been made for winter feed. There were also to be seen miles of plantation belts of pinus insignis, ponderosa and muricata, all securely fenced, and showing good growth. These trees should in a few years, not only provide much-needed shelter from the cold southerlies, and westerlies of the spring season, but should also add greatly to the beauty of the landscape. These trees were procured from the Tutira Government nursery, and it is understood that others there are still available. Burning-off, fencing and top-dressing with lime and super were in progress at the time of the writer’s visit, and in various localities the plough had been at work (done by the Maoris on contract) and will be sown at an early date. In another locality there were stocks of posts and battens to be seen, cut from the Matai trees on the banks of the Mohaka river, and evidently many more will be needed, for subdivision appears to be aimed at in order to eradicate the fern. There are 20 or more families on the block at present, milking about 400 cows of a fine Jersey strain. The cream is sent to the factory at Wairoa, though if the development scheme can be brought to the expected result a Mohaka creamery may not be very far distant. In common with all dairy-farmers just now the Maoris are greatly hampered by the low prices ruling for butterfat, but as the quality of the herds is raised the percentage of profits must increase, and to this end some very fine young bulls from the Wairarapa will be available next season. There are also, so the Natives state, some 7000 sheep on the block, and a very fine draft was offered last week at the Stortford Lodge saleyards. Good teams are kept on the farms for ploughing and other operations and a few goats are kept also to hold in check the blackberry. In this respect it is pleasing to note that the blackberry is not being allowed to take charge