FLAX GROWING
PLAINS SWAMPLAND INSPECTION MADE With a view to promoting the flax industry in the WaitokiAwaiti areas, the swamp lands there were recently inspected by the chairman of the Southland Catchment Board, Mr L« A. Niederer, and Mr Farrington of the Department of Agriculture, accompanied by the chairman and secretary of the Hauraki Catchment Board, Messrs H. M. Corbett and C. H. Walsh. The two visitors were of the opinion that with a certain amount ' of land drainage, flax growing could be profitably pursued. They pointed out that the financial returns of flax compared favourably with dairy farming over a fiveyear period, which time was required for the maturity of a flax crop. Mr Corbett expressed the opinion that the matter was one which the board could well consider as a method of utilising swamp lands which at present grow only stunted manuka and pussy willow, becoming definite fire hazards during the summer months. Mr J. Motion thought the suggestion “ a foolish idea. The Hauraki Plains land is far more valuable as a run-off for settlers during the winter,” he said. Mr H. R. Thorp thought that if the undrainable swamp lands could be utilised for flax growing the project was worth carrying out. There was no further discussion on the matter.
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Bibliographic details
Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4122, 6 April 1949, Page 7
Word Count
213FLAX GROWING Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4122, 6 April 1949, Page 7
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