NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1927. THE CALL OF THE NORTH

Northern Advocate, 17 September 1927, Page 8

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1927. THE CALL OF THE NORTH

Registered for transmission tlirongli the post as a newspaper.

‘‘When Christchurch is bitten of hai'd frosts, or tantalised by a tardy spring, it is well to w r arm oneself with the knowledge that there is a lovely lonely bay in the northland where arum lilies bloom by the ten thousand in the open fields in early August, and where orange and lemon trees are golden in their spoil.’ ’ It is wdth these .words that the Rev. J. J. North, one of the Dominion’s gifted writers, begins an article entitled “The. Ohosts of Russell’’ which he contributed to a Christchurch paper. The writer recently paid a visit to the North, and the sentence with which he opens his article speaks eloquently of the impression the favoured land made upon him. It is well that people in this district should read these words, which could with equal force be applied to countless spots between Whangarei and the North Cape, for they impel readers to realise the beauty and the romance in which their northern homeland is steeped. It is strange, but nevertheless true, that familiarity with privileges and advantages very often leads to forgetfulness of them. The people of the North undoubtedly have much of which they may be proud. They live in a land \inique in many respects. Saved from the discomfort which a tropical sun brings, the North nevertheless enjoys a genial warmth and a clarity of atmosphere "which make life pleasant and cheerful. Flowers and fruits may be produced with a'minimum of labour, and the animal world draw rich sustenance in smiling valleys and large expanses of rolling country. It is true that great areas of poorer land are to be found. These lands, however, have been impoverished by artificial methods, and by the adoption of other artificial methods they can be restored to productivity. This has been done in different parts of the province, and what can be done in one place can be done in another. It is recognition of this fact, for instance, which makes so certain the extension of the dairying industry. The growth of this industry has been remarkable. It will surprise the majority of people to know that the output of butter and cheese has quadrupled since 1914. The figures are surprising. In 1914-15 there were 14 factories, with an output of 2391 tons. In 1925-26 the number of factories had increased to 17, but the output had gone up to 7734 tons. Since then there has been phenomenal growth, for in 1926-27 the 17 factories produced 9840 tons, and the amount paid to suppliers was £1,111,494. As we have said, there are large quantities of land awaiting improvement and

other areas that may profitably be subdivided into small farms. The dairying industry in the North is only in its infancy. What the fullgrown adult will produce, especially when herd-testing and top-dressing have been universally adopted, it is impossible to forecast. Dairying, great as it is, by no means constitutes the only source of wealth in the North. Grazing, foi example, has not been developed to anything like its maximum extent, jet the wool clip last year realised a quaiter of a million sterling. The revenue from the freezing industry also amounted to a large sum. And be it always remembered that primary production in the North is still undeveloped. Then, as the observations of the writer we have quoted suggest, the North is eminently adapted to fnut-giowin 0 and gardening. The geniality of the climate and the volcanic soil ensure earlier crops than can be obtained in any other part of the Dominion. The value of this is self-evident. Citrus orcharding promises to reach very large dimensions, and it has been confidently asserted that if the industry were developed as it should be the northern orchards would be able to meet the whole of the citrus requirements of the Dominion. The apple harvest at the present time is rich and must increase as recently planted orchards come into bearing. A limit cannot be placed upon the possibilities of fruitgrowing. Then, again, there is an inexhaustible source of wealth in the vicinity of Whangarei, It consists of coal fields and .deposits of limestone and other minerals. To show the extent of the coal mining industry it may be mentioned that the Hikurangi Coal Company’s mine was opened in 1894 with approximately 100 employees. From November 1926 to August 1927 the amount of coal won was 55,374 tons, valued at £61,000, and the wages paid amounted to £42,350. It may safely be said that this mine, ■with a clear run, will turn out 100,000 tons of coal in a year. What this means to the district, apart from the coal won from the Wilson and other collieries, does not require emphasis. Reference must also be made to the cement industry carried on by Wilsons Portland (N.Z.) Cement Company. The works, situated at Portland, on the shores of Whangarei harbour, have an output of 3000. tons of cement per week, but the company recently installed new machinery giving a capacity of over 4000 tons should the demand warrant it. The industiy gives employment to approximately 400 men, and the wages *)ill is in the vicinity of £IOO,OOO per annum' Mention of coal and cement suggest the role Kioreroa is .destined to play in the development of Whangarei and a large area of country. Kioreroa, two miles from Whangarei, with which it will be connected by a level modern road, will be a deep water port, thus bringing the north into direct contact with overseas. Whangarei is the natural centre for. the area which lies as far north as Kaikohe and Ivoitaia, and the railway which has now reached the Kirikopuni river -will bring to Kioreroa the produce of the rich and extensive territory which the line will tap. The west coast railway, and that which at present connects Whangarei with the oast coast districts, will be only two avenues of communication. The coming of good roads has revolutionised means of transportation, and development of the policy of the Main Highways Board will still further diminish the distance between Whangarei and the outposts of the North. To digress for a moment, it may be said that the manner in which it is now possible to distribute the “Northern Advocate” affords a practical demonstration of the improved services which trains and motors have developed. The “Advocate” is now placed, on the evening of publication, in the hands of subscribers as far away as Russell in the north, Waiotira in the south and Kirikopuni in the west, as well as of numerous settlers reached by lateral highways. A few years ago such a feat was unthought of; it was a physical impossibility. Now good roads are to be found throughout the territory and organised effort is being made to improve and extend them. Apart from the impetus this will give to the development of primary industries and accellerate settlement, it will hasten the day when the North will become the Mecca of the overseas tourist and the New Zealander on holiday bent. Other portions of the Dominion are rich in scenic beauty and historic interest, but none is richer than the north in legend, historic achievement and nature's wonder-work. The North is rapidly coming into its own: great is its heritage.