CENTRE OF NORTH ISLAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6815, 19 January 1929, Page 12

CENTRE OF NORTH ISLAND

A Rapidly Advancing Area

Some observations regarding tie prospects of tie Eotorua and adjacent districts were made last week by Mr H. D. Bennett of Wellington, who has visited the thermal region. Mr Bennett said he was naturally interested in the Development of land and the reclamation of the large areas of waste lands still abounding, especially in the middle belt of the North Island. As a lad he could remember the great stretch of land running from the sea on tiho East Coast, including the Bay of Plenty itself, right across the middle of the island to within 40 miles of the West Coast. Not even rabbits lived in this great area 40 years ago. This great area, said Mr Bennett, was , rapidly, advancing, and taking its place in the ranks of New Zealand’s great potential reserves. “I think the Government might well materially increase the activity of the State department at present engaged in opening out the waste land in and around the Taupo and Waimarino districts,” he said. “Even at the expense of curtailing, if that is the only alternative, of tree-planting and afforestation annual appropriations. Proof beyond doubt is now available that with judicious expenditure of State capital many hundreds of families can be successfully placed in a territory previously considered worthless.” Mr Bennett, who spent a few days at Eotorua, said: “As an investment the State could not do better than attack this great resort'after the stylo of American or Continental boosters. Money left in this country by tourists is in every way equal to the proceeds from the sale of national products. New Zealand, it is true, could boast many attractions in both islands, but one cannot deny that the thermal regions offer the best medium for spectacular attraction.”

Regarding Taupo, Mr. Bonnctfa remarked: “Of recent years tliis resort has developed in spite of paternal neglect on the part of the State. It may safely be predicted that .with the completion of the. Rotorua-Taupo railway, at which there are at present hundreds of men engaged in earthworks, Taupo will be a new star —further menacing the prospects ahead of Rotorua.

For a camping tour at holiday time Mr Bennett recommends quarters on the shores of Lgke Taupo a it any point between Taupo and Tokaanu. All outboard engine and a dinghy places th.e world at your feet. “That is where I am going next time/' he added.