NORTH OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13948, 2 January 1909, Page 5

NORTH OF AUCKLAND.

A WONDERFUL FUTURE.

HON. G. FOWLDS' IMPRESSIONS.

MARCH OF THE RAILWAY

"I km more than ever convinced that the railwav through the North of Auckland, is m important to the city of Auckland as «* connection with Wellington by the Main •Trunk, if indeed, it is not more important, «id the Hon. G. Fowlds yesterdav "hen interviewed bv a Herald representative, 'lie Minister being then on the return jouri , ie from Whangarei after his inaction of ' iftilwav routes. . . .\,ked on what he based this opinion, Mr Fowlds replied that his great faith in «he future development of the North of Auckland, and his knowledge of that part of the province, had convinced him that the opening up of the northern territory would mean a very great deal more to tins ci v than the majority of the peon* seemed to realise. This opening depended upon t.y-o factors: the problems of the North of Auckland were of two-fold character. Jhe fir* was the bringing of all the North into touch with the city, and the next was the Sentific handling of the soil. The soils of North Auckland differed a great deal m characteristics from those of other parts of the Dominion, and therefore considerable experimental work would be required in the 'capture, It was not of much use 'demonstrating what land was capable of until that land had access to means of Iranpit f,a that its produce could be conveyed qvicklv to the markets, but the time was approaching when experimental work on a somewhat comprehensive scale would be necessary. He was not sufficiently acquainted with the programme of the Agricultural Department to say any more than that, but he had no doubt that the Department recognised what would require to be done in this direction. He had long recognised that methods of treatment of refractory soils would require to be demonstrated by the Government in North Auckland. He believed that the kind of cultivation that would best suit the North of Auckland and secure the best results would be of an intensive character, and that would, of necessity, mean the employment of a very large population. The fruit industry, for instance, would ultimately mean the employment of very large numbers of people, and poultry farming and dairying' would develop wonderfully in North Auckland. Mr. Fowlds added that he had previously seen much of the country traversed on the journey this week, and ho had been struck by the evidence, seen on every hand, of progress and development. Some of the districts he had renewed acquaintance with after a ! period of four or rive years, and in each district it was quite evident that settlement had advanced rapidly, the population had. increased, and the areas in occupation had been greatly improved. Not so long ago North Auckland was terra incognita to the rest of New Zealand, and generally Ihought to be a wild, sparstely-populated country, which offered little encouragement ifor settlement, but those ideas were dying out rapidly, and, although there was still, in the South, a great deal of ignorance regarding Auckland's northern territory, , |ret the country's possibilities were being recognised. No part of New Zealand provised such a future as the North of Auckland did. It would yet carry a larger population on a given area than any other part of the Dominion.- The progress going in in the North had been very marked %round Maungaturoto, and there- could be tittle doubt that many large tracts of wuntry' further north would similarly develop as the railway approached them. The Vaparoa and Matakohe districts were pretty country, and the thriving settlement there promised much for the future. Raupo Swamp he had seen before, but from the river side. On Tuesday * last 4e had an opportunity of seeing the Raupo district from a commanding position, netting a bird's eye view of the swamp and the Northern Wairoa waterway. The feeding qualities of the Raupo district seemed to be enormous, probably equal to, or ex:eedin<r. any other part of. New "Zealand. There were nearly 30,000 acres in- that flat done, and it required no special knowledge to enable one to realise that someday the irea, once a salt water marsh offered at 7s 6d ner acre, and now quoted at from £6 to £20 per acre for goodwill of the leases*, would carry a great population. | The Minister was reminded that there fcad been no official objective stated for the railway beyond Kaikohe. He replied that, in his opinion, the railway could not stop until it reached tidal waters at Hokianga, tnd there was a lot of good country lying bsyond that in the direction of Mangonui. He wished to see this railway pushed on with all possible speed, and those who were waiting for its approach could rely upon his doing hi utmost in their interests. Now that the Main Trunk connection between Auckland .and Wellington was completed f there was every reason to look forward to a vigorous prosecution of the Nortlrof Auckland section of the Main Trunk. He was at one with the members for the districts concerned, in the endeavour to get this railway through as speedily as possible. It was, of course, to be regretted that a division of opinion had arisen regarding routes, but it was only fair to say that the agitation in this connection was no frivolous one. There was a great deal to be said on both sides, and what had been said was sufficient to show the necessity,for very careful examination in order that no mis take should be made. There had been mis takes made in the past, and he wanted t< see, in the interests of the districts concerned, and of Auckland citv, that no mis take was made in connection with this rail way,.vpHe fully believed the question coulc beJjjpTwith at a sufficiently near date t< ob)i*ru' any vexatious delay in the construe

tibn works. In conclusion Mr. Fowlds remarked that he wished to express his thanks, and the thanks of the members of the party vvh> had gone on tour, to the settlers of all the dlrletent. districts visited for their: unvarying kindness and hospitality. Everywhere the party had been met with the utmost cordiality, and the settlers had vied with one another to show their hospitality and enable them to see as much as possible of the country. 1 **