THE GROWTH OF SUGAR-BEET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 58, 30 October 1880, Page 4

THE GROWTH OF SUGAR-BEET.

Mr. Mallcott Richardson has handed to us, for publication, the following correspondence in reference to laying off 1000 acres on the Waimate Plains for the growth of sugar-beet :—

".Hawera, Sept. 28, 1880. " The Hon. Mr. Rolleston,

" Minister of Lands, Wellington.

" Sir,— Two gentlemen and myself are growing some sugar-beet, with the view of forming a company for the manufacture of sugar, should the roots prove sufficiently rich in saccharine matter. It certainly would be a great favor if your Government can see their way to lay off a reserve of about 1000 acres, viz., 800 acres of open and 200 of bush land, of good <jna2ity, for that pargose, on t&e Waimate Putins, viz., for one year from this date, pending our testing the capabilities of the soil in this district. The company, if formed, would no doubt be willing to purchase the land at £4. an acre, or your Government might be disposed to lease the said reserve (if laid off as desired) to the intended company for a long period, and at a moderate rental. The said £4 sterling an acre to be paid in cash to your Government on the company hemgioYmeH.

'" Sincerely trusting my proposals will meet with favor at your hands — I am, &c, " Mallcott Richardson."

" General Crown Lands Office,

" Wellington, Oct. 11, 1880.

" Sir, — I am directed by Mr. Rolleston to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th September, requesting that the Government would lay off a reserve of about 1000 acres of land on the Waimate Plains, to enable a company which is about to be formed to test its value for the purpose of growing sugar-beet ; the company to have the right to purchase the land at the rate of £4 per acre, or to lease it for a long period at a moderate rental.

"In reply, 2 am to inloirm. you. that, while desiring to encourage'the manufacture of sugar in this colony, it would not be competent for the Government to deal with the land upon the Waimate Plains in the way you propose, especially as, at the present time, .the Government is anxious that the settlement should take place of as many actual occupants of the land as possible. — I have, &c, " H. J. H. Eliott, " Under-Secretary. " Mallcott Richardson, Esq., Hawera."