SAND DRIFT MENACE

Northern Advocate, 22 May 1929, Page 2

SAND DRIFT MENACE

SETTLERS ALARMED. DRAINAGE SCHEMES IN DANGER. PROBLEM IN THE NORTH, (Special to “Northern. Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. The encroachment of sand on good farming land in the North is causing alarm among settlers.

The annual conference of the Auckland Provincial -branch of the N.Z, Farmers’ Union decided this morning that the Government be asked to make » thorough investigation into the sand drift problem. “The Kaitaia drainage scheme is being seriously menaced,” said Mr A, W. Masters, “as when the sand advanced -over the hills and reached the flat country it began to travel more quickly, invaded the ditches, caused silting in the river and threatened the ruin of a drainage scheme costing many thousands.” “Sands encroachment should be treated the same as noxious weeds,” said another speaker. “Settlers who do not take steps to stop it should be penalised. In the vicinity of the Ninety Able Beach the problem was becoming urgent as the sand was advancing inland at a dangerous rate.” The system in force on the coasts of France and Nova Scotia, though costly, was advocated as a method of control. During the discussion objection was raised to the suggestion that farmers should be -compelled to take action. Near Hclensville, the most important work threatened was the railway. If was considered that the rich lamb further from the coast should share the burden.